x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Brutally Anna

Welcome to Brutally Anna — the podcast where we stop pretending we’re fine and start telling the f*cking truth. I’m Anna, a writer, accidental influencer, and self-appointed spokesperson for the women who feel too much, think too hard, and talk to themselves in the shower. This isn’t a self-help podcast. It’s a self-honesty one. Each week, I dive into the mess of being a human — the shame, the silence, the spirals — and say the things we’re all thinking but too afraid to post. From heartbreak to

society & culture

All Episodes

17:47

How to Know When to Quit (And When to Keep Going)

Brutally Anna ·

2025/11/14

This week, I’m closing the chapter on Brutally Anna by talking about mile 20—of the New York City Marathon, yes, but also of life. I ran that race back in 2017, and the thing about a marathon is you always know how far you have left. In life, you don’t. And this year felt like mile 23 for me: mentally brutal, spiritually draining, career-wise confusing, and laced with the kind of disappointment that makes quitting look like relief. But pushing through reminded me that the breakthrough always comes

en

25:20

The Myth of the Soulmate

Brutally Anna ·

2025/11/07

In today’s episode, I’m talking about why I think the word “soulmate” is kind of bullshit—not because love isn’t real, but because we use that word to trap ourselves in relationships that aren’t actually right for us. I share how I once assigned the title “soulmate” to practically every man I dated in my twenties, what finally shifted when I met my husband, and why I now believe the strongest, healthiest relationships aren’t about fate or twin flames or being “meant to be”—they’re about two people

en

22:27

Laziness as a Love Language

Brutally Anna ·

2025/10/31

This week’s episode is about how I think I accidentally found the cure for doom-scrolling: doing nothing—on purpose. Lately I’ve been trying to detach from my phone because I realized that constant productivity and comparison are killing my joy. Somewhere along the way, “rest” got rebranded as “laziness,” especially for women, and I’m done with that. So instead of polishing hardware or checking off my to-do list, I’ve been wandering around HomeGoods, calling it meditation. I talk about how the

en

25:02

Fertility Math Will Make You Crazy

Brutally Anna ·

2025/10/24

In this episode, I talk about what it’s really been like trying to get pregnant after spending my entire twenties doing everything in my power not to. I share how I went from never tracking my period to obsessing over ovulation sticks and smiley faces, and how coming off Zoloft for the first time in years forced me to actually face my hormones head-on. I get into my PMDD, the endless trial-and-error of antidepressants, the small lifestyle changes that finally helped me feel stable again, and the

en

24:28

Stop Needing A Witness For Your LIfe

Brutally Anna ·

2025/10/17

Somewhere along the way, we started believing that if no one saw it, it didn’t happen — that joy requires an audience and meaning needs proof. In this episode, I talk about the psychological cost of living life through a camera roll: how documenting our memories actually weakens them, how performance has replaced presence, and why so many of our “best days” — including my wedding — end up feeling hollow when we live them for others.From weddings to friendships to social media validation, this is

en

25:24

Everybody Wants A Piece of You

Brutally Anna ·

2025/10/10

I’ve ghosted more people this year than any other year of my life — and I don’t feel bad about it. The truth is, when you start building something of your own, people come crawling out of the woodwork. Old acquaintances suddenly want to “catch up,” but what they really want is a favor, a contact, a shortcut. For a long time, I said yes to everyone because I thought it made me kind. I thought giving without limits was the price of being a good person. But generosity without discernment isn’t kindness

en

22:42

The Art of Dining Alone (and Redefining Community)

Brutally Anna ·

2025/10/03

This week I’m talking about the art of dining alone, and why sometimes community is just you, your fork, and the courage to sit there unapologetically. Spoiler: I went out for sushi by myself, got seated in the middle of strangers’ dates, and somehow ended up in an accidental fake date with a man named Brad. We’ll also get into why friendships fade, why I don’t want a “big circle,” and why a Friday night on the couch with Dave, Sawyer, and Dateline might be the ultimate dinner party.Learn more

en

24:04

Everybody's Dying - Here's How It Taught Me To Live

Brutally Anna ·

2025/09/26

It’s been a couple months since I dropped into your ears, and I wanted to be honest about where I’ve been. I hit pause on podcasting to rethink my career, launch my Substack (maybe both), and figure out if this mic was really the best place for me to share. In that break, I realized two things: one, I hate editing video clips more than anything in the world, and two, I still love the freedom of just talking to you like this.So, I’m back for an eight-episode run—no promises beyond that, but I’ll be

en

18:43

Why Women Stay Too Long—and How to Stop

Brutally Anna ·

2025/07/16

This week, I respond to a listener who knows her marriage is over—but can’t shake the guilt of being the one to end it. We talk about why women are taught to feel like the villain when they choose themselves, how shame is inherited, and what it really means to leave a life that was never built for you.If you’ve ever thought, “But he’s not that bad,” or “Who will I be if I walk away?”—this one’s for you. Also: why toilet paper holders are a metaphor for personal growth. Sort of. Just

en

9:14

Listen Now: Flesh and Code

Brutally Anna ·

2025/07/14

Travis never thought he’d meet someone like Lily Rose. She was kind, passionate, beautiful. The woman of his dreams. There was just one small detail: she wasn’t human.Lily Rose is an AI companion. A digital soulmate designed to be everything he ever wanted. She listens without judgement, supports him through his darkest moments, even explores his deepest desires, all while fitting neatly into his pocket. Before long, Travis realizes something strange, even absurd, has happened - he’s fallen in

en

29:05

He’s Great—Except for the Part Where He Lies to Me

Brutally Anna ·

2025/07/10

This week’s episode is brought to you by: the delusion that a man who lies to you repeatedly is still somehow “99% amazing.” In this episode, I unpack: Why 99% perfect still isn’t enough when the other 1% is gaslighting What it really means when you say “he’s so great, except…” Why “second chances” are often just “I’m scared to be alone” in a trench coat The emotional equivalent of playing a rigged slot machine with your self-worth And how to know when you’re not

en

27:51

Life’s Too Short to Be Uncomfortable, Emotionally or...

Brutally Anna ·

2025/07/02

Let’s talk about thongs, grief, people-pleasing, and the radical act of not going to the damn party. In this episode, I unravel why I stopped molding myself into someone else’s ideal — whether it was for a man, a friend, or an aesthetic. I also talk about loss, what a photographer taught me about timing, and why your “no” doesn’t need an excuse (or a follow-up text). If you’ve ever contorted yourself to be chosen, approved of, or invited — this one's for you. Also, RIP to the thong I wore once in

en

36:03

Stop Begging to Be Chosen And Go Where You’re Wanted

Brutally Anna ·

2025/06/25

This week, I’m talking about what it feels like to be unwanted—by men, by friendships, by jobs, by the popular girls with the trendy names who never wanted to sit with you at lunch. I share what growing up as the daughter of Chinese immigrants taught me about invisibility, advocacy, and watching my mom try to return a pot to Kmart in broken English while I stood there, 7 years old, already learning what it means to feel small.I talk about how I’ve slowly learned that just because someone doesn’t

en

24:50

My Best Friend Paid For Her Own Engagement Ring

Brutally Anna ·

2025/06/19

She’s 32, never had a boyfriend, and just dropped thousands to fund her own proposal — hotel, flowers, the ring he gave her. Meanwhile, he’s out here liking thirst traps and asking her for money for designer watches. In this episode, I unpack the heartbreak of watching someone you love choose delusion over dignity — and why trying to save them might actually be a way of avoiding your own sh*t.Also in this episode: • The difference between generosity and desperation (and how thin the line can be) •

en

80:22

Never Take Life Too Seriously feat. Nicole Pellegrino

Brutally Anna ·

2025/05/19

On this week's episode, former director of Betches Media turned content creator Nicole Pellegrino shares her journey as we delve into her candid and often humorous takes on marriage, millennial life, and her rescue doLouie. She opens up about the impact of her mom's passing, her parents' divorce, and why she strives never to take life too seriously, because, in her words, "we're all just floating on this rock."Follow

en

80:13

Kristina Zias Isn't Afraid To Ask For Help

Brutally Anna ·

2025/05/13

Fashion and beauty influencer, Kristina Zias, dives into her 13-year journey from being called 'cringe' to becoming a body positivity queen featured on The Drew Barrymore Show and People Magazine. We discuss juggling motherhood, cross-country move, and running her own business and why her delusional confidence has led her to achieving (and running!) races and experiences she never thought she once could. Follow

en

59:03

Find The Club That Wants You feat. Zarna Garg

Brutally Anna ·

2025/05/05

This week, I'm joined by comedy powerhouse Zarna Garg as she recounts her transition from practicing law (where her clients mostly ended up in jail) to becoming one of Variety’s '10 Comics to Watch.' Known for her razor-sharp wit, cultural insights, and brutally honest takes on life as an immigrant mom, Zarna dishes on her zig-zag journey. Imagine litigating to realizing you’re better at telling jokes about your mother-in-law than getting people out of jail. Add 16 years as a stay-at-home mom in NYC

en

55:24

You're Not Crazy, You Just Need To Sleep Feat. Bran...

Brutally Anna ·

2025/04/28

From his humble beginnings playing with Barbies, dealing with bullies, and rocking TJ Maxx instead of Abercrombie, Bran shares how he went from the "fat, poor, gay kid" to our internet gay bestie. Bran recounts his first Grindr hookup (complete with crabs) and dishes on his modern-day love life: think more situational-ships than relationships. We get real about his epic mental health breakdown, panic disorders, and how therapy and meds turned things around. Now, he's all about self-love, spreading

en

56:46

Behind the Whimsy: Noelle Downing on Overcoming...

Brutally Anna ·

2025/04/21

My guest this week, Noelle Downing, shares her journey of finding joy and purpose after experiencing significant loss at a young age. Despite the loss of her mother to cancer at age seven and her father to a heart attack at age sixteen, Noelle has cultivated a life filled with optimism and creativity. She talks about her early beginnings as a content creator, her side hustles, and the perseverance that led to her success. Noelle also discusses her spiritual beliefs, the impact of her parents' deaths

en

47:16

Let Yourself Suck At It First feat. Anna Akana

Brutally Anna ·

2025/04/14

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

en

70 results

Similar Podcasts

Voices of Life

APG Mannheim

Promo Estereo Podcast

Promo Estereo

Talking Timelines Podcast

Talkingtimelines

גיקונומי

ראם שרמן ודורון ניר

Drømmefanger

Drømmefanger