Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People
Chris Gethard
1 phone call. 1 hour. No names. No holds barred. Thats the premise behind Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People, hosted by comedian Chris Gethard (the Chris Gethard Show, Broad City, This American Life, and one of Time Outs 10 best comedians of 2015). Every week, Chris opens the phone line to one anonymous caller, and he cant hang up first, no matter what. From shocking confessions and family secrets to philosophical discussions and shameless self-promotion, anything can and will happen! Theme song by Shellshag.
Episodes
Mentioned books
4 snips
Aug 22, 2023 • 1h 21min
Beautiful Chaos
A roller coaster conversation covering intense stories, mental health, embroidery during the pandemic, ripping around New York City, and more. The importance of making art accessible, concerns about a child's anxiety at camp, reflections on exhaustion and anxiety, embracing beautiful chaos, and the power of understanding and acceptance are also discussed.
5 snips
Aug 15, 2023 • 1h 24min
Indiana Jones is a Terrible Archaeologist
An archaeologist shares memories of drinking champagne at a dig site and what’s so exciting about uncovering a two-inch piece of ancient stone tablet. She also discusses the history of colonial looting and the complicated nature of looting today. Then, Gethard and our caller break down what makes Indiana Jones–the most famous archaeologist–so bad at his job. In this week’s introduction, Gethard recommends the Uncanny X-Men-focused podcast, CEREBRO.
Aug 8, 2023 • 1h 27min
I Survived a Bear Attack and Plane Crash in the Same Year
An Alaskan pilot describes what it’s like living with an airplane runway in your front yard and then recounts an incredibly eventful year, which included surviving a bear attack AND a plane crash. Yes, a bear attack AND a plane crash. In the same year. Geth also shares the details that led to this new era of Beautiful/Anonymous and lets everyone in on some of the exciting stuff we've got in store for you.
Aug 1, 2023 • 1h 8min
The Mattress Underground (Live from Beaut/Con)
A cat enthusiast tells Geth about his descent into madness early pandemic when he tried to build the perfect mattress. He also introduces Chris to the online community of mattress reviews, describes his time living in a monastery, and shares a story about when his uncle "melted."
Jul 25, 2023 • 1h 2min
Sex Injury
A lawyer details tearing his meniscus during sex and how it changed his perspective on aging. He also explains why the first call he made after the incident was to his mother. Later on, he opens up to Geth about trying to be a good person, splitting his time between corporate law and working with individual people.
Jul 18, 2023 • 50min
IVF at 44
A woman speaks with Geth about the physical and emotional toll of starting IVF (In vitro fertilization) at 41. She discusses stigma around IVF, the exorbitant cost, and experiencing "genetic grief" using an egg donor. She also opens up about how she was treated by doctors as a plus size woman ahead of her treatments.
Jul 11, 2023 • 51min
Met My Brother At 51
A woman describes the complicated feelings she had growing up with a brother, losing him to suicide, and finally meeting her long lost older brother at age 51. She also shares with Geth how her mom reacted to the news and what it feels like to have a whole new family.
Jul 4, 2023 • 1h 3min
Ran Away to Mexico (Live from Beaut/Con)
A woman explains why she fled home and her husband of 20 years to live in a small Mexican town. She describes how leaving for 5 months actually helped their marriage. Later on, a man from the live Beaut/Con audience joins onstage to discuss his experience being on the other side of "taking a break" from a relationship, along with some other surprise guests.
Jun 27, 2023 • 1h 2min
Old School Hippie
A semi-retired nurse speaks with Geth about the Joni Mitchell concert she recently attended that was so beautiful, it made her cry. She describes other unforgettable performances she's seen over the years including The Grateful Dead, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. She also opens up about her time doing hospice care for patients during the AIDS crisis, trying to be a better partner, and remaining “cool” past a certain age.
Jun 20, 2023 • 1h 2min
2 Furries Fall In Love
A Canadian Furry shares truths and misconceptions about his community. He opens up about meeting his husband on the "Bark" app and explains how being a Furry helped him cope with Borderline Personality Disorder. He and Geth also get into the specifics of how Furries have sex.
