Thanks For Asking

Marisa Franco, a professor and author of "Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends," dives into the nuances of adult friendships. She discusses the rise of loneliness and how tech is shaping social connections, highlighting the importance of platonic love for mental health. Franco emphasizes how our childhood perceptions of love affect adult relationships and offers insights on navigating social interactions. This conversation offers invaluable tips on strengthening friendships amidst life's challenges.

Dive into heartfelt stories that celebrate the lives of loved ones through the art of obituary writing. Reflect on emotional journeys of loss and love, revealing the power of storytelling. Hear moving tributes, including a mother's heart-wrenching choice to save one twin, showcasing profound resilience. Explore the vibrant spirit of a passionate foodie, whose culinary adventures inspire those around her. Each story is a beautiful reminder of life, laughter, and shared memories.

Annie, a heartful widow, shares her deeply personal story of loss following her husband Jim's suicide. She reflects on the letters exchanged between them — one left behind and one written in her grief. Their discussion navigates the complexities of guilt and the misunderstood nature of suicide, highlighting that it’s rarely anyone’s fault. Annie candidly explores her mental health challenges and the importance of connection and vulnerability while coping with profound loss.

The hosts reflect on the evolution of their show, sharing authentic stories of overcoming adversity. They announce the launch of a collection of themed anthologies, particularly focusing on suicide awareness. Personal experiences illuminate the complexities of grief and the impact of losing loved ones. The conversation navigates societal perceptions while emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and communication about suicide. They introduce their first anthology, filled with unique narratives that shed light on loss and healing.

Author Soraya Chemaly challenges the notion of resilience, highlighting its complexities and societal implications. The conversation explores the impact of societal norms on masculinity and the need to redefine resilience beyond perseverance. Critiques on American culture's unwavering optimism and the importance of embracing interdependence for facing challenges are also discussed.

When Nora was about to marry her first husband Aaron, they were in the thick of his cancer treatment. So the day before the wedding, she got a small tattoo to remind her to stay in the present moment.  This was an excerpt from Nora’s first book, It’s Okay To Laugh (Crying is cool, too) which is available here._If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around you, you know that not *everything* is going to be okay. In fact, many things aren’t okay and never will be! But instead of falling into the pit of despair, we’re bringing you a little OK for your day. Every weekday, we’ll bring you one okay thing to help you start, end or endure your day with the opposite of a doom scroll.Created and hosted by Nora McInerny.Find Nora’s weekly newsletter here.We’re on YouTube, with new videos twice a week! Subscribe here._“It’s Going To Be OK” is brought to you by The Hartford. The Hartford is a leading insurance provider that connects people and technology for better employee benefits.  Learn more at www.thehartford.com/benefits. _Share your OK thing at 612.568.4441 or by emailing a note or voice memo to IGTBO@feelingsand.co. Start your message with “I’m (name) and it’s going to be okay.” _The IGTBO team is Nora McInerny, Claire McInerny, Marcel Malekebu, Amanda Romani and Grace Barry._The transcript for this episode can be found here.Find all our shows and our store at www.feelingsand.co. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Winston, an experienced egg donor, shares her emotional transformation and insight into family structures. She discusses her decision to donate eggs to a gay couple, challenging traditional family norms. The podcast explores the evolving dynamics of non-traditional family roles and personal stories of redefined relationships.

The podcast features obituaries that are touching, humorous, and heartfelt. Nora reads some of the favorite submissions from listeners, making you laugh and cry. The episode also includes promotions for Foria and BetterHelp, along with a message from the host expressing gratitude to the audience.

In this insightful discussion, Sarah Super, an activist who transformed her trauma into a mission for survivors of sexual violence, reflects on her journey. She shares her experiences with the legal system and the emotional hurdles of healing. The conversation delves into the burdens of activism, balancing personal recovery while advocating for change. Sarah also highlights her journey of self-discovery, revealing how she embraces her identity beyond being a survivor and the significance of community support in the healing process.

In case you didn't know, we're still making episodes that are available exclusively on Nora's Substack! -We have a big update about the future of TTFA, and something a lot of you have been asking about since the last episode, where I mentioned *casually* in the credits that we were going to be taking an indefinite hiatus. I wanted to talk more about what that means going forward, and thank all of you for listening and supporting our show. xo,Nora—You can read the transcript of this update here.—Find all our shows and more at feelingsand.co.—Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices