In this highly-requested solo episode, Lucie dives deep into her experience making adult friendships — specifically how she built a new social circle after moving from NYC to the suburbs. If you’ve ever wondered how to make new friends after 30, how to actually keep them, or how to balance your social battery with mom life, this one’s for you. Listen for personal stories of how Lucie met her people in a place where she knew no one, the mindset shift that made it easier, and tips anyone can apply - whether you’re in a new town or just craving deeper connections. 

The Happiness Lab Podcast episode I mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Aon3Yu9KmFvr6PeZN0KqX?si=MjAm5I91R62XdX_ZrRGFCg

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

00:00 my situation & my new town

04:54 friends I’ve made in different stages of life

06:20 my first group of mom friends

07:50 getting to know people in my new town before I moved there

09:50 going on coffee dates with new people

12:22 meeting my neighbor

14:17 meeting people through Milo’s school

17:56 intimidating parts of moving to the suburbs & my mindset

20:31 using WhatsApp

22:00 getting to know Michael’s friends’ wives & people from other towns

23:35 rekindling a high school connection

24:31 playing tennis and starting a clinic

25:48 meeting a local follower

26:27 going from acquaintances to real friends

27:09 finding common interests and doing shared activities

33:01 being in friend search mode

34:23 going on double dates

36:16 what my social life looks like now

37:59 how my job impacts my friendships

40:25 tips to make new friends

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.

Brett Fairley’s story is going viral — millions are watching, commenting, and waiting for each new update as he unpacks this emotional and devastating saga of paternity fraud. And thanks to our connection to his girlfriend, Nurse Hadley, The Real Stuff had the chance to sit down with him for an exclusive interview…in real time…while it's all still unfolding.

In this deeply raw conversation, Brett shares never-before-heard details and behind-the-scenes context about the woman who told him he was a father, the child he came to love, and the shocking truth that changed everything. From DNA tests to court orders to emotional manipulation, Brett walks us through every twist in a situation that has left the internet speechless. And he came with his RECEIPTS. This man has a binder of screenshots, text messages and more proving his case.

This episode is not just about going viral. It's about betrayal, heartbreak, and the search for justice. Whether you’ve followed this story from the start or are just diving in, this is the conversation that fills in the blanks and leaves you thinking about what you would do in Brett’s shoes.

Follow Brett:

https://www.tiktok.com/@brettfairley0

https://www.instagram.com/brettfairley/

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 “Laura” discovered her husband’s sex addiction, it felt like her world cracked apart—over and over again. In this incredibly vulnerable and moving episode, our audience caller opens up to Lucie about the moment of disclosure, the letter that revealed everything, and how she’s been piecing her life back together ever since.

Laura shares what it's like to be married to someone battling an addiction that’s misunderstood and stigmatized—even within recovery communities. From therapy and polygraphs to navigating triggers, broken trust, and spiritual growth, this is a story of devastation, resilience, and radical honesty.

Whether you've experienced betrayal or are trying to understand the complexities of addiction in relationships, this conversation will challenge assumptions, break stigmas, and offer hope.

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.

Hadley Vlahos (known online as “Nurse Hadley”) is a hospice nurse, bestselling author, and storyteller who has spent nearly a decade caring for people at the end of their lives. In this emotional and eye-opening conversation, Hadley shares the profound lessons she’s learned from her patients, what it means to navigate death with dignity, and how facing mortality has shaped her perspective on living.

From her book The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments to her growing social media presence, Hadley opens up about the spiritual experiences she’s witnessed, the surprising joys of hospice care, and the personal challenges she’s faced — including her own divorce and navigating public scrutiny. Plus, Hadley dives into all the recent drama that’s been going on surrounding her boyfriend and the woman who claims he’s the father of her child.

If you’ve ever wondered what people say in their final moments or how to find peace in the face of loss, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Follow Hadley:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurse.hadley

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

Buy Hadley's book: https://amzn.to/4jc9RyK

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.

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.