Podcast Summary: The Dr. Laura Podcast

Episode: Stop Acting Like a Girl!
Air Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Featured Caller: Bonnie

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Laura Schlessinger responds to a deeply personal call from Bonnie, a woman struggling with longstanding family tension involving her sister-in-law. Dr. Laura cuts straight to the heart of Bonnie's dilemma, encouraging self-respect, resilience, and the importance of not letting others' pettiness dictate your well-being. The episode’s pointed title, “Stop Acting Like a Girl!”, reflects Dr. Laura’s tough-love approach as she urges Bonnie—and listeners—to rise above old wounds, assert boundaries, and avoid unnecessary emotional entanglements.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background of the Caller’s Situation

• Caller’s Context: Bonnie is 37 and remarried. Years ago, she requested space in her relationship; her then-boyfriend’s sister sent her a harsh Facebook message after learning about this through the family grapevine.
• Breach of Privacy: Dr. Laura calls out Bonnie’s then-boyfriend (now husband) for not respecting her privacy, asserting that discussing relationship matters outside the couple is inappropriate.
  • “He didn’t maintain your privacy.” (03:28 – Dr. Laura)
• Sister-in-law’s Actions: The sister-in-law justified her intrusion by claiming she was defending her brother. In the end, she expressed that she wanted to forget it and move on.

2. Bonnie’s Lingering Hurt and Social Anxiety

• Avoiding Family Functions: Bonnie feels uncomfortable attending family gatherings where her sister-in-law is present, fearing unresolved tension.
• Attempting Reconciliation: Bonnie reached out to the sister-in-law hoping for a personal resolution, but got a dismissive response.
• Dr. Laura’s Blunt Assessment:
  • “You wanted to have a one-on-one with a nasty person who doesn't like you, but you didn't want to sit at a table of four people, which gave you some protection already. That's weird…That was a huge mistake on your part. Of cowardice. Okay, that was a ridiculous decision. Okay? Bad decision.” (09:19 – Dr. Laura)

3. Dr. Laura’s Guidance: Tough Love & Perspective Shift

• Letting Go of the Past: Dr. Laura directly challenges Bonnie to drop the grudge, recognize the futility of waiting for universal approval, and stop giving power to toxic people.
  • “Spending any more time agonizing over a bitch is silly, okay? Silly. You never agonize over bitches. I only agonize over someone I really admire.” (10:02 – Dr. Laura)
• Show Up and Be Polite:
  • “If you’re invited to a group thing, go.” (10:45 – Dr. Laura)
  • “Then you go with a big smile and you’re nice to everybody.” (10:58 – Dr. Laura)
• Don’t “Act Like a Girl”: Dr. Laura distinguishes between healthy emotion and being emotionally fragile or ruminating over slights, especially those long-past.
  • “There are wonderful things. I are a female, so there are wonderful things about us. But when we act like girls, we lose self-respect and power.” (11:36 – Dr. Laura)
• Gender Differences in Processing Conflict:
  • Dr. Laura points out that men wouldn’t linger on such an event:
    “If it had been the other way around and this was toward a guy, he wouldn’t be calling me today because it would have been so far out of his head, he wouldn’t even remember it.” (11:23 – Dr. Laura)

4. Family Events & Moving Forward

• Upcoming “Temple Sealing” (Religious Event): Bonnie expresses concern about inviting her husband’s family, including the sister-in-law, to a religious ceremony.
• Universal Invitation:
  • “Of course you’re going to invite the whole family. If this is normally a thing that everybody invites the whole family, you invite the whole family. She is not going to behave badly at this event, and you know it.” (13:05 – Dr. Laura)
• Parting Wisdom:
  • “Everybody’s not going to like you, dear. And everybody's not going to be nice.” (12:35 – Dr. Laura)
  • “A thing happened many years ago, and you’re carrying it around with you and … crying over it. Come on.” (13:19 – Dr. Laura)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On letting go:
  • “Spending any more time agonizing over a bitch is silly, okay? Silly. You never agonize over bitches. I only agonize over somebody I really admire.” (10:02 – Dr. Laura)
• On acting with maturity:
  • “Don’t act like a baby.” (10:52 – Dr. Laura)
• On gendered emotional response:
  • “If it had been the other way around and this was toward a guy, he wouldn’t be calling me today because it would have been so far out of his head, he wouldn’t even remember it.” (11:23 – Dr. Laura)
• On embracing events and dropping grudges:
  • “Go with a big smile and you’re nice to everybody…Stop being, I’m rescinding, little girl. I’m talking about baby now.” (11:02, 13:19 – Dr. Laura)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic / Quote | |---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:42 | Call begins with Bonnie sharing her family tension story | | 03:28 | Dr. Laura calls out the lack of privacy and respect in relationships | | 09:19 | Dr. Laura expresses her tough-love stance on facing uncomfortable situations | | 10:02 | “Silly to agonize over a bitch” – direct, memorable moment | | 10:45 | Encouragement to attend family events confidently | | 11:23 | Gender differences in handling grudges | | 12:35 | Accepting that not everyone will like you | | 13:05 | Advice about inviting the entire family to the religious ceremony | | 13:19 | Final words on the futility of dragging old hurts forward |

Takeaways for Listeners

• Don’t cede your emotional well-being to toxic or dismissive people.
• Stop obsessing over being liked by everyone—prioritize self-respect.
• Show up, be polite, let go of the past, and focus on personal growth and joy.
• Recognize when worrying over slights gives people power who don’t deserve it.

This concise yet thorough episode epitomizes Dr. Laura’s straight-talking style—full of blunt wisdom, humor, and encouragement to live life with dignity and resilience. Perfect for those navigating tricky family relationships or needing a push to stop carrying old wounds.