Podcast Title: Dr. Laura Call of the Day
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Episode: I Feel Stuck
Release Date: January 17, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "I Feel Stuck," Dr. Laura Schlessinger engages with a caller named Liam, who seeks advice on navigating his emotions following a recent breakup. The conversation delves deep into themes of personal responsibility, emotional processing, and the impact of relationship dynamics on family life.

Caller Introduction

[00:31] Dr. Laura:
"Thanks for downloading my Call of the Day podcast. You too can participate in my live radio program heard weekdays from 2 to 5pm Eastern Time on Sirius XM Triumph 111. Liam, welcome to the program."

[00:46] Liam:
"Hi, Dr. Laura."

Liam initiates the call by extending Thanksgiving wishes, highlighting his Canadian background:
[00:50] Liam:
"I just want to say Happy Thanksgiving to all the fellow Canadians like me, because today is our Thanksgiving."

Discussing the Feeling of Being "Stuck"

Liam expresses his struggle with feeling "stuck" after a breakup with his girlfriend, Nancy. He references Dr. Laura's previous advice on moving on from relationships.

[01:00] Liam:
"I feel stuck since breaking up with my girlfriend, Nancy. She’s my last thought, my first thought."

Dr. Laura challenges his interpretation of being stuck, differentiating it from normal emotional transitions post-breakup.

[01:42] Dr. Laura:
"That is not stuck. That's reminiscing."

She emphasizes that missing someone and reflecting on a past relationship are natural parts of moving forward.

[02:30] Liam:
"I have unfinished business with her. But like you're saying, that's normal."

[02:37] Dr. Laura:
"There's no unfinished business. It didn't work. It wasn't a match. There are nice things to remember... That's normal transition."

Relationship Dynamics and Values Misalignment

Liam shares that his relationship with Nancy ended because their values, particularly regarding raising children and cohabitation, were not aligned.

[07:00] Liam:
"She randomly dumped me based on our values not being aligned."

[07:12] Liam:
"We each had different ideas on how to raise our children and whether to move in together."

Dr. Laura commends Liam for prioritizing his son over the relationship, highlighting his courage and responsibility.

[07:48] Dr. Laura:
"You would have caused great damage to two kids... Good for you. That took courage and brains."

Impact on Father-Son Relationship

Liam admits that his emotional turmoil has led to increased anger and a strained relationship with his 8-year-old son.

[08:09] Liam:
"I've been more angry towards my son and more short-fused because I feel stuck."

Dr. Laura bluntly addresses his behavior, labeling it as selfish and detrimental to his relationship with his son.

[08:20] Dr. Laura:
"That's you being an asshole... Sorry."

She urges Liam to take immediate responsibility for his actions and apologize to his son.

[08:58] Dr. Laura:
"You can stop that any moment... Say, 'I'm acting like an asshole, and I apologize.'"

Liam acknowledges his wrongdoing, agreeing to make amends.

[09:12] Dr. Laura:
"You're more important to me than any girlfriend... I'm sorry I was acting bratty."

Reflection and Therapy

Liam reflects on his past, mentioning his divorce and recent relationship as his first since then. He also touches upon his experience with therapy, which suggested he might be too low in self-esteem.

[11:19] Liam:
"Am I just putting too much thought into the women in my life? I am seeing a therapist, and we've determined that I'm too low."

Dr. Laura maintains her stance, reiterating the importance of taking responsibility and ceasing melodramatic behavior.

[10:13] Dr. Laura:
"You're in therapy also. ... Apologize to your boy and realize you're not stuck. No more drama."

Conclusion

Dr. Laura concludes the call by reinforcing the need for Liam to prioritize his son and cease his self-centered behavior. She offers him a succinct summary of the necessary steps to move forward positively.

[10:42] Liam:
"Well, I married the love of my life... And then she cheated on me."

[10:49] Dr. Laura:
"A woman who's going to screw around on her man with a kid in the house is not the love of anybody's life... I wish it worked out. I really do."

Key Takeaways

• Emotional Processing: Recognizing the difference between being "stuck" and experiencing normal post-relationship emotions.
• Personal Responsibility: Acknowledging and addressing selfish behaviors that negatively impact loved ones.
• Prioritizing Family: Valuing familial relationships over romantic entanglements, especially when children are involved.
• Therapeutic Support: Utilizing therapy to understand and improve personal emotional states.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Laura on Reminiscing vs. Being Stuck:
  [01:42] "That is not stuck. That's reminiscing."

• Dr. Laura on Prioritizing Children:
  [07:48] "Good for you. That took courage and brains."

• Dr. Laura on Selfish Behavior:
  [08:20] "That's you being an asshole... Sorry."

• Dr. Laura on Apologizing to His Son:
  [08:58] "You can stop that any moment... Say, 'I'm acting like an asshole, and I apologize.'"

Final Thoughts

In "I Feel Stuck," Dr. Laura Schlessinger provides candid and straightforward advice, urging listeners to take accountability for their emotions and actions. Through Liam's story, the episode underscores the importance of distinguishing between normal emotional experiences and behaviors that harm familial relationships. Dr. Laura's no-nonsense approach serves as a reminder of the values of ethics, accountability, and personal responsibility in overcoming personal challenges.