
Thanks For Asking
Public Radio
A call-in show from author Nora McInerny that lets real people get real honest about how they're really doing. Operators(me) are standing by to take your calls. In case you didn't know, we're still making episodes that are available exclusively on...
Location:
United States
Description:
A call-in show from author Nora McInerny that lets real people get real honest about how they're really doing. Operators(me) are standing by to take your calls. In case you didn't know, we're still making episodes that are available exclusively on Nora's Substack!
Twitter:
@noraborealis
Language:
English
Contact:
1-800-228-7123
Email:
mail@mpr.org
Episodes
Dead Sibling Society (Part 1)
3/10/2026
If you lose a spouse, you’re a widow. If you lose your parents, an orphan. But we don’t have the language for someone who lost a sibling – your first friend, your first ally, your first enemy (probably, at least temporarily). Grief always feels like a gut punch, but losing a sibling is a unique kind of pain that we don’t talk about enough. So today, I’m joined by Steph Wittels Wachs, former TTFA guest and sister of comedy legend Harris Wittels, who died in 2015 of an accidental overdose. We're talking about what losing a sibling means and sharing the notes, advice and insights from people who know what it’s like to live in the world without their siblings. Cited in this episode: Rogne, S., Grotta, A., Liu, C., Berg, L., Saarela, J., Kawachi, I., Hiyoshi, A., & Rostila, M. (2025). All-cause mortality around the anniversary of a sibling’s death: findings from Swedish National Register Data. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwaf213 Tatjana Gazibara, Katherine A Ornstein, Christina Gillezeau, Melissa Aldridge, Mogens Groenvold, Merete Nordentoft, Lau Caspar Thygesen, Bereavement Among Adult Siblings: An Examination of Health Services Utilization and Mental Health Outcomes, American Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 190, Issue 12, December 2021, Pages 2571–2581, https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwab212 Davidson, D. (2018). Sibling loss - disenfranchised grief and forgotten mourners. Bereavement Care, 37(3), 124–130. https://doi.org/10.1080/02682621.2018.1535882 Herberman Mash, H. B., Fullerton, C. S., & Ursano, R. J. (2013). Complicated Grief and Bereavement in Young Adults Following Close Friend and Sibling Loss. Depression & Anxiety (1091-4269), 30(12), 1202–1210. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22068 Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! LINKS TO RELATED EPISODES! https://feelingsand.co/podcasts/terrible-thanks-for-asking/86-sundays/ https://feelingsand.co/podcasts/terrible-thanks-for-asking/what-does-all-this-loss-mean/ Don’t you want someone to take care of you? _ Right now, go to Quince.com/TFA for free shipping and 365-day returns. That's a full year to wear it and love it. And you will. Now available in Canada, too. Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to Quince.com/TFA for free shipping and 365-day returns. Quince.com/TFA Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select podcast in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Right now, our listeners get an additional 15% off any annual membership at MASTERCLASS.com/TFA. That’s 15% off at MASTERCLASS.com/TFA. With evening and weekend course options, Fordham’s online MSW lets you keep working while earning your degree, completing the program in as few as 16 months. Learn more and apply at fordham.edu/TTFA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:25:09
Under a Cloud of Loss
3/3/2026
This episode originally ran in 2016, and we pulled it out of the archives to share with you here, and to kick off a new season of TTFA Anthologies, where we pull together a themed season of some of our best episodes. This season the theme is Grief: It’s Complicated…stories about the kind of grief you won’t find in the sympathy card aisle. Stories like the one you’re about hear. We have a separate podcast feed for these seasons. It’s linked in our show description, or you can find it on your podcast app by searching TTFA Anthologies. _ Damon’s grandparents were murdered 18 months before he was born. He never knew them, but their deaths — and the trial for their killer — defined much of his childhood. For nearly three decades, Damon’s mother has attended every parole hearing to deliver a victim impact statement. When we meet Damon, there is another such hearing coming up, but his mother is unable to attend. For the first time in his life, Damon prepares to see his grandparents’ murderer face to face. Originally published 1/23/2017 – Fordham University’s Master of Social Work program is ranked among the nation's top 8% of graduate social work programs by the U.S. News & World Report. With three New York campuses, plus hybrid and fully online options, Fordham’s flexible program works with your schedule to help you earn a degree on your timeline. Our evening and weekend part-time study plan is ideal for working adults, with most students maintaining employment throughout their education. Learn more about Fordham University’s Master of Social Work program at: fordham.edu/TTFA. _ Find Nora’s weekly newsletter here! Also, check out Nora on YouTube. _ The Feelings & Co. team is Nora McInerny, Marcel Malekebu and Grace Barry. _ Find all our shows at www.feelingsand.co. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:51:06
There’s Someone Dying Upstairs (Part 2)
2/26/2026
“Can I move in with you?” Laurel Louise Anderson (lovingly called Miss Ma’am) posed the question to our producer and her son, Marcel Malekebu, in the summer of 2024. After nearly a year of Marcel asking and a year of her denying, the request came seemingly out of nowhere. His mom moved in, and Marcel and his wife Jenae became caregivers not only to their two very young daughters, but to Miss Ma’am. Caregiving is not an easy thing to do, but it is a holy thing to do. And in this episode, Marcel and Jenae are sharing Miss Ma’am and their lives with her with us. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! More Caregiving Episodes: Normalize “bad women” with Rebecca Woolf Patients Over Profits Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Check out Rocket Money at rocketmoney.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:06:58
There’s Someone Dying Upstairs (Part 1)
2/24/2026
“Can I move in with you?” Laurel Louise Anderson (lovingly called Miss Ma’am) posed the question to our producer and her son, Marcel Malekebu, in the summer of 2024. After nearly a year of Marcel asking and a year of her denying, the request came seemingly out of nowhere. His mom moved in, and Marcel and his wife Jenae became caregivers not only to their two very young daughters, but to Miss Ma’am. Caregiving is not an easy thing to do, but it is a holy thing to do. And in this episode, Marcel and Jenae are sharing Miss Ma’am and their lives with her with us. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! More Caregiving Episodes: Normalize “bad women” with Rebecca Woolf Patients Over Profits Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Check out Rocket Money at rocketmoney.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:00:46
Wind Phone (Part 2)
2/17/2026
What would you say to your dead person? We’re listening in on the Wind Phone. You can find a wind phone near you here, or call us to leave your message for a future episode: 612.568.4441 Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:42:29
Okay Boomers
2/11/2026
“Okay, boomer” will go down in history as one of the funniest (and truest) ways to shut down a boomer whining about younger generations who just don’t get it. But this episode is not about what boomers don’t understand. This is an appreciation episode about the boomers who get it. Nora and friend of the pod Caroline Moss are here to tell you all about their favorite boomers. It’s time to give them their flowers, so we hope today’s episode will inspire you to show your appreciation for YOUR favorite boomers. https://www.tiktok.com/@linwolfgang/video/6714782003637521670? Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Check out Rocket Money at rocketmoney.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:09:30
The Return of Ralph: It’s Going to be OK
2/6/2026
Things are not good in the world right now, and you don’t need us to tell you that. But despair is also not good. Having no hope is not good. And Nora believes that the antidote to despair is action – doing things for others in whatever capacity you can. So she and her son Ralph are bringing back IGTBO for you as an exercise in seeing the OK things in the world around you, even when it seems like all hope is lost. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Check out Rocket Money at rocketmoney.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:50:18
Update: The Fat Guy with the Alcohol
2/3/2026
It’s been a year and a half since we aired an episode where we spoke with Evan about his past and his current health journey of losing weight and reclaiming his life. In this episode, Evan tells us what he’s been up to and also surprises us with how much his perspective has changed since his weight loss surgery. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Check out Rocket Money at rocketmoney.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:48:49
How Do You Grieve Someone Who Isn’t Dead with the Antlers
1/27/2026
Today, Nora interviews Peter Silberman of the Antlers, a band whose album Hospice changed her life twice: first in 2010, after a horrible breakup, and then in 2011, when her husband was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Over a decade later, thanks to a little bit of fate and Peter’s cousin April, Nora and Peter talk about the album, what it means, grief, anger, and how art connects us all. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Check out Rocket Money at rocketmoney.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:31:54
Weird Things Your Kids Have Said with Kate Kennedy
1/20/2026
The world is not especially great right now. In the midst of all the chaos and nightmare fuel, today’s episode of Thanks for Asking is an emotional palate cleanser. Nora and friend of the pod Kate Kennedy are here to deliver some silliness with the weirdest things your kids have said to you, written to you, or drawn for you. And yes, it gets very, very weird. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Check out Rocket Money at rocketmoney.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:11:33
Normalize “bad women” with Rebecca Woolf
1/13/2026
Being a widow is complicated. On top of the earth-shattering grief you experience, there’s a huge societal pressure to be the perfect image of a grieving partner, missing the love of your life. But what if the person who died was actually kind of a huge jerk? How do you take care of someone who doesn’t really deserve it? And what does it mean to be a good woman or a good widow? All of This: A Memoir of Death and Desire by Rebecca Woolf The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards by Jessica Waite Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:20:24
IGTBO: Widow Weddings, Sleepovers, and My Dead Uncle’s Sweater
1/9/2026
You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve looked at the world. You know, like we do, that not everything is going to be OK. But to start 2026, we’re going to look at some of the things that make us feel like something will be OK. If you need a sign that there is still good in the world, let this be it. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to the Secret Audio album on Spotify or Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Go to indeed.com/TFA for all of your hiring needs! Head to cozyearth.com and use my code NORA for up to 20% off! Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! Get your creatine at livemomentous.com All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:40:28
The Wind Phone: Part 1
1/6/2026
If you have known loss, you know how it feels to pick up the phone to call your person only to realize they won’t answer. This episode is all about your calls – the things you wish you could tell your people. Somewhere, somehow, we know they’re listening. Wind Phone Map Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Go to indeed.com/TFA for all of your hiring needs! Head to cozyearth.com and use my code NORA for up to 20% off! Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! Get your creatine at livemomentous.com All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:04:01
Happyish Holidays 2025
12/23/2025
It’s time for Happyish Holidays, 2025 edition! Though we might not see you in person this year, Nora’s still here to listen to and tell your holiday stories gone awry. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll remember that the holidays don’t have to be happy all the time – happy-ish is the best we can ask for. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Listen to Secret Audio on Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Go to indeed.com/TFA for all of your hiring needs! Head to cozyearth.com and use my code NORA for up to 20% off! Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! Get your creatine at livemomentous.com All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:00:50
Goodbye, 2025
12/16/2025
2025 is coming to a close, if you can believe it. If you’re feeling stressed (and maybe a little relieved) that the end of the year is here, you aren’t alone. This week, Nora’s sharing her strategies for finishing out 2025 and ushering in 2026 – without the expectations that you have to become a shiny, brand new, unblemished version of yourself. If you want a gentle, helpful guide for starting 2026, this is the episode for you. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Go to indeed.com/TFA for all of your hiring needs! Head to cozyearth.com and use my code NORA for up to 20% off! Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! Get your creatine at livemomentous.com All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:45:47
Baby Wants a Gas Mask
12/12/2025
Kids ask for the darndest things, and this year, Nora’s youngest asked for… a gas mask. An old-timey gas mask. So, she asked for the weirdest things that your kids have asked Santa for, AKA a nightmare fuel gift guide. (Warning: do not listen with little kids in the car because we will discuss Santa!) Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Go to indeed.com/TFA for all of your hiring needs! Head to cozyearth.com and use my code NORA for up to 20% off! Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! Get your creatine at livemomentous.com All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:45:12
Shoplifter to Shopping Influencer with Caroline Moss
12/9/2025
The holiday season can be tough – so we’re taking a break to (anonymously) celebrate some petty crimes. Nora is joined by fan favorite Caroline Moss of Gee Thanks, Just Bought It! to talk petty crimes (including being a shoplifter turned shopping influencer). Buckle in for stories from stealing from exes, getting revenge on rotten advisors, and sneaking something from Chipotle… you’re all criminals, and we love it. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:43:15
The Grief Album of the Year with Will Anderson
12/2/2025
If you know love and loss, you know how music can transport us to a moment that time stole from us. And if you know grief, you know how simultaneously beautiful and painful that can be. Today, Nora talks to Will Anderson, who released his debut solo album How Little Love Is/How Worth Everything chronicling his grief after the sudden loss of his wife, Courtney Kampa. They talk about grief, love, Courtney’s posthumous collection of poems, A Bright and Borrowed Light, and all about Will’s new album, which has been added to the “Grieving People Essentials” list. Watch us on YouTube here! Listen to Will’s album on Spotify and Apple! Get Courtney Kampa’s poetry collection A Bright and Borrowed Light here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Go to indeed.com/TFA for all of your hiring needs! Head to cozyearth.com and use my code NORA for up to 20% off! Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! Get your creatine at livemomentous.com All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:33:12
AITA: I Want to Leave My Dying Boyfriend
11/25/2025
Her boyfriend is dying… What should she do? When you’re faced with the possibility of joining the Hot Young Widows Club, you get slammed with a million questions. And for this listener, the question was: Can I leave him even though he’s going to die? Today, Nora is joined by fellow Hot Young Widow, Tracy Koski, to get into all of it. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Go to indeed.com/TFA for all of your hiring needs! Head to cozyearth.com and use my code NORA for up to 20% off! Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! Get your creatine at livemomentous.com All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:01:26:30
IGTBO, Thanks For Asking
11/21/2025
The holiday season is hard for most people. Maybe you’re feeling a fresh loss, maybe you’re dealing with an annoying relative, maybe you’re just feeling hopeless. But we’re here to remind you that things are not hopeless. Today, we’re finding something that makes us feel OK. Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey’s album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Go to indeed.com/TFA for all of your hiring needs! Head to cozyearth.com and use my code NORA for up to 20% off! Find your fall staples at Quince.com/TFA! Get your creatine at livemomentous.com All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Duration:00:37:42
