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.
Episodes
This Is Uncomfortable
This is a show about life and how money messes with it. Each week, Marketplace’s 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. How much money do you lend a friend? Who can afford to vote? Can you get your life back after being wrongfully convicted?
Episodes
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.
“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.
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 marketplace.org/comfort .
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 be back with new episodes in 2020. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at marketplace.org/comfort .
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 episodes in 2020. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at marketplace.org/comfort .
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 first to know when we’re back with new episodes, subscribe to our newsletter at marketplace.org/comfort.
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 the first of a few favorite episodes we’re rerunning over the holiday season, and we’ll be back with new episodes in 2020. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at marketplace.org/comfort ....
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 of the year. We’re taking a break for the holidays, replaying a few of our favorite episodes and working on some new stories. Make sure you’re the first to know about new episodes by subscribing to our newsletter at marketplace.org/comfort ....
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.
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 us at uncomfortable@marketplace.org
Money horror stories
This Halloween, we have listeners’ frightening stories of impulse buys, spooky scams and a very Hungry Heart.
Sperm, baby, sperm
Two couples won a chance at pregnancy, but money has complicated their journeys to build a family.
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.
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” Dutes of Glitch and “Hear to Slay.” We recorded this episode live onstage at Werk It, the women’s podcasting festival from WYNC Studios, earlier this month at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 but wonder how the lines get blurred. Does being your child’s manager get in the way of being a good mom? This wee k, BuzzFeed’s Zan Romanoff walks us through the history and stigma of the “momager,” and we ...
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 York Times’ Amanda Hess on treating your work like a commodity.
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?
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 or text “TALK” to 741741.
I have class anxiety
A listener struggles to navigate all the unspoken rules of middle-class life.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.