I was so honored to sit down with Dr. Laurie Santos for today’s episode — not just because she’s a Yale psychology professor and the host of one of my favorite podcasts (The Happiness Lab), but because I genuinely credit her course, The Science of Well-Being, with helping me shift my mindset in the thick of the pandemic. Back in 2020, I took her free online course through Yale University, and now, she’s created a version of that course specifically for parents, which made our conversation feel especially timely.

As a mom of two young kids trying to balance full-time work and all the emotional noise of modern parenting, I showed up to this interview with a lot of questions. We talked about why so many of us feel like we’re drowning in decision fatigue, how to step away from the pressure of being a “perfect” parent, and what the science actually says about raising happy, healthy kids.

Dr. Santos shared so many practical tools, like how to use your signature strengths in parenting, how to embrace unstructured play and independence, and why doing LESS might be the key to everyone in your family feeling better. We also talked about how to “parent yourself” with more compassion, how to show up better for your partner, and what we can learn from other cultures that seem to be doing this whole parenting thing with a bit more ease.

Whether you’re in the thick of toddlerhood or not a parent at all, this one’s for everyone who feels like they’re trying to do it all and are finally ready to let go.

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.

Today, I’m sharing the jaw-dropping update to the catfish story I first told on the podcast which recently resurfaced as a viral video series across my social platforms. In this solo episode, I reveals the unexpected twist — an email from the girl who faked her own death and ghosted me for five years. I walk through the production of my 13-part storytelling series, reflect on monetization and meaning as a content creator, and read the real emails exchanged behind the scenes. (Including the follow-up emails she sent me that I never read aloud on social.)

This episode is about truth, closure, boundaries, and what it means to turn something painful into something powerful. Plus: how I turned the story into a fundraising campaign for cancer research and the internet’s mixed reactions along the way.

To listen to the full story of how I was catfished, listen to this episode: https://youtu.be/hJ_GV5oWjM4

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.

Alreen Haeggquist is a successful attorney and author who’s made it her life’s mission to advocate for women — but her journey to becoming that woman is one of the most harrowing stories we’ve ever heard.

In this raw and deeply emotional conversation, Alreen shares her experience of being abused by her father (both emotionally and sexually), the silence that surrounded it within her large family, and the lifelong impact of her mother’s silence. For decades, Alreen kept her story a secret…until the day she decided to write it all down.

We talk about the trauma of secrecy, the physical toll of unspoken pain, how becoming a mother changed everything for her, and what healing actually looks like. Today, as a sexual harassment lawyer, Alreen helps others reclaim their voices, even as she continues to find hers.

If you’ve ever questioned whether speaking out is worth the cost, this episode might just change your life.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and childhood trauma.

Purchase Alreen's book, "Fired Up: Fueling Triumph from Trauma: https://amzn.to/3Hs3DgL

For more information & to contact Alreen, visit her website: https://www.alreen.com

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 emotional and empowering episode of The Real Stuff, I sit down with content creator, singer, and entrepreneur Daniela Legarda for a raw conversation about fame, family, and healing after unimaginable loss. Daniela opens up about the tragic and sudden death of her brother, Latin music artist Fabio Legarda, and how that moment changed the course of her life forever.

From building a multi-million following online to navigating the pressures of being a Latina influencer, Daniela shares what it’s really like to grieve in public, find spiritual meaning in signs from beyond, and reclaim your voice after trauma. She also talks about money, mental health, being sexualized online, and what it means to create content with purpose.

Whether you’re a fan of Daniela Legarda or looking for inspiration on turning pain into purpose, this episode is filled with heart, hustle, and healing.

Follow Daniela:

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

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

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.

At 26 years old, this audience caller thought she was building a life — trying for a baby, working for her husband’s family business, and living in their shared home. But everything was a lie. In this anonymous caller episode, Lucie hears one of the most jaw-dropping divorce stories yet: a young woman tricked into thinking she was infertile while her husband was secretly preventing pregnancy for nearly a year. After losing her job, her house, her marriage, and even her dog, she found herself forced to rebuild from scratch. What follows is a raw, emotional, and ultimately empowering story about betrayal, resilience, and how rock bottom can sometimes be the start of everything.

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 explosive episode of The Real Stuff, Emma Paige finally shares more about her side of the podcast drama that has taken over TikTok, Instagram, and the podcasting world. As the co-founder of the hit podcast Unhinged, Emma opens up about how the show began, the rapid rise in popularity, and the shocking moment she was locked out, ghosted, and ultimately erased from her own platform.

What started as a promising creative partnership turned into a public breakup filled with legal battles, emotional tolls, and questions about ownership, fairness, and the cost of internet fame. Emma takes us behind the scenes of her fallout with her former co-host, the controversial launch of Unbothered, and what she’s learned along the way about business, boundaries, and betrayal.

She reflects on launching her new podcast Too Much, the strength it took to rebuild from scratch, and why she believes it’s so important to speak out — not just for herself, but for other creators navigating similar conflicts in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

If you’ve been following this podcast drama or are curious about what really happens behind the scenes of a viral business feud, you do not want to miss this raw and revealing conversation.

Follow Emma:

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

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

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/too-much/id1791347406

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.

Are you stuck in the hustle cycle and calling it ambition?

In this powerful conversation, Lucie is joined by Amina AlTai, an executive coach, speaker, and author, to reframe everything you think you know about success, burnout, and self-worth. They dive into the roots of hustle culture, how childhood core wounds shape our work lives, and why marginalized communities face a different kind of pressure when it comes to “doing it all.”

This episode covers:

- The real difference between painful and purposeful ambition

- How imposter syndrome is a systemic issue, not a personal one

- Why your paycheck doesn’t define your purpose

- The “zone of genius” framework—and how to work in yours

- Amina’s Nourishment Meter: a tool for rebalancing work and life

- How to make more money without losing your mind (or your health)

Whether you're rethinking your career, struggling with burnout, or trying to find a deeper sense of alignment, this episode offers a compassionate, actionable roadmap to redefine ambition on your own terms.

The Ambition Trap is available now wherever books are sold. Let’s get Amina on the USA Today bestseller list! https://bit.ly/43drxU6

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.

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of mental health, anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts, and suicide. Please listen with care.

Carrie Berk is a bestselling author who published 21 books before the age of 20, but behind the bubbly book covers and growing TikTok following, she was privately battling debilitating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Carrie opens up about the moment her intrusive thoughts began to spiral, how a panic attack led to her OCD diagnosis, and what exposure therapy actually looked like for her. Lucie and Carrie also explore the pressures of growing up in the public eye, the impact of privilege on mental health, and what it means to be misunderstood online. Plus: the reality show experience Carrie rarely talks about and how bullying shaped both her inner world and her activism.

If you’ve ever questioned your own thoughts, wondered if you were “going crazy,” or struggled to explain your mental health to friends, this episode is for you!

Pre-order Carrie’s new book, Mindfire: Diary of an Anxious Twentysomething here: https://amzn.to/44kC0j2

Follow Carrie

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

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

00:00 introducing Carrie Berk

02:10 becoming a published author at age 8

04:26 privilege and imposter syndrome

9:03 being on a reality tv show

11:03 dealing with online hate and bullying

21:51 anxiety and OCD diagnoses

25:04 examples of intrusive thoughts

29:34 how therapy has helped her cope

32:30 opening up to family and friends

39:21 normalizing mental health struggles

42:58 social media’s impact on mental health

46:11 Carrie’s new book & future plans

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.