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.

In this episode, I’m joined by an audience caller named Makayla who has a jaw-dropping story that sounds like it’s straight out of a movie. At just 17, she found herself in a relationship with a 27-year-old man that ended in an unforgettable—and terrifying—car chase with her boyfriend’s other girlfriend. Together, we dive into the complexities of age-gap relationships, the power dynamics at play, and the lessons she learned about self-worth, intuition, and safety. This episode explores the risks young people face when dating older partners, the myths around maturity, and the importance of recognizing red flags early on. It’s a story of danger, resilience, and personal growth that raises crucial questions about how we support and protect young people navigating relationships.

Sponsors: 

Loftie: Head to ByLoftie.com and use code REALSTUFF20 to get 20% off orders over $125.

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.

This week, I’m sitting down with someone who has completely blown my mind — Hayley Arceneaux. You might know her as the youngest American to ever go to space and the first astronaut with a prosthetic limb. But what you may not know is that Hayley’s journey started as a childhood cancer patient at St. Jude, and today, she’s a physician assistant at the very same hospital that saved her life. We talk about everything from how Hayley processed the life-changing call inviting her to join SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission, to what it was like going to space and coming back to Earth, and how she conquered her fears along the way. If you’re looking for inspiration to dream bigger or just want to know what it’s really like to be an astronaut, this episode is going to stick with you.

Follow Hayley: https://www.instagram.com/hayleyarc 

Hayley’s Books:

Wild Ride: A Memoir of I.V. Drips and Rocket Ships

https://amzn.to/3PKgtI9

Wild Ride (Adapted for Young Readers): My Journey from Cancer Kid to Astronaut

https://amzn.to/4gIeekn

Astronaut Hayley’s Brave Adventure (PRE-ORDER)

https://amzn.to/4gHXA4i 

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

Sponsors: 

Loftie: Head to ByLoftie.com and use code REALSTUFF20 to get 20% off orders over $125.

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

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.

This week, I’m joined by my best friend and former Refinery29 colleague, Lauren Magenta, for a heartfelt conversation about friendship, careers, and the power of women supporting women. Lauren and I reflect on the early days of our careers—sharing how transparency around salaries and a refusal to let competition get in the way helped both of us grow. We also dive into what it’s like navigating the different stages of life, from climbing the career ladder to becoming moms, and how we’ve stayed each other’s biggest cheerleaders along the way. Plus, Lauren shares her approach to setting meaningful goals for the new year, her perspective on finding balance between ambition and motherhood, and the lessons we’ve learned about showing up for ourselves and each other. Whether you’re looking for a boost of inspiration as we enter into a new year or simply love hearing two best friends catch up, this episode is for you.

Follow Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmagenta/

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.

Today we have an unforgettable episode of the show as we sit down with two of my favorite people in the world — my brother Robbie and my twin sister Allie, to explore the unique dynamics of our sibling bond. I took to my Instagram stories to gather questions that you wanted answered and we even snuck in a game of "who's most likely to" before signing off. In this episode, we reflect on our special individual connections, highlighting the mutual admiration, creativity, and shared experiences that have shaped our closeness. From heartfelt compliments to nostalgic anecdotes, we explore the balance of intelligence, kindness, and normalcy within our family. We touch on sibling rivalry, the influence of our parents in fostering our strong connection, and the importance of maintaining these relationships while aiming to cultivate similar bonds in our future families. As we navigate significant life changes, we discuss the complex emotions and dynamics that arise when siblings reach major events at different times. We also address the idea of comparison between siblings, especially in relationships and personal milestones, and the invaluable support we provide each other during difficult times. Tune in for a heartfelt and engaging conversation that beautifully captures the essence of our sibling connection along with some unforgettable stories from our childhood.

Original airdate: June 25, 2024

Follow Robbie here: https://www.instagram.com/robjfink 

Follow East Love here: https://www.instagram.com/eastlovemusic 

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 and Clamor.

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.