Do you ever look at the world and think: everything is so uncertain, who knows if I’ll ever be able to retire … so I might as well get those concert tickets? Then you might be doomspending. Reema talks with The Financial Diet’s Chelsea Fagan and behavioral economist Judd Kessler about why we doomspend, and what we should do instead. Plus, producer Alice Wilder makes a confession. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketpla...
May 21, 2026•28 min
How far would you go to participate in a boycott? Cancel your concert tickets? Spend 25% more on groceries? What about refusing to visit your family? This week, Reema speaks to Canadians who are going to great lengths to boycott the United States. Plus, a conversation with financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin about how to practice “good enough” boycotting. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 34...
May 14, 2026•36 min
Got a tricky situation at work and not sure what to do? In our recurring advice column, “Work Drama,” we try to find answers to your sticky work questions. This week, Reema is joined by Tobin Low of “This American Life” to answer your workplace questions – from coworkers falling asleep mid-meeting to crushing on your boss. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And if you have any work drama going on, we want to hear about it! Leave a message at 347-RING-TIU or email uncomfortable@ma...
May 07, 2026•28 min
What do you do when your child’s ideas about money start to sharply diverge from your own? Reema is joined by journalist Patrick Radden Keefe to discuss his new book, “London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth.” Along the way they get into the thorny realities of parenting in a time when young people are aspiring to be like the ultra-wealthy. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok ! If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you t...
Apr 30, 2026•30 min
As the U.S. immigration crackdown intensifies, some undocumented people are choosing to leave the country. But what’s the financial and emotional cost of leaving? Reema speaks with immigration lawyer Michael Foote , who is helping his clients navigate this process, as well as two undocumented immigrants at different stages in their departure: Javi (not his real name) is an undocumented college student saving up to move abroad, and Monsy Hernandez left the U.S. for Germany almost ten years ago an...
Apr 23, 2026•34 min
Would you feel comfortable telling your best friend how much debt you’re in? That was the last thing Jamie Feldman wanted to do, but when her credit card debt spiraled out of control, she knew she needed help. Together, Jamie and Rachel Webster tackled that debt and documented the process with their award-winning podcast “ Debt Heads .” Reema is joined by Jamie and Rachel to talk about friendship, shame and how opening up about money changed their relationship with debt. If you liked this episod...
Apr 16, 2026•31 min
Would you share your children’s most intimate moments on social media if it meant you could make millions? Family influencers are building businesses around their kids, sharing everything from toddler meltdowns to puberty talks. For some families, that income is a lifeline. But it also raises difficult questions about privacy, money and parenthood. Reema talks with journalist Fortesa Latifi about her new book, “ Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online. ” Plus,...
Apr 09, 2026•27 min
What happens to your retirement savings when you leave a job? And if you’ve forgotten about an old 401(k) account, how do you track that money down? That’s the mystery Reema is trying to solve this week, as she confronts her own financial anxiety and goes searching for retirement accounts left behind at previous jobs. Along the way, she talks with retirement expert Geoffrey Sanzenbacher about just how common this is -- only about 15% of people roll their retirement savings over to a new employer...
Apr 02, 2026•36 min
Betting used to mean going to a brick-and-mortar casino or placing a wager with a bookie. Now, with the rise of prediction markets, people can bet online on real-world events — from elections and the weather to cultural moments and global news — but at what cost? In this episode, Reema talks with clinical psychiatrist Dr. Timothy Fong and financial psychology expert Hanna Horvath about how gambling is becoming more normalized and woven into everyday life. What does that shift do to how we think ...
Mar 26, 2026•28 min
It’s bound to happen in any friendship: an unfulfilled Venmo request, a trip that’s way out of your budget, or a dispute over splitting the bill at a restaurant. This week, we’re answering your questions about navigating tricky money situations with friends. Reema is joined by comedians and real-life friends Josh Gondelman and Alison Leiby to talk through everything from expensive bachelorettes to Venmo nickel-and-diming. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what yo...
Mar 19, 2026•30 min
For a lot of us, money is a source of anxiety and guilt. Reema recently joined the podcast “ Happier with Gretchen Rubin ” for a roundtable conversation with Gretchen and Haley Sacks (a.k.a. Mrs. Dow Jones) about why money feels so emotionally loaded – and the small, realistic changes that can make managing it feel easier.
Mar 17, 2026•32 min
Maybe you’ve heard that little voice: What if I could make a little money from this? The urge to monetize your hobby can feel tempting, but is it worth it? Reema talks with people who’ve tried to turn their pastimes into side hustles and finds out what they’ve gained, lost and learned along the way. Then, she speaks with a leading expert on creativity about how money can quietly reshape our motivation – and how to keep our hobbies from turning into just another job. If you liked this episode, sh...
Mar 12, 2026•31 min
Steve Burns didn’t set out to become a children’s TV icon. He moved to New York with only a duffle bag full of clothes, $300 in his pocket, and a dream to become an actor. When Steve got hired to host “Blue’s Clues” from 1996 to 2002, he found himself disoriented by fame and uncertain of his career trajectory. Reema talks with Steve about finding meaning outside of work, feeling like an imposter in a role he never expected, and how he redefined his money values … when he escaped to the forest. H...
Mar 05, 2026•39 min
With more layoffs in the news, a lot of workers are feeling spooked. It can be hard not to spiral into what ifs: What if the next paycheck is my last? What if I can’t find another job? We look at how to cope with that uncertainty and what you can do to help protect yourself. Reema talks with psychologist Ellen Hendriksen, career coach Melody Wilding, and financial educator Jannese Torres, who share practical ways to stay grounded and prepared – from reframing your anxiety to strengthening your s...
Feb 26, 2026•35 min
Think that a prenup isn’t for you? Think again! Prenups are not just for rich people: they can protect you against debt and mitigate future issues like spousal support and custody. You’ve got to talk honestly about money if you want to build a shared financial life together, while still protecting yourself. This week, Reema Khrais talks with family lawyer Sahar Taylor and financial therapist Aja Evans to understand how prenups work and the deeper emotions underneath. If you liked this episode, s...
Feb 19, 2026•35 min
Reema is joined by Sam Sanders (host of KCRW’s “ The Sam Sanders Show ”) to answer your questions about money and dating. We’ve got questions about scammers, secret investments, and secondary partners. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And if you have a sticky money situation you need advice on, call and leave us a message at 347-RING-TIU or email uncomfortable@marketplace.org Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok !...
Feb 12, 2026•32 min
How much do you share with your partner about your finances? Sometimes, a little privacy starts to look a lot like a secret. And secrets (especially the money kind) have a way of becoming problems. On this week’s episode, Reema talks to people on the streets of Portland about their real-life money secrets, and chats with divorce lawyer Randy Kessler and couples counselor Jeff Guenther, who’ve seen how financial secrecy can fracture relationships — and sometimes bring people closer. If you liked ...
Feb 05, 2026•27 min
Author and journalist Aymann Ismail wants his kids to grow up with a real connection to their Egyptian roots, including speaking Arabic. For his family, that means committing to a private Islamic school -- and figuring out how to afford tuition. Reema sits down with Aymann as he walks through his family budget and the financial trade-offs that decision requires. They talk about what’s at stake for him, financially and culturally, and why holding onto Arabic feels especially urgent right now. If ...
Jan 29, 2026•31 min
Ever wrestled with an unusual work problem and didn’t know where to turn? In our recurring advice column, “Work Drama,” we try to find answers to your sticky work situations. This week, Reema is joined by culture writer and podcaster, Sarah Hagi (host of “ Scamfluencers ”) to unpack some uncomfortable workplace problems – from scammy bosses and boundary-pushing coworkers to negotiating for a raise and navigating workplace friendships. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us...
Jan 22, 2026•24 min
Job hunting has a way of testing your limits. It can be hard not to question yourself (or spiral) when the process stretches on far longer than you imagined. Reema is joined by career coach Phoebe Gavin and writer Rachel Meade Smith to talk about the emotional side of the job hunt -- practical ways to navigate it, and how to get through it without losing yourself. Do you have a job hunting horror story you want to share with us? Or general work drama that you’d want advice on? Give us a call at ...
Jan 15, 2026•36 min
What does it mean to have “enough” money? Reema Khrais explores the feeling behind this question — the fear, comparison and the way “not enough” can follow us around even when things technically look okay on paper. She talks with experts and people who’ve landed on very different answers, including someone whose definition of “enough” meant closing her bank account and giving up money altogether. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomf...
Jan 15, 2026•37 min
“This Is Uncomfortable” returns Jan. 15. Listen to this note from Reema for more, including an exciting change — we're going to start coming to you weekly! Bringing you more uncomfortable conversations with everyday people, experts, and authors about how money shapes our choices, relationships, and identity. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 347-RING-TIU....
Dec 15, 2025•5 min
Reema and the team are working on some updates to the podcast that will arrive in your feeds in the new year. You’ve been telling us you want more TIU and we heard you. Stay tuned to this feed for more soon… In the meantime, if you’re looking for something that gets you thinking about the emotional side of money, you’ll enjoy Reema’s recent guest appearance on “Alive with Steve Burns.” Reema and Steve dig into what she’s learned about money over the years and why talking about finances can feel ...
Dec 02, 2025•56 min
This week, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes, plus a new update and your surprising reactions. While sorting through her father’s belongings after his death, Amanda Petteruti came across a collection of locked toolboxes. What she discovered inside made her rethink what she knew about her family’s finances and left her with unsettling questions about her dad: Why had he spent so much money on this secret hobby? Why was it now Amanda’s burden to handle? And how do you find closure with...
Aug 04, 2025•35 min
What would you do with a million dollars…in crypto? Reema Khrais talks with Marketplace reporter Matt Levin about one man’s journey to becoming crypto rich. Levin’s reporting reveals a complicated picture, not just about the ups and downs of crypto, but also about what it means to chase the American dream when you're living on the margins. We want to know what you think about This Is Uncomfortable. Please complete a short, anonymous survey by going to marketplace.org/survey . It should only take...
Jul 11, 2025•26 min
When newlyweds Chantal and Travis Lisback started searching for their dream home in Seattle, they weren’t entirely on the same page. Chantal was eager to settle down as soon as possible, while Travis was more comfortable waiting a few years. As the search dragged on, what began as a shared dream started to feel more like a standoff. This week, a story about how a big life decision can bring to light the money and communication issues you didn’t know were there. Plus, later in the episode, Chanta...
May 22, 2025•37 min
Ever wrestled with a work problem and didn’t know where to turn? We’ve got you. In our new advice column, “Work Drama,” we try to find answers to your sticky work situations. This week, “This Is Uncomfortable” host Reema Khrais is joined by career coach and podcaster Mandi Woodruff-Santos to unpack your workplace problems -- from messy, toxic bosses to dealing with salary negotiations. Got workplace drama you need help dealing with? Shoot us an email at uncomfortable@marketplace.org to tell us a...
May 15, 2025•27 min
After decades of trying to make it as an actor and comedian in Hollywood, Claudette Powell felt deeply unfulfilled. So she set her sights on a radically different life -- one that required her to pay off nearly $150,000 of debt. When she finally wrote that last check, she took a vow of poverty and entered a convent. But leaving behind her material life wasn’t as simple as it sounded. This week: how paying off debt was only the beginning – and how money still finds a way to complicate life within...
May 08, 2025•40 min
Hanna Sanborn was a single mom with newborn twins, struggling to find affordable childcare. Her best friend, Bryer Rossi, was burned out at work and looking for a way out. One day, Hanna floated an idea to him: “What if you quit your job and took care of my babies?” What started as a running joke between friends turned into a lifeline that changed their lives and the way they saw each other. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend!
May 01, 2025•37 min
“This Is Uncomfortable” returns with four brand-new episodes about life and how money messes with it. This season: Two best friends, struggling with work and unaffordable child care, come up with an unconventional solution that reshapes their relationship. A woman walks away from a Hollywood career to take a vow of poverty. Our “Money Fight” series is back, following a couple whose search for a dream home turns into a power struggle. And in our new advice series, "Work Drama," we tackle your unc...
Apr 24, 2025•2 min
