It's Going To Be OK

351. now now

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora and her daughter recently got matching tattoos that help them be more present. _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around...

350. Salt and Pepper Seagulls

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel wrote us an email to share a little wink she got from the universe and her late dogs.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the w...

349. An Imperfect Metaphor

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Being diagnosed with cancer is NOT okay, but Emily shares a small okay thing she found in the middle of treating her own breast cancer. _ If you have ...

348. Macaroni Trees

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of Lydia’s favorite childhood memories is going to her aunt and uncle’s house and harvesting her favorite crop from their garden: Macaroni and...

347. 30 Days of OK

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

September is a month with 30 days, which means we’re doing another 30 Days of Ok! If you sign up, every day you’ll get a VERY short email remindin...

346. I Wasn't Hit by a Car

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When we say the okay thing in your day can sometimes be small, WE MEAN IT! Recently, a distracted driver ALMOST hit Nora when she was walking but they...

345. Be an Oyster

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Kelsey suffered a miscarriage, one of the people who comforted her most came from an unexpected person: her boss. _ If you have anxiety, depressi...

344. Calling for Hope

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Zachary Blackowl lost his mom a few years ago, and the grief he felt after her death threw him into a deep depression. The thing that helped him start...

343. Ukulele Guy

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Falling in love is always an okay thing, even if it doesn’t last forever. _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around you, yo...

342. Gate G18

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Nora was traveling alone with three of her kids (AHHH!) a stranger in the airport shared some kindness with her.  _ If you have anxiety, depress...

341. Appreciation

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora on the art of appreciating out loud.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around you, you know that not *everything* is ...

340. You Will Find a Job

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A pep talk for the jobless, the underemployed, the frustrated on LinkedIn among us.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world arou...

339. A Shawarma Kindness

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An American/Israeli woman living in Israel shares a kindness she witnessed in the midst of all the violence in her world.  _ If you have anxiety, dep...

338. Camp Indigo

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Naomi and her mom Brittany called to share about the most special place in their family’s life- a summer camp for transgender kids. _ If you have a...

337. The Stop By

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora has a very controversial take: she wants her friends to just stop by her house without calling first.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any ...

336. The Untalent Show

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A few months ago on our Terrible, Thanks For Asking Patreon we hosted an Untalent Show! We invited listeners to share their mediocre art, baking proje...

335. Tube Mice

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Finding the positive moments is not easy for everyone. Julia shares how she tries to point out the okay things to the cynical people in her life.  _ ...

334. When You're Missing a Loved One

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jessica recently lost her mom. One day, she discovered a gift her mom left the family to help them through their grief. _ If you have anxiety, depress...

333. Squishmallows

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Grace Barry shares that her okay thing some days is indulging into her childhood obsession with stuffed animals.  _ If you have anxiety, depression o...

332. Take a Break

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

No matter what’s going on in your life, you deserve a break. Even if it’s a few minutes, take some time for yourself today.  _ If you have anxiet...

331. Pet Funeral

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora reads one of the eulogies from the Pet Funeral episode of Terrible, Thanks for Asking Premium.  Check out the TTFA episode about Adrienne and he...

330. The Little Things

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Ferrugio, the host of the podcast DEADTalks, shares some of the small moments that help him find gratitude (like the memory of his dad farting i...

329. Role Reversal

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Margaret McInerny (Nora’s mom) shares a story from a recent trip she and Nora took to Ireland. A little food poisoning allowed the two of them to se...

328. Stitch

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nicole shares about finding comfort in a childhood toy.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around you, you know that not *e...

327. Nate + Amy

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora’s friend is going through a divorce, and recently asked the universe for a sign that this is the right choice. One night at dinner, Nora witnes...

326. Emotional Support Vacuum

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is the object that still reminds you of your dead loved one? For Nora, it’s her dead husband’s vacuum.  This is an excerpt from an episode ...

325. Tulips

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christine has been struggling with health issues lately. It’s been scary. But recently while she was waiting to get an MRI, she saw a sign from her ...

324. The Case for the Bath Mat

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our listener Elizabeth sent us a voice memo celebrating how she upgraded her life (and when we say life we mean her bath mat.)  _ If you have anxiety...

323. You're Exactly Where You Need To Be

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On paper, Rebecca Sananès had an amazing career. She had the degree she wanted, won awards, and was invited to cool spaces. But she was miserable. So...

322. Quitters Sometimes Win

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An idiom Nora grew up hearing was “winners never quit, quitters never win”. It looks great on a poster in a high school, but in real life Nora has...

321. Summer of Selfies

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every year, Nora gets on her Instagram and promotes her made up holiday: the “Summer of Selfies”. She encourages all of us to take pictures of our...

320. BFBNR

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener named Andy shares a new acronym with us! BFBNR: boyfriend, but not really.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world ar...

319. Reframing Family Arguments

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you have a disagreement with a family member, or your expectations of your family fall short, it’s easy to feel stuck. But Julia Winston, the h...

318. Full Body Wag

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We can learn so much from our dogs about how to find simple pleasures in our daily lives.   _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the wo...

317. The Countdown

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Some advice for when your child leaves the nest. _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around you, you know that not *everything...

316. Fun Mom Day

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora is NOT a fun mom. But for one day, she tried to be.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around you, you know that not *...

315. Righty Tighty Lefty Loosey

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When life is overwhelming, sometimes a really simple mantra will get you through the tough moments.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense o...

314. TV Grandma

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener named Sharon is trying to be a better cook, so she’s been spending a lot of time watching PBS cooking shows. _ If you have anxiety, depre...

313. The Resilience Myth

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Soraya Chemaly heard her entire life that being resilient is a positive trait. But lately, she’s been questioning the toll resiliency actually takes...

312. Embrace Your Un-Talents

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What would you try if failure was acceptable?  We hosted an Un-Talent Show on the TTFA Patreon last month, where people showcased their mediocre tal...

311. Flickering Love

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After Dave lost his wife, he started getting signs that she was still looking out for him and his son. _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense ...

310. The Rest of His Days

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Losing a pet is devastating, but our listener Diane shares how she made the end of her dog’s life okay.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any s...

309. Glamour Shots

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener shares a memory of one of the most exciting parts of being alive in the 1980s: GLAMOUR SHOTS. _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sens...

308. Oil Change Babes

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Producer Claire McInerny went to get her oil changed, and this routine errand turned into a delightful experience.  _ If you have anxiety, depression...

307. You're Perfect

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Parking lots can bring out the worst in us, but today’s okay thing comes from a listener who had a positive interaction with another driver. _ If yo...

306. Your Family Is Normal

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Grab a broom because we’re making a big, sweeping generalization! Your family is normal! If you want to celebrate or learn about other “normal”...

305. We Walk By the River

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Poet Joy Sullivan shares a poem from her new book, Instructions For Traveling West. _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around...

304. Go To the Meeting

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We here an okay thing from someone in recovery.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around you, you know that not *everythin...

303. Clean Sheets

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Vicky called us on a Sunday to share her weekly reset routine that makes her feel accomplished and cozy at home.  _ If you have anxiety, depression o...

302. Cell Memory

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever lost someone, or are grieving, Nora wants to share some ~science~ that might make you feel more connected to your dead loved one. Th...

301. The Middle School Poet's Department

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora shares some of her middle school poetry and it’s quite unhinged.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around you, you ...

300. A Dog Named Dolly Parton

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener shares the story of the day she met a special dog, Dolly Parton. _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around you, yo...

299. Buy the Disco Ball

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Moss shares her favorite gift she got during her divorce and why it felt more meaningful than anything else she purchased during her grief sh...

298. Put a Toe In the Water

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

 It’s intimidating to start a new hobby or do an activity you’re not *great* at. Ellen called us to share that even though she was nervous to sta...

297. Now

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Nora was about to marry her first husband Aaron, they were in the thick of his cancer treatment. So the day before the wedding, she got a small t...

296. The Key

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The story of the most prized Father’s Day gift in Nora’s family. (It's NOT Matthew’s Dyson but that’s a close second).  _ If you have anxiety...

295. Fruit Sugar Daddy

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While teaching in Vietnam, Stephanie made a new friend- her neighbor Van. He offered her lots of kindness and fruit during their time as neighbors.  ...

294. Airport Camaraderie

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah called us to tell us that an okay thing happened to her in a place she least expected: the airport!  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any s...

293. Ambition Monster

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jennifer Romolini is a writer, podcaster, recovering workaholic and author of the new book Ambition Monster. She shares some of the tips she’s learn...

292. This is Your Life, Too

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora takes us back to a moment in college when she imagined what her life as an adult would look like.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sens...

291. Let Future You Figure It Out

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A meditation for those of you who make yourselves sick with worry just like Nora. A version of this essay appeared in Nora’s newsletter.  _ If you ...

290. Guatemalan Love

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener fell in love years ago while living in Guatemala. The love ended in heartbreak, and on a recent visit back to the country she struggled wit...

289. Ground Chuck

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Becky shares a memory of taking a walk with her dad when she was a teenager, a memory that still makes her feel warm and safe.  _ If you have anxiety...

288. RIP Hopps

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Melissa recently lost her dog, and in her grief she shares one thing that made her feel okay on a bad day.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any ...

287. Our Fellow Travelers

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora heard a podcast interview that made her think about how she thinks about all of the other people she interacts with when traveling.  You can lis...

286. 30 Days of OK

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As they say, 30 days hath November, and a few others as well… _ 30 Days of OK is a community practice meant to help everyone feel a little more OK —...

285. Have a Week

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Georgie called us to share some of the wisdom she’s learned from her grief support group- the things that help her feel okay during stormy times. _ ...

284. Bird Buddy

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our listener Tatiana shares a new toy that has taken her bird watching to a whole new level.  _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the w...

283. The Power of Screaming

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In 2015, Jayson Greene’s toddler daughter was killed in a freak accident. In this excerpt from his episode of Terrible, Thanks For Asking episode, J...

282. Should I Get Bangs?

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora recently found herself standing in her bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror, holding a pair of scissors above her forehead. She asked herse...

281. When You Think Everyone Hates You

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora shares some advice for when you feel rage, anger, or insecurity bubble up inside of you. _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the wo...

280. Family Dinner

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener sent in a voice memo talking about how she was introduced to the idea of family dinner when she was a teen (something that wasn’t present...

279. A New Family Unit

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Another podcast in the Feelings and Co network, Refamulating, recently aired an episode called “Accidental Parents” which tells the story of an a...

278. Small But Big Things

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener named Stephanie sent in a list of okay things including: a wind chime, a pleasant experience with her ex, and a “silly bird feeder.” _ ...

277. Mistakes Were Made

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us can be hard on ourselves when we make a mistake. Our inner monologue can be cruel and unusual when we mess up even the smallest things. So ...

276. If You're Burned Out

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recently Nora recognized that she was burned out when it came to her work. It’s a hard life lesson to learn, and today she shares how she got to the...

275. 8 Questions for New Grads- Danielle Robay

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are sharing advice for graduates from some of our friends. Danielle Robay, a journalist and host of the podcasts PRETTYSMART and The ...

274. Say No, Enjoy Things, Wear Sunscreen- Caroline Moss

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are sharing advice for graduates from some of our friends. Today, Caroline Moss from the Gee Thanks Just Bought It podcast shares her adv...

273. B Average- Kate Kennedy

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are sharing advice for graduates from some of our friends. Today, Kate Kennedy from the Be There In Five podcast shares a piece of wisdom...

272. If You're Miserable Right Now

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora was recently on a college campus and was flooded with nostalgia for the “good ol days”. But once she started talking to students, she realize...

271. It's Okay To Be Embarrassed

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We have all been embarrassed. We’ve all done embarrassing things. It sucks AND….we’ve all been there. _ If you have anxiety, depression or any s...

270. If Mothers Day Is Hard For You

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Anaya Lee wasn’t able to have children, which can make Mother’s Day a tough holiday. This year, she shares some of the ways she’s been able to f...

269. Drive By Hug

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listener Leslie Cohn shares about a moment of connection with an old friend. _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the world around you, y...

268. Memes

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Grace loves to post memes on her Instagram. This daily way to make herself laugh actually led to her falling in love. _ If you have anxiety, depressio...

267. You're Doing A Good Job

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Take a moment today to look around life and celebrate all the ways you’re doing a good job. _ If you have anxiety, depression or any sense of the wo...

266. When the Shoe Drops

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bad things happen all the time. But if we sit around and think about the negativity that might be coming our way, we forget to notice the good things ...

265. Boys Night

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Being a parent to little kids is tough. Today we hear from a Dad who figured out how to reframe a difficult part of parenting into something fun. _ If...

264. A Year of OK Things

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We started this show exactly one year ago when Nora’s therapist told her she needed to find the good things in life. We’ve now made 250 episodes f...

263. The Dinosaur Did It

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener sent us an email about how her three year old created a family tradition- blaming any mess on a dinosaur. _ If you have anxiety, depression...

262. The Four Hour Friendship

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora doesn’t love to travel (airports bring out the worst in all of us), but lately she’s been trying to focus on the positive parts of air travel...

261. More Less How

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nora shares a practice she started with her family this year that has helped them support each other and connect to each other better. _ If you have a...

260. Morning Cuddle

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Enjoying parenting is all about noticing the little things. Nancy sent us an email telling us about a daily ritual between herself and her daughter. _...

259. Vibe Check

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The hosts of the podcast Vibe Check (Sam Sanders, Saeed Jones, and Zach Stafford) share the songs that make them feel okay.  _ If you have anxiety, d...

258. Fur Baby

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When you’re a mother (of humans, dogs, cats or any other creature), every day is filled with small delights. Today we celebrate the love between one...

257. Hello From The Other Side

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this year, Nora had an intense spiritual experience- she was able to talk to her dead husband via a medium. Today she tells us about that expe...

256. Jennifer Weiner To The Rescue

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Nora was a first-time author, she attended a big publishing party that caused a lot of anxiety. But at one point in the party, Nora saw a familia...

255. Noodle Wars

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener shares a story about a time she and her friends made up a game with pool noodles. The okay thing is being able to laugh with the people you...

254. Look To The Trees

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nature can teach us so much about enduring hard times. Today, our listener Amelia shares one of her favorite nature metaphors for riding the waves of ...

253. Embracing The Stutter

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We all have things about our life we sometimes wish we could change. Today, a listener shares her journey of acceptance around her stutter. If you hav...

252. Paging Danny Tanner

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As a mother, Nora like to instill wisdom onto her kids. When she sees an opening she likes to channel her inner Danny Tanner and give a big, meaningfu...