Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People

Interested in the intricacies of how the US electrical grid functions? No? Well, you will be interested in hearing about how the caller wants to "disconnect from her ex-boyfriend's power grid". Love, in the language of electricity. Sit back and soak up the metaphors. This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: CG), Mailchimp (www.mailchimp.com), Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/beautiful), and Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/beautiful).

Today's caller is recovering from a serious illness acquired while working on peace building in East Africa. He likes to give Chris a hard time but also talks about some deep stuff, like contemplating how to maintain one's idealism and passion when suffering from chronic illness. Also, he hopes the Beautiful Anonymous community can help him find a permanent home for a dog he's currently fostering.This episode is brought to you by Mailchimp (www.mailchimp.com), Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/beautiful), and Match.com (www.match.com/beautiful).

At a young age, he found himself a divorced father of four. Battling depression, all he wanted was to find a nice girl to take on a date for some spaghetti and meatballs. Recovering from the low point in his life, and from career stagnation, this college dropout wants to finish his degree and become a teacher. This episode is brought to you by Mailchimp (www.mailchimp.com), Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/beautiful), Warby Parker (www.warbyparker.com/stories), and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/beautiful).

Addicted to heroin for ten years, this week's caller got clean because she wanted to be a good mother to her new son. She tells Chris about how she started using when a high school boyfriend introduced her to pills. Eventually she was living in her car and spending time in jail, where she networked with other addicts and dealers. She hopes that by speaking with Chris she can help those who may be dealing with addiction themselves or have friends or family who need help by making clear that they are not alone. If you're looking for a place to get help, some have found na.org and aa.org to be helpful.This episode is brought to you by Mailchimp (www.mailchimp.com), Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: CG), and Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL).

Raised by parents who moved from Vietnam to the United States in search of a better life, this week's caller is her family's first American-born child. She talks about defying stereotypes and asserting her independence by dying her hair. Find out how her "Tiger parents" reacted when she embraced a goth punk identity in middle school and later when she went to work for a non-profit.This episode is brought to you by Mailchimp (www.mailchimp.com), Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/beautiful), Secrets, Crimes and Audiotape podcast from Wondery, and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/beautiful).

How horny are high school marching band kids? Is it appropriate for a boy to dye his hair in the girls bathroom? This week's caller drank a sh**-ton (sorry Sally) of coffee and raises these very important questions. She also uses her practiced 'compassionate teacher' voice on Chris, and gets him to open up about his feelings on creativity, fame and success.This episode is brought to you by Mailchimp ( www.mailchimp.com ), Squarespace ( www.squarespace.com code: CG), Blue Apron ( www.blueapron.com/BEAUTIFUL ), and Casper Mattresses ( www.casper.com/beautiful ).

Growing up as a black woman in rural Appalachia wasn't easy. She was different, and she was bullied. But punk rock saved her, and helped her form her own identity. Chris interrupts her Snapchatting at the start of the call, which leads to a discussion about their experiences with social media around the election.This episode is brought to you by Mailchimp ( www.mailchimp.com ), Mack Weldon ( www.mackweldon.com code: BEAUTIFUL), Adam and Eve ( www.adamandeve.com code: STORIES), and Texture.

Brainwashed into a religious cult. Our caller escaped 10 years ago, but she's only now starting to process the trauma: from sexual manipulation and poison, to hallucinations and "mind melding". Chris talks about therapy (and discovers a mutual love for go kart rides). This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon ( www.mackweldon.com code: BEAUTIFUL), Mailchimp ( www.mailchimp.com ), HUAWEI ( www.huawei.fit/AnonymousPeople ), Stamps.com ( www.stamps.com code: BEAUTIFUL), and Texture ( www.texture.com/beautiful ).

Today's caller discusses beating cancer and raising her son as a single mom. Through all of her struggles, big and small, she's stayed relentlessly positive. Let's just hope she doesn't get fired for talking to Chris for an hour while at work!This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon ( www.mackweldon.com code: BEAUTIFUL), Mailchimp ( www.mailchimp.com ), Harry's ( www.harrys.com code: BEAUTIFUL), and Stamps.com (code: BEAUTIFUL).

A "dolphin" personality type. Betrayal. Anger. Lunch at a buddhist temple. This week's caller has it all. This episode is brought to you by AMEX, Mailchimp, Stamps.com, Harry's, and Talkspace.