Help! My Parents Want Me To Break Up With My BF

·26 min·2 clips

Stephen confronts a listener whose parents threaten to disown her for moving in with a boyfriend from a lower socioeconomic status.

The episode opens with a discussion about Kristen Stewart's role as Princess Diana in the psychological drama Spencer, where Stewart shared feeling 'spooky spiritual feelings' and the challenges of depicting someone who felt invaded by media. The hosts note the film's focus on a short period during Christmas when Diana considered ending her marriage. Next, they talk about Idina Menzel's appearance on Carpool Karaoke, where she recalled John Travolta mispronouncing her name as 'Adele Dazeem' at the 2014 Oscars, mentioning his apologetic emails and how the incident boosted her performance's visibility. The main segment is DM 911, where Stephen Leconte gives advice to listeners. First, a couple planning to secretly elope seeks guidance on whether to tell the groom's mom beforehand; Stephen recommends informing her briefly to avoid lifelong resentment while standing firm on their decision. Second, a 23-year-old living with conservative parents writes about her boyfriend from a lower socioeconomic background, with parents threatening disownment if she moves in with him; Stephen points out her enabling behavior and suggests breaking up if doubts outweigh desires. Third, a listener with severe anxiety and depression describes family members telling them to 'get over it'; Stephen advises therapy, possibly inviting family to sessions, and providing educational resources. The episode concludes with credits and promotions for other podcasts.

As heard by us

A family boundary gets practical language, a private elopement plan, and a separate dinner role.

A private elopement turns into a clearer family boundary question as the hosts sort through how someone might tell a mother without inviting the whole wedding debate back in.

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Why you'd press play

When an elopement plan meets family guilt, this gives you language for staying kind and still going to City Hall.

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