Qualified with April Beyer Episode 5

·1 hr 13 min·5 clips

Rhea describes how her boyfriend's shower comment about marks on her back made her question their entire sexual intimacy.

Anna Faris introduces the episode as a special installment with dating and relationship coach April Beyer as co-host. The first caller is Rhea, an American woman living in Portugal who has been dating a Portuguese man for about a year. Rhea describes a loving relationship with excellent communication and a passionate sex life, but reveals her boyfriend frequently makes comments about her body, pointing out stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, and questioning her gym habits. She shares her history of body dysmorphia, including taping her stomach as a teenager. April and Anna analyze that his behavior likely stems from growing up with critical, perfectionist parents who pressure him as an only child. They advise Rhea to communicate how his comments make her feel and to request meeting his parents. The second caller is Jess, who has been married for 11 years to a man who love-bombed her early on, then isolated her from friends and controls finances. Jess explains she has adrenal insufficiency diagnosed as a result of chronic stress from the relationship. She wants to leave but fears his reaction and feels alone without family support. April and Anna encourage her to gather legal information, build community support, and focus on her strengths, including her writing. They emphasize that emotional abuse is valid and that her health depends on creating a safe environment. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of self-work before relationships and the power of transparency.

As heard by us

April Beyer grounds difficult relationship stories in self-worth, safety, and the hard work of leaving.

Rhea's boyfriend's constant judgments about her appearance and Jess's 11-year emotionally abusive relationship give the episode its weight. Anna Faris and dating and relationship coach April Beyer stay close to the way criticism can wear down self-worth, and to the fear that can…

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Why you'd press play

If your relationship advice needs one bra joke before the serious questions, press play.

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