Death, Sex & Money

Emma was a single mom and supported her family with the income she made from sex work. The money was good. But she struggled with the secrecy, and the shame. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.or...

Sandra Cisneros has picked “some real doozies” as lovers. But at 67, she says she’d rather write a new book of poetry than waste her time with men who aren’t on her level. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. Sign up at de...

Musician and “Song Exploder” host, Hrishikesh Hirway, remembers his mother, Kanta, who died in 2020, and the music that’s helped him move through grief.  You can listen to Hrishikesh Hirway’s new solo music inspired by Kanta here , the podcast, “Song Exploder,'' here , and the podcast, “Home Cooking,” here .  Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community?...

Rachel Matlow’s mother refused to get the surgery that could have saved her. That often left her and Rachel trying to love each other while bitterly at odds. You can listen to the full audio piece Rachel made here, and order their memoir here . Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fas...

Andrea grew up attending an evangelical church in Texas, where she was taught to abstain from sex until marriage and keep herself sexually "pure." That early sex education—and her decision to have premarital sex anyway—had long-lasting impact, well into her adulthood. This episode was part of our series called Our Sex (Mis)Educations.  Find the entire series here. Did you know we have a weekly ema...

In 2021, India Walton won, then lost, the Buffalo mayor’s race. She continues to work and grieve in her city.  Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org/newsletter, and follow the show on Twitter ,...

The delightful and rebellious writer-director welcomes us into his apartment to talk about money, family, friendships, and colonoscopies.  Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. Sign up at deathsexmoney.org/newsletter, and f...

Your stories about how your personal style has changed in the last few years, and the impact on not only what you wear, but how you see yourself and how you connect with others. You can check out Bill's art on his website or Instagram , and you can find Stephen's style on his Instagram , or listen to his music on SoundCloud . As for Afi's style inspirations, learn more about DapperQ here , and fol...

In her sixties, musician Lucinda Williams is more successful than ever. But with age has come a lot of loss. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. Sign up at  deathsexmoney.org/newsletter , and follow the show on  Twitter ,...

Big Freedia is a reality TV star and fixture on New Orleans' bounce scene. But days after Hurricane Katrina, she was sleeping on the street outside of the city's convention center. This episode originally aired in 2015.  Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from ou...

In 2018, David Buckel died by self-immolation to protest climate change. His husband Terry talks about respecting David's message while grieving him, and finding new joy in his own life.  For more Terry, listen to him on Vox’s Today Explained , along with Tim DeChristopher who was imprisoned for his climate activism, and if you are experiencing climate grief, we encourage you to go back and listen...

The stand-up comedian and drag star tells me about growing up around her mom’s queer club, bringing drag to small American towns, and all the people who pushed her to succeed. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. Sign up a...

We took some of your burning student loan questions to our favorite expert on the topic, Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors . If you have a question that was not answered in this episode, you can contact Betsy  by going to her website  where you can also find all sorts of helpful resources, like  a guide to forgiveness , and  where to start  when thinking about a re...

Your reactions to the end of Roe, plus, a conversation with Mississippi-based reproductive justice activist Laurie Bertram Roberts about how their work has shifted, and what's remained the same. Over the years, we've featured many conversations about navigating change and uncertainty around sex, gender, and reproduction. Here are a few more we're thinking about right now, from  Ellen Burstyn descr...

We asked you about your relationships with alcohol—why you drink, or don't, the strategies you use to manage your consumption, and what alcohol brings you besides a buzz. Here's what you told us. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or seeking more information about alcohol consumption,  check out these resources. Sign up for our newsletter at  deathsexmoney.org/newsletter , and e...

The Starbucks union is having a moment. We talked to three workers in three different states about the victories and the very real consequences of going up against a multi-billion dollar company. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox, and updates from...

As the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline becomes a 3-digit number, 988, I visit a call center in Wyoming, which had the highest suicide rate per capita in the US in 2020. If you or someone you love is at risk of harming themselves, or needs some help with mental health, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255. After July 16, you can just dial ‘988.’ Did you know we have a w...

Actress Niecy Nash and her wife, R&B singer-songwriter Jessica Betts, tell me about falling in love, learning to live together during the pandemic, and taking their relationship public. Want to hear more Niecy? Listen to our 2017 episode, "Life in Our 20s: Advice from Niecy Nash, Alia Shawkat & Terri Coleman," or my 2015 interview with her for NPR's Fresh Air . Did you know we have a weekl...

We asked for your stories about breakups. You told us about being left, doing the leaving, and the times when you're not exactly sure what happened. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. Sign up at  deathsexmoney.org/newsle...

When Mary Gundel spoke out about working conditions at Dollar General, she lost her job. She also gained TikTok celebrity, and started a national labor movement.  Need to set up your Slate Plus feed? If you subscribed through Slate.com, check out our FAQ at slate.com/podcastfaqs for easy instructions. Members subscribed via Apple Podcasts get automatic access—no setup required. Hosted on Acast. Se...

The acclaimed actor and playwright tells me about coming of age during the gay rights movement, why a rubber band signifies financial stability, and how he thinks he'll be remembered. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. S...

Teachers across the country share their feelings about their profession, burnout, and how they're holding up at the end of another difficult pandemic school year. Hear more from Lillian in our episode "Skin Hunger: Part 1," here. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letter...

In honor of her Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting, I revisit my conversation with journalist Maria Hinojosa about building up her confidence in the world of media, and reaching a breaking point in her marriage that led her to reevaluate her priorities. Plus, I call Maria and she tells me about the significance of the award for her. Listen to the Pulitzer Prize-winning series Suave  here. This epis...

I take a walk with Britt Wray who studies the mental health effects of climate change, and we talk about how she overcame debilitating climate dread without turning away from the crisis.  Do you want to lessen your climate anxiety while also helping the planet? Britt says, "It's a crucial step to find community with others who can stand in the fire with you, who get it, who will mirror and validat...

I talk with a listener named Fey about her deteriorating vision, how and when to disclose her disability, and she gets a pep talk from EDM singer Lachi. Did you know we have a weekly email newsletter for the Death, Sex & Money community? Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters from our inbox, and updates from the show. Sign up at  deathsexmoney.org/ne...