I have been waiting to have this conversation. Les Alfred — host of the She's So Lucky podcast and one of the most refreshingly honest voices in the self-development space — sat down with me in the studio, and we went deep.

We talk about what it really means to want a big life. Les is unapologetically vocal about wanting wealth, success, and a life that is anything but average, and in this episode, she explains exactly why she thinks more women need to say that out loud. We get into the psychology of perfectionism and why it's rarely actually about getting things right; it's about the fear of being seen trying.

I also open up about a very personal block I hit while launching my own YouTube course and how working through it completely changed the outcome.

Les shares her theory on the post-peak pivot and why the most successful women know when to step back, lie low, and let the next chapter build. We use everyone from Rihanna to Jackie Aina to Taylor Swift as case studies.

Plus, we get into the concept of creating your own luck, best-case scenario journaling, and why negative comments and criticism might actually be the best sign your career is growing.

Follow Les: https://www.instagram.com/lesalfred/ 

Listen to the She's So Lucky Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/46muBfvOgp2U44ycqZJPPN 

Sponsors:

Vuori: Get 20% off your first order at Vuori.com/REALSTUFF

Ritual: For a limited time, save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/REALSTUFF

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 free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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.

Ever wondered what it's actually like to be a twin? In this deeply personal episode, I'm going solo to share everything I've never fully unpacked on camera about growing up as a fraternal twin — my experience, my perspective, and yes, the fact that my twin Allie is very much not here with me for this episode (she's private, she's pregnant, and she said no... and I respect it).

I'm diving into the science of fraternal vs. identical twins, what it means for your identity when you share your entire childhood with someone, and how Allie and I managed to stay incredibly close without ever feeling competitive with one another. I talk about twin telepathy (and exactly how ours works), the unique social dynamics of growing up as a "package deal," navigating friend group drama as a twin, going to college together, living together well into adulthood, and the emotional turning point when we finally branched off into our own separate lives.

I also get into: birth order and how being one minute younger shaped my whole personality, the way our wildly different childhood interests perfectly predicted our adult careers, and what it means to be entering a new, exciting parallel chapter now that Allie lives just seven minutes away.

This episode is for twins, siblings, people who have a ride-or-die best friend, and anyone who's ever been curious about the twin experience. Allie may not be with me for this one, but I've got more than enough to say for both of us.

Sponsors:

Magnetic Me: New customers get 15% off at MagneticMe.com

SKIMS: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at skims.com/realstuff

Vuori: Get 20% off your first order at Vuori.com/REALSTUFF

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 free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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 sitting down with an anonymous audience caller I'm calling "Emily," a married mom of two who has never told a single person (not a close friend, not a therapist, not ANYONE) about her husband's sexual kinks. Until now.

What starts as a candid, almost lighthearted conversation about a husband with some unconventional sexual preferences quickly becomes something much deeper: a story about trauma, secrecy, isolation, and what it really means to be a supportive partner when your needs and your spouse's needs don't exactly align.

We're talking bondage, sensory deprivation, a homemade "sex dungeon" above the family garage, snowsuits with padlocks, a chicken coop, a gas mask, and a key ring full of chains and locks. And yes...it is as wild as it sounds.

But what moved me most about Emily's story wasn't the kink itself. It was the loneliness she carries. The weight of being sworn to secrecy. The tension between being a full-time working mom, a wife, and essentially a dominatrix, all at the same time. And the very real question of whether what's happening in her marriage has crossed from "adventurous sex life" into something that deserves more attention.

I'll be upfront: somewhere in the middle of this conversation, I stopped being just an interviewer and started being a friend. You'll probably hear it in my voice. Emily wasn't asking for advice, but I couldn't help offering some because I genuinely care, and I think you will too by the end of this episode.

Sponsors:

Wedderspoon: Go to https://wedderspoon.com/discount/REAL20 and use code REAL20 for 20% off your order.

Laundry Sauce: Get 20% off your entire order at Laundry Sauce with code REALSTUFF at laundrysauce.com/REALSTUFF and let them know we sent you.

Pique: Unlock 20% off and begin your journey toward sustained wellness today at Piquelife.com/REALSTUFF

Rhoback: Use code REALSTUFF at Rhoback.com for 20% off your first order through the end of this week.

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 free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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.

From high school breakouts to a low-dose of Accutane… to the massive hormonal flare-up I experienced after coming off birth control in 2020 — I know firsthand how consuming, painful, and isolating acne can be. It’s not “just skin.” It affects your confidence, your relationships, your work, and your mental health.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kayleigh and Danielle, the co-founders of CLEARSTEM, a brand born out of their own devastating acne journeys. Danielle battled cystic acne for decades, tried Accutane three times, and eventually left the corporate world to study skin and open her own acne clinic. Kayleigh found her after nearly going on Accutane herself and what she learned in that first appointment completely changed her life.

We talk about the emotional toll of acne (and why no one talks about it) and why so many traditional acne treatments don’t address the root cause. We get into the surprising supplement triggers that can worsen breakouts (vitamin D, B12, zinc, biotin… and more), hidden pore-clogging ingredients in skincare and makeup, and internal + external connections when it comes to clear skin, eggs, dairy, whey protein, blood sugar spikes — and how to test your personal thresholds. We explore over-exfoliating vs. under-exfoliating, hormonal acne, stress acne, and adult acne in your 20s and 30s, and what to do when you feel like you’ve “tried everything.”

Tired of guessing what’s causing your breakouts? Find out in seconds by running your skincare + makeup products through CLEARSTEM's Pore Clogging Ingredients Checker.

Head to clearstem.com/REALSTUFF and use code REALSTUFF for 15% off your first order.

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 free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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.

A few years ago, I did something that most people would probably say is a terrible idea: I invited one of my online trolls onto a Zoom video chat.

You may have heard a version of this story in one of my TEDx talks, but on this episode of The Real Stuff, I’m telling the full, unfiltered version (including ACTUAL audio from the call itself). I went back and listened to the 44-minute recording of our call and what I noticed five years later honestly surprised me.

This woman had been leaving aggressive, deeply personal comments on my page about my body, my work, and my life. Instead of blocking her, I messaged her. And instead of escalating, she agreed to talk. What happened next was complicated.

In this episode, I walk you through:

• What it actually feels like to confront someone who publicly criticizes you
• The psychology behind online hate (and what I learned about jealousy and comparison)
• The moment she broke down and told me what was really going on in her life
• Why I don’t believe most trolls are actually “evil”
• How this experience changed the way I handle negativity on the internet
• And why, five years later, I feel protective over the younger version of myself who took that call

I also share how my perspective has evolved — from feeling afraid of being disliked to realizing it’s not my job to make everyone like me.

This is a story about boundaries, compassion, ego, jealousy, and the strange difference between how people behave online versus face-to-face. And yes… I do even include some actual audio from the Zoom call.

Sponsors:

Wedderspoon: Go to https://wedderspoon.com/discount/REAL20 for 20% off your order.

Ritual: For a limited time, save 40% on your first month at Ritual.com/REALSTUFF

Vuori: Get 20% off your first order at Vuori.com/REALSTUFF

Bird&Be: Visit birdandbe.com and use code REALSTUFF for 15% off your first purchase.

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 free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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.

For 11 years, I didn’t have a real menstrual cycle.

I was on hormonal birth control from my teenage years into adulthood, and while it did exactly what it was supposed to do, it also meant I wasn’t ovulating, wasn’t having a normal menstrual cycle, and wasn’t exactly aware of how deeply hormones shape my energy, creativity, mood, libido, and even my confidence.

In this episode, I’m expanding on a recent newsletter I shared and walking you through what I learned when my natural cycle finally came back. I break down the four phases of the menstrual cycle, what’s actually happening hormonally for me in each phase, and how those shifts show up for me physically, emotionally, and creatively in my work. I also share how tracking my cycle changed the way I plan my life and manage my energy, and also stopped me from spiraling every month when motivation or confidence dip.

This is not an anti–birth control episode. The pill is an incredible tool for so many people, and everyone’s bodies and needs are different. This is simply my personal experience of reconnecting with my cycle and the unexpected sense of trust, peace, and empowerment that came from finally understanding my body’s rhythms.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “bad at routines,” inconsistent, unmotivated out of nowhere, or confused by sudden shifts in how you feel, you’re not broken. You’re cyclical. And there’s wisdom in that.

Sponsors:

Bayer: Check out Bayer's trusted lineup of products, available at Walmart, CVS, Amazon, and Walgreens.

Wedderspoon: Go to https://wedderspoon.com/discount/REAL20 for 20% off your order.

Vuori: Get 20% off your first order at Vuori.com/REALSTUFF

Magnetic Me: New customers get 15% off at MagneticMe.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/ 

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

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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 finally telling the full story of the spiritual experience that changed my personality and my entire approach to life. It’s the story of a dream I had about my late “Uncle” Donald — a man who wasn’t biologically related to me, but who was woven into the fabric of my family and my life in a way that’s hard to put into words. He was my parents’ best friend, the person who introduced them to one another, and someone who felt just as much like family as any blood relative.

After he passed away suddenly in 2011, something happened that completely changed the way I understand the world. The night of his funeral, I had a dream that felt different from any dream I’d ever had before — one that has stuck with me more than a decade later.

In this episode, I talk about that dream, the strange and meaningful signs that followed, and why I believe he stayed with me (and my family) for a decade after he passed. I share how those signs showed up at major moments in my life — my career, my wedding, becoming a mother — and how they continue to shape the way I move through the world today.

This story touches on loss, spirituality, dreams, and the ways we stay connected to the people we love, even after they’re gone. I know this kind of story isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay. But for me, it’s brought comfort, peace, and a deeper sense of connection to life itself.

If you’ve ever lost someone and wished for a sign, or wondered whether the people we love ever really leave us, I hope this episode resonates with you.

Thank you for being here and letting me share this part of my story.

Sponsors:

Bird&Be: Visit birdandbe.com and use code REALSTUFF for 15% off your first purchase.

Laundry Sauce: Get 20% off your entire order at Laundry Sauce with code REALSTUFF at laundrysauce.com/REALSTUFF

Pique: Unlock 20% off and begin your journey toward sustained wellness today at Piquelife.com/REALSTUFF

SKIMS: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at skims.com/realstuff

Bayer: Check out Bayer's trusted lineup of products, available at Walmart, CVS, Amazon, and Walgreens.

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 free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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 special episode of The Real Stuff, I recorded my very first LIVE podcast taping and used it as an opportunity to get honest about wellness, what actually matters, and the moment my body forced me to slow down.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how wellness culture has become overly complicated. We’re obsessing over tiny optimizations and trendy hacks while completely ignoring the foundational habits that actually impact how we feel. In this episode, I talk about why I believe real wellness needs to go back to the basics: getting enough sleep, eating real food, and moving your body (all while, of course, taking care of your mental health).

I also share how my relationship with sleep has completely changed over the years—from barely needing it as a teenager to treating it as one of the most sacred parts of my day as an adult. And then I open up about something I haven’t shared on the podcast before: a terrifying night terror that escalated into a physical injury and became a major wake-up call for me.

I walk you through exactly what happened to me, how stress and hustle culture played a role, and the changes I’ve made since to protect my nervous system, my sleep, and my overall health. This episode isn’t about perfection or wellness trends — it’s about listening to your body before it has to scream at you.

If you’ve been feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or like you’re constantly chasing “better” but still feeling exhausted, I hope this conversation helps you zoom out, reset, and focus on what actually supports your well-being. Thank you to Bayer for partnering with us on this episode. If you’re ready to get real about your wellness this year, check out Bayer’s trusted lineup of products available at Walmart, CVS, Amazon, and Walgreens. Use as directed.

Subscribe to Eric Villanueva’s substack, Syllabus Health: https://syllabushealth.substack.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/ 

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

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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 today’s episode of The Real Stuff, I’m sitting down with Brandon Sudduth for a vulnerable and very important conversation. 

Brandon is known online for creating joyful, family-centered content alongside his wife, Destene, but behind that joy is a story he carried silently for more than 35 years. For the first time publicly, Brandon opened up about experiencing sexual abuse as a child, the lifelong impact of carrying that experience in silence, and why he finally felt called to share his story — first on his own podcast (which you can watch here) and now with our audience.

We talk about being raised by a single mother and how childhood sexual abuse quietly shaped Brandon’s relationships, sexuality, self-worth, and emotional armor as an adult. He shares how that unspoken pain showed up in his twenties, his first marriage, and later in his relationship with Destene, including moments of fear, avoidance, and deep self-reflection. He also shares the ways in which this experience doesn't impact him on a daily basis and the interesting ways in which it weighs on him.

This episode also dives into Brandon and Destene's IVF journey and how becoming a father ultimately forced Brandon to confront the parts of himself he had long avoided. We explore faith, masculinity, healing, and what it means to break generational cycles — not just for yourself, but for your children.

Most powerfully, Brandon explains why he chose to finally speak out: the responsibility he feels to other survivors, especially men, and the belief that healing begins when secrets are brought into the light.

Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/sudduth84

Follow Destene: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsdestene_

Sponsors:

Bayer: Check out Bayer's trusted lineup of products, available at Walmart, CVS, Amazon, and Walgreens.

Laundry Sauce: Get 20% off your entire order at Laundry Sauce with code REALSTUFF at laundrysauce.com/REALSTUFF

Bird&Be: Visit birdandbe.com and use code REALSTUFF for 15% off your first purchase.

Magnetic Me: New customers get 15% off at MagneticMe.com

Ritual: For a limited time, save 40% on your first month at Ritual.com/REALSTUFF

Vuori: Get 20% off your first order at Vuori.com/REALSTUFF

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 free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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 today’s episode of The Real Stuff, I’m sitting down with Samantha Diamond, CEO and co-founder of Bird & Be, a company born out of her personal experience with PCOS, pregnancy loss, and the deep gaps in reproductive health education. Despite being married to an OB/GYN, Samantha realized she still didn’t understand her cycle, fertility window, or the silent struggles that so many women face—until she became one of them.

We talk candidly about how hormonal birth control masked her PCOS for years, her experience with pregnancy loss and infertility, and why fertility is not just a woman’s issue (hi, sperm!).

We also discuss the shame and confusion so many couples face while trying to conceive, and how she used her background in beauty and CMG to build a company that’s changing the game for modern fertility support.

Bird&Be offers everything from at-home fertility tests to prenatals for both men and women, but this episode isn’t just about products; it’s about empowerment. 

Samantha opens up about the emotional toll of TTC, how the packaging of fertility products made her feel unseen, and why redefining pregnancy culture is so important.

Whether you’re navigating PCOS, thinking about your fertility future, or supporting someone through a difficult season, this conversation is for you.

Visit birdandbe.com and use code REALSTUFF for 15% off your first purchase.

Follow Samantha on IG: @startupmamma

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 free newsletter "The Lucie List" here: https://thelucielist.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Subscribe to "The Creator Confidential": http://www.luciefink.com/confidential

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.

What happens when you discover your partner has over $400,000 in student loan debt and they didn’t even know it existed?

In today’s audience caller episode of The Real Stuff, I’m sitting down with Brittany, a listener who bravely came on the podcast to share one of the most raw, honest, and financially transparent stories we’ve ever featured.

Brittany opens up about putting herself through college after her parents divorced, graduating with $100,000 in student loan debt, and spending her 20s working nonstop to pay it off while attending a private university surrounded by students from much wealthier families. She had a clear financial plan for her life: get her master’s degree, become debt-free before 30, and feel financially secure before starting a family… then she met her now-husband.

One night, lying in bed scrolling on her phone, Brittany discovered something that completely changed the course of their relationship. The student loan debt her partner believed was around $200,000 was actually more than $400,000, and she was the one who had to uncover it, piece it together, and tell him the truth.

In this episode, Brittany shares exactly how she found the debt, what it felt like to confront the person she loved most, and why this discovery shattered her sense of trust, security, and honesty in their relationship. We talk about why this wasn’t just about money, but about transparency, reliability, and the emotional weight we attach to financial independence. She opens up about how she processed everything, the guilt and shame she felt for questioning her relationship because of money, and how unsupported she felt when others minimized her concerns.

What makes this conversation especially powerful is Brittany’s willingness to be incredibly specific. We talk REAL numbers — student loan balances, salaries, mortgage payments, rent, savings, and the sacrifices required to pay off hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt without letting it completely control their lives. Brittany also shares how navigating debt reshaped their relationship, became the foundation of their marriage, and ultimately forced them to redefine what success and happiness really look like. We also talk about family planning, having their first baby, choosing to leave a three-bedroom house with a low mortgage to live in a one-bedroom apartment in the NYC area, and why she’s never been happier — proving that happiness and fulfillment don’t always come from traditional financial milestones.

If you’ve ever felt ashamed about debt, questioned a relationship because of money, or struggled to balance financial goals with actually living your life, this conversation will make you feel far less alone.

Brittany has recently begun building a platform called Be Loan Wise, focused on helping others navigate the emotional and financial sides of student loan debt. You can follow along at @beloanwise on Instagram!

Sponsors:

Bayer: Check out Bayer's trusted lineup of products, available at Walmart, CVS, Amazon, and Walgreens.

Pique: Unlock 20% off and begin your journey toward sustained wellness today at Piquelife.com/REALSTUFF

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. 

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