The story of BROKE GIRL THERAPY

BROKE GIRL THERAPY launched its first episode in 2016, when Stefanie Maegan was 25, broke, single, and struggling to keep a man or a job. At the time, she was living in the basement of a random guy’s house she met off Craigslist (don’t worry, it’s not one of those stories, lol). Instead of hiding from her “struggle era,” Stefanie leaned into it. She wanted to use that time as a creative outlet, a way to process her emotions, and hopefully, build something meaningful.

As someone who’s always been deeply emotional and expressive, Stefanie found comfort in art, music, and any form of self-expression. She wanted to create something that served not only as a personal outlet but also as a safe space for others to feel seen, heard, and less alone. At the time, podcasting wasn’t exactly mainstream, but after hearing about it from a coworker, she found herself hooked, listening to shows at work doing mundane tasks and daydreaming about doing something more meaningful with her life.

She searched for podcasts that talked about dating, sex, and relationships, but nothing resonated with her own experiences. Back then, dating podcasts were few and far between, especially ones hosted by someone who looked and sounded like her. That’s when it hit her: “Wait… anyone can start a podcast?” And so she did. With zero experience and limited resources, she taught herself everything, from audio production and editing to branding, marketing, and even putting together her own photoshoots.

In the early days, BROKE GIRL THERAPY centered around Stefanie’s adventures (and misadventures) dating in Los Angeles. In 2016, dating apps were just taking off and still carried a bit of shame, she’d literally hide them in a folder on her phone, hoping no one would notice. But they opened her up to a dating pool far beyond her hometown bubble of Santa Clarita. Suddenly, she was going on more dates than ever before but no matter how many men she met, she struggled with the same thing: keeping a relationship.

Through these conversations, Stefanie began to uncover the deeper reasons behind her dating frustrations. Growing up in a religious and conservative household, she had internalized the idea that sex was something reserved only for love and long-term commitment. The idea of casual sex, of exploring pleasure for herself, felt foreign, wrong… but also, thrilling. Could she allow herself to experience sex without shame? Without needing it to lead to love?

From that point on, sex became a cornerstone of the show. She opened up about everything, orgasms, masturbation, intimacy, and pleasure on her terms. BROKE GIRL THERAPY became more than a podcast, it became a platform for everyone to have honest, unfiltered conversations about things society often tells us to keep quiet.

Over the years, Stefanie has grown, and so has the show. Today, she’s no longer single. She’s in a loving, healthy relationship with her partner, Bryan, and they’re dreaming about starting a family. While some might think that makes the podcast “less exciting,” Stefanie sees it differently. The focus has simply evolved.

BROKE GIRL THERAPY will always be her outlet, but it’s also become a platform for others to tell their stories, reflect on their growth, and find healing through vulnerability. It’s no longer just about dating or finding love, it’s about the full spectrum of relationships, including the one you have with yourself. Just because you found “your person” doesn’t mean you have it all figured out.

These days, Stefanie explores what it means to maintain a healthy partnership, to continue growing individually, and to embrace the ever-changing journey of adulthood. Through it all, BROKE GIRL THERAPY remains a space for real talk, raw stories, and radical self-expression.