THERAPY GECKO: “I TRIED SO HARD TO MAKE IT WORK”
iHeartPodcasts | March 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features host Lyle the Therapy Gecko taking two deeply personal, international calls: Michael, a young Canadian-Italian navigating a fraught love story with an undocumented Mexican partner, and Simon, an Italian immigrant sharing cultural reflections and the journey of building a new life (and soon, a family) in America. The main theme is love, loss, personal growth, and the search for closure in the messiness of real life—sometimes across languages, borders, and family expectations.

MAIN CALL: Michael's Story (01:49–52:47)

Introduction & Context (01:49–04:04)

• Michael, 24, from a well-established Italian-Canadian background in Toronto, explains how he became a Therapy Gecko fan and why this story is “perfect” for the show.
• He describes being a third-generation immigrant with everything provided for him, setting the stage for a relationship that would test his comfort zone and values.

The First Love & Breakup (04:04–05:59)

• His “first love” lasted through COVID, but ended due to his ex’s “bratty, spoiled” behavior.
• After the breakup, he dabbled in religion and community seeking but found it inauthentic or unhelpful (“I’ll take God for what I think he is…” – 05:59).

Meeting the Mexican Girl—Fast Falling (05:59–10:35)

• Met his eventual girlfriend, a recent immigrant from Mexico with little English.
• Connects immediately, not seeking a relationship but finds a “pure euphoric, fairy tale” romance (06:43).
• Eventually starts a long-distance relationship when she has to move for work.

“There was something in me that was like, no, like, I gotta try with this girl. I gotta see what it’s like.” – Michael (09:04)

The Strain of Long Distance & Immigration (10:35–17:22)

• Michael visits his girlfriend in Vancouver, clashes with the city, feels homesick.
• Grapples with career ambitions and the complexity of dating someone with insecure immigration status.
  • Immigration lawyer tells him marriage is the only option for her to stay: “I don’t even know you, you know, like… that’s a big commitment” (13:23).
• Michael ultimately tries to break up— “I feel like a little bit weight lift off my shoulder…” (15:46)—but she chases him into the rain for a heart-wrenching “movie scene” moment, leading them to try again.

The Cycles of Reunion and Breakup (17:22–24:05)

• Girlfriend makes emotional gesture confessing love to his family, but later resents being forced.
• In August, she suddenly wants to return to Mexico, doubting her worth and the relationship. Michael “becomes evil” after a heartbreak: “Once someone breaks that love, I just become evil… the connection’s lost” (18:50).
• Despite pain, Michael recognizes he’s still held back by the relationship, and when she leaves, he takes a career opportunity to film in France that he’d turned down for her (“I was thinking about it, I’m like, she was going to make me miss this… what type of person was I to miss this amazing opportunity for my career for her?” —21:51).

“Every relationship, I needed a girl to love me as much as I love them… I did something I never done before for any person, and I love someone without them reciprocating that back.” – Michael (32:05)

Attempted Closure & The Search for a “Nice Ending” (24:05–51:09)

• Michael repeatedly tries to “put a bow” on their story, feeling haunted by the lack of a clean ending (“Closure is key”).
• Multiple reconciliations and attempts to reconnect, but differing priorities and cultural gaps persist, especially around holidays and family involvement.
• The final breakup is plagued by unresolved feelings and unfinished scenes.

The Geck's Perspective—Closure Doesn’t Exist (43:41–51:09)

• Host Lyle, “the Gecko,” grounds Michael: “Closure is not real. That’s not a thing that exists. You told me a story that had about eight different moments of closure” (45:21).
• He reframes Michael’s pain and confusion, reminding him that hindsight isn’t possible in the moment:

  "You couldn’t see that before because you live life forwardly with the information that you have...” – Gecko (48:14)

• Lyle emphasizes that life doesn’t offer clean endings and encourages Michael to keep living his “great life” instead of agonizing over a perfect conclusion.

“Just pick a middle and have that be the ending mentally. Endings are stupid. You had great middles.” – Gecko (50:28)

Michael’s Reflections & Advice (52:14–52:45)

• Michael shares advice for young listeners: “Have good role models. Surround yourself with good role models… And J. Cole’s the goat.”
• Lyle offers a closing affirmation: “Just go live your life, man. I’m proud of you, Mike. I think you should keep living your life. I’m rooting for you. Your story is still being written.” (51:09)

SECOND CALL: Simon’s Story (56:12–74:37)

International Romance & Immigration (56:12–63:07)

• Simon, 30, is an Italian living in Florida, soon to move back to Italy with his American wife of 10 years.
• Relationship started via Instagram/Kik as “just a regular guy,” then turned into long-term love and marriage.

Contrasts Between Life in America and Italy (64:17–68:21)

• Simon reflects on cultural differences:
  • More connection and slower pace in Italy: “Over there… it’s more about respect, cordiality… slow paced.”
  • Feels isolated in the U.S.: work, gym, video games, and routine, missing Italian communal life and soccer with friends.

Looking Ahead: Starting a Family (68:21–71:32)

• Simon and his wife plan to move to his hometown, live with parents for transition, and have their first child.
• Emphasizes maturity and patience: “Having a kid way too young… just adds more weight and more responsibilities.”

Secrets & Changes (71:32–73:00)

• Reveals he once tried cocaine (unknown to his wife), now only “pen hitting” (vaping THC) with her, who has come to enjoy it.
• Aware he’ll need to quit when back in Italy, especially as they prepare for parenthood.

Language & Identity (73:00–74:37)

• Simon’s American wife speaks some Italian but feels self-conscious; Simon’s own accent is a source of misunderstanding (“People think I’m Cuban or Argentinian in Florida”).
• Light-hearted exchange on Italian curse words and the vibrancy of dialects.

Simon’s Final Thought

“Enjoy life and just be kind.” (74:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Michael: “Once someone breaks that love, I just become evil… the connection’s lost, energy’s lost, and I just became this version of myself that I hated…” (18:50)
• Therapy Gecko: “Closure is not real. Life doesn’t tie up with a neat bow. Even when you die, it’s just, you die.” (45:21)
• Michael: “I felt like we deserved a better ending in a way. And that’s what I’m kind of holding on to…” (49:44)
• Therapy Gecko: “Just pick a middle and have that be the ending mentally. Endings are stupid.” (50:28)
• Simon: “I used to play soccer a lot with my friends, my brothers… just a constant of working, working… Now I miss it.” (66:28)
• Simon: “Enjoy life and just be kind.” (74:26)

Key Timestamps

• 01:49–52:47: Michael’s in-depth story + Therapy Gecko’s perspective on closure and moving forward
• 56:12–74:37: Simon’s reflections on cross-cultural relationships, life transitions, and the meaning of “home”

Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, self-aware, and often wry, with deep introspection punctuated by classic Gecko humor. Lyle embodies empathetic but no-nonsense wisdom, pushing callers to accept the messiness of life without demanding tidy conclusions. Both callers—Michael with his emotional turbulence, and Simon with his pragmatic optimism—offer contrasting, relatable views on the challenges and beauty of moving forward.

For New Listeners

This episode epitomizes Therapy Gecko’s style: real, unvarnished discussions about life, relationships, and growth—always spiced with humor, cultural perspective, and the encouragement to keep moving, even if you’ll never get the closure you think you want.