This week, Nins & Arns drift through “St. Clarity” by The Paper Kites, emotional healing, pregnancy, childbirth, and the strangely beautiful process of becoming someone new.

Nins gets lost in the dreamy stillness of “St. Clarity” by The Paper Kites, reflecting on the song’s peaceful atmosphere, quiet emotional weight, and the ripple effects our actions leave behind long after a moment has passed.

Arns shares her birth story—from pregnancy fears and labor pain to the surreal feeling of meeting her daughter for the first time, and realizing that childbirth doesn’t just bring a new person into the world…it births a new version of you, too.

This episode explores vulnerability, memory, identity, family, healing, motherhood, and the small moments that permanently shape who we become.

Content warning: pregnancy, childbirth

• 0:00 - Preview
• 0:24 - Intro
• 2:54 - Bad days
• 7:23 - Nins: St. Clarity by The Paper Kites
• 30:14 - Arns: birth story
• 56:26 - Outro

Referenced in this episode:

• St. Clarity (official music video) by The Paper Kites
• "The Return of Fed Square Live" by Amy Theodore for Top Shelf Mag
• "Track of the Week: 'St Clarity' By The Paper Kites" by Alex Restrepo for KRUI FM radio station
• An interview with Dave Powys for Timber & Steel Wordpress
• "The Making of St. Clarity" by @thepaperkitesband on YouTube

Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears.

Follow us:
» Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast
» TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast
» YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast

Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com.

Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at [email protected].

brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

This week, Arns visits the Smithsonian exhibition How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories and reflects on Filipino migration, generational memories, family sacrifice, and the emotional weight of the objects and stories we leave behind. From ornate steamer trunks to embroidered pillowcases, the exhibit unveils deeper questions about identity, belonging, and what survives across time.

Nins gets painfully honest about a recent fight with her husband—one that slowly unraveled into a weighted conversation about communication, emotional needs, vulnerability, and the intimacy of truly understanding each other after conflict (and, of course, past life regressions).

This episode explores marriage, family history, cultural identity, legacy, emotional repair, conflict, and the ways we try to love each other better even when it gets messy.

Chapters:

• 0:00 - Preview
• 0:31 - Intro
• 4:47 - Arns' intro: Nins' belated birthday present
• 7:33 - Arns: Filipino American Smithsonian exhibit
• 27:54 - Nins: fighting with my husband
• 46:10 - Nins: past life regression
• 1:01:13 - Outro

Referenced in this episode:

• The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) exhibition titled How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories at the National Museum of American History
• “Discovery of the Trunks” by National Museum of American History
• "Landmark Filipino American exhibit opens at Smithsonian Museum” by James Sobredo for Rappler
• Larry the Musical
• Dear Flor gummies
• Brian Weiss past life regression meditation

Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears.

Follow us:
» Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast
» TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast
» YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast

Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com.

Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at [email protected].

brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

Nins & Arns choose each other's stories in this special throwback episode. Arns chooses ep 003: periods are hard, where Nins shares her struggles with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Nins chooses ep 011: a bridgerton (sob) story, where Arns reminds us that love is a choice through Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

Content warning: depression, mental illness

• 0:00 - Preview
• 0:36 - Intro
• 2:17 - Apple Podcasts Canada feature!
• 3:14 - Today's throwback format
• 3:49 - Nins: PMDD
• 33:16 - Arns: Queen Charlotte
• 55:27 - Outro

Referenced in this episode:

• Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). For more resources, please see information from Cleveland Clinic, Hopkins Medicine, and Mayo Clinic.
• Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix)

Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears.

Follow us:
» Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast
» TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast
» YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast

Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com.

Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at [email protected].

brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

This week is a chaotic emotional spiral through all the oddly specific things that make people cry.

Nins and Arns pull different “cry categories” out of a jar and unpack the videos, memories, fears, therapy breakthroughs, celebrity interviews, childhood movies, random scents, and late-night TikToks that destroyed them emotionally. What starts as a silly little game quickly turns into an honest conversation about vulnerability, nostalgia, healing, growing up, and why the smallest moments somehow hit the hardest.

From emotional texts from parents to irrational childhood fears that still linger into adulthood, this episode explores the deeply human experience of crying over the most unexpected, nonsensical things.

If you’ve ever sobbed because of a smell, a Disney movie scene, or a TikTok at 2AM, this one’s for you.

• 0:00 - Preview
• 0:36 - Intro
• 1:21 - Introducing: cry categories
• 3:19 - Sob story: Ms. Darla
• 9:43 - #1: celebrity interview moments
• 19:11 - #2: TikTok trends
• 22:10 - #3: realizations in therapy
• 27:17 - #4: scents
• 31:02 - #5: childhood films
• 35:46 - #6: text from a parent
• 39:05 - #7: irrational fears from childhood
• 41:35 - Outro

Referenced in this episode:

• Jay Shetty Podcast | Emma Watson
• Vogue | Ariana Grande's GRWM
• WOODY FM x LISA | Most Exclusive Talk Ever in Thailand
• "tiktoks that make me cry" (TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast)
• the "last time" trend (IG: @nhutella_)
• Mulan's decision
• Mulan | emperor's speech
• Anastasia | Journey to the Past
  
  

Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears.

Follow us:
» Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast
» TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast
» YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast

Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com.

Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at [email protected].

brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

This week, Arns unpacks the emotional aftermath of Lando Norris’ Formula 1 championship win—from childhood karting dreams and impossible pressure to the vulnerable reality of finally achieving the thing you’ve chased your entire life.

Nins revisits Titanic (1997), reflecting on doomed love, immigrant hope, class inequality, and the devastating humanity at the center of James Cameron’s iconic film.

Also featuring emotional listener stories from crybabies Nadene and Glenci, plus a reminder that every immigrant deserves dignity, compassion, and care.

This episode explores ambition, survival, grief, hope, vulnerability, and the deeply human desire to build a better life.

⏱ Chapters:

0:00 - Preview
0:38 - Intro
2:21 - Listen to our vday ep!
6:07 - Arns: F1 champion Lando Norris
24:30 - Crybaby feature: Nadene + Glenci
34:49 - Nins: Titanic
1:07:42 - We stand with immigrants
1:16:19 - Outro

Referenced in this episode:

• Lando Norris’ Mclaren Formula 1 driver profile
• "Lando Norris: From Go-Kart Dreams to World Champion" on BBC Sport's YouTube channel
• “THE BEST 24 HOURS OF MY LIFE” on Lando Norris’ YouTube channel
• “Lando Norris’ Crowning Moment | 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix” on Formula 1's YouTube channel
• Netflix's Formula 1: Drive to Survive
• The book Titanic 9 Hours of Hell: The Survivors’ Story by WB Bartlet
• The book Sinking of the Titanic And Great Sea Disasters by Logan Marshall
• Gleicher, David (2006). The Rescue of the Third Class on the Titanic: A Revisionist History.
• Barczewski, Stephanie (2006). Titanic: A Night Remembered. London: Continuum.

Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears.

Follow us:
» Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast
» TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast
» YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast

Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com.

Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at [email protected].

brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

In this Valentine's Day collaboration with A Novel Affair Romance Bookstore, Nins & Arns discuss two completely different novels—a contemporary romance and a Vietnam War novel—that somehow arrive at the exact same conclusion about self-love, healing, and forgiveness.

First, Nins dives into How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang, a romance about grief, guilt, vulnerability, self-worth, and the fear of being truly known by another person.

Then, Arns explores The Women by Kristin Hannah, a bestselling historical fiction novel following an army nurse during the Vietnam War as she navigates trauma, friendship, resilience, PTSD, and the difficult journey of rebuilding a life after war.

Though completely different premises, both books ultimately ask the same question: How do we learn to love ourselves after heartbreak?

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
• The Women by Kristin Hannah
• Romance novels and contemporary fiction
• Historical fiction and the Vietnam War
• Grief, trauma, healing, and self-forgiveness
• PTSD and mental health representation
• Friendship, resilience, and emotional recovery
• Book recommendations that made us cry
• Valentine's Day reading recommendations
• Self-love and personal growth

If you love emotional books, book club discussions, literary deep dives, BookTok favorites, romance novels, or stories that stay with you long after the final page, this episode is for you.

Content warning: trauma, grief & loss, death from suicide, violence, mental health issues, PTSD

0:00 - Preview
0:32 - Intro
1:57 - Vday collab with A Novel Affair Romance Bookshop
4:25 - Follow us on socials :')
5:10 - Nins: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang (Yung's rec)
36:45 - Arns: The Women by Kristin Hannah (Julie's rec)
1:12:27 - Outro

Referenced in this episode:

• A Novel Affair Romance Bookstore in Los Altos, CA
• How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
• Yulin Kuang's website
• "Writer-director Yulin Kuang on getting things done" on The Creative Independent
• The Women by Kristin Hannah

Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears.

Follow us:
» Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast
» TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast
» YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast

Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com.

Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at [email protected].

brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

This week, we explore the people who quietly change our lives—and the fleeting moments we wish could last forever.

Arns reflects on We Live in Time (2024), starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, and why this devastatingly beautiful film about love, mortality, grief, and the passage of time left her in tears. We unpack what it means to love fully even when life offers no guarantees.

Nins brings us to one of Modern Love's most beloved stories, "When the Doorman Is Your Main Man," a moving reminder that family isn't always biological and that some of life's most meaningful relationships come from unexpected places.

From romantic love to found family, this episode explores friendship, loneliness, vulnerability, emotional healing, community, and the people who make life feel a little less lonely.

To all our crybabies who have ever been changed by a movie, a stranger, a friendship, or a love that arrived when you needed it most: this one's for you.

In this episode:

• We Live in Time (2024)
• Florence Pugh & Andrew Garfield
• Modern Love
• Found family and chosen family
• Love and mortality
• Friendship and human connection
• Loneliness and belonging
• Emotional healing and vulnerability

0:00 - Preview
0:30 - Intro
0:53 - Welcome to our new studio!
3:12 - Viral on TikTok
5:48 - Arns: We Live in Time
30:19 - Nins: Modern Love doorman story
57:16 - Outro

Referenced in this episode:

• Film We Live in Time (2024)
• Original essay "When the Doorman Is Your Main Man" by Julie Margaret (2015)
• The Modern Love TV show (aired in 2019)

Two NYT articles by David Jones, the editor of modern Love: 

• “To her He was More than a Doorman” (2019)
• “Where Did Modern Love Come From?” (2024)

Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears.

Follow us:
» Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast
» TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast
» YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast

Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com.

Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at [email protected].

brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

This week, we explore animal communication, emotional healing, personal growth, and the lifelong process of finding yourself again.

Nins shares the story of an emotional animal communication session with pet psychic Jenny of Bluebird Animal Communication. After years of wondering what her beloved cat Meredith Grey might be thinking, she finally books a session and receives unexpected messages about love, connection, healing, and the ways our pets can change our lives.

Arns dives into the viral "midlife glow up" journey of creator Leila Howell (@mykindofglow_), whose honest reflections on motherhood, identity, self-worth, reinvention, and personal growth have resonated with millions. We discuss what it means to lose yourself in life's transitions—and how to find your way back.

From pet psychics and spiritual experiences to motherhood, self-discovery, vulnerability, and emotional wellness, this episode is a reminder that growth often begins in the smallest and most unexpected moments.

Topics discussed:

• Animal communication
• Pet psychics
• Cats and emotional bonds
• Spiritual experiences
• Emotional healing
• Personal growth
• Self-discovery
• Midlife glow ups
• Motherhood and identity
• Reinvention
• Vulnerability
• Finding yourself again

0:00 - Intro
2:47 - Flood our notifications, please
3:48 - HBD Nins & NY resolutions
7:09 - Nins: animal communicator session
40:26 - Arns: Leila's midlife glow up
1:01:17 - Outro

Referenced in this episode:

• Bluebird Animal Communication website
• "Meredith Grey: The Sweetest Cat Companion" (TikTok of Nins' cat Mer and her session with Jenny from Bluebird Animal Communication)
• Leila Howell from @mykindofglow_
• "41 and trying to glow up instead of lie down" by @mykindofglow_
• "Taking a moment to celebrate my wins" by @mykindofglow_

Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears.

Follow us:
» Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast
» TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast
» YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast

Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com.

Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at [email protected].

brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

In this deeply emotional throwback to episode 010, Arns shares the story of Cosmo, her beloved Maltese who spent more than 16 years by her side. From awkward high school memories and college adventures to the devastating experience of saying goodbye, she reflects on pet loss, grief, unconditional love, and the unique bond we share with the animals who become family.

Nins then explores the song "Blurry" by JP Saxe and opens up about a period of depression, burnout, and feeling lost in her career. Through therapy, gratitude journaling, and the steady support of her partner, she discovered the one thing that remained clear when everything else felt uncertain.

Topics:

• Losing a beloved pet and navigating grief
• The emotional impact of pet ownership
• Depression, burnout, and seeking therapy
• Gratitude journaling and emotional healing
• Healthy relationships and feeling supported
• Finding clarity during difficult seasons of life
• The people (and pets) who become home to us

Whether you're grieving a pet, navigating a challenging chapter, or reflecting on the relationships that keep you grounded, this episode is a reminder that love often leaves its deepest mark through vulnerability, loss, and connection.

Content warning: pet loss, grief, anxiety, depression

Referenced in this episode:

• The Line of Best Fit interview with JP Saxe by Jen Long
• Atwood Magazine interview with JP Saxe by Luke Pettican
• 7 Questions for JP Saxe video

0:00 – Intro & throwback episode announcement
3:52 – Arns shares the story of Cosmo
9:37 – Cosmo’s personality and growing up together
20:55 – Pregnancy, aging, and saying goodbye
28:44 – Grief, dreams, and learning how to let go
34:42 – Arns reflects on loving a pet for the first time
38:02 – Nins introduces JP Saxe and the song “Blurry”
47:18 – Burnout, depression, and therapy in 2020
55:26 – Gratitude journaling and finding clarity through love
1:02:41 – Why “everything’s blurry but you” hits so hard
1:08:20 – Outro

Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears.

Follow us:
» Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast
» TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast
» YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast

Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com.

Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at [email protected].

brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

We've spent dozens of episodes crying about movies, books, songs, childhood memories, and existential crises—but somehow we've never properly answered the question: who the f*ck are we, even??

In this special bonus episode, we're ditching our usual essay format and sitting down for an unhinged little Q&A. We talk about how we became friends (spoiler: it involves Catholic school, Filipino family parties, and some devastating childhood fashion criticism), our dream podcast guests, what we love most about ourselves, and the stories we never quite turned into full episodes.

Along the way, we revisit some of our favorite brb crying moments, from About Time and The Hunger Games to Olivia Dean, Nancy Tillman, and the books and movies that continue to emotionally destroy us years later.

If you're new here, consider this your unofficial orientation packet. If you've been with us since the beginning, consider this proof that we still can't stfu.

In this episode:

• How Nins & Arns became friends 25+ years ago
• Growing up Filipino in a small Catholic school community
• Our dream podcast guests
• The qualities we admire most in ourselves (and each other)
• Stories we almost covered on the podcast
• The brb crying episodes that still haunt us

0:00 - Intro
0:50 - Something *different* for today's ep
5:18 - Collabs
7:26 - 1. From your memory, how did we meet?
12:03 - 2. Who is your dream podcast guest?
18:49 - 3. What do you love most about yourself (and me)?
27:12 - 4. What's a story for the pod you started writing but never aired?
30:29 - 5. What's something I've shared on the pod that stuck with you?
35:32 - Outro

Referenced in this episode:

• "Carmen" by Olivia Dean, brb crying ep 003: periods are hard / other people's grandmothers
• Shark Heart by Emily Habeck, brb crying ep 018: death prep / shark weak
• Film About Time, brb crying ep 031: about about time / somebody feed arns
• Psychic-ish podcast episode 33. Got stuck in a dream for 40 years

Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears.

Follow us:
» Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast
» TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast
» YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast

Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com.

Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at [email protected].

brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.