In this installment of our “Don’t Hang Up” mini-series, I call my brother Robbie to talk about how becoming a dad has changed everything for him and for our relationship. His daughter Dylan was born just one month before my daughter, Coco, and since then, we’ve found ourselves in the trenches of new parenthood together. We talk about how that’s brought us closer, what it feels like to finally share the family baby spotlight, and the funny (and sometimes tricky) dynamics of raising kids who are so close in age. Robbie opens up about his perspective on milestones, community, and what actually prepared him for fatherhood. It’s a thoughtful, honest conversation about identity, family, and this new season of our lives as siblings and parents.

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/

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.

Jess is an audience caller who wrote in to share her story, and it’s one of the most powerful we’ve featured. She waited until marriage to have sex with her husband, and then discovered it was excruciatingly painful and physically impossible. After eight years of misdiagnoses, shame, and failed treatments, she finally healed herself from vaginismus — a condition that is often misunderstood or ignored. In this raw and compassionate conversation, we unpack what vaginismus really is, how purity culture and religious beliefs shaped Jess’s experience, and what it takes to reclaim intimacy — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Jess is now a pelvic floor therapist helping other women do the same and her expertise brings hope and healing to those who have felt alone in their pain.

Follow Jess: https://www.instagram.com/painfree.intimacy/

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/

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.

I’m back with another installment of my mini-series Don’t Hang Up, where I pick up the phone and call people in my real life (begging them not to hang up!) while I ask them deeply personal questions.

This time, I called my mom (who was not thrilled about being on the podcast — sorry, Mom!!) to talk about how she raised three kids who somehow grew up without sibling rivalry or competition and are now true best friends as adults.

We talked about what it was like raising twins, how she handled our sibling bickering, the little mantras she repeated that shaped us, and why celebrating our differences was key. She even shared some funny childhood memories (like me making “commercials” in the bathroom mirror) that I’m still cringing about. But I guess the commercials were worth it and led me somewhere fun!

It’s a conversation about parenting, sibling bonds, and the small, everyday choices that can shape a family for life. Whether you’re a parent yourself, a sibling reflecting on your own childhood, or just love a heartfelt family story, you’re gonna love this one.

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/

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 a 7-figure business coach named Chirag Shah. He’s single-handedly made many of his clients into millionaires with his executive coaching and mentorship programs, and he’s currently one of MY coaching clients (I’ve started working with him to improve his social media presence). Once I learned a bit about him and his story, I knew he’d make an amazing guest on the show.

Chirag has made millions of dollars and has the most amazing insights to share (that are universally applicable no matter what your goals are), but what I found most interesting was how the highest point in his business correlated with the lowest point in his personal life. In this episode he gets honest and vulnerable. This episode is for everyone–whether you’re building a business, navigating burnout, or simply trying to live with more balance and clarity.

We talk about:

• How to recognize the signs of burnout (before it’s too late)
• The simple habits that helped him reset his priorities
• What entrepreneurship really looks like behind the highlight reel
• Practical strategies you can apply to your own career and personal growth
• Think of this episode like listening in on a coaching call: raw, real, and full of tangible takeaways you can bring into your own life.

Follow Chirag to get an inside look at our one-on-one coaching sessions: https://www.instagram.com/chiragshahcoaching/

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/

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.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I read Expecting Better by Emily Oster and it completely changed the way I approached pregnancy. It eased my anxiety and gave me permission to trust myself and question the blanket rules I was hearing from strangers and the Internet. So, you can imagine how thrilled I was to bring Emily onto The Real Stuff for a deep, data-driven conversation about all the hot button parenting topics we’re told not to talk about.

In this episode, we cover everything from drinking alcohol during pregnancy to sleep training, breastfeeding vs. formula, going back to work vs. staying home, vaccines and autism, and so much more. Emily brings the facts (and I mean real, peer-reviewed, large-sample-size data-driven facts) to some of the most polarizing conversations in parenthood without judgment or shame.

We also talk about her own experiences as a mom, the pressure to do everything “right,” and the value of doing what works for your family.

Whether you’re pregnant, parenting, or just curious about what the actual research says about these loaded topics, I hope this conversation brings you the same calm and clarity that Emily’s work gave me.

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/

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.

In this episode, I’m continuing my mini-series Don’t Hang Up, where I pick up the phone and call people in my real life (begging them not to hang up!) while I ask them deeply personal questions.

This time, I called my friend (completely unannounced - sorry, Monique!!) to talk about what went down at her recent destination wedding in Cabo. Monique is one of my best friends from college, and after years of planning, her dream beach wedding was hit by a literal tropical cyclone. Not just rain…it was a sideways, slamming, ceremony-soaking cyclone kind of weather event.

We talked about what it felt like to watch her wedding day unravel in real time, the emotions she went through that morning, how her support system showed up for her, and how she ultimately found the beauty in all the chaos. It’s a story about resilience, friendship, soggy dance floors, and what really matters when things don’t go according to plan.

Whether you’re a bride-to-be, a wedding guest, or just love a good real-life plot twist—this one’s for you!

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/

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.

Gabrielle lost two decades of her life to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, alcohol abuse, and a severe skin-picking disorder that had her hospitalized twice. She thought she was broken and destined for toxic relationships, self-harm, and suffering.

But at 34, after hitting rock bottom with a narcissistic partner, everything shifted.

In this raw and inspiring episode, Gabrielle (an audience caller from the UK) shares how she rebuilt her life, not with a magic fix or any expensive treatments, but by committing to one thing: showing up for herself every single day. Through simple daily practices and radical self-kindness, she rewired her mind and reclaimed her peace.

Now in a healthy relationship, finally feeling purposeful in her career, and training to be a coach herself, Gabrielle is living proof that it’s never too late to change your story.

Warning: This episode contains discussions of self-harm, eating disorders, and mental illness. Listener discretion is advised.

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/

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.

We just got back from a 10-day family trip to the South of France — and wow, was there a lot to unpack (literally and figuratively). In this solo episode, I’m sharing everything about what it was really like to travel internationally with a baby, a toddler, and six adults. I’m talking packing lists, travel day logistics, sleep schedules, toddler meltdowns, jet lag disasters (and wins), how Milo learned to swim, and what made this feel like the rarest kind of trip: an actual vacation as parents of young kids.

Plus, I’m getting real about what I wish I brought, what I absolutely didn’t need, how we handled picky eating abroad, and why traveling with extended family was a total game-changer. If you're planning a big trip with little ones or just want a behind-the-scenes look at family travel chaos, this one's for you!

Comment "PACK" on this reel for my packing list: https://www.instagram.com/p/DL3LszBxODv/

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/

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.