This Is Uncomfortable

By Marketplace

Society & Culture

What's This Is Uncomfortable about?

This is a show about life and how money messes with it. Each week, Reema Khrais digs in with stories about the unanticipated ways money affects relationships, shapes identities and often defines what it means to be an adult. Presented by Marketplace.

4.5

1,948 ratings

Download our free app to listen on your phone

LAST EPISODE

Hard choices

03.27.2020

As states across the country close all non-essential businesses, people are rethinking what it means to do the right thing. Today we hear listeners’ stories of pay cuts, layoffs and telling employers they’re putting people at risk.

This Is Uncomfortable episodes:

03.27.2020 Hard choices As states across the country close all non-essential businesses, people are rethinking what it means to do the right thing. Today we hear listeners’ stories of pay cuts, layoffs and telling employers they’re putting people at risk.
03.20.2020 COVID-19 comforts The coronavirus is changing how we think about money and community. We set out to see how people are coping and put together this audio care package. And we want to check in on you, too — let us know ...
03.12.2020 What’s a friendship worth? Would you spot a friend money if they needed it? How about if they asked every month? This week: the limits of friendship.
03.05.2020 WeWork too much When WeWork acquired her company, she got executive training, fancy corporate retreats and a dope Patagonia jacket. It was almost enough to make her forget everything she lost. This week: Why we’re so obsessed with our jobs, although they’ll never ...
02.27.2020 My boyfriend wants to pay my rent Sam Sanders, host of NPR’s “It’s Been A Minute” and Marketplace product specialist Sarah Menendez are here give advice on salary sharing, expensive olive oil, and bridesmaid duties in the latest installment of “The Group Chat.” Got anything you want ...
02.21.2020 In sickness and in fraud When a shady business partner leaves a newly married couple on the hook for over $300,000, it tests the limits of “for better or worse.” For even more “This Is Uncomfortable,” sign up for our new weekly newsletter at marketplace.org/comfort.
02.13.2020 Total financial control After getting married, Angie’s husband started to scrutinize every purchase. The situation soon got so much worse. We look at what happens when money becomes a form of control.
02.06.2020 What’s your sign? Reema (a skeptical Libra) talks with astrologer Chani Nicholas about the booming business of astrology and together they answer listener questions about overspending and toxic bosses.
01.30.2020 Divorce Story Money gets complicated when a marriage falls apart. First we’ll hear from a divorce lawyer who ends up representing herself. Then from a couple trying to plan for the day they hate each other.
01.23.2020 “This Is Uncomfortable” is back next week We’re back Jan. 30 with new stories about life and how money messes with it. You know, the light stuff, like divorce, workaholism and financial fraud. Here’s a sneak peek.
01.16.2020 I have class anxiety (rerun) A listener struggles to navigate all the unspoken rules of middle-class life. This is our last rerun before we return with new episodes later this month. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at ...
01.02.2020 Instrument of sabotage (rerun) In the cutthroat world of professional classical music, Eric Abramovitz was headed toward a shining career. Until something — or someone — got in the way. We’re rerunning a few of our favorite episodes over the holiday season, and we’ll ...
12.26.2019 When money makes it weird (rerun) Reema tries to settle a debt she’s been avoiding. And what happens when one person in a relationship has way more money? We’re rerunning a few of our favorite episodes over the holiday season, and we’ll be back with new ...
12.12.2019 Bonus: Money horror stories II Earlier this year, Hayden started getting these surprise gifts in the mail. Once he realized who sent them to him, he wondered just how far the gift giver would go. Plus, two more stories of spending regret. To be the ...
11.28.2019 Home/work (rerun) Just in time for Thanksgiving, “This Is Uncomfortable” revisits the “jobs” we take on in our families — starting with Reema’s. Plus, one couple comes up with a creative way to stop fighting over a dreaded household chore. This is ...
11.21.2019 When your life depends on it After a rare cancer diagnosis, one family’s battle with insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and the endless bureaucracy, teaches them about the price tag the medical system can put on a person’s life. By the way, this is our last episode ...
11.14.2019 Love thy neighbor, and pay off their debts, too An aspiring dancer finds a way to become debt-free. All she has to do is take on someone else’s.
11.07.2019 Don’t buy your boss a gift “Nancy” host Tobin Low and journalist Julia Furlan join us this week to give advice on office gifts, financial independence and more in the latest installment of “The Group Chat.” Got anything you want to run by the group? Tell ...
10.31.2019 Money horror stories This Halloween, we have listeners’ frightening stories of impulse buys, spooky scams and a very Hungry Heart.
10.24.2019 Sperm, baby, sperm Two couples won a chance at pregnancy, but money has complicated their journeys to build a family.
10.17.2019 Instrument of sabotage In the cutthroat world of professional classical music, Eric Abramovitz was headed toward a shining career. Until something — or someone — got in the way.
10.10.2019 TIU Live: I hate my boss We’re presenting a new segment this week called “The Group Chat.” It’s when we bring in friends of the pod to address your money and job problems. Joining us for this first installment are NPR’s Julia Furlan and Keisha “TK” ...
10.03.2019 F you, pay me Caitlin Boston asked for a raise. Her boss gave her a hard no. Then she made it her mission to figure out what she was worth… and to get paid. Plus: we teach you how to get paid too.
09.26.2019 Money advice with “Call Your Girlfriend” Reema was on one of our favorite podcasts, “Call Your Girlfriend,” a few weeks ago to answer listeners’ tricky money questions about divorce, student debt and (shudder) investing.
09.19.2019 Can’t buy me love After hooking up with her roommate, one woman can’t seem to avoid him — or his spending habits, and a couple tries showing their love for each other … in a way neither of them actually loves.
09.12.2019 Everyday liars You tell your mom you’re broke. You pretend to have student loans. You wear knock-off couture. People tell lies about money all the time. We asked about your “white lies” — and you didn’t disappoint.
09.05.2019 Cashing in on your kids Something to think about when you’re watching the new “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” this weekend: For every piece of this family’s massive empire, matriarch Kris Jenner takes a 10% cut. And when business and family mix, you can’t help ...
08.29.2019 Trapped in your personal brand Aparna Nancherla has made a career in comedy, where she often delves into her own struggles with mental health. We look at what happens when your job is tied to the most painful parts of your life. Plus, The New ...
08.22.2019 The lies we tell our friends Most of us tell little white lies at some point or another to make things less weird about money. But what happens when disaster strikes, and your money situation becomes impossible to hide?
08.15.2019 What dad left behind When money, death and grief mix there’s no playbook for what to do. And for years, one young man has been stuck. This episode deals with depression and suicide. If you or someone you know needs to talk, call 1-800-273-8255 ...
08.08.2019 I have class anxiety A listener struggles to navigate all the unspoken rules of middle-class life.
08.01.2019 That thing you buy and don’t tell your parents about We’re keeping things just a little uncomfortable this week with another round of our favorite game: Financial Face-Off! But first: We need your help telling a new story.
07.25.2019 The college fund When you’re a kid, your parents make all the financial decisions for you. But what happens when you grow up … and don’t agree with their choices?
07.18.2019 Ziwe Fumudoh makes people uncomfortable Growing up, Ziwe Fumudoh wanted to be a pop star. Her parents wanted her to go into medicine or finance. She ended up as a comedian writing for “Desus & Mero.” This week we talk about her work and money.
07.11.2019 Lost in the game When you’re a high-stakes gambler laying down tens of thousands of dollars at a blackjack table, the value of money takes on a whole new meaning.
07.03.2019 Guess my financial secret Our new game, “Financial Faceoff” puts one couple’s financial life to the test. Plus, we’ll get an update from the couple in our first episode, Nika and Terence.
06.27.2019 Home/work Reema Khrais explores the “jobs” we take on in our families — starting with her own. Plus, one couple comes up with a creative way to stop fighting over a dreaded household chore.
06.20.2019 Crying at work What happens when work is the thing that’s making us cry … at work? Plus: Reema asks her old boss an awkward question.
06.13.2019 When money makes it weird Reema tries to settle a debt she’s been avoiding. And what happens when one person in a relationship has way more money?
06.03.2019 Introducing “This Is Uncomfortable” This is a show about life and how money messes with it. Every Thursday, we’ll dig into the unanticipated ways money affects relationships, shapes identities and defines what it means to be an adult. The first episode drops June 13.
06.03.2019 Introducing “This Is Uncomfortable” This is a show about life and how money messes with it. Every Thursday, we’ll dig into the unanticipated ways money affects relationships, shapes identities and defines what it means to be an adult. The first episode drops June 13.