Podcast Summary: Give It To Me Straight

Episode 87: Giving You Drunk Texts, Sibling Fights, and Sharing Locations
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Hosts: Alex and John (Dear Media)

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, Alex and John let listeners in on their unfiltered, often hilarious discussions about the realities (and absurdities) of modern adulthood, relationships, and parenting. The duo shares witty commentary from their own marriage, openly answers listener questions about family drama, boundaries, and etiquette, and weighs in with “give it to you straight” advice—no sugarcoating.

Episode Breakdown

1. Life Updates & New Parenting Adventures

(00:23–09:25)

• Parenting a Baby: Alex and John recount recent milestones with their baby, Lucy, including her first time rolling over (which happened at Alex’s mom’s house, much to her chagrin).
  • “If Lucy has any firsts, I don’t want to know about it. Don’t tell me...just pretend her first everything is with us.” – Alex (02:43)
• Introducing Solids: They debate if a mashed banana qualifies as a “solid” and talk about early feeding practices.
• Adapting to New Schedules: Lack of routine, feeling exhausted, and adjusting to parenthood figure heavily.
• Golden Globes & Personal Milestones: Watching the Golden Globes is tied to memory of Alex’s positive pregnancy test.
  • “I’ll always think of the Golden Globes of when I found out I was pregnant with Lulu Canoe…” – Alex (09:16)

2. Relationship Banter & Household Hilarity

(09:25–15:01; 24:04–32:58)

• Household Debates: Socks on hardwood, who loses the keys more, and John’s tripping in Crocs.
• Guest Rooms & Murphy Beds: Alex’s brother installed a Murphy bed, sparking discussion on wasted guest room space and toddler-proofing.
  • “A guest room is just a waste of a space that you use…I would have made that room a gym.” – Alex (30:15)
• Screen Time Parenting Rules: Debating when (and if) to allow their baby, Lucy, access to screens, and if watching their own podcast “counts.”
• Couple Sleep Habits: Bedding styles, sleep positions, and why cuddling isn’t glamorous. They riff on European/Nordic sleep cultures—separate blankets, sometimes even pushed-together twins.
  • “I’d be little spoon. Be great, you know, and I think that you do like being little spoon.” – Alex (31:54)

3. Family, Fights, and Boundaries

(15:08–24:04; 35:18–47:06)

• Physical Altercations & Defending Family: The duo explores “fight or flight” scenarios, personal histories with altercations, and how far they’d go to protect each other and Lucy.
  • “I think everyone needs to get their ass beat at one point in their life. Checks you a little.” – John (16:58)
• Sibling & In-Law Tensions: Referencing listener emails, issues like narcissistic siblings’ partners, family lawsuits, and calls for estrangement are discussed with blunt honesty.
• Letting Relationships Go: Stories highlight how some friendships or family ties can become irreparably toxic, and the wisdom in letting go.
  • “You can’t change people. And I think that’s what it boils down to...let her be.” – Alex (49:40)

4. Listener Questions: Give It To Me Straight

(39:24–70:14)

Family Pressures & Boundaries

• Wife’s Family Pressuring a Move (39:24):

  • Advice: The spouse should understand parental responsibilities from previous marriages; the issue lies with her, not just her family.
  • “That’s not who you married...the person you married, that person should be...she’s the one who should be saying, ‘No, our family is here.’” – Alex (40:53)

• Work Friendships Turning Sour (41:34):

  • Advice: If shifts change, distance will happen naturally; otherwise, make polite excuses until the message is clear—guard your peace.

• Friendships Ending With No Closure (43:48):

  • Advice: Sometimes you have to accept things don’t always get closure; let it go and find peace without knowing.

Family Estrangement

(47:01)

• Sister Marries a Narcissist & Cuts Off Family:
  • Advice: There’s a limit; sometimes it’s healthiest to go no-contact and find peace elsewhere.
  • “I want everyone…to know, you can’t change people.” – John (49:40)

Relationship Red Flags

(51:06)

• Pregnant Listener’s Partner Drunk Texts Ex:
  • Advice: This is a clear boundary violation; ask yourself hard questions about whether this is a pattern you want to live with.
  • “Is he making you feel good? Is he putting you first?...No, no, no. Bye.” – Alex (54:39)

Parental Gaslighting & Cutting Ties

(54:41)

• Mother Who Dismisses Everything:
  • Advice: Consider going low-contact; mourn the parent you wish you had if necessary, and protect your own mental health.
  • “You kind of have to mourn who you thought your mom was…just move on.” – Alex (58:14)

Digital Boundaries

(59:12)

• Sharing Locations with Family:
  • Advice: Adult children shouldn’t feel pressured to share locations; it’s okay to set boundaries, and preferences about privacy should be respected by family.

Etiquette & Friendships

(63:27)

• Friend Asks Guest to Split Cost of Home-cooked Spaghetti:
  • Both hosts absolutely reject this etiquette as “tacky” and ungracious.
  • “Spaghetti? What is it, $3? Jesus Christ. Don’t invite me over if you expect people to chip in.” – John (63:46)
  • Hosts clarify: If you’re hosting, you pay—splitting only makes sense for group food orders, parties with up-front cost-sharing, or if the norm is reciprocated hosting.

5. Secrets & Snack Recommendations

(70:17–74:11)

• Listener Secret Confession:

  • Listener had repeat threesomes with her best friend and now-fiancé back in college; her fiancé has no idea the parties involved.
  • Hosts are comically silent—John: “No…don’t tell me either.” (70:41)

• Snack Debates and Recommendations:

  • Alex asks listeners for snack ideas for breastfeeding moms who are tired of protein bars.
  • John wants tips on how to wash hats without ruining them.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’m like scared to ask Alex questions because it’s like a whole fucking monologue getting to the point—but people need the backstory.” – John (04:39)
• “You always think I lose things. I know exactly where everything is… brown leather jacket, left pocket.” – Alex (28:12)
• “Don’t have a party and expect people to chip in for your fucking party…don’t host shit if you expect something in return.” – John (63:46)
• “You can't change people. That's what it boils down to…let her be.” – Alex (49:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:23–05:56: Opening banter, household humor, and baby updates
• 05:56–09:25: Golden Globes tie-in and personal stories
• 15:08–24:04: Parenting, sibling fights, family protection
• 39:24–54:39: Listener questions, boundaries, drama, etiquette
• 63:27–70:14: Friendship etiquette, splitting costs, parenting social dynamics
• 70:17–74:11: Anonymous secrets, snack and hat cleaning recommendations

Summary in Brief

"Give It To Me Straight" episode 87 is a blend of heartfelt parenting anecdotes, marital banter, and brutally honest advice. Alex and John navigate everything from baby milestones to awkward etiquette dilemmas, fielding listener questions about estrangement, boundaries, red flags, and weird friend behaviors. With deadpan humor and zero pretense, they tackle each issue directly—offering clarity, a little comic relief, and the simple, straight truth.