Brutally Anna

Let’s talk about thongs, grief, people-pleasing, and the radical act of not going to the damn party. In this episode, I unravel why I stopped molding myself into someone else’s ideal — whether it was for a man, a friend, or an aesthetic. I also talk about loss, what a photographer taught me about timing, and why your “no” doesn’t need an excuse (or a follow-up text). If you’ve ever contorted yourself to be chosen, approved of, or invited — this one's for you. Also, RIP to the thong I wore once in 2014. ALL MY CHANNELS Newsletter: https://brutalbanter.beehiiv.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maybeboth TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@maybeboth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She’s 32, never had a boyfriend, and just dropped thousands to fund her own proposal — hotel, flowers, the ring he gave her. Meanwhile, he’s out here liking thirst traps and asking her for money for designer watches. In this episode, I unpack the heartbreak of watching someone you love choose delusion over dignity — and why trying to save them might actually be a way of avoiding your own sh*t. Also in this episode: • The difference between generosity and desperation (and how thin the line can be) • The ex-boyfriend I tried to impress with an espresso machine I couldn’t afford • Why today — some random Tuesday in June — might be your new beginning • The illusion of arrival — what happens after you get the life you begged for This is Brutally Anna 2.0 — where it's us just now, and nothing's off limits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fashion and beauty influencer, Kristina Zias, dives into her 13-year journey from being called 'cringe' to becoming a body positivity queen featured on The Drew Barrymore Show and People Magazine. We discuss juggling motherhood, cross-country move, and running her own business and why her delusional confidence has led her to achieving (and running!) races and experiences she never thought she once could. Follow Anna: https://www.instagram.com/maybeboth/ https://www.tiktok.com/@maybeboth https://www.youtube.com/@maybeboth Follow Kristina https://www.instagram.com/kristinazias/ https://www.tiktok.com/@kristinazias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From his humble beginnings playing with Barbies, dealing with bullies, and rocking TJ Maxx instead of Abercrombie, Bran shares how he went from the "fat, poor, gay kid" to our internet gay bestie. Bran recounts his first Grindr hookup (complete with crabs) and dishes on his modern-day love life: think more situational-ships than relationships. We get real about his epic mental health breakdown, panic disorders, and how therapy and meds turned things around. Now, he's all about self-love, spreading good vibes, and focusing on making bank before worrying about love. My guest this week, Noelle Downing, shares her journey of finding joy and purpose after experiencing significant loss at a young age. Despite the loss of her mother to cancer at age seven and her father to a heart attack at age sixteen, Noelle has cultivated a life filled with optimism and creativity. She talks about her early beginnings as a content creator, her side hustles, and the perseverance that led to her success. Noelle also discusses her spiritual beliefs, the impact of her parents' deaths on her life, and the importance of rejection and resilience in shaping her path. Throughout the conversation, her optimism and self-love shine through, offering inspiration and a reminder that joy can be found even in the darkest times. Follow Anna: https://www.instagram.com/maybeboth/ https://www.tiktok.com/@maybeboth https://www.youtube.com/@maybeboth Follow Bran: https://www.instagram.com/bran_flakezz https://www.tiktok.com/@bran_flakezz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedian, social media sensation, and bestselling author Anna Akana joins me this week as she discusses her journey from dealing with the tragic loss of her sister to suicide to becoming a comedian where she found solace in making others laugh. We dive deep into the challenges of dating in LA, dealing with grief, the quirks of menstrual products, and the importance of allowing yourself to be bad at something before you get good. Plus, you'll laugh at some truly unexpected places, like when we discuss leaving a menstrual disc in for three months (yes, really). It's about turning your pain into your power and remembering to enjoy the process—even when life’s a bit of a mess. Follow Anna Kai: https://www.instagram.com/maybeboth/ https://www.tiktok.com/@maybeboth https://www.youtube.com/@maybeboth Follow Anna Akana: https://www.instagram.com/annaakana https://www.youtube.com/user/AnnaAkana https://www.tiktok.com/@annaakana Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Picture this: I'm chilling (or warming really) in a swanky Utah hotel room, staring at a scenic snowy mountain while my outdoor gas fireplace blazes away because I couldn't figure out how to turn it off. I'm here on a brand trip, but before this, I was in LA for a memorial. Some heavy stuff has been on my mind: the sudden loss of loved ones, the meaning of life, and what's truly important. Spoiler: It's not meeting work deadlines. I'm also grappling with our existence, the supernatural, and what's out there after our brains clock out. There's even a spooky story about a kid seeing a deceased 'Uncle Jack'. Major existential vibes. Oh, and plot twist: this will be my last solo podcast episode for a bit. I'm launching a fantastic newsletter called Brutal Banter, so find me there for all the inspo and skincare deets. Exciting stuff, right? Catch you on the flip side! Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter: https://brutalbanter.beehiiv.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I'm scared of K-12 kids, having kids, and having kids who might get bullied. Unpacking all of the above on this week's solo episode after an encounter with Girl Scouts selling cookies and why I think I'd be capable of murder (under the right circumstances! It's a joke - don't come after me FBI!). I tackle listener voicemails about toxic friendships (not all friends are forever) and family dramas. Stick around for my reflections on death and celebrating life, and why flying back to LA for a family event made me rethink the grind. Leave me a voicemail: speakpipe.com/brutallyannapodcast Follow Anna: https://www.instagram.com/maybeboth/ https://www.tiktok.com/@maybeboth https://www.youtube.com/@maybeboth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're talking DIY pest control, why owning a home is (kind of) a scam (that I willingly participate in and have a love/hate relationship with), and why it's a privilege to be able to try at all, even if you fail. I discuss why we need to make it more socially acceptable for women not to be motivated by some higher "purpose" other than making a living, and I answer a listener's question about what to do when you're tired of dating and don't feel like you're making any progress. Lastly, I rant about getting enough sleep, because it's not a badge of honor to deprive yourself of what your body needs. Leave me a voicemail: speakpipe.com/brutallyannapodcast Follow Anna: https://www.instagram.com/maybeboth/ https://www.tiktok.com/@maybeboth https://www.youtube.com/@maybeboth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices