Death, Sex & Money
Episodes
Alone Together: A COVID-19 Call-In
13 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anna and Kai Wright, host of WNYC's The United States of Anxiety podcast, take your calls about how the coronavirus is impacting your life, your rel...
Why You're Not Having Sex
11 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We asked you why you're not having sex—right now, or ever. These are your stories. How is the coronavirus impacting your life? How is it changing...
Sugar Babies Cost Me $8,000 And My Marriage
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A listener talks about why he thought hiring sex workers could save his marriage—while also knowing it could destroy it. We're looking for y...
Maria Bamford Didn't Wait For It To Be Perfect
26 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The comedian talks with me about what mental illness has taught her about managing money and allowing herself to be loved. Maria's new comedy ...
Cancer Changed Ken Jeong's Comedy
19 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After years of working as a physician, Ken Jeong quit to pursue acting. Then his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and he found himself needin...
No Slumping With Twyla Tharp
12 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I talk with the dancer and choreographer about the low-budget beginning of her prolific career, and about dealing with new physical limitations ...
Carmen Maria Machado Is Using The Word 'Abusive'
05 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The writer reflects on her first relationship with a woman, finding the words to talk about experiencing abuse, and the process of writing it all ...
Who Are Your 'Quick And Deep' Friends?
29 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with a psychologist about the importance of friends who cross racial lines—and those who don't. Want to reflect on how race has f...
Ask Code Switch: What About Your Friends?
23 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Your stories about race and friendship brought up a lot of questions. Our friends at NPR's Code Switch podcast have some answers. And if you missed...
Between Friends: Your Stories About Race and Friendship
22 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"Your white friend can just make one comment and it feels like a trap door has opened up from underneath," one listener told us when we asked for stor...
Inside Planned Parenthood
08 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What happens inside Planned Parenthood has long been at the center of a raging political debate in the U.S. But we don't often hear from the patients ...
Saeed Jones's New Year's Determinations
01 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The writer reads an essay about his mom, and explains why she always made New Year's "determinations" instead of "resolutions." We want to hear Y...
Death, Sex & Money's 2019 Year End Spectacular
25 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The team reflects together on the best Death, Sex & Money moments of 2019—things you heard on the show, and things you didn't. Donate to Death...
Liz Phair's Rebellious Streak Works For Her
18 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The musician on her "run and gun" days in the early '90s, and the two affairs that shaped her adult life. Sign up for our newsletter at deathsexmon...
The Children Of Heart Mountain
11 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
At an annual pilgrimage back to a former Japanese American incarceration site, we hear from people reliving complicated childhood memories, and desc...
Cheating Happens
04 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There's the cliche: someone cheats, crockery is thrown, lawyers are called. But your stories about cheating were much more varied, with some unpredict...
Anne Lamott: Death Sucks, And It's Holy
27 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
"Your life will be greatly enhanced by spending time with dying people," Anne Lamott says. "Death is not the enemy. Snakes are." Sign up for our ne...
Hasan Minhaj's Honest Mistakes
20 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Hasan Minhaj was drawn to comedy because of its "radical honesty." But that hasn't always translated well to his personal life. Don't miss our wee...
Who's Driving Your Uber?
13 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Domestic violence. The ripples of the financial crisis. A new immigrant's dashed hopes. This is what we heard about two years ago after we asked, "Why...
A Former Debt Collector's Unpaid Bills
06 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Angela worked in the collections industry for 15 years. Now, she's banned from the industry for life—and is getting collection calls after fall...
When Breast Cancer Pauses Life At 35
30 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
After a breast cancer diagnosis at 35, author Kate Pickert reflects on maintaining normalcy during treatment, why she didn't tell her daughter she ...
Scattered: The Camp
23 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In comedian Chris Garcia's new podcast, Scattered, he sets out to uncover the truth about his dad—a man who survived Castro’s labor camps only to ...
Saeed Jones Talks About Sex. And Death. And Money.
16 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The writer and poet traces the joy and shame of learning about sex, mourning his mother, and finally feeling financially comfortable. Subscribe to ...
The Student Loan Nerd Helping Borrowers One Email At A Time
02 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Betsy Mayotte knows that the student loan system is overcomplicated—she worked inside of it for 20 years. Now she's tackling borrowers' problems...
Our Student Loan Secrets, Part 2
26 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Hundreds of you told us about feeling duped, overwhelmed, and ashamed of your student debt. But we also heard stories about how some of you took back...
Our Student Loan Secrets, Part 1
25 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
More Americans are taking out more student loan debt and taking longer to pay it back. But we don't often talk about the impact that it has on our l...
E. Jean Carroll: More Interesting, Not Damaged
18 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
At 75, E. Jean Carroll is calling out the men who've sexually assaulted her—including, she says, the president. But talk to a therapist about it? No...
50 Years Married To A Man Named Sissy
11 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Vickie Goodwin tried to raise her husband's self esteem early in their marriage. But when he started cross dressing publicly, she struggled to accep...
Raphael Saadiq: Music Had To Be My Therapy
04 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Musical icon Raphael Saadiq talks to us about using music to cope with loss, reflecting on love, and creating light in darkness. Listen to Anna's S...
My Stillbirth During Anna's Maternity Leave
28 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We hear from you often about pregnancy loss, and the grief that accompanies it. Here is one listener's story. And if you've been through pregnancy...
How Are You "Surfing The Urge" To Drink?
14 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This month, we've been talking about drinking, and asking you what you do when the impulse to drink hits—and you don't want to indulge. Sign u...
Michael Arceneaux On Love, Liquid Courage And Letting Go
07 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The writer talks about how alcohol has helped him let go of his inhibitions and embrace his sexuality—after growing up in a house where drinking oft...
Bottled Up: Your Stories About Drinking
31 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We asked you about your relationships with alcohol—why you drink, or don't, the strategies you use to manage your consumption, and what alcohol b...
Rashema Melson's Weakest Yet Bravest Moments
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rashema Melson recently got her college degree. Leading up to graduation day, she cracked open the "time capsules" we recorded with her, right befor...
A Brother, A Sister, And Their Eating Disorders
17 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Two siblings open up to each other about eating and mental health, and why it took them so long to be honest about it with each other. Sign up for ...
When Work Changes, So Do We
10 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As I return from maternity leave, I'm thinking a lot about work and identity. So is Uma Kondabolu, who recently retired from the place where she work...
Tayari Jones & Carrie Mae Weems: What's It Like Up There?
26 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the final installment of our maternity leave lineup, bestselling author Tayari Jones sits down with artist Carrie Mae Weems to talk about indepe...
Sarah Smarsh & Nick Smarsh: Are You Different Than Me?
19 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The bestselling author and Kansan talks with her dad about what happens when you grow up believing the hard way is the best way, and then cross ove...
Mahershala Ali & Rafael Casal: Envy Is A Hell Of A Drug
12 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Oscar-winning actor interviews the co-creator of one of his favorite movies of 2018, Blindspotting, about his childhood as a "knucklehead" in the...
Alia Shawkat & Esther Perel: Life In Our 30s, And 60s
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The last time Alia Shawkat was on the show, she was offering advice about being in your 20s. Now she's back, this time, getting advice about her 30s f...
Tressie McMillan Cottom & Trevor Noah: Optimistic and Depressed
22 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Daily Show host says he sometimes struggles to get out of bed. But he's comfortable saying that with a smile. This episode is part of our 2019 ...
Al Letson & Nikole Hannah-Jones: Sensitive, Not Scared
15 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones self-describes as "super sensitive." But that's not the same thing as being scared. This episode is part of our 2019 ...
Jason Isbell & Will Welch: Somebody Needs Me
08 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Nashville singer-songwriter and the editor-in-chief of GQ Magazine sit down together to talk about their close friendship, Will's recent cancer d...
Damon Young & Kiese Laymon: The "Good Dude" Closet
24 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The writers on why the label covers a multitude of sins. Don't forget to subscribe to our weekly email newsletter! Every Wednesday we send out pod...
John Cameron Mitchell & Marilyn Maye: I Will Survive
17 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The actor and Hedwig and the Angry Inch creator talks with 91-year-old cabaret singing legend Marilyn Maye about love affairs, alcoholism and their ...
Lisa Ling & Awkwafina: Shut Up, Let Me Shine
10 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Crazy Rich Asians actor talks with guest host Lisa Ling about how Bambi helped her process her mom's death, and why she has no qualms about turnin...
The 2019 Maternity Leave Lineup
08 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For the next few months, some of our favorite past Death, Sex & Money guests—and some new folks, too—are taking a turn in the host chair and inter...
A Father and Daughter Talk About Layoffs
27 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We asked for your stories about being laid off. A listener named Stephanie wrote in about her dad. Take our survey about losing a job by going to d...
Daniel K. Isaac Is Opting For The Gray Area
20 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As a teen, Daniel K. Isaac fought his sexuality. But accepting that part of himself as an adult has meant finding new, complicated ways of relating t...
José Andrés Googled ‘How To Be A Father’
06 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
José Andrés is at the helm of more than a dozen restaurants and is famous for his humanitarian work. But when it comes to parenting, he says he's ...
When We Sent Our Son Away
20 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Diane Gill Morris moved her whole family, including her two young adult sons who have autism, into a house she thought they'd live in forever. Then on...
Autism Isn't What I Signed Up For
19 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When we posted an article on Facebook about deciding to have children, Diane Gill Morris told us, "If someone had told me this is what it’d be like,...
How Nikki Giovanni Finally Learned To Cry
06 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The legendary poet talks with host Anna Sale in front of a live audience about standing up to her father, surviving breast and lung cancer, and w...
Let's Talk About Porn Again
23 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We're revisiting our most-listened to episode ever, about porn. Your stories about secret hard drives, fantasy plot lines, illegal downloads, titillat...
How Do You Bring Up Your STI?
18 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you have an STI, we've got an assignment for you. Send your voice memos to [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...
Sexually Transmitted Secrets
16 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
STI rates are on the rise. But when we asked our listeners to tell us their stories about having an STI, what we heard about was how alone it makes y...
So Many Sex Ed Fails
14 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
You have a limited number of orgasms in life. Your penis will fall off if you get an infection. Kissing will get you pregnant. We asked you to share ...
I Wanted To Be A "Good Girl"
09 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea grew up attending an evangelical church in Texas, where she was taught to abstain from sex until marriage and keep herself sexually "pure." Th...
When A Banker Was Called To The Convent
19 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sister Josephine Garrett grew up Baptist and worked her way up the corporate ladder—only to realize in her late 20s that she wanted to convert to Ca...
I Married A Dreamer During The Trump Presidency
05 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa never thought much about the immigration process until she fell in love with Freddy, whose legal status in the U.S. is now in jeopardy. Your...
Married, Paralyzed and Moving On
20 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A couple reflects on the big strides they've made together since a cycling accident left one of them paralyzed two years ago—and on the things they ...
John Green Thinks Adulthood is Underrated
08 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
YA author John Green has built his career on his ability to connect with young fans—but in his own lowest moments, the isolation he's felt has been ...
Why Governor Jennifer Granholm Cut Her Hair
31 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm ran for office, she was told not to remind voters that she'd be the first woman to hold the office — a...
Tell Us Your Sex Ed Fails
30 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What did you learn about sex that you wish you hadn't? Send a voice memo about how sex ed failures played out in your own life to deathsexmoney@wny...
When Fire Takes Everything: Rebuilding in Northern California
17 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Two stories of recovery after loss. The Death, Sex & Money eye mask is here! Sign on to become a sustaining member of the show at $8 a month, and...
I Served 27 Years In Prison. Now, I'm Out On Parole.
03 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Lawrence Bartley was released on parole this spring. Now, he and his wife Ronnine are building an everyday life for their family on the outside. ...
Jane Fonda After Death and Divorce, Revisited
19 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
For one of our earliest episodes, I spoke with Jane Fonda about living her life in the public eye. This week, we're bringing you that conversation ag...
Hot Dates: Last Summer Nights
05 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We've been following eight listeners as they've dated this summer—this week, we do a final check-in as the warm weather winds down. Go back and l...
Nick Offerman Can Take Directions
22 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Nick Offerman is famous for playing the most macho man on TV, but in real life, he says he has "all the colors inside." This week, we're also asking...
Alzheimer's and the World's Saddest Comedy Club
08 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Chris Garcia lost his dad to Alzheimer's last year. Now, he's turning his grief into conversations with other comedians for a new project fro...
Hot Dates: From One Hot Dater to Another
02 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Ceci and Miracle talk about what's happened since Miracle ran into one of her Bumble matches making out with her middle school teacher, and Ceci sha...
Tig Notaro Isn't a Blob Anymore
25 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the six years since Tig Notaro's famous comedy set about her cancer diagnosis and her mother's death, a lot has changed. Find the playlist of list...
Hot Dates: Open to Open Relationships
23 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Since we first talked, Jessie emailed to confess something about her dating life that she didn't tell me before. Plus, June's off Tinder! All summer,...
Manhood, Now: Live
12 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we continued our conversation about being a man today with a live national special, featuring CNN's W. Kamau Bell and your calls. For mor...
A Wife Interviews Her Husband About Manhood, Now
11 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this week, we got a voice memo in our inbox, from a husband and wife inspired to talk about masculinity together. So we asked them if we could...
Hot Dates: "I'm Supposed to Be Certain"
09 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The first time we talked to Dan, he was wrestling with how to navigate consent in the #MeToo era. This week, he and I dig a little deeper. All su...
How to Be a Man With Bill Withers, Revisited
04 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We revisit our episode with the Grammy-winning songwriter and singer on his 80th birthday, for a conversation about a life lived with intention and ...
Hot Dates: A Middle School Teacher Walks Into A Bar...
27 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Miracle decided to try a dating app, and got a blast from the past. Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter, if you haven't already. Every Wednesda...
Manhood, Now
20 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
"You kind of learn what you're supposed to do. But nobody tells you anything." A conversation about what it means to be a man today, in partnership wi...
Hot Dates: Help from an OKCupid Guru
14 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Louis is at his wit's end with dating apps...so we called in reinforcements. Plus, some musings from Ceci. All summer, we're following a group of li...
Hot Dates: Do As I Say, Not As I Do
08 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
One of our summer daters has had some big changes in his love life already. Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter, if you haven't already. Every ...
John Prine Wanted to Be Normal
06 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John Prine has been in the music business for 47 years, and at this point, he's fine being a self-proclaimed "oddball." Subscribe to our weekly em...
Hot Dates: Romance Right Now
30 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dating in 2018 can be frustrating. But a lot of you are doing it anyway...and some of you are letting us listen in. Subscribe to our weekly ema...
Tayari Jones on Frills and Freedom
16 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The bestselling author of An American Marriage talks about writing her own rules for adulthood. Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter, if you ...
Your Student Loan Updates
02 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Thousands paid off. Cuts to the beauty budget. A foster daughter. Our listeners share what's happened since appearing in our student loans episodes ...
When 'Daddy Dates' Pay The Bills
18 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A 22-year-old who calls herself a “professional sugar baby” explains why she goes on dates with much older men for money—and why the men don’...
A Son, A Mother, and Two Gun Crimes
04 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dwayne Betts committed a carjacking when he was 16 years old. For his mom, Gloria Hill, it was just the first in a series of events in her life inv...
15 Years Later, An Iraq Veteran Looks Back
21 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Thom Tran was grazed by a bullet four days into his deployment in Iraq in 2003. He's spent the last 15 years figuring out what that moment means fo...
From Indie Rockers to Full-Time Caregivers
14 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When musician Johnny Solomon hit rock bottom, he turned to his mom for help. Now, as his mom's health declines, he and his wife—and bandmate—have...
Sharing DNA, and Nothing Else
28 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Amy took a mail-in DNA test to find out more about her genealogy...and learned more than she bargained for. Help us build the Death, Sex & Money star...
Lena Waithe Says Have a Dream... and a Sponsor
21 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The actor and writer is having a big year—but it took a lot of work, patience, and some financial help from her mom to get here. Check out the new...
After Suicides, a Texas Veterinary Community Opens Up
07 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Veterinary medicine has a suicide rate that's one of the highest in the healthcare profession. For the veterinary community in Dallas, those statisti...
Opportunity Costs: I Never Felt Inferior
26 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Ernie Major self-identifies as "socially lower middle class, economically a bit better than that." But he also says status has never been something ...
Opportunity Costs: More Is Not More
25 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
For a father and son whose family is in the 1%, having resources that "exceed their wants" brings its own set of challenges. This episode is part ...
Opportunity Costs: The Class Slide After Divorce
24 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jaimie Seaton got used to an upper class lifestyle while married to her banker husband and living overseas. Then she got divorced, and her financial p...
Opportunity Costs: An Education or Nothing
23 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Ramal Johnson has a "middle class mentality," a working class paycheck, and upper class aspirations. This episode is part of our series Opportunit...
Opportunity Costs: Friendship and Fertility
22 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Best friends Cat and Christine met in college and have stayed close in the years since. But their class differences became very clear—and uncomfort...
Preview: Opportunity Costs
17 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
From January 22-26, we're sharing your stories about your class status, and when you've felt it most in your life. Don't miss the launch of Oppor...
All Your Workplace Rage
03 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready to get mad. Stay in the loop and subscribe to our weekly email newsletter. Every Wednesday we'll send you our favorites from the audio worl...
Pull Quote: Plunging In
01 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
As we begin 2018 together, we're sharing our first mini-episode of Pull Quote, our latest podcast experiment, with all of you. It's not too late t...