Comedian, social media sensation, and bestselling author Anna Akana joins me this week as she discusses her journey from dealing with the tragic loss of her sister to suicide to becoming a comedian where she found solace in making others laugh. We dive deep into the challenges of dating in LA, dealing with grief, the quirks of menstrual products, and the importance of allowing yourself to be bad at something before you get good. Plus, you'll laugh at some truly unexpected places, like when we discuss leaving a menstrual disc in for three months (yes, really). It's about turning your pain into your power and remembering to enjoy the process—even when life’s a bit of a mess.

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Creator of Pilates Body Hotties and former Love Is Blind cast member Raven Ross joins me this week to talk about her transformative journey from a self-described shitshow to the wellness maven she is today. Raven reflects on life in her early twenties working three jobs, the impulsive decision to join 'Love is Blind,' and navigating public scrutiny while staying true to herself. She delves into her early passion for pilates, her struggles with body image and eating disorders from her dance career, and the profound impact of losing her father suddenly last year.

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A Wondery original podcast so compelling it was reimagined for TV starring Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, Sissy Spacek, and more… When Molly's diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, she decides to do something bold: she leaves her unhappy marriage and embarks on a series of sexual adventures to help her feel alive. She shares the funniest and most touching details with her closest friend, host Nikki Boyer. As they peel back the layers, we learn that Molly isn’t just grappling with breast cancer: she's also dealing with some trauma from her past. Along the journey, the friends explore bigger themes that affect us all -- like healing, forgiveness and what do we do with the time we have left.

Follow Dying for Sex plus all-new bonus episodes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the entire original podcast early and ad-free, right now on Wondery+ wondery.fm/DFSBonus

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Picture this: I'm chilling (or warming really) in a swanky Utah hotel room, staring at a scenic snowy mountain while my outdoor gas fireplace blazes away because I couldn't figure out how to turn it off. I'm here on a brand trip, but before this, I was in LA for a memorial. Some heavy stuff has been on my mind: the sudden loss of loved ones, the meaning of life, and what's truly important. Spoiler: It's not meeting work deadlines. I'm also grappling with our existence, the supernatural, and what's out there after our brains clock out. There's even a spooky story about a kid seeing a deceased 'Uncle Jack'. Major existential vibes. Oh, and plot twist: this will be my last solo podcast episode for a bit. I'm launching a fantastic newsletter called Brutal Banter, so find me there for all the inspo and skincare deets. Exciting stuff, right? Catch you on the flip side!

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Jenny Yang has tried to save the world in many ways, but for now, she's saving us all with a little bit of humor. Named as one of Variety's top 10 comics to watch. Jenny talks about her transition from her slam poetry days and a high-stress career in politics to comedy. She shares how her upbringing as an Asian American immigrant shaped her path and her passion for representation in Hollywood. Jenny opens up about personal struggles during the pandemic, including the loss of her father and coping with mental health. We also dive into her love story with her fiancé, how they met on a dating app during the pandemic, and what he said to her after she mixed up her dad's grave with a stranger's.

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I'm scared of K-12 kids, having kids, and having kids who might get bullied. Unpacking all of the above on this week's solo episode after an encounter with Girl Scouts selling cookies and why I think I'd be capable of murder (under the right circumstances! It's a joke - don't come after me FBI!). I tackle listener voicemails about toxic friendships (not all friends are forever) and family dramas. Stick around for my reflections on death and celebrating life, and why flying back to LA for a family event made me rethink the grind.

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On this week's episode, podcaster and wellness coach Ashley Lemieux opens up about the heartbreaking loss of her unborn son to sepsis in 2020 and how she turned her grief into a mission to help others. Ashley talks about her hit podcast 'Healing Her,' her social media channels, and her bestselling books, all aimed at supporting people navigating some of the most heartbreaking moments of their lives. She also shares personal stories about her faith journey, body positivity, and how her relationship with her husband changed as they navigated losing a child together.

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We're talking DIY pest control, why owning a home is (kind of) a scam (that I willingly participate in and have a love/hate relationship with), and why it's a privilege to be able to try at all, even if you fail. I discuss why we need to make it more socially acceptable for women not to be motivated by some higher "purpose" other than making a living, and I answer a listener's question about what to do when you're tired of dating and don't feel like you're making any progress. Lastly, I rant about getting enough sleep, because it's not a badge of honor to deprive yourself of what your body needs.

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This week, I'm joined by founder and self-proclaimed candle snob, Lindsay Silberman. From her ambitious beginnings as a magazine editor to pivoting into the world of social media influencing and entrepreneurship. Lindsay reflects on her career in the evolving magazine industry and how being hit by a car in 2018 gave her a new lease on life. She takes us through the highs and lows of launching her candle brand, Hotel Lobby Candle, during the pandemic and how she met her husband and business partner in one of the most unexpected places. We dive into her decision not to become a mother (at least for now), freezing embryos, and why these days, Lindsay is more focused on building a business than she is building a family.

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On this week's solo episode, I'd like to remind that you that for every time I thought my life was ending in my twenties, it didn't. And so, if my dramatic ass can recover from every breakup, career failure, and cringeworthy moment I've lived through, so can you. I welcome you into the chaos of my inner world because even your queen biddie can get caught up in what's next versus what is now. I read some juicy secrets from you guys on this week's IG stories (a 51-year-old educator turned luxury escort, anyone?) and tackle your dilemmas—like moving away from family and why becoming a 'failed' singer-songwriter was the best thing that ever happened to me and why maybe your dreams don't have to die, they just need to change.

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On this week's episode, we dive into the life of powerhouse entrepreneur and NYT bestselling author, Loren Ridinger, who shares her story of building a global business empire with Market America and Shop.com alongside her late husband, JR. The conversation explores 'Life After Rejection,' as Lauren recounts their early years, falling for JR despite his initial disinterest, and their shared vision that transformed into a legacy.

Lauren recounts meeting JR at the age of 18, the challenges they faced, how JR's vision of an online shopping future defied skeptics, and how he instilled confidence in her to speak publicly despite her fears. She provides a raw and heartfelt account of the grief process, describing the early days of loss as a foggy and dark period, and also discussing the spiritual signs that have helped her feel JR’s presence after his passing.

Her memoir, 'Scrambled or Sunny Side Up,' details her journey of rediscovery following the sudden and immense loss of JR. Lauren discusses finding strength, navigating grief, and ultimately reinventing herself, offering relatable advice on dating yourself and learning to love yourself first in the face of societal expectations.

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