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Dear Sugars

WBUR
Relationships
Mental Health
Love
Divorce
Parenting
Communication In Relationships
Intimacy
Poetry
Trauma
Communication
Marriage
Psychedelic Therapy
Family Dynamics
Love and Relationships
Childhood Trauma
Romance
Spending Addictions
Friendship
Love and Money
Emotional Intelligence

A podcast that fields all your questions and offers radical empathy in return.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes419Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Dear Sugars

Latest Episodes

This episode was originally released on June 11, 2018.

Her doctor categorized her as overweight when she was 5 years old. Her grandmother always introduced her as the “chubby one.” As an adult, she vacillates between moderation and binge-eating, res... more

This episode was originally released on May 5, 2018.

Remembering the grocery list, coordinating with the babysitter, making food for the potluck, scheduling a get-together with the in-laws: These are some of the invisible tasks that (most) women exc... more

Whether you’re 5, 15, or 50 years old, it can be difficult to usher a stepparent in and out of the family unit. In today’s episode, the Sugars answer letters from stepchildren who have fraught relationships with their stepparents.

This episode was ... more

In this first episode of "You Could Make This Beautiful," actor Henry Winkler tells hosts Maggie Smith and Faith Salie about the poetry he's found in everything from fly fishing, to the music of Lin-Manuel Miranda, to the acting performances of the l... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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We Can Do Hard Things
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Recent Guests

Hilary Kinavey
Co-founder of Be Nourished, nutrition professional
Be Nourished
Episode: Rewind: Trust Your Body
Dana Sturtevant
Co-founder of Be Nourished, health professional
Be Nourished
Episode: Rewind: Trust Your Body
Henry Winkler
Actor, author, and poet by perspective in this episode
Author; actor
Episode: You Could Make This Beautiful: Henry Winkler & Saeed Jones
Saeed Jones
Poet and author, guest sharing poetry insights
Author, poet
Episode: You Could Make This Beautiful: Henry Winkler & Saeed Jones
Stephanie Burt
Harvard English professor, poetry critic
Harvard University
Episode: You Could Make This Beautiful: Peter Sagal & Stephanie Burt
Mike Birbiglia
Comedian and actor, collaborates with Jenny Stein
—
Episode: You Could Make This Beautiful: Mike Birbiglia, J. Hope Stein, & Peter Kessler
Jenny Stein (J. Hope Stein)
Poet, co-creator of the book and performances
—
Episode: You Could Make This Beautiful: Mike Birbiglia, J. Hope Stein, & Peter Kessler
Peter Kessler
Former English teacher; currently at Maudlin College, University of Oxford
Maudlin College, University of Oxford
Episode: You Could Make This Beautiful: Mike Birbiglia, J. Hope Stein, & Peter Kessler
Tim Kreider
Writer and essayist; author of We Learn Nothing and forthcoming I Wrote This Book Because I Love You
Author
Episode: Repost: Haunted By Ghosting

Hosts

Faith Salie
Co-host of the show; WBUR / Dear Sugars lineage; appears in multiple WBUR projects
Cheryl Strayed
Host of Dear Sugars / Dear Sugars Radio; frequent collaborator with Steve Almond
Steve Almond
Co-host; prolific author and host of Dear Sugars Radio; frequent on-air partner

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 8.1k ratings
  • You Could Make This Beautiful made my day

    It’s so hard to find engaging, lively, and intelligent podcasts about literature. This show is an inspiration. Great chemistry between the hosts and a wonderful format, combining celebrities who aren’t necessarily poetry experts with poets who talk about their work. And they all share works that move them. More, please.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Icouldusethis
    United States2 months ago
  • “You Could Make This Beautiful”

    I’m so deeply loving the “You Could Make This Beautiful” pilot/miniseries. Such fantastic conversations with poets and with the guests talking about what poetry has meant in their own life. And the poetry prescriptions segment is also just the best. I would LOVE love love to have more of this coming my way. Please, WBUR, You Could Make “You Could Make This Beautiful”!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Guthfana
    United States2 months ago
  • You made this beautiful

    The “you could make this beautiful” mini series is amazing! They are the poetry prescription I need in my life. Please please keep the episodes coming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AnaUC
    United States2 months ago
  • 🧡

    It’s an amazing broadcast!!!’!’!’

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Liwen xiaoo
    Japan7 months ago
  • 咋听不了了

    为啥加载不出来啊其他的都可以就这个不行。

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    n h g v g h h h j
    Chinaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value practical, compassionate guidance and thoughtful discussion of relationships and life choices.
The hosts' empathy and chemistry is consistently praised, making sensitive topics feel safe.
The sound and format (letters + guest insights) are described as engaging and soothing.
Guests are well-chosen, bringing literary or academic depth to personal questions.
Some feedback notes desire deeper exploration of certain topics (e.g., political tensions in friendship) and occasional variability in episode length.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#201
China/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#208
Switzerland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#231
Austria/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rewind: Trust Your Body
Q: What do Hilary Kinavey and Dana Sturtevant advocate as an alternative to dieting culture?
They promote Be Nourished's weight-neutral, body-trust approach, focusing on self-care, hunger cues, and discernment rather than calorie restriction or forced weight loss.
Redux: Emotional Labor, The Invisible Work (Most) Women Do
Q: How can couples begin to rebalance this load without blame?
Start by acknowledging the problem as a shared cultural issue, not a personal failing, and use concrete tools like lists, clear delegation, and joint planning to create a fairer division of labor while maintaining emotional connection.
Redux: Emotional Labor, The Invisible Work (Most) Women Do
Q: What is emotional labor and why does it feel invisible in many relationships?
Emotional labor includes managing others' feelings, schedules, and overall emotional climate, not just physical tasks; it is often invisible because it happens in the background as part of coordinating family life and preventing conflict, rather than in obvious chores.
Repost: Haunted By Ghosting
Q: Right. So in your essay, The Anti-Kreider Club, you wrote about your own ghosting experience. Could you share that story with us?
Tim Kreider recalls a long friendship from childhood that suddenly disappeared; years later, at a mutual funeral, they reconnect briefly, share beers, and discuss what happened, realizing there was no good, clean explanation, only a transition to a different phase of life. The moment frames ghosting as a human pattern rather than a simple betrayal, illustrating how time and circumstance can erode even deep connections.
Rewind: Location, Location, Location
Q: How should a couple handle conflicting desires about where to live when one partner has depression and other career needs?
The hosts advise a collaborative, data-driven approach: make neutral lists of fears and benefits for staying or moving, have honest conversations, and consider external supports like therapy to navigate the decision.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Dear Sugars

What is Dear Sugars about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A compassionate, writerly show that blends personal letters, expert insight, and hosted conversations to explore love, relationships, parenting, sexuality, and self-discovery. Episodes frequently pair prominent authors, poets, and cultural voices with candid storytelling, creating a warm space for empathy, practical advice, and everyday life challenges. Notable for its mix of literary discussion, real-life letters, and guidance that honors nuance over judgment, with recurring segments and a steady emphasis on how relationships evolve over time. Potential listeners who crave thoughtful, humane relationship discourse, literary references, and actionable takeaways will likely find this engaging and unique in its blend of art, psychology, and l... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Dear Sugars?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Dear Sugars:

1. Modern Love
2. Love Letters
3. Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
4. We Can Do Hard Things
5. Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch

How many episodes of Dear Sugars are there?

Dear Sugars launched 12 years ago and published 419 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Dear Sugars?

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What guests have appeared on Dear Sugars?

Recent guests on Dear Sugars include:

1. Hilary Kinavey
2. Dana Sturtevant
3. Henry Winkler
4. Saeed Jones
5. Stephanie Burt
6. Mike Birbiglia
7. Jenny Stein (J. Hope Stein)
8. Peter Kessler

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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