This episode of The Real Stuff is a really special one for me. I’m sitting down with my older brother, Rob Fink, and two of his best friends, Lukas Effman and Alex Goldstein — the three guys behind the indie folk-pop band, East Love. If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you already know their music: East Love’s song Rolling Stone has been the intro music to this podcast since day one!

You can listen to their new single “Never Mine” on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/5a1ncej7fWKv0Bk8o5Do3z

In this conversation, we go all the way back — from growing up together and the boys meeting in elementary and middle school, to forming a band in high school that somehow turned into a 20-year creative partnership. Today, all three of them are in their mid-30s, with kids, full-time careers, and families... and they’re still making music together.

We talk about what it actually looks like to balance a passion project with adult life, why they chose not to pursue music full-time, and how East Love has stayed together when so many bands fall apart. We get into friendship, creative fulfillment, choosing stability, and redefining what success looks like outside of the traditional music industry grind.

They also open up about songwriting and vulnerability, including the story behind East Love’s newest single “Never Mine,” which is based on a real heartbreak from Rob’s college years, and how writing that song years later helped him process it in a completely different way.

This episode is about music, but it’s also about long-lasting male friendships, growing up together, and building something meaningful that evolves as your life does. It’s warm, nostalgic, funny, and honestly one of my favorite conversations I’ve had on this show.

If you’ve ever wondered how a band survives adulthood, or how to keep creativity alive while building a full life, this one’s for you.

🎶 Listen to East Love on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0xGSNh06Su9UthAz4o1cvM

Sponsors:

Magnetic Me: If you’re a parent or shopping for one, visit MagneticMe.com now, and new customers will receive 15% off!

Obé: Sign up for a 30-day FREE trial of Obé Fitness using my code LUCIE at https://obefitness.com

Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/REALSTUFF and use code REALSTUFF to get 20% off your first month.

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/ 

Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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.

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

In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on every single revenue stream (there are over 13 of them) that powers my business as a content creator — the ones you see, the ones you don’t, and the ones people rarely talk about publicly.

So often, being a creator looks like posting on social media and doing the occasional brand deal. But behind the scenes? It’s a layered, strategic business with multiple income streams happening at once (at least it can be). In this episode, I walk you through how it actually works — from brand partnerships and sponsored content, to platform payouts, whitelisting and boosting, coaching, courses, digital products, affiliate income, speaking engagements, podcast monetization, and more.

This episode gives you the overview of all aspects of my business, but if you want the REAL numbers, deeper strategy, pricing insights, and screenshots I can’t share publicly on social media, that’s all living inside my new paid newsletter, Creator Confidential. Creator Confidential is where I go all in every other week: sharing real earnings, platform breakdowns, behind-the-scenes decisions, and the exact strategies I use to run my business. If this episode intrigues you, the newsletter is truly this conversation on steroids. Sign up at luciefink.com/confidential. 

I also share how and why I’ve intentionally built additional revenue streams beyond brands and platforms, not just to grow, but to protect myself long-term in an industry that’s constantly changing.

And as a special bonus segment, I’m bringing you a short conversation with Denise Woodard, founder of Partake Foods, about entrepreneurship, building a business from scratch, and how Amazon has helped her scale her brand — because this episode isn’t just about creator income, it’s about modern entrepreneurship in all its forms. You can shop Partake and a curated selection of incredible products from small businesses by looking for the Small Business Badge and visiting the Amazon Small Business Holiday Shop at amazon.com/smallbusinessgifts.

If you’ve ever wondered how creators actually make money or how to think like a creator-entrepreneur, this episode is for you! 

Apply to do 1:1 social media coaching with me: https://luciefink.com/apply-coaching 

Apply for my 8-week course, "Launch Your Dream YouTube Series" here: https://luciefink.com/youtube-course 

Check out my Motherhood Superguide: http://luciefink.com/motherhood

Apply to join ShopMy here: https://shopmy.us/join/luciefink

Start your own newsletter on Beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Lucie-Fink

Sponsors:

Magnetic Me: If you’re a parent or shopping for one, visit MagneticMe.com now, and new customers will receive 15% off!

Storyworth: Right now, save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you visit Storyworth.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/ 

Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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.

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

Reza Khan was living the dream on paper — a steady job at Google, great benefits, a clear career path, and the kind of structure most people work hard to reach — until he realized it wasn’t the life he wanted. Today, Reza is a full-time content creator sharing the hilarious, heartfelt, and sometimes chaotic reality of fatherhood online with his wife, Puja.

In his first-ever long-form interview, Reza goes deeper than he ever has before. He talks about the moment he realized corporate life wasn’t for him, the emotional and financial leap into creator life, and the identity shift that came with becoming a dad. He also opens up about boundaries, burnout, partnership, and how creating content about fatherhood unexpectedly helped him reconnect with himself.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to leave a “dream job,” redefine success, and build a creative life while raising young kids — this one’s for you.

Follow Reza: https://www.instagram.com/therezakhan/

Sponsors:

CLEARSTEM: Go to CLEARSTEM.com/REALSTUFF and use code REALSTUFF at checkout for 15% off your first order.

Magnetic Me: If you’re a parent or shopping for one, visit MagneticMe.com now, and new customers will receive 15% off!

Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/REALSTUFF and use code REALSTUFF to get 20% off your first month.

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/ 

Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": 

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.

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

Last week, you heard Part 1 of my conversation with Maya McHenry, where she opened up about her years-long journey with endometriosis. What you didn’t get to hear until now is the moment at the end of that interview when I brought up her sister, Lyric McHenry, who I knew personally from our time working together at Refinery29.

What unfolded next is one of the most emotional recordings we’ve ever had on The Real Stuff. Maya shared, in the most intimate and detailed way she ever has, the story of losing Lyric in 2018 — the shock of it, the media whirlwind, the unanswered questions, the guilt, the grief, and ultimately the strength she’s had to find in order to survive it.

In this episode, Maya talks about the last time she saw her sister, the moment she received the phone call that changed her life, and what it was like to navigate unimaginable pain while also protecting her family and correcting the damaging narrative the media created around Lyric’s story. She shares how grief shows up years later and how she’s learned to stay connected to Lyric through small signs, laughter, memory, and purpose.

We also talk about the extraordinary fellowship Maya built in Lyric’s honor at Stanford — a program that now helps young creatives access opportunities that would otherwise be financially out of reach. Hearing how she transformed such deep heartbreak into something that actively changes lives is extraordinary.

If part 1 of my interview with Maya was about chronic illness, resilience, and self-advocacy, part 2 is about love, loss, legacy, and the ways we keep the people we’ve lost alive. This conversation meant so much to me, both as someone who knew Lyric and as someone who believes that grief doesn’t end — it just changes shape. I am endlessly grateful to Maya for trusting me, and for trusting all of you, with this part of her story.

Donate to the Lyric McHenry Community Arts Fellowship here: https://www.lyricmchenry.com/donate

The Endometriosis Foundation of America: https://www.endofound.org

Follow Maya: https://www.instagram.com/mayamchenry/

Sponsors:

Magnetic Me: If you’re a parent or shopping for one, visit MagneticMe.com now, and new customers will receive 15% off!

Timeline: My friends at Timeline are offering 20% off, just for my listeners! Head to timeline.com/realstuff to get started.

Storyworth: Right now, save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you visit Storyworth.com/REALSTUFF 

Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/REALSTUFF and use code REALSTUFF to get 20% off your first month.

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/ 

Subscribe to my newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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.

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

This week, I’m sitting down with Maya McHenry — a model, publicist, philanthropist, and board member of the Endometriosis Foundation of America — for a conversation I’ve been wanting to have on this show for a long time.

Maya’s been deep in this advocacy work for years, and it’s clear why—in today’s interview, she shares just how much trauma and hardship she’s been through. In our conversation, Maya walks me through the first time she ever experienced an “endo episode,” when the pain was so severe she passed out. She shares how she spent years being dismissed by doctors, misdiagnosed, and told that her symptoms were “just anxiety.” Hearing how long she suffered before finally getting a diagnosis was heartbreaking, especially knowing that her story isn’t unusual. Many women wait 7–10 years for answers, and Maya brings so much honesty, clarity, and compassion to this topic.

We also talk about how chronic illness impacts mental health, how trauma can intensify physical symptoms, and the tools she’s learned to use when her flares hit without warning. Maya’s vulnerability in sharing what this disease has taken from her and how she’s learned to advocate for herself is incredibly powerful.

At the end of the conversation, I asked her about her sister, Lyric McHenry (my former coworker and friend from Refinery29 who tragically passed), and what Maya shared with me was so emotional and so profound that I realized it deserved its own full episode.

So today’s episode is only Part 1, focusing on Maya’s endometriosis journey.

Next week, you’ll hear Part 2, where Maya opens up about grief, healing, and the beautiful ways she continues to honor Lyric’s legacy.

This is one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had on The Real Stuff. I hope it brings comfort, insight, and validation to anyone who has ever felt overlooked or unheard in the medical system.

The Endometriosis Foundation of America: https://www.endofound.org

Follow Maya: https://www.instagram.com/mayamchenry/

Sponsor:

CLEARSTEM: How to claim your free Hydration Heroes Mini Kit: Go to CLEARSTEM.com, add the Hydration Heroes Mini Kit plus $75 of other CLEARSTEM products to your cart, and enter code REALSTUFFHH at checkout — the kit is yours for free! Offer ends December 2nd.

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/ 

Subscribe to my newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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.

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

Tori Dunlap is back on The Real Stuff! 💸

I asked my audience on Instagram to answer some of the most taboo money questions, like whether it’s rude to ask what someone’s house costs, if couples should split expenses 50/50, and how people really feel about money in relationships. If you haven’t listened to my first episode with Tori yet, go check it out at the link below! This time, we’re taking the conversation even deeper. 

In this conversation, Tori and I go through your replies one by one, breaking down the psychology behind money, greed, success, and why women in particular are taught to feel guilt or shame around wanting wealth. We also talk about financial privilege, debt, and what an equitable partnership looks like when incomes don’t match.

Money isn’t moral or immoral — it’s a tool. And as Tori says, money means options. Listen now for a financial expert’s take on the most taboo money-related questions.

Watch our previous episode with Tori here: https://youtu.be/1zqDOt0sKPY?si=ZwAEe3CrzNe47KHZ

Follow Tori on Instagram: @herfirst100k

Sponsors:

Magnetic Me: If you haven’t ordered Magnetic Me yet, now is the time! Check out their Black Friday sale starting November 21st for 25% off select styles, no code needed.

Rhoback: Use the code “REALSTUFF” on Rhoback.com for a generous 20% off your first order through the end of this week.

CLEARSTEM: Go to CLEARSTEM.com/REALSTUFF and use code REALSTUFF at checkout for 15% off your first order.

How to claim your free Hydration Heroes Mini Kit: Go to CLEARSTEM.com, add the Hydration Heroes Mini Kit plus $75 of other CLEARSTEM products to your cart, and enter code REALSTUFFHH at checkout — the kit is yours for free! Offer ends December 2nd.

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/ 

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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.

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

When Emily picked up the phone at work one random afternoon, she had no idea the woman on the other end would change her life forever.

At 37, Emily was married with twins, living in her dream house and running her own audiology practice. But then, one chance encounter set off a chain of events that made her finally face the truth: she was gay.

In this epic audience caller episode, Emily opens up about what it’s really like to come out later in life, while married, with kids, and everything to lose. From her husband’s shocking response and her father-in-law’s unethical diagnosis, to the first time she fell in love with a woman — this is one of the most gripping, emotional, and unexpectedly funny conversations we’ve ever had on The Real Stuff.

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to start over and live authentically no matter the cost, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.

You can reach out to Emily at [email protected].

Sponsor:

CLEARSTEM: Go to CLEARSTEM.com/REALSTUFF and use code REALSTUFF at checkout for 15% off your first order.

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.

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

This week, I talk to “Josie,” an anonymous audience caller who shares one of the most difficult and thought-provoking stories we’ve ever had on The Real Stuff. Three years ago, Josie’s dad chose to end his life through MAID — Medical Assistance in Dying. It’s a legal medical procedure in Canada that allows people facing unbearable suffering to choose when and how they die.

But Josie’s story isn’t just about death, it’s about the messiness of love, family, and grief. Her relationship with her dad was complicated, filled with both disappointment and affection. When he decided to pursue MAID, Josie found herself navigating conflicting emotions: heartbreak, relief, guilt, and understanding.

We talk about what it’s like to know the exact day someone you love will die, the ethics and humanity of MAID, and how Josie is learning to carry compassion and peace for a parent who was never perfect, but was deeply human.

If you’ve ever experienced complicated grief or wondered how far autonomy should go at the end of life, this is a conversation you won’t forget.

Sponsors:

Magnetic Me: If you’re a parent, or shopping for one, go now to MagneticMe.com and new customers will get 15% off!

Rhoback: Use the code “REALSTUFF” on Rhoback.com for a generous 20% off your first order through the end of this week.

Timeline: My friends at Timeline are offering 20% off, just for my listeners! Head to timeline.com/realstuff to get started.

Happy Mammoth:Try Prebiotic Collagen Protein risk-free AND get 15% off your entire first order with code REALSTUFF at checkout.

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.

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

In this episode of our sub-series “Don’t Hang Up,” I called my talent manager, Sam, for a raw and unfiltered conversation about what it’s really like to work together.

Sam and I have been working side by side for years, and on this call, we talk openly about everything from how the creator–manager relationship actually works to the differences between an agent and a manager, how to find good representation, and what makes a partnership successful.

I even ask her the questions I’ve never asked before — like how many other clients she manages, how she pitches me to brands, and what she really thinks it takes to build a sustainable creative career.

This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the business side of content creation and the friendships that keep it all running.

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.

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

When today’s audience caller, Lindsey, was seven months pregnant, her husband walked out — leaving her to face the end of her marriage and the start of motherhood alone. In this raw, emotional episode of The Real Stuff, I sat down with Lindsay to unpack the unbelievable story of love, betrayal, and resilience.

We talk about the moment everything changed, how she found the strength to rebuild her life, and what it really feels like to be abandoned in the middle of pregnancy. This honest conversation explores marriage, divorce, motherhood, and healing after heartbreak — with the empathy and depth that defines this podcast.

Listen if you’ve ever experienced heartbreak, felt blindsided by someone you trusted, or needed a reminder that you can start over, even in your darkest moment.

Sponsors:

Rhoback: Use the code “REALSTUFF” on Rhoback.com for a generous 20% off your first order through the end of this week.

Magnetic Me: If you haven’t ordered Magnetic Me yet, now is the time! I know you’ll love these, too. If you’re a parent, or shopping for one, go now to MagneticMe.com and new customers will get 15% off!

Happy Mammoth: Right now, you can try Prebiotic Collagen Protein risk-free AND get 15% off your entire first order with code REALSTUFF at checkout.

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.

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