This Is Uncomfortable

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.

Most of us tell little white lies at some point or another to make things less weird about money. But what happens when disaster strikes, and your money situation becomes impossible to hide?

When money, death and grief mix there’s no playbook for what to do. And for years, one young man has been stuck.This episode deals with depression and suicide. If you or someone you know needs to talk, call 1-800-273-8255 or text “TALK” to 741741.

A listener struggles to navigate all the unspoken rules of middle-class life.

We’re keeping things just a little uncomfortable this week with another round of our favorite game: Financial Face-Off! But first: We need your help telling a new story.

When you’re a kid, your parents make all the financial decisions for you. But what happens when you grow up … and don’t agree with their choices?

Growing up, Ziwe Fumudoh wanted to be a pop star. Her parents wanted her to go into medicine or finance. She ended up as a comedian writing for “Desus & Mero.” This week we talk about her work and money.

When you’re a high-stakes gambler laying down tens of thousands of dollars at a blackjack table, the value of money takes on a whole new meaning.

Our new game, “Financial Faceoff” puts one couple’s financial life to the test. Plus, we’ll get an update from the couple in our first episode, Nika and Terence.

Reema Khrais explores the “jobs” we take on in our families — starting with her own. Plus, one couple comes up with a creative way to stop fighting over a dreaded household chore.

What happens when work is the thing that’s making us cry … at work? Plus: Reema asks her old boss an awkward question.

Reema tries to settle a debt she’s been avoiding. And what happens when one person in a relationship has way more money?

This is a show about life and how money messes with it. Every Thursday, we’ll dig into the unanticipated ways money affects relationships, shapes identities and defines what it means to be an adult. The first episode drops June 13.