The Real Stuff with Lucie Fink

In today’s episode of The Real Stuff, I’m sitting down with Brandon Sudduth for a vulnerable and very important conversation. Brandon is known online for creating joyful, family-centered content alongside his wife, Destene, but behind that joy is a story he carried silently for more than 35 years. For the first time publicly, Brandon opened up about experiencing sexual abuse as a child, the lifelong impact of carrying that experience in silence, and why he finally felt called to share his story — first on his own podcast (which you can watch here) and now with our audience.We talk about being raised by a single mother and how childhood sexual abuse quietly shaped Brandon’s relationships, sexuality, self-worth, and emotional armor as an adult. He shares how that unspoken pain showed up in his twenties, his first marriage, and later in his relationship with Destene, including moments of fear, avoidance, and deep self-reflection. He also shares the ways in which this experience doesn't impact him on a daily basis and the interesting ways in which it weighs on him.This episode also dives into Brandon and Destene's IVF journey and how becoming a father ultimately forced Brandon to confront the parts of himself he had long avoided. We explore faith, masculinity, healing, and what it means to break generational cycles — not just for yourself, but for your children.Most powerfully, Brandon explains why he chose to finally speak out: the responsibility he feels to other survivors, especially men, and the belief that healing begins when secrets are brought into the light.Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/sudduth84Follow Destene: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsdestene_Sponsors:Bayer: Check out Bayer's trusted lineup of products, available at Walmart, CVS, Amazon, and Walgreens.Laundry Sauce: Get 20% off your entire order at Laundry Sauce with code REALSTUFF at laundrysauce.com/REALSTUFFBird&Be: Visit birdandbe.com and use code REALSTUFF for 15% off your first purchase.Magnetic Me: New customers get 15% off at MagneticMe.comRitual: For a limited time, save 40% on your first month at Ritual.com/REALSTUFFVuori: Get 20% off your first order at Vuroi.com/REALSTUFFWatch 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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeSubscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidentialExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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 today’s episode of The Real Stuff, I’m sitting down with Samantha Diamond, CEO and co-founder of Bird & Be, a company born out of her personal experience with PCOS, pregnancy loss, and the deep gaps in reproductive health education. Despite being married to an OB/GYN, Samantha realized she still didn’t understand her cycle, fertility window, or the silent struggles that so many women face—until she became one of them.We talk candidly about how hormonal birth control masked her PCOS for years, her experience with pregnancy loss and infertility, and why fertility is not just a woman’s issue (hi, sperm!).We also discuss the shame and confusion so many couples face while trying to conceive, and how she used her background in beauty and CMG to build a company that’s changing the game for modern fertility support.Bird&Be offers everything from at-home fertility tests to prenatals for both men and women, but this episode isn’t just about products; it’s about empowerment. Samantha opens up about the emotional toll of TTC, how the packaging of fertility products made her feel unseen, and why redefining pregnancy culture is so important.Whether you’re navigating PCOS, thinking about your fertility future, or supporting someone through a difficult season, this conversation is for you.Visit birdandbe.com and use code REALSTUFF for 15% off your first purchase.Follow Samantha on IG: @startupmammaWatch 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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeSubscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidentialExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

What happens when you discover your partner has over $400,000 in student loan debt and they didn’t even know it existed?In today’s audience caller episode of The Real Stuff, I’m sitting down with Brittany, a listener who bravely came on the podcast to share one of the most raw, honest, and financially transparent stories we’ve ever featured.Brittany opens up about putting herself through college after her parents divorced, graduating with $100,000 in student loan debt, and spending her 20s working nonstop to pay it off while attending a private university surrounded by students from much wealthier families. She had a clear financial plan for her life: get her master’s degree, become debt-free before 30, and feel financially secure before starting a family… then she met her now-husband.One night, lying in bed scrolling on her phone, Brittany discovered something that completely changed the course of their relationship. The student loan debt her partner believed was around $200,000 was actually more than $400,000, and she was the one who had to uncover it, piece it together, and tell him the truth.In this episode, Brittany shares exactly how she found the debt, what it felt like to confront the person she loved most, and why this discovery shattered her sense of trust, security, and honesty in their relationship. We talk about why this wasn’t just about money, but about transparency, reliability, and the emotional weight we attach to financial independence. She opens up about how she processed everything, the guilt and shame she felt for questioning her relationship because of money, and how unsupported she felt when others minimized her concerns.What makes this conversation especially powerful is Brittany’s willingness to be incredibly specific. We talk REAL numbers — student loan balances, salaries, mortgage payments, rent, savings, and the sacrifices required to pay off hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt without letting it completely control their lives. Brittany also shares how navigating debt reshaped their relationship, became the foundation of their marriage, and ultimately forced them to redefine what success and happiness really look like. We also talk about family planning, having their first baby, choosing to leave a three-bedroom house with a low mortgage to live in a one-bedroom apartment in the NYC area, and why she’s never been happier — proving that happiness and fulfillment don’t always come from traditional financial milestones.If you’ve ever felt ashamed about debt, questioned a relationship because of money, or struggled to balance financial goals with actually living your life, this conversation will make you feel far less alone.Brittany has recently begun building a platform called Be Loan Wise, focused on helping others navigate the emotional and financial sides of student loan debt. You can follow along at @beloanwise on Instagram!Sponsors:Bayer: Check out Bayer's trusted lineup of products, available at Walmart, CVS, Amazon, and Walgreens.Pique: Unlock 20% off and begin your journey toward sustained wellness today at Piquelife.com/REALSTUFFWatch 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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeSubscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidentialExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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 today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Eva Amurri, the daughter of Susan Sarandon, for an honest, layered conversation about motherhood, identity, and what it really looks like to rebuild your life when everything changes at once.Eva opens up about navigating separation and divorce while pregnant with her third child, and what that season of her life actually looked like behind the scenes. We talk candidly about the emotional and logistical challenges of divorce during pregnancy, the pressure many women feel to “hold it together,” and why she ultimately believes that staying together “for the kids” can sometimes do more harm than good. Eva shares how therapy helped her gain clarity, how she approached co-parenting with intention, and why she now views her relationship with her ex as a long-term partnership centered around their children — even when it requires constant communication, boundaries, and work.We also spend time unpacking Eva’s experience growing up as the daughter of the iconic actress Susan Sarandon. Eva reflects on what it was like to be raised in the public eye before social media, how fame shaped her sense of self, and how those early experiences continue to influence her parenting choices today. We dive into the “nepo baby” conversation, the complicated mix of access and insecurity that can come with having famous parents, and how Eva’s relationship to that label has evolved as she’s built her own career outside of acting.Throughout the conversation, Eva shares thoughtful insights about motherhood, dating after divorce, finding love again, and redefining success in your forties. We talk about breaking generational patterns, letting go of perfection, and accepting that parenting, like life, is often about doing your best with the information you have at the time.This episode is for anyone who has gone through a major life transition, questioned old narratives about family and success, or is trying to create something healthier for themselves and their kids. Eva is incredibly reflective, grounded, and refreshingly honest, and I think so many listeners will see pieces of themselves in her story.If you’ve ever navigated divorce, co-parenting, pregnancy during a crisis, or growing up under the weight of expectations, this conversation will stay with 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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeSubscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidentialExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

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/5a1ncej7fWKv0Bk8o5Do3zIn 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/0xGSNh06Su9UthAz4o1cvMSponsors: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.comSeed: 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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeSubscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidentialExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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 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/motherhoodApply to join ShopMy here: https://shopmy.us/join/luciefinkStart your own newsletter on Beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Lucie-FinkSponsors: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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeSubscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidentialExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeSubscribe to "The Creator Confidential": Executive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

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/donateThe Endometriosis Foundation of America: https://www.endofound.orgFollow 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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

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.orgFollow 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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

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=ZwAEe3CrzNe47KHZFollow Tori on Instagram: @herfirst100kSponsors: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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribeExecutive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

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 farb48@gmail.com.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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Executive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Executive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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 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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Executive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Executive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

Try Mimi’s amazing platform, Activations, with an exclusive 14-day free trial + a major discount for our listeners at activations.com/realstuff ✨What if you could literally rewire your brain and re-route your life?This week on The Real Stuff, I sit down with Mimi Bouchard, founder of the viral app Activations, who went from having just $8 in her bank account to building an 8-figure empire by her late twenties. Yes, a DECAMILLIONAIRE! We talk about what it really takes to change your life from the inside out: how to break free from the money mindset you grew up with, how to take full responsibility for your future, and the science behind rewiring your subconscious mind for success.Mimi opens up about her childhood, the early days of struggle, and the exact steps that helped her build wealth, confidence, and purpose. We also unpack how her app Activations uses visualization, cinematic audio, and neuroscience to transform everyday moments into powerful mindset shifts. If you’ve ever felt stuck or destined for “more” but didn’t know how to get there, this episode is your sign.Sponsors: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!Laundry Sauce: Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entre order @ LaundrySauce with code REALSTUFF at https://laundrysauce.com/REALSTUFF #laundrysaucepod #adRhoback: Use code REALSTUFF at Rhoback.com for 20% off your first order through the end of this week.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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Executive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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 Don’t Hang Up episode, I call my dad, Jimmy Fink, to talk about the family business that shaped generations of our family — The Fink Baking Company. Before he was a radio guy, my dad was a bread guy. My childhood was filled with the smell of freshly baked loaves, “bring your daughter to work” days at the bread factory, and animal-shaped loaves for show-and-tell.But like most family businesses, things weren’t always simple. My dad opens up about the history of the bakery and walks me through how it started in the 1880s, grew into a massive operation supplying bread to Yankee Stadium and New York City schools, and eventually came to an end. We talk about what it was like to work alongside family, the tensions that came with it, and the bittersweet reality of closing a 100-year-old company.Sponsors:Happy Mammoth: Try Happy Mammoth's Prebiotic Collagen Protein risk-free and get 15% off your entire first order with code REALSTUFF at checkout.Timeline: Get 20% off Mitopure Gummies at timeline.com/REALSTUFFWatch 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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Executive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

When I received the submission from today’s audience caller, I’ll be honest…it stopped me in my tracks. Here was someone who shared so many core pieces of my identity: she’s married to her high school sweetheart, has two kids the same age as mine, has Celiac disease, and has followed my content since my Refinery29 days. And yet, she lives in a one-bedroom, 550-square-foot log cabin in rural Colorado, below the poverty line.She reached out to tell me that sometimes, watching my life feels like looking in a mirror. Except that mirror reflects back a completely different world. I could have easily ignored her message because this conversation could have made me uncomfortable. But that’s exactly why I knew I needed to talk to her.In this episode, we dive into the very real and sometimes awkward tension between financial privilege and emotional relatability. We talk about what it's like raising kids with almost identical timelines, but in completely different environments. We talk about money, motherhood, access, and the kind of abundance that has nothing to do with wealth.This conversation reminded me that no two lives are the same, even when they look eerily similar from the outside. I’m so grateful Sydney trusted me with her perspective, and I think it’s one we all need to hear. Whether you see yourself in me, in Sydney, or somewhere in between, I think you’ll find something here that makes you pause, reflect, and feel just a little more understood.Sponsors: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!Laundry Sauce: Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entre order @ LaundrySauce with code REALSTUFF at https://laundrysauce.com/REALSTUFF #laundrysaucepod #adBau, Artist at War: Visit BAUmovie.com to watch the trailer and learn more or sign up your organization for a group screening.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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Executive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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 episode, I opened up my Instagram “secrets box” and read your anonymous confessions out loud. From wild nights abroad to hidden crushes at work, to the unspoken struggles of parenting, relationships, fertility, and family dynamics…things get juicy! Along the way, I reflect on the psychology of secrets, the power dynamics they create, and why sharing them can feel so freeing. This episode is raw, funny, emotional, and deeply human — proof that we’re all carrying more than we let on.Sponsors:Vivrelle: Go to www.vivrelle.com and apply for a membership today using code REALSTUFF for 50% off 1 month of membership. The code will also allow you to skip the Vivrelle waitlist. 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!Bau, Artist at War: Visit BAUmovie.com to watch the trailer and learn more or sign up your organization for a group screening.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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Executive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.

Emily Scott James is one of those people who radiates joy. You feel it instantly when you scroll her Instagram, and you definitely feel it in today’s conversation. This was our very first time meeting, but we’ve actually been DMing for years (way back before she became a content creator). Now, she has over 700K Instagram followers, a feed full of hilarious, heartwarming videos (have you seen the bathtime salon series?!), and a brand-new full-time career born out of dancing next to a moving car.In this episode, Emily and I talk about:- Her past life as a competitive dancer and a “So You Think You Can Dance” alum- Why she left her corporate job of 10 years- How motherhood reconnected her with her joy, confidence, and creativity- The boundaries she’s set around money, sex, and family content- And what she’s dreaming up next 👀Emily’s energy is infectious and her story is one so many women will relate to, especially if you’ve ever had to reinvent yourself or rediscover who you are. Whether you’re a mom, a creator, or just a fellow glass-half-full type of gal, I think you’ll love this one.Follow Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilyscottjames/ Sponsors:Vivrelle: Go to www.vivrelle.com and apply for a membership today using code REALSTUFF for 50% off 1 month of membership. The code will also allow you to skip the Vivrelle waitlist. 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!Bau, Artist at War: Visit BAUmovie.com to watch the trailer and learn more or sign up your organization for a group screening.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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Executive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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 installment of our “Don’t Hang Up” mini-series, I call my brother Robbie to talk about how becoming a dad has changed everything for him and for our relationship. His daughter Dylan was born just one month before my daughter, Coco, and since then, we’ve found ourselves in the trenches of new parenthood together. We talk about how that’s brought us closer, what it feels like to finally share the family baby spotlight, and the funny (and sometimes tricky) dynamics of raising kids who are so close in age. Robbie opens up about his perspective on milestones, community, and what actually prepared him for fatherhood. It’s a thoughtful, honest conversation about identity, family, and this new season of our lives as siblings and parents.Sponsor:Bau, Artist at War: Visit BAUmovie.com to watch the trailer and learn more or sign up your organization for a group screening.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/luciebfinkWebsite: https://luciefink.com/ Executive Producer: Cloud10Produced 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.