This Is Uncomfortable

Hanif Abdurraqib, an award-winning poet and cultural critic from Columbus, dives deep into what it truly means to 'make it' in a world rife with inequality. He candidly shares his own financial struggles, including a harrowing eviction experience, and the weight of moral judgments tied to success. The conversation shifts to the importance of community, the impact of grief on creativity, and redefining success beyond materialism. Hanif also emphasizes the power of storytelling to celebrate resilience in marginalized communities.

The latest season dives deep into the emotional side of finance, uncovering stories of advocating for fair pay and coping with a loved one's poor money decisions. Listeners will hear about the unique ways money impacts grief and the surprising joy of receiving an inheritance. One segment even features a man who shares his vision for wealth redistribution to strengthen his community. Plus, there’s a reflective look back at the lessons learned over ten engaging seasons.

When we last heard from Hana Albaioumy, she was grappling with an agonizing decision. She wanted to escape Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, but it would cost her $10,000, most of her savings, to cross the border into Egypt. Hana shares a complicated update with Reema: She managed to evacuate Gaza and flee to Cairo, but the decision came with a steep financial and emotional cost. Hana explains what it was like saying goodbye to her family, shares the challenges of navigating a new life in Egypt without legal status and recounts a surprising moment when she felt like her old self. We’re currently working on Season 10, which will launch in August. In the meantime, we hope you listen to this intimate conversation about how Hana is grappling with an uncertain future. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!

Do you listen carefully to our credits every week? Then you might’ve heard of our “silent contributor,” Jasmine Romero, who has been editing “This Is Uncomfortable” for the past year and a half. And all along, she’s also been working on another podcast of her own, “Sacred Scandal: Nation of Saints.” It’s a show with a lot of Uncomfortable themes — immigration, family secrets and how money messes with politics.We’re sharing the first episode of Jasmine’s pod, but before we jump in, she tells Reema how she reported this deeply personal story about the Salvadoran Civil War, the assassination of a beloved archbishop, and an unsolved murder in her own family. Reema and Jasmine bond over the challenges of reporting personal stories and reflect on how the show’s themes connect to current news events.If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!

Join the podcast team on a book club journey exploring themes of money, class, and work. Sign up for the newsletter by June 15 for a chance to win exclusive show merch.

An energetic octogenarian, Doris Tyler, relied on stem cell injections for vision treatment after traditional methods failed. The podcast explores the emotional and financial struggles faced by Doris and her husband, as they navigate the world of stem cell therapy. It highlights the complexities and risks associated with seeking cutting-edge medical solutions, including crowdfunding campaigns and unexpected complications post-treatment.

A garment worker named Lorena takes a stand against the abysmal conditions and meager pay in the fast fashion industry. Her journey highlights the troubling realities of wage theft and the fight for fair compensation among workers. The discussion delves into the proposed Garment Workers Protection Act and the obstacles faced in achieving better conditions. Personal stories reveal the resilience of workers navigating this exploitative system, emphasizing the need for solidarity and collective action in the quest for justice.

Fashion educator and sustainable stylist Lakyn Carlton shares her journey away from fast fashion. Reema explores the pressure to impress at work in a vintage store. Lakyn discusses the shift to sustainable fashion and importance of consuming less. Thrift store shopping tips and anecdotes are shared. Reema reflects on past panic shopping experiences and personal style choices. The negative impacts of the fashion industry on workers and the environment are highlighted.

In this episode, Lindsay Niehay discusses experiencing weight discrimination during her medical career, shedding light on the challenges faced in proving discrimination and the lack of legal protections against weight discrimination in the US. The episode highlights Lindsay's journey towards a medical career despite body image struggles, her battles against weight bias in emergency medicine, and facing discrimination at work leading to her wrongful termination.

Financial therapist Megan McCoy answers burning financial questions in this episode, including navigating financial differences with friends, talking to avoidant partners about money plans, making big career decisions, and learning how to curb spending. The episode dives into research studies on happiness from spending money on others, making life decisions, and the impact of money on happiness.