The Real Stuff with Lucie Fink

Latest Episodes:

“I was making millions while my personal life was falling apart.” (Lessons from a 7-Figure Coach) Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Truth About The World’s Most Controversial Parenting Topics with Professor Emily Oster Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An impromptu phone call with my friend (how a tropical storm impacted her wedding) Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“A 30-minute daily routine transformed my lifelong mental health struggles.” (Audience caller) Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our 10-Day Trip To France with a Toddler & Baby (EVERYTHING I Learned) Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I tried IV ketamine for postpartum depression — here’s what happened" (Lia Higgins) Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with writer and creator Lia Higgins (@onelitmama_) to talk about the unraveling and rebuilding that often comes with new motherhood. A former Big Law attorney turned full-time content creator and writer, Lia opens up about the trauma of childbirth, the crushing weight of postpartum depression, and the unconventional treatment that changed everything: ketamine therapy. Please note: this is one woman’s personal experience under the guidance of trained professionals. Consult your doctor with any questions.

Lia shares the raw truth about becoming a mother, navigating rage, resentment, identity loss, and what it’s like growing her online presence alongside her mother-in-law, Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran. We talk about Lia’s viral essays for Oprah Daily and HuffPost, the cultural silence around maternal mental health, and how privilege, money, and access can shape the path to recovery.

From religion and marriage to social media and storytelling, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever felt isolated in the chaos or craved a little more honesty in the motherhood space.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do Michael and I ever fight? What are my religious beliefs? How do I manage toddler tantrums? + more (a fun Q&A!) Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

In this solo episode, I sat down in the studio and answered your most asked (and juiciest) questions — completely unfiltered. We covered it all: from whether Michael and I ever fight and how we actually handle disagreements to how we’re navigating toddler tantrums, sibling jealousy, and Milo’s transition to a big boy bed. I opened up about my religious upbringing, my personal beliefs today, and how Michael and I are incorporating religion and spirituality into raising our kids. Plus I talk about self-pleasure, managing screen addiction, letting go of control as a parent, my iPhone camera settings, and whether or not Milo and Coco get paid when they appear in my content. This episode is packed with honest reflections, funny stories, and hopefully some helpful takeaways for anyone in the thick of work, parenting, or just life in general.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An intimate phone call with my dad (why he waited 16 years to have kids) Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m kicking off a new mini-series I’m calling 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.

For the first installment, I called my dad, Jimmy. I’ve always wondered how he feels about the fact that he and my mom waited 16 years after getting married to have kids. He was on such a different timeline than the one I’m on, and I wanted to hear directly from him what those years were like, what they were thinking, and how he feels about that choice now, in his 70s, as a grandfather.

We talked about everything from their Studio 54 days, to aging, regrets, and what it means to be present as a parent and a grandparent. It’s a conversation I’ll never forget, and I’m so excited to share it with 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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How To Raise Happier Kids AND Be Less Stressed Doing It (Dr. Laurie Santos) Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The girl who catfished me finally came clean (my thoughts on Internet storytelling) Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Real Stuff with Lucie Fink

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected