Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People-logo

Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People

Earwolf

1 phone call. 1 hour. No names. No holds barred. Thats the premise behind Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People, hosted by comedian Chris Gethard (the Chris Gethard Show, Broad City, This American Life, and one of Time Outs 10 best comedians of 2015). Every week, Chris opens the phone line to one anonymous caller, and he cant hang up first, no matter what. From shocking confessions and family secrets to philosophical discussions and shameless self-promotion, anything can and will happen! Theme song by Shellshag.

Location:

United States

Networks:

Earwolf

Description:

1 phone call. 1 hour. No names. No holds barred. Thats the premise behind Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People, hosted by comedian Chris Gethard (the Chris Gethard Show, Broad City, This American Life, and one of Time Outs 10 best comedians of 2015). Every week, Chris opens the phone line to one anonymous caller, and he cant hang up first, no matter what. From shocking confessions and family secrets to philosophical discussions and shameless self-promotion, anything can and will happen! Theme song by Shellshag.

Language:

English


Episodes

Niagara Falls

12/5/2023
Calling with a six month old baby asleep in her arms, this week’s caller is the ultimate multitasker. She and Gethard talk about comedy, children’s theater, grad school, switching careers while raising a newborn, and so much more, including the funny connection Geth has to her child’s birth. Get $80 off your first month at Talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL Please visit www.cheekymaidensoap.com and use code BEAUTIFUL15 for 15% off your next order. Visit AuraFrames.com today and get 30 dollars off their best-selling frames with the code BEAUTIFUL. These frames sell out quickly though, so get yours before they’re gone! Terms and conditions apply. Head to FACTORMEALS.com/beautiful50 and use code beautiful50 to get 50% off. To learn more about Laughing Together, head to laughingtogether.org Listen to Gethard’s newest special, A Father and the Sun Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week’s caller.

Duration:01:23:51

Introducing ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show

12/4/2023
Cuddly as a cactus and charming as an eel, he’s your new favorite snarky talk show host. Join The Grinch (and his faithful dog Max) each week as he rants against Christmas cheer and roasts celebrity guests like chestnuts on an open fire. Starring Saturday Night Live’s James Austin Johnson as the notorious curmudgeon and broadcasting straight from Who-Ville, will The Grinch send these famous folks back down Mt. Crumpit, or will they soften his stance against Christmas and grow his heart three sizes? Grab your hot cocoa and cozy slippers and listen along to find out! Listen to ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show: Wondery.fm/Grinch_BSFAP

Duration:00:05:37

You're Not the Rizzler Anymore (Episode 400)

11/28/2023
For this, the 400th episode of Beautiful Anonymous, Gethard talks with a Gen Z law student who's getting ready to pick up her aunt, an 80 year old nun, so they can head home for the holidays. She catches him up on new slang, breaks down the specific horrors particular to each dating app, and then Geth puts her in the hot seat to help him understand exactly when he stopped being cool. We're also SO excited to finally announce that Beautiful/Anonymous+ is here, and you can sign up right now and beautifulanonymous.com At the "Rotary" tier, for five bucks a month, you get five random questions with the caller so you get to know them better. At the ten dollar a month "Touch Tone" tier, you get the extended episode, plus a monthly five question episode with a classic caller from the show's past AND once a month we put out a phone number just for people subscribing at this level. There's also a "Cellular Technology" tier which is a pay what you want level for people who have disposable income and want to show a little extra support for our show. You get everything at the "Touch Tone" tier, plus a letter of thanks written by Geth and mailed to you. Thank you for using some of your independent wealth to help support our show! If you sign up right now, you'll find the extra five questions for this episode, which include one of the best worst dating stories you'll ever hear, plus episodes rounding up all of the 5 Questions segments we've recorded with callers over the past few months, AND our first past caller follow up with listener favorite, "Selling Sex Toys in Vegas." There's plent to dive into, and we're going to keep it coming. Help your family share their story this holiday season with StoryWorth. Go to StoryWorth.com/beautiful today and save $10 on your first purchase! To get 15% off your next gift, go to UNCOMMONGOODS.com/BEAUTIFUL. Please visit www.cheekymaidensoap.com and use code BEAUTIFUL15 for 15% off your next order. To learn more about Laughing Together, head to laughingtogether.org Listen to Gethard’s newest special, A Father and the Sun Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content!

Duration:01:44:18

Left the Jehovah's Witnesses for Satanism

11/21/2023
This week's caller is a Buddhist by way of Satanism by way of the Jehovah's Witnesses. These days, he's a mindfulness teacher, but the road there was long and eventful. He tells Gethard about leaving the faith he was raised in and finding sex, drugs, and serial killers along the way. Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sensitive topics, including explicit conversations about sex, drug use, and correspondences with a serial killer in prison. Visit AuraFrames.com today and get 30 dollars off their best-selling frames with the code BEAUTIFUL. These frames sell out quickly though, so get yours before they’re gone! Terms and conditions apply. To get 15% off your next gift, go to UNCOMMONGOODS.com/BEAUTIFUL. Don’t miss out on this limited time offer! Uncommon Goods. We’re all out of the ordinary. Please visit www.cheekymaidensoap.com and use code MINDFUL15 for 15% off your next order. 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. To learn more about Laughing Together, head to laughingtogether.org Listen to Gethard’s newest special, A Father and the Sun Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod

Duration:01:33:35

Never, Always, Should (F*** Jerry Lewis)

11/14/2023
This week’s caller and Gethard have a lot in common. Two North Jersey guys with ties to the local music scene, who work hard to make their art, and have complicated feelings about how they define failure and success. They talk about all of this, plus the caller’s decision to retire as an artist now that he’s about to have a kid, and how all of this affects and is affected by moving through the world as an amputee with cerebral palsy. Join Füm in accelerating humanity's breakup from destructive habits by picking up the Journey Pack today. Head to TryFum.com and use code BEAUTIFUL to save 10% off when you get the Journey pack today. Helix is offering 25% off all mattress orders AND two free pillows for our listeners in honor of Black Friday! Go to HelixSleep.com/BEAUTIFUL and use code HELIXPARTNER25. This is their best offer yet and it won’t last long! With Helix, better sleep starts now. To get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com/beautiful. Don’t miss out on this limited time offer! Uncommon Goods. We’re all out of the ordinary. To learn more about Laughing Together, head to laughingtogether.org Listen to Gethard’s newest special, A Father and the Sun Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod

Duration:01:27:01

Gave My Dad a Kidney

11/7/2023
This caller gave her dad a kidney just a few weeks ago. She called in to talk with Gethard about the importance of living donation, but this conversation ended up being about so much more: overwhelming loss, unbelievable resilience, and why sometimes you just have to laugh so you don’t lose it. If you’re interested in learning more about living donation, here’s a place to start: organdonor.gov As a listener of this podcast, you’ll get $80 off of your first month with Talkspace when you go to Talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL. Head to FACTORMEALS.com/beautiful50 and use code beautiful50 to get 50% off. This podcast is sponsored by Nutrisense. Visit Nutrisense.com/beautiful and use code beautiful to save $30 off your first month plus get a month of board certified nutritionist support. To learn more about Laughing Together, head to laughingtogether.org Listen to Gethard’s newest special, A Father and the Sun Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod

Duration:01:21:06

Bought a Mardi Gras Float

10/31/2023
This week’s caller is a PhD student with a connective tissue disorder who owns a Mardi Gras float. And that barely scratches the surface of what she and Gethard talk about. From first tattoos, to quirky parents, to defining what constitutes partying to this caller, she and Geth pack a lot into this hour long conversation. To learn more about Laughing Together and the workshops it provides, head to laughingtogether.org Listen to Gethard’s newest special, A Father and the Sun Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod

Duration:01:26:45

Moved to an Island on a Whim

10/24/2023
Thirty-eight weeks pregnant and living on a mysterious (to Geth) island off the west coast of the United States, this week's caller talks to Gethard about packing up her life and moving from the mainland, taking a ferry to Starbucks, and why it's sometimes easier to connect with animals than children. Listen to Gethard’s newest special, A Father and the Sun Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod

Duration:01:13:16

Introducing What It’s Like to Be…

10/18/2023
Sharing something special from our friend Dan Heath, NYT bestselling author and host of the new podcast What It’s Like To Be... The show explores the world of work by interviewing interesting people with interesting jobs. You’ll be a fly on the wall as Dan talks to couples therapist Laura Heck: How can she spot a bad client before they walk in the door? What’s her favorite activity to try with struggling couples? You’ll hear what it’s like to walk in her shoes… You can hear more episodes of What It’s Like to Be… at https://link.chtbl.com/beautifulanon and get insights on Instagram at @whatitsliketobepodcast.

Duration:00:30:16

Ship Builders on Adderall

10/17/2023
It's this visual artist's first day taking Adderall for ADHD. He talks to Gethard about the experience, about making art, about art making you uncomfortable, and why it's okay if your art doesn't always resonate with everyone. Plus, Gethard shares something he heard Henry Rollins say that affected how he's thought about his own art ever since. Listen to Gethard’s newest special, A Father and the Sun. Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod

Duration:01:18:29

Ex-Belly Dancer

10/10/2023
An ex-belly dancer waiting for her cat sitter to show up opens this call by telling Gethard about participating in whimsical hobbies on the Jersey shore. Then, she breaks down the social justice issues inherent in her former profession and the part those issues played in her recent transition into a new phase of life. 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. Join Füm in accelerating humanity's breakup from destructive habits by picking up the Journey Pack today. Head to TryFum.com and use code BEAUTIFUL to save 10% off when you get the Journey pack today. Listen to Gethard’s new special, A Father and the Sun. Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod

Duration:01:18:48

A Real Life Dog Pile

10/3/2023
An LA punk tells Gethard how his life changed in some really hard–but also some really beautiful–ways when his mom got sick. While taking Geth along on his day job as a dog walker, he describes how he’s applying what he learned then to his life now. Visit Nutrisense.com/BEAUTIFUL and use code BEAUTIFUL to start decoding your body's messages, and pave the way for a healthier life! Be sure to tell them you learned about Nutrisense on the Beautiful Anonymous podcast That’s Nutrisense.com/BEAUTIFUL to save $30 off your first month plus get a month of board certified nutritionist support. Listen to Gethard’s new special, A Father and the Sun. Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod

Duration:01:15:20

Mom With a Second on the Way

9/26/2023
This week’s caller just found out she’s pregnant with her second child. She and Gethard commiserate over the joys of parenting– like when your kid uses you as a human napkin. She also tells him about the worst member of her wedding party, and the two share their mutual love for what might be the best children’s show, ever. 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. If you want to take ownership of your health, try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 Free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase. Go to drinkAG1.com/BEAUTIFUL. As a listener of this podcast, you’ll get $80 off your first month with Talkspace when you go to Talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL. Visit Nutrisense.com/BEAUTIFUL and use code BEAUTIFUL to start decoding your body's messages, and pave the way for a healthier life! Be sure to tell them you learned about Nutrisense on the Beautiful Anonymous podcast That’s Nutrisense.com/BEAUTIFUL to save $30 off your first month plus get a month of board certified nutritionist support. Listen to Gethard’s new special, A Father and the Sun. Check out New Jersey Is the World. Keep up with Gethard's tour dates at chrisgeth.com Learn more about the work Geth’s doing with Laughing Together. Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod

Duration:01:29:31

Secret Internet Relationship

9/19/2023
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

Duration:01:27:23

Betrayed By My First Love

9/12/2023
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

Duration:01:23:02

Two Bad Dads

9/5/2023
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

Duration:01:25:45

The "Love Is Everywhere" Waffle Brunch (live from Beautiful/Cononymous)

9/1/2023
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.

Duration:01:11:50

Hoagies, Cats, and Lyme

8/29/2023
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.

Duration:01:19:18

Beautiful Chaos

8/22/2023
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.

Duration:01:21:22

Indiana Jones is a Terrible Archaeologist

8/15/2023
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.

Duration:01:26:37