brb crying
brb crying is a comedy podcast hosted by nins & arns, two thirty-something teenagers who love to talk, cry, and talk about what made them cry. They dive into what moves them to tears, including movies, books, and personal stories, and explore why crying helps them connect with themselves and each other.
Episodes
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
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'
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 &
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
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,
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
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 on
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
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
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 wrec
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 w
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 peo
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 passe
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 g
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 illness0:00 - Preview0:36 - I
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 conv
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.A
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
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
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
037: losing my soul dog, wading through grief, & the relationship that kept me grounded
In this deeply emotional throwback to episode 010, Arns shares the story of Cosmo, her beloved Maltese who spent more than 16 years by her side. From awkward high school memories and college adventures to the devastating experience of saying goodbye, she reflects on pet loss, grief, unconditional love, and the unique bond we share with the animals who become family.Nins then explores the song &quo
who the f*ck are we, even??: the brb crying origin story
We've spent dozens of episodes crying about movies, books, songs, childhood memories, and existential crises—but somehow we've never properly answered the question: who the f*ck are we, even??In this special bonus episode, we're ditching our usual essay format and sitting down for an unhinged little Q&A. We talk about how we became friends (spoiler: it involves Catholic school,
036: why a viral pianist's tears moved millions + baking as a love language: yumeka nakagawa, vulnerability & friendship
This week, we talk about a viral piano performance that left millions of people emotional—and the surprising ways love finds its way back to us.First, Arns shares the story of Japanese pianist Yumeka Nakagawa, whose tearful performance of Chopin's "Raindrop" Prelude captivated audiences around the world. Why did watching someone cry while playing piano feel so powerful? What does vu
035: why tems' "higher" hits so hard + the 6-hour flight delay that changed everything
This week, Nins dives into "Higher" by Tems, the haunting Afrobeats ballad about toxic relationships, self-worth, healing, and finally choosing yourself. From the song's powerful lyrics to the surprising story behind Future's Grammy-winning sample in "Wait for U," this conversation explores what it means to stop waiting for people who refuse to change.Then, Arns share
034: the wicked scene that destroyed us (+ why ghost still makes us cry 35 years later)
This Halloween, we're taking a break from traditional scares and talking about the movie moments that truly haunt us.Arns dives into the 1990 classic Ghost, starring Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, and Whoopi Goldberg, exploring grief, love, and what we'd give for one more moment with the people we've lost.Nins revisits Wicked, the beloved Broadway-musical-turned-blockbuster-film starri
033: klay thompson, grief, and the loves we never really lose
What do Klay Thompson leaving the Golden State Warriors and a viral TikTok about a grandfather visiting his wife's grave have in common? Apparently everything. :')This week, Nins explores why Klay Thompson's departure from the Golden State Warriors became a surprisingly emotional lesson about endings, identity, and honoring the past. Arns follows with a viral TikTok about a grandfa
032: what ACOTAR teaches us about self-love & the neanderthal who proved humans are kind
This week, we explore two surprisingly connected stories: a powerful moment from Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series and the real-life story of Shanidar 1, a Neanderthal whose survival became one of the earliest known examples of human compassion.Arns reflects on a difficult season of anxiety, self-doubt, and healing through the lens of ACOTAR's unforgettable Mirr
031: about time (2013), somebody feed phil, & finding joy in everyday life
This episode dives into two unexpected tearjerkers: Richard Curtis's beloved time-travel romance About Time (2013) and Netflix's food and travel series Somebody Feed Phil.Nins revisits About Time and reflects on its powerful message about grief, parent-child relationships, time, mortality, and learning to appreciate ordinary moments before they're gone. From Bill Nighy and Domhnall
030: the viral figure skating couple that made us cry + the law of attraction explained
Nins shares the heartwarming story of Jerry & Tally Leonard, the viral figure skating couple whose decades-long love story has moved millions online. From public skating performances to 58 years on the ice together, their partnership is a beautiful reminder of lasting love, shared passions, and growing old side by side.Meanwhile, Arns dives into The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks,
029: the last of us episode that broke our hearts + the disney symphony that left us speechless
This week, Arns dives into one of the most devastating hours of television ever made: The Last of Us Episode 3, "Long, Long Time." We revisit Bill and Frank's unforgettable love story, explore why the episode resonated so deeply with audiences, and reflect on how love gives life meaning even in the darkest circumstances.Then we shift from post-apocalyptic heartbreak to the soaring m
028: little women, the female experience, + finding magic after loss
This week, we dive into Greta Gerwig's acclaimed adaptation of Little Women (2019) and the timeless themes that have made Louisa May Alcott's novel resonate for over 150 years.Nins explores the emotional power of Little Women, from Jo March's fierce independence and rejection of societal expectations to the unforgettable monologue about womanhood, ambition, love, and loneliness. We
027: dìdi (弟弟), bruno the rescue cat, & learning to accept love
This week, Nins & Arns explore two powerful stories about growing up, being misunderstood, and the transformative power of love.Arns revisits Dìdi (弟弟), Sean Wang's award-winning coming-of-age film set in Fremont, California during the early days of MySpace, AIM, and YouTube. Through the eyes of a Taiwanese American teenager desperately trying to fit in, Dìdi captures the awkwardness of a
026: ariana grande's "we can't be friends" & alok's "biology" broke us: grief, identity, & our shared humanity
This week, Nins and Arns explore two powerful works that ask what it means to remain human in a world obsessed with labels, expectations, and letting go.Nins dives deep into Ariana Grande's "we can't be friends (wait for your love)," unpacking the heartbreaking music video inspired by Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and the song's deeper meaning. What begins as a sto
025: moana & "marigolds": sisterhood, ancestry, & choosing yourself
This week, Nins & Arns explore two moving stories about identity, family, belonging, and the people who shape us.Arns revisits Disney's Moana (2016) and discovers an entirely new meaning hidden beneath the beloved animated film. What once felt like a story about adventure becomes a powerful reflection on self-worth, healing, ancestral wisdom, intergenerational trauma, and the courage it t
024: a short stay in hell, golde's trinity mouzon wofford, & hope as an act of resistance
This week, Nins and Arns explore two stories that unexpectedly arrive at the same question: how do we keep hoping when the world feels impossible?Nins dives into A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck, the cult-favorite existential novella about a man trapped in an infinite library searching for the book of his life. What begins as a story about hell, eternity, and impossible odds becomes a medita
023: "seed of a seed" & "draco malfoy and the mortifying ordeal of being in love": yearning, love, & simple joys
In this Valentine's Day special of brb crying, Arns and Nins explore two very different stories that arrive at the same question: what does it mean to love deeply?Arns reflects on "Seed of a Seed" by Haley Heynderickx, the indie folk song about slowing down, resisting consumer culture, and finding happiness in life's simplest gifts. Through Heynderickx's music and philosop
022: a phone call from my dad + dan da dan: self-worth, parents, & feeling enough
This week, Nins reflects on a simple phone call from her dad that unexpectedly unraveled everything she thought she understood about growing up, immigrant parents, adulthood, and the quiet ways love is expressed.Arns dives into one of the most emotional storylines from the hit anime Dan Da Dan, exploring a heartbreaking mother-daughter relationship, self-worth, inadequacy, and the universal desire
021: bali & the great british bake off made us cry: healing, joy & finding yourself
Arns reflects on a transformative trip to Bali that unexpectedly changed her perspective on pleasure, healing, self-discovery, and what it means to intentionally create a life you actually enjoy living.Then Nins dives into the comforting world of The Great British Bake Off, sharing why contestant Nelly Ghaffar’s kindness, resilience, and wisdom left such a lasting impression. Through stories of fr
listener sob stories: lord of the rings, ghosts, & park bench plaques
In this special bonus episode of brb crying, Nins and Arns step away from their usual format to share some of the most unforgettable listener sob stories from season two.From The Lord of the Rings' iconic "You Bow to No One" scene to mysterious spirit encounters inspired by Journey of Souls, emotional park bench memorial plaques, beloved pets, PMDD, Hamilton, family friendships, and
020: tems' "me & u", "daughter of a lost bird", & what it means to belong
Nins explores the transcendent beauty of Tems’ song and music video “Me & U,” uncovering a powerful meditation on spirituality, self-discovery, faith, and the deeply personal relationship we each have with a higher power.Then Arns dives into Daughter of a Lost Bird, the moving documentary that follows a Native woman reconnecting with her biological family, tribal community, and cultural identi
019: why the election broke our hearts | grief, hope, & finding community
Nins and Arns take a break from their usual stories to process the emotions surrounding the recent presidential election.Together, they reflect on post-election grief, anxiety, fear, disappointment, hope, and what it means to keep moving forward when the future feels uncertain. From conversations about women's rights, motherhood, and political division to community care, mutual aid, and colle
018: julie: the unwinding of the miracle, shark heart, & why we can't prepare for grief
This week, Nins and Arns explore two unforgettable stories about grief, love, mortality, and what it means to leave something behind.Arns reflects on Julie: The Unwinding of the Miracle, the moving podcast and memoir chronicling the life of Julie Yip-Williams, a lawyer, mother, refugee, and writer who spent her final years preparing her loved ones for life after her death.Nins dives into Shark Hea
017: "the house of mourning" & casper: grief, death, & childlike wonder
We're getting spoOoOky! In this week's brb crying Halloween special, Nins explores grief, death, and childlike wonder through Kate Braestrup's unforgettable story "The House of Mourning," performed on The Moth. Through the eyes of a five-year-old girl saying goodbye to her cousin, the story challenges our fears around death and reminds us that love is often stronger than g
016: leon bridges' "beyond" & steve from blue's clues made us believe in love
This week, Arns and Nins explore two stories about love, connection, and the people who stay with us long after we think we've moved on.Arns revisits "Beyond" by Leon Bridges, the soulful love song that captures the exhilarating terror of falling in love and wondering if you've finally met "the one." Through lyrics about vulnerability, commitment, and choosing love de
015: hamilton act 2 & our younger selves on legacy, forgiveness, & becoming
This week, Nins concludes our Hamilton tour of tears with Act 2 of Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical.From Alexander Hamilton's public downfall and the heartbreaking loss of Philip Hamilton to Eliza Hamilton's extraordinary act of forgiveness and her determination to preserve a legacy, Nins explores the moments that transformed Hamilton from a historical drama into one of t
014: a place for us, hamilton act 1, & the love that goes unspoken
This week, we dive into two stories that explore family, sacrifice, identity, and the complicated ways we love each other.Arns discusses A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza, the acclaimed novel about an Indian-American Muslim family struggling with faith, belonging, estrangement, and the impossible question of what we owe ourselves versus what we owe our families. Through the story of Amar, Had
013: why journey of souls & dove real beauty sketches changed how we see ourselves
This week, Nins and Arns explore two stories that challenge the way we see ourselves—and our place in the world.Nins dives into Journey of Souls by Dr. Michael Newton, the bestselling spiritual classic that explores reincarnation, soulmates, spirit guides, the afterlife, and the possibility that every human life is part of a much larger journey of growth and purpose.Then Arns revisits Dove's
012: animal crossing's letters from mom, long-distance loved ones, & loving from afar
This week, Arns and Nins explore the ache of loving people who live far away.Arns reflects on a trip to New York to visit her cousin, who feels more like a sister, and the quiet grief that comes with saying goodbye to long-distance loved ones. From childhood memories to adult friendships, she examines what it means to miss people deeply while knowing you'll only share a limited number of mome
011: emmanuel the safari guide, queen charlotte, & love as a choice
This week, we explore two vastly different stories that reveal the same universal truth: love is a choice we make over and over again.Nins shares a life-changing experience from a safari in Tanzania, where a week spent with a beloved guide named Emmanuel transforms the way she thinks about family, purpose, sacrifice, and what connects us across cultures. Through stories of wildlife, travel, and pa
010: losing my dog & jp saxe's "blurry" on grief, love, & healing
Arns shares the story of Cosmo, the beloved Maltese who spent 16 years by her side and taught her some of life's deepest lessons about love, devotion, loss, and letting go. From puppyhood to saying goodbye, Arns reflects on growing up with Cosmo, the heartbreak of pet loss, and the dream that helped her find peace after his passing.Nins explores "Blurry" by JP Saxe, a soulful song a
009: sue zhao's "confessional" & when lola visits on love, belonging, & home
This week, Nins and Arns explore two stunning works about love, belonging, family, and the desire to be fully seen.Nins reflects on "Confessional" by writer Sue Zhao, a moving poem about vulnerability, self-worth, and the question many of us quietly carry: on the days when we feel unlovable, will the people we care about still love us anyway?Then Arns shares When Lola Visits by Michelle
008: victoria song's "bending reality", the heaven receptionist, & feeling our feelings
This week, we explore what happens when we stop running from our feelings and finally let ourselves feel them.Arns shares the life-changing lessons she learned from Victoria Song's Bending Reality, a book about emotional healing, trauma, contraction versus expansion, and why the only way out is through. Through Victoria's work, she reflects on childhood programming, nervous system healin
007: {THE AND} project & juna law on being deeply loved & being brave enough to start over
This week, we explore what it means to be deeply loved, truly seen, and brave enough to start over.Nins shares a moving conversation from {THE AND} by The Skin Deep, featuring a mother and daughter reflecting on Down syndrome, unconditional love, family, and the extraordinary bond they share. Through their heartfelt exchange, they explore what it means to feel safe, supported, and fully accepted b
006: ending breastfeeding, schitt's creek, & letting go while holding onto love
This week, Nins and Arns explore two vastly different stories connected by the same emotional truth: learning how to let go of a chapter of your life while holding onto the love it gave you.Arns reflects on the end of her breastfeeding journey and the complicated mix of grief, gratitude, motherhood, identity, and acceptance that came with saying goodbye to a ritual she shared with her daughter for
005: meghan rose's zodiac love letters, pixar's lava, & feeling seen
This week, Nins and Arns explore two heartfelt stories about what it means to feel truly seen.Nins shares Meghan Rose's viral "love letters to the zodiac signs," a series of TikToks that celebrate the quiet gifts, strengths, and forms of love that each astrological sign brings into the world. Through astrology, appreciation, and self-reflection, she explores why being recognized for
004: anna laura sullivan, (500) days of summer, & seeing reality clearly
This week, Nins and Arns explore two stories about what happens when we stop chasing an idea and start paying attention to what's right in front of us.Arns shares the work of artist Anna Laura Sullivan (@annalaura_art), whose beloved watercolor comics gently explore purpose, presence, and the pressure many of us feel to find meaning in our lives. One simple illustration about a squirrel searc
003: PMDD & olivia dean's "carmen" on womanhood & resilience
This week, Nins and Arns explore two deeply personal stories about womanhood, inheritance, and the experiences that shape who we become.Nins opens up about living with Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), sharing a vulnerable story about depression, emotional overwhelm, mental health, and the invisible realities many people who menstruate face every month. Through her experience, she reflects
002: why my baby turning one & a room full of singing strangers made us cry | love, connection, & being human
In our second episode of brb crying, Arns reflects on her daughter’s first birthday and the emotional reality of motherhood, while Nins shares the viral Gaia Music Collective performance that left her unexpectedly in tears.From writing a letter to a one-year-old daughter to watching strangers create something beautiful together through music, this episode explores the overwhelming power of love, c
001: sweet dreams, grown men crying, & why our tears matter
In this very first episode of brb crying, lifelong best friends Nins and Arns share who they are, why they started this podcast, and why crying is our superpower.Nins reflects on a powerful dream that changed how she sees herself and explores self-worth, self-compassion, and the courage to embrace uncertainty. Meanwhile, Arns dives into Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove and Avatar: The Last Airbe
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If there are three things Nins & Arns 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. Join the brb crying community—a heartfelt, cozy comedy podcast about friendship, vulnerability, emotional storytelling, and all the movies, books, music, and li
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