In this audience caller episode, we asked listeners to share their wildest, most jaw-dropping in-law stories—and wow, did they deliver! From toxic mother-in-law meddling and boundary-stomping grandparents to financial disasters, cultural clashes, and men walking around without pants on (!!) this episode is packed with real, unfiltered stories that will make you rethink your own family dynamics. I chatted with three brave callers who reveal the most dramatic moments with their in-laws—one dealing with deeply ingrained racism, another navigating emotional manipulation, and a third facing financial chaos while living just steps away from her in-laws. Plus, I read some outrageous written submissions that prove you are not alone if you’ve experienced in-law struggles. Who should be responsible for maintaining in-law relationships? What happens when boundaries aren’t respected? And what do you do when your father-in-law refuses to wear pants? Tune in and decide for yourself! Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX  To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story.  I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone.  Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod  Find Lucie here:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/  TikTok: Lucie Fink (@luciebfink) Official | TikTok YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink  Website: https://luciefink.com/  Executive Producer: Cloud10. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s it really like to have a baby nurse? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my experience with Mattie—the baby whisperer who became family. From the moment she walked into our home, Mattie changed everything. She taught me how to care for my newborn, helped me recover postpartum, and even insisted I sleep (which, trust me, I needed). But hiring a baby nurse isn’t all smooth sailing—it comes with big costs, the loss of privacy, and plenty of judgment from others. We’re getting into all of it—the pros, the cons, and what it’s like to have a stranger move in and help care for your baby in those early weeks. Plus, Mattie is here to share her unfiltered thoughts on the job, the industry, and the role she plays in so many families’ lives. If you’ve ever considered hiring a baby nurse, wondered what they actually do, or just love a good behind-the-scenes look at new parenthood, this episode is for you! Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX  To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story.  I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone.  Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod  Find Lucie here:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink  Website: https://luciefink.com/  Produced by Cloud10.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Season 2 of The Real Stuff—and we’re kicking things off with some BIG news: The Real Stuff is now part of the Dear Media network! This move means exciting things for the podcast—bigger guests, new opportunities, and even more ways to connect with you, our amazing listeners. To start the season, I’m bringing you an episode that’s as personal as it gets. My mother-in-law, Sharon, joins me for an open and honest conversation about our relationship—the good, the awkward, and the boundaries that make it work. We dive into everything: how we first met, her real thoughts about me in high school, setting boundaries as new parents, and why she never felt like she was "losing her son." We even address the classic MIL/DIL stereotypes and why ours doesn’t fit the mold. The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: https://amzn.to/4jU6xtm  Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX  To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story.  I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone.  Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod  Find Lucie here:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink  Website: https://luciefink.com/  Produced by Dear Media. Executive Producer: Cloud10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.