Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People

A skydiver who swears she's not an adrenaline junkie calls to talk with Gethard about the joys of plummeting to earth from 13,000 feet. She's got 500 jumps under her belt, and only one of them has ended in two broken feet. She shares an action-movie-worthy story that is possibly the most harrowing tale we've ever heard on the show. Fair warning, this one's intense. But it's also fun and–if you're...

This week's call kicks off with a tour of the caller's room as she describes the objects around her. And from there, it takes off in a bunch of fascinating directions–from wiener dog races, to Chicago comedy clubs, the fact that sexy renegade clowns are definitely taking over, and why we should all be living by The Artichoke Capital of the World Philosophy.  Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get...

This week's caller wants advice on how to spend an unexpected $40,000 gift from her kleptomaniac grandma, but what starts as a light-hearted question quickly turns introspective. She talks with Gethard about financial struggles, mental health, recovery from addiction, and the pros and cons of using the money for practical needs—showing how one windfall can spark big questions about life and growth...

An Uber Eats delivery driver takes Gethard along for the ride as he makes his deliveries and shares some stories from the road. In typical Beautiful/Anonymous fashion, the conversation takes a deeper turn as the caller opens up about a series of challenges that would stop most people in their tracks and shares how he's found meaning in pushing through. Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get ad fr...

This week's caller shares an incredible story about receiving a tough phone call regarding her ex-husband and the lessons it taught her about the broken justice system. She opens up about standing up for what's right, even when the system fails, and being a voice for those who can't defend themselves. It's a compelling reminder of why doing the right thing matters, even—and especially—when it's no...

As per tradition, Gethard chats with callers two minutes at a time to hear their big plans for 2025. From tackling one of the toughest hikes in the United States to diving deeper into their kink community to simply "keep killing it," this year's resolutions are as varied and unique as ever. Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get ad free episodes and access to exclusive audio including 5 Random Qu...

This week's caller has a simple pitch: help me pick a new name. What follows is a fun and free-wheeling discussion about names, identity, and all the ways we define ourselves. Oh, and Orville Peck. A lot of this call is about Orville Peck. Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get ad free episodes and access to exclusive audio including 5 Random Questions with this week's caller.  Leave us a voicema...

"It was like an episode of Dateline." Gethard takes a call from a mom with an unbelievable story—her son tried to kill her. What follows is an intense, deeply human conversation about survival, healing, and the complex realities of mental health. The caller opens up about her journey through trauma, therapy, and finding her footing again, all while showing a sharp sense of humor and an unshakable...

Look, this one is about Star Trek . Specifically, it's about one stoned fan's deep love for Star Trek: The Next Generation . They call in to chat with Gethard about Klingon sex, favorite episodes, and the show's philosophical allure. At its heart though, this is a conversation about passion, nostalgia, and the joy of diving deep into what you love. Whether or not you're a Trekkie, that's something...

This one's a wild ride. Our caller dropped just as they were being patched through to Gethard, so this one got sent through without an official screening. We had no idea what to expect, but it turned into a classic Beautiful Anonymous—starting in one place and ending up … who knows where. From learning foreign languages through sexting to practicing niche martial arts to spending time in a religio...

A field of goats, an unexpected marriage-by-mail, a baffling bachelor party at a nudist resort – and that barely scratches the surface. This week's caller is a vegan pansexual horse trainer who has lived a lot of life. She calls to share some of her stories with Gethard, who is happily along for the ride.  Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get ad free episodes and access to exclusive content inc...

Christmas AGAIN?? Join the Grinch in stubbornly refusing the joys of the season with season 2 of 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast! Broadcasting straight from Whoville, with the help of his producer Cindy and loyal dog Max, Grinch is back to rant against Christmas cheer and roast celebrity guests like chestnuts on an open fire. Starring Saturday Night Live's James Austin Johnson as Dr. Seuss' iconic...

The week's caller shares a deeply personal journey of undergoing weight loss surgery and the challenges and triumphs that followed. He and Gethard discuss body positivity, the emotional and psychological aspects of weight loss, and what he's found most helpful along the way. Plus, and maybe most importantly, he weighs in The Great Beautiful/Anonymous Raccoon Debate. Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous...

This week's caller wants to invite more chaos and creativity into their life while debating a new career opportunity. He and Gethard talk family expectations, chasing passions, and the joy of weird little hobbies. Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get ad free episodes and access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week's caller.  Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676 Upg...

In this Election Day special, Gethard gives listeners from every corner of the country two minutes to share where they're from, who they're voting for, and why. It's a chance to hear beyond the headlines, offering a rare moment of connection and empathy in the midst of today's election chaos. Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get ad free episodes and access to exclusive content including 5 Rando...

In this bonus episode of Beautiful/Anonymous , Gethard addresses some recent critiques of the show's political bias by inviting a 2024 Trump voter for an open conversation. It's a call filled with both tension and humor, and no matter where you land, it highlights the importance of understanding diverse perspectives and the urgency of political involvement, now more than ever. Sign up for Beautifu...

This week's caller recounts her unconventional journey from pickles to placentas as she and Gethard discuss the incredible work of birth doulas. More specifically, she breaks down the nitty gritty process of placenta encapsulation. From packing and transporting, to steaming and dehydrating placentas, it's all here, and it's all fascinating. Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get ad free episodes...

This week's caller shares his experiences in elder care and running a worker-owned coffee roasting cooperative. He discusses the challenges of financial planning for seniors, systemic issues in long-term care, and his commitment to community-focused and worker-driven initiatives. It's an empowering, encouraging conversation with a charming guy who has a positive but realistic outlook on the world....

It's spooky season here at Beautiful/Anonymous, and we're kicking things off with a caller whose house became the Halloween House in his neighborhood. He and Gethard bond over their shared love of all things Halloween, but most especially going way too big on lawn decorations. Then, the call takes a turn for the genuinely scary as the two discuss some of the most unsettling things they've encounte...

A heavy duty mechanic from Western Canada talks with Gethard about the major injury that totally shifted her career plans, growing up as the youngest member on her dad's construction crew, and dreaming of moving to the big city, wherein the big city is British Columbia's 12th largest municipality. Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get ad free episodes and access to exclusive content including 5...

Fresh from rescuing her backyard ducks from a bald eagle attack, a plant pathologist calls with a bone to pick about Gethard's feelings on the great state of Oregon. They chat about Portland's unionized strippers, the often divisive B/A Raccoon Debate, and then the conversation takes a more serious turn as the caller opens up about her journey to sobriety. They talk about seeking support, repairin...

This week, Gethard chats with a brand-new social worker who shares the path that led her to this career change while also defending New Jersey's honor against its many detractors and bonding with Geth over where to get the best burgers in Queens.  Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get ad free episodes and access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week's caller.  Leave us...

A dietitian with strong opinions on fast food joins Gethard to talk about a little bit of everything. From attending one of Geth's most notorious stand-up shows, to "perfectly engineered foods," and a million other topics in between, this episode is perfect if you need a distraction from whatever's weighing on your mind this week. Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get ad free episodes and access...

Last month, Gethard talked with a guy whose wife was in labor. Last week, Gethard talked to that wife, now a new mom to a squishy squid. This week, Gethard talks to that squishy squid's grandmother. It's a frank and vulnerable conversation about generational trauma, cycles of abuse, and working hard to build a better life for your family. And of course we get to hear about the joy that comes with...

Hear the rest of this episode and many more stories like this by adding "Origins with Cush Jumbo" to your weekly listening, wherever you get your podcasts