I was so honored to sit down with Dr. Laurie Santos for today’s episode — not just because she’s a Yale psychology professor and the host of one of my favorite podcasts (The Happiness Lab), but because I genuinely credit her course, The Science of Well-Being, with helping me shift my mindset in the thick of the pandemic. Back in 2020, I took her free online course through Yale University, and now, she’s created a version of that course specifically for parents, which made our conversation feel e...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 85
Today, I’m sharing the jaw-dropping update to the catfish story I first told on the podcast which recently resurfaced as a viral video series across my social platforms. In this solo episode, I reveals the unexpected twist — an email from the girl who faked her own death and ghosted me for five years. I walk through the production of my 13-part storytelling series, reflect on monetization and meaning as a content creator, and read the real emails exchanged behind the scenes. (Including the follo...
Jun 17, 2025•45 min•Ep. 84
Alreen Haeggquist is a successful attorney and author who’s made it her life’s mission to advocate for women — but her journey to becoming that woman is one of the most harrowing stories we’ve ever heard. In this raw and deeply emotional conversation, Alreen shares her experience of being abused by her father (both emotionally and sexually), the silence that surrounded it within her large family, and the lifelong impact of her mother’s silence. For decades, Alreen kept her story a secret…until t...
Jun 10, 2025•56 min•Ep. 83
In this emotional and empowering episode of The Real Stuff, I sit down with content creator, singer, and entrepreneur Daniela Legarda for a raw conversation about fame, family, and healing after unimaginable loss. Daniela opens up about the tragic and sudden death of her brother, Latin music artist Fabio Legarda, and how that moment changed the course of her life forever. From building a multi-million following online to navigating the pressures of being a Latina influencer, Daniela shares what ...
Jun 03, 2025•59 min•Ep. 82
At 26 years old, this audience caller thought she was building a life — trying for a baby, working for her husband’s family business, and living in their shared home. But everything was a lie. In this anonymous caller episode, Lucie hears one of the most jaw-dropping divorce stories yet: a young woman tricked into thinking she was infertile while her husband was secretly preventing pregnancy for nearly a year. After losing her job, her house, her marriage, and even her dog, she found herself for...
May 27, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 81
In this explosive episode of The Real Stuff, Emma Paige finally shares more about her side of the podcast drama that has taken over TikTok, Instagram, and the podcasting world. As the co-founder of the hit podcast Unhinged, Emma opens up about how the show began, the rapid rise in popularity, and the shocking moment she was locked out, ghosted, and ultimately erased from her own platform. What started as a promising creative partnership turned into a public breakup filled with legal battles, emo...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 80
Are you stuck in the hustle cycle and calling it ambition? In this powerful conversation, Lucie is joined by Amina AlTai, an executive coach, speaker, and author, to reframe everything you think you know about success, burnout, and self-worth. They dive into the roots of hustle culture, how childhood core wounds shape our work lives, and why marginalized communities face a different kind of pressure when it comes to “doing it all.” This episode covers: - The real difference between painful and p...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 79
Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of mental health, anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts, and suicide. Please listen with care. Carrie Berk is a bestselling author who published 21 books before the age of 20, but behind the bubbly book covers and growing TikTok following, she was privately battling debilitating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Carrie opens up about the moment her intrusive thoughts began to spiral, how a panic at...
May 06, 2025•48 min•Ep. 78
Today on The Real Stuff, we’re sharing two incredibly raw and powerful stories about navigating early menopause and fertility struggles at a young age. First, Katie opens up about being diagnosed with early menopause in her early 30s, right as she began the egg freezing process. After months of missed periods and three failed egg retrieval attempts, Katie was forced to grieve the future she thought she would have, all while grappling with hormonal replacement therapy, financial strain, and datin...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 76
Alexandra Gater was 25, riding high as the Home Editor at Chatelaine magazine, and creating a hit home makeover YouTube series until the morning she walked into work and got laid off. What could have been the end of her story turned into the beginning of something entirely her own. In this episode of The Real Stuff, Alexandra shares how she went from feeling devastated and directionless to launching her YouTube channel, landing a $25,000 brand deal that changed her life, and growing a full-fledg...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 75
In this highly-requested solo episode, Lucie dives deep into her experience making adult friendships — specifically how she built a new social circle after moving from NYC to the suburbs. If you’ve ever wondered how to make new friends after 30, how to actually keep them, or how to balance your social battery with mom life, this one’s for you. Listen for personal stories of how Lucie met her people in a place where she knew no one, the mindset shift that made it easier, and tips anyone can apply...
Apr 15, 2025•47 min•Ep. 74
Brett Fairley’s story is going viral — millions are watching, commenting, and waiting for each new update as he unpacks this emotional and devastating saga of paternity fraud. And thanks to our connection to his girlfriend, Nurse Hadley, The Real Stuff had the chance to sit down with him for an exclusive interview…in real time…while it's all still unfolding. In this deeply raw conversation, Brett shares never-before-heard details and behind-the-scenes context about the woman who told him he was ...
Apr 10, 2025•48 min•Ep. 73
When “Laura” discovered her husband’s sex addiction, it felt like her world cracked apart—over and over again. In this incredibly vulnerable and moving episode, our audience caller opens up to Lucie about the moment of disclosure, the letter that revealed everything, and how she’s been piecing her life back together ever since. Laura shares what it's like to be married to someone battling an addiction that’s misunderstood and stigmatized—even within recovery communities. From therapy and polygra...
Apr 08, 2025•58 min•Ep. 72
Hadley Vlahos (known online as “Nurse Hadley”) is a hospice nurse, bestselling author, and storyteller who has spent nearly a decade caring for people at the end of their lives. In this emotional and eye-opening conversation, Hadley shares the profound lessons she’s learned from her patients, what it means to navigate death with dignity, and how facing mortality has shaped her perspective on living. From her book The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments to her growing...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 71
From Jar of Hearts to A Thousand Years to Only Human, Christina Perri continues to be an iconic household name. In this intimate one-on-one conversation with Lucie, Christina shares the real story behind her meteoric rise to fame, the heartbreak and healing that followed, and the profound transformation she’s experienced as an artist and a mother. From her early days in LA to the moment “Jar of Hearts” aired on So You Think You Can Dance, Christina opens up about the whirlwind of overnight succe...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 70
For some reason, sleep training has become one of the most controversial parenting topics out there. Everyone wants their baby to be sleeping well, but many people feel that “sleep training” automatically means “cry it out” and therefore opt out. In today’s episode, we are breaking the silence and talking ALL THINGS baby sleep. I’m sharing exactly how we sleep trained our 2 babies and walking you (step-by-step) through the method that worked for us. I break down our personal experience, the chal...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 69
When Molly became a certified foster mom, she knew her goal was adoption—but she never expected to become a mother overnight. With just 48 hours notice, she welcomed two toddlers into her home, instantly stepping into a life-changing role. In this episode, our anonymous audience caller shares her emotional journey through the foster care system, the unexpected challenges of instant motherhood, and the incredible bond she's built with her children. She opens up about the realities of solo parenti...
Mar 11, 2025•53 min•Ep. 68
Ricky Bee went viral for doing what should be the norm—being a fully present, equal parent. But his journey to fatherhood wasn’t exactly traditional. In this episode, Ricky gets real about everything: his unexpected path to becoming a dad, how social media changed his life, why men need to rethink their roles in parenting, and the realities of balancing work, partnership, and showing up for his kids. He opens up about grief, masculinity, and why he refuses to let old-school gender norms define h...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 67
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...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 66
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 in...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 58
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 boundarie...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 1
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...
Feb 04, 2025•54 min•Ep. 65
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 ...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 11 min
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. W...
Jan 21, 2025•56 min
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...
Jan 14, 2025•50 min
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 In...
Jan 07, 2025•57 min
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 ea...
Dec 31, 2024•56 min
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...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 49
Becoming a family of four has been an incredible journey, and in this episode, I’m sharing all the behind-the-scenes details of how we helped Milo transition from being an only child to becoming a big brother. From preparing him during my pregnancy to navigating his emotions after Coco’s arrival, we dive into the highs, the challenges, and everything in between. I’ll share what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons we’re still learning as we adjust to life with two kids. Whether you’re preparing ...
Dec 17, 2024•41 min
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a content creator’s business? In this episode, I’m joined by my content producer, Alyssa Rosand, to pull back the curtain on how we create, plan, and execute everything from social media posts to podcast episodes. We start by diving into the hiring process—how Alyssa’s application letter caught my attention, what I was looking for in an employee, and why I knew she was the perfect fit for my team. I also reflect on my history of hiring for my busines...
Dec 10, 2024•49 min
