Big Mood, Little Mood with Daniel M. Lavery

Prudence is joined this week by Harron Walker, a staff writer at Out magazine, whose work has appeared on Jezebel, BuzzFeed, Vulture, Vice, and Them. Together they tackle letters about how to create a safe space for your child who is showing signs of being transgender, should you worry that your girlfriend has been in therapy for 9 years, what to do when you find out your twin sister has been trash talking about you to anyone who will listen, what actions to take when your boyfriend accidentally sends you his amateur porno of him with another woman, what to do when your “split all costs” plan with your girlfriend isn’t really happening. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Walker discuss a letter writer who is wondering if she should let her LGBTQ+ clients know that she’s queer, even though she’s married to a straight cis man. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Aymann Ismail, an award-winning podcast host, video editor, photographer, and writer at Slate whose work focuses on identity and religion. He currently hosts Man Up, an interview podcast about men and relationships, family, race, and sex. Together they dig into letters about how to handle a boyfriend who’s frustrated because you travel for work half the year, what to do when a coworker mentions he’s a survivalist with a stockpile of guns at home, what actions to take when your child’s playdate is at the home of a racist, should you expose your bosses affair to make your own work life easier, what to do with displayed photos of your wife of 40 years now that you are widowed and dating, what to consider when your partner’s illness keeps you from physically connecting.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Ismail discuss a letter writer who is wondering how to handle a dad who refuses to accommodate your mom’s needs while she’s fighting cancer. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by essayist Jackie Hedeman, whose nonfiction has appeared in The Best American Travel Writing 2017, Entropy, Autostraddle, and elsewhere. Together they tackle letters about a what to do when you have a former patient who keeps demanding you take them back, how to handle a housemate who has habit of oversharing when he drinks, how to decide to cut off your toxic parents from seeing their grandchildren, what to do when you want your polyamorous relationship to revert back to a monogamous one, how to protect your daughter when your sister is marrying a registered sex offender, what to consider when your addict lover is requesting that you refrain from substances when you don’t have a problem.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Hedeman discuss a letter writer who can’t stand visiting her brother’s home because his kids urinate everywhere and make a mess. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week finds Dear Prudence live on stage at The Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington. Recorded on March 20th, 2019, Prudie was joined onstage by author and assistant professor of English at UC Berkeley, Grace Lavery. Together they dig into letters about what to do when you desire a life that’s more than caring for your mother in law, how to handle a friend whose belief that you broke her car is threatening your social standing, what to do when your sister thinks she’s a genius and hates you because you don’t believe her, how to deal with family misgendering your best friend at your wedding, how to decide whether you should take in a friend with a debilitating disease, what to do when your parents decide to swap genders.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Grace discuss a letter writer who found the love of her life, but he’s more focused on finishing his Ph.D, as well as questions from the audience! Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week finds Dear Prudence live on stage at The Bell House in Brooklyn. Recorded on March 13th, 2019, Prudie was joined onstage by Jezebel writer, Jasmine Sanders.Together they dig into letters about what to do when the kids you nanny are beyond out of control, how to handle a friend who dumps on you, but never listens to your problems, what to do with a fiancé who’s forgetfulness of basic things makes you worry about your safety, what actions to take when you suspect you’ve been violated under anesthesia during a medical procedure, what to do when cutting ties from an abusive uncle also leaves you estranged from other family that you miss, how to decide if your surreptitious workplace recordings should be used for good, evil, or left unheard.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Jasmine discuss a letter whose recovery from an eating disorder is hampered by a mother who constantly admonishes her appearance. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week finds Dear Prudence live on stage at The Hamilton in Washington DC. Recorded on March 12th, 2019, Prudie was joined onstage by the host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, Linda Holmes.Together they tackle letters about how to decide if you should cut ties with a sister who violated your trust, how to handle jealousy when your wife easily get gigs that you’ve struggled your whole life to get, what actions to take with a creepy and inappropriate father-in-law, how to help your daughter’s transitioning friend who was shut out by his own family, what to do when your husband’s antidepressants take away his sex drive, what to do when your friend’s methods for planning your vacation rubs you wrong way, what to consider when you have a family member who refused to vaccinate her child. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Linda discuss a letter writer who is dreading being part of a wedding where her fellow bridesmaids will make fun of her for being single. Also, questions from the live audience! Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week finds Dear Prudence live on stage at the Brava Theater Center in San Francisco. Recorded on March 7th, 2019, Prudie was joined onstage by New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory. Jasmine’s books include The Wedding Date, The Proposal, and the forthcoming The Wedding Party. Together they dig into letters about how to handle your bestie’s new friends that leave you feeling alienated, should you date your neighbor, even though it might be confusing for your children, what to do when your long time friend is a cheater and it’s awkward to face his girlfriend, what actions to take when your expensive grad school degree hasn’t yielded any job prospects, what to do when two crucial members of your wedding party are going through an ugly divorce, how to handle a husband who wants to maintain a relationship with his white supremacist brother, should you take a chance and see your estranged parents who are now reaching out after years of conflict?Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Jasmine discuss a letter writer who is wondering what actions to take when you find out your boyfriend has known about your affair for months, but has been silent, as well as questions from the live audience!Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week finds Dear Prudence live on stage at The Soiled Dove Underground in Denver Colorado. Recorded on March 6th, 2019, Prudie was joined by writer Nicole Cliffe, who currently runs Slate’s Care and Feeding advice column, and was Daniel Ortberg’s former partner at The Toast.Together they dig into letters about what to do when you feel disconnected from your life that actually looks pretty good, how to handle a boyfriend who doesn’t want to commit to being called a “boyfriend”, what to do when your partner’s ex uses their dog as an excuse to stay connected, what actions to take when your husband can’t move past your infidelity from years ago, how to introduce your trans boyfriend to your not so accepting parents, how to deal with a husband who has turned to porn since you giving birth, how to handle your partner’s mom who keeps her distance because you’re “living in sin”. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Nicole discuss a letter writer who is wondering how to decide if she has a future dating a vaccine doubter, as well as questions from the live audience! Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by writer Helen Rosner. She is the food correspondent for The New Yorker, and a former editor at places like Eater, Saveur, and New York Magazine.Together they tackle letters about what to do when a lonely neighbor treats you as if you were her grandchild, what to do when a member of your fine dining club can no longer afford to pay, but insists on coming anyway, how to share your secret financial struggles with your husband, what actions to take when your mother-in-law fat shames you after your pregnancy. Prudie and Helen also respond to a voicemail from a woman who discovered a man on her disability focused message board who may be posing to get attention from women. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Helen discuss a letter writer who has conflicting feelings about her high school bully who recently committed suicide, and another letter from a woman who wants to reconnect with her ex through social media, but is being thwarted by her ex’s partner. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Sarah Shourd, a multi-media journalist based in Oakland, California. Her work combines fiction with rigorous journalism to elevate marginalized voices. She’s now working collaboratively on a graphic novel as a JSK Fellow at Stanford. Together they tackle letters about what to do when you find yourself with diminishing social invitations because of your sickliness, how to handle your husband who wants to reconnect with his friend who was convicted of possession of child pornography, how to put the brakes on a new overbearing friendship without offending them, what to consider when the love of your life offers you good (not great) sex, how to handle a soon to be sister-in-law who demands that you remove pictures of your brother’s deceased first wife from your home.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Sarah discuss a letter writer who is wondering how to stop her distant family members from using her beach house without causing a family rift. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by writer and artist, John Leavitt, whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, Motherboard, Racked, And Marvel Comics.Together they tackle letters about what to do when your husband requests consent for any and all physical contact, what to consider when you don’t feel the same sense of romance that your wife wants, what to do when your dad surprises you by taking you to an escort, should you tell your ex directly that you’re dating a mutual friend or let them find out on their own.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and John discuss a letter writer who is wondering if it’s worth staying with her boyfriend, who’s embroiled with ex-wife and step daughter issues. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Janet Cheatham Bell, who left her position as a textbook editor in 1984 to become a consultant to authors, the book publishing industry, and to produce her own books. She recently moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to be near her three amazing granddaughters.Together they tackle letters about what to do when you inadvertently become your lover’s therapist, how to handle an ex-boyfriend who keeps telling everyone you’re still together, how to handle colleagues who don’t understand that you enjoy being single without children, should you leave a job you love after a failed work affair left you with unrequited feelings for a colleague, can you salvage a friendship after sleeping with your bestie. Also, Prudie and Janet respond to a voicemail from a woman who is wondering if it’s appropriate to invite her seriously ill mentor to her wedding. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Janet discuss a letter writer who has a roommate who refuses to take better care of her dog. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Justine D'Souza, a social media community management professional who also works for a youth helpline. Outside of work, she enjoys performing in operas, plays, and musicals. Together they tackle letters about what to do when your deceased friend’s mom finds you in social media and sends messages about her grief, how should you handle finding out your husband doesn’t share your dream of dog ownership, what to consider about secretly giving away your boyfriend’s dog, what to do when your wife changes her mind about a “hall pass” agreement, should you keep supporting an inefficient coworker because they desperately need a jobSlate Plus members will hear Prudie and Justine discuss a letter writer who is triggered by her boss’s partner’s illness, and losing the ability to focus at work, and another letter writer who is overwhelmed by her husband’s close-knit family and their need for frequent gatherings. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Favianna Rodriguez, an interdisciplinary artist, cultural organizer, and political activist based in Oakland, California. Her art addresses migration, economic inequality, gender justice, and ecology. She is also the Executive Director of CultureStrike, a national arts organization that engages artists, writers and performers in migrant rights.Together they tackle letters about what to do when your dad can’t get your transgender cousin’s pronouns right, how to handle gift giving in-laws who are cluttering your home with homemade knick-knacks, what actions to take if you feel your friends are taking advantage of your emotional and financial stability, how to tell the person that took you off the streets and fed you that you don’t like their cooking, what to do when your parents will no longer pay your college tuition because changed your major.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Favianna discuss a letter writer who is devastated that her younger sister didn’t include her in her wedding party, despite all the support given to her through the years. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Martha Rynberg, an Oakland based writer and performer. She is the principal director of the Solo Performance Workshop, and is getting an online masters degree in how to keep cats from scratching on leather furniture.Together they tackle letters about what to do when your coworkers never show up for your important life events, how to decide whether to tell a friend that a painting in her home is racially offensive, how to tell your sister that her cooking tips are not welcome on top when you’re already preparing meals for her kids as a favor, how to deal with a racist cousin who you only see during the holidays, how to decide if there’s enough trust to continue an otherwise supportive relationship, what actions to take when you realize your ready to let go of a casual friendship.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Martha discuss a letter writer who is wondering how he discourage his younger brother from quitting his lucrative job, even though you did the same thing to start your own business. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by a close personal, if not a bit judgmental, friend, Maddie Chavez. Maddie’s judgements are known to be true of heart and strong of will. Together they tackle letters about how to handle a boyfriend who thinks you’re perfect and blames himself for everything, how to come clean from the tall tales you once told as a teen, how to tell your husband after many years that you never liked your wedding ring, what actions to take when your partner isn’t hearing your concerns about the prospect of having children, how to protect your newly trans brother from the wrath of your unaccepting parents, what actions to take when you’ve decided it’s time to seek help for your mental health, but your parents have more of a “suck it up” attitude. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Maddie discuss a letter writer who is worried that his girlfriend doesn’t have friends outside of their relationship. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by writer and film critic Willow Maclay. Maclay runs the website Curtsies and Hand Grenades, and is co-author of the upcoming book Corpses, Fools and Monsters: An Examination of Transgender Cinema. Together they tackle letters about how to get along with the normal but sometimes annoying family that took you in, what to do when you can no longer afford the travel expenses in your long distance relationship, how to handle an cheating ex-fiance you still have feelings for, how to handle your family’s demands for holiday time when they don’t align with your partner’s family, what actions to take when your wife of 25 years suddenly blames you for the life she didn’t have. Also, Prudie reads a letter from a white woman who is wondering if it’s wrong that she feels more connected to black children than children of other races.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Willow discuss a letter writer who wants to be single, but is afraid of loneliness, and another letter writer who is wondering if she should help her alcoholic mom who abandoned her. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by journalist and comedian Francesca Fiorentini. Fiorentini is a correspondent with Explorer on the National Geographic Channel and a regular guest on The Young Turks. She’s also the host and creator of The Bitchuation Room podcast. Together they take on letters about how to handle a neighbor who keeps trying to kiss you and is also your wife’s good friend, should you tell your friend that her porn and weed addicted fiancé might not be the one, what to do when you girlfriend’s needy family is keeping your relationship from advancing, what to do when the treehouse once used by your grandchildren is now causing tension with your neighbors.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Francesca discuss a letter writer who is wondering if her tendency to cry easily will jeopardize her ability to secure a new job. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by author and activist, Ebony Adams. Adams is the co-host of the podcast, Feminist Frequency Radio, along with Anita Sarkeesian and Carolyn Petit. She is also the co-author of the recently published History vs Women: The Defiant Lives That They Don’t Want You To Know. Together they dig into letters about how to handle a missed anniversary by your perpetually tardy boyfriend, what to consider about allowing your teenage daughter’s boyfriend to move in, how to handle a stepdad who raised you, but now doesn’t want to know you, how to handle parents who you know will be disappointed with your “coming out” conversation, what to do about your boyfriend’s newfound group of young and attractive admirers.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Ebony tackle letters about what to do you when your husband’s sleep schedule doesn’t allow for “sexy time”, and how to handle a professor who keeps triggering you by suggesting exercise. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Facing an empty guest chair, Prudence grabs Phil Surkis, the producer of the Dear Prudence podcast, and takes him on a journey through Prudie’s past, revisiting a few of the memorable letters of 2018. Prudie and guests Anna Luberoff, Jess Reynolds, Justine D’Souza, Baby Ange, Paola Dayanan, Myq Kaplan, and Kim Brinckerhodff, take on letters about whether you should tell your boss you attended a holiday party when you’ve been off on medical leave, what to do when your husband leaves you to do all the housework for his step-kids, how to handle a boss who searches through your desk and emails, what to do when you find yourself falling in love with the co-parent of the child you’re raising, should you confront your friend who grabs handfuls of expensive bulk snacks in the grocery store without paying, what to consider if you want to kidnap a dog to get it fixed, and what to do when you’ve accidentally been added to a cruel group text about you.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Dominique Matt discuss a letter writer who is considering having sex with their first cousin. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Julia Furlan, a Brooklyn-based journalist and podcast maker who is trying to learn how to hold a grudge.Together they take on letters about what to do when racist thoughts influence your choice of sperm donor, should you leave your stable job to take the family on a year long sailing trip, how to approach the “do you want kids” question on first dates, what actions to take when your coworker talks to you in sexy (yet creepy) voice, how to handle your husband rejecting your decision to transition.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Julia tackle letters about what to do when you accidentally hit your girlfriend after she “surprise” scares you, and how to handle a friend’s uncle who gave you a lap dance. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by writer Soraya McDonald, the culture critic for The Undefeated on ESPN. Previously, she wrote about pop culture for the Washington Post, focusing on issues surrounding race, gender, and sexuality. Together, they dig into letters about what to do with your unused fertility drugs that are taking up precious fridge space, how to handle an unstable mother-in-law who’s adamant about not inviting a beloved family member to your wedding, should you abide your husband’s request for a dominatrix in the wake of your waning sex life, how to handle an annoying coworker who tries to ingratiate herself into my coffee breaks by begging me to buy her coffee. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Soraya discuss a letter writer who is wondering what actions he can take to not upset his mother with his new boundary of not coming home for the holidays. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by San Francisco writer Laura Turner, who also happens to be Prudie’s older sister. Together, they tackle letters about what actions to take when you’re friends with a married couple who abuse each other, what to do when your boss schedules the holiday party on your religious day of rest, should you have another baby even though the fate of your marriage is uncertain, how to handle a father who posts his erotic artwork in social media along with the family photos, how to break it to your husband that you’ve been hiding that you’re no longer a vegetarian, what to do when you’re exhausted from supporting your friend through her addictions.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Laura discuss a letter writer who is wondering if she can not invite a racist aunt to her wedding and not offend the rest of her family. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Chris Randle, a New York based writer who came here from Canada. He's written for places like Hazlitt, The New York Times Magazine, Pitchfork, and Real Life.Together, they dig into letters about how to handle a brother who is weirded out because he’s dating your ex, how to decide if you should you help someone in your friends circle who’s not actually your friend, what to do about a boyfriend who is always testing you and questioning your commitment, how to handle your husband’s teenage cousin who has a crush on you, what actions to take with a husband who monetarily supports his mother and sister instead of contributing to your household, how to handle your grad school social anxiety and still get some work done.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Chris discuss a letter writer who is wondering how to stop paying a friend’s way whenever they socialize. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Sophie Bee, a writer, speaker, nightlife promoter, and activist. She has written about film, music, queerness, and sex work. She is an organizer with Support Ho(s)e, a Chicago and New York City based collective advocating for sex worker rights.Together, they tackle letters about what to do when your ex-wife tells your daughter that you are to blame for their divorce, how to handle being sober around your drinking buddies, what to do when your sister says she’ll harm herself if you continue to contact your mother, how to handle your teenage students lack of fact checking, what to do when your mother continues contact with your abusive ex-husband. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Sophie discuss a letter writer who is wondering what actions to take with a boss who’s implemented a “no pooping” policy, and another letter about what to do when your knowledge of who’s cheating could destroy close friendships. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Carta Monir, an Ignatz award-winning cartoonist living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Grace Lavery, an Assistant Professor of English at UC Berkeley.Together, this power trio tears into letters about what to do when your father disapproves of your decision to keep your maiden name, how to handle your daughter’s sleepovers with a male identified transgender friend, should you get back together with your boyfriend when he prioritizes his mother and sister over you, how to reenter the dating world after decades out of the game, what to consider when your whole life is ahead of you, but you feel paralyzed from making the life you want. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie, Carta and Grace discuss a letter writer who is wondering how to handle a cousin who wants to be the family peacemaker, and another letter from a mom who can’t decide if she should tell her children that their friend is in a psychiatric hospital. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Jenée Desmond-Harris, an op-ed editor at the New York Times. One of the resolutions she's been working on all year is to become someone who inspires people say "you don't suffer fools". Together they tackle letters about what actions you can take when your abusive ex-spouse to-be threatens your safety, should you tell your brother who never sides with you the reasons why you’re cutting off contact, what to do when you and your boyfriend want to go out, but never seem to leave the couch, how to tell your family you want to break from the church values they still adhere to, how to maintain professionalism while dealing with misogynistic customers, what to do when your husband’s hobby of collecting rare animals has made your home life intolerable. Also, a voicemail from a listener who is wondering how to handle a frequent drunk calling cousin who always wants to process their painful childhood.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Jenée discuss a letter writer who is wondering how to handle a condescending boss who appropriates your ideas as their own. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Anna Sale, the host of the podcast, Death, Sex & Money, a show about the things we think about a lot and need to talk about more.Together they dig into letters about how to spend the holidays with a sister who is alarmingly neglectful to her own daughter, what to do when you suspect your bilingual colleagues are talking about you in your presence, what actions to take when you know you can’t take anymore of your abusive spouse, how to handle a sister who’s comfort around sex talk makes you ill at ease, what to do when your co-worker’s loud chewing sounds drives you up the wall, what to consider when you’re trying to be selective about who you babysit. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Anna discuss a letter writer who is wondering what his obligation is to an absentee father now in need of help. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Hillary Eason and her brother, Tyler Eason. Hillary works in international development in Washington DC. Tyler is a data engineer in the Bay Area. They claim to have another sibling who is arguably better at giving advice, but she was not available.Together they tackle letters about how to handle accepting your top secret dream job that you’re not allowed to mention to anyone, should you tell your grieving parents that your sister who died in a car accident was pregnant at the time, what to do when you’ve only had crushes and would now wish to enter the world of dating, what to consider when your daughter wants you to financially support her through her unplanned pregnancy, how to handle a woman demanding to know if she is the daughter of your deceased husband, what actions you can take to mend an old broken friendship in light of your kids now being in preschool together.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie, Hillary and Tyler discuss a letter writer who is triggered by his wife who gets upset whenever he attempts to make plans to see friends or family. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Tyler Mead, an associate producer of the queer comedy podcast, "Inside the Closet" hosted by comedians Emma Willmann and Matteo Lane. Together they dig into letters about what to do when the #metoo news has you not wanting to be touched by your boyfriend, what to do when your innocent texts lead to overblown fights, what to consider when surreptitiously seeking a sperm donor, how to handle your declining social status due to your husband’s job, what actions to take when your boss uncomfortably comments on your social media pics.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Tyler discuss a letter writer who is wondering how to handle a niece who ungraciously refused to be gifted a car, and then demanded a cosigner for a car loan instead. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Folu Akinkuotu, an internet person who lives in Boston. She’s an obsessive home baker who is always happy to share her baked goods from the endless supply in her purse. She has a better haircut than you and has never once logged off.Together they tackle letters about how to tell your husband you want to return to sex work to help make ends meet, what to do after rediscovering your childhood step sister on social media, how to handle your husband’s gleeful response to the news of his mother’s death, what to do when your husband’s comments about your appearance leave you feeling shame, what to do when you find yourself attracted to your friend’s social media pics..Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Folu discuss a letter writer who is wondering what actions to take after discovering her husband impregnated her friend.Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Washington DC based writer, Zoë Selengut. Zoë works as a cataloger of rare and unusual books, ephemera, and other surprising cultural materials for Brian Cassidy Bookseller. Together they dig into letters about what to do when you discover the nonprofit you work for is definitely providing it’s employees a living wage, how to handle the realization your older brother touched you inappropriately when he was a teen, how to tell your parents you’re polyamorous without them disowning you, what actions to take when similarly named neighbor lies and tells everyone that you’re sisters. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Zoë discuss a letter writer who’s wondering how to preserve her friendship with a bestie who resents her successful dating life, and a mother who is wondering if she should disinvite her son from the family vacation because he lets his baby daughter cry alone at night. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by San Francisco based game critic, Carolyn Petit. Carolyn is the managing editor at Feminist Frequency, and a co-host on their podcast, Feminist Frequency Radio, alongside Anita Sarkeesian and Ebony Adams.Together they tackle letters about how to handle a boyfriend is who pressuring you to move in, what to do when you notice your daughter exploring her gender identity, what actions to take when an old acquaintance suddenly fills your phone with distressing texts, how to decide if you should offer support to your teenage daughter’s first ex-boyfriend, and what to when your husband chronically under appreciates you. Prudie and Carolyn also respond to a voicemail from a listener who is wondering if she should honor her father’s will that was written out of anger.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Carolyn discuss a letters writer who is wondering how to handle her anger towards her mom who gave her toddler oral herpes, and another letter from an atheist who is wondering if she should get baptized to ease the anxiety of her elderly grandmother. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by writer, actor and comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh. Zahra is co-host of the podcast #GoodMuslimBadMuslim, and The Pop Culture Collaborative has named her their Senior Fellow on Comedy for Social Change. Together they dig into letters about what to do when your husband’s picky eating habits leave him uninvited to family events, what actions to take when your husband is planning suicide after the kids move out, how to handle a husband who says he wants a baby, but freaks out when the topic comes up, what to consider when your friend is enabling her boyfriend to have sex with much younger people, and finally, how to handle your insurance company after your decision to to get top surgery.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Zahra discuss a letter writer who is wondering how to handle a daughter who is shaming her for dating 18 months after her husband’s death.. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Assistant Professor of English at UC Berkeley, Grace Lavery. Her first book, “Quaint, Exquisite: Victorian Aesthetics And The Idea Of Japan,” is forthcoming with Princeton University Press in 2019, and she is currently working on a book on the idea of technique. Together they take on letters about what to do when the new skirt you love elicits unwanted reactions from strangers and friends, how to handle the urge to make your mundane tasks at work more titillating, what to do when your pill popping husband is no longer welcome at family events, how to handle a workplace crush when you also cherish and love your long term relationship, and finally, how to handle parents who show up empty handed to your toddler’s birthday.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Grace discuss a letter writer who’s wondering what actions she can take when her husband falsely signed documents for his colleague so that his colleague’s child can attend school in a different district. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Portland based author and technology expert Brook Shelley. Brook works for Turbine Labs and chairs the board for Basic Rights Oregon. Together they tackle letters about what to do when your stressed out sister’s only language is complaining, how to handle your own guilt for not being “lesbian enough”, what actions to take when your racist uncle yells at his biracial stepdaughter, how to tell your boyfriend that you faked every orgasm in their relationship. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Brook discuss a letter writer who is wondering what actions she can take from being triggered every time she hears yelling in her rowdy college town, and what to do when your sister takes advantage of your family’s kindness. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by comedian Kate Willett, who has appeared on Comedy Central and Viceland. She has an album called Glass Gutter, and has a new special out on The Comedy Lineup on Netflix. Together they tackle letters about how to get out of a friend’s wedding when you have issues with their religion, what to do when your pregnant daughter’s homecoming threatens your retirement, should an Airbnb host’s racist neighbor be part of your review, how to handle telling your girlfriend about your past infidelities, what to you when your family pushes back your decision to support your late husband’s stepdaughter.Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Kate discuss a letter writer who is wondering what actions she should take so her family will stop treating her like a child, especially in public. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Jane McGonigal, the inventor of SuperBetter, a mobile game that has helped over a million people recover faster from depression and traumatic brain injury. Together they take on letters about what to do when you feel your spouse overshares about her work, how to handle feelings of guilt when your libido doesn’t match your partners, and what actions you should take when you find out your adult daughter and your neighbor have been having an affair. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Jane discuss a letter writer who is wondering how to handle a coworker who regularly berates colleagues they deem “inferior”, and what to do about a mother who has been taking the “silent treatment” too far for too long. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Sorcha Reilly, an Oakland native who works in litigation consulting. She's preparing for her MBA at INSEAD, and has been known to procrastinate by playing top 40 hits on the violin. Together they tackle letters what to do when a board game colleague regularly drinks and crosses the line, how to handle a mother who uses guilt to stay involved in your life, how to explain your sudden surgical weight loss and deal with a family who doesn’t support your decision, and what to do when a nosey sister-in-law threatens to break a neighborly bond. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Sorcha discuss a letter writer who is wondering if they should report a co-worker who lies on her timesheets, and a groom-to-be who asks how to handle the pushback he’s receiving from friends and coworkers over his decision to take his fiancée’s name. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Phil Surkis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Kim Brinckerhoff, a lifelong Bay Area resident working on her master's degree in nursing and who does sexual assault advocacy in her free time (and also thinks everyone needs therapy). Together they tackle letters about what to do when your child’s closed-door therapy sessions make you paranoid, how to talk to your co-workers about your pain-in-the-ass colleague, how to navigate money drama with your family when you’re supporting only your niece, what do when you’ve been accidentally added to a cruel group text about you, and should you consider leaving your partner because you hate their former partner who is very much a part of the family. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and kim discuss an additional letter about how to talk to your boss about his disgusting cubicle habits. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Max Jacobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by writer and podcaster Colin Atrophy Hagendorf. Their memoir, Slice Harvester, is about eating a plain slice from every pizzeria in Manhattan, New York City history, and quitting drinking. They take on letters about what to do when you feel unsafe because of a roomate, how to talk to your husband about his family’s sexist accountant he insists on using for your business, what do when a neighbor’s child plays too rough with your kid, how to talk to your friends about their dangerous drunk driving habits and the trauma it brings up for you, and how to create some family harmony after your stepson’s new girlfriend tries to bud in with unwanted advice. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Colin discuss an additional voicemail about how to think about building credit responsibly. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Max Jacobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by writer John Thompson. Together they take on letters about how to talk to your parents about all your unpaid babysitting work, dealing with discomfort that your brother is dating a sex worker, how to avoid stoner shame, and how to really make clear to your partner that your vacation with his high school friends was just the worst. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and John discuss an additional letter about facing a relationship’s end when you think you may be abusive to your partner. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Max Jacobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by writer, editor, and cool mom, Dominique Matti. Together, they tackle letters about how much you need to tell your work about your health problems, what do do about a casually racist coworker, should you involve your child’s school after your son was threatened by the kid he bullied, can you really consider having sex with your first cousin, and what to do when you think a coworker is targeting a recent immigrant in a predatory scheme. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Dominique discuss an additional letter about how talk to your father who recently revealed he may have been having an affair while your mother was still alive. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Max Jacobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by media critic Anita Sarkeesian. Together, they tackle letters about how to talk to your friends who aren’t receptive to your concerns that they may be co-opting your cultural and religious practices, what actions you can take to counter your neighbor’s girlfriend’s petty/childish/jealous behavior, should you consider talking to law enforcement about your neighbor’s drunk driving habits, how to talk with your sibling who feels abandoned after you left your dysfunctional home as a teenager, and how should you view your relationship after your girlfriend slapped you during an argument. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Anita discuss an additional letter about an executive assistant who wants to know their options after their boss crossed the line. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Max Jacobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan, whose latest book is Manhattan Beach. They take on letters that deal with what to expect from bosses when you have abusive co-workers, how to deal with the despair from having multiple miscarriages, and how to keep one’s family in your life after you’ve had to leave home. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Jennifer discuss an additional letter about how to talk to your sisters after years of meanness and teasing. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Max Jacobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by marriage and family therapist Abigail Stone and Rebecca Ganetzky, a clinical geneticist. Together, they dig into questions about what do do when your ex husband tries to rename your daughter, should you conceal your abuse history for a ten million dollar inheritance, what to consider when thinking about starting a long distance relationship because of school, and how to talk to your boss when you realize a future subordinate might make more money than you. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie, Abby, and Becca discuss additional letters about how to handle baby gifts meant for your soon-to-be-ex-husband and his mistress and should you consider breaking up when dog co-parenting doesn’t work out. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Max Jacobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we're coming to you with something special — the inaugural episode of Better Life Lab, the new podcast from Slate and New America. Better Life Lab looks at the challenges to work-life balance, and how we can change as a culture. Subscribe to Better Life Lab via:Apple PodcastsOvercastSpotifyStitcher Google PlayOr wherever you get your shows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Daniel Summers, a practicing pediatrician and regular contributing columnist to Slate’s Outward section, where he writes about health and medicine topics that affect the LGBTQ community. The Daniels take on questions about how to support your family when your dad suffers from extreme depression, is it ever ok to consider cheating, what can you say to your homophobic coworkers who tease another employee, how can you talk to your family about your strong desire to have children of a certain gender, and what should you do when you think you may have been inadvertently cruel to a coworker suffering from significant health challenges. Slate Plus members will hear the Daniels discuss an additional letter about what do when your husband’s political engagement online has overtaken his commitment to you and your child. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Max Jacobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Talia Jane, a NYC-based aspiring comedy writer who makes smoothies for a living and who wants you to join a union. Daniel and Talia tackle questions about whether un-friending someone on social media because of their politics makes you a bad person, how to be a good partner to someone who may be questioning their gender, what can you do to start a new friend group in a new city, how to weigh an offer for a far away job with good healthcare when suffering from intense depression, and how to think of your family dynamic going forward when your brother married the woman who bullied you growing up. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Talia discuss additional letters about how to talk to your good friend who betrayed your trust and consent and what you can do for your niece-in-law when you feel your sister is being an evil stepmother. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Max Jacobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prudence is joined this week by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, a geek culture critic at the Daily Dot, and co-host of the podcast Overinvested. This week they take on letters about how to talk to your child about transgender identity, how to talk to others at work about the death of your child, what strategies can you use to politely address your coworkers when your illness can cause you to forget their names, how to be there for your sister when faced with spending time with her abusive partner, and how to be supportive of a good friend dealing with a bug infestation. Slate Plus members will hear Prudie and Gavis discuss an additional letter about fear over revenge porn. Not yet a member? Sign up at Slate.com/PrudiePod.Email: [email protected] by Max Jacobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.