From Jar of Hearts to A Thousand Years to Only Human, Christina Perri continues to be an iconic household name. In this intimate one-on-one conversation with Lucie, Christina shares the real story behind her meteoric rise to fame, the heartbreak and healing that followed, and the profound transformation she’s experienced as an artist and a mother. From her early days in LA to the moment “Jar of Hearts” aired on So You Think You Can Dance, Christina opens up about the whirlwind of overnight success, the toll it took on her mental health, the exact amount of money she made, and how she ultimately found clarity through sobriety. She reflects on the spiritual journey following the devastating loss of her daughtter, Rosie, and how motherhood reshaped her identity and career—including her new life as a children’s book author. It's an emotional, honest, and beautifully human conversation about love, grief, purpose, and creating new dreams.

This episode contains references to pregnancy loss that some listeners may find upsetting.

Preorder Christina’s picture book, A Thousand Years: https://amzn.to/4cb6hTd

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 Dear Media.

Executive Producer: Cloud10

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For some reason, sleep training has become one of the most controversial parenting topics out there. Everyone wants their baby to be sleeping well, but many people feel that “sleep training” automatically means “cry it out” and therefore opt out. In today’s episode, we are breaking the silence and talking ALL THINGS baby sleep. I’m sharing exactly how we sleep trained our 2 babies and walking you (step-by-step) through the method that worked for us. I break down our personal experience, the challenges we faced, and how we got both of our kids sleeping through the night by 12 weeks old.

Then, we bring in baby sleep expert Xan from MyBaby Sleepology to answer all of your burning questions: Is sleep training psychologically harmful? Does it really work for all babies? How do you handle regressions? Whether you’re in the trenches of newborn sleep deprivation or just curious about different approaches, this episode is packed with insights, expert advice, and practical tips! I hope you enjoy it!!

Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0525949593/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_Q0MBBJZW1GB40WCRT1T1?linkCode=ml2&tag=luciefink-20

Follow Xan: https://www.instagram.com/mybabysleepology

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 Dear Media.

Executive Producer: Cloud10

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Molly became a certified foster mom, she knew her goal was adoption—but she never expected to become a mother overnight. With just 48 hours notice, she welcomed two toddlers into her home, instantly stepping into a life-changing role. In this episode, our anonymous audience caller shares her emotional journey through the foster care system, the unexpected challenges of instant motherhood, and the incredible bond she's built with her children. She opens up about the realities of solo parenting, the rollercoaster of emotions, and what she wishes more people knew about fostering to adopt.

Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPE-N86t7eb2OgX

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/

Executive Producer: Cloud10

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ricky Bee went viral for doing what should be the norm—being a fully present, equal parent. But his journey to fatherhood wasn’t exactly traditional. In this episode, Ricky gets real about everything: his unexpected path to becoming a dad, how social media changed his life, why men need to rethink their roles in parenting, and the realities of balancing work, partnership, and showing up for his kids. He opens up about grief, masculinity, and why he refuses to let old-school gender norms define his role as a father. If you’ve ever scrolled past his videos and thought, Why is the bar so low for dads?—this conversation is for you.

Follow Ricky:

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

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

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/ 

Executive Producer: Cloud10

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this audience caller episode, we asked listeners to share their wildest, most jaw-dropping in-law stories—and wow, did they deliver! From toxic mother-in-law meddling and boundary-stomping grandparents to financial disasters, cultural clashes, and men walking around without pants on (!!) this episode is packed with real, unfiltered stories that will make you rethink your own family dynamics. I chatted with three brave callers who reveal the most dramatic moments with their in-laws—one dealing with deeply ingrained racism, another navigating emotional manipulation, and a third facing financial chaos while living just steps away from her in-laws. Plus, I read some outrageous written submissions that prove you are not alone if you’ve experienced in-law struggles.

Who should be responsible for maintaining in-law relationships? What happens when boundaries aren’t respected? And what do you do when your father-in-law refuses to wear pants? Tune in and decide for yourself!

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: Lucie Fink (@luciebfink) Official | TikTok

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

Website: https://luciefink.com/ 

Executive Producer: Cloud10.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s it really like to have a baby nurse? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my experience with Mattie—the baby whisperer who became family.

From the moment she walked into our home, Mattie changed everything. She taught me how to care for my newborn, helped me recover postpartum, and even insisted I sleep (which, trust me, I needed). But hiring a baby nurse isn’t all smooth sailing—it comes with big costs, the loss of privacy, and plenty of judgment from others.

We’re getting into all of it—the pros, the cons, and what it’s like to have a stranger move in and help care for your baby in those early weeks. Plus, Mattie is here to share her unfiltered thoughts on the job, the industry, and the role she plays in so many families’ lives.

If you’ve ever considered hiring a baby nurse, wondered what they actually do, or just love a good behind-the-scenes look at new parenthood, this episode is for you!

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. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Season 2 of The Real Stuff—and we’re kicking things off with some BIG news: The Real Stuff is now part of the Dear Media network! This move means exciting things for the podcast—bigger guests, new opportunities, and even more ways to connect with you, our amazing listeners.

To start the season, I’m bringing you an episode that’s as personal as it gets. My mother-in-law, Sharon, joins me for an open and honest conversation about our relationship—the good, the awkward, and the boundaries that make it work. We dive into everything: how we first met, her real thoughts about me in high school, setting boundaries as new parents, and why she never felt like she was "losing her son." We even address the classic MIL/DIL stereotypes and why ours doesn’t fit the mold.

The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: https://amzn.to/4jU6xtm 

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 Dear Media.

Executive Producer: Cloud10

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

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Life is full of highs and lows, and in this episode, we’re diving into *the real stuff*—the storms that people are weathering right now. I asked my audience to leave voicemails sharing what they’re struggling with, and today, we’re hearing from 26 people from all over the world. From infertility to grief, career struggles to anxiety, these stories remind us that we’re never as alone as we might feel.

This episode isn’t about comparing struggles—it’s about connection. It’s about listening with an open heart, recognizing that hardship looks different for everyone, and finding solace in shared experiences. I hope you walk away from this conversation with a deeper sense of empathy and maybe even a little more peace in knowing that we’re all navigating life’s ups and downs together.

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. 

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

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this deeply personal episode, an audience caller named Hailey shares her journey through a partial molar pregnancy. This rare and complicated condition not only resulted in the loss of her pregnancy but also carried a frightening risk of cancer. Hailey opens up about the moment she realized something was wrong, the emotional and physical challenges she faced, and how she navigated the weeks of uncertainty that followed.

My intention behind sharing Hailey’s story is not to make anyone fearful but to create a space where stories like hers can help others feel less alone. Whether you're dealing with a rare condition or a more common struggle, this episode is a reminder that you’re not the only one facing challenges. Join us as we explore Hailey’s inspiring resilience, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the power of sharing our most vulnerable experiences to connect and heal.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions about pregnancy loss and medical complications.

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. 

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

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of one of the biggest transitions in my life: moving from the hustle and bustle of NYC to the slower-paced suburbs. From navigating the financial realities of buying a home to managing the mental load of uprooting our family, I’m sharing all the highs, lows, and surprises that came with this move. I’ll also reflect on how this shift has changed our daily lives, my perspective on community, and what I’ve learned about myself in the process. Whether you’re dreaming of a suburban life, curious about the transition, or just love a good life update, this episode is for you!

Sponsors: 

Naväge: Order the new Naväge Baby Aspirator and Inhaler today at Navage.com/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. 

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

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.