Fear Based Life artwork

Fear Based Life

85 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 196 ratings

After a spiritual breakdown, Melissa Stephens explores fears, phobias, and beliefs with a special guest.

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Episodes

Tom Detrinis from Finding The Asshole

October 01, 2019 17:54 - 1 hour - 86.1 MB

Tom Detrinis talks about all his fears in the best way on this new episode of Finding The Asshole. This is part one to his two part episode. 

Deanna Cheng, Ep. 2

September 17, 2019 19:17 - 31 minutes - 43.6 MB

The second episode of Mel's interview with Deanna. They talk about her spiritual beliefs and Deanna's relationship with death.

SEASON TWO*** Deanna Cheng

September 10, 2019 20:49 - 1 hour - 82.7 MB

Deanna Cheng makes Mel laugh so hard and makes her feel all the feels. They talk about their anxiety taking over their lives and the big NO NO of texting someone "Can you talk?". Part one of the Season Two Premiere is here. 

Nick interviews former classmate Sas

October 26, 2018 06:34 - 1 hour - 108 MB

Nick interviews former classmate and fellow actor from LAMDA Anastasia Griffith. Listen to two Brits get deep on all of the things. 

Pythons, DVT, and meditation for children

June 26, 2018 20:05 - 43 minutes - 59.7 MB

Mel reads the news and gets stressed out. 

*** Guest Host Laura Holloway ***

May 24, 2018 18:19 - 1 hour - 112 MB

Guest Host Laura Holloway tries her hand at podcasting. She interviews musician Sam Lewis about his fears phobias and spiritual and religious beliefs. 

SOLO Mel Episode

May 23, 2018 23:41 - 47 minutes - 64.8 MB

Mel reads letters from listeners, addresses current events and how they coincide with her fears and as always the fear of death and not being liked come back up. 

Guest host Nick interviews a psychotherapist in New York City

May 02, 2018 19:48 - 1 hour - 90.9 MB

Psychotherapist Lily who specializes in Intimacy and Leadership joins Nick Court as they tackle the big Fear Based Life questions. 

Tim Peper Part Deux

May 02, 2018 00:17 - 1 hour - 121 MB

Family dynamics, religion, fear, meditation and more journal readings. Listen to Mel and Tim banter out their eccentricities. 

Actor Tim Peper part one.

May 01, 2018 23:27 - 56 minutes - 77 MB

Tim talks phobias, reads from Mel's childhood journal and tarot cards... The episode was so good it was split it into two. This is his first ever podcast! Side note volume is all good now. Thanks everyone.     

Hometown Murder

March 20, 2018 01:07 - 1 hour - 93.6 MB

Veronica, a friend from NYC whom I haven't seen in ages, reached out to tell me her story. It's full of so many twists and turns and a murder that has gone unsolved..... 

Interview with listener Meredith

January 28, 2018 22:26 - 1 hour - 113 MB

Meredith talks about her struggle with Impostor Syndrome, depression and a particularly difficult romantic relationship. 

Lies, Death, and Family Drama w/ Hope

December 13, 2017 22:57 - 1 hour - 93.2 MB

Fears of being wrongly fully prisoner, lies, death, family drama and the new found friendship Mel and Hope find in each other.

Torture, Dying, and Terrible Things Happening to the Ones We Love w/ Daryl Watson

November 29, 2017 11:00 - 1 hour - 98.8 MB

Torture, dying, and terrible things happening to the ones we love with listener Daryl Watson.

When fear is banished......

November 22, 2017 11:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MB

Vanessa shares her harrowing story of living through her greatest fear. Try to not sob through it. Mel couldn't.

Evangelicals in Power, Driving Behind Trucks, and Failure w/ Julie Brister

November 15, 2017 11:00 - 1 hour - 102 MB

Evangelicals in power, driving behind trucks with poles, and failure with actor and writer Julie Brister

Falling AC units, Heights, and Random Catastrophe w/ Adam Lustick

November 07, 2017 11:00 - 1 hour - 79.8 MB

Falling air conditioning units, heights, and random, uncontrollable catastrophes with actor and comedian Adam Lustick

Elevators, Tribalism, and Adequacy w/ Listener Mark

November 01, 2017 21:25 - 1 hour - 74.5 MB

Elevators, tribalism in today's times, and adequacy with FBL patron Mark

Fear Based Life - Live from the Federal Bar in North Hollywood

October 24, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 82.7 MB

Mel takes Fear Based Life out on the road. Recorded live at the Federal Bar in North Hollywood CA on 10/12/17

Silence, Confiend Spaces, and Not Being Able to Provide w/ Listener Pete

October 17, 2017 10:00 - 55 minutes - 51.9 MB

Silence, confined spaces, and not being able to provide with FBL patron Pete

Death of a Loved One, Driving in LA, and Being Perceived as a Burden w/ Santina Muha

October 10, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 73.4 MB

Death of a loved one, driving in Los Angeles, and being perceived as a burden with comedic actor Santina Muha.

The Backwoods, Crosscountry Road Trips, and Being an Immigrant in Today's Political Climate w/ another Listener

October 03, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 65 MB

The backwoods, crosscountry road trips, and being a queer Mexican immigrant in the current political climate with FBL listener Ruben

The Dark, Parking Garages, and the Post Grad Life w/ a Listener

September 26, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 58 MB

The dark, parking garages, and the post grad life with FBL listener Ashley.

Losing People, The Unknown, Never Getting a Sign w/ Mel Stephens

September 19, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 61.9 MB

A special solo episode on losing loved ones, the unknown, and never receiving a sign with your host Mel Stephens.

Crabs, Death, and Not Fulfilling Your Potential w/ Kat Foster Part Two

September 12, 2017 10:00 - 58 minutes - 55 MB

Crabs, death of a loved one, and not fulfilling your potential with actor and writer Kat Foster. Part Two of Two. 

Crabs, Death, and Not Fulfilling Your Potential w/ Kat Foster Part One

September 05, 2017 10:00 - 46 minutes - 43.6 MB

Crabs, death of a loved one, and not fulfilling your potential with actor and writer Kat Foster. Part One of Two.

Bugs, Earthquakes, and Failure in Creative Pursuits w/ Renee and Allegra

August 29, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 86.9 MB

Bugs in enclosed spaces, natural disaster, and delusions of creative grandeur with writers and podcasters Renee Colvert and Allegra Ringo 

Rollercoasters and Regrets w/ Kendra Smith

August 22, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MB

Rollercoasters, regrets, and reopening your spiritual life with former WWE wrestler, fighter, and stunt performer Kendra Smith.

Dying in Cars Under Water, Flying, and Navigating a New City w/ Erin Gibson

August 15, 2017 16:51 - 1 hour - 75.3 MB

Dying in cars under water, flying, and navigating a new city with improviser, actor, and writer Erin Gibson.

Living a Sedentary Life and Flying w/ Erin Whitehead

August 08, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 93 MB

Wasting time, health issues, flying, and atheism with actor, writer, and comedian Erin Whitehead.

Fear Based Life - Live at the Lyric Hyperion Theatre on 6/20/17

August 01, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 90.6 MB

Recorded live at the Lyric Hyperion Theatre, Mel talks fears with guests Steve Young, Eliza Rickman, Nick Court, Chris Farah, Daniel Van Kirk, and more but you have to listen to be surprised... Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe @ hyperurl.co/fbl Like what you hear? Check out Emotional Hangs @ hyperurl.co/emohangs Oh! Check out our survey @ smarturl.it/feralsurvey

Stairs, Anger, and Drunk People w/ Steven Ray Morris

July 25, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 75.4 MB

Stairs, anger, and drunkenness from others while sober with Steven Ray Morris.

Not Living Up To Your Potential and Renouncing God w/ Seth Morris

July 18, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 76.4 MB

Not living up to your potential, hitting pedestrians with your car, and renouncing God with comedic actor and writer Seth Morris.

Cults, Being Attacked in Your Bed, and Catholic Confession w/ Henry Zebrowski

July 11, 2017 17:29 - 1 hour - 77.8 MB

Cults, being attacked in your home, and confession with comedian and actor Henry Zebrowski.

Dead People in the Water, Flesh Eating Bacteria, and Having Children w/ Emily Foster

July 04, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 78.1 MB

Dead people in the water, flesh eating bacteria, and having children with writer and producer Emily Foster.

Generalized Anxiety and Finding The Right Church w/ Dorothy Fortenberry

June 27, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 71.2 MB

Generalized anxiety, growing up in the “Libral South,” and finding the right church with writer Dorothy Fortenberry.

Sudden Loss, Coming Out, and Faith w/ Adam Kovach

June 20, 2017 15:34 - 1 hour - 66 MB

Sudden loss, coming out and faith with Adam Kovach.

Farts and Public Speaking w/ Matt Cook

June 13, 2017 09:00 - 1 hour - 69 MB

In this episode: farts, public speaking, and Facebook with Matt Cook.

Sharks and Attacks w/ Julia Prescott

June 06, 2017 16:21 - 1 hour - 86 MB

In this week's episode: sharks, veganism, earthquakes and attacks.

Auditions and Internet Neuroses w/ Jackie Johnson

May 30, 2017 06:22 - 1 hour - 83.1 MB

Natch Beaut’s Jackie Johnson joins Mel to chat about auditioning in Los Angeles, editing yourself, internet neuroses, and the ideal way to die.

Food Phobias and Self-Harm w/ Listener Bailey

May 23, 2017 15:25 - 1 hour - 65.6 MB

On this week’s Fear Based Life, a listener named Bailey calls in to chat with Mel about food phobias, self-harm, abusive relationships, and more.

Heights, Violence, and Jurassic Park w/ Erin McGathy & Paudie Baggott

May 16, 2017 15:01 - 1 hour - 64.9 MB

Erin McGathy is back with her partner, filmmaker Paudie Baggott, discussing fear of heights, violence in America vs. Ireland, and Jurassic Park.

A Difficult Year w/ Steve Szlaga

May 09, 2017 20:01 - 1 hour - 80.2 MB

Comedian Steve Szlaga shares with Mel the hell of a year he’s had so far.

Live Show w/ Nick Court, Florence Hartigan, Andy Haynes, Dan Van Kirk, Ben Bizuneh, Georgia Hardstark

May 02, 2017 07:01 - 1 hour - 84.5 MB

Fear Based Life LIVE is a live stage show where Mel invites her friends to come by, explore everything dark, and try something on stage they've never done before. Featuring: Nick Court, Florence Hartigan, Andy Haynes, Daniel Van Kirk, Ben Bizuneh and Georgia Hardstark!

Low Self Esteem and Atheism w/ Nick Court

April 25, 2017 08:00 - 1 hour - 83.5 MB

Mel finally sits down with her husband, actor and performer Nick Court, to chat about low self-esteem and atheism.

Death and Love w/ Mel Stephens

April 18, 2017 19:00 - 1 hour - 61.6 MB

Mel considers the value of connecting with the audience.

Anger and Sickness w/ Natasha Cecere and Jackie Shea

April 11, 2017 18:21 - 1 hour - 86.5 MB

Join Mel, Natasha, and Jackie as they discuss anger and sickness.

Live Show w/ Al Jackson, Steve Agee, Navaris Darson, Lindsay Ames, Jen Kirkman, Nick Court

April 04, 2017 14:42 - 1 hour - 95 MB

Welcome to the very first Fear Based Life live show filled with tears, smells, open letters, and a crazy moving interview from an audience member. Featuring: Al Jackson, Steve Agee, Navaris Darson, Lindsay Ames, Jen Kirkman and Nick Court

Sickness and Expectations w/ Mel Stephens

March 22, 2017 17:10 - 1 hour - 57.7 MB

Mel records a special solo episode and shares her own fears about her upcoming live show, her health, and what’s coming next.

Flying and Choking w/ Jen Kirkman

March 14, 2017 18:22 - 1 hour - 81.4 MB

Mel sits down with comedian Jen Kirkman

Guests

Dan Van Kirk
3 Episodes
Jen Kirkman
2 Episodes
Steve Agee
2 Episodes
Alison Rosen
1 Episode
Bill Phillips
1 Episode
Dave Horwitz
1 Episode
Duncan Trussell
1 Episode
Eliza Skinner
1 Episode
Emily Foster
1 Episode
Erin Gibson
1 Episode
Erin Whitehead
1 Episode
Guy Branum
1 Episode
Jackie Johnson
1 Episode
Julia Prescott
1 Episode
Kulap Vilaysack
1 Episode
Marc Andreyko
1 Episode
Steven Ray Morris
1 Episode