Terrible, Thanks for Asking

The title comes from the idea that an honest answer to How are you? is sometimes terrible, rather than fine. Nora McInerny's podcast grew out of her experience after her partner died from brain cancer and she experienced other losses in 2016. [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/dec/01/terrible-thanks-for-asking-podcastings-first-real-life-weepie)

The show is hosted by author and writer Nora McInerny. She leads intimate conversations in which guests describe grief, trauma, illness, and other difficult experiences in their own words. [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/dec/01/terrible-thanks-for-asking-podcastings-first-real-life-weepie)

Episodes focus on grief, trauma, mental health, illness, family, and the complicated emotions that follow major life events. The format makes room for sadness, anger, humor, and uncertainty instead of forcing every story toward a cheerful conclusion.

It is primarily a personal storytelling and interview podcast, not a clinical treatment program or step-by-step advice show. Its defining approach is to let people speak honestly about difficult events, a format established when the show launched in 2016. [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/dec/01/terrible-thanks-for-asking-podcastings-first-real-life-weepie)