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This Is Uncomfortable

Marketplace
Money
Financial Therapy
Community
Prenups
Gaza
Financial Anxiety
Grief
Mental Health
Personal Finance
Money Management
Divorce
American Dream
Friendship
Happiness
Fast Fashion
Financial Communication
Workplace Dynamics
Parenthood
Coin Collecting
Office Relationships

This is Uncomfortable is the award-winning show about life and how money messes with it. Each week, Marketplace’s Reema Khrais explores how money shapes our decisions, relationships, and sense of self through conversations that are intimate, surprising, and deeply human. From the economic headlines that hit our wallets to the choices that keep us up at night, the show digs into the money questions... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes214Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for This Is Uncomfortable

Latest Episodes

Are you more likely to buy some spicy mayo because it’s made by a blockbuster star? What about pet food or a mobile network? It used to be that you’d just buy a ticket to your favorite actor’s movie or your favorite singer’s concert, but as more cele... more

Does higher education still guarantee financial stability? How can parents set their kids up for success, without subjecting them to overbearing pressure? Reema talks to writer Min Jin Lee to talk about her new novel, “American Hagwon.” They discuss ... more

Before Ali Hazelwood’s “The Love Hypothesis” was a bestselling novel or movie, it was “Star Wars” fan fiction. And Hazelwood isn’t the only one making the leap from fan fiction to traditional publishing. Fan fiction has historically been a labor of l... more

Millions of Americans leave the U.S. each year for medical care. But how do you reap the rewards of medical tourism while managing the risks? And why do some have to travel out of the country to get affordable healthcare in the first place? This week... 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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Recent Guests

Lindsey Weber
Co-host of Who Weekly, author
Who Weekly / HarperCollins
Episode: Why is every celebrity trying to sell me something?
Bobby Finger
Co-host of Who Weekly, author
Who Weekly / HarperCollins
Episode: Why is every celebrity trying to sell me something?
Min Jin Lee
Author of American Hagwon; writer in residence at Amherst College
Amherst College
Episode: Min Jin Lee asks, is college still a reliable investment?
Elizabeth Minkel
Editor-in-chief for Fansplaining
Fansplaining
Episode: Is money ruining fan fiction?
Dr. Alok Patel
Physician at Stanford Children's Health and medical journalist
Stanford Children's Health
Episode: Should you leave the country for your next doctor’s appointment?
TK Dutes
Host and creator of The Secret Life of TK Dutes
The Secret Life of TK Dutes
Episode: Should you leave the country for your next doctor’s appointment?
Amanda Petteruti
Subject of the episode, who walked through her father's coin collection and its impact on her grieving process
Private individual
Episode: When boomer "collectibles" become millennial "inheritance"
Charlotte Wilder
Co-host of The Sports Gossip Show
The Sports Gossip Show
Episode: Is there too much money in college sports?
Madeline Hill
Co-host of The Sports Gossip Show
The Sports Gossip Show
Episode: Is there too much money in college sports?

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 5k ratings
  • Journalism?

    This show was once a bright light, mixing up human elements and financial literacy. Now there is only anecdotal commentary and people making a lot of assumptions that aren’t fact checked on the show. Where is the data? Where is the global perspective to American societal struggles? Where are stories of people finding real solutions out of their financial hardship? The privilege of the host and her guests on this show is over the top. Very upper middle class problems. Some people might relate to ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    100 :-)
    United States3 months ago
  • Informative, intelligent, and always evolving

    I‘m a long-time listener of TIU and I cannot say enough good things about it. Reema is a triple threat when it comes to podcasting: she’s a masterful storyteller, an empathetic listener, and a skilled researcher armed with the right amount of data points to educate (without overwhelming) her listeners. I‘m happy to see that more episodes are being released this year. Thank you, and please keep up the excellent work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    An American in Germany
    Germany4 months ago
  • No more experts please

    I used to love listening to this podcast because the stories were all told from the perspective of ordinary individuals who had unique experiences. Now each episode just features an “expert” who has studied this topic, which makes the show boring and just like any other boring podcast. Please bring back the ordinary individuals and stop interviewing the “experts.”

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Occasional iPhone user 123
    United States5 months ago
  • Beyond the Balance Sheet: Relatable Stories on Life’s Most Taboo Topic

    Marketplace has a true gem in This Is Uncomfortable. The show consistently delivers a superb selection of topics that go far beyond simple budgeting, diving into the messy ways money tangles with our relationships, identities, and secrets.

    What sets this podcast apart is the perfect balance of storytelling and authority. By bringing in top-tier experts, the show provides actionable wisdom without ever feeling clinical or dry. A standout example for me was the episode on prenuptial agreements. It... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dark Horse Lover
    United States6 months ago
  • The new show is not for me

    What I loved about this show was how human it was. It spent a long time talking to one person and going deep with empathy and open mindedness.

    Now it’s becoming just another show with experts talking about a subject .

    I particularly got an “ick” when one of those experts talked about “one of my patients just this last week said” — anonymous to us, sure. But my god, that patient knows he’s talking about him. This man leveraged his patient for an interesting sound bite and this show gave him a ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    CuriousOmen
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many fans appreciate deep, relatable conversations that connect money with daily life and relationships.
Some listeners feel recent formats lean more toward experts, missing ordinary individuals.
A number of reviews emphasize high-quality interviews and thought-provoking topics.
Feedback highlights value of actionable takeaways and caution on perceived biases.
Listeners praise the show for humane storytelling and practical money wisdom, with strong appreciation for host empathy and research.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#221
United States/Business
Apple Podcasts
#160
Canada/Business
Apple Podcasts
#62
South Korea/Business
Apple Podcasts
#81
Philippines/Business
Apple Podcasts
#191
Finland/Business
Apple Podcasts
#246
Saudi Arabia/Business

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why is every celebrity trying to sell me something?
Q: Is there a future risk of fans turning away if endorsements become too pervasive?
Yes, if endorsements feel hollow or inconsistent with a star's image; however, the industry also notes that many brands and fans tolerate or even expect some level of celebrity-driven commerce as long as the product remains credible and beneficial to the fan.
Is money ruining fan fiction?
Q: How is money changing the way people write fan fiction?
Money is accelerating a shift from purely community-driven creation to more monetized pathways, including self-publishing and traditional publishing deals, while also provoking tensions about authors' loyalties to their communities.
Should you leave the country for your next doctor’s appointment?
Q: What should a patient do before traveling for care?
Patients should verify the clinic and surgeon, understand travel and post‑op care plans, arrange clear follow‑up, discuss the plan with their home doctors, and ensure emergency backups are in place.
Should you leave the country for your next doctor’s appointment?
Q: Why do people consider medical tourism despite the risks?
People are drawn by lower costs, the ability to consolidate tests and care in one or few visits, and sometimes a perception of better access or faster treatment, especially for elective procedures.
How does anyone afford childcare?
Q: Are you a parent yourself?
Yes, the host is a parent and the guest expert explains the practical realities of wait lists, nanny shares, and the high costs they encounter while managing family life.

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 This Is Uncomfortable

What is This Is Uncomfortable about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A narrative-driven exploration of money's influence on everyday life, exploring intimate stories and rigorous analysis about how finances shape decisions, relationships, and self-identity. Recent episodes span subscriptions and consumer behavior, workplace dynamics and career pivots, wealth and parenting in affluent circles, chosen families and nontraditional caregiving, wedding culture and debt, and the ethics of tech interventions in climate and society. The show frequently balances personal storytelling with expert insight, mixing compassionate conversations with data-driven context to help listeners feel less alone in financial complexity. Its strength lies in humanizing money topics—turning abstract issues into relatable experiences—wh... more

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Which podcasts are similar to This Is Uncomfortable?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Is Uncomfortable:

1. Marketplace
2. Death, Sex & Money
3. Proxy with Yowei Shaw
4. Planet Money
5. Marketplace Morning Report

How many episodes of This Is Uncomfortable are there?

This Is Uncomfortable launched 7 years ago and published 214 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 This Is Uncomfortable?

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What guests have appeared on This Is Uncomfortable?

Recent guests on This Is Uncomfortable include:

1. Lindsey Weber
2. Bobby Finger
3. Min Jin Lee
4. Elizabeth Minkel
5. Dr. Alok Patel
6. TK Dutes
7. Amanda Petteruti
8. Charlotte Wilder

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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