Last week, you heard Part 1 of my conversation with Maya McHenry, where she opened up about her years-long journey with endometriosis. What you didn’t get to hear until now is the moment at the end of that interview when I brought up her sister, Lyric McHenry, who I knew personally from our time working together at Refinery29.

What unfolded next is one of the most emotional recordings we’ve ever had on The Real Stuff. Maya shared, in the most intimate and detailed way she ever has, the story of losing Lyric in 2018 — the shock of it, the media whirlwind, the unanswered questions, the guilt, the grief, and ultimately the strength she’s had to find in order to survive it.

In this episode, Maya talks about the last time she saw her sister, the moment she received the phone call that changed her life, and what it was like to navigate unimaginable pain while also protecting her family and correcting the damaging narrative the media created around Lyric’s story. She shares how grief shows up years later and how she’s learned to stay connected to Lyric through small signs, laughter, memory, and purpose.

We also talk about the extraordinary fellowship Maya built in Lyric’s honor at Stanford — a program that now helps young creatives access opportunities that would otherwise be financially out of reach. Hearing how she transformed such deep heartbreak into something that actively changes lives is extraordinary.

If part 1 of my interview with Maya was about chronic illness, resilience, and self-advocacy, part 2 is about love, loss, legacy, and the ways we keep the people we’ve lost alive. This conversation meant so much to me, both as someone who knew Lyric and as someone who believes that grief doesn’t end — it just changes shape. I am endlessly grateful to Maya for trusting me, and for trusting all of you, with this part of her story.

Donate to the Lyric McHenry Community Arts Fellowship here: https://www.lyricmchenry.com/donate

The Endometriosis Foundation of America: https://www.endofound.org

Follow Maya: https://www.instagram.com/mayamchenry/

Sponsors:

Magnetic Me: If you’re a parent or shopping for one, visit MagneticMe.com now, and new customers will receive 15% off!

Timeline: My friends at Timeline are offering 20% off, just for my listeners! Head to timeline.com/realstuff to get started.

Storyworth: Right now, save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you visit Storyworth.com/REALSTUFF

Seed: Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/REALSTUFF and use code REALSTUFF to get 20% off your first month.

Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story.

I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone.

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod

Find Lucie here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink

Website: https://luciefink.com/

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Executive Producer: Cloud10

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, I’m sitting down with Maya McHenry — a model, publicist, philanthropist, and board member of the Endometriosis Foundation of America — for a conversation I’ve been wanting to have on this show for a long time.

Maya’s been deep in this advocacy work for years, and it’s clear why—in today’s interview, she shares just how much trauma and hardship she’s been through. In our conversation, Maya walks me through the first time she ever experienced an “endo episode,” when the pain was so severe she passed out. She shares how she spent years being dismissed by doctors, misdiagnosed, and told that her symptoms were “just anxiety.” Hearing how long she suffered before finally getting a diagnosis was heartbreaking, especially knowing that her story isn’t unusual. Many women wait 7–10 years for answers, and Maya brings so much honesty, clarity, and compassion to this topic.

We also talk about how chronic illness impacts mental health, how trauma can intensify physical symptoms, and the tools she’s learned to use when her flares hit without warning. Maya’s vulnerability in sharing what this disease has taken from her and how she’s learned to advocate for herself is incredibly powerful.

At the end of the conversation, I asked her about her sister, Lyric McHenry (my former coworker and friend from Refinery29 who tragically passed), and what Maya shared with me was so emotional and so profound that I realized it deserved its own full episode.

So today’s episode is only Part 1, focusing on Maya’s endometriosis journey.

Next week, you’ll hear Part 2, where Maya opens up about grief, healing, and the beautiful ways she continues to honor Lyric’s legacy.

This is one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had on The Real Stuff. I hope it brings comfort, insight, and validation to anyone who has ever felt overlooked or unheard in the medical system.

The Endometriosis Foundation of America: https://www.endofound.org

Follow Maya: https://www.instagram.com/mayamchenry/

Sponsor:

CLEARSTEM: How to claim your free Hydration Heroes Mini Kit: Go to CLEARSTEM.com, add the Hydration Heroes Mini Kit plus $75 of other CLEARSTEM products to your cart, and enter code REALSTUFFHH at checkout — the kit is yours for free! Offer ends December 2nd.

Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story.

I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone.

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod

Find Lucie here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink

Website: https://luciefink.com/

Subscribe to my newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Executive Producer: Cloud10

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tori Dunlap is back on The Real Stuff! 💸

I asked my audience on Instagram to answer some of the most taboo money questions, like whether it’s rude to ask what someone’s house costs, if couples should split expenses 50/50, and how people really feel about money in relationships. If you haven’t listened to my first episode with Tori yet, go check it out at the link below! This time, we’re taking the conversation even deeper.

In this conversation, Tori and I go through your replies one by one, breaking down the psychology behind money, greed, success, and why women in particular are taught to feel guilt or shame around wanting wealth. We also talk about financial privilege, debt, and what an equitable partnership looks like when incomes don’t match.

Money isn’t moral or immoral — it’s a tool. And as Tori says, money means options. Listen now for a financial expert’s take on the most taboo money-related questions.

Watch our previous episode with Tori here: https://youtu.be/1zqDOt0sKPY?si=ZwAEe3CrzNe47KHZ

Follow Tori on Instagram: @herfirst100k

Sponsors:

Magnetic Me: If you haven’t ordered Magnetic Me yet, now is the time! Check out their Black Friday sale starting November 21st for 25% off select styles, no code needed.

Rhoback: Use the code “REALSTUFF” on Rhoback.com for a generous 20% off your first order through the end of this week.

CLEARSTEM: Go to CLEARSTEM.com/REALSTUFF and use code REALSTUFF at checkout for 15% off your first order.

How to claim your free Hydration Heroes Mini Kit: Go to CLEARSTEM.com, add the Hydration Heroes Mini Kit plus $75 of other CLEARSTEM products to your cart, and enter code REALSTUFFHH at checkout — the kit is yours for free! Offer ends December 2nd.

Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story.

I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone.

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod

Find Lucie here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink

Website: https://luciefink.com/

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Executive Producer: Cloud10

Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.