'Dying For Sex' Is Based on a Heartbreaking and Inspiring True Story
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Fans of Molly Kochan's podcast will recognize the story told in FX and Hulu's latest series, Dying for Sex, which stars Michelle Williams as the host and Jenny Slate as her best friend, Nikki Boyer.
The drama, which premiered on April 4, tells the story of Kochan, who received a Stage IV cancer diagnosis and decided to leave her husband of 15 years to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Supported by her best friend, Boyer—who also executively produced the series—Kochan set out on a quest to learn more about herself and her truest sexual desires. And yes, it's based entirely on the very true and heartbreaking story of Kochan's life. Let's dive in.
Indeed, it is. By 2015, Kochan had already undergone chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, radiation therapy, and a breast reconstruction when she was re-diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. Knowing that this meant that her diagnosis was terminal, Kochan embarked upon the adventure of a lifetime: She left her husband and endeavored to explore her sexuality in her final years, which she documented in a podcast also called Dying for Sex.
The idea for the podcast, which documented and dissected nearly 200 of Kochan's escapades, came in 2018 when she and Boyer met for lunch following two dates Kochan had already been on that morning. Eventually released by Wondery in 2020, a year after Kochan's death, the six-episode podcast quickly became a hit and has since been downloaded five million times.
The podcast synopsis reads: 'As they peel back the layers, we learn that Molly isn't just grappling with breast cancer: She's also dealing with some trauma from her past. Along the journey, the friends explore bigger themes that affect us all—like healing, forgiveness and what do we do with the time we have left.'
'Sexually, we had difficulties before cancer came along,' Kochan said of her marriage in one episode. 'Right before I got diagnosed, I was kind of looking to recharge our sex life… and then cancer showed up.'$14.99 at amazon.com
Kochan's memoir, Screw Cancer: Becoming Whole, was also published in 2020, one year after Kochan eventually died at the age of 45. One notable fan of Kochan's came in the form of New Girl creator Elizabeth Meriwether, who, alongside Boyer, adapted it for the television series.
Shop Now
You Might Also Like
The 15 Best Organic And Clean Shampoos For Any And All Hair Types
100 Gifts That Are $50 Or Under (And Look Way More Expensive Than They Actually Are)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Josh Duhamel, 52, reveals ‘taboo' method he uses to ‘stay youthful and virile for as long as I can'
Josh Duhamel is turning back the clock — with a little help from modern medicine. The 'Transformers' star, 52, says he's got the same energy he had in his twenties, but admits he's kept quiet about what's really been powering his second wind. Now, with the launch of his new wellness brand, Duhamel is finally coming clean about the 'taboo' therapy he's relied on for the past five years to stay strong, sharp and camera-ready. Advertisement 5 Josh Duhamel is going public with his longevity regimen. Getty Images for Hearst Magazines Duhamel first noticed something was off a few years ago — his energy was dipping, and the high-octane lifestyle he was used to suddenly felt like a grind. 'I took an inventory, a personal inventory, of how I was feeling, and I knew that I wasn't quite where I was five, 10 years before,' he said Thursday at a Men's Health Lab event in New York. Eager for answers, Duhamel got some blood work done. The culprit was clear: low testosterone. Advertisement While some men maintain steady levels throughout life, most men start to see a gradual decline in their testosterone around age 40, according to Harvard Health. It's not the hormonal freefall women face during menopause. Instead, the drop is slow — about 1% a year — but by age 70, the average man is running 30% lower than his peak. That drop can bring a long list of changes, including decreased muscle mass and strength, hair loss, weight gain, low libido, fatigue and mood swings. Advertisement The 'All My Children' actor had heard about testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, but only whispers. 5 Josh Duhamel married model Audra Mari in 2022. joshduhamel/Instagram 5 Testosterone replacement therapy is gaining popularity in the US. Sherry Young – 'It was one of those things that I didn't want to talk about,' Duhamel said. 'Neither did anybody I was asking about it.' Advertisement Still, he decided to give it a shot. 'I started taking testosterone injections and began to feel really good,' Duhamel told Forbes in a recent interview, adding that he also began using hair growth treatments and longevity medicine. 'I had the urge to get back out and do the things I didn't have the desire to do anymore,' he added, noting that he experienced little to no side effects. TRT, a form of hormone therapy using anabolic steroids, can be administered through injections, oral meds, gels, or patches. Its popularity is rising fast in the US, with prescriptions jumping from 7.3 million in 2019 to over 11 million in 2023, according to CBS News. Over time, Duhamel's motivation shifted from looking youthful to simply keeping up. 5 Duhamel has two sons, ages 11 years and 15 months. audramari/Instagram 'I didn't have my first kid until I was 40 years old, and then it was 52; I just had another one,' the actor said. 'Overall, I want to stay as youthful and virile as I can for as long as I can.' Even with such positive results, Duhamel kept his TRT use under wraps. Advertisement 'Guys were asking me what I was doing and I didn't want to talk about it,' Duhamel said on a recent episode of The Ed Mylett Show. 'I just told them I was eating really well and working out but the truth is I was doing TRT,' adding that it still remains a 'taboo thing.' That fear nearly stopped him from going public — and from launching his new brand. 5 Josh Duhamel launched his new wellness brand, Gatlan, in April. GC Images 'At first, my representatives were like, 'No, you're not going to be the face of a testosterone company! That's not something you talk about!'' he recalled. 'And I was like, 'Maybe it is!'' Advertisement Gatlan, Duhamel's new venture, focuses on treatments to help men with hormone optimization, weight loss, and hair thinning. 'We want to destigmatize something that men have been doing for years, and shine a light on it, and make it not so taboo,' he told Forbes. 'You can look and feel better for much longer. Why not take advantage of modern medicine?' Duhamel credits this regimen with helping him juggle fatherhood alongside demanding roles — including his latest as rancher Staten Kirkland in 'Ransom Canyon,' a gritty Netflix drama about a man fighting to protect his family's legacy. Advertisement After five years on TRT, Duhamel said the impact is clear when he takes a break. 'It's less energy, a little harder to keep muscle on, and a little harder to keep the fat off,' he said at the Men's Health Lab event. 'You definitely can feel the difference.'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
As a Mom of Two, These Are the Only Summer Toys I'd Ever Recommend
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Already looking at the clock and wondering why the time is ticking by so slowly? Summer can be a joyous season, filled with outdoor activities, family picnics, and weekend getaways, but it can also be draining for parents. Why not set yourself up for success by filling your cart with a few worthwhile toys? As a mother of two, I've absolutely been guilty of buying cheap toys with same-day delivery just to give the kids something to do, only to have those toys lose their luster (or worse, break) after a few hours. The following toys do not fall into that category! These toys are meant for long days at the beach, sunny afternoons in the yard, and late nights waiting up for fireworks. From travel toys that'll have your kids so occupied they'll forget to ask, "Are we there yet?" to playhouses that'll have siblings play like a nice little family to old-school family games, these toys are the best of the cozy coupes from Little Tikes are a time-honored classic. There are so many variations – Fairy, Dinosaur, Ladybug – but toddlers will go nuts for the latest collab: Bluey. This one is inspired by an iconic episode (that my own toddler has memorized), "Grannies." Ages 18 months to 5 years. $89.00 at Dive N' Surprise is new for 2025 and I had my own 6-year-old daughter test it out. This is her review: "This toy is perfect. I like that it's pink. I wouldn't change anything." You heard it here first, folks. Ages 5 and up. $12.99 at and '00s toys are all the rage right now. Lite Brite was great then, and it's even better now because the brand released a Mini Touch version. With no small pieces to keep track of, it's ideal for the car. Ages 6 and up. $20.96 at to get dirty? Peg Perego makes the most reliable ride-on toys for bigger kids. My son is partial to the John Deere Ground Force Tractor, but if you have two kids, I highly recommend the John Deere Gator XUV. It's an investment, but that's what grandparents are for, right? 3 to 8 years. $398.99 at to break out the pressure washer this summer? Your kid will love playing Mom or Dad and "helping out" with their own version. If you really want to earn points, get the Auto Repair Workbench, too. 3 to 8 years. $49.99 at rolling around the blacktop on one of these? They've improved from when we were kids; handtomind added handles so no one's fingers would be in danger of being scraped up. This model comes in three colors: orange (pictured), blue, and green. Ages 4 to 10. $29.99 at has some awesome toys for little kids — check out the Water and Sand Sensory Table — but I'm duly impressed by their kits for older kids. The Automatic Bubble Blower is an instant favorite, but the Chain Reaction Workshop is pretty remarkable, too. Ages 9 to 11. $24.00 at cannot believe how entertaining this little fish is. The battery-operated toy from SwimWays comes in four variations and we love ours so much that we've already ordered a second one. Whether your kids know how to swim or they're still in floaties, they'll love following this little guy around the pool. Ages 5 and up. $14.99 at truly nothing more delightful than watching my 3-year-old diligently try to hack through our trees with this fake chainsaw. It's our favorite of Red Toolbox's Stanley Jr. line, which also includes a hedge trimmer, a leaf blower (complete with fake leaves), and a weed whacker. Pro tip: Get your kid the leaf blower so they can cool you off at the pool. Ages 3 and up. $41.99 at a toddler who won't go anywhere without a doll? Get them a doll that's meant to get wet as a summer companion. The Splash and Play Seahorse Doll from Madame Alexander was built to withstand long hours in chlorinated waters and even comes with her own terrycloth robe. Ages 2 and up. $50.65 at a builder on your hands? Go all-out with a mega set from Playmobil. This RV-themed kit will keep them busy for hours, but if the price tag is too steep, opt for the camping set. Ages 4 and up. $118.99 at you're headed to a backyard barbecue, bring this two-in-one toy that'll distract the kids while you have a second cheeseburger. They can jump to the music then try the ring toss game once they're exhausted. Ages 4 and up. $26.95 at love just about any craft kit from Made By Me. The materials are a really good quality for the price (most are under $12) and the kids end up making something we actually want to display. Window art is my pick for the summertime, but you can't go wrong with rock art or sand art. Ages 6 and up. $9.97 at toy companies will never stop introducing new substances to muck up our carpets, will they? If your kids like slime and kinetic sand, they'll love Slimy Sand. Grab a kit with molds or just buy a bucket of the stuff. Ages 3 and up. $22.99 at only is this a fun and easy craft for the summer, it'll make a great gift for the grandparents! You can also use it for pets, just make sure you wipe Fido's paw before he goes inside. No age listed. $9.99 at the mini-me who follows you everywhere, might I suggest an itty-bitty barbecue set? This one comes with everything they need to make a delicious wooden meal. (My kids are also big on the ice cream counter.) Ages 3 and up. $15.39 at cannot over-exaggerate how much kids love stuff that glows in the dark. They can use these magnetic tiles in their room after the sun goes down, in a camping tent, or shut up alone in their closet. (Is that just a my-kids thing?) Ages 3 and up. $26.49 at have to venture outside of Amazon for these water blasters but trust me when I say it's worth it. I'd never seen battery-powered water blasters before, and my kids went absolutely feral over them. They shoot water with barely any pressure on the trigger, light up, and are easy to refill. Ages 6 and up. $24.99 at art is a big trend for little kids and mine prefer these Color Wonder books. Unlike books that come with water pens to color in pages, the kids get to chose colors themselves. These are great for the car and we also frequently bring them as a restaurant activity. Ages 3 and up. $8.58 at you have a big kid or a teen with an affinity for sports, grab a glowing ball for late-night fun. MindWare has both this football, which comes with a tee, and a basketball, which comes with a strip of solar-powered lights for the rim of your hoop. Ages 5 and up. $34.95 at still reigns supreme in the sandbox. These heavy-duty toys will last for years, especially the Steel Classics series. The dump truck is fun and durable, but my 3-year-old also loves the monster truck version. Ages 3 and up. $24.99 at is the industry standard for inflatable pools, so even if this dino-themed option isn't your jam, they have a pool for you. Octopus pool? Got it. Rainbow pool? Got it. Simple above-ground pool? Got it. Ages 2 and up. $86.99 at bag is all you need for a full—and I do mean full—day at the beach with a toddler. Literally they just want to play with water and sand. That's it. 18 months and up. $21.55 at Hydro Lacrosse set from SwimWays is perfect for families with older kids and adults who want to play together. It's meant for the pool (or beach), but you can also play with them on land. And for $15, you could do a whole lot worse. In some restaurants, a side of avocado is $15. Ages 5 and up. $15.00 at love binoculars. Save your Nocs and give them a pair meant just for kids: the GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars from Educational Insights. These have tens of thousands of positive reviews from parents, and I can attest that my kids fight over them every year. Ages 3 and up. $14.99 at you have a toddler and you're headed into warm weather, you need a water table. It's not a suggestion; it's a requirement. These tables will keep their hands busy, encourage standing, and get them familiar with basic laws of gravity. This one is slightly larger, so it's perfect for households with more than one kid. Ages 18 months and up. $79.99 at bouncy ball: so simple, so perfect. Name a kid that doesn't like one of these things. I'll wait. Ages 4 to 8. $18.88 at big fans of Step2's play structures in our household. They can get pricey, but this sports-themed option will keep toddlers entertained for hours. If you do feel like spoiling your kids, I highly recommend this camper-themed playhouse. Ages 2 to 6. $114.99 at ropes are a childhood staple, but not all jump ropes are created equal. This beaded version is shatterproof, comes in three lengths and three color options, and has top-notch reviews. It's a terrific way to burn some energy (and calories) if you are looking to up your own exercise game this summer, too! No age listed. $14.97 at may want to steal this Koosh playset from your kids. It comes with two paddles but you can also just challenge yourself to bounce the Koosh solo — major '90s vibes. Ages 4 and up. $21.99 at the joy of running up to a slippery slide and coasting down into a puddle. Back in my day, we just scorched out bellies. Your kids will have the benefit of using inflatable boards! This popular option comes in several colors and two lengths. No age listed. $29.99 at Flyer's ramp-car-combo is an investment, but we're on year three of this being the most popular toy in our backyard. Every kid who comes over for a playdate inevitably ends up on this thing. It's especially cool if you have a slight downhill slope — that way they really gain some speed. Ages 3 and up. $119.99 at some point, you will have an indoor day. Maybe the weather is crappy or just don't don't feel like a visit to the park, whatever the reason, you need an indoor toy. Get a set of tunnels, a bag of balls, and never look back. No age listed. $59.99 at all the gifts my daughter received for her birthday, this is the one she wanted to try first. It's shockingly easy to make these things and requires very little parental setup. We are now the proud owners (parents?) of an entire aquarium of slimy creatures. Ages 6 and up. $24.99 at 3-year-old son was always trying to steal his sister's Kinetic Sand — she has the ice cream kit — so we got him this cool folding sandbox. The guy loves it. It's may not be as colorful as the other kits, but it's just perfect for a toddler who loves trucks. Ages 3 and up. $22.49 at You Might Also Like 70 Impressive Tiny Houses That Maximize Function and Style 30+ Paint Colors That Will Instantly Transform Your Kitchen
Engadget
7 hours ago
- Engadget
Engadget Podcast: Switch 2 review, Summer Game Fest and WWDC 2025
Sam Rutherford for Engadget It's been a busy week! In this episode, Devindra and Senior Editor Jessica Conditt dive into their final thoughts on the Switch 2, as well as Jess's time covering Summer Game Fest. We also put a bow on WWDC 2025 and explore what works and doesn't with Apple's Liquid Glass redesign. Your Yahoo privacy setting is blocking social media and third-party content You can Allow your personal information to be shared and sold. Something went wrong. Try again. You can update your choice anytime by going to your privacy controls, which are linked to throughout our sites and apps. This page will now refresh. iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts Summer Games Fest 2025: Sword of the Sea, Mouse: PI for Hire, Big Walk and a ton more indies – 1:17 Nintendo Switch 2 review: more polish on the Switch form factor with scant new releases – 22:09 WWDC 2025 wrap up: what will users think of liquid glass? – 38:11 Air Traffic Control audio reveals Predator drones flew over LA protests – 53:31 Meta announces large investment in Scale AI and a new AI Superintelligence initiative – 54:24 Warner Bros. Discovery to split into two devisions along old company lines – 59:12 Pop culture picks – 1:00:34 Host: Devindra Hardawar Guests: Jessica Conditt Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
