It's Going To Be OK

151. Aaronfest

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora loves to honor her dead husband, Aaron, exactly as he loved to be celebrated when he was alive: with big birthday celebration. “It’s Going T...

150. Crocs

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Producer Megan shares an ode to the world’s ugliest shoe. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co. Each morning, we bri...

149. Another Bird Story

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Listener submission about how hummingbirds are her okay sign from the universe, especially now that her mom is battling cancer for the fifth time. We ...

148. Eczema Socks

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This Okay listener feels closer to her son after discovering she can make him merino wool socks that soothe his skin. “It’s Going To Be OK” is ...

147. Thankful AND...

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora shares about her first Thanksgiving without Aaron, 3 days after he died. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co. Ea...

146. Roger and Denny

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora’s uncle, Roger, passed away at 95 years old last summer. Nora wasn't able to be there for the ceremony, but she got a beautiful handwritten sna...

145. Poland, Postcards, Picnics

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A listener writes to us all the way from Poland about a few okay things: hammocks, postcards and picnics. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podc...

144. The Massage Table

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This submission comes from a family therapist who sees a massage therapist to feel okay after a long work week. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a dail...

143. The Sunset Connection

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This sweet listener submission is about the love of sunsets, and how commonly shared that love is. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast fro...

142. It Doesn't Compare

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora shares how we shouldn’t compare our hard things (even though we do). “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co. Each...

141. When You Feel

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not to dish out unsolicited advice but…Nora has some advice for you and we really think you should hear it.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily...

140. Still a Family

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When Dave and Anaya met and fell in love, they knew they wanted to be parents together. But after years of trying to conceive (and thousands of dollar...

139. Corgi Kiss

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is there anything cuter than a Corgi?? There is, a corgi BUTT.    “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co. Each morning...

138. Being Present Is Enough

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Being brave and courageous is not always about slaying dragons or telling someone off. Sometimes it’s just about standing still, and being present. ...

137. No Bad Parts

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone in our lives is just another insecure, fallible person, and not always the enemy. Today we celebrate our interconnectedness as humans. Read N...

136. A Little Pep Talk

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A pep talk from Nora for when you’re scared to try something new.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co. Each mornin...

135. The Relief of Knowing

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anxiety around *potential* bad news can often feel worse than the news itself. Today, we hear from a listener about a dreaded appointment that turned ...

134. Fried Hot Dogs and Buttered Rice

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When someone you love dies, it’s easy to treat them like a saint every time you remember them. But today, we celebrate all the weird things our dead...

133. Blizzard of '91

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you were a child in Minneapolis in 1991, you remember how Halloween got interrupted by a massive blizzard. Today, we reminisce on snowy Trick or Tr...

132. Afternoons with Massa

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora takes us along as she visits her 94-year-old friend Massa. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co. Each morning, we ...

131. Penguin Peeping

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora’s latest way of finding joy amidst the chaos is watching penguins on a live zoo webcam with her kids. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily p...

130. The Yard Sale

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This Okay listener shares the story of a family yard sale that her niece made extra memorable by labeling the prices a little too honestly. “It’s...

129. Becca's Prickly Heart

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This Okay listener shares how seeing a prickly pear cactus with a heart-shaped pad helped her get through a tough day at work. “It’s Going To Be ...

128. Happyish

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora recounts how when she first lost Aaron and her dad, she was always chasing happiness to avoid her grief. Now, years later, she doesn't purely fee...

127. Better Than You Think

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora reminds us that you're almost always doing better than you think you are. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co. E...

126. Being Noticed

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora shares how one of the best feelings in the world is just being noticed by someone else. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feel...

125. Ollie

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This Okay listener shares how one hyperactive dog at her job brings her joy every week, despite the scratches he leaves. “It’s Going To Be OK” ...

124. 9 Things

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is a snippet of an episode called “9 Things” from our sister show Terrible, Thanks for Asking. You can access the episode in ful...

123. Spiderman's Gut

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This Okay listener shares how her husband got the best backhanded compliment from a child during the Halloween season. “It’s Going To Be OK” is...

122. Fourth Time's the Charm

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 Nora loves weddings (and is even a wedding officiant!) and loves the inherent optimism that comes with saying I do. October is what we’re calling...

121. I Don't Know

13 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a world where everyone feels like they have the definitive truth, Nora reminds us that it’s nice to admit when you just don’t know. “It’s ...

120. Daily Q&A

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A reminder that being curious is often the best way to feel close to the people you love.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelin...

119. It's All Small Stuff

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, a bad travel day can put you in an ugly mood. But one of our listeners, Judie Grace, shares how getting yanked around by an airline is stil...

118. Mousetrap Cheese

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s Okay thing comes from an episode of our sister show, Terrible, Thanks for Asking, called “Tell Me About Them.” You can listen to that e...

117. On Efficiency

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our current world, there are so many ways to be efficient, but what do we lose when we distance ourselves from the tasks that make up our daily liv...

116. You'll Get There

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora shares a lesson that she learned in high school driver’s ed that applies to our greater lives.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast...

115. Bus Walk

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This dad’s Okay thing is being there for his daughter’s walks to the school bus stop. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feeling...

114. The "False Hope" of Being Okay

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not everybody believes “it’s going to be okay” is the right advice to give people in tough situations. Listener Rebecca Edwards shares that as a...

113. We Shall Be Remembered

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Writer Steph Jagger shares about losing her mother, and then finding her in the nature all around her. You can find Steph’s work, including her boo...

112. Making Time

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some people on the Internet will try and tell you that they know the best way to live *your* life. Today, Nora breaks her rule of minding her own busi...

111. Hamster Lessons

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you haven’t heard, Nora is the proud grandmother to some new family hamsters, and she’s learning a lot from them. “It’s Going To Be OK” ...

110. Wheel of Fortune

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This summer, producer Claire McInerny applied to be on Wheel of Fortune. We don’t know if she’ll make it on the show, but the process turned into ...

109. Fans In the Stands

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The photographer for the Minnesota Aurora soccer team shares why shooting the fans in the stands is her favorite part of the job. “It’s Going To ...

108. A Night at the Symphony

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s National Suicide Prevention Month, and this episode contains mention of suicide and suicidal ideation. An Okay listener shares how classical sy...

107. Don't Make It Harder

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some wisdom from Nora, that she stole from a yoga teacher. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co. Each morning, we brin...

106. Sea Turtle

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Producer Megan Palmer shares how seeing one friendly creature helped her adjust to a new environment. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast ...

105. The Wave

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This listener’s pandemic era practice of waving to one stranger is their okay thing. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings a...

104. Frankie Has Your Back

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This listener’s okay thing is knowing that her dog, Frankie, is always looking out for her. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Fee...

103. You're Very Capable

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At age 40, Nora is learning how to play piano. And taking piano lessons for the first time is teaching her a lot about herself.  “It’s Going To ...

102. I Hate Yard Work

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all have the one chore we hate and wish someone, anyone would do it for us.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co. ...

101. The Birds Are Chirping

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we encourage you to quiet your mind and your mouth, so you can hear the sounds of nature. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Fe...

100. The Other Shoe

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora shares the importance of not waiting for the next bad thing.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co. Each morning...

99. Helping My Dad Date

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dina Gachman shares about the complicated feelings she had watching her elderly father date after her mom died. This essay originally appeared in the ...

98. Friends With the Debt Collector

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A surprisingly pleasant connection with a debt collector is this listener’s Okay thing. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feeling...

97. Set Your Belly Free

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This Okay listener shares how she’s not sucking in her stomach for the first time in years (and this okay thing is HIGHLY Nora approved). “It’s...

96. Endless Okays

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes your okay thing is our IGTBO thing of the day! It’s an ouroboros of okay! “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings an...

95. Hospital McDonald's

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some things, like seeing your boyfriend have a seizure and need to go to the hospital to get an MRI, are not okay. But even in the worst moments, we c...

94. Lime Green Pedicure

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This Okay listener got a surprising moment of comfort from seeing a stranger’s lime green pedicure. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast ...

93. Jocelyn

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Writer and podcaster Allison Raskin shares how her blossoming adult friendship with her sister is her Okay thing. You can find Allison Raskin’s work...

92. A Fresh Start

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora may not be a student anymore, but she’s always been a fan of a new beginning. It’s never too late to give yourself one right this moment. “...

91. Out In The World

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, Nora reads an email from a mom who lost her daughter to suicide five years ago. It’s proof that even ...

90. To Morrows

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s hard to know what to say to someone who’s going through a truly awful time. Nora often returns to this poem her sister wrote when she’s at ...

89. Whoopee Cushion

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora’s youngest has recently discovered the magic of the whoopee cushion. I’m sure you can piece together the rest of this episode yourself. “I...

88. Shhhhhh Night Night

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This one goes out to all the parents who have a particularly *difficult* bedtime routine.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feeli...

87. Hi Patty

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The best part of this Okay listener’s week is the Monday morning coffee and chat she has with her local friendship club.  “It’s Going To Be OK...

86. Hope

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A listener named shares how her family and friends gave her hope after an unexpected breakup.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from F...

85. Tanner's Story

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A vanity license plate sometimes says something silly like CATLADY. But sometimes it gives us a poignant message, when we need it the most.  “It’...

84. For Ari

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora’s niece wrote a poignant poem for their younger sibling. It was a way for her to bridge the void that often grows when we grow up, and grow awa...

83. What If We Didn't

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

All recovering girlbosses to the front. Let this be your reminder to not maximize and optimize today. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast ...

82. Maki's Bunnies

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For many people, the okay thing in their day is their pet. Today we hear about the joy that a pet bunny brings to one of our listeners.  “It’s Go...

81. The Beauty To Come

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A pep talk for when you’re worrying about all the bad things that could happen in the future.  "Emily McDowell is a writer and illustrator, founde...

80. Apologies to Derek Mahon

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Despite Nora’s taste in poetry, this poem submitted by a listener managed to thaw her heart and set the tone for a good day. “It’s Going To Be ...

79. For Russell

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When the worst happens, it’s impossible to imagine a future where your life is okay. But when Peg looks around at her life 22 years after her husban...

78. Write Your Own Narrative

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While sitting outside amidst birdsong, one Okay listener reflects on choosing what her family life looks like. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily...

77. Knock It Out

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mary Gaad from Ohio tells us that right now is a tough season for her family: both her four-year-old son and husband have cancer. But despite the heav...

76. Sweet Baby Queers

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Being a parent to a queer child can be nerve racking. Will people accept them? Treat them well? Listener Zoe Gladstone shares that while those worries...

75. It's a Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After ending an engagement, Maggie moved into a new neighborhood that was perfect for taking her dog on long walks. Those walks helped her transition ...

74. Believe the Hype

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 Nora reminds listeners to accept compliments from others — who are we to besmirch their good taste? “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcas...

73. Take the Selfie

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you ever catch yourself looking at your face, it’s wrinkles, it’s discoloration, it’s…WHATEVER, and have a negative word to say about yours...

72. Never Been a Natural

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the words of our lord and savior, Taylor Allison Swift, Nora has never been a natural. She’s a trier. Here’s to the triers.  “It’s Going ...

71. Despite Yourself

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A listener tells us about a time when using the words “it’s going to be okay” got through to someone.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily p...

70. Judy's Stuff

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora loves to seek out an estate sale and demand to know the entire life story of the person who died. This inevitably leads to some tender tears, but...

69. Business Kid

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This Okay caller tells us about a very memorable Halloween costume that her child wore. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings a...

68. Bedtime With Charlie

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Parenting can involve a lot of worrying about all the ways we’re unknowingly setting our kids up for future therapy. But for now, there’s stories ...

67. Rare Bird

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our listener Karina brings back the BIRD CONTENT with her voice memo telling us about the significance of seeing a rare bird on her birthday.  “It’...

66. Peanut Brittle

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A sweet surprise from her mom when times are tough lets this listener know that it’s going to be okay.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podc...

65. He's My Friend

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you have a friend, no matter from where, no matter what age, of course they’re going to show up to your football game. “It’s Going To Be OK...

64. More Magical Moments

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A few months ago Kate Kennedy shared the concept of “magical moments”- situations that feel like the entire world came together to bring you a won...

63. Jury Duty

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A court clerk has her day brightened by an unexpected splash of enthusiasm at work. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and C...

62. Dinosaurs and Ice Cream

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This listener recounts the time they got to have their cake and eat it too as a child on a school field trip. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily p...

61. The Okay Jar

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When listener Ashley Casebolt was a teenager, she was going through a tough time. To try and keep her mindset positive, she wrote down one thing that ...

60. Embracing Interdependence

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Author Rainesford Stauffer reads an excerpt from her book, All The Gold Stars, about feeling needy when asking for help. “It’s Going To Be OK” i...

59. Friday Best

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Producer Claire McInerny has a tradition with her best friends: Every Friday, they each record a voice memo telling the group what they did their best...

58. It's Not Just You

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Humans like to think that when we’re going through IT that we’re all alone and that we’re the first person to ever experience IT. But that’s s...

57. Shooting Star

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s okay thing comes from Nikki in Montana, who shares a story of finding hope when her babies were in the NICU. “It’s Going To Be OK” is ...

56. The Giggle

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hans Buetow, former senior producer for IGTBO sister show "Terrible, Thanks for Asking," shares a wonderfully nerdy audio trick that made him laugh. ...

55. Madge's Snapshots

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you were to stop by Nora’s mom’s house, she might show you her journal of “snapshots," which are descriptions of the beautiful things she see...

54. Mall Thoughts

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora advises that you stop and take a look around your fellow humans. Yeah we can stress and annoy the heck out of each other, but also we’re kinda ...

53. Emoji Games

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, when Feelings & Co producer Jordan Turgeon gets a text message from her friend Marie, it’s actually Marie on the other end. But sometimes...

52. Trash Grabber

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nora loves a good walk, and she always sees two of her neighbors out doing their part to keep the streets clean. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a dail...