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
Apr 25, 2023 • 1h 2min
Ex-Husband Tried To Kill Me
A mother of 3 speaks with Geth about the best and worst year of her life. She opens up about separating from her toxic ex-husband, becoming a registered nurse, getting Meningitis, and falling in love with a mutual friend. She also describes the shocking confrontation that took place at her boyfriend’s house when her ex showed up with a gun. This episode contains a conversation about emotional abuse, gun violence, and suicidal ideation, so please keep that in mind if you decide to listen.
Apr 18, 2023 • 1h 3min
Hardcore Yo-Yo Enthusiast
Geth speaks with one of the world's biggest yo-yo fans about shady yo-yo people, competitive yo-yoing, and what his partner thinks of his extensive yo-yo collection. Chris also reacts to a video of a famous yo-yoer while the caller breaks down his most impressive moves. Later on, they discuss the beauty of embracing a hobby.
Apr 11, 2023 • 57min
Curing Cancer in New Zealand
A Cuban expat tells Chris about her incredible journey from Cuba to New Zealand to work on cancer immunotherapies. She opens up about why she left her home country and how the George Floyd protests made her question her own place in the world as a black, Cuban woman. She also discusses the importance of not getting emotionally tied to her cancer research and describes how shaving her head and embracing her natural hair made her feel reborn.
Apr 4, 2023 • 59min
Ugly Custody Battle
A father opens up to Geth about a years long custody battle over his son with his ex. He discusses their decision to co-habitat as platonic roommates for 4 years despite breaking up before their son was even born. He also explains how his use of Psilocybin for cluster headaches was used against him in court.
Mar 28, 2023 • 1h 2min
The Chill Priest
Catholic, but without the guilt. A priest discusses why the Episcopal church is often described as "Catholic-lite." He speaks with Geth about being pro LGBTQIA+, marrying another priest, and going to therapy. He also opens up about having doubts and explains why it's ok to keep questioning the faith.
Mar 24, 2023 • 17min
Chris Gethard Presents: The Lonely Dad Conversations
Geth has a new book out called "The Lonely Dad Conversations," and you're about to hear a sneak peek! He sits down with some of his closest comrades for no-holds-barred conversations about transitioning to dad life. You can get the whole book for free at https://try.scribd.com/gethard/
Mar 21, 2023 • 1h 3min
Jersey Italian Grandma
Kidnapping mobsters, a phone call from beyond the grave, and holy water in a vodka bottle. A Jersey Italian grandmother always has stories. She and Geth bond over Jersey Italian accents, Sunday dinners, and potatoes in a cup. She also describes her unique relationship with her ex-husband and shares her love of the Tour de France.
Mar 14, 2023 • 1h 2min
Punk Rock Lawyer
She considered herself a hardcore anarchist, until she became a lawyer. A tattooed, body building, sometimes musician discusses her journey to becoming an attorney. She shares wild stories with Geth about punching through glass doors, not fitting the lawyer stereotype, and changing her hard partying ways.
Mar 7, 2023 • 1h 2min
Lean, Mean, and Serene
A 62-year-old Mexican American woman pitches hosting the Spanish language version of Beautiful/Anonymous to Geth and explains why she wants to live to 120. She also discusses practicing Judaism and having a wild Bat Mitzvah in her forties. Later on, she opens up about how her eating disorder affected her relationship with her daughters.
5 snips
Feb 28, 2023 • 1h 1min
School Bus Mafia (Live from Phoenix)
What could a bunch of 10-year-olds do to make a bus aide quit after 20 minutes on the job? A teacher describes what happened when he was running his family's school bus company and an aide ditched the kids in Times Square. He opens up about leaving the family bus business and why it drove him to drink at Gogo bars by night. He and Geth also discuss the school bus mafia, best Jersey bars, and how one knows if they're a good person.
