In this episode of IDK My BFF Jude, I’m taking you to Chicago for three unforgettable true stories you won’t hear anywhere else. From a hilarious yet harrowing World War II family history about my aunt being “stuck in a tree,” to a spontaneous dance battle in Chinatown, to a late-night Red Line encounter with a mystery paper bag labeled “FREE EATS,” this episode is full of funny travel stories, slice-of-life moments, and real Chicago energy.

This week’s episode wasn’t part of the plan. I was supposed to talk about gossip, but yesterday marked one year since my life blew up, and I couldn’t ignore that.

So instead of tea, this is a heart-to-heart. A grief podcast episode about emotional healing, but not just the kind we talk about at funerals. This is about breakups, identity shifts, friendships that ended, and dreams that didn’t happen. It’s for anyone grieving something they can’t quite name.

I’m sharing what grief taught me: how it ambushed me, how it expanded me, how it changed my voice. I didn’t follow a timeline. I chose closure, even when it wasn’t given. And somehow, I made it here.

If you’re healing after loss, or still finding the words, this one’s for you.

If the episode resonates, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need it. And come say hi on Instagram @idkmybffjude I’d love to hear your story too.

Written and Hosted by Judith Sallador

Produced by Michael Gonzales

I built a life that looked good—on paper, at least. But behind the image was someone who had vanished from her own story. In this episode, I talk about what it means to stop disappearing, start choosing yourself, and reclaim the parts of you that were never meant to be sacrificed.

We’re not talking about narcissism or main character syndrome. We’re talking about presence. About identity. About the quiet ache of trying to earn love when you were already made with it.

From passport photos to Little Mermaid metaphors to a surprise encounter outside my old Chicago apartment—this one’s for anyone trying to come home to themselves again.

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Host: Judith Sallador

Producer: Michael Gonzales