This Is Uncomfortable

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!

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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.

Interracial couple delves into financial disagreements, cultural differences, and emotional baggage through a car incident, shedding light on the complexities and challenges within their relationship.

Haein Shim, raised in South Korea, shares her journey battling the overwhelming societal pressures of beauty that she believed were crucial for career success. She discusses how the question from a friend changed her perspective on spending hundreds on appearance. Haein connects with NPR's Elise Hu, who explores the economic and gender implications of the K-beauty industry. Together, they highlight the Escape the Corset movement, encouraging women to challenge toxic beauty standards and redefine self-worth, embracing authenticity over conformity.

Rachel Sherman, a sociologist focused on class dynamics, dives into the intriguing question of whether rich people are inherently bad. The conversation takes listeners from a lively nightclub scene to elite prep schools, revealing the uncomfortable truths about wealth and privilege. Sherman's insights challenge societal narratives around affluence, exploring the morality of wealth and the emotional complexities faced by the rich. Personal anecdotes illustrate the struggle for empathy in a class-divided world, making for a thought-provoking and relatable discussion.