Podcast Summary: “Give It To Me Straight” – Episode 79

Title: Giving you thanksgiving, family photos, and nosy questions
Date: November 25, 2025
Hosts: Alex & John (Dear Media)

Overview

In this candid and humorous husband-wife episode, Alex and John dive into the chaos of new parenthood while tackling Thanksgiving traditions, family dynamics around holidays, nosy questions, and listener-submitted dilemmas. With their trademark banter, honesty, and unfiltered advice, they touch on sleep training, being thankful, setting boundaries, and why boundaries (and not letting your mother-in-law feed your baby chocolate syrup) matter. The episode is rich with relatable moments for millennial parents and anyone navigating family gatherings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New Parent Sleep Training Woes

• [03:09–07:06] Alex shares their attempt at sleep training Lucy, their infant daughter:
  • Pediatrician’s advice: Lucy no longer needs nighttime feeds, try letting her self-soothe for 5–20 minutes.
  • Alex: “I set a timer for five minutes. Hardest five minutes of my life. Poor Alex crying.” (04:54)
  • They tried “cry it out” for one night; Alex found it distressing and couldn’t continue.
  • Adapted: Instead of feeding, Alex pats Lucy to sleep—sometimes on the belly, sometimes absent-mindedly on the head.
  • Result: Lucy started sleeping six-hour stretches. Both admit—parenting choices aren’t “one size fits all.”

2. On Ads, Content Creation & Livelihood

• [07:21–09:10] John addresses complaints about ads:
  • John: “Just so you know for the future, we’re probably gonna average between 5 and 7 ads that we read every episode... Why do you think I want to do this for free?” (07:43)
  • Both discuss the misconception that content creators shouldn’t make money and compare podcast ads to billboards.
  • Takeaway: Ads keep content sustainable; they aim to make them entertaining.

3. Gratitude Check-In: What Alex & John Are Thankful For

• [09:10–13:28] Heartfelt, vulnerable sharing:
  • John: Thankful for chemistry with Alex and "being friends first" in their marriage.
  • Alex: Thankful for health, having Lucy after losing their first baby Leo, and the support system/family.
  • Memorable quote:
    • Alex: “I want to start off from the top and say that I’m thankful for health. I feel like that truly is number one... After losing Leo, I don’t think I can ever or would ever take that for granted.” (11:19)

4. Listener Submissions: What Are You Thankful For?

• [22:34–26:58] Alex reads thankfulness from listeners:
  • Touching, funny, and light-hearted entries (IVF success, surviving a deployment, king-size beds, living in Hawaii with two Goldens).
  • John questions if constant beautiful weather would “make you feel guilty if you don’t go outside and enjoy the sunshine every day?” (25:20)
  • Discuss Finland vs. Hawaii, climate, and happiness statistics.

5. Holiday Boundaries & Nosy Family Questions

• [44:26–47:03] Listener Q1:
  • How to handle the “when are you having kids?” question after a miscarriage.
    • Alex: “I always answered, ‘We’re still practicing.’” (44:39)
    • They advise—be honest if you wish, or use humor to shut it down; you don’t owe relatives explanations.

6. Navigating Family Opinions & “Conspiracy” Theories

• [47:03–52:36] Listener Q2:
  • What to do when a relative (mother-in-law) tries to teach your kids her “flat earth” beliefs.
    • John: “You cut like you could talk to me about whatever you want, but when it comes to my kids, you’re going to follow this structure.” (48:10)
    • They suggest boundaries—with the husband speaking to his mother, not the daughter-in-law.

7. Sibling Drama & Switzerland Strategy

• [52:36–54:20] Listener Q3:
  • Pregnant listener’s sisters are feuding; family gatherings are tense.
    • Alex and John advise: “Not your problem!” Stay neutral, focus on your pregnancy and happiness.

8. Managing Parents’ Holiday Expectations

• [54:20–56:48] Listener Q4:
  • Parents insist on celebrating holidays on the official day; daughter feels pressured.
    • Advice: Set boundaries. John says: “No one should have access to you whenever they want.” (55:55)
    • It’s okay to prioritize your new family.

9. Excluding Mom from Family Photo?

• [57:48–59:14] Listener Q5:
  • Father-in-law wants photos of son and grandkids, but not daughter-in-law, for his living room.
    • Alex is outraged: “I fucking made her. I’m gonna be in this photo!” (58:34)
    • Advice: You have the right to feel hurt. Be assertive—center yourself in the photo.

10. Travel with In-Laws Overload

• [60:33–66:22] Listener Q6:
  • Spouse’s parents want to join nearly every vacation.
    • Advice: Split trips—include parents on short ones, reserve the “big trip” for just you two. Use a compliment sandwich to say no.

11. Mother-in-Law Holiday Grievances (Overreaction?)

• [66:59–72:14] Listener Q7:
  • Mother-in-law neither helps nor feeds listeners’ child appropriate food, and fails to cook or host sufficiently on Halloween.
    • John and Alex think this is an overreaction, empathize more with the mother-in-law, and point out self-sabotage.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Babies & Sleep
  “It was like 4am...to feed Lucy and you go, ‘What time does everything open?’...I knew you were really trying to say, like, what time did Lucy eat last.”
  —Alex [01:41]

• On Ad Complaints “We have a daughter now who we need to send to college one day. Okay?”
  —Alex [07:52]

• On Marriages After Kids
  “People talk about...the spark going away after you have a kid or getting really hard...I just feel like this season of life has just been so—we’re tired—but it’s been so much fun.”
  —Alex [09:56]

• On Family Photos
  “If someone was like, I want a picture of your daughter and not you, I’d be like, who the F? She’s mine. I f***ing made her.”
  —Alex [35:00, recapped at 58:34]

• On Setting Boundaries
  “No one should have access to you whenever they want...That’s why [Woody Harrelson] doesn’t have a cell phone.”
  —John [55:55]

• On Holiday Drama
  “Just pop your popcorn, put it on your pregnant belly, and just enjoy the show.”
  —Alex [53:47]

Memorable Segments & Timestamps

• [03:09–07:06] — Sleep Training Struggles
• [09:10–13:28] — What Are Alex & John Thankful For?
• [22:34–26:58] — Sharing Unique Listener Gratitudes
• [44:26–47:03] — Handling Nosy Family Questions (Miscarriage)
• [47:03–52:36] — Boundaries with Conspiratorial Relatives
• [52:36–54:20] — Sister Drama: To Intervene or Not?
• [57:48–59:14] — Being Left Out of the Family Photo
• [66:59–72:14] — “Mother-in-law Ruined My Daughter’s Halloween” (Hosts rage at overreaction)

Tone & Style

This episode embodies Alex and John’s conversational, sarcastic, and occasionally irreverent tone. They’re not afraid to throw in an f-bomb, poke fun at each other, or challenge listener complaints—especially if they think someone is being unreasonable. At the same time, they’re compassionate on heavier issues (loss, boundaries, parenting stress), openly reflect on their own growth, and take time to encourage gratitude.

Recommendations & Closing

• Products Mentioned:

  • Momcozy Electric Nasal Aspirator (for baby boogers)
  • TV Show: All Her Fault on Peacock
  • Movie: The Martian

• Sign-off Advice:

  • Set boundaries for your own happiness.
  • “Don’t feel guilty. Prioritize your family and your sanity.”
  • Be thankful for the supporters and silent, non-complainers.

Final Note: For more candid advice and humor, follow Alex and John on their podcast socials, or submit your own dilemmas for future episodes. And remember: If you’re hungry on Halloween, go to a steakhouse—don’t wait for grandma to feed you.

Happy Thanksgiving from Give It To Me Straight!