This episode contains references to sexual abuse that some listeners may find upsetting.
Join me as I connect with Parvathy Thiruvothu, an Indian actor and activist (and a longtime friend of mine) whose voice resonates with heartfelt authenticity. Listen in as Parvathy and I navigate the complexities of international friendships, how a simple message exchange blossomed into a profound digital companionship, and the beautiful realities of social media's power to bring people together. Parvathy is both a fascinating artist and an open book of human experiences, and I so deeply appreciate her insights about her income, sexuality, and her life’s journey thus far.

Sponsors: 
OneSkin -  Get 15% off OneSkin with the code REALSTUFF at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod
BetterHelp - betterhelp.com/LUCIEFINK to get 10% off your first month of therapy

Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX 

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story. 
I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone. 
Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod 

Find Lucie here: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink 
Website: https://luciefink.com/ 

Produced by Cloud10 and Clamor. 
 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Being rich today doesn't take away my frugality mindset from the past.”  (Parvathy Thiruvothu)

The Real Stuff is a weekly podcast series hosted by Lucie Fink who has spent the past decade getting curious and creating engaging and educational content for an audience of millions. On this show, you won’t hear your favorite guests talk about things they typically share — rather, Lucie pulls them deep into some of the world’s most taboo topics, asking intensely personal questions about sex, money, and mental health, all in an effort to help you feel less alone as you navigate through the world. And the best part: we want to invite YOU onto the show. Apply to call in as an anonymous guest at luciefink.com/apply. Pop in your voyeuristic headphones, or call in and spill your secrets! Visit Lucie on Instagram (@luciebfink) and find the show across social media @therealstuffpod.

Health & Fitness

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Jordy Glassner, a 31-year-old wife and mother who is living with terminal brain cancer. When Jordy first decided that she wanted to share her story publicly on social media, a mutual friend put us in touch so that I could show her the ropes. I’m so honored to have her joining me on our show to share her story with all of you. In this conversation, Jordy courageously opens up about her unexpected battle with glioblastoma. Her story begins with a chilling numbness and evolves into a fight for her life. Jordy’s recount of the disbelief, the emergency surgery, and the pain of not being able to see her son before the operation is a powerful testament to a mother's love and resilience in the face of harrowing odds. The narrative doesn't stop at survival; it's a relentless journey of adaptation to a new reality. Jordy eloquently speaks to how her diagnosis has permeated every aspect of her life, from the loss of a career to the redefinition of her self-identity and personal relationships. Through her eyes, we witness the grief for a past life and the transformation of relationships, yet we also discover the potential for deeper bonds and new perspectives. Jordy’s experience, punctuated by the ebbs and flows of treatment and waiting periods, offers listeners an intimate window into the emotional complexity that accompanies a life-altering diagnosis and the unwavering hope that can emerge from its depths.

Sponsors:
DrinkLMNT.com/RealStuff  - Get your free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix. Also try the new LMNT Sparkling — a bold, 16-ounce can of sparkling electrolyte water.
OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code LUCIE at checkout for an additional discount when you shop Gourmet gift packages for Fathers Day.

Follow Jordy on Instagram: @jordyglassner

Listen to Jordy's podcast, Grief Street: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grief-street/id1742465491

The gala is sold out, but here’s a link to donate to UCLA's fund for brain cancer research: https://giving.ucla.edu/Campaign/Donate.aspx?SiteNum=4010&AutoFN=Y&Trib=Y&TribT=M&TribFN=Stanford&TribLN=Kurland

Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX 

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story. 

I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone. 

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod 

Find Lucie here: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink 
Website: https://luciefink.com/ 

Produced by Cloud10 and Clamor. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I have a 5% chance of living past 5 years.” (Audience caller)

Now that I’m in my second trimester, it's time for another audience Q&A episode! I'm answering all of the questions that you sent through my IG stories box recently. Join me as I discuss the rollercoaster of our 20-week anatomy scan which unveiled that my baby's umbilical cord has one artery instead of two. Single umbilical artery (SUA) is, as I've learned, not as uncommon as they made it sound. While this discovery was scary at first, I offer comfort and insights for those facing similar prenatal concerns, highlighting how every pregnancy can bring its own set of unexpected turns. On a lighter topic, I share the creative process behind naming our baby, touching on why some beloved names didn't make the cut and the anticipation of a different postpartum experience in our suburban home. Balancing professional and family life with two children is a theme that resonates deeply in this episode. From deciding when to announce the pregnancy to contemplating a step back from work to prioritize family needs, I open up about the complexities and joys of transitioning from one child to two. Join me for a conversation that's as real as it gets, where we celebrate the joyous complexity of adding another heart to the family's beat!

Sponsor:
Songfinch: Go to songfinch.com/REALSTUFF and start your song – after you purchase, you’ll be prompted to add Spotify Streaming for your original song for FREE - a $50 value!

00:00:00 - 00:08:12 intro + 20-week anatomy scan
00:08:12 - 00:10:49 choosing a name
00:10:49 - 00:14:30 things I hope to do differently with baby #2
00:14:30 - 00:17:35 differences between my two pregnancies
00:17:35 - 00:19:34 does Milo know what's going on?
00:19:34 - 00:21:31 Songfinch
00:21:31 - 00:24:30 having enough time with Milo
00:24:30 - 00:25:55 hiring a baby nurse
00:25:55 - 00:30:09 breastfeeding tips & feeding plan for baby #2
00:30:09 - 00:31:22 when I started feeling baby moving
00:31:22 - 00:32:31 my energy level compared to first pregnancy
00:32:31 - 00:34:52 how I feel about giving birth
00:34:52 - 00:35:50 diet changes for high blood sugar
00:35:50 - 00:36:36 introducing Milo to his baby sister
00:36:36 - 00:38:58 cost of raising a child in the city
00:38:58 - 00:41:33 sibling age gaps
00:41:33 - 00:42:56 did this pregnancy affect how many children we want?
00:42:56 - 00:44:05 sciatica pain
00:44:05 - 00:45:32 announcing my pregnancy
00:45:32 - 00:49:53 fears about going from 1 to 2 kids
00:49:53 - 00:50:55 outro

Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX  

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story. 

I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone. 

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod  

Find Lucie here: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/  

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink  

Website: https://luciefink.com/  

Produced by Cloud10 and Clamor.  
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Solo Q&A: getting ready for baby girl, family finances and 2nd trimester updates

Join me for an intimate conversation with Liz Moody: best-selling author, host of The Liz Moody podcast, and my long-time friend. In today's episode, we explore all things family dynamics, mental health, and the personal battles that shape our emotional landscape. When Liz told me she didn't want to discuss money or sex on the show, I instantly knew why...she doesn't feel those topics contribute to her business's mission. Mental health, however, is a different story. On her own platforms, Liz has opened up for years about her past struggles with anxiety, agoraphobia, disordered eating, and more. In this episode, we go deeper into each of those topics. Liz opens up about her unique experience growing up with parents who are therapists, challenging the myth that such a household is a sanctuary of emotional wisdom. She reflects on how her upbringing influenced her perspective on mental health and discusses the common misconception that therapists lead flawlessly balanced lives. We also venture into the complexities of navigating life's unexpected twists, from childhood trauma to the thrills and perils of living a nomadic lifestyle, and the courage it takes to confront deep-seated fears like intense agoraphobia and a lifelong struggle with anxiety. Note: this episode contains references to many mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.

Follow Liz on Instagram: @lizmoody  

Liz's book - 100 Ways to Change Your Life: https://amzn.to/3ydsCQ2 

Sponsors:

Lume: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code REALSTUFF at LumeDeodorant.com! #lumepod

Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX 

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story. 

I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone. 

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod 

Find Lucie here: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink 

Website: https://luciefink.com/ 

Produced by Cloud10 and Clamor.  
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"My life no longer feels desperately uncomfortable.” (Liz Moody)

ALL of your surrogate/gestation carrier questions will be answered in today's fascinating episode with Sam Mathews, a woman sharing her journey with the world on social media. Sam opens up about all of the challenges, joys, and intimate details of carrying a baby for another family. From navigating contractual obligations to managing public perceptions, Sam offers a refreshingly honest portrayal of her experience (which she's been through twice so far). We get into all the financial aspects of surrogacy (plus a shocking revelation about the compensation structure for her current journey), plus the impact this role can have on personal relationships as well as her own marriage. We dive deep and I ask ALL of your pressing questions in today's episode. Join us to discover the unspoken trials and tribulations of this selfless contribution, as Sam provides a raw and unfiltered perspective on her extraordinary journey.

Follow Sam & Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearedanandsam

Sponsors:
Armoire: Go to armoire.style/realstuff to get up to 50% off your first month.
Just Thrive: Justthrivehealth.com and use promo code REALSTUFF for 20% off a 90-day bottle of Just Thrive Probiotic and Just Calm: https://justthrivehealth.com/discount/REALSTUFF 

Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX 

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story. 

I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone. 

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod 

Find Lucie here: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink 

Website: https://luciefink.com/ 

Produced by Cloud10 and Clamor.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surrogacy: the good, the bad, and the money (with Sam Mathews)

This week's episode is all about the beauty of minimalism and nomadic living. As a person who just settled into my suburban lifestyle but very much longs for an exciting "phase 2" of life after my kids go off to college, I LOVED every moment of this conversation. Our audience caller, Jeesely, shares her story of taking a huge leap from living in her dream suburban home with a white picket fence in the yard to uprooting everything and opting for the fluidity of living in an Airstream. She shares how this change has not only redefined her reality but has also rekindled her marriage and strengthened family bonds amidst the great outdoors. Our dialogue opens a window into the daily dance of routines, the creative pursuits that thrive in simplicity, and the pivotal role of nature in nurturing mental health. So, tune in and let this story of adventure and self-discovery inspire your next chapter as we keep the wheels of exploration and personal growth turning.

Follow Jeesely's journey on Instagram: @fromthehatch

Sponsors:

Songfinch: Go to songfinch.com/REALSTUFF and start your song – after you purchase, you’ll be prompted to add Spotify Streaming for your original song for FREE - a $50 value!

Hatch: Visit hatch.co/REALSTUFF to get $20 off and free shipping!

Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX 

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story. 

I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone. 

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod 

Find Lucie here: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink 

Website: https://luciefink.com/ 

Produced by Cloud10 and Clamor. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Being rich today doesn't take away my frugality mindset from the past.” (Parvathy Thiruvothu)

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