Dr. Laura Call of the Day

Episode: I'm Out of the Inner Circle
Date: October 4, 2025
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Caller: Chavone

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Laura Schlessinger takes a call from Chavone, a long-time listener who seeks advice about a shifting friendship. The discussion delves into themes of evolving relationships, emotional accountability, and acceptance as Chavone grapples with feeling excluded from a once-close friend’s life. Dr. Laura provides her trademark no-nonsense guidance, urging personal growth and acknowledging the natural course of friendships.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Appreciation & Context (02:19–03:10)

• Chavone opens by thanking Dr. Laura for previous advice, sharing that she’s grateful for being a stay-at-home mom and raising her children.
  • “I first want to thank you. You helped me make the decision to become a stay at home mom about 20 years ago.” (02:23, Chavone)
  • Dr. Laura affirms her with: “Thank you for doing the right thing.” (02:39, Dr. Laura)

2. The Dilemma: A Fractured Friendship (03:10–05:59)

• Chavone describes tension with a friend of 10 years, centered on milestone birthdays and perceived exclusion.
  • She was hurt when her friend didn’t confirm attending Chavone’s birthday trip, then immediately discussed her own.
  • In response, Chavone reacted emotionally at the friend’s birthday party, causing embarrassment and fallout.
  • “I made a big scene. I was really embarrassed. The next day I apologized... I just made a complete fool of myself at this event.” (04:17, Chavone)
• Over the year, they've tried to rebuild. However, Chavone was not invited to her friend’s surprise birthday thrown by the family. She now questions how to react and whether to address her feelings.

3. Dr. Laura’s Direct Analysis (05:59–07:15, 10:03–13:53)

• Dr. Laura gives her clear assessment:
  • The emotional distance is real; the friend is gently moving on, forming closer bonds with a new group.
  • “She has her new group of mom friends. She’s moved in a separate path... people...don't know how to say that. They just quietly ghost.” (06:02, Dr. Laura)
  • Chavone’s earlier outburst made it “easier for her to drop kick you out of her life.” (10:10, Dr. Laura)
• Dr. Laura counsels Chavone to accept the reality:
  • “Leave it alone and form a new group of friends...We don’t stay with the same people forever.” (10:23 & 10:33, Dr. Laura)
  • Offers insight on the gender differences in friendship longevity:
    • “It’s probably more typical in men because they demand less from each other than women do... Men and women are really different in the friendship department.” (10:43–11:08, Dr. Laura)

4. Navigating Ongoing Contact & Boundaries (11:08–13:58)

• Chavone notes the friend continues some low-key contact: casual texts or lunch invitations.
• Dr. Laura’s practical advice:
  • “She has called you to have lunch, so go have lunch.” (11:20, Dr. Laura)
  • Firmly instructs not to mention being left out or reference social media posts about the birthday party:
    • “If you do, I’ll come over there and smack you across the head.” (11:28, Dr. Laura)
    • “Do not mention any birthday parties. Do not mention looking at her Instagram or Facebook. Do not mention that you do any of that. Just go to lunch.” (13:25, Dr. Laura)
    • “You’re not her inner circle, but she clearly does want to have some limited contact. Enjoy that for what it is. Don’t try to make it be something different, something more.” (11:47, Dr. Laura)
  • Chavone promises to follow Dr. Laura’s firm advice.
    • “Okay, I pinky swear. Thank you so much. I appreciate you.” (13:53, Chavone)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Laura:
  • “She just moved in a different direction. I think you had a good 10 years. Leave it alone and form a new group of friends.” (10:23)
  • “You’re not her inner circle, but she clearly does want to have some limited contact. Enjoy that for what it is. Don’t try to make it be something different, something more.” (11:47)
  • On how to handle future contact:
    • “Do not mention any birthday parties. Do not mention looking at her Instagram or Facebook. Do not mention that you do any of that. Just go to lunch.” (13:25)
• Chavone:
  • “I made a big scene. I was really embarrassed. The next day I apologized...I just made a complete fool of myself at this event.” (04:17)
  • “Okay, I pinky swear. Thank you so much. I appreciate you.” (13:53)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:19: Chavone opens call; shares gratitude and context about her family.
• 03:22–05:59: Breakdown of the friendship issue; details the birthday incident and aftermath.
• 05:59–07:15: Dr. Laura’s initial analysis; identifying the friendship’s real status.
• 10:03–13:09: Direct advice: Accept the changed friendship, avoid addressing the party exclusion.
• 13:25–13:53: Dr. Laura’s emphatic “just go to lunch” guidance and closure with caller’s promise.

Conclusion

Dr. Laura’s approach in this episode is direct, compassionate, and laced with her signature humor. She validates the caller’s feelings but firmly encourages letting go of expectations, accepting the friendship’s new boundaries, and resisting the urge to dwell on exclusion or the past. Listeners are left with a clear message: as friendships change, it’s healthiest to accept reality, act with dignity, and be open to new relationships.