This Is Why
316 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 455 ratingsComedians and authors Laura Lane and Angela Spera give best friend advice on pop culture, politics, news headlines, workplace dynamics, dating, parenting, friendship and whatever else is on your mind.
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Episodes
The Final Episode
August 11, 2021 09:00 - 1 hourAfter 6 years straight of weekly episodes, this is our final This Is Why podcast (!). We get updates on how the show has affected people's lives, read mushy gush farewell messages and answer two last listener questions. In the news we discuss vaccinations & spending time with people who have different political views. Angela talks about her bridal shower venue getting double booked and Laura talks about getting yelled at by an old man. Thank you listeners for hanging out with us for the last ...
How to Master Dating & Everything We’ve Learned
August 04, 2021 09:00 - 1 hourThis week we share our top dating lessons and tips from the past 6 years. We answer your listener questions including letting grudges go and getting along with in-laws. In the news we discuss the best dating shows ever & a new dating app hits the market. Angela gets locked out of Facebook for posting wedding photos and Laura ponders Bennifer. This week's episode is brought to you by: BetterHelp See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6-Year Anniversary Celebration
July 28, 2021 06:26 - 55 minutesIt's our 6-Year Anniversary and we drop some BIG NEWS! We look back at our top episodes, the past 6 years and feel the feels. Then we answer your listener questions including a follow-up from a listener who went against our advice and now has a new problem and another listener who is a COVID bride and doesn’t know what anniversary to celebrate. In the news we discuss why more couples are sleeping apart & Pinterest bans all weight loss ads. This week's episode is brought to you by: Italic (of...
Having Better Sex (& Sleep!) ft. Amanda Goetz, founder of House of Wise CBD
July 21, 2021 09:00 - 57 minutesThis week we talk all about CBD and how it can help with sleep, sex and more. We welcome Amanda Goetz, founder of House of Wise, a CBD company that enables women to take control of their sleep, sex, stress, and wealth by earning money selling high-end, trusted CBD products. We answer your listener questions including one listener whose sleep schedule has been off ever since Covid hit and a male listener who is confused by fuckboy culture. Then we talk about what’s in the news: some people thi...
Surviving Postpartum ft. Doula Devon Clement
July 14, 2021 09:00 - 1 hourThis week we talk all about postpartum care, babies and doulas! We welcome Devon Clement, a postpartum doula, parenting guide, baby sleep coach and owner of the agency Happy Family After. We answer your listener questions including what to do when your partner doesn’t want more kids and when to bring up kids when you’re dating. In the news we discuss a summer baby boom & a new Gerber Baby. This episode is brought to you by: Care/Of (offer code: THISISWHY50) Advertise on This Is Why via Gumba...
Angela Got Married!
July 07, 2021 09:00 - 51 minutesIt's one of our most anticipated episodes: Angela got married!!! We hear all about it: the rain! the tears! the trash bags! We answer your listener questions including one listener who hates her best friend’s fiancé and another listener who is worried about bridesmaid etiquette. In the news: low-rise jeans are actually back & Gwen Stefani might have had a secret wedding. Angela's dad wears jeans to her wedding and Laura learns about scar massage. This week's episode is brought to you by: Squa...
Baby Baby Baby Stuff
June 30, 2021 09:00 - 54 minutesWe're reunited and it feels so good! Angela is married, Laura had a baby! Big things have happened! We’ll answer your listener questions including one about staying friends with exes and keeping things fresh with your partner. Then we’re talking about what’s in the news: aliens & repurposing wedding dresses. Angela goes to a restaurant that has a menu for dogs, Laura contemplates changing her baby's name. This week's episode is brought to you by: Osea (offer code: THISISWHY) Stitchfix See omn...
Laura’s Birth Story #2 ft. Baby Daddy Nic
June 23, 2021 09:00 - 1 hourLaura's back on the show after a 1 month maternity leave! She's joined by baby daddy, producer, talented artist and husband Nic Rad to talk all about the c-section birth, being parents and what life's been like. We answer your listener questions including a question about a partner’s social media use and having bedbugs. In the news we discuss the best staycation cities & why you should spend time apart from your partner. This week's episode is brought to you by: BetterHelp Coors Light Advert...
How to Know You’ve Found “The One” ft. Angela’s Fiancé, Ian (Laura’s maternity leave!)
June 16, 2021 14:03 - 49 minutesThis week’s episode is called How to Know You’ve Found “The One.” It's Ian's final week as a guest host before Laura's triumphant return! We talk about how you have to go on lots of "meh" dates to know when it's a good one and how important it is to feel comfortable with someone. We also answer your listener questions, including a listener who has never met her long-distance boyfriend IRL and another listener who wants to know how to not go crazy while waiting on a proposal. Then we talk abou...
Making New Friends as an Adult ft. Ian (Angela’s Fiancé)
June 09, 2021 09:00 - 52 minutesThis week's episode is called Making New Friends as an Adult. Ian is back as guest host while Laura continues her maternity leave. We talk about times we've seen people make friends by sliding into DMs and walking dogs. We answer your listener questions, including one listener who is struggling to make work friends and another who had to end a friendship over too much negativity. Then we talk about what's in the news: why sunlight is good for you & why we’re about to enter a “YOLO economy.” A...
Keeping Arguments Respectful ft. Ian (Angela’s Fiancé)
June 02, 2021 09:00 - 51 minutesThis week's episode is called Keeping Arguments Respectful. Laura is still on maternity leave, so Ian returns as guest co-host. We talk about recent arguments we've had and how we keep it kind (after yelling a bit, of course). We answer your listener questions, including one listener whose boyfriend has gained weight and another listener who is dealing with some resentment after moving in with her boyfriend. Then we’re talking about what’s in the news: the COVID vaccine is affecting people’s ...
Lessons from Pandemic Wedding Planning ft. Ian (Angela's Fiancé)
May 26, 2021 09:00 - 1 hourThis week's episode is called Lessons from Pandemic Wedding Planning. Laura is on maternity leave, so Angela's fiancé, Ian, fills in. We talk about how we knew rescheduling the wedding (3x!) was the right move and how you need to do what you're most comfortable with. We answer your listener questions, including one listener who wants to know how we knew when we wanted to go from dating to relationship and another who wants to know how to make the best of quarantine time spent with her fiancé....
Eating Plant Based ft. ‘The Plant-Based Baby & Toddler’ author & registered dietician Whitney English
May 19, 2021 09:00 - 1 hourThis week we welcome registered dietician and co-author of the new book "The Plant-Based Baby and Toddler" Whitney English Tabaie to discuss all things nutrition and diet. We break down myths and discuss the health (and moral!) benefits of eating more plants. Then we answer your listener questions, including one about plant-based protein options and another about nutrient deficiencies. In the news, we discuss how foods affect sleep & the happiest cities in America. This week's episode is bro...
Missing Your Ex
May 12, 2021 11:11 - 30 minutesThis week we talk about what to do when you miss your ex and how to distinguish between missing your ex and missing being in a relationship. Then we answer your listener questions including a listener who misses being silly with her ex and another listener who wonders why exes come out of the woodwork when you’re newly single. In the news we discuss 'The Bachelor' looking to cast senior citizens & scientists want to send sperm to the moon. Angela's feeling all the feels seeing people out and ...
Outgrowing Old Friendships
May 05, 2021 09:00 - 49 minutesThis week’s episode is called Outgrowing Old Friendships. We talk about switching friendship orbits, when you need to confront a friend you no longer want in your life and when it's okay to let people float away or go in and out of your life. Then we answer your listener questions including one listener who realized her life is better without her childhood friend in it and another who lost two friends when they decided to start dating each other. In the news we discuss: a divorced man is orde...
300th Episode Special
April 28, 2021 09:00 - 1 hourThis week is our 300th episode!!! We will be taking a nostalgic look back at some of our favorite moments. Then we dive into the mailbox, which includes a fan with a foot fetish and another listener who wants some pandemic advice. In the news we discuss why what you do is not who you are & the people still buying VHS tapes. Angela's boyfriend gets his vaccine for high BMI and Laura gets hers while pregnant. This week's episode is brought to you by: BetterHelp Coors Light The Viall Files See o...
Everything You Want to Ask an OB about Pregnancy ft. Dr. Nathan Fox
April 21, 2021 09:00 - 1 hourThis week we welcome OB and high-risk specialist Dr. Nathan Fox to answer all of our burning pregnancy questions. We cover everything from COVID to sushi (yes you can eat it!) and more! We answer your listener questions including fertility preparation tips and getting pregnant over 40. Then we talk about what’s in the news: Prince Harry & Megan Markle’s pregnancy shines light on pregnancy after miscarriage & why evictions are linked to adverse birth outcomes. For even more great info on pregn...
Hitting a Covid Wall with Your Partner
April 14, 2021 09:00 - 51 minutesThis week's episode is called Hitting a Covid Wall with Your Partner. We talk about tips to keep the spark alive and not bore the crap out of each other when you see each other all of the time. We answer your listener questions including one listener who is running out of things to say to her partner and another who is having less sex with her fiancé lately. Then we talk about what’s in the news: sex between married couples is down & a new Harry Potter video game will allow users to create tr...
Freezing Your Eggs ft. Journalist and Producer Darla Murray
April 07, 2021 09:00 - 1 hourThis week we welcome Emmy Award-winning journalist and producer Darla Murray to talk about her experience freezing her eggs and her piece about the process for Cosmopolitan. Then we answer your listener questions including one listener whose friends expect her to foot the bill and another wondering how to get through TTC (trying to conceive). In the news we discuss an unexpected side effect of unprotected sex & how baby aspirin could help you get pregnant. This week's episode is brought to yo...
Fairness In the Household
March 31, 2021 09:00 - 54 minutesMore people spending time at home means more chores to do! This week we talk about how to keep things feeling fair between your partner or roomies when it comes to domestic crap. We’ll be answering your listener questions including one listener whose partner isn’t great at helping with tasks and our listeners try to help name Laura’s baby. In the news we discuss what to wear to your first job & the most popular dog names in history. Angela goes viral for her comment on Britney Spears. And Lau...
Mental Health and Staying Brave ft. Olympian Alexi Pappas
March 24, 2021 09:00 - 1 hourOn this week’s episode we welcome Alexi Pappas, an award-winning writer, filmmaker, and Olympic athlete who wrote the new book "Bravey: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas." We talk about mental health and how she found help after struggling following the 2016 Olympics and her inspiring life, career and journey. Then we answer your listener questions including one listener who feels like she’s her boss’s therapist and another listener who is newly dating someone struggling w...
Sweating the Small Stuff
March 17, 2021 09:00 - 48 minutesThere's a lot of big stuff happening in the world but as long as you have perspective, it's okay to sweat the small stuff every now and then! We talk about how to let things go and when it's okay to honor your feels! Then we answer your listener questions including one listener who hates her boyfriend’s ex wife and another who is nervous about her future as a nurse. In the news we discuss Dolly Parton turning down an honor & J-Lo and A-Rod on the rocks. Angela goes on a Colin Firth movie mara...
Vibrators, Gynos and Other TMI
March 10, 2021 10:00 - 51 minutesThis week we chat about vibrators, gynos, lasers and how we find other TMI providers. We’ll be answering your listener questions including one listener who wants advice on finding a good couples vibrator and another listener looking for advice on finding a good birth center or midwife. In the news we discuss why Queen Elizabeth is in ‘good fettle’ and what that means & how to write socially acceptable emails during a pandemic. Angela's talks about her wedding updates and Laura gets an email f...
Identifying Energy Vampires
March 03, 2021 10:00 - 57 minutesThis week’s episode is all about identifying energy vampires: those people in your life who drain your emotional energy. We talk about how to spot them and how to get rid of them! Then we answer your listener questions including one listener who has a difficult time trusting other women and another who found out something disturbing about her fiance’s family. In the news we discuss apology languages & why the "Sex & the City" reboot will cover COVID. Angela sees a psychic with her partner and...
Managing Stress
February 24, 2021 10:00 - 50 minutesThis week we talk about the big and small things that stress us out and what we do to cope. We answer a question from a listener who is separated from her husband overseas and read an update from another listener who found love thanks to our podcast. In the news we discuss whether or not Prince Harry is sporting a ponytail & SATC returns to HBO without Samantha. Angela's bedtime routine turns creepy and Laura learns how to say no to an exciting work project that stopped being fun. Advertise o...
Losing Your Motivation
February 17, 2021 10:00 - 53 minutesThis week we talk all about losing motivation and how to get it back. We answer your listener questions including one listener who is struggling sharing space with her parents. In the news we discuss Armie Hammer's dark side, Charles Barkley claiming athletes should cut the vaccine line & Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas break up. Angela's therapist says something outrageous during their session and Laura's therapist of four years says she won't accept insurance anymore! This week's episode is br...
Happy Valentine’s Day
February 10, 2021 10:00 - 44 minutesHappy Valentine’s Day! This week we are talking about how we like to spend V-Day, the gifts we asked for and giving tips on how to safely spend the day of love. Then we answer your listener questions including one listener struggling to get on the same financial page as her boyfriend and another listener who isn’t sure if she is celebrating V-Day with a new guy. In the news we discuss the history of V-Day & how Martin Shkreli dumped his journalist girlfriend from prison. Angela talks about we...
Conflict with Family
February 03, 2021 13:37 - 47 minutesThis week we talk about the reasons why people (and we!) are having conflict with family right now and how to deal with it. Then we answer your listener questions including one listener whose in-laws don’t know when to leave and another whose sister has a bad habit that is affecting their relationship. In the news we discuss Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde dating & why Kim and Kanye might be dunzo. Angela's parents are on the mend after getting COVID and Laura struggles with coming up with a mi...
Quarter-Life Crisis
January 27, 2021 12:05 - 44 minutesThis week we talk about what it's like to go through a quarter-life crisis and want to change your career or question other choices in your life (it's all normal!). Then we answer your listener questions including one listener who isn’t sure her career is the right one and another listener who feels uncomfortable being her friend's weight loss buddy. In the news we discuss Ivanka and Jared's pad in Florida & Gigi Hadid posts a belated baby bump (relatable!). Angela tells us how her dad reveal...
To Want or Not Want Kids
January 20, 2021 10:00 - 46 minutesThis week we talk all about the decision-making process behind wanting or not wanting children: how to chat with your sig other (if you have one) and what questions to ask yourself. Then we answer your listener questions including one listener who has a different vision for the future than her boyfriend and another whose husband wants her to cut back hours at work to take care of their kids. Then we talk about what's in the news: The Wall St Journal doubles down on their sexist op-ed about Dr...
Dealing with Enemies
January 13, 2021 10:00 - 49 minutesThis week we talk about what it means to have people in your life who you don't really like as an adult. How to deal with them, how to avoid them and how your relationship came to be in the first place. Then we answer your listener questions including one listener looking for comedy class advice and another listener who wants to know about moving in with her partner. In the news we discuss why Ivanka probably isn’t welcome back in New York & controversial virginity tests happening in the UK. ...
The Power of a Group Chat
January 06, 2021 10:00 - 1 hourThis week we talk all about the benefits and pitfalls of group chat with friends including etiquette, structure, when it works and when it does. Then we answer your listener questions including one listener who wants to know how to convince a friend to seek out therapy and another who is tired of unsolicited advice from friends. In the news we talk about how Trump delayed coronavirus vaccine distribution & Ariana Grande’s gift for Katy Perry’s baby. Angela has an awkward encounter at the UPS ...
New Year, New You 2021 (Thank God 2020 Is Over)
December 30, 2020 10:00 - 1 hourThis week’s episode is our annual New Year, New You where we reassess the past year, go over last year's resolutions and then make new ones for the next year. We answer your listener questions including one listener who is struggling with her future in-laws and another listener worried about moving in with a couple. Then we talk about what’s in the news: what you don’t need to waste your money on to get healthy this New Year & questions to ask yourself before the New Year. Angela finds hersel...
The Dry Challenge ft. author Hilary Sheinbaum
December 23, 2020 10:00 - 51 minutesThis week we welcome reporter and author Hilary Sheinbaum whose book, “The Dry Challenge. How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month" comes out Dec. 29th. We talk about all of the benefits of going sober including, better skin, better sleep, saving money, saving time and less anxiety! We discuss dating sober, sober activities and how to prepare for your dry month challenge. Then we answer your listener questions including logistics about a woman pro...
Healthy Mind & Body
December 16, 2020 10:00 - 59 minutesThis week we talk all about our own personal tips for mental and physical well-being: books that have helped us, tips from our therapists, tips from our moms and lists we suggest making. We answer your listener questions including one listener who wants to boost her co-worker’s confidence and another listener who is struggling with her diet. Then we talk about what’s in the news: a Philadelphia sports mascot becomes the standout star of the 2020 election & McDonalds is adding plant-based item...
An Uncertain Future
December 09, 2020 10:00 - 53 minutesThis week we talk all about the uncertain future and how anxious it makes us not being able to plan. We give tips on coping with anticipatory grief. Then we answer your listener questions including one listener who is wondering how to become a caretaker for her parents and another who is afraid to have kids because of global warming. In the news we discuss Youtube’s most viewed video ever & experts weigh in on if it’s safe to dine in a tent. Angela talks about how Long Island is another dimen...
A Very Weird Holiday Season
December 02, 2020 10:00 - 57 minutesThis week we talk about how weird this holiday season is, how to explain to family and friends that you want to be safe and don't need to celebrate like a normal year (because it's not a normal year!) and tips for having those difficult conversations. We’ll be answering questions from a listener who wants job search advice and another who has a crush on a guy at her gym. In the news we discuss celebs talking about postpartum sex & how to get a friend to stop treating you like a therapist. Ang...
Laura Is Pregnant, Again
November 25, 2020 10:00 - 1 hourAngela gets the day off and Laura is joined by her baby daddy and painter by day, producer by night, Nic Rad, to talk about what it's like expecting baby #2 in their family (the puking, the nerves, the high risk pregnancy). We answer your questions including a listener dating a guy who is on a visa and another from a listener worried her sister in law will be jealous of her engagement. In the news we discuss how to tell an amazing bedtime story and what another podcast host had to say to Laur...
Finding Thanks This Year
November 18, 2020 10:00 - 41 minutesOn this week’s episode we talk about finding the thanks, even during the hot mess of a year that is 2020. We answer your listener questions including one about how to start your own business and another from a listener who wants tips for moving in with a significant other. In the news we discuss bridal face masks & how a grandma saved her grandson from a car jacker. Angela talks about not having a therapist or co-workers to talk to and Laura works on saying hi to Nic more when he comes home. ...
Getting Along with In-Laws
November 11, 2020 10:00 - 1 hourThis week's episode is all about getting along with in-laws and it's inspired by a listener question (luckily, Angela and Laura both adore their in-laws – for reals!). We answer your listener questions including one listener whose mom had an uncomfortable relationship with her ex and another who feels weird saying “I love you” to her in-laws. Then we talk about what’s in the news: a failed ad campaign to get Santa to promote a Covid vaccine & a famous writer gets fired after masturbating duri...
Judging Others
November 04, 2020 10:00 - 40 minutesThis week we talk about why we judge other people's decisions during the pandemic and whether it's healthy or toxic. Then we answer your listener questions including a listener who has to take extra precautions on dates because she’s diabetic and another listener who wants advice on how to tell people to wear a mask. In the news we discuss how Tyra Banks is trying to manifest a Coyote Ugly sequel & why more jobs are prioritizing mental health. Angela and Laura talk about their fears about a s...
Stop Second-Guessing Yourself
October 28, 2020 09:00 - 44 minutesThis week’s episode is called Stop Second-Guessing Yourself. We answer your listener questions, including one listener whose husband is mad at her for not attending a family wedding and another whose roommate gave her bedbugs. Then we talk about what’s in the news: Bella Thorne's sex worker controversy & Sienna Miller reveals Chadwick Boseman gave her part of his salary on a film. Angela is furloughed and cooking and cleaning every day and Laura has a new workspace! This week's episode is bro...
Breaking Up During Covid
October 21, 2020 09:00 - 42 minutesThis week we talk all about how to handle a breakup during quarantine: self care, figuring out logistics and asking yourself if it's really time to breakup or if it's just 2020 getting to you. Then we answer your listener questions including one listener whose husband cheated and another whose friend’s ex is interested in her. In the news we discuss New York being declared an “anarchist jurisdiction” & Chris Evans' penis. Angela accidentally walks in front of her boyfriend's work Zoom call in...
When Friends Start Believing Conspiracy Theories
October 14, 2020 09:00 - 52 minutesThis week we talk all about conspiracy theories: which ones are total BS and how to talk to a friend who believes in them. Then we answer your listener questions including one listener whose friend went down a dark rabbit hole of conspiracy ideas and another listener who has a question about periods. In the news we discuss Drew Barrymore’s new talk show & Barack Obama's new book! Angela's friend gets hit on by a guy not wearing a mask and Laura has to think of weaknesses about her perfect two...
Vote, Bitches
October 07, 2020 09:00 - 56 minutesThis week we talk all about the election, ways to get involved and the importance of fact-checking your news sources (aka don't trust memes!)! We answer your listener questions including whether to talk politics with close family and friends with different views and how to date when you have a stuffed animal collection. In the news we discuss how New York ballots have a shitton of typos & what other countries are saying about the craziness in America. VOTE BIDEN/HARRIS!!! This week's episode ...
Fairness in the Workplace
September 30, 2020 14:28 - 40 minutesThis week we talk about fairness in the workplace – transparency around salaries, the importance of finding a friend at work and more. We answer your listener questions including one listener who has a bigger workload without a raise, another dealing with an annoying coworker and another listener who found out she isn’t getting paid fairly. In the news we discuss how to start a job in the pandemic & what it’s like to date when you’re an escort. Angela talks about how her mood is affected by w...
Surviving Roommates
September 23, 2020 09:00 - 1 hourThis week we talk all about how to deal with roommate etiquette, logistics, privacy, chores and more! We answer your listener questions including one listener who wants to know her new roommates' stance on Covid precautions and another whose roommate is making their living situation awkward. In the news we discuss a secret wedding in San Francisco that got guests sick & Brad Pitt’s new girlfriend. Angela debates doing a small backyard wedding and Laura discusses sending her kid to school or n...
How to Write a Book
September 16, 2020 09:00 - 1 hourThis week we talk all about our experience in book publishing and answer you publishing questions including one listener who wants to know about freelancing and another wondering if she should copyright a title she wants for a book. In the news we discuss Time Out New York closing its print edition & Meghan and Harry's move to Santa Barbara. Angela starts a new job with new confidence by asking for what she needs and Laura looks back on good and bad bosses she's had. This week's episode is b...
Social Media Fatigue
September 09, 2020 09:00 - 59 minutesThis week we talk all about social media fatigue, anxiety, what to post and not post and when to take a break. We answer your questions including one listener who feels uncomfortable on social media and another who feels like social media messages of support are feeling a little hollow. In the news we chat about the CDC’s unexpected change to covid testing guidance & what Alicia Silverstone shared about filming Clueless. Angela gets seated next to influencers at dinner and Laura talks about j...
Friendship Struggles
September 02, 2020 09:00 - 40 minutesThis week we talk about friendship struggles and how hard it is to navigate during the pandemic. We answer your listener questions including one listener with dating woes. Then we talk about what’s in the news: Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Garner's friendship & tainted onions! Angela's friends organize a social distancing party and Laura has a cold and becomes a pariah. This week's episode is brought to you by: Squarespace (offer code: SINGLE) Care/Of (offer code: THISISWHY25) Advertise on Th...