For some reason, sleep training has become one of the most controversial parenting topics out there. Everyone wants their baby to be sleeping well, but many people feel that “sleep training” automatically means “cry it out” and therefore opt out. In today’s episode, we are breaking the silence and talking ALL THINGS baby sleep. I’m sharing exactly how we sleep trained our 2 babies and walking you (step-by-step) through the method that worked for us. I break down our personal experience, the challenges we faced, and how we got both of our kids sleeping through the night by 12 weeks old.
Then, we bring in baby sleep expert Xan from MyBaby Sleepology to answer all of your burning questions: Is sleep training psychologically harmful? Does it really work for all babies? How do you handle regressions? Whether you’re in the trenches of newborn sleep deprivation or just curious about different approaches, this episode is packed with insights, expert advice, and practical tips! I hope you enjoy it!!
Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0525949593/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_Q0MBBJZW1GB40WCRT1T1?linkCode=ml2&tag=luciefink-20
Follow Xan: https://www.instagram.com/mybabysleepology
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
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When Molly became a certified foster mom, she knew her goal was adoption—but she never expected to become a mother overnight. With just 48 hours notice, she welcomed two toddlers into her home, instantly stepping into a life-changing role. In this episode, our anonymous audience caller shares her emotional journey through the foster care system, the unexpected challenges of instant motherhood, and the incredible bond she's built with her children. She opens up about the realities of solo parenting, the rollercoaster of emotions, and what she wishes more people knew about fostering to adopt.
Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPE-N86t7eb2OgX
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/
Executive Producer: Cloud10
Produced by Dear Media.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ricky Bee went viral for doing what should be the norm—being a fully present, equal parent. But his journey to fatherhood wasn’t exactly traditional. In this episode, Ricky gets real about everything: his unexpected path to becoming a dad, how social media changed his life, why men need to rethink their roles in parenting, and the realities of balancing work, partnership, and showing up for his kids. He opens up about grief, masculinity, and why he refuses to let old-school gender norms define his role as a father. If you’ve ever scrolled past his videos and thought, Why is the bar so low for dads?—this conversation is for you.
Follow Ricky:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickyxbee/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickyxbee
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/
Executive Producer: Cloud10
Produced by Dear Media.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
Life is full of highs and lows, and in this episode, we’re diving into *the real stuff*—the storms that people are weathering right now. I asked my audience to leave voicemails sharing what they’re struggling with, and today, we’re hearing from 26 people from all over the world. From infertility to grief, career struggles to anxiety, these stories remind us that we’re never as alone as we might feel.
This episode isn’t about comparing struggles—it’s about connection. It’s about listening with an open heart, recognizing that hardship looks different for everyone, and finding solace in shared experiences. I hope you walk away from this conversation with a deeper sense of empathy and maybe even a little more peace in knowing that we’re all navigating life’s ups and downs together.
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.
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.