This Is Uncomfortable

Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman are very good friends. And as hosts of the podcast “Call Your Girlfriend,” and co-authors of “Big Friendship,” they’re also in business together. This week they sit down with Reema to talk about how work has changed their friendship and what they learned from couples therapy. Later, they join “The Group Chat” to answer listener questions about friendship and money.By the way, we’re still looking for your stories of hiding a purchase, some funds or anything else money-related from a romantic partner! Whether you are or were casually dating or married to this partner, we want to hear about it! Give us a call at 347-RING-TIU (347-746-4848).

Money gets complicated when a marriage falls apart. First, we’ll hear from a divorce lawyer who ends up representing herself. Then from a couple trying to plan for the day they hate each other.Plus: Have you hidden a purchase, some funds or anything else money related from your partner? We’re working on an episode about that, and whether you were casually dating or married, we want to hear about it! Give us a call at 347-RING-TIU (347-746-4848).

Marilyn worked hard to afford her own home. But when a sheriff showed up at her front door with a summons for eviction court, suddenly she was stuck trying to navigate a system with confusing rules.

One woman’s smile becomes a marker of poverty that feels impossible to escape.

From restricted access mail-in ballots to poll taxes, voting rights have always been tied to power and money.

Money messes up everything. This pandemic is widening the wealth gap, pushing thousands of people into debt, and shifting family and relationship dynamics. Why do so many of us let our careers define who we are? Who can afford to vote this November? Can business and friendship mix? Will you ever get over that one money fight with your partner? We’ll sit with this discomfort all season, and it all starts this Thursday, Sept. 17. Here’s a preview.

There are a lot of couples stuck at home right now. Some of them are out of work or dealing with canceled plans. Today, we’ll hear from two couples trying to figure out what their future will look like.This is a rerun of one of our favorite stories from last season. We’re back with new episodes on September 17, and we’re still doing weekly newsletters. Subscribe at marketplace.org/comfort.

When WeWork acquired her company, she got executive training, fancy corporate retreats and a dope Patagonia jacket. It was almost enough to make her forget everything she lost. This week: Why we’re so obsessed with our jobs, even though they’ll never love us back.This is a rerun of one of our favorite stories from last season. We’re back with new episodes on September 17 and we’re still doing weekly newsletters between now and then. Subscribe at marketplace.org/comfort.

To get a new bike, this 11-year-old signs a contract to do the thing he hates most: math. How one family is using a tactic borrowed from the business world to settle arguments (and help them get through the pandemic).

Meet the professional auditor who can’t stand to look at his own bank account. Our team goes on an adventure to help a man who’s anxious about his spending get more comfortable checking his finances.

One woman’s fight against Silicon Valley’s racial pay gap. Plus, why it’s so hard for Black workers in tech to get ahead

Years ago, one woman put college on hold because she couldn’t afford it. Now she faces a hard choice to keep history from repeating itself. Plus: What will college even look like this fall?

A teenager protesting police brutality lands in jail, and we try to understand the tricky business of bail.

Millions of Americans who are out of work don’t receive unemployment benefits. That’s by design. An episode from “The Uncertain Hour’s” pop-up season “A History of Now.”If you liked this epsiode, you can hear more at uncertainhour.org.

When you’re 17 or 18, you’re often making choices that can dictate the course of your whole life. Making those decisions during a pandemic is even harder. Today we follow three high school friends trying to figure out what comes after graduation when a global pandemic is clouding everything.By the way, today is the last day of Marketplace’s spring fundraising drive. We know not everyone can afford to give, but if you love the show and you are in a position to donate, we would really appreciate it. You can give and find more information at marketplace.org/giveTIU.

This week, we’re showcasing a story from our colleagues at “Terrible, Thanks For Asking”: When a supporting pillar is knocked out of a family, the consequences can be costly.

Kevin Harrington was exonerated last month after spending 17 years in prison for a murder conviction. He and his family are overjoyed, but the coronavirus pandemic means freedom looks a little different right now.By the way, Marketplace is in the middle of a really important fundraising drive right now. We know not everyone can afford to give, but if you love the show and you are in a position to donate, we would really appreciate it. You can give and find more information at marketplace.org/giveTIU.

A woman grapples with her shopping addiction in quarantine.By the way, we were just nominated for a Webby! Please take a second and vote for us at wbby.co/pod09.

Danni Askini fought cancer for 18 months before getting COVID-19. Their focus was on surviving, not the cost of care. That didn’t make the bill any easier to take.

The clock is ticking for one college student after she finds out she’s pregnant in the middle of a pandemic, in a state that’s trying to restrict abortion.

How do I keep from fighting with my partner about money? What do I say to a friend who’s just lost a job? This week, a little financial therapy session over zoom to help us all cope with our COVID-19 anxiety.

There are a lot of couples stuck at home right now. Some of them are out of work or dealing with canceled plans. Today, we’ll hear from two couples trying to figure out what their future will look like.

As states across the country close all non-essential businesses, people are rethinking what it means to do the right thing. Today we hear listeners’ stories of pay cuts, layoffs and telling employers they’re putting people at risk.

The coronavirus is changing how we think about money and community. We set out to see how people are coping and put together this audio care package.And we want to check in on you, too — let us know what you’re going through and how you’re getting through it at [email protected].

Would you spot a friend money if they needed it? How about if they asked every month? This week: the limits of friendship.

When WeWork acquired her company, she got executive training, fancy corporate retreats and a dope Patagonia jacket. It was almost enough to make her forget everything she lost. This week: Why we’re so obsessed with our jobs, although they’ll never love us back.

Sam Sanders, host of NPR’s “It’s Been A Minute” and Marketplace product specialist Sarah Menendez are here give advice on salary sharing, expensive olive oil, and bridesmaid duties in the latest installment of “The Group Chat.” Got anything you want to run by the group? Tell us at [email protected], and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter at Marketplace.org/comfort.

When a shady business partner leaves a newly married couple on the hook for over $300,000, it tests the limits of “for better or worse.”For even more “This Is Uncomfortable,” sign up for our new weekly newsletter at marketplace.org/comfort.

After getting married, Angie’s husband started to scrutinize every purchase. The situation soon got so much worse. We look at what happens when money becomes a form of control.

Reema (a skeptical Libra) talks with astrologer Chani Nicholas about the booming business of astrology and together they answer listener questions about overspending and toxic bosses.

Money gets complicated when a marriage falls apart. First we’ll hear from a divorce lawyer who ends up representing herself. Then from a couple trying to plan for the day they hate each other.

We’re back Jan. 30 with new stories about life and how money messes with it. You know, the light stuff, like divorce, workaholism and financial fraud. Here’s a sneak peek.

A listener struggles to navigate all the unspoken rules of middle-class life.This is our last rerun before we return with new episodes later this month. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at marketplace.org/comfort.

In the cutthroat world of professional classical music, Eric Abramovitz was headed toward a shining career. Until something — or someone — got in the way.We’re rerunning a few of our favorite episodes over the holiday season, and we’ll be back with new episodes in 2020. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at marketplace.org/comfort.

Reema tries to settle a debt she’s been avoiding. And what happens when one person in a relationship has way more money?We’re rerunning a few of our favorite episodes over the holiday season, and we’ll be back with new episodes in 2020. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at marketplace.org/comfort.

Earlier this year, Hayden started getting these surprise gifts in the mail. Once he realized who sent them to him, he wondered just how far the gift giver would go. Plus, two more stories of spending regret.To be the first to know when we’re back with new episodes, subscribe to our newsletter at marketplace.org/comfort.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, “This Is Uncomfortable” revisits the “jobs” we take on in our families — starting with Reema’s. Plus, one couple comes up with a creative way to stop fighting over a dreaded household chore.This is the first of a few favorite episodes we’re rerunning over the holiday season, and we’ll be back with new episodes in 2020. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at marketplace.org/comfort.

After a rare cancer diagnosis, one family’s battle with insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and the endless bureaucracy, teaches them about the price tag the medical system can put on a person’s life.By the way, this is our last episode of the year. We’re taking a break for the holidays, replaying a few of our favorite episodes and working on some new stories. Make sure you’re the first to know about new episodes by subscribing to our newsletter at marketplace.org/comfort.

An aspiring dancer finds a way to become debt-free. All she has to do is take on someone else’s.

“Nancy” host Tobin Low and journalist Julia Furlan join us this week to give advice on office gifts, financial independence and more in the latest installment of “The Group Chat.” Got anything you want to run by the group? Tell us at [email protected]

This Halloween, we have listeners’ frightening stories of impulse buys, spooky scams and a very Hungry Heart.

Two couples won a chance at pregnancy, but money has complicated their journeys to build a family.

In the cutthroat world of professional classical music, Eric Abramovitz was headed toward a shining career. Until something — or someone — got in the way.

We’re presenting a new segment this week called “The Group Chat.” It’s when we bring in friends of the pod to address your money and job problems. Joining us for this first installment are NPR’s Julia Furlan and Keisha “TK” Dutes of Glitch and “Hear to Slay.” We recorded this episode live onstage at Werk It, the women’s podcasting festival from WYNC Studios, earlier this month at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.

Caitlin Boston asked for a raise. Her boss gave her a hard no. Then she made it her mission to figure out what she was worth… and to get paid. Plus: we teach you how to get paid too.

Reema was on one of our favorite podcasts, “Call Your Girlfriend,” a few weeks ago to answer listeners’ tricky money questions about divorce, student debt and (shudder) investing.

After hooking up with her roommate, one woman can’t seem to avoid him — or his spending habits, and a couple tries showing their love for each other … in a way neither of them actually loves.

You tell your mom you’re broke. You pretend to have student loans. You wear knock-off couture. People tell lies about money all the time. We asked about your “white lies” — and you didn’t disappoint.

Something to think about when you’re watching the new “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” this weekend: For every piece of this family’s massive empire, matriarch Kris Jenner takes a 10% cut. And when business and family mix, you can’t help but wonder how the lines get blurred. Does being your child’s manager get in the way of being a good mom? This week, BuzzFeed’s Zan Romanoff walks us through the history and stigma of the “momager,” and we hear from a real-life stage mom about her day-to-day.

Aparna Nancherla has made a career in comedy, where she often delves into her own struggles with mental health. We look at what happens when your job is tied to the most painful parts of your life. Plus, The New York Times’ Amanda Hess on treating your work like a commodity.