What It's Really Like with Molly Burke
What It's Really Like is hosted by Molly Burke, who draws on her experience as a blind woman to explore assumptions and unexpected stories. Each episode features honest conversations with guests from pop culture, public life, and everyday backgrounds who have faced remarkable circumstances. The show encourages empathy and open-mindedness by letting people share vulnerable, complicated experiences. It aims to bridge divides and reveal that every story is more nuanced than it first appears.
Episodes
What It’s Really Like Going Completely Blind as a Mom of 2 Under 5
Follow Molly on Socials: @MollyBurkeOfficial
Pre-order my children's book, Eltie Takes the Lead! A heartwarming story inspired by the journey of a guide dog puppy, perfect for young readers who love animals and big hearts.
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/EltieTakesTheLead-BN
Amazon: https://bit.ly/EltieTakesTheLead-Amazon
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What It’s Really Like Becoming a Quadriplegic, Then Surviving Cancer
Follow me on Socials: @MollyBurkeOfficial
Pre-order my children's book, Eltie Takes the Lead! A heartwarming story inspired by the journey of a guide dog puppy, perfect for young readers who love animals and big hearts.
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/EltieTakesTheLead-BN
Amazon: https://bit.ly/EltieTakesTheLead-Amazon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch
What It’s Really Like Being Diagnosed with Autism After Being on Big Brother
Follow Molly on Socials: @MollyBurkeOfficial
Pre-order my children's book, Eltie Takes the Lead! A heartwarming story inspired by the journey of a guide dog puppy, perfect for young readers who love animals and big hearts.
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/EltieTakesTheLead-BN
Amazon: https://bit.ly/EltieTakesTheLead-Amazon
Thank you for supporting this episode and the incredibl
What It's Really Like Training a Guide Dog for a Blind Person
In this episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with a professional guide dog trainer from Guide Dogs of America whose career path is anything but ordinary. Before training guide dogs, she worked as an animal trainer at Universal Studios and spent time training animals at a zoo — experience that now shapes the incredible, highly specialized work she does helping guide dogs prepare to become t
What It's Really Like Being A Guide Dog Puppy Raiser
What It's Really Like Raising a Guide Dog Puppy for Guide Dogs of AmericaIn this episode of What It's Really Like, we sit down with a guide dog puppy raiser to talk about what it actually takes to raise a future guide dog — from the very first wobbly days as a tiny puppy to the bittersweet moment of handing them off for formal training. We dig into the highs, the heartbreak, the training milestone
What It's Really Like Building A DIY Empire Online from Your College Dorm
LaurDIY on Growing Up an Only Child, Turning Broke College Dorm Struggles into a DIY Empire, and Accidentally Going Viral
In this episode of What It's Really Like, we sit down with LaurDIY (Lauren Riihimaki) to talk about the winding road from a quiet only-childhood in the Canadian suburbs to becoming one of the internet's original DIY icons. Lauren opens up about growing up in the 90s and early
What It’s Really Like Being A Disabled Supermodel
In this episode of What It’s Really Like, I sit down with model, actress, and disability advocate Jillian Mercado to talk about growing up with immigrant parents, being misdiagnosed before finding out she actually had muscular dystrophy, and finding her way into an industry that had rarely made space for people like her.
We talk about the Diesel campaign that went viral and launched Jillian’s mod
What It’s Really Like Raising an Autistic Daughter as a Single Mom
What’s it really like raising an autistic child as a single mom? In this episode, I sit down with Christine Romeo, mom of Abbey Romeo from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, for an honest conversation about parenting, autism, advocacy, and navigating the journey from childhood diagnosis to adulthood. Christine shares what she learned raising Abbey, the challenges of navigating therapies, educati
What It’s Really Like When your Disability is Someone’s Fetish
The What It’s Really Like podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms! If you love the show, please subscribe wherever you prefer to listen so you never miss a new episode.
What’s it really like to become paralyzed after a car crash, navigate relationships as a disabled woman, and discover that some people are sexually attracted to your disability in your teens?
In this episode of Wh
What It's Really Like with Molly Burke Trailer
We're excited to announce, What It's Really Like with Molly Burke is officially available anywhere you watch your podcasts! New episodes come out every Friday!
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What It’s Really Like to Outlive Your Life Expectancy
Roman Perkins was born with Hurler syndrome (MPS I), one of the rarest genetic disorders in the world. Doctors didn't expect him to live into adulthood, but today he's defied those expectations and is sharing what life is really like living with a rare disease.In this episode of the What It's Really Like podcast, Roman opens up about growing up with a life-limiting diagnosis, naviga
From Malibu to Homeless - What It's Really Like
Sammy Carroll grew up in Malibu, attended private school, and never imagined she'd one day be living on the streets. In this episode of What It's Really Like, she shares how experimenting with drugs slowly spiraled into severe addiction, leading to homelessness, arrests, and even the loss of her teeth before she finally found sobriety.We talk about the realities of surviving on the streets as a wo
She Got A Cochlear Implant as an Adult to Please Her Family - What It’s Really Like
What is it really like growing up Deaf in a hearing family? In this episode of What It’s Really Like, Chrissy Marshall shares her personal journey navigating deafness, family expectations, identity, and the complicated emotions surrounding cochlear implants.Chrissy opens up about getting a cochlear implant as an adult, the pressure she felt from her family, and what it was like being told tha
Fame, Breakups and Growing Up Online: What It’s Really Like Feat. Joey Graceffa
What’s it really like to grow up, fall in love and experience heartbreak in front of millions of people?This week, I sit down with Joey Graceffa to talk about nearly 20 years of sharing his life online. Joey opens up about moving to Los Angeles as a teenager, coming out publicly, competing on The Amazing Race, creating Escape the Night and navigating the pressure of having fans deep
Her Attacker Was Sentenced to Life in Prison - What It’s Really Like (2/2)
This is Part 2 of my conversation with the incredible Leigh Collins.After surviving a violent home invasion that changed her life forever, Leigh shares what happened next. We talk about living with PTSD, navigating the criminal justice system, facing her attacker in court, the trial, the life sentence that followed, and what it has really taken to rebuild her confidence, sense of safety, and life
What It’s Really Like to Survive A Violent Home Invasion
In Part 1 of this special two-part episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with survivor, speaker, advocate and podcast host Leigh Collins to hear the unbelievable true story of the violent home invasion that changed her life forever.Leigh found herself fighting for her life when an intruder broke into her home. In this episode, she takes us through that night minute by minute, sharing w
What It’s Really Like to Lose Your Father and the Use of Your Arm at Nine Years Old
In this episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with disability advocate, entrepreneur, and author Tiffany Yu for an honest conversation about identity, belonging, and creating change.Tiffany shares how growing up as an Asian American woman shaped her experience with disability, the challenges of navigating multiple identities, and the journey from self-acceptance to empowering others. W
What It’s Really Like Being a Black Disabled Woman in Hollywood
In this episode of the What It’s Really Like podcast, I'm joined by actress, writer, and disability advocate Lolo Spencer for a candid conversation about identity, representation, dating, and life as a disabled woman in the entertainment industry.We discuss intersectionality, Lolo's experience as a Black disabled woman, navigating relationships and dating, breaking stereotypes around disability an
What It’s Really Like Being the Only Tall Person in a Family of Little People
In this episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with Peet Montzingo to talk about growing up as the only average-height person in a family of little people, navigating family dynamics, and what it feels like to not quite fit into the world around you. Peet shares stories from his childhood, his experience auditioning for The X Factor, life on the road as a member of a boy band, livi
What It’s Really Like to Be Hospitalized for 4 Years Without a Diagnosis
Keely Cat-Wells spent 4 years in and out of hospitals with no diagnosis, lost her dream career in dance, and underwent life-changing surgeries before rebuilding her life as a disability advocate, entrepreneur, and founder of Making Space.In this episode of What It’s Really Like, Keely opens up about chronic illness, medical trauma, ableism in Hollywood, getting an ileostomy at a young age, and how
What It’s Really Like Being Queer & Disabled
On today’s episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Brandon Farbstein to talk about his experience navigating life as both queer and disabled. We discuss identity, bullying, self-acceptance, dating, representation, and the unique challenges that come with existing at the intersection of multiple marginalized communities. Brandon also opens up about growing up with dwarfism, finding confid
What It’s Really Like to Be Put Up for Adoption Because You’re Disabled
On today’s episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Jen Montzingo to discuss her extraordinary journey of living with dwarfism, being put up for adoption by her wealthy birth parents at just three months old, growing up in a group home before being adopted by loving parents with dwarfism, and later navigating a life-changing spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed. Jen shares her
What It’s Really Like Going Blind as a Teenager
Lucy Edwards and I got real and vulnerable about our shared experience of going blind in our teens. You can follow the What It’s Really Like podcast on Spotify to listen to more conversations like this one!Follow Lucy:Instagram: @LucyEdwardsOfficialTikTok: @LucyEdwardsEtia’s Instagram: @EtiaLondonLearn more about Etia London and sign up to get 10% off! https://etialondon.com/
Learn more abou
What It’s Really Like Raising A Child Who’s Slowly Going Blind
In this episode, Molly interviews her own parents about their experience raising her as a child slowly going blind.
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What It's Really Like to Survive Third-Degree Burns at 9 Years Old
I’m so grateful to have been able to sit down and have this powerful conversation with the beautiful and wise Shalom Blac! She is such an icon and an incredible woman, content creator, and mama! Make sure to follow her journey:Youtube: @SHALOMBLAC IG: https://www.instagram.com/shalomblac/...TikTok: / shalomblac
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What It’s Really Like Growing Up Gay in a Strict Religious Community
In this episode of What It’s Really Like, host Molly Burke welcomes her best friend of ten years, Bradon Schwartz, for a deeply personal and vulnerable conversation. Braden shares his complex journey growing up in a hyper-insular Seventh-day Adventist community, where homeschooling and strict religious rules defined his early world.
The discussion takes a raw turn as Bradon reflects on the sexual
What It’s Really Like Being a D1 Athlete Battling Binge Eating
Join me for my conversation with Victoria Garrick Browne, a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, TEDx speaker, and former Division I athlete turned mental health advocate, creator, podcast host, and speaker.
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What It’s Really Like to Lose An Eye!
In this episode, I talk to the dynamic and unstoppable Chan Plante. Learn about her journey going from being a young, healthy woman to having two strokes and losing an eye in her 20’s!
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What It’s Really Like to Win Miss Teen USA as a Black Woman
Join me for this in-depth conversation with the one and only Kamie Crawford. You can follow Kamie here:Official website: https://www.kamiecrawford.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamiecrawford/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kamiecrawford
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Surviving a Life Changing Tragedy
Molly sits down with Ross Minor, an award winning accessibility consultant in gaming, media, and technology, for a candid conversation about the night that changed his life 20 years ago.
In this episode, they discuss the horrific day Ross lost his sight, reintegrating back into society, and his healing journey to discover the person he has become 20 years later.
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What It's Really Like To Be Paralyzed After A Car Crash
What It's Really Like To Be Paralyzed After A Car Crash, featuring Chelsie Hill.
Chelsie is a professional dancer, community leader, content creator, wife, and mother. She is also a serial entrepreneur. She founded Rollettes, a Los Angeles–based wheelchair dance team committed to education, disability representation, and female empowerment; Rollettes Experience, the largest women’s empowerment wee
She Had a Surgery Every Six Months Until She Was 17 - Cassidy’s Story
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