“You’re Not Obsessed With Your Ex, Patsy; You’re an Addict.” Mel’s Advice, Listener Questions, and More!

Welcome to another round of your questions and my advice. I have a stack of your crazy, raw, and unbelievably direct questions, so we are going to have an unfiltered conversation about sex, competitive parents, getting over your ex, and this light and easy question... Is there a God? You are getting the coaching you need right now. The questions you asked are juicy: Why am I still obsessed with my ex? It’s been 7 years. My partner refuses to have sex with me. What do I do now? The parents of my kid’s friends are so competitive; how the hell do I get out of this rat race? Is there a God? Imposter syndrome is killing my career. What the hell do I do? What are the 4 new habits I can’t stop? (Because they are THAT GOOD.) Why do I feel so trapped in my life? What do I need to know to get out? Why can’t I fix myself after years of personal development courses? Get the tough love, “ah-ha” moments and laugh your ass off at some of the crazy stuff that goes down in this episode. You asked… and I can’t wait for you to hear my answers. Xo, Mel In this episode: 1:00: The 4 best tips I’ve learned in these first 100 podcasts. 4:25: How do you stop checking in on your ex’s social media? 7:50: 3 techniques to help you argue with your partner in a healthy way. 10:30: The “red light:green light” technique that’s worked for me and Chris. 14:15: What’s my astrological sign? 15:40: Here’s what I believe about faith and signs and a higher power. 22:30: What happens when we die? This is what I think. 24:20: How do you deal with difficult parents of your kids’ friends? 30:10: Husband is ready for sex months after his wife has a baby, but she’s not. 35:08: This is how I learned I was dyslexic. 35:35: Hard line advice on promoting your business without feeling egotistical. 37:30: Why all your personal development work doesn’t feel like it’s working. 41:50: Behind the scenes and blooper clips just for you. Want more resources? Go to my podcast page at melrobbins.com/podcast. Disclaimer

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:00Mel Robbins?

  This episode is brought to you by SoFi, the everything app for smarter money. Let me ask you something. Is your money working for you? Or is it just sitting there? A lot of us work hard, get paid, and then leave our paycheck in checking. That's an easy habit to change. With SoFi Checking and Savings, you can earn up to 3.8% savings APY for up to six months with no account fees and a cash bonus of up to $400 when you sign up with eligible direct deposit. Terms apply. It takes just minutes to open an account from your phone, and you can organize your savings into vaults for the goals you're working toward. Go to sofi.com/mel to get started. SoFi, get your money right. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered

• 0:45Mel Robbins?

  through SoFi Bank, N.A., member FDIC. To me, self-expression is all about showing the world what's on the inside. That's why I want you to discover Pandora Talsman, a new collection designed to help you express every side of who you are. Featuring meaningful zodiac symbols and personalized jewelry pieces, each design tells a story that's uniquely yours. Pandora Talsman, a new language of self-expression, because every version of you deserves to be seen. Shop new styles in store or online at pandora.net. This podcast is brought to you by Expedia. If you haven't booked your next trip yet, now is the time. Whether you're going to fly across the country or maybe you just want to explore

• 1:29Mel Robbins?

  a cool beach town this summer, Expedia makes it easy. Flights, hotels, vacation rentals, cars, activities, everything you need in one place. That means no jumping between sites, no hassle. And when you bundle, you can save up to 30% with everything you need in one app. Sign in to save, savings vary. Expedia, the one place you go to go places. Hey, it's your friend Mel, and welcome to the Mel Robbins Podcast.

• 1:57Mel Robbins?

  So a couple of weeks ago, I, for the first time, took a bunch of your questions rapid fire. It was such a frickin' homerun that you nearly crashed our website at melrobbins.com with more questions. And so, we're gonna do it again today. And if you guys continue to crash our website, just go to melrobbins.com/podcast and you can submit a topic. We're gonna keep on doing this. So, without further ado, you ask, I answer. And my friend and colleague, Amy McGlynn, who you've heard on this podcast, is going to be reading your questions rapid fire. Let's fucking go.

• 2:37Speaker 01

  Okay. Lee asks you, Mel, what are the top things you've learned from these guest speakers you've had on the podcast that you've implemented yourself?

• 2:46Mel Robbins?

  Oh, I love this.

• 2:48Speaker 01

  It's a great question, right?

• 2:49Mel Robbins?

  It's a really great question. And I gotta think, because there's so many, but I'd say, I guess some of the top things that I've learned in the first 100 episodes of the Mel Robbins Podcast and all these amazing guests that we've had, hmm. Okay, so, number one is, we did an episode on anxiety, and that was with Dr. Russell Kennedy. He started talking about the alarm in your body, and, you know, calling anxiety alarm, and that

• 3:27Mel Robbins?

  the anxiety alarm is always the little you feeling separate. That it rings in moments where you feel separate from other people, separate from your power, that you feel alone in something, and soothing that part of yourself and telling yourself it's gonna be okay, that has been a huge thing for me. Also, a thing that I've learned from multiple experts is that all mental health issues, we tend to immediately think it's about your mind and thoughts. And the truth is, the most effective solutions, and this has been true in my life, but I keep hearing

• 4:08Mel Robbins?

  our experts say this, are from the neck down. So, all of the changes that you can make to your physical habits, to taking care of your nervous system, the things that I do, I don't lay in bed in the morning. I get right out of bed. I make my bed. I get outside and see bright light right away to reset the circadian rhythm. I take a walk outside and I don't listen to anything. That's something I learned on this podcast as a way to boost my mood first thing in the morning and to just feel better. Let's see, a third thing? Oh, intermittent fasting. I learned so much from Dr. Mindy Peltz, so much. And the intermittent

• 4:52Mel Robbins?

  fasting of going for a 12 to 16 hour window of not eating every day for 21 days and then taking seven days off because I'm a woman, that I've implemented, it has changed the game. And let me think of a final thing. Dana K. White changed my goddamn life. Yes, she did. And ours too, in the podcast studio room. Oh, my gosh. She cleaned up. I no longer organize. I use her tidying method. And I am forever walking around the house with something in my hand because of this trick that she taught us. Instead of making piles of things that you then do then take other places, the second you see

• 5:37Mel Robbins?

  something in a room that you're standing in that doesn't belong there, you grab it and you walk it to where it belongs. It's changed everything. I used to be the pile, put things in basket, buy a container, and she'd made me realize I have too many things in my life, which is why things are never organized. And so getting rid of things and tidying up as a lifestyle has just been a game changer.

• 6:02Speaker 01

  Awesome. And piles are an ADD thing. If you have a lot of piles.

• 6:07Mel Robbins?

  It's true.

• 6:07Speaker 01

  Yeah. So, okay, great. Next question is from Patsy. She needs some relief here. She says, Mel, how do I stop looking at my ex's social media to catch a glimpse of their new life? But listen to this. I'm seven years split, she says.

• 6:22Mel Robbins?

  Oh, God.

• 6:24Speaker 01

  Tell Patsy what does she need to do?

• 6:27Mel Robbins?

  You need to block them. Delete their contact information. Because, Patsy, you're a fucking addict. You know it. You're addicted to it. You are addicted to the negative sensation. You are intentionally getting a rush of dopamine by being curious and then stalking and then feeling bad about it. And it is a very damaging and toxic cycle. And there is no way that you will move on in your life and have a healthy relationship until you end this relationship with the past. It's almost like somebody that's addicted to watching horror movies.

• 7:11Mel Robbins?

  And a lot of the research shows that people who love horror movies have trauma because you, there's something familiar about feeling that intensity. And I don't know, if you, if you block somebody, can you look at them? Can somebody research this and come back to it? Because I want to give a specific example of how you do this, because you need to not have access to them on social media. I think this is absolutely devastating behavior.

• 7:39Mel Robbins?

  And the fact that you're confessing it to me, you know it is. And you can't help yourself and you can blame your brain and the way that we get addicted to the kind of crash of emotions and the buildup of looking and then feeling conflicted about them. This is the exact same cycle that somebody that drinks too much feels, somebody that gambles too much feels. You need to treat this like an addiction, which means however it is that you can remove access to their accounts, you have to do it. You have to do it. But you can't trust yourself. You can't trust yourself.

• 8:21Speaker 01

  Yeah. It says here from just a quick Google search, no, you can't. Once you block someone, you cannot see their profile and they can't view yours.

• 8:32Mel Robbins?

  Great. So there's the answer. You have to block them. Block them on every single platform because you cannot trust yourself. You are an addict to this because of the emotional and chemical and, you know, all the fancy shit in your brain, the neurotransmitters this, the receptors that, that are firing. And so there's your answer. Block them, block them, block them. And you better start telling people. Tell your friends, do not let me look at this. I've been doing this thing, I've blocked them, I'm trying, do not bring this person up in conversation. Like, this is serious shit because when your past is in your present, you can't create a different future. And by looking at your ex all the time, for seven fucking years you've been doing this?

• 9:17Mel Robbins?

  I'm heated about this, not to make you wrong, but to make you wake the fuck up and to realize how your past is in your day-to-day life in the present, this is why you do not have the future that you want. Get this fucking past out of your present, block this shit and move on.

• 9:31Speaker 01

  Right. Block it, stop it, kick it to the curb. Next question. Nikki asks, how do you argue with your partner, but in a very healthy way? She says, how do you argue with your partner, but healthy?

• 9:44Mel Robbins?

  Ooh, there's really good research on this that I should pull.

• 9:48Speaker 01

  Before you answer?

• 9:49Mel Robbins?

  Yes.

• 9:50Speaker 01

  Yeah. Let's get the right answer for her.

• 9:52Mel Robbins?

  Let's get the right answer for her and answer. Let me go pull it up. Because there's really good ways to fight fairly.

• 9:57Speaker 01

  Yeah, okay.

• 9:59Mel Robbins?

  And by the way, something that's really important about this question is that couples that fight stay together.

• 10:08Mel Robbins?

  Yeah. So your ability to resolve conflict is what determines whether or not you can go the distance with somebody. Like, most people make the mistake of thinking, "Oh, the couple that never fights, we're perfect." No, you actually build up resentment and you're not airing anything. So your ability to fight in a way that is productive is really important in your relationship. And so here's a couple of rules. Number one, always assume good intent. Like, when you're fighting with your spouse, you're arguing about something, don't ever forget that the person that you married at their core is a good person. You're both just frustrated and you're entitled to be frustrated about something.

• 10:48Mel Robbins?

  Second, when you're fighting, it's really hard to do, you're both just trying to be heard. So you gotta teach yourself how to do just as much listening as you do screaming and talking at each other. Another rule here is do not ever walk away from a fight because you have to, quote, "get yourself together." So, one of the things that creates a lot of instability in a relationship is when you fight and one partner shuts down the conversation, which a lot of people do because they get

• 11:31Mel Robbins?

  very overwhelmed emotionally, and so they're like, "I can't talk about this anymore." Do not do that where you just say, "I can't talk about this anymore," and you drop the guillotine. If you get overwhelmed emotionally, it is okay to say, "I can't talk about this anymore," but you have to say, "But we will pick this up in the morning." Or, "I will come back in an hour." Or, "I need 30 minutes to step outside and clear my head, and I promise I will come back and we will finish this." Always, always, always create a bridge to when you're going to talk about it. And I was recently talking with friends of ours, and we're going to steal this from their

• 12:13Mel Robbins?

  couples therapist, which is use red light, green light. And this is a concept that Chris and I have just started with, which is this. I tend to be the kind of person that expels my emotional distress at people. So Chris will be minding his own business, sitting in his office, quietly, I don't know, working on his men's retreat, meditating. He maybe have just hung up with a coaching client. Or maybe he's writing a paper for his masters. You can tell by my tone of voice that there's a real energy level that's being maintained. And I will come barreling into that.

• 12:51Mel Robbins?

  And poor Chris, for decades, has absorbed that emotional eruption. And it's not fair to him that I do that. And so we've started trying this thing that we just learned about two nights ago from friends of ours, red light, green light, which is, hey, it's kind of a red light right now for me to be able to talk to you. Can we, you know, pick this up after dinner? And I'm starting to train myself, hey, I got a lot I want to talk to you about. Would this be a green light moment for you? So that I'm cueing myself that not everybody in my life is capable of absorbing the shit I'm throwing at them.

• 13:36Mel Robbins?

  And I'm noticing my daughter does this with me all the time. She just, I'm like her emotional safety blanket, where she will text me, Mom, I need to talk to you right away. I think I have COVID. Does she have COVID? No. Mom, I gotta talk to you right now. I think I'm sick. Is she sick? No. She's feeling something, and now she's going to expel it at me. And I do it to Chris. And so this red light, green light is a way to signal to somebody in an unemotional way, whether or not you have the capacity to hear something. And I think it's a really important tool for all of us to try to use. Both it's a red light moment for me, so that you can tell somebody responsibly that you don't have the capacity to talk about something. Or asking, is it green light to be able to talk about this?

• 14:21Mel Robbins?

  And then you can say, yes, no, or later. And those are your answers.

• 14:25Speaker 01

  I love that.

• 14:26Mel Robbins?

  I love that, too.

• 14:27Speaker 01

  Yeah, so red light, green light.

• 14:28Mel Robbins?

  Yep.

• 14:29Speaker 01

  And that's a lot of self-awareness there. I love that it makes you more self-aware, that you're coming in hot and they might not be. And it brings a lot to the relationship. And then you've got your bridge. You can't talk about this now, but let's pick it up at another time. I'm going to be available in an hour or like maybe, you know, or tomorrow, I'm going to be able to pick this back up. And then you talked about like, listening more than talking. What would your general advice be like? Fifty-fifty to start out with, or?

• 14:55Mel Robbins?

  I don't know. Um, like, I think part of the issue with arguing is that you can just get into the habit of bickering about things.

• 15:05Speaker 01

  Becoming the bickersons?

• 15:06Mel Robbins?

  Yeah, and not getting to the deeper issue. Like, what are you actually upset about? What are you actually arguing about? Like, a lot of times, you know, when Chris and I get in stupid arguments, typically about who's fed the dogs, we then start defending how busy we are. When what Chris is really frustrated about is that he, for a long time, said, I didn't want two dogs, it always falls on me. And guess what? It's always fallings on him. And so, it's never an argument about feeding the dogs. It's always about Chris fighting for the support that he needs and deserves. And feeling really not seen and not supported. That's what that fight is about.

• 15:50Mel Robbins?

  And so, I guess the other thing is, is if you're in this trap of constantly bickering about the same stuff, go a level deeper, because it's usually about not feeling seen or supported in your relationship.

• 16:01Speaker 01

  Wow, that's great advice.

• 16:03Mel Robbins?

  All right, there you have it.

• 16:05Speaker 01

  Sounds good.

• 16:06Mel Robbins?

  What's the next one?

• 16:07Speaker 01

  What's next? Sir Ruby says, Mel, what's your star sign?

• 16:11Mel Robbins?

  I, what is a star sign?

• 16:12Speaker 01

  Like, your astrological sign.

• 16:13Mel Robbins?

  Oh, is that what it's called?

• 16:14Speaker 01

  I mean, that's what we're gonna call it.

• 16:16Mel Robbins?

  Okay.

• 16:16Speaker 01

  Does she mean sun sign, star sign? I don't know.

• 16:18Mel Robbins?

  I don't know. My, I'm a Libra.

• 16:21Speaker 01

  You're a Libra.

• 16:22Mel Robbins?

  I'm a Libra.

• 16:22Speaker 01

  Does that mean anything to you?

• 16:24Mel Robbins?

  Um, well, I was born on October 6th. And what I have learned is that apparently, the most common birthdays on the planet are October 1st through like, the 7th. Why? New Year's, baby. And, um, is that too much information? Now, everybody who's got an October birthday is thinking about their parents having sex on New Year's.

• 16:47Mel Robbins?

  I like to think, like the Libra sign, I'm a very balanced person. And when I get out of balance, like I erupt, I apologize and come back in. It doesn't mean I'm always perfect and imbalanced, but I feel best in alignment. Love it. All right. Here's a good one. Ooh. I can see from Amy's face, she's got a doozy coming up next. So let's take a quick break and we'll be right back with more of your questions rapid fire when we return. Are you getting enough omega-3s in your diet? Your heart, brain, and immune system all need omega-3s to function the way they're supposed to.

• 17:30Mel Robbins?

  Now, this is backed by tens of thousands of studies, and yet over 80% of Americans are not getting enough omega-3s from food alone. That's why I want to tell you about Nordic Naturals. This is not your typical fish oil. They use high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients. They test everything for purity and freshness, and get this, it actually tastes good. No gross, ugh, aftertaste, and the worst, no fishy burps. I hate those. That's why Nordic Naturals is the number one selling omega-3 brand. Use promo code MEL for 15% off your next order at Nordic.com and discover the power

• 18:14Mel Robbins?

  of omega-3 with Nordic Naturals. Supplements are not evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent diseases. Here's the thing, when it comes to investing, who doesn't love having options? Some days, you might want a little more control. Hey, it's only human. And other times, you may want a teammate in your corner. Well, with Schwab, you get all the things, all in one place. Like self-directed investing when you're thinking, hey, I got this. Or full-service wealth management when you're like, you know what, maybe I need some help handling things. You also have investing, trading, college planning, and more. Whether you're mapping out long-term goals, building a diversified portfolio, or just getting started and learning the ropes, there's support when you need it and independence when you want it.

• 18:59Mel Robbins?

  Whatever the approach, Schwab can help you invest your way. Because if you're gonna do this whole money thing, you might as well choose a firm that lets you do it your way, right? Visit schwab.com to learn more. That's S-C-H-W-A-B dot com.

• 19:15Mel Robbins?

  Here's something you might find encouraging. The best version of your life isn't always down the road. Sometimes it's right here in front of you. That's why Buick is here to help you show up at your best, live with intention, and remember that now is exceptional. Whether you're showing up in style with the Buick En vista with its head-turning design and quiet-tuning technology with active noise cancellation, or you're embarking on a night out in the three-row Buick Enclave, where a tech-forward, spacious interior keeps you connected to your drive and your crew. Every Buick SUV is designed to reward the road you're on and the moment you're in. So keep pushing yourself forward,

• 19:59Mel Robbins?

  but remember to enjoy the ride today. Visit Buick.com to discover premium design that amplifies every day. That's Buick.com. Buick: Exceptional by Design. This podcast is brought to you by Expedia. If you haven't booked your next trip yet, now is the time. Whether you're going to fly across the country or maybe you just want to explore a cool beach town this summer, Expedia makes it easy. Flights, hotels, vacation rentals, cars, activities, everything you need in one place. That means no jumping between sites, no hassle. And when you bundle, you can save up to 30% with everything you need in one app. Sign in to save. Savings vary. Expedia, the one place you go to go places.

• 20:47Mel Robbins?

  Hey, I'm Mel, and we're taking your questions. Amy, what do you got next?

• 20:51Speaker 01

  All right, from Missy. She says, Mel, do you have faith in a higher power? Do you believe in God?

• 20:58Mel Robbins?

  I believe in a higher power, and I don't know what that is. I believe that we are all connected. I believe that there is some greater force that is good. I believe in faith. I believe that there are signs from the universe that are trying to get your attention and that are there to remind you that you're heading in the right direction. I believe that you are meant... For something extraordinary and that when you allow yourself to believe that deep in your heart and if you have the courage to wake up every day and look for signs that

• 21:38Mel Robbins?

  you're headed on the right direction, that you know, people are crossing your path, that all of a sudden, you know, oh, you have the same interest. Oh, isn't that interesting? Oh, you come from, oh, isn't that interesting? These synchronicities to me that happen every day in my life, the connections that you can't explain, the squirrel that runs across the road that reminds you of something, the song that comes on. These are anchor points that come from some greater force and energy that connects us all. And we have the saying

• 22:15Mel Robbins?

  around here, the portal is open. What that means is if you open yourself up to the possibility that there is something greater in store for you. And what's required of you is the courage to believe that. And what's required of you is the clarity every day to be open to signs that are consistent with something greater. And it's everywhere. You know, I'm going to tell you a quick story. So you've heard a lot about our daughter Kendall and we did an episode on imposter syndrome where she shared very, very openly about being

• 23:00Mel Robbins?

  at her first music festival and her career goal is to be a touring singer songwriter, write her own music, go on global tours, inspire and empower people with her music. That is what she studied in college. That is her goal. That is her dream. And that is what she is now out in Los Angeles trying to do. And so she goes to this music festival and feels like a complete imposter because there she is backstage and seeing all these famous musicians that have inspired her at the Newport Folk Festival. And for the first six hours, she was paralyzed. And then she was like, fuck it. Like, I can either stand here with a white claw in

• 23:39Mel Robbins?

  my hand and feel like a stupid ass, or I can just start using something that I have, which is my sense of humor. I don't have any music on Spotify. Nobody knows who the fuck I am. I'm a nobody in a business that I want to be a somebody in, but I can at least make people laugh. And so she started talking to people and she ends up meeting this guy. "Hi, Phil. How are you, Phil? Thanks for being nice to Kendall, Phil." And so they start laughing up a storm, right? And all of a sudden, Phil says to Ken, "Random question, but if you could have anything to eat right now, what would it be?" And she's like, "Honestly, kind of a sloppy tuna salad sandwich. Not on the toast, but on the white..."

• 24:22Mel Robbins?

  And they're laughing, then they go get a tuna sandwich, and then they're talking, and they become friends. Little does she know, that this guy is like a keyboardist, a producer, a songwriter. He is a major deal. She has no idea. So, that night, he is at a set and he's warming up, and she's sitting in the audience. And she is sitting there thinking, as she's watching this very, very accomplished, regarded OG of a dude playing the piano. And she's like, "Mom, I've never seen anybody play that." Like, he like, becomes the piano. It's just incredible. And she's sitting there thinking to herself, and this

• 25:03Mel Robbins?

  is what I mean by being clear and having the portal open. If they were to ask me to warm up mics right now, what song would I sing? And she thinks to herself, "Hmm, Bonnie Raitt, 'I Can't Make You Love Me.'" And all of a sudden, he goes from the song he's playing into that fucking song.

• 25:32Mel Robbins?

  The hair on her arms go up. The rehearsal keeps going. She walks backstage afterwards and was like, Phil, dude, you won't believe this. And she tells him. And he says, well, you won't believe this. I haven't played that during a warm up on a stage in a decade. But there was some moment where I just felt like I should play that. And he looked at her and he said, you did that. And then he said, why don't we perform it tomorrow night? And they did at the fucking Newport Folk Festival. And then all these people came up to her from all these crazy bands, which I won't name. Like, we gotta do sessions. How did you get on stage with Phil? He's like the GOAT, man. What was it like to play with him?

• 26:15Mel Robbins?

  And so the point of the story is that there is help all around you. That the world is aligned to help you. When you become aligned with what is true for you. When you get over your own bullshit and you allow yourself to believe in what you want. And then you have the courage to just push through the fear and start connecting with people. And when you are open to the possibility of even just sitting there. She could have just sat there in the auditorium and watched him. Instead, she allowed herself to step into the dream and say, what if? And when you do that, you create these energetic ripples that impact other people.

• 26:59Mel Robbins?

  Phil's right, you did that, Kendall. Because you believed. And to me, that is the higher power that we're talking about. A lot of people also ask me, what do you think happens when we die? I think about it this way, because I don't fucking know. Here's what I believe. I think we're born into another world that we don't know exists. So if you think about you when you were in your mother's stomach. And there you are, you're happy as a clam, you're about to be born. Your only reality is that world inside of her. It is warm, it is safe, you have food on tap. You are in sync with somebody else's heartbeat.

• 27:48Mel Robbins?

  You are about to be born into another world of which you have no understanding of consciousness. And I believe that when you die, the same thing happens and you are born into a whole different world that we have no consciousness of. That's what I believe.

• 28:08Speaker 01

  I never heard it put that way, Mel. How did you come up with that idea?

• 28:12Mel Robbins?

  I have no fucking idea.

• 28:14Speaker 01

  That's incredible.

• 28:15Mel Robbins?

  Yeah, it was not what they taught in Methodist church.

• 28:18Speaker 01

  Right.

• 28:19Mel Robbins?

  Which is what I grew up.

• 28:20Speaker 01

  Or biology class.

• 28:21Mel Robbins?

  I don't know, I just think about it on a spiritual plane, I really do. And, you know, I grew up going to church and I am one of those people that believes in the, what do they call it, the works? Like, I think of Jesus Christ as a historical figure. But that, you know, that's a person that is no more representation of God or the universe than you or me. That, you know, it's really inside of you, this ability to connect to something deeper and to act in the outside world as if you give a shit about people.

• 29:00Speaker 01

  Mm-hmm. Gorgeous. Well, I'm glad Missy asked that question.

• 29:04Mel Robbins?

  Me too.

• 29:04Speaker 01

  Great question. Okay, here's the next one. How do you deal, Mel, with difficult parents of your kids' friends? So this person's in a friend group with her kids' friends and these other parents are being pains in the asses.

• 29:22Mel Robbins?

  It depends on the ages of your kids.

• 29:26Speaker 01

  Okay.

• 29:28Mel Robbins?

  I'm gonna say that again, it depends on the ages of your kids. Because when your kids are little and they run in packs and you've got, uh, parents of one of your kids' friends, micromanaging. So I'll just give you a very common scenario. You have a group of friends and what always happens with groups of friends in elementary and middle school is that they travel in packs and then all of a sudden they start to splinter off. And there's always one parent who tries desperately to keep the larger pack together. And when their kid stops getting invited to certain things, or let's say there's like six boys or six girls that hang out and then all of a sudden, three of them are having a sleepover.

• 30:12Mel Robbins?

  The pain in the ass parent will make it their number one goal to figure out how to get their kid invited. And how do they do that? By contacting other... But you're leaving my kid out. And there comes a time where kids need to be able to have their own fucking relationships. And your kid does not, and should not be included. Maybe your kid is annoying. Maybe these are bad kids, and your kid is the good kid, and the bad kids doesn't want the good kid. So you actually don't want your kid with those bad kids, but you don't know because you're insecure, and you think that the fact that your kid is not getting included means something bad about you. No, it doesn't. It means these fucking kids don't want to hang out with your kid anymore.

• 30:53Mel Robbins?

  And why would you want your kid to be hanging out with kids who don't want to hang out with them? Like, so you getting involved means you're pushing your kid into a situation where they're not wanted? How fucked up is that? And so, it depends on the age of the parent. Because, parents manage everything until a certain age, and then the kids start to manage things. And the breakdowns start to begin when kids get cellphones, and they start making their own arrangements for sleepovers, and people get left off of text chains. And you, as a parent, have to understand, you're not going to get invited to everything, your kid is not going to get invited to everything, and the more of a fucking big deal you make

• 31:37Mel Robbins?

  it, the worse your kid is going to feel. And the more your kid is not invited, the more it's on you to start facilitating ways for them to meet people that will be better friends for them, instead of chasing the people who are not. And I also feel like parents become pains in the asses because of their own insecurity. And then they thrust it into a kid's social dynamic. And you see it all the time with that sort of fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth grade lane. And so, how you deal with it depends on the age of their kids. And I also find that just having a direct conversation is the best way to deal with it. With the parent. Yeah.

• 32:22Mel Robbins?

  Parent to parent. Like if the parent is kind of trying to pull the, "We didn't get to mine, he's feeling left out." Just be like, "Look, I'm not going to facilitate my kids' friendships. They're at an age where they can be friends with who they want to be friends with. And it's not about leaving people out because you're not obligated to invite anybody but your cousins." Mm-hmm. And even then, you get to an age where you don't have to invite your cousins. Yeah. Yeah. I get that. I don't know. It's just, parents acting like shit is about parents insecurity. And it means, the parents, in my opinion, who are acting like shit are extremely insecure people. The people that need their kid to be on the starting lineup of everything, so they're up the coach's ass.

• 33:07Mel Robbins?

  We all hate you. We do. We all hate you. I do, too. Yes. And the parents who need their kids invited to everything, that's your insecurity because you're not invited to everything. Mm-hmm. And so you're trying to get a social life and you're trying to solve the insecurities and wounds that you have by trying to jam your kid into everything. It doesn't work that way. It makes your kid miserable. It flares up your insecurities. Just fucking stop it. Mm-hmm. We're hearing you, Mel. I totally get that. I friggin' love this, but we gotta take a quick break. Let me catch my breath and water up my throat so that I'm not so raspy. And we'll be right back with more of your questions rapid fire when we return.

• 33:49Mel Robbins?

  What's your favorite kind of vacation? Do you like to do physical stuff and see a bunch of sights? Or do you just, "Oh, my God, just let me lounge by a pool and don't talk to me." Scottsdale, Arizona, will let you do it all. And fall is one of the most beautiful times to visit Scottsdale with warm days, cool desert evenings, and endless sunshine. Here are just some of the things you can do in Scottsdale. Visit legendary Old Town Scottsdale with over 100 restaurants, dozens of art galleries, and boutique shopping. Stay at award-winning Luxury resorts designed for relaxation. Spend a day at one of Scottsdale's world-class spas. Eat at an award-winning restaurant with unmatched sunsets.

• 34:32Mel Robbins?

  Play championship golf courses surrounded by stunning Sonoran desert landscapes. And top it all off with beautiful desert scenery that instantly helps you disconnect. We spend so much time taking care of everyone else. Scottsdale is where you can finally take care of yourself. Visit unwindinscottsdale.com to plan your trip this fall. Here's something you might find encouraging. The best version of your life isn't always down the road. Sometimes it's right here in front of you. That's why Buick is here to help you show up at your best. Live with intention and remember that now is exceptional. Whether you're showing up in style with the Buick En vista with its head-turning

• 35:14Mel Robbins?

  design and QuietTuning technology with active noise cancellation. Or you're embarking on a night out in the three-row Buick Enclave. Where a tech-forward spacious interior keeps you connected to your drive and your crew. Every Buick SUV is designed to reward the road you're on and the moment you're in. So keep pushing yourself forward. But remember to enjoy the ride today. Visit buick.com to discover premium design that amplifies every day. That's buick.com. Buick, exceptional by design. This podcast is brought to you by Expedia. If you haven't booked your next trip yet, now is the time.

• 35:56Mel Robbins?

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• 36:25Mel Robbins?

  Hey, I'm Mel and we're taking your questions as they come, one by one. And Amy, what do you got next?

• 36:32Speaker 01

  All right. Phil says, and this is kind of a deep question. Phil says, "My wife is pregnant and I'm struggling." Phil is struggling because he's feeling neglected from the lack of intimacy. He says, "Am I crazy? How do I show my wife love and bring back intimacy after having a new baby?"

• 36:51Mel Robbins?

  Okay. I love the tenderness of the question.

• 36:56Speaker 01

  Mm-hmm.

• 36:58Mel Robbins?

  And let's start by saying that what Phil's actually asking is, "When can we have sex again?"

• 37:06Speaker 01

  That's totally what he's asking.

• 37:08Mel Robbins?

  Because intimacy is something that is cultivated and that you can experience without putting a penis inside a vagina.

• 37:19Mel Robbins?

  It's true.

• 37:20Speaker 01

  It is true. I'm laughing at the truth. Yes, it's the truth.

• 37:24Mel Robbins?

  You know, you could, as long as her stitches are healed, you could draw a bath. And the two of you could sit in the bath together. And you could massage each other's feet and have a glass of wine. She's got to pump and dump the milk, but you know, seriously. And if what you're talking about is, you know, "When is she going to give me a blowjob? When am I going to have an orgasm? When are we going to have sex?" You've got to realize, she has grown a cannonball and launched it through her vaginal canal, which is basically a major renovation to your downstairs.

• 38:07Mel Robbins?

  And they hand you, for that body demolition that is a birth, maxi pads with ice packs in them. And so if you put yourself in your wife's shoes, I don't know if I remember the exact first time, but I remember being terrified of having sex after having a kid.

• 38:31Speaker 01

  Mm-hmm.

• 38:32Mel Robbins?

  Is it going to hurt? Is it going to pull the stitches? Like, "Oh, my God, I don't want to get pregnant again." Like, just, "Ah." And so...

• 38:44Mel Robbins?

  I love that you miss her. I love that you miss the affection. And what I would focus on is the affection and the connection over penetration. And I think maybe consider that, given that she's just had this major thing happen, and then your hormones go crazy, and she might be dealing with a little bit of the baby blues. And we also feel disgusting, at least I did. Like, you feel sexy as shit when you're pregnant. It's like, "I'm making a baby. Look at this big stomach. This is fucking cool." And you're like, "Ooh, your boobs are spilling out." It's like, "I am Venus."

• 39:26Mel Robbins?

  But the second the baby comes out, and it's all hanging there, and now you want to have sex? Give me a fucking break! And it's real what Phil's talking about, because you can feel rejected, but I would really implore you to please... And think about it this way: I don't even want to make the analogy, because people scream at me. If she had had major surgery, right? Let's say that she had to have her hip replaced. Would you be like, "Okay, when is the cast coming off? Let's go. Let's try out that titanium hip and see the rotation on it."

• 40:11Mel Robbins?

  No. It's an opportunity to actually have intimacy through conversation. "I miss you. I don't want to rush things, but I miss feeling your body. You know, what would feel good right now? You know, would you... Are you comfortable being intimate? How can we be intimate right now without doing something that makes you feel pain or that you're worried about?" And this is a real issue for guys, because I'm... You know, I'm making fun, Phil, but I don't know if you're talking about the fact that the baby's in the bed, and she's breastfeeding all the time, and she doesn't feel sexy, and now it's been six months, or if you're talking about six weeks after surgery, like, "Let's get going."

• 40:56Mel Robbins?

  And so, take what I'm saying with a grain of salt, but what the real takeaway here is...

• 41:06Mel Robbins?

  Really cultivate intimacy with a conversation first and talk to her about it. And make her feel like anything that works for her is okay. That will make her horny as fuck.

• 41:26Speaker 01

  I love it.

• 41:27Mel Robbins?

  And congratulations on the new baby.

• 41:29Speaker 01

  Yeah, awesome. Okay. Mel, I don't know if you can answer this question, but we're gonna give it to you from Betsy. She says, can you talk about life insurance and tell me how it works?

• 41:42Mel Robbins?

  Not really.

• 41:43Speaker 01

  Okay.

• 41:45Speaker 01

  Nay says, Mel, how did you know you were dyslexic?

• 41:49Mel Robbins?

  I found out I was dyslexic the way that most adults find out that they're dyslexic, by having a child diagnosed with dyslexia. And then thinking to myself, this looks really familiar. And then going and getting one of the neuropsych evaluations and finding out.

• 42:08Speaker 01

  Nice. Yep. It's usually how it goes.

• 42:11Mel Robbins?

  All makes sense in the rearview mirror.

• 42:15Speaker 01

  Okay, Anne Marie says, I desperately need to learn how to promote my business, of which I'm very passionate, without feeling egotistical. Can you help her, Mel?

• 42:26Mel Robbins?

  Yes. You ready, Anne Marie? And for all you people that love what you do and believe in your products and services, but you're embarrassed or worried about what people are gonna think if you promote them. How dare you deny people your products and services because you're too fucking insecure to market them? You're so worried about what your friends are gonna think about your marketing that you are going to not talk about it? And if you don't talk about it, the people that need you can't fucking find... How selfish of you. How selfish of you.

• 43:09Mel Robbins?

  And so I want you to think about marketing what you do, not as bragging, but...

• 43:19Mel Robbins?

  It's actually an act of service because people are looking for you and how the fuck are they going to find you if you're not marketing and if you're that good, so good that the way that you would market your business would sound like bragging, that's how good you are? How dare you deny the rest of us the opportunity to work with you? How's that?

• 43:40Speaker 01

  Mic drop. Next question, Kath says, what are you most looking forward to in the next year, Mel?

• 43:53Mel Robbins?

  Going to Taylor Swift with my two daughters, Mother's Day weekend in Paris. It is my 55th birthday, present to myself.

• 44:06Speaker 01

  Beat that. That sounds awesome. Okay. This person who shall remain nameless says, hey, Mel, what happens when you are doing all the work, all caps, all the work, and you still don't feel like you're enough?

• 44:26Mel Robbins?

  Oh, meaning, I thought they meant all the work at home. You're doing all the personal development work.

• 44:33Speaker 01

  Yeah, I think they mean all the personal development work. They're just in it to win it and then they just still don't feel like they're enough.

• 44:41Mel Robbins?

  It's a great question because I think what's, what's, what I see happening in the kind of interest in personal development is that it can become a form of entertainment, that listening to inspiring content or listening to advice or listening to motivational videos, that it just is, it becomes like anything else, like you like romantic comedies or you like horror movies or you like scripted series or you just love personal development. And that was me for a long time. And I just really enjoyed learning and listening and feeling upbeat,

• 45:25Mel Robbins?

  but it didn't really translate to action. And so if you are, quote, "doing the work", I'm gonna push back at you and say, "Are you doing the work? Or are you consuming a lot of content and thinking about it?" Because that's two different things to do the work versus to just kind of learn. What that means is, are you changing your habits? Are you challenging yourself? Are you doing the deeper, really confronting stuff of looking at patterns of behavior from your childhood? And where this pattern and this belief of unworthiness comes from? Are you healing your nervous system? You know, trying these things like cold exposure

• 46:10Mel Robbins?

  and vagus nerve toning, all of which we talk about here. It wasn't until I started getting very focused on what's called behavioral activation therapy, which is acting like the person you want to be. And so for you, somebody who still feels unworthy, despite how much you know, despite how much you listen to, I want you to take out a blank piece of paper and I want you to write down, "What does a day in the life look like? If you did feel worthy? What time would you get up? What's the first thing you would do when you get up? Would you exercise? Would you journal? Would you go on a run? Would you look at your phone? Do you have a project you're working on? Do you journal?

• 46:54Mel Robbins?

  Do you have spiritual practice? What are the friends you hang out with if you feel worthy? What are the hobbies that you have if you feel worthy? Like, write down, what does a day in the life, or a week in the life, what are the habits of that person, that version of you that feels worthy? And then, the assignment, the work, so to speak, is, do that shit. Do that shit even though you feel unworthy. Do that even when you don't feel like it. Because it's through the actions that you will prove to yourself that, holy cow, you are in fact worthy because you're taking the actions that somebody who feels worthy takes. And that, in and of itself, becomes a positive feedback loop. And you know, the other mistake you're probably making, because we all make it,

• 47:39Mel Robbins?

  is you're looking for worth to be proved by a job or another human being. And that's not how it rolls. Worth is created internally, just like love is created internally. And you do that through the actions that you take and the way that you treat yourself. And on that note, Amy and I got a blaze, and you got work to do. But I'm not letting you out of here without telling you, in case nobody else tells you, that I love you. And I believe in you, and I believe in your ability to create a better life. And that's why I'm here, rooting for you, bitching at you, kicking you in the ass, saying the stuff you don't want to hear, and making you laugh every step of the way. And I'll be back in a few days to do it again.

• 48:28Mel Robbins?

  Rollin', rollin'. All right.

• 48:33Mel Robbins?

  Okay.

• 48:34Speaker 01

  Oh, there you are.

• 48:37Mel Robbins?

  Oh, my God, this is gonna be so fun. Let's just keep going over and over.

• 48:40Speaker 01

  Okay, I can do it all, and so can you. You like sprinkles, Mel?

• 48:45Mel Robbins?

  Sprinkles?

• 48:46Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 48:47Mel Robbins?

  Are we starting?

• 48:48Speaker 01

  I'm not.

• 48:49Mel Robbins?

  Oh, is that an actual question?

• 48:51Speaker 01

  No, it's my question.

• 48:52Mel Robbins?

  I do not like sprinkles.

• 48:53Speaker 01

  Oh, shit, I gotta think of a new open then.

• 48:57Mel Robbins?

  Okay, hold on. Can you hear that? Can you hear that other thing? Boys?

• 49:06Mel Robbins?

  Give them a treat and tell them to stay. It's right there in that little wooden bowl.

• 49:10Speaker 01

  Okay? Okay, cool.

• 49:18Mel Robbins?

  Oh, and one more thing. And no, this is not a blooper. This is the legal language. You know what the lawyers write and what I need to read to you. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. I'm just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I'll see you in the next episode.

• 49:57Mel Robbins?

  This episode is brought to you by SoFi, the everything app for smarter money. Let me ask you something. Is your money working for you? Or is it just sitting there? A lot of us work hard, get paid, and then leave our paycheck in checking. That's an easy habit to change. With SoFi Checking and Savings, you can earn up to 3.8% savings APY for up to six months with no account fees and a cash bonus of up to $400 when you sign up with eligible direct deposit. Terms apply. It takes just minutes to open an account from your phone, and you can organize your savings into vaults for the goals you're working toward. Go to sofi.com/mal to get started. SoFi, get your money right.

• 50:41Mel Robbins?

  SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., member FDIC. Nearly 50 years after Stephen King's Carrie became a cultural phenomenon, Mike Flanagan is reimagining the iconic story for a new generation. Now, the new series honors the legacy of the original Carrie, but it's asking the question, are we watching the origin of a hero, a villain, or something far more complicated? And in this modern social media age, Carrie's new story resonates more than ever. You don't want to miss it. Carrie is streaming October 7th only on Prime Video.