Best How I Embraced The Suck Podcasts (2024)

1
Trusting Your Timeline, Avoiding Situationships & Obsessing Over Crushes with Emily Bonani 57:27

8h ago57:27

57:27

Emily Bonani joins us for a hilarious and honest conversation about avoiding situationships, balancing dating while focusing on herself, and what it's like dating at the same time as her mom. We answer listener questions about not obsessing over relationships, how to not seek validation, and more. Follow Emily on Instagram and Tiktok @bananabonani …

1
"How I Became Securely Attached" 51:18

4h ago51:18

51:18

I'm joined by Lok, a 37 year old male living in Boston, Massachusetts. Lok joins the podcast to share his experience going from a disorganized attachment style to secrely attached. He opens up about how at times he felt overly anxious and other times feeling overly avoidant, and what steps he took to work on himself and get to a place where he's co…

1
Taking Back Your Life After The Breakup 1:10:31

2d ago1:10:31

1:10:31

My friend (and a woman I have looked up to for a literal decade) Kelley Fox joins us for an inspiring conversation on dealing with burnout, overcoming heartbreak, and navigating breakups. She shares her journey of being true to herself, offering insights on dating English men and her personal evolution from being anxiously attached to securely atta…

1
"1000 Invisible Strings" 50:53

7d ago50:53

50:53

In this episode, our guest shares a joyful dating journey with her boyfriend that made her believe in the invisible string theory. They recount how growing up in neighboring towns on Long Island and sharing many mutual connections led to their eventual meeting on Hinge in January 2022. Despite numerous past connections, including appearing in the s…

1
How to Meet Someone IRL with Liv Schreiber 1:02:43

15d ago1:02:43

1:02:43

Liv Schreiber, Founder of Hot and Social, joins us for an inspiring conversation on embracing authenticity and living unapologetically. She shares her journey of being true to herself, offering insights on confidently approaching someone in person and recounting the serendipitous moment of meeting her now-boyfriend in an elevator. She discusses str…

1
Pod Swap with Family Twist 1:17:07

9d ago1:17:07

1:17:07

Corey Stulce from the Family Twist podcast hosts a special "pod swap" episode of the Forty Drinks podcast with guest Jordan Elizabeth Braxton. In this engaging conversation, Jordan shares the intimate and powerful story of her transition journey. From her early realizations and the challenges faced within a religious family to the life-changing mom…

1
"My Transcontinental Movie-Worthy Romance" 41:58

14d ago41:58

41:58

In this episode, I'm joined by a woman who shares her experience of a transformative long-distance relationship spanning continents between Sweden and the US. She opens up about how they met and started their relationship, the challenges and joys of maintaining a connection across such distances, their journey over three years, and how the relation…

1
“I Got Cheated On By A Homeless Man” 1:02:53

17d ago1:02:53

1:02:53

My friend and fitness instructor extraordinaire, Jill Goodtree, joins the pod today to open up about her multiple experiences getting cheated on and how she bounced back from each of them. Jill shares how she has created a life that she loves and how she would have to meet someone who really adds to her already filled cup in order to move forward w…

1
Turning 40 and Changing the Things that Muck with Your Mental Health 1:07:50

16d ago1:07:50

1:07:50

In this week’s episode of Forty Drinks, Stephanie talks with Erik DeRosa about his profound midlife transition and struggle with mental health. Erik grew up with severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, masking it under a facade for 25 years while pursuing a high-pressure career on Wall Street. At age 33, a dissociative episode forced him …

1
"All I Wanted Was To Be Wanted" 58:39

26d ago58:39

58:39

TW: Sexual assault I'm joined by Rafaella, a 23-year-old who opens up about entering a relationship during a phase of her life where she felt like she wasn't enough for someone to want to be with her. We hear how her insecurities led to unhealthy relationship patterns unfolding, including her being manipulated and emotionally and physically abused.…

1
Turning 40 and Embracing the Bare Minimum 1:09:46

24d ago1:09:46

1:09:46

In today’s episode, Jeff Glauser shares his transformative journey from feeling stuck and unfulfilled in his mid-thirties to finding purpose and stability in his forties. Coming from a background in sports journalism, Jeff struggled with imposter syndrome and missed opportunities. Faced with financial hardships and personal setbacks, including a ba…

1
How To Improve Your Relationship With Yourself 45:11

24d ago45:11

45:11

Marianna Cuomo Maier, Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and Founder of Grata Wellness, is here to help us learn how to thrive, not just survive. We discuss how we're all operating on autopilot and why it's so important to figure out what we want our lives to feel and look like. We chat about little changes we can make in our daily lives to …

1
Turning 40, Conquering Cancer and Planting Roots 55:34

29d ago55:34

55:34

In this episode of the Forty Drinks Podcast, Gregory Halpen discusses his transformative journey from a tumultuous youth to finding stability and purpose in midlife. Gregory shares his struggles with substance misuse, the allure and challenges of life in New York City, and a life-altering battle with cancer at age 46, which led him to reevaluate hi…

1
"Embracing My Values While Dating" 51:18

1M ago51:18

51:18

In this episode, I'm joined by Anna, a 28-year-old living in Calgary, Alberta. She dives into her journey of self-discovery and the challenges she's faced along the way. From dealing with breakups to navigating the dating scene with caution and staying true to her values. We also explore her experiences grappling with confusion around sexuality and…

1
WE'RE MARRIED!! 1:13:22

1M ago1:13:22

1:13:22

I'M MARRIED!! Today, my husband Jake joins me to recap our wedding weekend—from the nerves and hiccups to the sweetest moments and tears of joy. We spill all the tea about our rehearsal dinner speeches, the heartfelt moments from our ceremony, the joyous celebrations at our reception, and the epic after-party that kept the festivities going. Plus, …

1
Turning 40 and Waking From the Fairy Tale 1:03:56

1M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

When she was 31, Laura Ballet met a man 11 years her junior that she would spend the next decade with. He acted mature for his age and she acted a little young, so they met in the middle on many things. The relationship was mostly wonderful, but she put blinders on to avoid the things she felt were missing. However, once she started asking herself …

1
“My Family Was So Messed Up, I Thought I’d Never Find My Person” 47:28

1M ago47:28

47:28

I'm joined by Danielle, a 31-year-old woman living in LA, who opens up about the trauma she went through due to her alcoholic father. She shares how she believed nobody would want to be with her because of what her family was like, and as a result, she closed herself off to finding love. We hear how she moved to Los Angeles to get a fresh start and…

1
10 Things I Wish I Could Tell My Single Self 58:55

1M ago58:55

58:55

On this solo episode, I open up about what I wish I could tell my younger, single, struggling self. I share insight from my experiences as a dater, dating coach, friend, and fiancé. We discuss knowing your worth, not letting someone’s disinterest impact how you view yourself, mindsets to approach dating with, future tripping, fixing people, and so …

1
Can Guys and Girls Be "Just Friends?" 54:54

2M ago54:54

54:54

My friends Sammy and Glenn met as coworkers and became close “friends with nonsexual benefits.” Sammy and Glenn share how they’ve helped each other naviate dating situations by providing the perspective of the opposite gender, talking one another off the ledge when they’re spiraling, and hyping each other up IRL. We hear how they’ve grown as daters…

1
How We Knew They Were "The One" 52:37

2M ago52:37

52:37

Jen Lauren is back on the pod and this time, she’s engaged. We’re commiserating about wedding planning, discussing how to set and maintain boundaries, and appreciating the little things about our relationships. We answer your questions about how we know our fiancés were the one, how we balance(d) our side jobs with our full time jobs, and how we re…

1
Turning 40 and Kicking the Soul Sucking Job to the Curb 1:00:43

2M ago1:00:43

1:00:43

As a former "fat kid," Lauren Herskovic had deep seated insecurities that led her to choose professional roles that didn’t give her what she needed because she didn’t think she deserved it. She spent seven years as the COO of a startup where the founders made her feel like she was good at her job and dangled the carrot of the “big payoff,” but it c…

1
"We Met & Broke Up At Work" 44:29

2M ago44:29

44:29

I’m joined by a 30 year old woman who opens up about spending a year and a half in a tumultuous on again, off again situationship with someone she met at work. She shares how things went from being blissful to confusing overnight, and how she never knew which version of him she would get when she would walk into work or spend time with him. We hear…

1
What Working With Couples Before Their Wedding Is Really Like 53:45

2M ago53:45

53:45

Maya Sank (AKA Maya Moves AKA wedding dance instructor extraordinaire) joins the podcast today to share her experiences working with couples before they walk down the aisle. We hear what dynamics Maya sees among her clients, what it’s like working with bridezillas and groomzillas, and what qualities she sees amongst couples she admires. We hear how…

1
"BRCA Means Planning Your Whole Future at 26" 43:01

2M ago43:01

43:01

Emily Kellman (27) opens up about how finding out that she is a BRCA1 gene mutation carrier has impacted her life. She shares what the testing process was like and how she felt when she “tested positive.” We hear how she, her family, and her doctors worked together to determine the best path forward, and what her fears and anxieties have been like …

1
Turning 40 and Ditching the Lying, Cheating Narcissist 53:37

2M ago53:37

53:37

As Ginny Priem approached 40, she was focused on her career and enjoying the life she had built for herself. Then she met “Chad,” who worked his way into her heart and home with his two kids. A year later she met a friend who presented her with evidence that “Chad” had been seeing someone else the whole time. One of the alleged instances occurred w…

1
Carley Fortune: Female Friendships, Right Person Wrong time, and Happy Endings 48:31

2M ago48:31

48:31

To celebrate the release of her new novel, “This Summer Will Be Different,” my favorite author Carley Fortune joins the podcast today! Carley and I chat about what we’ve learned about love and relationships from the characters and love stories in her three novels. We discuss how her childhood experiences shaped the characters and settings in her bo…

1
“He’s Marrying (One Of) The Girls He Cheated On Me With” 52:00

2M ago52:00

52:00

I'm joined by a woman who opens up about how her nine-year relationship with her high school boyfriend that was filled with infidelity and emotional abuse finally came to an end. She shares how she held onto the idea of what the person she wanted him to be vs the person he was, along with how she became stronger because of what she went through. We…

1
Turning 40 and Peeling Back the Layers of the Onion 1:09:49

2M ago1:09:49

1:09:49

Sara Letorneau is a writer, editor, poet and writing coach who will turn 40 later this year. She grew up in a “normal” happy family in a working class suburb in Massachusetts where she was taught that the traditional life milestones would make her “happy:” go to college, get a job, find a boyfriend, get married and have kids. But we all know that i…

1
Some Insight 1:36:41

2M ago1:36:41

1:36:41

How would you get internet and a gaming computer in Afghanistan? Exactly how many mortar attacks could you handle? And how can weightlifting or WoW be addictions? If you enjoyed the show, tell a friend. Art by BR at https://theanarch.substack.com/people/39110541-br-bobby-robber Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mojo/rebe…

1
Stop Trying To Find "The One" with Jennifer Teplin, LCSW 54:01

2M ago54:01

54:01

I’m joined by Jennifer Teplin, LCSW and founder of Manhattan Wellness, joins the show to talk about how we can own that your 20s might not be the best time of your life, and that’s okay. We discuss the idea of who we thought we would be vs who we are, how to embrace where we’re at, and why you should never compare yourself to anyone else’s timeline…

1
"9 Ways My Dating Mindset Has Changed" 45:54

3M ago45:54

45:54

I’m joined by a 25-year-old listener who is wise beyond her years. She shares the various ways her dating mindset has changed over the past year (which she documents in a note on her phone). I don’t want to spoil them, but if you listen to one thing this week, let it be this episode! Disrupt your anxious spirals with Presently Mindfulness Bracelets…

1
Learning To Love Yourself (Or Like Yourself) with Kayla Kleinman 48:56

3M ago48:56

48:56

Kayla Kleinman, book lover, introvert, and realistic wellness content creator joins the SOP family today. Kayla and I chat about learning to be unapologetically yourself, the difference between being alone and being lonely, and how to differentiate your feelings vs. your anxiety. We chat living alone, enjoying your own company, saying no to plans y…

1
Turning 40 and Leaving the Bureaucracy for Science Fiction 40:44

3M ago40:44

40:44

David Hankins spent 20 years in the Army working in logistics. He retired at 42 and had to figure out what his next act was going to be. There would be stability to support his family, but he would also chase his dream of becoming a professional writer. Despite David’s midlife transition looking pretty smooth, there has been a lot of uncertainty. I…

1
“Being Single Has Been Life’s Most Unexpected Gift" 53:08

3M ago53:08

53:08

My friend Emily joins the podcast today to open up about taking a leap of faith and moving across the country. She shares the mindset that she had that allowed her to meet other people, say yes to everything, and create the life she wanted for herself. We discuss dating in NY vs LA, comparing yourself to your younger siblings, and making new friend…

1
Turning 40 and Going from the Streets to Safety to Shock and Awe 1:07:17

3M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

Allison Doss has a multi-faceted midlife transition that took her through several harrowing phases. She moved to the “big city” after high school and was quickly recruited to become a stripper. She went from stripper to high-priced escort to homeless and drug addicted, prostituting to pay for her fix. At 40 she got into recovery but quickly replace…

1
How To Manifest Your Future Partner 48:56

3M ago48:56

48:56

I’m joined by Carleigh Ferrante, writer and host of the dating and wellness podcast Mostly Balanced. Carleigh and I chat about how she went from being avoidant and fiercely independent to manifesting her now-boyfriend of over a year. We discuss how she maintained her independence in her relationship, why it’s important to look within when consideri…

1
"He Wasn’t Capable of Loving Me" 52:22

3M ago52:22

52:22

On this Unfiltered, I’m joined by a woman who opens up about the year long relationship she was in where her boyfriend was unable to love her due to trauma from past relationships. She shares how he continuously told her he wanted to get there, how she remained patient, and how it became an elephant in the room and often prevented her from expressi…

1
Punch Bowl 2:33:11

3M ago2:33:11

2:33:11

A-10 targeting systems, HVAC, and dealing with loss. If you enjoyed the show, tell a friend. Art by BR at https://theanarch.substack.com/people/39110541-br-bobby-robber Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mojo/rebel License code: C3CYLO5HTJZCPBEY 19MEB6ts5LWSgBLQJDGZadGK28tJTMTGu9…

1
Getting Real About My Insecurities with My Brother Andrew 1:02:36

3M ago1:02:36

1:02:36

My oldest brother Andrew interviews me about my journey with Seeing Other People over the last few years. I open up about the imposter syndrome I've faced, my biggest challenges with my role, and what I fear people finding out about me. We discuss how I decided what parts of my life to reveal on the podcast, how I've grown from it over the years, a…

1
Turning 40 and Embracing Intimacy Over Sex 42:48

3M ago42:48

42:48

Karl Beckstrand was exposed to gay sex at age 8 by a male peer. Because of that experience at such a tender age, Karl developed a dysfunctional relationship with sex. He became hypersexual from that first encounter at age 8 until he was about 40, at which point he went to the other extreme and became a recluse for a decade. Here, he tells the story…

1
How to Not Lose Yourself In Your Relationship 52:33

3M ago52:33

52:33

Ava Nouri, RD and host of the Loving Wellness podcast, joins us to discuss how to approach dating and relationships in a more loving and intentional way. Ava shares how relationships should be a vehicle for self-discovery and how we can stay in gratitude in our relationships and not take our partner for granted. We hear how Ava and her partner succ…

1
Why You Should Stop Over-Romanticizing with Minaa B, LCSW 57:15

3M ago57:15

57:15

Minaa B, LCSW and author of Owning Our Struggles joins the show to share her expertise on healing and embracing our past experiences. We hear how everyone has something they can heal from and the accessible ways anyone can begin their healing journey. Minaa explains how we often contribute to our own suffering in dating by over romanticizing, and s…

1
Turning 40 and Saying Yes for a Year 50:21

3M ago50:21

50:21

Joe Scales approached 40 wondering why he wasn’t happier. He had a job that paid well, two incredible kids and he had been married for 20 years. He wondered why he didn’t have “it” all figured out yet (when it seemed like everyone else did), which led him to questioning many of his decisions along the way. He realized that the problem was himself a…

1
From Hopelessly Single to Happily In Love 54:01

3M ago54:01

54:01

Nearly 8 months after coming on the podcast to commiserate about being in a dating drought, Erica Shea is back on to share how she found her person and has built a happy and healthy relationship. Erica shares what changed for her in her dating life and mindset leading up to meeting him, their romcom-worthy meet-cute, and how going slow allowed her …

1
The Red Flags I Repeatedly Ignored 57:14

4M ago57:14

57:14

I'm joined by Brianna McCabe, author of "The Red Flags I Repeatedly Ignored" to discuss why it's so important to consider our role in the things that happen to us. We chat about how our self-worth, friendships, and alcohol consumption all relate to the dating and relationship experiences we have, and why it's incredibly important to look within at …

1
Turning 40 and Transitioning From Warrior to Civilian 47:46

4M ago47:46

47:46

John Lawyer spent more than a decade as a warrior in the Middle East and, upon his return to civilian life in the United States, struggled with his identity and how to engage with the world. He went from someone who was “important” in the desert - someone who directed where troops and airplanes went - to being just another person living in what he …

1
I Moved Abroad and Found Myself (& Found Love) 50:14

4M ago50:14

50:14

I'm joined by my childhood friend Jordan who made a sudden move from New York to Amsterdam, four years ago. Jordan shares why she took the risk to move to a new country, how her family and friends reacted to the news, and what it was like picking up and starting a new life in a new place. Jordan opens up about how she approached making friends, est…

1
How To Accept The Timeline You're On 53:55

4M ago53:55

53:55

Emma Wilson, Life Coach and host of the Turning 30 Podcast, joins the show today! Emma and I discuss how to navigate feeling like you’re falling behind. We about the pressure we’ve felt at different phases of our lives to have it all figured out and get to that next stage, and why it’s so much better to wait for the right person rather than saying …

1
Transition vs. Change: Navigating the Midlife Transition 30:15

4M ago30:15

30:15

Welcome to Season 5 of the Forty Drinks Podcast. I’m kicking off the season with an exploration of transition versus change, which are entirely different things according to William Bridges, PhD in his best-selling book, Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes. Transition vs. Change: Navigating the Midlife Transition Stephanie McLaughlin kicks …

1
“Overcoming My Body Image & Self Worth Insecurities” 1:07:01

4M ago1:07:01

1:07:01

TW: This episode may be triggering to those with sensitivities around eating disorders and body image. My friend Elana Rubin joins the show today to open up about how her struggle with disordered eating and body image has impacted her self-confidence, relationships, and dating life. She shares how a conversation with a boy when she was fourteen cha…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

How I Embraced The Suck Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide