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brb crying

nins & arns

brb crying is a cozy comedy podcast where we share what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh. join nins & arns—two thirty-something teenagers and lifelong BFFs—as they dive into what moves them to tears (movies! books! personal stories! tbh anything is fair game!) and why crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • 23 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 1 hr 4 min
  • English

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  • October 6 · 1 hr 33 min

    057: the hero's journey, the odyssey, + project hail mary | why love makes us brave

    This week, we're crying over two very different 2026 films (or maybe they're the same?): Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and Project Hail Mary starring Ryan Gosling and based on Andy Weir's bestselling novel. Arns first takes us through The Odyssey, exploring why this 3,000 year-old epic is so much more than monsters, Greek gods, war, and adventure. Beneath Odysseus' epic heroism is a deeply human story about shame, control, and coming to terms with who you truly are versus who the world admires you to be. As it turns out, the hardest part of being a hero isn't facing danger—it's learning to forgive yourself. Nins then gives a full recap of Project Hail Mary (spoiler alert to! the! max!!). The story follows Ryland Grace, a scientist-turned-teacher-turned-astronaut who's reluctantly been sent on a mission to save Earth. Grappling with what it means to be a hero, he ultimately risks everything for someone he loves, teaching us that maybe there is no "bravery gene"; maybe we just need someone to be brave for. A cozy, comedic, & emotional conversation about The Odyssey, Project Hail Mary, Christopher Nolan, Ryan Gosling, Andy Weir, the hero's journey, friendship, love, courage, self-forgiveness, relinquishing control, and what it really means to be brave. Content warning: discussion of death, grief, war, mass casualty, suicide mission, violence, and extinction. Chapters: 0:00 - Preview: the hero's journey 0:55 - Welcome back, crybabies! 4:06 - Nins' rec: The Witch In The Moon 6:10 - Arns' rec: The Know Newsletter 8:14 - Arns: Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey 17:49 - Why it's so hard to be the hero 30:21 - What made Arns cry the hardest was *after* the film 33:54 - The true hero's journey: learning to forgive yourself 41:22 - Nins: Project Hail Mary (love u Ryan Gosling!!) 44:27 - About the author, Andy Weir 58:34 - Grace is *not* a hero 1:08:02 - Rocky, friendship, & finding someone to be brave for 1:27:52 - What it really means to be a hero Referenced in this episode: The Witch In The Moon on Spotify & YouTube The Know Newsletter The Odyssey (2026 film) "When I'm Home" by James Blake, Travis Scott, Ludwig Göransson on Spotify & YouTube Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir Project Hail Mary (2026 film) A episode from the Overdue Podcast about Project Hail Mary "Author Discusses How ‘The Martian’ Went From Blog To Blockbuster" on the WPR blog Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • September 22 · 1 hr 21 min

    056: why ariana grande is a mirror for our healing | eternal sunshine, pov, + petal

    If you're not already an Arianator, you sure as hell are about to be—because this week, we're crying over Miss Ariana Grande. From a childhood destined for stardom to her rise as a global pop star, Ariana's life has been rife with grief, loss, trauma, public scrutiny, heartbreak...and through it all, healing. As Ariana Grande's #1 fan, Nins kicks us off by reciting Ariana's entire biography from memory, laying the 33-year context for her Eternal Sunshine Tour. Nins then breaks down the show's cinematic interludes, exploring why Ariana would choose to live with her pain rather than erase her past, and how doing so honors her inner child. Arns—a much more casual fan—reflects on Ariana Grande’s positions album and why “pov” makes her ugly cry (hint: loving ourselves is harder than it seems!). She then gets into Ariana's newest album petal and “nowhere, nobody,” examining Ariana's artistry through the lens of her own journey toward self-love. A mirror for our own experiences, Ariana Grande shows us that while healing may be daunting, choosing to show up for ourselves is always, always worth it. Content warning: discussion of terrorism/mass casualty, death, grief, drug addiction and overdose, mental health, eating disorder speculation, and public scrutiny. Chapters: 0:00 - preview 3:31 - introducing our ariana grande episode (+ outfits) 6:33 - why ariana grande is nins’ “super bowl” 9:44 - ari's childhood & becoming a performer 12:13 - from nickelodeon to pop star 15:19 - fame, controversy, & growing up in public 22:53 - manchester, mac miller, & surviving grief 39:50 - cozy during covid, wicked scandal, & beginning to heal 44:55 - eternal sunshine tour & ari’s inner child 54:05 - arns: “pov” & learning to love yourself 1:04:32 - petal, “nowhere, nobody,” & coming home to yourself 1:14:21 - ariana grande is a mirror for our healing journey Referenced in this episode: Ariana Grande's biography on Biography.com "Ariana Grande Says She Doesn't Need a Relationship to Complete Her" by Kate Dwyer for Time "The Internet Blamed Ariana Grande for Mac’s death" by Ashley Fullerton for The Xaverian Weekly Vogue GRWM "Scooter Braun on The Events Leading up to One Love Manchester" Shay Omi (@isittherightword) "pov" by Ariana Grande "nowhere, nobody" by Ariana Grande Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • September 8 · 1 hr 22 min

    055: all the tomorrows after & the books we see ourselves in | feeling "too much" with jazzle

    This week, we're joined by Jazzle (@jazzlesbooks), a pre-K teacher, mom, and “emotional book translator” who unpacks not just what books are about, but why they make us feel the way they do. Jazzle shares the origins behind her bookstagram, including how postpartum cracked her open, how books became an outlet, and why she finally stopped being ashamed of feeling "too much." Nins & Arns then get into Joanne Yi's All the Tomorrows After (handpicked by Jazzle herself!), a novel about a Korean American teenager grappling with abandonment, grief, and how to stay soft when life gives us every reason to harden. Jazzle reveals why this novel is "her whole identity", the way abandonment (and the people who stayed) shaped her, and how to tend to her inner child who's still healing. In this episode: Jazzle's postpartum journey & the origin of @jazzlesbooks books as a tool for healing & self-discovery All the Tomorrows After by Joanne Yi abandonment, family, & the inner child Asian American & first-generation family dynamics learning to understand our parents as complicated humans staying soft after being hurt finding home, hope, & love in unexpected places Content warning: abandonment, parental estrangement, grief, death, depression, emotional abuse, and difficult family dynamics. Full spoiler discussion for All the Tomorrows After. Chapters: 0:00 - Preview 1:51 - About Jazzle, emotional book translator 5:57 - Welcome, Jazzle! 8:34 - The story behind @jazzlesbooks: Jazzle's sob story 18:36 - All the Tomorrows After: Part 1 (Nins) 39:02 - Why this book is so personal to Jazzle 46:03 - All the Tomorrows After: Part 2 (Arns) 1:07:53 - Feelings of abandonment & inner child healing 1:16:53 - Final thoughts, where to find Jazzle, & Jazzle's cry rec Referenced in this episode: Jazzle's bookstagram: @jazzlesbooks All The Tomorrows After by Joanne Yi (@writingjojo) "Why YA Deserves a Chance" by Joanne Yi for She Writes Magazine Jazzle's custom embroidery business: @lil.kikos Jazzle's non-book cry rec: From Scratch on Netflix Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • August 25 · 1 hr 12 min

    054: moving homes, cleo dang would rather be dead, + how grief & joy coexist

    This week, we grieve the places we've left behind, the people we've lost, & the joy we find anyway. Nins says goodbye to the apartment that held five years of her life, reminding us that moving to a new home isn't just about leaving a physical space; it means leaving behind the version of you who lived there, too. Arns dives into Mai Nguyen's 2026 novel Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead, a story about infant loss, motherhood, depression, and the messy reality of grief. We explore why we should stop trying to "fix" our grief, how to help others grieve, and all the beautiful ways grief and joy coexist. Content warning: pregnancy loss, infant loss, miscarriage, depression, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, postpartum grief, and death. Full spoiler discussion for Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead. In this episode: the grief of closing a chapter and becoming someone new Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen infant and child loss, motherhood, & complicated grief why grief can look messy, uncomfortable, and even ugly the power of community, connection, & simply staying how grief and joy don't cancel each other out; they coexist Chapters: 0:00 - Preview 4:29 - Arns' life rec: Elix 8:47 - Nins says goodbye to her old home 14:05 - The apartment that witnessed five years of becoming 25:40 - Saying goodbye to an old version of yourself 35:02 - Arns discovers Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead 55:12 - When grief becomes impossible to carry alone 59:46 - Grief & joy are a dance Referenced in this episode: Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen "My Family Never Talked About Death. Then I Lost My Baby" by Mai Nguyen for Oprah Daily Voicemails for Isabelle (2026) Elix cycle balance Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • August 11 · 51 min

    053: what made you cry? 9 strangers, 9 stories from our first wellness pop-up

    This week, we ventured beyond the recording studio and into the real world for our very first brb crying pop-up at a local wellness event. Armed with one simple question—"what made you cry?"—we invited fellow vendors and attendees to share the stories that have been living in their hearts. What followed were nine honest conversations about grief, healing, identity, creativity, parenthood, entrepreneurship, self-worth, showing ourselves grace, and the people who change our lives. Along the way, we got to spotlight incredible local small businesses doing meaningful work in their communities. This episode is a reminder that everyone has a story worth sharing; sometimes all it takes is one question (and maybe a bit of heckling) to uncover it. Content note: this episode includes conversations about grief, loss, and past trauma. In this episode: vulnerability & emotional storytelling wellness, healing & community small business owners & creative journeys grief, love & personal growth mental health & self-discovery what strangers can teach us about being human Chapters: 0:00 - Preview 1:56 - Show us some love by writing us a review <3 6:05 - Introducing our first live podcast event 9:39 - Tess the jewelry maker finds healing through crystals 13:31 - Alex the baker is happy to be alive 17:18 - Jacob cries over a serious Steve Carrell 19:26 - Neetal the social impact author moves through grief 22:53 - Joy the yoga instructor feels seen by her kids 26:48 - Chay the therapist holds space for people who look like her 34:36 - Lilyanna lives in the present and loves herself first 39:00 - Alexa the artist cries about coaching tee ball 42:49 - Jem the doula is an open channel for emotions 49:16 - Outro Referenced in this episode: GAC Wellness Market organized by Gymparty Tess from Elevated Gemstones (@elevatedgemstones) Alex from Chipidee Cookies (@chipideecookies) Beautiful Boy (2018) starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet Neetal from Innov8social & Pineapple Friends Children's Books (@pineapplefriendsbooks) Joy the yoga instructor (@joykarakas) Chay (@chayteatherapy) from Reconnected Mental Health and Therapin*y Someone Great (2019) starring Gina Rodriguez Alexa from Kurated Kultura (@kuratedkultura & @forlittlealexa) Jem from Birth of the Divine (@birthofthedivine) Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • July 28 · 1 hr 1 min

    052: wolf children, motherhood, & learning to let go | cryable anime with gabe (pt. 2)

    This week, we're back with Gabe (@daemoncorps) for part 2 of our cryable anime series. Arns takes us through Mamoru Hosoda's 2012 masterpiece Wolf Children, a heartbreaking story following one mother's journey raising two half-human, half-wolf children all on her own. Beneath this single mother's relentless optimism lies a bittersweet understanding: that the greatest gift we can give a loved one isn't just sacrifice, but the freedom to choose who they want to be. Note: this is the conclusion of our two-part cryable anime series with Gabe. Check out episode 051 (part 1) for Nins' coverage of 5 Centimeters per Second. About our guest: Gabe is a Filipino American, Bay Area-based, self-taught artist. A talented writer, he draws us in with his compelling video essays: some hot takes, others deeply emotional, but all incredibly thoughtful. Visit Gabe's portfolio or follow along on Instagram to learn more about him and his work. In this episode: Wolf Children (2012) & Mamoru Hosoda motherhood, identity, & unconditional love learning when to hold on—and when to let go anime as emotional storytelling stories showing the complexity and messiness of parenthood letting go as the ultimate act of trust and love Chapters: 0:00: Preview 2:00: Welcome back to Gabe & introducing part 2 7:39: Why Gabe recommended Wolf Children to Arns 10:37: Arns breaks down Wolf Children (extreme spoiler alert!) 29:13: Ame's arc & the soul-crushing ending of Wolf Children 38:41: What does it mean to be a parent? 42:16: The complexity of parenthood in Wolf Children 53:13: Diversify your pop culture 54:39: Gabe's cry rec 58:39: Gift giving & goodbye, Gabe! Referenced in this episode: Mamoru Hosoda's 2012 animated film Wolf Children Gabe's YouTube channel (@daemoncorps) Gabe's portfolio Gabe's list of cryable anime Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • July 14 · 1 hr 9 min

    051: 5 centimeters per second & why lingering hope hurts | cryable anime with gabe (pt. 1)

    This week, we're joined by Gabe (@daemoncorps), a cartoonist and letterer with "too many opinions on anime," for the first installment of our two-part cryable anime series. Gabe shares his journey re-discovering himself as an artist—including an anime convention horror story that accidentally made him go viral on YouTube—and how he found his authentic voice publishing video essays online. Nins then takes us through 5 Centimeters Per Second, Makoto Shinkai's heartbreaking animated film about first love, distance, timing, and the quiet grief of growing apart. Together, our hosts unpack Shinkai's melancholic storytelling, how nostalgia can become its own kind of heartbreak, and why longing for the past can stop us from living in the present. Note: this is part 1 of 2. Next episode, Arns brings her own anime to sob over. :') About our guest: Gabe is a Filipino American, Bay Area-based, self-taught artist. A talented writer, he draws us in with his compelling video essays: some hot takes, others deeply emotional, but all incredibly thoughtful. Visit Gabe's portfolio or follow along on Instagram to learn more about him and his work. In this episode: creative careers & viral YouTube success anime as emotional storytelling Makoto Shinkai's 5cm/s longing, distance & missed timing growing up and accepting change finding happiness in moving forward Chapters: 00:00:00 - Preview 00:01:58 - Introducing this week's guest 00:05:00 - Welcome, Gabe! 00:06:32 - COVID: some people made sourdough, Gabe made a YouTube Channel 00:09:03 - Gabe's journey toward making art again 00:11:03 - An anime convention horror story that accidentally went viral 00:16:21 - When art becomes performing vs. creating 00:19:26 - The point of art 00:25:43 - Nins' confession about anime 00:27:14 - About 5 Centimeters per Second 00:49:16 - How we choose to reminisce about the past 00:54:29 - Why the ending of 5 cm/s was so emotional 01:00:59 - When leaving the past behind *is* the happy ending 01:07:25 - Outro: stay tuned for part 2! Referenced in this episode: Gabe's YouTube channel (@daemoncorps) Gabe's portfolio "Michael Brings Pam to Tears at Her Art Show - The Office" Gabe's "Making Art is Hard" YouTube essay Gabe's "Drew Pickles is Trash and I Can Prove Why" YouTube essay Makoto Shinkai's 2007 animated film 5 Centimeters Per Second Makoto Shinkai's Z Kai prep school commercial Makoto Shinkai's "She and Her Cat" Across Time and Space: The Films of Makoto Shinkai Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • June 30 · 1 hr 9 min

    050: olivia rodrigo's "drop dead" & "the cure" on dreaming, hurting, & healing + celebrating 50 episodes

    ep 050 (!!) is our biggest milestone yet, so we're celebrating the only way we know how: by crying over Olivia Rodrigo. This week, Arns unpacks the iconic "Drop Dead" music video, exploring why filming at Versailles was so culturally momentous, what it means to watch a fellow Filipina take up space, and how someone else's audacity can give our inner child permission to dream big, too. Nins then dives into "The Cure," acknowledging the painful belief that love from another person can fully heal us. While relationships can support us, the song and music video remind us that no one else can build up our self-worth—that journey begins with loving ourselves first. From Filipino identity and representation to self-worth, healing, and the emotional brilliance (devastation?) of Olivia Rodrigo's songwriting, this episode celebrates the Pinay pop-punk princess who feels as deeply as we do—while also celebrating 50 episodes of crying, laughing, and growing alongside our crybaby community. In this episode: celebrating 50 episodes of brb crying! Olivia Rodrigo's 2026 album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love "Drop Dead" analysis "The Cure" analysis songwriting & storytelling growing up, healing & vulnerability why music makes us cry Chapters 0:00 - Preview 2:25 - Celebrating 50 (!!) episodes 9:56 - We're featured on Apple Podcasts (again) 11:04 - We *had* to talk about Olivia Rodrigo for our 50th episode 18:17 - "Driver's License" was the cultural reset the world needed 25:23 - Olivia Rodrigo claims her Filipino identity HARD 27:56 - Dan Nigro is Olivia's musical soulmate 30:49 - Arns: "Drop Dead" & the power of Versailles 38:07 - Olivia gave my inner child permission to dream again 44:47 - Nins: "The Cure" 56:34 - Feeling inadequate: a recurring theme in Olivia's music 1:00:38 - Someone else's love can't heal you 1:04:12 - Olivia is emotionally hyperaware and vulnerable as hell Referenced in this episode: "Drop Dead" by Olivia Rodrigo song & music video "The Cure" by Olivia Rodrigo song & music video "Olivia Rodrigo’s New Music Video Is a Dizzying Romp Through Versailles" by Vittoria Benzine for Artnet News "Olivia Rodrigo donates all sales from historic Manila show to group that helps women and girls" by Kimy Yam for NBC News Olivia Rodrigo saying she feels "so filipino" (IG: @liv.source) Château De Versailles official website "'I’m Definitely A Lover Girl': Olivia Rodrigo On Yearning, 'London Vibes', And Her Most Experimental Album Yet" by Amel Mukhtar for British Vogue "How Olivia Rodrigo’s Love Songs Became a Breakup Album" by Popcast "From Disney to 'Drivers License': Inside Olivia Rodrigo's Musical Journey to Become the Voice of Her Generation" by Ellise Shafer for Variety "Olivia Rodrigo Is in the Driver's Seat" by Lizzie Widdicombe for Elle Tissue box from CleverSimple on Etsy Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • June 16 · 1 hr 5 min

    049: how to take a chance on yourself | dr. nicole garlit on entrepreneurship, burnout, & self-belief

    This week, we welcome our first ever guest (!!): Dr. Nicole Garlit, physical therapist, entrepreneur, and founder of her own private practice. Nicole joins Nins & Arns to talk about the emotional reality of building a business, navigating uncertainty, and learning to trust yourself when there's no guaranteed path forward. From chronic stress showing up physically in the body to the fear of leaving stability behind, Nicole shares the moments that pushed her to take a chance on herself and shape a career aligned with her values. Together, we explore entrepreneurship, burnout, perfectionism, emotional health, asking for help, self-trust, motherhood, physical therapy, and the courage it takes to build something of your own. To all our crybabies who are dreaming of starting a business, considering a career change, or simply trying to believe in themselves a little more: this one's for you. (And to anyone interested in working with Dr. Nicole, enter code "BRBC50" on the contact form of her website for 50% off your initial assessment!) Content warning: discussions of stress, burnout, anxiety, chronic pain, and emotional overwhelm. Chapters 0:00: preview 0:30: welcome to brb crying's first-ever guest 3:36: how we know our guest 6:38: welcome to Dr. Nicole! 12:16: Dr. Nicole's sob story: crying after school drop-off 15:55: can emotional stress cause physical pain? 22:02: what healing and emotional release actually feel like 34:47: Nicole's "why": pursuing PT & leaving traditional healthcare 38:41: building a business and betting on yourself 46:00: overcoming imposter syndrome 54:20: advice for anyone chasing a dream 1:00:57: Nicole's cry rec + where to find her Referenced in this episode: Dr. Nicole Garlit's website The Notebook (2004 film) Bonus cry rec: "Heartbeat" by James Arthur Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • June 2 · 57 min

    048: heated rivalry (part 2) + the spoiler moments that destroyed us

    Nins & Arns return for a follow-up episode on Heated Rivalry that absolutely no one asked for (because one emotional breakdown over yearning, hockey, and devastating eye contact was clearly not enough!!). After finally bingeing the series, Arns comes fully prepared with a spoiler-filled PowerPoint presentation covering the scenes, confessions, relationships, and tiny emotional moments that wrecked her. Together, the hosts spiral through Scott & Kip, Shane & Ilia, coming out scenes, public love, emotional repression, and why this show made domesticity feel romantic as hell. Also in this episode: a heartfelt sob story from Serena—founder of Third Realm in San Francisco—about burnout, healing, poetry, community, connection, and creating spaces where people can feel less alone. NOTE: This episode contains full on spoilers for Heated Rivalry. Please we are BEGGING you to watch it first!! Topics discussed: Heated Rivalry episode breakdown Scott & Kip discourse Shane & Ilia analysis Burnout & healing Third spaces & community Emotional repression in sports media Queer love stories & acceptance Strong female supporting characters in media The importance of slide decks in proving how deeply you care Chapters: 0:00 - Preview 0:36 - Intro 1:55 - Announcement: blind book swap on 6/6 in SF! 3:12 - Sob story: Serena from Third Realm 8:55 - Heated Rivalry Part 2 Begins (Spoiler Alert!) 14:00 - Scott & Kip: Secrets, Sunshine & The Championship Kiss 23:23 - Why Scott & Kip's Story Made Us Cry 28:10 - Ilya & Shane's Cottage Love Story 34:06 - Shane Comes Out to His Mom 37:30 - The Women of Heated Rivalry 47:25 - Actor Appreciation & Behind-the-Scenes Tea 51:48 - Character Drafts, Final Thoughts & Season 2 Manifesting 55:30 - Outro Referenced in this episode: brb crying x Third Realm book swap on June 6 Heated Rivalry TV series on HBO Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • May 19 · 1 hr 6 min

    047: justin bieber’s “everything hallelujah”, lilo & stitch, & choosing joy anyway

    This week, Nins unexpectedly develops Bieber fever after hearing Justin Bieber’s “EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH” and spirals into a wildly emotional deep dive on healing, fame, survival, gratitude, and brushing your teeth while depressed. Meanwhile, Arns revisits Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (2002) and fully crumbles over found family, loneliness, belonging, and the devastating realization that Stitch just wanted to know he deserved love, too. Basically: two stories about choosing joy anyway. Content warning: substance abuse, suicidal ideation, sexual assault In this episode: Justin Bieber’s rise to fame and public struggles “EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH” and the psychology of healing Why tiny acts of care can feel miraculous during depression Lilo & Stitch as a story about grief, found family, and belonging Why “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” suddenly becomes emotionally lethal as an adult Ohana means family (we had to do it) 0:00 - Preview 0:30 - Intro 1:59 - Announcement: blind book swap in SF! 6:16 - Nins: "EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH" by Justin Bieber 30:29 - Nins: why I cried 43:20 - Arns: Lilo & Stitch 58:04 - Arns: why I (unexpectedly) cried 1:04:24 - Outro Referenced in this episode: Blind book swap @ Third Realm in SF on June 6 qi gong meditation "EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH" by Justin Bieber on Spotify and YouTube "Justin Bieber - A Billboard Cover Story" (2010 article) by Monica Herrera "Justin Bieber Seasons: The Movie" (2020 documentary) "Justin Bieber: Next Chapter" (2020 documentary) "Justin Bieber says he has facial paralysis due to Ramsay Hunt syndrome" (2022 article) by Lisa Respers France for CNN tiktoks by pop culture analyst @isittherightword "Bieber & Usher Oscar Party Fight: Deeper Reasons" "The Justin Bieber vs Sabrina Carpenter Discourse is the Patriarchy Working as Designed" "Britney Spears and Justin Bieber: The Poisoned Antidote" Lilo & Stitch (2002) "The Meaning Behind the 1878 Hawaiian Folk Song 'Aloha Oe' by Queen Lili’uokalani" by Tina Benitez-Eves for American Songwriter "If Justin Bieber got cast as Boq in Wicked" by @hopegodwin12 Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • May 5 · 1 hr 12 min

    046: harry baker, heated rivalry, & loving so much it hurts

    This week, Arns unpacks “Sunflowers” by Harry Baker and spirals through grief, funerals, and the terrifying urgency of being alive right now. Meanwhile, Nins dives headfirst into Heated Rivalry, the wildly beloved hockey romance series full of yearning, emotional repression, devastating tension, and men gazing heavily at each other instead of going to therapy. Basically: two stories about loving people so much it hurts. In this episode: Harry Baker’s poetry and performance work “Sunflowers,” Wonderful, and Tender Why grief makes ordinary moments feel sacred Heated Rivalry and the rise of hockey romance Emotional repression in sports stories The agony of yearning Why being alive is both beautiful and horrifying Chapters: 0:00 - Preview 0:33 - Intro 5:13 - Arns: "Sunflowers" by Harry Baker 32:05 - Nins: Heated Rivalry 1:08:56 - Sob story: Justin from Chicago 1:11:22 - Outro Referenced in this episode: Harry Baker performing "59" on TEDx Talks Something Borrowed podcast hosted by Harry Baker on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Harry Baker performing "crying over spilt milk" Harry Baker performing "Wonderful" Harry Baker performing "Sunflowers" Wonderful, a collection of poems by Harry Baker Tender, a collection of poems by Harry Baker Heated Rivalry “Hockey romance novels are in the news. Here’s why they’re so popular” by Rachel Kurzius for The Washington Post "Week-to-Week: The MM Hockey Romance Revolution will be Televised (in Canada)" by Myles McNutt for Episodic Medium Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • April 21 · 58 min

    045: "st. clarity" by the paper kites & an emotional birth story

    This week, Nins & Arns drift through “St. Clarity” by The Paper Kites, emotional healing, pregnancy, childbirth, and the strangely beautiful process of becoming someone new. Nins gets lost in the dreamy stillness of “St. Clarity” by The Paper Kites, reflecting on the song’s peaceful atmosphere, quiet emotional weight, and the ripple effects our actions leave behind long after a moment has passed. Arns shares her birth story—from pregnancy fears and labor pain to the surreal feeling of meeting her daughter for the first time, and realizing that childbirth doesn’t just bring a new person into the world…it births a new version of you, too. This episode explores vulnerability, memory, identity, family, healing, motherhood, and the small moments that permanently shape who we become. Content warning: pregnancy, childbirth 0:00 - Preview 0:24 - Intro 2:54 - Bad days 7:23 - Nins: St. Clarity by The Paper Kites 30:14 - Arns: birth story 56:26 - Outro Referenced in this episode: St. Clarity (official music video) by The Paper Kites "The Return of Fed Square Live" by Amy Theodore for Top Shelf Mag "Track of the Week: 'St Clarity' By The Paper Kites" by Alex Restrepo for KRUI FM radio station An interview with Dave Powys for Timber & Steel Wordpress "The Making of St. Clarity" by @thepaperkitesband on YouTube Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • April 7 · 1 hr 2 min

    044: filipino american smithsonian exhibit & what fighting revealed about my marriage

    This week, Arns visits the Smithsonian exhibition How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories and reflects on Filipino migration, generational memories, family sacrifice, and the emotional weight of the objects and stories we leave behind. From ornate steamer trunks to embroidered pillowcases, the exhibit unveils deeper questions about identity, belonging, and what survives across time. Nins gets painfully honest about a recent fight with her husband—one that slowly unraveled into a weighted conversation about communication, emotional needs, vulnerability, and the intimacy of truly understanding each other after conflict (and, of course, past life regressions). This episode explores marriage, family history, cultural identity, legacy, emotional repair, conflict, and the ways we try to love each other better even when it gets messy. Chapters: 0:00 - Preview 0:31 - Intro 4:47 - Arns' intro: Nins' belated birthday present 7:33 - Arns: Filipino American Smithsonian exhibit 27:54 - Nins: fighting with my husband 46:10 - Nins: past life regression 1:01:13 - Outro Referenced in this episode: The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) exhibition titled How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories at the National Museum of American History “Discovery of the Trunks” by National Museum of American History "Landmark Filipino American exhibit opens at Smithsonian Museum” by James Sobredo for Rappler Larry the Musical Dear Flor gummies Brian Weiss past life regression meditation Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • March 24 · 57 min

    043: PMDD, queen charlotte, & being loved through it all

    Nins & Arns choose each other's stories in this special throwback episode. Arns chooses ep 003: periods are hard, where Nins shares her struggles with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Nins chooses ep 011: a bridgerton (sob) story, where Arns reminds us that love is a choice through Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Content warning: depression, mental illness 0:00 - Preview 0:36 - Intro 2:17 - Apple Podcasts Canada feature! 3:14 - Today's throwback format 3:49 - Nins: PMDD 33:16 - Arns: Queen Charlotte 55:27 - Outro Referenced in this episode: Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). For more resources, please see information from Cleveland Clinic, Hopkins Medicine, and Mayo Clinic. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix) Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • March 10 · 42 min

    042: the weirdly specific things that make us cry

    This week is a chaotic emotional spiral through all the oddly specific things that make people cry. Nins and Arns pull different “cry categories” out of a jar and unpack the videos, memories, fears, therapy breakthroughs, celebrity interviews, childhood movies, random scents, and late-night TikToks that destroyed them emotionally. What starts as a silly little game quickly turns into an honest conversation about vulnerability, nostalgia, healing, growing up, and why the smallest moments somehow hit the hardest. From emotional texts from parents to irrational childhood fears that still linger into adulthood, this episode explores the deeply human experience of crying over the most unexpected, nonsensical things. If you’ve ever sobbed because of a smell, a Disney movie scene, or a TikTok at 2AM, this one’s for you. 0:00 - Preview 0:36 - Intro 1:21 - Introducing: cry categories 3:19 - Sob story: Ms. Darla 9:43 - #1: celebrity interview moments 19:11 - #2: TikTok trends 22:10 - #3: realizations in therapy 27:17 - #4: scents 31:02 - #5: childhood films 35:46 - #6: text from a parent 39:05 - #7: irrational fears from childhood 41:35 - Outro Referenced in this episode: Jay Shetty Podcast | Emma Watson Vogue | Ariana Grande's GRWM WOODY FM x LISA | Most Exclusive Talk Ever in Thailand "tiktoks that make me cry" (TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast) the "last time" trend (IG: @nhutella_) Mulan's decision Mulan | emperor's speech Anastasia | Journey to the Past Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • February 24 · 1 hr 17 min

    041: f1 champion lando norris, titanic, & the dreams that carry us forward

    This week, Arns unpacks the emotional aftermath of Lando Norris’ Formula 1 championship win—from childhood karting dreams and impossible pressure to the vulnerable reality of finally achieving the thing you’ve chased your entire life. Nins revisits Titanic (1997), reflecting on doomed love, immigrant hope, class inequality, and the devastating humanity at the center of James Cameron’s iconic film. Also featuring emotional listener stories from crybabies Nadene and Glenci, plus a reminder that every immigrant deserves dignity, compassion, and care. This episode explores ambition, survival, grief, hope, vulnerability, and the deeply human desire to build a better life. ⏱ Chapters: 0:00 - Preview 0:38 - Intro 2:21 - Listen to our vday ep! 6:07 - Arns: F1 champion Lando Norris 24:30 - Crybaby feature: Nadene + Glenci 34:49 - Nins: Titanic 1:07:42 - We stand with immigrants 1:16:19 - Outro Referenced in this episode: Lando Norris’ Mclaren Formula 1 driver profile "Lando Norris: From Go-Kart Dreams to World Champion" on BBC Sport's YouTube channel “THE BEST 24 HOURS OF MY LIFE” on Lando Norris’ YouTube channel “Lando Norris’ Crowning Moment | 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix” on Formula 1's YouTube channel Netflix's Formula 1: Drive to Survive The book Titanic 9 Hours of Hell: The Survivors’ Story by WB Bartlet The book Sinking of the Titanic And Great Sea Disasters by Logan Marshall Gleicher, David (2006). The Rescue of the Third Class on the Titanic: A Revisionist History. Barczewski, Stephanie (2006). Titanic: A Night Remembered. London: Continuum. Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • February 10 · 1 hr 14 min

    040: how to end a love story (yulin kuang) + the women (kristin hannah) on grief, love, & healing

    In this Valentine's Day collaboration with A Novel Affair Romance Bookstore, Nins & Arns discuss two completely different novels—a contemporary romance and a Vietnam War novel—that somehow arrive at the exact same conclusion about self-love, healing, and forgiveness. First, Nins dives into How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang, a romance about grief, guilt, vulnerability, self-worth, and the fear of being truly known by another person. Then, Arns explores The Women by Kristin Hannah, a bestselling historical fiction novel following an army nurse during the Vietnam War as she navigates trauma, friendship, resilience, PTSD, and the difficult journey of rebuilding a life after war. Though completely different premises, both books ultimately ask the same question: How do we learn to love ourselves after heartbreak? In this episode, we discuss: • How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang • The Women by Kristin Hannah • Romance novels and contemporary fiction • Historical fiction and the Vietnam War • Grief, trauma, healing, and self-forgiveness • PTSD and mental health representation • Friendship, resilience, and emotional recovery • Book recommendations that made us cry • Valentine's Day reading recommendations • Self-love and personal growth If you love emotional books, book club discussions, literary deep dives, BookTok favorites, romance novels, or stories that stay with you long after the final page, this episode is for you. Content warning: trauma, grief & loss, death from suicide, violence, mental health issues, PTSD 0:00 - Preview 0:32 - Intro 1:57 - Vday collab with A Novel Affair Romance Bookshop 4:25 - Follow us on socials :') 5:10 - Nins: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang (Yung's rec) 36:45 - Arns: The Women by Kristin Hannah (Julie's rec) 1:12:27 - Outro Referenced in this episode: A Novel Affair Romance Bookstore in Los Altos, CA How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang Yulin Kuang's website "Writer-director Yulin Kuang on getting things done" on The Creative Independent The Women by Kristin Hannah Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • January 27 · 59 min

    039: we live in time, modern love, & the people who change us

    This week, we explore the people who quietly change our lives—and the fleeting moments we wish could last forever. Arns reflects on We Live in Time (2024), starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, and why this devastatingly beautiful film about love, mortality, grief, and the passage of time left her in tears. We unpack what it means to love fully even when life offers no guarantees. Nins brings us to one of Modern Love's most beloved stories, "When the Doorman Is Your Main Man," a moving reminder that family isn't always biological and that some of life's most meaningful relationships come from unexpected places. From romantic love to found family, this episode explores friendship, loneliness, vulnerability, emotional healing, community, and the people who make life feel a little less lonely. To all our crybabies who have ever been changed by a movie, a stranger, a friendship, or a love that arrived when you needed it most: this one's for you. In this episode: We Live in Time (2024) Florence Pugh & Andrew Garfield Modern Love Found family and chosen family Love and mortality Friendship and human connection Loneliness and belonging Emotional healing and vulnerability 0:00 - Preview 0:30 - Intro 0:53 - Welcome to our new studio! 3:12 - Viral on TikTok 5:48 - Arns: We Live in Time 30:19 - Nins: Modern Love doorman story 57:16 - Outro Referenced in this episode: Film We Live in Time (2024) Original essay "When the Doorman Is Your Main Man" by Julie Margaret (2015) The Modern Love TV show (aired in 2019) Two NYT articles by David Jones, the editor of modern Love: “To her He was More than a Doorman” (2019) “Where Did Modern Love Come From?” (2024) Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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  • January 13 · 1 hr 2 min

    038: animal communication, emotional healing, & finding yourself again

    This week, we explore animal communication, emotional healing, personal growth, and the lifelong process of finding yourself again. Nins shares the story of an emotional animal communication session with pet psychic Jenny of Bluebird Animal Communication. After years of wondering what her beloved cat Meredith Grey might be thinking, she finally books a session and receives unexpected messages about love, connection, healing, and the ways our pets can change our lives. Arns dives into the viral "midlife glow up" journey of creator Leila Howell (@mykindofglow_), whose honest reflections on motherhood, identity, self-worth, reinvention, and personal growth have resonated with millions. We discuss what it means to lose yourself in life's transitions—and how to find your way back. From pet psychics and spiritual experiences to motherhood, self-discovery, vulnerability, and emotional wellness, this episode is a reminder that growth often begins in the smallest and most unexpected moments. Topics discussed: Animal communication Pet psychics Cats and emotional bonds Spiritual experiences Emotional healing Personal growth Self-discovery Midlife glow ups Motherhood and identity Reinvention Vulnerability Finding yourself again 0:00 - Intro 2:47 - Flood our notifications, please 3:48 - HBD Nins & NY resolutions 7:09 - Nins: animal communicator session 40:26 - Arns: Leila's midlife glow up 1:01:17 - Outro Referenced in this episode: Bluebird Animal Communication website "Meredith Grey: The Sweetest Cat Companion" (TikTok of Nins' cat Mer and her session with Jenny from Bluebird Animal Communication) Leila Howell from @mykindofglow_ "41 and trying to glow up instead of lie down" by @mykindofglow_ "Taking a moment to celebrate my wins" by @mykindofglow_ Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and life experiences that leave us in tears. Follow us: » Instagram: @brbcrying.podcast » TikTok: @brbcrying.podcast » YouTube: @brbcrying.podcast Want episode recaps, behind-the-scenes/community updates, and occasional emotional damage delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter at brbcryingpodcast.com. Have a sob story or cry recommendation that absolutely wrecked you? We'd love to be wrecked, too. Submit your story at brbcryingpodcast.com or email us at hello@brbcryingpodcast.com. brb crying—hosted by longtime best friends Nins & Arns—is a podcast where we explore the songs, books, TV shows, films, pop culture moments, and personal stories that help us laugh, cry, heal, and feel a little less alone. Crying is our superpower, and by sharing what makes us cry in a way that makes us laugh, we show how crying helps us connect with ourselves and each other.

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Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes