Nins accesses a higher power through the song and music video "Me & U" by Tems. Arns delves into a piece of Native American history and the truth about belonging through documentary Daughter of a Lost Bird. 0:00 - Intro 7:37 - Nins: "Me & U" by Tems 31:50 - Arns: Daughter of a Lost Bird 54:30 - Outro Referenced in this episode: "Me & U" by Tems (Sp…

In a departure from their usual BS, Nins & Arns reflect on last week's presidential election, despair & hope, and how we move forward. 0:00 - intro 0:48 - not our usual episode 3:35 - nins' reaction: despair & hope 17:43 - arns' reaction: how we move forward 25:20 - outro Referenced in this episode: poem "daughter" by catarine hancock (@catarinehan…

Arns ponders how to best prepare loved ones for your death through the podcast Julie: The Unwinding of the Miracle. Nins dives into the transformative power of love as shown through Shark Heart by Emily Habeck. Content warning: cancer, death Referenced in this episode: Julie: The Unwinding of the Miracle Podcast Series on Spotify & Apple The Unwind…

We're getting spoOoOky! In this week's Halloween special, Nins explores childlike wonder in the face of death through Kate Braestrup's story, "The House of Mourning," on The Moth. Arns navigates loneliness in the film Casper. Content warning: child loss, dead bodies Referenced in this episode: About The Moth About Kate Braestrup, storyteller behind…

Arns relives the sheer terror of falling in love through "Beyond" by Leon Bridges. Nins pays a visit to an old friend: Steve from Blue's Clues. 0:00 - Intro 5:05 - Announcements: crying is self-care, merch, spooky sobs 8:05 - Sob story: Schitt's Creek 13:21 - Arns: "Beyond" by Leon Bridges 32:02 - Nins: Steve from Blue's Clues 55:27 - Outro Referen…

Nins wraps up our Hamilton tour of tears with Act 2 of the hit musical. Arns pays tribute to our past selves with the help of her sister Mios' zine, The Liminal Spaces. Content warning: grief, loss Referenced in this episode: Hamilton: An American Musical "One Last Time" performed by Christopher Jackson, Lin-Manuel Miranda "Burn" performed by Phill…

Arns is distraught over A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza and the tender words our parents leave unspoken. Nins eases us into Act 1 of the most millennial musical of all time: Hamilton. Content warning: grief, loss Referenced in this episode: A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza Podcast "BOOKS WITH JEN" ep 12 ft. Fatima Farheen Mirza Fatima …

Nins guides us through reincarnation and the afterlife as revealed through Journey of Souls by Dr. Michael Newton. Arns examines short film Dove Real Beauty Sketches through an ethnic lens. Referenced in this episode: Journey of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives by Dr. Michael Newton, PhD Dove Real Beauty Sketches (short version) Dove Real …

Arns lets herself wallow in sadness about long-distance loved ones. Nins is touched by Letters from Mom in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Referenced in this episode: Animal Crossing Context & History (National Videogame Museum) Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Wikipedia) Parents/Letters (Nookipedia) "Letters From My Dead Mom in Animal Crossing" (Mode…

We're back! Nins discovers a universal truth through the help of her safari guide. Arns reminds us that love is a choice through mini series "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story". (Plus: sign up for our newsletter!!!) Content warning: mental illness Referenced in this episode: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix) [WARNING: this content con…

Ariana misses her puppy Cosmo and Angela uncovers a deeper meaning behind "Blurry" by JP Saxe. Content warning: pet loss, grief, anxiety, depression Referenced in this episode: The Line of Best Fit interview with JP Saxe by Jen Long Atwood Magazine interview with JP Saxe by Luke Pettican 7 Questions for JP Saxe video 0:00 - Intro 3:42 - Ariana: mis…

Angela reflects on Sue Zhao's intimate poem "Confessional" and Ariana basks in childhood memories with Michelle Sterling's children's book When Lola Visits. Referenced in this episode: Confessional by Sue Zhao (@s.m.zhao) Other poetry by Sue Zhao: Subtext, Art we love, Call that love Yahoo News article by Leigh Cuen When Lola Visits by Michelle Ste…

Ariana invites listeners to feel their feelings through Victoria Song's Bending Reality and Angela finds joy in TikTok comedian Taryn Smith's "The Heaven Receptionist" skit. Content warnings: grief, child loss Referenced in this episode: Bending Reality by Victoria Song Under The Influence Show episode 129 "The Heaven Receptionist" skit by Taryn Sm…

Angela shares a heartwarming mother-daughter conversation from {THE AND} by The Skin Deep (@the_skindeep) and Ariana is inspired by artist Juna Law's (@juna_law) second chance at life. Referenced in this episode: {THE AND} Rachel & Ginny video by The Skin Deep (@the_skindeep) Artist Juna Law Juna Law feature by Shi Han of Human Edition (@human_edit…

Ariana laments the end of her breastfeeding journey and Angela celebrates LGBTQ representation in sitcom Schitt's Creek. Referenced in this episode: Schitt's Creek: The Guardian article by Michael Cragg; NYT Article by Lara Zarum; Real Mama Bears letter 0:00 - Introduction 3:58 - Ariana: ending breastfeeding 20:58 - Angela: Schitt's Creek Content w…

Angela finds affirmation through TikTok astrologer Meghan Rose's (@the_meghanrose) love letters to the zodiac signs and Ariana is touched by Pixar short "Lava". Referenced in this episode: Astrologer Meghan Rose's "love letter to the signs" series Pixar short "Lava" - James Ford Murphy interviews on Cineplex, Sneak Peek, Ruby Hornet, & KHON2 News 0…

Ariana ponders life through the lens of artist Anna Laura Sullivan (@annalaura_art) and Angela revisits cult classic romcom (500) Days of Summer. Referenced in this episode: Artist Anna Laura's (@annalaura_art) comic about purpose - full Vulture interview Film (500) Days of Summer - Jesse Tribble video essay, Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Larry King Now …

Angela gets vulnerable about her experience with Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Ariana dives (get it?) into the song "Carmen" by Olivia Dean. Referenced in this episode: Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). For more resources, please see information from Cleveland Clinic, Hopkins Medicine, and Mayo Clinic. "Carmen" by Olivia Dean (…

Ariana is emotional about her baby turning one and Angela is moved by Gaia Music Collective. Referenced in this episode: Gaia Music Collective (@gaiamusiccollective) and their cover of Billie Eilish's "When the Party's Over" Content warning: child loss 0:00 - Intro 5:28 - Ariana: baby turning one 21:02 - Angela: Gaia Music Collective Sign up for ou…

This week, our hosts share who they are and why crying matters. Angela explores a poignant dream and Ariana draws an unlikely connection between “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman and "Avatar: The Last Airbender". Referenced in the episode: "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman (Goodreads) Uncle Iroh's song "Leaves From the Vine" - Avatar: The L…

If there are three things Angela Non and Ariana Kempis know how to do, it’s laugh, cry, and laugh about crying. Join us as we explore our emotions and discuss what moves us to tears in the heartfelt-yet-unserious way only two lifelong best friends can. Sign up for our newsletter and let us make you laugh (and cry) in writing, too! Cry along with us…