This Is Uncomfortable Podcast By Marketplace cover art

This Is Uncomfortable

This Is Uncomfortable

By: Marketplace
Listen for free

This is Uncomfortable is the award-winning show about life and how money messes with it. Each week, Marketplace’s Reema Khrais explores how money shapes our decisions, relationships, and sense of self through conversations that are intimate, surprising, and deeply human. From the economic headlines that hit our wallets to the choices that keep us up at night, the show digs into the money questions we’re too afraid to ask and gives listeners a way to feel less alone in this increasingly complicated world.Copyright 2026 Minnesota Public Radio Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Wait...where did my retirement money go?
    Apr 2 2026

    What happens to your retirement savings when you leave a job? And if you’ve forgotten about an old 401(k) account, how do you track that money down? That’s the mystery Reema is trying to solve this week, as she confronts her own financial anxiety and goes searching for retirement accounts left behind at previous jobs.


    Along the way, she talks with retirement expert Geoffrey Sanzenbacher about just how common this is -- only about 15% of people roll their retirement savings over to a new employer's plan! And she asks behavioral economist Katy Milkman why this kind of chore feels so hard. Plus, brain hacks that will help you get through that daunting financial to-do list.


    If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 347-RING-TIU.


    And follow us on Instagram and Tiktok!

    Show more Show less
    36 mins
  • What happens when you can bet on anything?
    Mar 26 2026

    Betting used to mean going to a brick-and-mortar casino or placing a wager with a bookie. Now, with the rise of prediction markets, people can bet online on real-world events — from elections and the weather to cultural moments and global news — but at what cost?


    In this episode, Reema talks with clinical psychiatrist Dr. Timothy Fong and financial psychology expert Hanna Horvath about how gambling is becoming more normalized and woven into everyday life. What does that shift do to how we think about money, how we understand risk, and how we relate to the world around us?


    Even if you don’t gamble, we’re curious to hear more about the connection between loneliness and spending. What does that look like in your life? Give us a call at 347-RING-TIU or send us an email at uncomfortable@marketplace.org.


    And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Tiktok!



    If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, professional help is available in every state. You can call The National Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-800-GAMBLER.



    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • What’s money between friends 😟😖😫
    Mar 19 2026

    It’s bound to happen in any friendship: an unfulfilled Venmo request, a trip that’s way out of your budget, or a dispute over splitting the bill at a restaurant. This week, we’re answering your questions about navigating tricky money situations with friends.


    Reema is joined by comedians and real-life friends Josh Gondelman and Alison Leiby to talk through everything from expensive bachelorettes to Venmo nickel-and-diming.


    If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 347-RING-TIU.


    Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok!

    Show more Show less
    30 mins
No reviews yet