Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People
Chris Gethard
1 phone call. 1 hour. No names. No holds barred. Thats the premise behind Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People, hosted by comedian Chris Gethard (the Chris Gethard Show, Broad City, This American Life, and one of Time Outs 10 best comedians of 2015). Every week, Chris opens the phone line to one anonymous caller, and he cant hang up first, no matter what. From shocking confessions and family secrets to philosophical discussions and shameless self-promotion, anything can and will happen! Theme song by Shellshag.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 19, 2022 • 1h 6min
Attacked By Birds Listening to Beautiful/Anonymous (Live from Sacramento)
An ornithologist speaks with Geth about studying skuas and the time she almost punched a penguin. She opens up about how working in the field has affected her love life. She also describes the special bond that comes from living with a small group in a remote area and the joy of eating ice cream in Antarctica.
Apr 12, 2022 • 1h 2min
Autopsy Technician
An autopsy technician explains the origins of his dark sense of humor and why he wants a career change. He also opens up to Geth about the importance of emotionally detaching during an autopsy, the hardest he's laughed a work, and how playing guitar helps him unwind. This episode includes graphic talk about autopsy work and mentions of sexual assault. So please keep that in mind before you listen and if you find these topics distressing, you might want to join us next episode instead.
Apr 5, 2022 • 1h 6min
New Job, Dead Dad
A daughter opens up about losing her dad and going through a big career change at the same time. She shares the strange way she got her new job and how it felt to plan a funeral for someone she never really knew.
Mar 29, 2022 • 1h 6min
Monogamish
A woman opens up about being a closeted bisexual during her marriage. She shares with Geth how infertility issues and getting divorced led to coming out as polyamorous. She also discusses having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and what it's like being in a throuple.
Mar 22, 2022 • 1h 10min
Clothing Optional Gay Resort (Live from San Francisco)
Where does one put their room key and vax card at a nude resort? Our caller reveals the answer to Geth live from San Francisco. He shares his theory on why older gay men are drawn to Palm Springs. Later on, he tells the bizarre story of temporarily losing his hearing and sense of balance. He also talks about losing his brother to addiction, making his friend go to rehab, and helps an audience member choose their next tattoo.
Mar 15, 2022 • 1h 9min
Hiked the Appalachian Trail
A man discusses the biggest challenges of hiking the trail and the scariest thing of all: Lyme disease. He describes legendary (and sometimes creepy) people known along the trail including the shirtless "hammer man" and the hospitality of "trail angels." He also shares a story with Geth about a stranger's kindness and how it gave him the strength to go on.
Mar 8, 2022 • 1h 3min
Divorced at 25
A young woman describes living life backwards after buying a home at 22 then moving in with roommates post-divorce with her baby. She also opens up to Geth about coming from a family of 8 and the fact that her son is only 1 year younger than her sister.
Mar 1, 2022 • 1h 5min
Warrior Shaman
Years of PTSD nearly destroyed this former Green Beret's life, until he found a new path. He speaks with Geth about the Ayahuasca retreat that changed everything and how he became a shaman. He also shares how he's been helping other veterans cope with trauma and why psychedelics should be more easily accessible.
Feb 22, 2022 • 1h 5min
First Burp, First Kid (Live From Omaha)
Geth speaks with a new dad who recently got surgery to help him burp. Will the live crowd in Omaha get to hear the caller belch? Only time will tell. He and Chris also talk about favorite sodas, like/dislike of plant-based meat, and the sudden urge to protect your kid once they're born.
Feb 15, 2022 • 1h 5min
Dating and Disabled
A woman with cerebral palsy and a dark sense of humor tells the story of how her fiancé proposed. She discusses dating as a disabled person, "chair chasers", and why laughing is so important. She also bonds with Geth over a shared dislike of "Cotton Eyed Joe." Plus, more of Chris' favorite Valentine's Day stories submitted by B/A listeners.
