Browse
This Is Uncomfortable
This Is Uncomfortable
This is a show about life and how money messes with it. Each week, Marketplace’s Reema Khrais digs in with stories about the unanticipated ways money affects relationships, shapes identities and often defines what it means to be an adult. H
More
Season 9
A conversation with Baba
In our new season premiere, Reema sits down with her father to reflect on how recent global headlines have been impacting their family in Gaza.
A conversation with Baba
In our new season premiere, Reema sits down with her father to reflect on how recent global headlines have been impacting their family in Gaza.
52:12
EP01 - S9
1 Feb 24
The promise of a miracle cure
Doris Tyler has energy well beyond her 80 years. Even after retiring from her career as a music teacher, she remained active in her community — driving to church events, coming up with creative surprises for all her grandchildren. But then one day, she realized her vision was so blurry she couldn’t safely drive. When traditional medical treatment stopped working, Doris’ community came together to help her pay for a brand-new medical technology: stem cell injections. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
The promise of a miracle cure
Doris Tyler has energy well beyond her 80 years. Even after retiring from her career as a music teacher, she remained active in her community — driving to church events, coming up with creative surprises for all her grandchildren. But then one day, she realized her vision was so blurry she couldn’t safely drive. When traditional medical treatment stopped working, Doris’ community came together to help her pay for a brand-new medical technology: stem cell injections. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
41:35
18 Apr 24
The high price of cheap clothes
Lorena has been a garment worker in Los Angeles for over twenty years, going to work each day in a small factory to sew trendy fast fashion clothes for pennies per item. But one day, she decided enough was enough, and she took a stand against the poor work conditions and low pay. In part two of our mini-series on fast fashion, we look at the system of production: who pays the price for cheap clothes? And how might that system change for the better? If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
The high price of cheap clothes
Lorena has been a garment worker in Los Angeles for over twenty years, going to work each day in a small factory to sew trendy fast fashion clothes for pennies per item. But one day, she decided enough was enough, and she took a stand against the poor work conditions and low pay. In part two of our mini-series on fast fashion, we look at the system of production: who pays the price for cheap clothes? And how might that system change for the better? If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
35:23
11 Apr 24
No more panic shopping
What’s behind our desire to reinvent ourselves through fashion? Is it even possible to shop sustainably? This week on the show, Reema sets out to answer these questions with help from fashion educator and sustainable stylist Lakyn Carlton, who shares her own journey away from fast fashion. Plus, producer Alice Wilder takes Reema on a thrifting journey in North Carolina, hunting for work clothes that will allow Reema to feel like herself without breaking the bank. This is Part 1 of our two-part miniseries on the costs of fast fashion. First up, we look at escaping the cycle of overconsumption. To learn more about how fast fashion impacts climate change, check out this episode from Marketplace’s “How We Survive.” If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
No more panic shopping
What’s behind our desire to reinvent ourselves through fashion? Is it even possible to shop sustainably? This week on the show, Reema sets out to answer these questions with help from fashion educator and sustainable stylist Lakyn Carlton, who shares her own journey away from fast fashion. Plus, producer Alice Wilder takes Reema on a thrifting journey in North Carolina, hunting for work clothes that will allow Reema to feel like herself without breaking the bank. This is Part 1 of our two-part miniseries on the costs of fast fashion. First up, we look at escaping the cycle of overconsumption. To learn more about how fast fashion impacts climate change, check out this episode from Marketplace’s “How We Survive.” If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
34:30
4 Apr 24
The bias we don’t talk about
Lindsey Niehay dreamed of being a doctor since she was a teenager. But when she graduated from medical school and started a residency program in emergency medicine, she felt like her weight drew negative attention from colleagues. Then, she learned about the conversations happening behind her back. This is a story about how weight discrimination can derail a career, and why our legal system doesn’t offer the protections you might expect. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
The bias we don’t talk about
Lindsey Niehay dreamed of being a doctor since she was a teenager. But when she graduated from medical school and started a residency program in emergency medicine, she felt like her weight drew negative attention from colleagues. Then, she learned about the conversations happening behind her back. This is a story about how weight discrimination can derail a career, and why our legal system doesn’t offer the protections you might expect. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
44:51
28 Mar 24
“How do I stop overspending?”
A while back, we asked you to share your money struggles, and we heard from many of you! In today’s episode, we booked a session with financial therapist Megan McCoy to answer your burning financial questions — everything from navigating financial differences among friends and talking to an avoidant partner about money plans, to making big career decisions and learning how to curb spending. As promised, here are some of the research studies and articles discussed in this episode: “Spending Money on Others Promotes Happiness,” by Elizabeth W. Dunn, Lara B. Aknin, and Michael I. Norton, as well as Dunn’s TED Talk on the same topic “If Money Doesn’t Make You Happy Then You Probably Aren’t Spending It Right,” by Elizabeth W. Dunn “Heads or Tails: The impact of a coin toss on major life decisions and subsequent happiness,” by Steven D. Levitt “Harvard Study of Adult Development” and an awesome TED Talk by Robert Waldinger, the project’s director Take the Klontz Money Script test to measure your core money beliefs. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
“How do I stop overspending?”
A while back, we asked you to share your money struggles, and we heard from many of you! In today’s episode, we booked a session with financial therapist Megan McCoy to answer your burning financial questions — everything from navigating financial differences among friends and talking to an avoidant partner about money plans, to making big career decisions and learning how to curb spending. As promised, here are some of the research studies and articles discussed in this episode: “Spending Money on Others Promotes Happiness,” by Elizabeth W. Dunn, Lara B. Aknin, and Michael I. Norton, as well as Dunn’s TED Talk on the same topic “If Money Doesn’t Make You Happy Then You Probably Aren’t Spending It Right,” by Elizabeth W. Dunn “Heads or Tails: The impact of a coin toss on major life decisions and subsequent happiness,” by Steven D. Levitt “Harvard Study of Adult Development” and an awesome TED Talk by Robert Waldinger, the project’s director Take the Klontz Money Script test to measure your core money beliefs. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
31:34
21 Mar 24
So, who’s gonna pay for this?
Nicole and Rachel were deeply in love when they had their first serious fight about money. It seemed easily resolvable, but the disagreement dragged on for months and brought a lot more to the surface than they expected. This episode originally aired in 2022 and includes a short update at the end about how Rachel and Nicole are doing today. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
So, who’s gonna pay for this?
Nicole and Rachel were deeply in love when they had their first serious fight about money. It seemed easily resolvable, but the disagreement dragged on for months and brought a lot more to the surface than they expected. This episode originally aired in 2022 and includes a short update at the end about how Rachel and Nicole are doing today. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!
31:49
14 Mar 24
You used to be so pretty
Growing up, Haein Shim was taught that if she wanted to succeed, she needed to change her appearance. Shim was raised in South Korea, where a competitive job market and booming beauty industry combined to make careful beauty maintenance all but mandatory for gainful employment. By the time she was a young adult, she was spending hours a day and hundreds of dollars a month on makeup and clothes, until one day her friend asked, “Why do we spend so much money on our appearance?” That question upended Shim’s family, career and sense of self. It led her to join a movement called Escape the Corset, calling for an end to strict beauty standards. In this episode, we also speak to NPR’s Elise Hu, who spent years reporting on the rise of the K-beauty and how it has impacted Korea’s economy and gender politics. Her book on the subject, “Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture From the K-Beauty Capital,” examines how women like Haein Shim are changing the face of beauty in Korea.
You used to be so pretty
Growing up, Haein Shim was taught that if she wanted to succeed, she needed to change her appearance. Shim was raised in South Korea, where a competitive job market and booming beauty industry combined to make careful beauty maintenance all but mandatory for gainful employment. By the time she was a young adult, she was spending hours a day and hundreds of dollars a month on makeup and clothes, until one day her friend asked, “Why do we spend so much money on our appearance?” That question upended Shim’s family, career and sense of self. It led her to join a movement called Escape the Corset, calling for an end to strict beauty standards. In this episode, we also speak to NPR’s Elise Hu, who spent years reporting on the rise of the K-beauty and how it has impacted Korea’s economy and gender politics. Her book on the subject, “Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture From the K-Beauty Capital,” examines how women like Haein Shim are changing the face of beauty in Korea.
40:26
7 Mar 24
Are rich people bad? From “Classy”
This week, we’re sharing an episode from another podcast we think you’ll love. “Classy” is a new show from Pineapple Street Studios and Audacy exploring the ways that class infiltrates our day-to-day lives. Host Jonathan Menjivar has some hang-ups about class. In this episode, he takes us from a nightclub outside Los Angeles to the halls of a fancy Manhattan prep school, and asks sociologist Rachel Sherman, “Are rich people bad?”
Are rich people bad? From “Classy”
This week, we’re sharing an episode from another podcast we think you’ll love. “Classy” is a new show from Pineapple Street Studios and Audacy exploring the ways that class infiltrates our day-to-day lives. Host Jonathan Menjivar has some hang-ups about class. In this episode, he takes us from a nightclub outside Los Angeles to the halls of a fancy Manhattan prep school, and asks sociologist Rachel Sherman, “Are rich people bad?”
46:12
29 Feb 24
Money talks, love listens
Four years later, host Reema Khrais checks in with one of our favorite couples, Mandy and Zach. In our first season, they told us about the challenges they ran into early in their relationship around gift giving. Now, life’s latest milestones are forcing them to figure out how to become more fluent in each other’s languages — the ones they use to talk about life, love, and of course, money.
Money talks, love listens
Four years later, host Reema Khrais checks in with one of our favorite couples, Mandy and Zach. In our first season, they told us about the challenges they ran into early in their relationship around gift giving. Now, life’s latest milestones are forcing them to figure out how to become more fluent in each other’s languages — the ones they use to talk about life, love, and of course, money.
27:25
22 Feb 24
Dream on a deadline
At what point do you walk away from your dreams? Kashy gave himself a deadline: if he didn’t become a pop star by the time he turned 25, he’d give up music. But years after he left his music career behind, the universe gave him a second chance, thousands of miles from home.
Dream on a deadline
At what point do you walk away from your dreams? Kashy gave himself a deadline: if he didn’t become a pop star by the time he turned 25, he’d give up music. But years after he left his music career behind, the universe gave him a second chance, thousands of miles from home.
35:54
15 Feb 24
First-gen finances, from “Financially Inclined”
We wanted to share a particularly uncomfy episode from Marketplace’s “Financially Inclined,” a financial literacy podcast for teens. Being a first-generation student can mean facing bigger financial pressures than your peers, with less generational knowledge and wealth. “Financially Inclined” host Yanely Espinal talks to Gigi Gonzalez, the First Gen Mentor, to help you navigate the unique pressures of being the first in your family – whether that’s being a first-gen American, first-gen college student, first-gen professional, first-gen entrepreneur or more! Think you’re financially inclined? Check out these resources: Explore resources for first-gen students from the Collective Success Network Learn more wealth building tips from Business Insider Prepare for a “money talk” with your family using this guide from CNBC Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up for a Greenlight account.
First-gen finances, from “Financially Inclined”
We wanted to share a particularly uncomfy episode from Marketplace’s “Financially Inclined,” a financial literacy podcast for teens. Being a first-generation student can mean facing bigger financial pressures than your peers, with less generational knowledge and wealth. “Financially Inclined” host Yanely Espinal talks to Gigi Gonzalez, the First Gen Mentor, to help you navigate the unique pressures of being the first in your family – whether that’s being a first-gen American, first-gen college student, first-gen professional, first-gen entrepreneur or more! Think you’re financially inclined? Check out these resources: Explore resources for first-gen students from the Collective Success Network Learn more wealth building tips from Business Insider Prepare for a “money talk” with your family using this guide from CNBC Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up for a Greenlight account.
18:54
13 Feb 24
My name is Hana
Overnight, Hana’s life became unrecognizable. She used to enjoy quiet mornings in her lovingly decorated apartment in Gaza, but since Israel’s invasion forced her to evacuate, she’s now sleeping on the cold floor of a crowded house, fearful of airstrikes. Hana shares how the war is threatening the life she built for herself and the impossible financial calculations ahead of her.
My name is Hana
Overnight, Hana’s life became unrecognizable. She used to enjoy quiet mornings in her lovingly decorated apartment in Gaza, but since Israel’s invasion forced her to evacuate, she’s now sleeping on the cold floor of a crowded house, fearful of airstrikes. Hana shares how the war is threatening the life she built for herself and the impossible financial calculations ahead of her.
48:06
8 Feb 24
“This Is Uncomfortable” is back Feb. 1
“This Is Uncomfortable” returns for its ninth season Feb. 1, with brand-new episodes about life and how money messes with it. We’ve got stories about medical scams, workplace discrimination, the fast fashion industry and more. New episodes coming Thursdays.
“This Is Uncomfortable” is back Feb. 1
“This Is Uncomfortable” returns for its ninth season Feb. 1, with brand-new episodes about life and how money messes with it. We’ve got stories about medical scams, workplace discrimination, the fast fashion industry and more. New episodes coming Thursdays.
03:44
25 Jan 24
Season 8
Season 7
Season 6
Season 5
Season 4
Season 3
Season 2
Season 1
Download the app to get the full experience
Get a fully curated daily feed based on your favourites, access to curated collections, preview every show, and much more.
