Therapy Gecko – “I STOLE MY BEST FRIEND’S GF AND KIDS”

iHeartPodcasts / Host: Lyle (The Gecko) | Feb 15, 2026
A cosmic lizard in a green suit takes phone calls from strangers about their rawest dilemmas, with wild honesty and disarming humor.

Overview of the Episode

This episode of Therapy Gecko finds Lyle taking calls from two guests with wildly different but equally unfiltered stories. First, Zach recounts how he found himself raising his ex-best friend’s kids after rescuing their mother from abuse. Then Carleo, a 24-year-old DIY punk hosting his own house shows, talks about anger, isolation, childhood trauma, and the vital role community and music play in his life.

The episode navigates messy morality, real darkness, and the resilience people muster to move forward, all within Lyle’s uniquely surreal, empathetic, and gently comedic lens.

Key Discussion Points & Notable Moments

Zach: "I Stole My Best Friend’s Girlfriend and Two Kids"

(Starts at 01:33)

The Backstory

• Lyle reads Zach’s text: “You said: I stole my best friend's girlfriend and two kids.” (01:59)
• Zach, 21, recounts being close friends with a man who became increasingly abusive to his girlfriend.
• Incidents escalated until cops were called to protect the girlfriend and children. Zach helped her in these moments.

Taking on a Family

• After the breakup, Zach and his friend’s ex began hanging out, which developed into a romantic relationship.
• Zach became the de facto stepdad to her two children (ages 3 and 1).
• Zach describes the impulsive nature of their new family: “It all happened really fast.” (15:18)

Navigating Guilt and Respect

• Zach admits to feeling guilt for “stealing” his friend’s family, but feels he made the right choice after witnessing the abuse:

  "The only person who loses in this situation is the one acting a fool." (05:58)

• Lyle repeatedly expresses awe and respect:

  “Dude, you really stepped the fuck up.” (06:06)

Parenting Challenges

• The younger child suffers from OI Type 5, a rare bone disease—Zach candidly shares the challenges:

  “…he's the only kid in our country with it. It's OI type 5. So he has bones that break really easy.” (05:13)

• The ex-friend sees the children rarely, as there is now a no-contact order with their mom.
• Zach’s bond with the kids is growing. The three-year-old calls him “my Zach.”

Family Support and Background

• Both Zach’s and his girlfriend’s mothers were initially skeptical about the relationship but came around.
• Zach describes a troubled family history:

  “My dad’s just an alcoholic and meth head and whatnot, so… lots of problems there. We don’t talk too much.” (12:22)
  “You're gonna be the dad your dad wasn't.” - Lyle (12:30)

• Both partners are young (20 and 21); Lyle is struck by how mature they have to be:

  “You're like a… you might as well be just a seasoned ass adult.” (04:44)

Financial and Medical Pressures

• Zach works as a drywall taper; his girlfriend is seeking remote work but can’t place the child in daycare due to his condition.
• The family’s experience with Canadian health care is frank:

  “Free health care, not good health care. … All of our good doctors … just move to America and start private businesses.” (08:11)

Reflections, Recovery, and Commitment

• Zach opens up about past drug use and a seizure he had from benzo withdrawal, now only smokes weed.
• Lyle summarizes his admiration, giving Zach the episode title, and encourages him:

  “I have so much respect for you. That's awesome.” (06:53)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On stepping up:

  “Dude, you really stepped the fuck up.” – Lyle (06:06)

• On guilt and justification:

  “The only person who loses in this situation is the one acting a fool.” – Zach (05:58)

• On abuse:

  “On the last night that they saw each other…he, you know, like, shoved her and screaming at her, just saying nasty shit.” – Zach (03:33)

• On family legacy:

  “You're gonna be the dad your dad wasn't. That's so cool.” – Lyle (12:30)

Carleo: The Punk, the Night Terrors, and Finding Hope

(Starts at 23:34)

Setting

• Carleo, 24, is prepping for a DIY punk show at his Asheville, NC apartment. He’s not performing tonight but is active in two bands and runs a house venue, “Cystic House.”
• He is practical, candid, and self-aware; happy to talk about rocks, music, mental health, and life’s chaos.

Therapy, Communication, and Anger

• Admits he’s never been to therapy; anger issues stem from “people not understanding me or me not understanding people.”
• Feels more understood as an adult but struggled when younger.

Wrongful Arrest and Injustice

• Recounts being wrongfully arrested while trying to make sure police weren't abusing a Black man (33:03):

  “There's this guy downtown. He was getting beat the fuck up. … I try to get close to make sure these cops aren't abusing your power … then immediately puts me in handcuffs… I sat there for, like, two hours before they put me in the tank to go to the jail.”

Night Terrors & Depression

• Shares about severe night terrors, including dreams where he harms his mother (41:24):

  “A lot of the times I have night terrors where I shoot my mom in the face…”

• Nightmares intensify with depression; feels his depression is always present but fluctuates in severity.

Childhood and Racial Trauma

• Grew up biracial in rural North Carolina, in a family with a history of racism:

  “My great grandfather… was in the Klan. … My grandfather used to keep a noose in the yard.” (48:05)

• Mother was initially bigoted but grew with Carleo’s influence.

Self-Reliance and Community

• Lived out of his car multiple times; relishes independence but found it tough when holding down a job.
• Finds hope and validation through music, organizing shows, and close friendships.

Openness and Faith

• Candidly shares about near-death experiences from drugs (58:23), relationship struggles, and feelings of isolation.
• Despite hardships, maintains optimism:

  “I still think there's a chance for me.” (46:35)

Building Something: Music & DIY Venue

• Plays guitar in bands; describes the sound as “Post Prague punk…old school, like, 80s hardcore riffs, but kind of proggy.” (54:11)
• His house venue “Cystic House” hosts shows for the community and supports local food pantry efforts post-hurricane.
• Encourages others to follow their DIY dreams:

  "I'm throwing a show in my living room. You can throw a show... If you want to do it, just do it." (71:53)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On being misunderstood:

  “I'm not very good at turning the thoughts in my brain into words that come out of my mouth.” – Carleo (32:00)

• On optimism:

  “I still think there's a chance for me.” – Carleo (46:35)

• On depression:

  “Depression for me is just, like, it's always going to be there no matter what. It's just, like, how intense, or... how much I can, like, kind of ignore it.” – Carleo (43:52)

• On building community:

  “Just do it. I'm throwing a show in my living room. You can throw a show. … If you want to do it, just do it.” – Carleo (71:53)

• Lyle’s admiration:

  “You give me hope for humanity.” – Lyle (63:54)

Key Segments & Timestamps

• 01:33 – Zach’s call: Stealing the best friend’s girlfriend and kids.
• 03:33 – Zach details the abuse.
• 05:13 – The child’s rare bone disease.
• 06:06 – Lyle’s awe and encouragement.
• 12:22 – Zach’s family struggles.
• 23:34 – Carleo’s call: music, anger, house shows.
• 33:03 – Wrongful arrest story.
• 41:24 – Night terrors and mental health darkness.
• 48:05 – Family history of racism.
• 54:11 – Describing his band’s music.
• 58:23 – Near-fatal fentanyl experience.
• 63:54 – Lyle expresses his respect.
• 71:53 – Carleo’s closing encouragement to others.

Episode’s Tone & Takeaway

Lyle’s unique tone—equal parts wry humor and sincere empathy—draws out these deeply personal stories with both humility and absurdity.

He offers validation without judgment:

“Everyone’s a little fucked up.” (46:16)

The calls oscillate between dark honesty and moments of hope, reminding listeners that life’s hardships can create unexpected sources of resilience, family, and fulfillment.

Further Listening / Follow-up

• Slug Hole AVL (Carleo’s band): Find them on Instagram for future music releases.
• Cystic House (Asheville DIY venue): For show info and community efforts.

Final Thoughts (Lyle, 66:46):

“I don’t know why I’ve kept you on the phone for 43 minutes… I’ve enjoyed getting to know you… You had a weird childhood, but you have faith. I think that’s exciting… You’re depressed, but you know it’s not—you don’t seem like you’re, like, living life in despair. I find that exciting."

This is Therapy Gecko at its best—affirming, odd, and deeply human.