Listen Now

Nora lives in the desert, where there are lots of little critters running around. And the lizards? They’re always trying to get swole.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co, the company that brought you “Terrible, Thanks for Asking.” Each morning, we bring you a short story, essay, or interview about one thing that makes us (or our guests) feel like it might not all be so bad – even if some things are. If you liked this episode, go subscribe to "It's Going To Be OK" in your podcast app, so you never miss a single OK thing!  Share your OK thing at 612.568.4441 or by emailing IGTBO@feelingsand.co. “It’s Going To Be OK” is brought to you by The Hartford. The Hartford is a leading insurance provider that’s helping to simplify employee benefits by making them more personal and easier to understand. The IGTBO team is Nora McInerny, Jordan Turgeon, Megan Palmer, Claire McInerny, Marcel Malekebu and Eugene Kidd. The transcript for this episode can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nora goes to the hottest concert in Phoenix – no, not the opening weekend of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour – and finds a little hope in the performers’ gusto. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co, the company that brought you “Terrible, Thanks for Asking.” Each morning, we bring you a short story, essay, or interview about one thing that makes us (or our guests) feel like it might not all be so bad – even if some things are. If you liked this episode, go subscribe to "It's Going To Be OK" in your podcast app, so you never miss a single OK thing!  Share your OK thing at 612.568.4441 or by emailing IGTBO@feelingsand.co. “It’s Going To Be OK” is brought to you by The Hartford. The Hartford is a leading insurance provider that’s helping to simplify employee benefits by making them more personal and easier to understand. The IGTBO team is Nora McInerny, Jordan Turgeon, Megan Palmer, Claire McInerny and Marcel Malekebu. The transcript for this episode can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So many people start off their stories by saying their pain and suffering doesn’t compare to what happened to someone else. But this isn’t a game of Who Has It Worse, so why do we act like there is some sort of imaginary yardstick for struggling? Today’s episode tries to convince you that if you’re feeling pain, it’s painful- no caveats. We are taking a break this summer to produce new stories, so we are sharing some of our favorite episodes while we’re on break. This episode was first broadcast in 2017, the year after we launched the show. This episode transcript can be found here. — Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining TTFA Premium to get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Our TTFA Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Squarespace: Go to Squarespace.com/TTFA and use code TTFA to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Osea: Head to oseamalibu.com and use code TTFA for 10% off. BetterHelp: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ttfa to get started with 10% off your first month. Learn more at BetterHelp.com/privacy. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes, enduring the painful thing is the thing we need … even if we don’t want to feel it. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co, the company that brought you “Terrible, Thanks for Asking.” Each morning, we bring you a short story, essay, or interview about one thing that makes us (or our guests) feel like it might not all be so bad – even if some things are. If you liked this episode, go subscribe to "It's Going To Be OK" in your podcast app, so you never miss a single OK thing!  Share your OK thing at 612.568.4441 or by emailing IGTBO@feelingsand.co. “It’s Going To Be OK” is brought to you by The Hartford. The Hartford is a leading insurance provider that’s helping to simplify employee benefits by making them more personal and easier to understand. The IGTBO team is Nora McInerny, Jordan Turgeon, Megan Palmer, Claire McInerny, Marcel Malekebu and Eugene Kidd. The transcript for this episode can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Something that inspires Nora is talking to someone who has a very specific and deep passion. For example, the excitement her son Ralph feels about scorpions.  “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co, the company that brought you “Terrible, Thanks for Asking.” Each morning, we bring you a short story, essay, or interview about one thing that makes us (or our guests) feel like it might not all be so bad – even if some things are. If you liked this episode, go subscribe to "It's Going To Be OK" in your podcast app, so you never miss a single OK thing! Share your OK thing at 612.568.4441 or by emailing IGTBO@feelingsand.co. “It’s Going To Be OK” is brought to you by The Hartford. The Hartford is a leading insurance provider that’s helping to simplify employee benefits by making them more personal and easier to understand. The IGTBO team is Nora McInerny, Jordan Turgeon, Megan Palmer, Claire McInerny, Marcel Malekebu and Eugene Kidd. The transcript for this episode can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is a preview of an episode that you can find in its entirety over on TTFA Premium. TTFA Premium is our paid subscription that gives members access to bonus content and regular episodes ad-free and earlier. Your support helps fund our independent production amidst a sea of big media companies. We couldn't do this without you. Subscribe to TTFA Premium at TTFA.org/Premium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five years ago, on Mother’s Day, Katie was sitting in prison, far from her kids. She couldn’t hug them, she couldn’t kiss them. It was at that moment she decided she would completely change her life so she could be with them again. But changing her life required a lot of help that didn’t exist in prison. Then one day, she opened a book in the prison library and a brochure fell out. It was for a place called Benevolence Farm, and they could help her change her life. If you want to help Benevolence Farm continue helping formerly incarcerated women in North Carolina, you can shop the Farm’s products here or make a donation to their programs here. — Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining TTFA Premium to get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Our TTFA Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. The episode transcript can be found here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Hiya: Receive 50% off your first order by visiting hiyahealth.com/TERRIBLE. Squarespace: Go to Squarespace.com/TTFA and use code TTFA to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Rothy’s: Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/TERRIBLE. Osea: Head to oseamalibu.com and use code TTFA for 10% off. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Xiomara Medina was a teenage girl in Puerto Rico, a quinceañera was all she wanted when she turned 15. She dreamed of a big, sparkly dress and dancing the night away with her friends. But her family couldn’t afford it. So when she grew up and had four daughters, she wanted to give each of her children the party she never had. In this episode, her daughter, Jeyca Maldonado-Medina, brings us along as the family hosts its final quince for Jeyca’s youngest sister. — Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining TTFA Premium to get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join the club here. The episode transcript can be found here. — Shop Our Sponsors:  LMNT: Visit DrinkLMNT.com/TERRIBLE to get a free sample pack with any purchase. BETTERHELP: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ttfa to get started with 10% off your first month. Learn more at BetterHelp.com/privacy. --- Our Social Media: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nora McInerny is an author, speaker and podcast host who has never claimed to be the brightest ray of sunshine. The world can be doomy and gloomy! But in the spirit of her late husband, Aaron, she’s made it a goal to find one okay thing – every day. “It’s Going To Be OK” is a daily podcast from Feelings and Co, the company that brought you “Terrible, Thanks for Asking.” Each morning, we bring you a short story, essay, or interview about one thing that makes us (or our guests) feel like it might not all be so bad – even if some things are. If you liked this episode, go subscribe to "It's Going To Be OK" in your podcast app, so you never miss a single OK thing! Share your OK thing at 612.568.4441 or by emailing a voice memo to IGTBO@feelingsand.co. We may use your submission in a future episode! “It’s Going To Be OK” is brought to you by The Hartford. The Hartford is a leading insurance provider that’s helping to simplify employee benefits by making them more personal and easier to understand. The IGTBO team is Nora McInerny, Jordan Turgeon, Megan Palmer, Claire McInerny, Marcel Malekebu, and Eugene Kidd. The transcript for this episode can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grieving is a lonely experience. Many of us who have been through it wish there was a handbook to lead us through the experience. When comedy writer Jason Roeder lost his mom, he decided to write the guidebook that he wanted to read. This episode of Terrible Reading Club is a chat with Jason about his book Griefstrike!, a humorous guide to grief.  Jason Roeder is comedy writer, and is the former senior writer and editor of The Onion. ----- Listener support helps make this show possible.  Since 2016, we’ve been making space for stories that matter. Not just sad stories, but human stories. Life stories.  Since 2022, we’ve been an independent production in a sea of big fish with big budgets…and we want to keep it this way.  Listener support helps keep us going and growing, bringing the world a show that’s free for anyone who needs it, any time. Find out more here. ----- This spring, we’re traveling the country to tell you terrible (and funny) stories live. We love meeting our listeners, so check out the last few stops on our spring tour.  Friday, April 28 | Columbus, OH | Lincoln Theater Saturday, April 29 | Indianapolis IN | The Toby Sunday, April 30 | Cincinnati, OH | Woodward Theater Monday, May 1 | Ann Arbor, MI | The Ark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you liked what you heard and you want to hear more, consider supporting our independent production by going to TTFA.org/Premium. Or, if you're an Apple Podcast listener, you can subscribe right in your app! As a Premium subscriber, you can hear the rest of this episode, other bonus episodes, and our whole back catalogue ad-free. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Courtney Maum is having a midlife crisis. Parenting is taking so much of her time. Her writing career is going well, but that means she’s overwhelmed by deadlines and book deals. Her marriage is in a rough patch, and when she starts asking herself “should I have an affair?” and “should I become an alcoholic?” she recognizes she needs a change in her life.  She dreams of finding an escape that brings her back to her childhood passion of being outside for hours, lost in her thoughts. In this episode, we follow Courtney as she tries to find her Secret Garden.  Courtney is an author, her most recent book The Year of the Horses is a memoir about rediscovering herself through her love of horses. Nora recommends her fiction: I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You and Touch. __ You can read the episode transcript here. Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining TTFA Premium to get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join the club here. — Shop our sponsors:  Rothys: Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/TERRIBLE. Osea: Head to oseamalibu.com and use code TTFA for 10% off. Headspace: Try Headspace FREE for 30 days by going to headspace.com/Nora30Day. Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order when you use promo code TTFA at bollandbranch.com. LMNT: Visit DrinkLMNT.com/TERRIBLE to get a free sample pack with any purchase. Foria: Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/TERRIBLE, or use code TERRIBLE at checkout. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like many women, Nora grew up being inundated by very specific ideas of what it meant to be beautiful. In this TTFA Premium episode preview, she talks with rapper Dessa about their complicated feelings surrounding beauty standards and aging. To get access to the rest of this hour-long conversation and the rest of our bonus episodes, subscribe to TTFA Premium! Or, if you're an Apple Podcast listener, you can subscribe right in your app! We’re an independent production and your support means the world to us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is a preview of an episode that you can find in its entirety over on TTFA Premium. TTFA Premium is our paid subscription that gives members access to bonus content and regular episodes ad-free and earlier. Your support helps fund our independent production amidst a sea of big media companies. We couldn't do this without you. Subscribe to TTFA Premium at TTFA.org/Premium. Or, if you're an Apple Podcast listener, you can subscribe right in your app! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are a ton of money stories out there. Stories about people who are screwed financially through no fault of their own. People who did everything right and still cannot get a leg up. This episode is not one of those. It’s an excavation of a specific kind of debt, and a specific kind of shame. The kind that Jamie Feldman found herself in when she was 33 years old: credit card debt, — Resources:  Average credit card debt in the U.S. Information on emotional spending — Find Jamie on TikTok and Instagram @RealGirlProject.  If you have a story about credit card debt – or any financial struggle – reach out to us at terrible@feelingsand.co or leave us a voicemail at 612-568-4441. We might use your story in a future TTFA episode or Premium episode.  Support our *newly independent production* by joining TTFA Premium and get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Or, if you're an Apple Podcast listener, you can subscribe right in your app! Our Substack subscribers get first dibs on ticket sales, new merch, show announcements and more. Join our mailing list here. The episode transcript can be found here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Rothys: Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/TERRIBLE. Osea: Head to oseamalibu.com and use code TTFA for 10% off. Headspace: Try Headspace FREE for 30 days by going to headspace.com/Nora30Day. Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order when you use promo code TTFA at bollandbranch.com. LMNT: Visit DrinkLMNT.com/TERRIBLE to get a free sample pack with any purchase. Foria: Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/TERRIBLE, or use code TERRIBLE at checkout. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Our social media: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In April 2022, Marlin Sill’s father died from a head injury caused by a cycling accident. A few weeks later, he embarked on a months-long hike through the Western United States. Throughout last summer, Marlin sent the TTFA team voice memos of himself processing his dad’s death while he hiked. In this episode we take you on the trail with Marlin as he grieves, and also throughout the rest of the first year without his dad. — Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining TTFA Premium to get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Our TTFA Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. Read the episode transcript here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Rothy’s: Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/TERRIBLE. Vegamour: Visit vegamour.com/Terrible and use code Terrible to save 20% on your first order Squarespace: Visit squarespace.com/TTFA for a free trial and use offer code TTFA to save 10% — Our social media: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A very long time ago (like … honestly maybe a year ago now?) we asked TTFA listeners how their school’s gifted and talented programs messed them up (or didn’t). In this bonus episode, Nora listens to your voicemail, reads your email, and responds to them. Find tickets to spring tour cities below or at TTFA.org: Friday, March 3 | Phoenix, AZ | Crescent Ballroom Saturday, March 4 | Austin, TX | Stateside at Paramount Theatre Sunday, March 5 | Atlanta, GA | Variety Playhouse Monday, March 6 | Durham, NC | Motorco Music Hall Friday, March 31 | Milwaukee, WI | Turner Hall Saturday, April 1st | St. Louis, MO | Delmar Hall Sunday, April 2 | Lawrence, KS | Liberty Hall Monday April 3 | Boulder, CO | Boulder Theatre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TTFA producer Claire McInerny experienced an extreme weather event in 2021, a result of climate change, that left her worried about the future. She started channeling her anxiety about the future of our world into another important question she was asking herself: “Should I have kids?” In this episode, Claire tries to untangle her feelings around what the world will look like in the future with her desire to have a family of her own. — Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining TTFA Premium to get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Our TTFA Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. The episode transcript can be found here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! ROTHY’S: Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/TERRIBLE THE FARMER’S DOG: Get 50% off your first box at thefarmersdog.com/nora. SQUARESPACE: Visit squarespace.com/TTFA for a free trial and use offer code TTFA to save 10% OSEA: Head to oseamalibu.com and use code TTFA for 10% off You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is a preview of an episode that you can find in its entirety over on TTFA Premium. TTFA Premium is our paid subscription that gives members access to bonus content and regular episodes ad-free and earlier. Your support helps fund our independent production amidst a sea of big media companies. We couldn't do this without you. Subscribe to TTFA Premium at TTFA.org/Premium. Or, if you're an Apple Podcast listener, you can subscribe right in your app! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with another Terrible Reading Club episode! Think of it as our book club for truly terrible times. Haven’t read the book we’re discussing? Good news: In this reading club, that’s not a requirement. Today, we’re chatting with KC Davis, author of “How to Keep House While Drowning.” KC Davis used to feel terrible about the way her home looked all the time. But does having a clean space have to be a moral issue? ______ Support our new independent production (and get bonus content galore!) by joining TTFA Premium. We now offer tiers as low as $4.99 / month. Sign up. Our Substack subscribers get first dibs on ticket sales, new merch, show announcements and more. Join here. You can find the episode transcript here. Catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter  and Facebook using @ttfapodcast. Nora's Instagram is @noraborealis. Find tickets to spring tour cities below or at TTFA.org: Friday, March 3 | Phoenix, AZ | Crescent Ballroom Saturday, March 4 | Austin, TX | Stateside at Paramount Theatre Sunday, March 5 | Atlanta, GA | Variety Playhouse Monday, March 6 | Durham, NC | Motorco Music Hall Friday, March 31 | Milwaukee, WI | Turner Hall Saturday, April 1st | St. Louis, MO | Delmar Hall Sunday, April 2 | Lawrence, KS | Liberty Hall Monday April 3 | Boulder, CO | Boulder Theatre SHOP OUR SPONSORS: OSEA: Head to oseamalibu.com and use code TTFA for 10% off ROTHY'S: Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/TERRIBLE VEGAMOUR: Visit vegamour.com/Terrible and use code Terrible to save 20% on your first order THE FARMER'S DOG: Get 50% off your first box at thefarmersdog.com/nora SQUARESPACE: Visit squarespace.com/TTFA for a free trial and use offer code TTFA to save 10% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices