Podcast Summary: Dr. Laura Call of the Day
Episode: "My Husband Wants to Cruise Without Me!"
Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Guest Caller: Jennifer
Episode Overview
In this episode, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, renowned for her direct and ethical advice, speaks with Jennifer, a listener struggling with her husband’s repeated solo cruising adventures. Jennifer expresses discomfort with her marriage’s dynamic and questions whether it is appropriate for her husband to continue his travel habits without her. The conversation dives deep into issues of trust, marital history, personal boundaries, non-confrontation, and what it means to support a partner’s joy even if you don’t share it.
Key Discussion Points
1. Call Introduction & Relationship Background
[01:12–02:35]
- Jennifer, 52, and her husband, 58, have been married for 13 years; it’s a second marriage for both, but Jennifer only learned after the fact that her husband had been married “multiple” times previously (she’s his fourth wife).
- Dr. Laura probes Jennifer’s understanding and feelings about her husband’s marital past.
- Dr. Laura [02:51]: “If somebody every year on April 7, robs a bank and they do that for 10 straight years and then you hook up with them, you really think it's in the past? That there's no pattern that would be meaningful?”
2. Marrying for the Wrong Reasons
[03:42–05:13]
- Jennifer admits she felt pressure to marry her husband out of a fear of losing him rather than a strong independent desire.
- Jennifer [04:28]: “I felt like I was going to lose him if I didn't marry him.”
- Dr. Laura [05:13]: “You thought you'd be safe if you married him, that he wouldn't dump you every time he got mad. That's so sad.”
3. The Cruising Conflict
[09:32–11:09]
- Jennifer’s main complaint: Her husband frequently goes on cruises with family members (not her), and she worries about their marriage dynamic.
- She no longer enjoys cruises herself; he takes steps to include other relatives.
- Dr. Laura shows little concern, noting the cruises are brief and infrequent:
- Dr. Laura [10:52]: “Why are you calling me to complain about four to five days out of 365? He's always taking people, so he's probably not screwing around. Maybe.”
4. Communication and Marital Responsibility
[11:27–12:08]
- Jennifer wonders whether she should express discomfort about these trips.
- Dr. Laura urges her to be supportive and share in her husband’s happiness, even if she doesn’t want to go:
- Dr. Laura [11:49]: “That's part of what spouses do for each other. They enjoy each other's happiness in some activity.”
5. Practical Marital Advice
[12:08–12:23]
- Dr. Laura suggests Jennifer help her husband prepare for trips (e.g., pack sunblock), reinforcing the idea of being a supportive spouse.
6. Self-Reflection and Future Guidance
[12:43–13:52]
- Dr. Laura reflects on Jennifer’s willingness to ignore red flags and encourages her not to call again just to complain.
- Dr. Laura [12:43]: “Yeah, that's past. You married a man who says he has multiple marriages that ended because they were not meaningful to him. Man, I wouldn't marry a guy who said that.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On ignoring obvious red flags:
- Dr. Laura [02:51]: “If somebody every year on April 7, robs a bank... you really think it's in the past?...”
- On marital choice motivation:
- Jennifer [04:28]: “I felt like I was going to lose him if I didn't marry him.”
- Dr. Laura [05:13]: “You thought you'd be safe if you married him, that he wouldn't dump you every time he got mad.”
- On the insignificance of the 'cruise issue':
- Dr. Laura [10:52]: “Why are you calling me to complain about four to five days out of 365?”
- On supporting a partner’s happiness:
- Dr. Laura [11:49]: “That's part of what spouses do for each other. They enjoy each other's happiness in some activity.”
- On Jennifer’s call pattern:
- Dr. Laura [12:43]: “Let's not call complaining about him... You married a man who says he has multiple marriages that ended because they were not meaningful...”
Important Segment Timestamps
- [01:12] – Jennifer introduces her concern.
- [02:09–02:35] – Discovery of husband’s prior marriages.
- [03:42–05:13] – Jennifer opens up about why she married.
- [09:32–10:52] – Details of the cruise conflict.
- [11:27–12:08] – Discussion of expressing discomfort.
- [12:08–12:23] – Dr. Laura’s practical advice for Jennifer's role as a spouse.
- [12:43–13:52] – Closing reflections and encouragement for more self-awareness.
Summary Tone & Style
Dr. Laura maintains her classic, unapologetically candid tone, mixing empathy with sharp, sometimes humorous critique. She challenges Jennifer’s passivity and encourages deeper self-reflection, ultimately guiding her toward acceptance and practical support, rather than ongoing resentment or complaint.
For listeners:
Even if you haven’t heard the episode, this exchange spotlights recurring relationship issues—honesty, patterns in partner selection, and the importance of finding joy in your spouse’s happiness. Dr. Laura’s advice underscores the value of self-awareness and the limits of how much one can (or should) control a partner’s independent pleasures.