Brutally Anna

This week’s episode is brought to you by: the delusion that a man who lies to you repeatedly is still somehow “99% amazing.”

In this episode, I unpack:

Why 99% perfect still isn’t enough when the other 1% is gaslighting

What it really means when you say “he’s so great, except…”

Why “second chances” are often just “I’m scared to be alone” in a trench coat

The emotional equivalent of playing a rigged slot machine with your self-worth

And how to know when you’re not actually confused — you’re just stalling

If you’re currently debating whether to leave a man who keeps texting other women — this episode is for you. Because you deserve more than 99%. You deserve 100%, or at the very least, a boyfriend who doesn’t flirt with married women behind your back.

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Let’s talk about thongs, grief, people-pleasing, and the radical act of not going to the damn party. In this episode, I unravel why I stopped molding myself into someone else’s ideal — whether it was for a man, a friend, or an aesthetic. I also talk about loss, what a photographer taught me about timing, and why your “no” doesn’t need an excuse (or a follow-up text). If you’ve ever contorted yourself to be chosen, approved of, or invited — this one's for you. Also, RIP to the thong I wore once in 2014.

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This week, I’m talking about what it feels like to be unwanted—by men, by friendships, by jobs, by the popular girls with the trendy names who never wanted to sit with you at lunch. I share what growing up as the daughter of Chinese immigrants taught me about invisibility, advocacy, and watching my mom try to return a pot to Kmart in broken English while I stood there, 7 years old, already learning what it means to feel small.

I talk about how I’ve slowly learned that just because someone doesn’t want you doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It might just mean they’re not the right person, not the right door, not the right moment. I also get into rat metaphors, George Eliot, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stop running and let what’s meant for you catch up.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to shrink to be chosen—this one’s for you.

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She’s 32, never had a boyfriend, and just dropped thousands to fund her own proposal — hotel, flowers, the ring he gave her. Meanwhile, he’s out here liking thirst traps and asking her for money for designer watches. In this episode, I unpack the heartbreak of watching someone you love choose delusion over dignity — and why trying to save them might actually be a way of avoiding your own sh*t.

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On this week's episode, former director of Betches Media turned content creator Nicole Pellegrino shares her journey as we delve into her candid and often humorous takes on marriage, millennial life, and her rescue doLouie. She opens up about the impact of her mom's passing, her parents' divorce, and why she strives never to take life too seriously, because, in her words, "we're all just floating on this rock."

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Fashion and beauty influencer, Kristina Zias, dives into her 13-year journey from being called 'cringe' to becoming a body positivity queen featured on The Drew Barrymore Show and People Magazine. We discuss juggling motherhood, cross-country move, and running her own business and why her delusional confidence has led her to achieving (and running!) races and experiences she never thought she once could.

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This week, I'm joined by comedy powerhouse Zarna Garg as she recounts her transition from practicing law (where her clients mostly ended up in jail) to becoming one of Variety’s '10 Comics to Watch.' Known for her razor-sharp wit, cultural insights, and brutally honest takes on life as an immigrant mom, Zarna dishes on her zig-zag journey. Imagine litigating to realizing you’re better at telling jokes about your mother-in-law than getting people out of jail. Add 16 years as a stay-at-home mom in NYC (three kids and a soul-crushing shoe-box apartment), and you have the perfect recipe for a comedy. Listen as Zarna talks about her stumble into a comedy club, where she hilariously tore into her mother-in-law and had an epiphany: 'Hey, I’m good at this!' She also doles out practical advice: dreams can change (now she’s got someone else getting her cilantro), persistence beats proof, and even gives a shout-out to her 'world-class ego destroyer' mother-in-law. Zarna's story is as inspiring as it is hilarious, packed with eye-openers on motherhood, chasing dreams, and making audiences—and mother-in-laws—laugh out loud.

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From his humble beginnings playing with Barbies, dealing with bullies, and rocking TJ Maxx instead of Abercrombie, Bran shares how he went from the "fat, poor, gay kid" to our internet gay bestie. Bran recounts his first Grindr hookup (complete with crabs) and dishes on his modern-day love life: think more situational-ships than relationships. We get real about his epic mental health breakdown, panic disorders, and how therapy and meds turned things around. Now, he's all about self-love, spreading good vibes, and focusing on making bank before worrying about love.

My guest this week, Noelle Downing, shares her journey of finding joy and purpose after experiencing significant loss at a young age. Despite the loss of her mother to cancer at age seven and her father to a heart attack at age sixteen, Noelle has cultivated a life filled with optimism and creativity. She talks about her early beginnings as a content creator, her side hustles, and the perseverance that led to her success. Noelle also discusses her spiritual beliefs, the impact of her parents' deaths on her life, and the importance of rejection and resilience in shaping her path. Throughout the conversation, her optimism and self-love shine through, offering inspiration and a reminder that joy can be found even in the darkest times.

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My guest this week, Noelle Downing, shares her journey of finding joy and purpose after experiencing significant loss at a young age. Despite the loss of her mother to cancer at age seven and her father to a heart attack at age sixteen, Noelle has cultivated a life filled with optimism and creativity. She talks about her early beginnings as a content creator, her side hustles, and the perseverance that led to her success. Noelle also discusses her spiritual beliefs, the impact of her parents' deaths on her life, and the importance of rejection and resilience in shaping her path. Throughout the conversation, her optimism and self-love shine through, offering inspiration and a reminder that joy can be found even in the darkest times.

Follow Anna:

https://www.instagram.com/maybeboth/

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https://www.youtube.com/@maybeboth

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https://www.instagram.com/noelledowning/

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Comedian, social media sensation, and bestselling author Anna Akana joins me this week as she discusses her journey from dealing with the tragic loss of her sister to suicide to becoming a comedian where she found solace in making others laugh. We dive deep into the challenges of dating in LA, dealing with grief, the quirks of menstrual products, and the importance of allowing yourself to be bad at something before you get good. Plus, you'll laugh at some truly unexpected places, like when we discuss leaving a menstrual disc in for three months (yes, really). It's about turning your pain into your power and remembering to enjoy the process—even when life’s a bit of a mess.

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