Tish Cyrus: Prioritizing Peace - The Squeeze

Transcript

Tish Cyrus (0:01)

The following podcast is a Dear Media Production I did not know what was happening during the time I lost my mom and my marriage fell apart. That that was like self medicating in some ways and that I didn't even realize that I was doing it for that reason. Star's parents have certainly been in the headlines lately over speculation of recent family drama. I've been very open that I was a major weed smoker no matter what it was. I do think it kind of numbed all that pain and then I stopped smoking. All of a sudden. A week later, I full on anxiety to the point like not functioning. Anything that's happened, I kind of am like, well that's life, just keep it moving. I lost my mom in 2020. My marriage started falling apart. I'd been in this relationship since I was 23 or 24. I was not functioning. I was just trying to survive. Not long after that met my now husband which was amazing. It being so awesome and you know, new. Two of the most probably tragic things in my life that happened I did not process or e even stop to really think about. Yeah, once I kind of got still and it was in this beautiful relationship with my husband now, it gave me this place to stand still and feel all these feelings and it was freaking rough. It's the roughest thing I've ever gone through.

Brandi Cyrus (1:20)

Yeah.

Tish Cyrus (1:21)

100%. Foreign.

Podcast Host (1:37)

Drops welcome back to another episode of the Squeeze. We are so excited to have you here with us for another Wednesday. Hope that your January is off to a good start. Maybe you're still on track with those New Year's resolutions, those goals. And remember, it's not too late to start a new goal.

Brandi Cyrus (1:55)

I feel like I always get overwhelmed.

Podcast Host (1:57)

At the beginning and want to do all of these things at once and then I end up only doing a couple and then feeling like it's too late to start a new goal or intention or resolution or routine, whatever it may be. But remember, it's never too late to start and if you're new here, welcome. We are so excited to have you. Be sure to subscribe and follow along so that you can stay up to date with all of our latest episodes and that you don't miss out on exciting new content. I'm super excited for today's episode. I have Tish Cyrus on Today. She is a producer, manager and entrepreneur and the matriarch of the Cyrus family. She spent decades behind the scenes in the entertainment industry helping guide her kids careers while also protecting their childhoods. Tish has produced films like the Last song. And she now co hosts the podcast Sorry, We're Cyrus with her daughter Brandi. She's also been open about her mental health journey, navigating deep grief after the loss of her mother and the end of a nearly 30 year marriage and what it looked like to start over and rebuild her life. In today's conversation, Tish shares what motherhood has taught her, how she prioritized healing, and how her definition of healthy love has changed over the years. Mama Tish has an amazing story, and I cannot wait for you guys to hear it. Tish, welcome to the Squeeze.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Squeeze – Tish Cyrus: Prioritizing Peace
Release date: January 14, 2026
Host: Taylor Lautner
Guests: Tish Cyrus, Brandi Cyrus

Overview

This emotionally rich episode of The Squeeze features Tish Cyrus, matriarch of the Cyrus family, producer, manager, entrepreneur, and co-host of the podcast "Sorry, We’re Cyrus." Tish joins Taylor Lautner and Brandi Cyrus to discuss her unique parenting journey in the spotlight, healing after immense personal loss, her evolving relationship with mental health, and how she’s learned to prioritize peace. The conversation openly addresses the complexities of grief, family in the limelight, anxiety, self-medicating, and the transformative power of support and self-acceptance.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Parenting in the Public Eye

Navigating Childhood Fame:
- Tish describes how the family’s entry into entertainment was organic, not forced ("It really does just happen.” [09:05])
- She shares the importance of normalcy despite fame, recounting Miley’s early days and Noah’s evolving passions.
- On balancing attention and affirming successes for all children, regardless of their public profile:
  
  “In any other family, [Trace selling 4 million records] would be the biggest success ever ... but the truth is, as anybody else... [it] is not actually reality for most people.” [21:10–22:35]
- Tish stresses the importance of keeping children grounded and present, making family time a priority even during busy touring schedules.

2. Media Scrutiny and Social Media Challenges

From Tabloids to TMZ:
- Tish delineates the shift from print tabloids (like the Inquirer and Star) to the 24/7 online cycle, and the intensification paparazzi brought into their daily lives.
- She describes harrowing experiences with paparazzi, especially incidents endangering Miley during her driving lessons ([32:04–33:05]).
- On media rumors:
  
  “We've been there before. She’s been pregnant with Juicy J’s baby ... and that was on every cover of every magazine.” [27:25]
Impact on Mental Health:
- The hosts and Tish discuss the toll of relentless public scrutiny and how it affects celebrities and their families, with social media amplifying negativity and hateful commentary ([29:01–29:50]).
- Tish openly considers this scrutiny as the main reason she sometimes would not wish show business on her kids.

3. Mental Health, Grief, and Healing

Loss and Major Life Changes:
- Tish recounts losing her mother during the pandemic, followed shortly by her divorce after nearly 30 years of marriage ([41:40–43:32]).
- She admits she kept “just moving” through tragedy, not pausing to process her grief until later:
  
  “Two of the most probably tragic things in my life that happened, I did not process or even stop to really think about.” [03:02, 43:32]
Self-Medicating and Anxiety:
- Tish reflects on using marijuana heavily during this era to numb pain, realizing later it was self-medicating:
  
  “I think for that ... that was almost like medicine for me ... I was self-medicating in some ways and didn’t even realize it.” [44:21–43:33, 53:09]
- After quitting, she experienced debilitating anxiety, highlighting how unresolved emotions surfaced when numbing stopped:
  
  “I stopped smoking. And all of a sudden, a week later, I am just in full on anxiety to the point, like, not functioning.” [43:17, 45:56]
Therapy and Stillness:
- Therapy and her new relationship created a safe space for her to process feelings she had avoided:
  
  “Once I kind of got still ... it gave me this place to stand still and feel all these feelings. And it was frigging rough.” [45:05]
- She references “The Body Keeps the Score” to explain how grief and trauma live in the body even when not consciously processed.
Notable Coping Tools:
- Walking and being physically active was the main thing that helped Tish during acute anxiety ([57:04]).
- Support from her current husband provided vital emotional safety.
- She cautions that breathing exercises initially increased her anxiety, showing the value of personalized tools.

4. Evolution of Love and Relationships

Healthy Love and Respect:
- Tish reflects on finding new love later in life and how her definition of partnership has matured:
  
  “If there’s one thing that you want out of a relationship, it’s respect for each other ... if you respect each other ... that’s just not happening.” [60:29–61:18]
- She encourages younger listeners not to settle and to recognize the value of mutual respect, communication, and support over drama or “the chase.”
- Shares anecdote about Brandi (daughter) finding love at 38, rebuffing the fear that it’s “too late” ([62:28–63:50]).
- On not settling:
  
  “If there isn’t respect and the kind of love that we’re talking about, don’t stay.” [62:28]

5. Family Myths and Humor

Lizard People Rumor:
- Tish humorously debunks the internet myth that the Cyrus family are “lizard people”:
  
  “That was my all-time favorite. And the fact that someone that seemed pretty smart, like, believed it. Yeah, it was like, this is insane.” [40:49]

6. Marijuana Journey & Podcast Evolution

Shifting Relationship with Marijuana:
- Tish details her late introduction to marijuana, its benefits, and eventual drawbacks as a coping mechanism ([50:57–54:50]).
- Her transparency offers nuanced insight into substance use as self-care and avoidance.
- Podcast name change from “Sorry, We’re Stoned” to “Sorry, We’re Cyrus” reflects both her personal growth and broader audience reach ([54:50–56:09]).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On the Impact of Anxiety:

“I was not functioning for that year. I was just trying to survive. And now ... learning how to deal with it and I’m so much better.”
—Tish Cyrus [46:09]
On Empathy and Mental Health:

“You feel so alone ... it is the worst part of it. And I think when I would hear other people talk about it and realize, like, you can overcome it—that’s so helpful.”
—Tish Cyrus [47:09]
On Parenting Successes:

“I’m most proud of ... just raising the most incredible children. They’re all just really grounded and awesome and, like, thriving in life and happy and that’s all I could ask for.”
—Tish Cyrus [66:50–67:50]
On Respect in Relationships:

"If there's one thing that you want out of a relationship, it's respect for each other. Because you're not going to be screaming and yelling and calling your partner names ... if you respect each other."
—Tish Cyrus [61:18]

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tish’s Experience of Loss and Grief: [41:40–47:12]
Public Scrutiny and Paparazzi Stories: [24:40–33:15]
Mental Health Struggles & Marijuana Use: [43:32–54:50]
Advice on Relationships and Self-Respect: [59:43–63:50]
Family Myths (“Lizard People”): [39:02–41:11]
Tools for Coping with Anxiety: [57:04–58:26]
Reflections on Singlehood and Not Settling: [62:28–64:54]
Proudest Achievements: [66:47–67:50]

Tone & Style

The entire episode is candid, warm, and sprinkled with humor—even in tough discussions. Tish’s openness about pain and healing is deeply humanizing, while Brandi and Taylor’s questions maintain a supportive, empathetic environment.

Final Takeaways

You are not alone: There is immense value in hearing others’ struggles; shared vulnerability dissolves stigma.
Healing is nonlinear: Grief and anxiety can catch up to even the strongest among us—stillness can trigger profound processing and growth.
Healthy relationships require true respect, communication, and presence.
It’s never too late for love, or to start over.
Embrace humor, even in the wildest rumors—and don’t believe everything you read.

For listeners, this episode offers compassionate validation and practical hope—reminding us all to prioritize peace and presence, no matter where we start.