I'm Fed Up With My Mother! - The Dr. Laura Podcast

Summary4 min read

The Dr. Laura Podcast

Episode: I’m Fed Up With My Mother!
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Date: January 16, 2026

Episode Overview

In this emotionally charged episode, Dr. Laura takes a call from Brandon, a young man struggling with family turmoil following his parents’ divorce—an event made more complex by his discovery of his mother’s long-hidden infidelity. Brandon seeks Dr. Laura’s advice on confronting his mother and deciding whether she should have a role in his newborn child’s life. Dr. Laura guides him toward direct and mature confrontation, emphasizing honesty and clarity, while also exploring the difficult tension between preserving a sense of a happy childhood and facing adult realities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: Divorce and Deception

Brandon’s parents divorced shortly after his wedding (2023), with his father filing just a week prior ([01:45]).
Initially, Brandon sided with his mother as his father was accused of making unfounded allegations of infidelity ([02:28]).
Over time, Brandon discovered his mother had lied repeatedly and had multiple affairs during the marriage ([02:28]).
Now, with a newborn child, Brandon is “fed up” and uncertain about letting his mother remain involved in his family ([03:19]).

2. Confrontation and Honesty

Dr. Laura insists that before any decisions are made regarding his mother’s role, Brandon must have a direct and honest conversation with her:

“Before you make a decision about her visiting the kid, you have to have this discussion, sir. You have to be brave and have this discussion.” (Dr. Laura, [03:40])
Brandon hesitates due to his father's embarrassment, but Dr. Laura dismisses this as irrelevant to Brandon’s own relationship and healing ([04:20]).

3. Emotional Struggle and Responsibility

Brandon admits to dreading this confrontation, revealing the weight and emotional complexity of facing a parent’s betrayal ([07:24]).
Dr. Laura stresses the importance of courage—not just for Brandon’s own growth, but as a model for his child:

“Because I hope sometime in the future, if your kid has a problem with the two of you, that your kid has the courage to talk to the two of you.” (Dr. Laura, [07:27])

4. Maintaining Perspective on the Past

Brandon feels blindsided and questions the authenticity of his “fantastic” upbringing.
Dr. Laura reframes this, defending the value of his childhood experience regardless of the parents’ private issues:

“You had two great parents. You grew up in an atmosphere of two great parents. It’s a truth. That their relationship with each other sucked is irrelevant. What you grew up in was truth.” (Dr. Laura, [08:41]) “Don’t go back and say none of that was real. That’s really stupid to do—erase all that good stuff because the crap came out at the end.” (Dr. Laura, [09:29])

5. Support for the Father's Effort

Dr. Laura recognizes the pain endured by Brandon’s father, emphasizing that his perseverance created a stable environment for Brandon:

“Your dad put up with a lot of shit to make sure that would happen ... He persevered to give you a good life.” (Dr. Laura, [10:05]; [10:21])

6. Commitment and Accountability

Brandon commits to having the tough conversation, encouraged by his wife’s presence and Dr. Laura’s support:

“Good. Thank you. You said that in front of your wife. You better do it now because she’s going to call me and snitch.” (Dr. Laura, [10:48])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On facing parental confrontation:
“Have a conversation, blunt, like she’s another person. Forget that she’s your mother. This is another person. Tell her the truth. You’re a grown man now. Tell her the truth. She cannot put you into your room without supper. I promise.”
— Dr. Laura ([08:03])
On childhood memories and perspective:
“Don’t go back and say none of that was real. That’s really stupid to do—erase all that good stuff because the crap came out at the end.”
— Dr. Laura ([09:29])
On father’s sacrifice:
“He persevered to give you a good life.”
— Dr. Laura ([10:21])

Important Segment Timestamps

00:00–01:00: Advertisements and sponsor messages (skipped content)
01:26: Start of the real call; Brandon introduces his family dilemma
02:28: Brandon reveals learning of his mother’s infidelity
03:40: Dr. Laura advises a direct conversation
04:20: Discussion on the father's embarrassment being irrelevant
07:24: Brandon expresses dread over confrontation; Dr. Laura gives encouragement
08:03: Dr. Laura spells out exactly how Brandon should approach his mother
09:29: Dr. Laura reframes Brandon’s childhood experience
10:05–10:35: Focus on father’s perseverance and why Brandon should appreciate it
10:46–11:01: Brandon commits to action; light banter with wife

Tone & Style

Dr. Laura maintains her signature direct, pragmatic, and occasionally blunt tone, balancing empathy with straightforward advice.
The exchange is warm yet challenging, pressing Brandon to take adult responsibility while affirming his difficult feelings.

In summary, this episode centers on facing messy family truths with courage and clear communication. Dr. Laura’s guidance—orients Brandon away from avoidance and toward mature confrontation, all while honoring the value of his upbringing and the integrity of honest relationships.

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Transcript101 lines

[00:01]
Jennifer
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[00:03]
Angie Hicks
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Jennifer
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[00:06]
Except Discover in a little place like this? I don't think so, Jennifer.
[00:10]
Dr. Laura
Oh, yeah. Huh?
[00:11]
Jennifer
Discover's accepted where I like to shop. Come on, baby, get with the times.
[00:16]
Dr. Laura
Right.
[00:17]
Jennifer
So we shouldn't get the parachute pants?
[00:19]
These are making a comeback, I think.
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[00:30]
Walmart Wellness Event Woman
Honey, do not make plans Saturday, January 24th, okay?
[00:34]
Dr. Laura
Why?
[00:34]
Walmart Wellness Event Man
What's happening?
[00:35]
Walmart Wellness Event Woman
The Walmart Wellness event. Flu shots, health screenings, free samples from those brands you like.
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[01:01]
Dr. Laura
Thanks for listening to my call of the Day. Brought to you by Vibriance Super C Serum, the skincare product I use twice a day. Visit vibriance.comdrlora to save 37% and get free shipping. Remember, you can hear my radio program daily on Sirius XM Triumph and connect with me 24. 7@drlora.com Brandon. Welcome to the program.
[01:27]
Brandon
Hi, Dr. Laura. How's it going?
[01:29]
Dr. Laura
Good, thank you. How could. How's it going with you?
[01:33]
Brandon
Oh, you know, I'm doing all right. I'm. I'm here with my wife right now and just want to try and get some things sorted with my mother here.
[01:43]
Dr. Laura
Okay, go ahead.
[01:45]
Brandon
All right, so my parents recently got divorced. They announced. Or my dad filed for divorce a week before my wedding back in 2023.
[01:59]
Dr. Laura
That was thoughtful of him.
[02:01]
Brandon
Oh, yeah. Well, actually, for what it's worth, I had absolutely no idea during my wedding that they filed for divorce.
[02:11]
Dr. Laura
Oh, okay.
[02:12]
Brandon
They only told me. They only told me, like, a couple weeks after. Actually thought everything was fine.
[02:19]
Dr. Laura
Well, then, that was thoughtful. Now, you, in your mind, do you think your dad did a smart thing in divorcing your mom?
[02:29]
Brandon
Well, at the time, no. I was actually more on my mom's side because everyone was making dad out to be crazy. He had all these crazy accusations of mom cheating. And, yeah, that's like something I couldn't even, like, comprehend. But then over time, I've been trying. I've actually been discovering that my mom has been lying. This Whole time. She did actually cheat on dad with not just one individual, but multiple. And now we're here to today where I am just kind of fed up with my mother. I have a month old, a nice ugly child of ours, and I just. I don't. I don't really want her a part of her life. I'm coming with these like this. I don't know how to describe it. I'm just. I'm just kind of sick of her.
[03:41]
Dr. Laura
Have you had these. Have you had the discussion where you said you've been lying to me? You have been fooling around with guys other than dad and you've been lying and trying to hurt my relate. Well, before you make a decision about her visiting the kid, you have to have this discussion, sir. You have to be brave and have this discussion.
[04:00]
Brandon
Yeah, that is okay. There's another little stickler to the situation is dad does not want the explicit information to be known to anyone else because he's embarrassed by the whole situation.
[04:20]
Dr. Laura
That's too bad and irrelevant. That's not a sticking point. This is your relationship with your mother.
[04:28]
Brandon
Yeah. Yeah.
[04:34]
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[05:05]
Jennifer
Oh, could this vintage store be any cuter?
[05:07]
Angie Hicks
Right?
[05:08]
Jennifer
And the best part, they accept Discover.
[05:10]
Except Discover in a little place like this? I don't think so, Jennifer.
[05:14]
Dr. Laura
Oh, yeah. Huh?
[05:15]
Jennifer
Discover's accepted where I like to shop. Come on, baby. Get with the times.
[05:20]
Dr. Laura
Right.
[05:21]
Jennifer
So we shouldn't get the parachute pants.
[05:24]
These are making a comeback, I think.
[05:27]
Discover Card Announcer
Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide, based on the February 2025 Nielsen report.
[05:34]
Walmart Wellness Event Woman
Honey, do not make plans Saturday, January 24th, okay?
[05:38]
Dr. Laura
Why?
[05:38]
Walmart Wellness Event Man
What's happening?
[05:39]
Walmart Wellness Event Woman
The Walmart wellness event. Flu shots, health screenings, free samples from those brands you like.
[05:43]
Walmart Wellness Event Man
All that at Walmart.
[05:44]
Walmart Wellness Event Woman
We can just walk right in, no appointment needed. Who knew we could cover our health and wellness needs at Walmart?
[05:49]
Walmart Wellness Event Man
Check the calendar. Saturday, January 24th, Walmart wellness event.
[05:53]
Walmart Wellness Event Woman
You knew?
[05:54]
Walmart Wellness Event Man
I knew.
[05:55]
Walmart Wellness Event Announcer
Check in on your health at the same place you already shop. Visit Walmart, Saturday, January 24th for our semiannual wellness event, flu shot. Subject to availability and applicable state law. Age restrictions apply. Free samples while supplies last.
[06:05]
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[07:24]
Brandon
Yeah, I. I am dreading that conversation.
[07:28]
Dr. Laura
I know. But you're a grown man. You have a wife by your side and a munchkin. So it's important you have the courage to actually talk to your mother. Because I hope sometime in the future if your kid has a problem with the two of you, that your kid has the courage to talk to the two of you.
[07:44]
Brandon
Yeah, that's true.
[07:46]
Dr. Laura
And not just excommunicate you or your beautiful wife.
[07:54]
Brandon
Yeah.
[07:55]
Dr. Laura
Yeah.
[07:56]
Brandon
No, I had a feeling you were going to tell me. I need to tell her specifically that I just.
[08:03]
Dr. Laura
That you're very upset and disgusted that she tried to hurt your relationship with your dad by lying. Have a conversation, blunt, like she's another person. Forget that she's your mother. This is another person. Tell her the truth. You're a grown man now. Tell her the truth. She cannot put you into your room without supper. I promise.
[08:27]
Brandon
Yeah, no, I. It's so frustrating when you go up through your whole life thinking you have two absolutely fantastic parents and get blindslighted by all this stuff and then it's all I used to have.
[08:42]
Dr. Laura
Well, you did. Well, you did. You had two great parents. You grew up in an atmosphere of two great parents. It's a truth.
[08:49]
Brandon
Yeah.
[08:49]
Dr. Laura
That their relationship with each other sucked is irrelevant. What you grew up in was truth.
[09:00]
Brandon
Yes, it was.
[09:02]
Dr. Laura
What happened behind closed doors they kept from you Good.
[09:13]
Brandon
Okay. Yeah. No, I have to do it. I don't know. I just. Man, I just. So don't say.
[09:30]
Dr. Laura
I just don't say. I just. Don't you dare. That just goes backwards. I just feel. I just think. I just don't want. I just forget all that. You're a grown man. You have a family and you have a history and you got to deal with it. But I want you really clear. The atmosphere you grew up in was real. Don't go back and say none of that was real. That's really stupid to do. Erase all that good stuff because the crap came out at the end.
[10:01]
Brandon
No, it was real.
[10:03]
Dr. Laura
Yes.
[10:05]
Brandon
Yes.
[10:06]
Dr. Laura
You grew up in a nice household. Good for you. Your dad put up with a lot of shit to make sure that would happen.
[10:19]
Brandon
Yep. Yep.
[10:22]
Dr. Laura
He could have walked away, then you wouldn't be able to tell me about. You had two great parents you grew up with, so he persevered. So tell him that next time he says he's embarrassed. He persevered to give you a good life.
[10:36]
Brandon
He did.
[10:37]
Dr. Laura
Yes. He gets points.
[10:44]
Brandon
Okay.
[10:46]
Dr. Laura
Okay.
[10:47]
Brandon
I will do it.
[10:49]
Dr. Laura
Good. Thank you. You said that in front of your wife. You better do it now because she's going to call me and snitch.
[10:53]
Brandon
You know, she's staring at me right now.
[10:59]
Dr. Laura
Lucky you. Okay, Brandon. Thank you.
[11:02]
Brandon
Hey. Thank you. Bye. Bye.
[11:04]
Dr. Laura
Bye, bye. My number, 1-800-375-2872. If you like this podcast, be sure to rate it on Apple Podcasts or your favorite place to listen to my podcast. Of course. I'd love if you gave me five stars. And be sure to share this podcast with a friend on Facebook or your preferred social media platform.
[11:32]
Walmart Wellness Event Woman
Honey, do not make plans. Saturday, January 24th. Okay?
[11:36]
Dr. Laura
Why?
[11:36]
Walmart Wellness Event Man
What's happening?
[11:37]
Walmart Wellness Event Woman
The Walmart Wellness event. Flu shots, health screenings, free samples from those brands you like.
[11:41]
Walmart Wellness Event Man
All that at Walmart.
[11:42]
Walmart Wellness Event Woman
We can just walk right in, no appointment needed. Who knew we could cover our health and wellness needs at Walmart?
[11:47]
Walmart Wellness Event Man
Check the calendar. Saturday, January 24th.
[11:50]
Walmart Wellness Event Woman
Walmart wellness event. You knew.
[11:52]
Walmart Wellness Event Man
I knew.
[11:53]
Walmart Wellness Event Announcer
Check in on your health at the same place you already shop. Visit Walmart, Saturday, January 24th, for our semiannual wellness event, flu shot. Subject to availability and applicable state law, age restrictions apply. Free samples while supplies last.