The Real Stuff with Lucie Fink

Latest Episodes:

"My Family Had a Big Secret — Until I Wrote a Book About It." Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

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.

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

Daniela Legarda on gaining millions of followers after tragedy struck (The Legarda Legacy) Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

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.

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

“I wasn’t infertile. I was being gaslit.” (Divorced at age 26) May 27, 2025

Show notes

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.

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

“I built a hit podcast…and then my co-host stole it.” (Emma Paige talks “Unhinged”) May 20, 2025

Show notes

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.

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

How to Make More Money, Find Your Purpose, and Beat Burnout TODAY May 13, 2025

Show notes

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://amzn.to/4mfEs0u

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

“My intrusive thoughts were taking over my life.” (Carrie Berk) May 06, 2025

Show notes

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.

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

What it’s like to be in menopause in your 20s & 30s (audience callers) Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Today on The Real Stuff, we’re sharing two incredibly raw and powerful stories about navigating early menopause and fertility struggles at a young age. First, Katie opens up about being diagnosed with early menopause in her early 30s, right as she began the egg freezing process. After months of missed periods and three failed egg retrieval attempts, Katie was forced to grieve the future she thought she would have, all while grappling with hormonal replacement therapy, financial strain, and dating fears.

Next, we hear from Mackenzie, who was diagnosed with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) at just 22 years old, two days after graduating from college. Her twenties have been consumed with fertility preservation, navigating over a dozen egg retrieval cycles, and leading a support group for others with rare reproductive health conditions.

Together, Katie and Mackenzie share the emotional, physical, financial, and social toll of infertility diagnoses in their 20s and 30s. We discuss egg freezing, hormone replacement therapy, fertility preservation, perimenopause, reproductive health, the emotional impact on dating and friendships, advocating for yourself with doctors, and the silent grief that often accompanies fertility challenges.

Whether you're thinking about egg freezing, curious about hormonal health after birth control, or simply want to better understand the realities of young women facing early menopause, this episode is an eye-opening and deeply empathetic conversation you won't want to miss.

RESOLVE Infertility Support Groups: https://resolve.org/get-help/support-groups/

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

Why I left Refinery29 and how Alexandra Gater popped off after being laid off Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Alexandra Gater was 25, riding high as the Home Editor at Chatelaine magazine, and creating a hit home makeover YouTube series until the morning she walked into work and got laid off. What could have been the end of her story turned into the beginning of something entirely her own.

In this episode of The Real Stuff, Alexandra shares how she went from feeling devastated and directionless to launching her YouTube channel, landing a $25,000 brand deal that changed her life, and growing a full-fledged media company with 11+ employees. She opens up about the dark personal chapter she was navigating behind the scenes, the pressure of trying to “fake it ‘til you make it,” the mean-girl trolling she endured from fellow editors, and how she slowly built the self-confidence to bet on herself.

Alexandra and Lucie also bond over their shared history in the digital media world and dig into what it felt like to leave behind a job that once felt like everything. Lucie opens up about her own exit from Refinery29 and how she knew it was time to move on from “Try Living with Lucie,” sparking a deeper conversation about identity, ambition, and trusting your gut.

It’s a candid conversation about losing your dream job, building something better, and what it really takes to grow through discomfort, even when you don’t have it all figured out.

Follow Alexandra

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandragater/?hl=en

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandragater?_t=8goJbfFKKBR&_r=1

00:00 Lucie’s opening thoughts

01:44 how Lucie & Alexandra got connected

03:13 our similar career paths

06:20 Alexandra’s layoff story

08:14 the complications of being a corporate creative employee

13:09 the slow success of Try Living with Lucie

14:25 why Lucie left Refinery29

20:42 early brand deals

23:32 the work it takes to start a YouTube channel

27:24 a dark chapter in Alexandra’s life

35:02 dealing with negative comments from people you know

52:10 deciding how personal to get online

55:20 imposter syndrome & faking it until you make it

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

SOLO: How I made new friends as an adult after moving (EXACTLY what I did + tips for everyone) Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

In this highly-requested solo episode, Lucie dives deep into her experience making adult friendships — specifically how she built a new social circle after moving from NYC to the suburbs. If you’ve ever wondered how to make new friends after 30, how to actually keep them, or how to balance your social battery with mom life, this one’s for you. Listen for personal stories of how Lucie met her people in a place where she knew no one, the mindset shift that made it easier, and tips anyone can apply - whether you’re in a new town or just craving deeper connections.

The Happiness Lab Podcast episode I mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Aon3Yu9KmFvr6PeZN0KqX?si=MjAm5I91R62XdX_ZrRGFCg

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

00:00 my situation & my new town

04:54 friends I’ve made in different stages of life

06:20 my first group of mom friends

07:50 getting to know people in my new town before I moved there

09:50 going on coffee dates with new people

12:22 meeting my neighbor

14:17 meeting people through Milo’s school

17:56 intimidating parts of moving to the suburbs & my mindset

20:31 using WhatsApp

22:00 getting to know Michael’s friends’ wives & people from other towns

23:35 rekindling a high school connection

24:31 playing tennis and starting a clinic

25:48 meeting a local follower

26:27 going from acquaintances to real friends

27:09 finding common interests and doing shared activities

33:01 being in friend search mode

34:23 going on double dates

36:16 what my social life looks like now

37:59 how my job impacts my friendships

40:25 tips to make new friends

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/

Produced by Dear Media.

Executive Producer: Cloud10

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

Brett Fairley’s viral paternity fraud story (the drama and the TRUTH) Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Brett Fairley’s story is going viral — millions are watching, commenting, and waiting for each new update as he unpacks this emotional and devastating saga of paternity fraud. And thanks to our connection to his girlfriend, Nurse Hadley, The Real Stuff had the chance to sit down with him for an exclusive interview…in real time…while it's all still unfolding.

In this deeply raw conversation, Brett shares never-before-heard details and behind-the-scenes context about the woman who told him he was a father, the child he came to love, and the shocking truth that changed everything. From DNA tests to court orders to emotional manipulation, Brett walks us through every twist in a situation that has left the internet speechless. And he came with his RECEIPTS. This man has a binder of screenshots, text messages and more proving his case.

This episode is not just about going viral. It's about betrayal, heartbreak, and the search for justice. Whether you’ve followed this story from the start or are just diving in, this is the conversation that fills in the blanks and leaves you thinking about what you would do in Brett’s shoes.

Follow Brett:

https://www.tiktok.com/@brettfairley0

https://www.instagram.com/brettfairley/

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/