Give It To Me Straight – Episode 77

Title: Giving you sleep deprivation, wedding drama, and confessions
Date: November 11, 2025
Hosts: Alex & John
Network: Dear Media

Episode Overview

In this candid and characteristically unfiltered episode, husband-and-wife duo Alex and John dive into the messy realities of parenting sleep deprivation, wedding etiquette, complicated friendship dynamics, mother-in-law drama, and personal confessions from their listeners. Expect humor, blunt advice, and intimate glimpses into their life as new parents, as they tackle listener-submitted wedding dilemmas and share their own behind-the-scenes moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Sleep Deprivation, New Parenting Struggles, and Emotional Rollercoasters

[01:16–05:30]

• Alex and John open up about being utterly exhausted and sleep-deprived as new parents to their daughter Lucy.
• Their humorous recounts include accidentally putting ice cream in the fridge, mispronouncing everything in baby bedtime stories, and failed attempts at establishing a sleep schedule.
• Alex finds herself unexpectedly moved by children’s books:

  “Children’s books… some of them slap and make me really emotional, and others are just so—” (Alex, 02:33)

• The couple debates whether everyone else is doing better than them, referencing exaggerated claims from social media:

  “People who are saying their 4-week-old sleeps 12 hours through the night–okay, you’re a liar.” (Alex, 03:33)

• They acknowledge how hard it is to juggle work and parenting without help. Alex expresses deep admiration for single parents.

Comic Mishaps & Family Moments

[05:33–11:18]

• Alex’s mother-in-law visits, and John disastrously destroys their car rim on a coffee run to Dunkin Donuts.
• John’s misadventures escalate when he pours coffee all over the kitchen due to an overfilled coffee box.
• The couple share a hilarious story about a poorly decorated cake ordered for a friend:

  “If my right hand was my dominant hand and I wanted to write on a cake with my nose... that's what it would look like, but worse.” (Alex, 09:49)

Observations on Gender Confidence & Social Dynamics

[17:17–19:54]

• A discussion around gender and overconfidence, inspired by the “who would fly the plane?” scenario, with John and Alex playfully debating perceived male and female tendencies to volunteer for tasks they’re not qualified for.
• John quips:

  “Only a boy would be able to confidently be mediocre at something and confidently hand it off to you.” (Alex, 12:07)

Fun Facts Corner: Haagen-Dazs and Michelin Stars

[20:01–22:17]

• John shares trivia about:
  • Haagen-Dazs being a made-up name by a Polish family to sound European.
  • Michelin stars originating from the tire company to encourage more driving (thus selling more tires).

Baby Updates & Reflections on Parenting

[22:18–27:42]

• Updates on their dog Kobe and his hydrotherapy appointments.
• Reflections on Lucy’s changing appearance and how seeing herself in her daughter is shifting Alex's self-image.
• Parenting brings a bittersweet acknowledgment of time’s rapid passage:

  “Time is a thief. It’s so crazy how quickly they change as kids.” (Alex, 27:42)

Listener Questions & Wedding Drama

[34:41–66:57]

1. Officiating a Friend’s Wedding—Is a Gift Still Required?

[34:41]

• The consensus: officiating counts as a gift if it’s a service normally paid for; “you’re fine, you owe them nothing material.”

2. Bachelorette Party Disaster—Confront or Ignore?

[39:33]

• A guest was caught rifling through bags and left without a word. The couple debates whether to confront her or avoid drama before the wedding.

• “She made it weird. If people can’t take accountability for their actions, that’s on them.” (Alex, 41:00)

3. Left Out of a Gay Best Friend’s Wedding Party?

[43:33]

• Listener hurt over not being included “for tradition’s sake.” Alex and John reason it’s a signal that the friendship may be less reciprocated.

4. Best Friend’s Fiance Hits on Me Before the Wedding—Tell Her?

[45:45]

• The sticky moral dilemma: John and Alex lean toward honesty, especially if you’re close; “I can’t keep my mouth shut.” (Alex, 47:31)

5. Overdue and Overwhelmed—Bridal Party While 40 Weeks Pregnant?

[48:48]

• Their advice: Don’t wait, just have an honest conversation—if you can’t make it, say so.

  “Why wait? Rip the band-aid off.” (John, 48:49)

6. Regretting Your Bridesmaid Pick?

[52:10]

• Quasi-friend drama and social anxiety in the bridal party—do you break the news or just let it ride?
• John:

  “There’s no way you’re going to say it in any way that’s not going to offend her; just suck it up or be ready to lose her as a friend.” (53:04)

7. Third Time’s the Charm—Attending a Friend’s Third Wedding

[55:10]

• John minces no words:

  “Go to the courthouse, get married, best of luck and f*ck off.” (John, 55:24)

• Alex agrees: “If it’s your third wedding, don’t expect people to get you gifts or attend bachelorettes or showers.”

8. Mother-in-Law Wears White to the Wedding

[62:17]

• The universal conclusion: Say something if it’s eating you up inside, and don’t internalize her rudeness.

  “If anything’s eating you up, bring it up. Otherwise it’s going to manifest and you’ll end up needing therapy.” (John, 63:32)

9. Secret Confession: “I Accidentally Got My Husband Fired”

[68:17]

• Listener shares a secret about (not-so-accidentally) providing evidence that got her unfaithful husband fired. Alex calls it “queen behavior.”

Parenting Catch-up & Product Recommendations

[71:21–73:08]

• John reviews the “baby butt whistle” (Windy) and baby nasal aspirator (“the booger balloon”), with mixed effectiveness but some parental satisfaction.
• Alex praises their new Wayfair Christmas tree (unsponsored recommendation):

  “It brings me so much joy when I walk into our living room and I see it.”

• The couple discuss the ongoing struggle to find trusted childcare and the importance of making time for each other as new parents.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On wedding obligations:

  “Plan a party, but have zero expectations. Don’t expect a gift, don’t expect… If it’s your third wedding, don’t include other people to be in your nuptials.” (Alex, 56:13)

• On communication in marriage:

  “How do you marry someone and not have constant conversation?” (John, 64:41)

• On parenting revelations:

  “Parenting is about the little wins… I sucked a huge ass booger from her nose and now she could breathe. Made my day.” (Alex, 71:12)

• On wedding drama and being blunt:

  “Go to the courthouse, get married, best of fucking luck, and fuck off.” (John, 55:24)

Segment Timestamps

• Sleep Deprivation & Parenting Mishaps: 01:16–05:30
• Family Stories & Cake Meltdown: 05:33–11:18
• Confidence, Gender, & Social Observations: 17:17–19:54
• Fun Facts (Haagen-Dazs, Michelin): 20:01–22:17
• Parenting Reflections: 22:18–27:42
• Listener Q&As (Wedding Confessions): 34:41–66:57
• Parenting Products & Finding Help: 71:21–73:08

Tone & Style

Alex and John maintain their trademark mix of irreverence, empathy, and humor—offering listeners both laughter and a sense of “you’re not alone in this chaos” camaraderie, especially for new parents and wedding-weary friends.

For more anonymous confessions or to submit your own wedding drama, email: hellogiveittomestraight or see the show notes for the anonymous question link.