Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People

This week's caller struck up a friendship with a woman he met online at a low point in his life. He and Gethard have a tough conversation about what happened after the two finally met in person. Listen to Geth this week on Toby Morse's podcast, One Life One Chance. Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod

This week's caller is a self-described "woman of stories" who shares one with Geth about being deeply betrayed by someone she loved. In the proces of telling her story, she gives a masterclass on empathy and compassion. Thanks to everyone who came out to the first Laughing Together show. LaughingTogether.org for more information. Preorder Unreliable Narrator by Aparna Nancherla now. Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod

Geth talks with a caller who found out her stepfather was leading multiple secret lives. Then, she explains how connecting with another family member helped her realize her biological father had some secrets of his own. Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod Laughing Together’s Comedy In the Name of Mental Health, featuring Chris Gethard along with Eddie Pepitone, Christi Chiello, Aparna Nancherla, and Nicole Byer (what a lineup!) will be held on September 7th at the Anaheim Convention Center and is FREE to attend. Visit https://laughingtogether.org for more information and/or to make a donation. If you want to take ownership of your health, try AG1 and get a FREE 1-yearsupply of Vitamin D AND 5 Free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase. Go to drinkAG1.com/BEAUTIFUL. That’s drinkAG1.com/BEAUTIFUL. Check it out. Stop wasting money on things you don’t use. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions – and manage your money the easy way – by going to RocketMoney.com/BEAUTIFUL

Today’s bonus episode was recorded live back in May at Beautiful/Cononymous. Longtime listeners of Beautiful/Anonymous will remember Heidi and her family from the extremely special and emotionally impactful episode, “Love Is Everywhere” (episode 69, you’ll want to go back and listen to that one first if you haven’t yet). During that call, Heidi discussed the realities of navigating her daughter Holly’s cancer diagnosis, the pain and suffering that came along with that diagnosis, and finding joy and love in all of the spaces in between. It’s a call Gethard cites as changing him as an artist and a person, and we know how much the call has meant to so many of our listeners. As part of Beautiful/Cononymous, Heidi joined Gethard on stage to take a series of calls answering the topic “What does, ‘Love Is Everywhere’ mean to you?” It was a beautiful, unique experience. We’re so happy we get to share it with you today. This episode was recorded during the Beautiful/Cononymous waffle brunch, which was a fundraiser for Make-a-Wish Oregon, a foundation that is very important to Heidi and her family. You’ll hear more about that in the episode, but if you’d like to make a donation or learn other ways to contribute, you can do so here: https://wish.org/fundraising.

A graphic designer who moved home and is helping her family run their 90-year-old hoagie shop tells Gethard about winning a national grilled cheese competition and the sandwich that sent her to the hospital, fostering over 30 cats, accidentally breaking into a stranger’s apartment, and her long journey to getting diagnosed with Chronic Lyme, a controversial illness she helps shed some light on. Then, she and Geth trade taco recommendations. Laughing Together’s Comedy In the Name of Mental Health, featuring Chris Gethard along with Eddie Pepitone, Christi Chiello, Aparna Nancherla, and Nicole Byer (what a lineup!) will be held on September 7th at the Anaheim Convention Center and is FREE to attend. Visit https://laughingtogether.org for more information and/or to make a donation. To match with a licensed therapist today, go to talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL to get $80 off of your first month and show your support for the show. That’s talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL. Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod.

This week’s caller keeps Geth on his toes with a real roller coaster of a conversation. It starts out with a pretty intense story and some frank talk about mental health and suicide, and then it goes off in about ten other strange and beautiful directions that include travels in Boston and Philly, picking up embroidery during the pandemic, and rip-sticking around New York City. And that’s not even half of what Gethard and our caller talk about this week. Laughing Together’s Comedy In the Name of Mental Health, featuring Chris Gethard along with Eddie Pepitone, Christi Chiello, Aparna Nancherla, and Nicole Byer (what a lineup!) will be held on September 7th at the Anaheim Convention Center and is FREE to attend. Visit https://laughingtogether.org for more information and/or to make a donation. If you want to take ownership of your health, try AG1 and get a FREE 1-yearsupply of Vitamin D AND 5 Free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase. Go to drinkAG1.com/BEAUTIFUL. Check it out. Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod.

An archaeologist shares memories of drinking champagne at a dig site and what’s so exciting about uncovering a two-inch piece of ancient stone tablet. She also discusses the history of colonial looting and the complicated nature of looting today. Then, Gethard and our caller break down what makes Indiana Jones–the most famous archaeologist–so bad at his job. In this week’s introduction, Gethard recommends the Uncanny X-Men-focused podcast, CEREBRO. To match with a licensed therapist today, go to Talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL to ​get $80 off of your first month​ and show your support for the show.

An Alaskan pilot describes what it’s like living with an airplane runway in your front yard and then recounts an incredibly eventful year, which included surviving a bear attack AND a plane crash. Yes, a bear attack AND a plane crash. In the same year. Geth also shares the details that led to this new era of Beautiful/Anonymous and lets everyone in on some of the exciting stuff we've got in store for you.

A cat enthusiast tells Geth about his descent into madness early pandemic when he tried to build the perfect mattress. He also introduces Chris to the online community of mattress reviews, describes his time living in a monastery, and shares a story about when his uncle "melted."

A lawyer details tearing his meniscus during sex and how it changed his perspective on aging. He also explains why the first call he made after the incident was to his mother. Later on, he opens up to Geth about trying to be a good person, splitting his time between corporate law and working with individual people.

A woman speaks with Geth about the physical and emotional toll of starting IVF (In vitro fertilization) at 41. She discusses stigma around IVF, the exorbitant cost, and experiencing "genetic grief" using an egg donor. She also opens up about how she was treated by doctors as a plus size woman ahead of her treatments.

A woman describes the complicated feelings she had growing up with a brother, losing him to suicide, and finally meeting her long lost older brother at age 51. She also shares with Geth how her mom reacted to the news and what it feels like to have a whole new family.

A woman explains why she fled home and her husband of 20 years to live in a small Mexican town. She describes how leaving for 5 months actually helped their marriage. Later on, a man from the live Beaut/Con audience joins onstage to discuss his experience being on the other side of "taking a break" from a relationship, along with some other surprise guests.

A semi-retired nurse speaks with Geth about the Joni Mitchell concert she recently attended that was so beautiful, it made her cry. She describes other unforgettable performances she's seen over the years including The Grateful Dead, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. She also opens up about her time doing hospice care for patients during the AIDS crisis, trying to be a better partner, and remaining “cool” past a certain age.

A Canadian Furry shares truths and misconceptions about his community. He opens up about meeting his husband on the "Bark" app and explains how being a Furry helped him cope with Borderline Personality Disorder. He and Geth also get into the specifics of how Furries have sex.

A dogwalker from Nova Scotia speaks with Chris about being forced to evacuate due to out-of-control wildfires. She describes how quickly the fires grew and the pain of seeing people in her community lose their homes and in some cases, their pets. Later on, she opens up about what she learned from the 'Love is Everywhere' call.

A former wedding planner tells the insane story of a murder that happened right before the ceremony. She also discusses runaway grooms and navigating feuding parents with a restraining order. Later on, she reveals a surprise connection to a previous caller which leads to a shocking confrontation at the live Beautiful/CONonymous recording in Brooklyn.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, Geth speaks with a 67-year-old psychologist about combating loneliness post 2020. She discusses working with clients aged 6 to 86 and the effects of the pandemic on teachers and students. She also reflects on what it was like seeing Chris’ Off-Broadway play the day after Trump got elected.

A high school senior speaks with Geth about going through the pandemic as a teenager. She discusses her fear of being in a school shooting and how disconnected she feels her generation is because of screens. She explains why she turned down UCLA and is instead pursuing a career in gymnastics. She also opens up about her mom's passing, feeling like an old soul as a result, and looking forward to a fresh start next year.

A truck driver describes his wild past as a bass guitar player in a band. He discusses crazy near-death experiences including a moped accident that led to many broken bones and meeting his future wife. He also opens up to Geth about leaving the music scene when his son was born and how he felt when he found out his daughter tried pot.