Podcast Summary: Give It To Me Straight
Episode 66: “Giving you break ups, divorces, and Instagram models”
Released: August 26, 2025
Hosts: Alex and John
Podcast Network: Dear Media

Episode Overview

In this candid and humorous episode, married co-hosts Alex and John tackle listener questions and share stories on breakups, divorces, exes, and navigating modern relationships in the age of social media. With their signature unfiltered banter, they unpack the complexities of marriage, discuss the realities of parenting and home life, and dive deep into dilemmas involving Instagram behaviors, blended families, and relationship loyalty. The episode is marked by their trademark wit, playfulness, and a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life, Death, and Afterlife Rom-Coms (00:00–07:24)

• The episode opens with a playful existential debate about who you’d choose in the afterlife if you loved two people in your lifetime.
• “Now that’s different. I’d be fighting in the afterlife.” (John, 00:13)
• They riff on the idea of exes and remarriage in the afterlife, blending humor and love.

2. Movie Casting Rabbit Hole & High-Stakes Parenting (01:48–04:21)

• Alex and John discuss the confusing casting choices in movies, like actors playing spouses who look too similar, using “Granite Mountain Hot Shots” as an example.
• This segues into a deep but lighthearted discussion on whether they would want to start a family if one was terminally ill:
  • John is adamant: “No, absolutely not,” against starting a family alone (04:21).
  • Alex and John agree it's self-centered to leave a partner to parent solo just to have a piece of oneself live on.

3. Grief, Moving On, and Love’s Possessiveness (06:03–07:24)

• Alex and John joke about haunting each other if one moved on, but ultimately agree on wishing happiness for each other should one partner die.

4. Parenthood Prep—and Overwhelm (07:24–08:45)

• Alex updates listeners on batching episodes in anticipation of their baby's arrival and expresses fatigue with TikTok parenting hacks:
  • “We’ll just figure it out and complain about it later.” (Alex, 08:30)

5. Home Life, Shows, and Representation (08:45–10:14)

• Discussion of Jason Momoa’s Apple TV show and praise for diverse casting, especially non-actors from Polynesian descent.
• John jokes about being discovered while grocery shopping.

6. Hair Woes & Manifesting Success (10:00–10:14, 35:01–35:12)

• John’s ongoing hair complaints draw Alex’s playful teasing.
• They discuss the “manifestation” mentality and putting in real effort toward goals.

7. Avocado Shopping Rage & Fun Facts (15:46–17:36)

• John humorously recounts a grocery store encounter where he tries to share an avocado hack, but the person doesn’t listen.
• “I just wanted a fun fact, John... and she wouldn’t let me have it.” (John, 17:31)

8. Frustration with Printers (17:41–19:04)

• Jokes about the universal struggle with home printers.
• “Does anyone actually have a good experience using at home printers?” (Alex, 18:39)

9. Homesteading Fantasies & Nature vs. City Life (19:04–23:07)

• Imagining a slower life in upstate NY with land, chickens, and issues: “You can’t even keep a plant alive.” (John, 19:59)
• Amusing debate over natural light and living-room blinds.

10. Pregnancy Real Talk: Shaving Woes & Body Changes (29:03–32:24)

• Alex discusses the milestone of being unable to see her vagina due to pregnancy:
  • “Weed whacking through a forest that I’ve known… I could do it for you.” (John, 31:02)
  • They debate mirror tricks, waxing, and partners’ help in grooming.

11. Marriage is Hard...Or Is It? (32:40–33:39)

• “Marriage is not hard. Life is hard. Marriage is the fun part—it makes the hard parts easier.” (Alex, 33:10)
• Both insist that being with the right partner should make marriage feel less difficult.

12. Listener Q&A Segment

A. Moving On From a One-Sided Separation (36:12–38:56)

• Listener is separated, wants to save marriage, but husband seems done.
• Advice: Don't use the “divorce” word in the first year after a baby; try counseling before giving up.
• Notable quote: “If you would regret not fighting more, keep trying until you have nothing left to give.” (Alex, 38:27)

B. Ex Keeping The Married Name (38:56–41:37)

• Listener's husband's ex-wife kept his last name; it bothers her.
• Both agree it’s probably laziness, spite, or preference for a cool name—nothing to stress over.

C. Friend Returning to a Problematic Partner (41:43–45:32)

• Friend vents post-breakup, then reconciles with her ex.
• Alex: Accept some friends will cycle in/out of toxic relationships—don’t shoulder their emotional burden: “Sometimes people just gotta learn on their own.” (44:52)
• John: “Your friend should know that about me. If you want my advice and don’t take it—I’m out.” (43:40)

D. Introducing the “Homewrecking” Affair Partner to the Kids (46:03–49:19)

• Listener’s ex introduced kids to his affair partner.
• Alex: It’s inevitable after divorce, as long as kids are safe.
• John: “You can be pissed, but there’s nothing you can do unless there’s danger.” (48:50)

E. Dating a Married Man (49:42–51:36)

• Listener’s friend is “the other woman.”
• Clear advice: “This guy’s not leaving his wife. Your friend is just hoping. All you can do is watch.” (Alex, 50:43)

F. Divorce Over Wanting (or Not Wanting) Kids (52:07–57:45)

• Listener amicably divorcing because one wants kids, one doesn’t.
• Alex: “You made the best decision with the info you had. Don’t waste more time if it’s a dealbreaker.”
• John: “Everyone changes, everyone reacts differently. There’s never 100% certainty in life.” (53:47, 54:00)

G. Disclosing Divorce and Abuse to New Partners (57:51–62:10)

• Listener feels shame about abusive first marriage; when to tell someone new?
• Alex: Divorce isn’t a big first-date detail, but disclose serious things by the time it’s serious.
• John: “All cards on the table before any sort of contract is in place.” (59:32)

H. Husband’s Risqué Instagram Likes (62:15–69:24)

• Husband repeatedly likes and messages half-naked women on social media.
• Both agree: Liking is disrespectful when it crosses boundaries your partner has, especially after multiple warnings.
• “He’s not respecting you; it’s a slap in the face.” (John, 67:18)
• Alex: “You’re not an asshole for snooping—he keeps giving you reasons to.” (66:16)

I. Cat from Ex—What to Do? (71:24–74:13)

• Listener stuck with ex’s cat, husband tries to secretly rehome it.
• Strong reaction from both: Don’t abandon pets; find a home where they’re loved.

J. Pets and Sentimentality (74:15–77:33)

• Sentimental stories about their dog, Kobe.
• “I feel bad for a dog. I cry more for Kobe than a family member.” (John, 77:13)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I would haunt you.” (Alex, 06:29) — on the afterlife and remarriage
• “Marriage is not hard. Life is hard.” (Alex, 33:10)
• “If you want my advice and don’t take my advice—I’m out.” (John, 43:40)
• “You’re not an asshole for snooping—he keeps giving you reasons to.” (Alex, 66:16)
• “He’s not respecting you; it’s a slap in the face.” (John, 67:18)
• “Don’t abandon your animal.” (Alex, 74:13)

Product Recommendations Segment (78:03–79:44)

• Got2B Glued hair gel: John’s long-time pick for thick hair (78:03)
• Dolce Glow self tanner: Alex’s favorite for a natural at-home tan (79:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Existential romance/afterlife: 00:00–01:18, 06:48–07:24
• Movie casting & life/death question: 01:48–03:42
• Starting a family amid terminal illness: 04:21–05:43
• Kids, grief, and moving on: 06:03–07:24
• Parenting hacks & batch episode update: 07:24–08:45
• Home shows & inclusivity: 08:45–10:14
• Hair woes & manifesting: 10:00–10:14, 35:01–35:12
• Avocado story: 15:46–17:36
• Printer frustration: 17:41–19:04
• Homesteading debate: 19:04–23:07
• Pregnancy milestones & body changes: 29:03–32:24
• Q&A (divorce, relationships, exes): 36:12–80:05
• Product recs: 78:03–79:44

Tone & Language

• Lighthearted, unfiltered, and often explicit
• Equal parts humor and earnest relationship wisdom
• Deep affection and playful bickering between co-hosts
• Frank, supportive, but always with a comedic punch

Final Thoughts

In this episode, Alex and John give deeply personal and practical advice on everything from complex breakups, navigating digital boundaries in marriage, and handling post-divorce relationships—channeling both empathy and irreverence. If you want relationship advice that’s direct, hilarious, and real, “Give It To Me Straight” delivers.