The 22nd Annual Webby Awards is on Monday, May 14, which mean we’re shining the spotlight on a few of this year’s stand-out Winners, ahead of the big night.
Terrible, Thanks for Asking is the Webby People’s Voice Winner for Lifestyle in Podcasts. Check out our short but sweet Q&A with Terrible, Thanks for Asking host Nora McInerny on the impetus for the podcast and their win.
“ What every one of these messages had in common was that they just wanted to be heard and seen through the loneliness of suffering.”
Q: TERRIBLE, THANKS FOR ASKING FEATURES INTIMATE, FRANK, AND HUMOROUS CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE ABOUT LIFE’S MOST PAINFUL MOMENTS. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START TTFA, AND HOW DO YOU SOURCE STORIES?
Terrible, Thanks for Asking started from my inbox. In 2014, my husband Aaron died of brain cancer and his obituary went viral. My inboxes all filled up with people who had their own stories of loss and pain. Not just dead husbands, by the way. There are lots of ways for life to kick you in the throat. I had also started a non-profit called Still Kickin, which provides financial support to people going through difficult situations, and I was frankly overwhelmed with the number of people who would reach out to a total stranger and share their deepest hurt.
What every one of these messages had in common was that they just wanted to be heard and seen through the loneliness of suffering. I was very used to telling everyone around me that I was fine when I was anything but fine, and I knew these people were likely doing the same to their friends and family, saying “Oh, I’m fine!” while they were going home and writing me an email in the middle of the night telling me the truth. I had a title and the desire to talk to people about how it really feels to experience life, and an inbox full of people willing to talk to me.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT MAKING TERRIBLE, THANKS FOR ASKING?
I love being able to share stories that make other people feel a little less alone.
Listen
Episode #1: In Love and Memory
Q: WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’VE LEARNED SO FAR IN MAKING THE PODCAST?
Q: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST REACTION TO LEARNING YOU WON THE WEBBY PEOPLE’S VOICE AWARD?
popularity contests are a little hard for me because as much as i like to pretend i don’t care, i really do. this feels good today. THANK YOU ALL!!! https://t.co/8xr86zagAq
— nora mcinerny (@noraborealis) April 24, 2018
See all this year’s winners in the Webby Winners Gallery. And watch all the highlights from the 22nd Annual Webby Awards, including Amber Ruffin’s host monologue, epic 5-Word Speeches, celebrity appearances, and more, on Tues. 5/15 at webbyawards.com
