Podcasts · Society & Culture

Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People

Chris Gethard

300 episodes · Explicit

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.

Episodes page 4 of 6

  1. Calling from a Cruise Ship

    · 1 h 12 min · Episode 413 · Explicit

    Calling from a bathroom on a cruise ship, this caller recounts the series of events that led to her taking someone else's kids on vacation. It's a real lesson on making the best of a tough situation. Tickets for…

  2. Bonus: Gethard on Paul Giamatti's CHINWAG Podcast

    · 8:08 · Bonus

    Happy to bring you all a little preview of Gethard's recent appearance on the great Paul Giamatti's podcast, CHINWAG, recorded live in San Francisco at Sketchfest 2024. Geth joins Paul and his cohost Stephen Asma to…

  3. Single on Valentine's Day

    · 1 h 20 min · Episode 412

    We all know Valentine's Day is bogus, but that doesn't mean it isn't a bummer to spend it alone. This week's caller talks with Geth about dating as a queer man in the digital age and how past trauma makes things even…

  4. Heir to a Kite Store

    · 1 h 22 min · Episode 411

    A puzzle enthusiast calls to talk with Gethard about running her family's kite store. She breaks down the various fart-themed products she keeps behind the counter, tells Geth about the niche world of kite-flying, and…

  5. The Pecking Order Is Real

    · 1 h 23 min · Episode 410

    This week, Gethard talks with someone whose youth was affected by the "troubled teen industry." He and Geth talk about that experience, what it means to be a "troubled teen," and how that time shaped his adult life.…

  6. Bonus: Dad at Peace

    · 12 min · Bonus

    We've got a special bonus excerpt of Gethard's new book for you! In Dad at Peace, Geth opens up about growing up, ditching the ego, and re-evaluating priorities. Read or listen to it for free at everand.com now!

  7. In Search of a City

    · 1 h 18 min · Episode 409

    This empty-nester tells Gethard about the year she and her husband spent driving around the Southwest looking for a new city to call home. She and Geth discuss the ways that traveling throughout the USA can make you a…

  8. Eat a Pickle

    · 1 h 19 min · Episode 408 · Explicit

    This week's caller is dealing with the loss of a friend who died earlier this year. She and Geth talk about processing grief, honoring the people you love, what sobriety means to her, and how it feels to be a poet…

  9. What Would Ian MacKaye Do?

    · 1 h 15 min · Episode 407 · Explicit

    This week's caller wanted to talk with Geth about the punk and hardcore music scenes. Pretty quickly, that subject became a vehicle for a conversation about community, found family, growing up lonely, and finding…

  10. Played Rugby, Changed My Life

    · 1 h 25 min · Episode 406

    A military veteran calls to talk with Gethard about co-parenting with her partner and his ex-wife who she was deployed with years ago. But this call goes in some directions neither she nor Geth expected. They talk…

  11. 2024 New Year's Resolutions

    · 1 h 51 min · Episode 405

    From being more patient, to taking over the family business, to making a killer beef Wellington, we're ringing in the new year–as always–with the traditional New Year's Resolutions episode! Geth talks with dozens of…

  12. Piano Rock Priest

    · 1 h 15 min · Episode 404

    Our second Episcopal priest calls in, but this "professional Christian" has a totally different vibe. She talks about playing in a piano rock band, trying not to flip off other drivers on the road, and all the places…

  13. A Human Breathing

    · 1 h 26 min · Episode 403 · Explicit

    Calling from New Zealand and nursing a hangover, this caller talks with Gethard about her Māori heritage, whether or not she feels compelled to make art with a message, and what the United States really thinks about…

  14. Santería

    · 1 h 34 min · Episode 402

    A novice Santero who recently completed his Year in White calls to talk with Gethard about finding his way to Santería. They discuss some of the many stereotypes that outsiders believe about the religion, the aspects…

  15. Niagara Falls

    · 1 h 24 min · Episode 401 · Explicit

    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…

  16. Introducing 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show

    · 5:37 · Episode 400

    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…

  17. You're Not the Rizzler Anymore (Episode 400)

    · 1 h 44 min · Episode 400

    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…

  18. Left the Jehovah's Witnesses for Satanism

    · 1 h 34 min · Episode 399

    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…

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

    · 1 h 27 min · Episode 398 · Explicit

    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.…

  20. Gave My Dad a Kidney

    · 1 h 21 min · Episode 397 · Explicit

    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,…

  21. Bought a Mardi Gras Float

    · 1 h 27 min · Episode 396

    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…

  22. Moved to an Island on a Whim

    · 1 h 13 min · Episode 395

    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…

  23. Introducing What It's Like to Be…

    · 30 min · Episode 394

    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…

  24. Ship Builders on Adderall

    · 1 h 18 min · Episode 394 · Explicit

    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…

  25. Ex-Belly Dancer

    · 1 h 19 min · Episode 393

    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…

  26. A Real Life Dog Pile

    · 1 h 15 min · Episode 392 · Explicit

    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…

  27. Mom With a Second on the Way

    · 1 h 30 min · Episode 391 · Explicit

    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…

  28. Secret Internet Relationship

    · 1 h 27 min · Episode 390 · Explicit

    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…

  29. Betrayed By My First Love

    · 1 h 23 min · Episode 389 · Explicit

    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…

  30. Two Bad Dads

    · 1 h 26 min · Episode 388

    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…

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

    · 1 h 12 min · Episode 387

    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,…

  32. Hoagies, Cats, and Lyme

    · 1 h 19 min · Episode 386 · Explicit

    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…

  33. Beautiful Chaos

    · 1 h 21 min · Episode 385 · Explicit

    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…

  34. Indiana Jones is a Terrible Archaeologist

    · 1 h 24 min · Episode 384 · Explicit

    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…

  35. I Survived a Bear Attack and Plane Crash in the Same Year

    · 1 h 27 min · Episode 383 · Explicit

    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…

  36. The Mattress Underground (Live from Beaut/Con)

    · 1 h 08 min · Episode 382 · Explicit

    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…

  37. Sex Injury

    · 1 h 02 min · Episode 381 · Explicit

    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…

  38. IVF at 44

    · 50 min · Episode 380 · Explicit

    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.…

  39. Met My Brother At 51

    · 51 min · Episode 379 · Explicit

    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…

  40. Ran Away to Mexico (Live from Beaut/Con)

    · 1 h 03 min · Episode 378 · Explicit

    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…

  41. Old School Hippie

    · 1 h 02 min · Episode 377 · Explicit

    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…

  42. 2 Furries Fall In Love

    · 1 h 02 min · Episode 376 · Explicit

    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…

  43. I Evacuated Because Of The Wildfires

    · 1 h 01 min · Episode 375 · Explicit

    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…

  44. Murder Wedding (Live from Beaut/Con)

    · 1 h 02 min · Episode 374 · Explicit

    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…

  45. Outside the Box Psychologist

    · 1 h 05 min · Episode 373 · Explicit

    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…

  46. American Teenager in 2023

    · 1 h 00 min · Episode 372 · Explicit

    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…

  47. 48-Year-Old Grandpa

    · 1 h 00 min · Episode 371 · Explicit

    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…

  48. Mommy On OnlyFans

    · 1 h 02 min · Episode 370 · Explicit

    A woman opens up about losing her mom to Fentanyl, the dark humor of her deathaversary falling on 4/20, and never doubting their bond despite her issues. She and Geth also unpack why she gets so many requests from…

  49. Adult Baby/Diaper Lover

    · 1 h 11 min · Episode 369 · Explicit

    A man speaks with Geth about having this particular kink from a young age and how his parents reacted when they caught him with diapers. He explains the difference between ABDLs and age regression play and dispels…

  50. Ex-Husband Tried To Kill Me

    · 1 h 02 min · Episode 368 · Explicit

    A mother of 3 speaks with Geth about the best and worst year of her life. She opens up about separating from her toxic ex-husband, becoming a registered nurse, getting Meningitis, and falling in love with a mutual…

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