Category Archives: relationships

39. Embracing Your Partner’s Past



Everyone has a past and your willingness to understand your partner’s will help you strengthen your relationship and not tear it down. So why do so many people focus on what happened before instead of looking towards the future? In this episode, Jon and Alex discuss the art of talking dirty to your partner, how to handle finding your boyfriend’s spicy online content, the loss of a friendship, being the single friend in the friend group, and when the person you’re dating has a secret life.

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(0:00) Intro

(9:08) Our Listeners Give Their Advice

(13:47) Talk Dirty To Me

(15:34) You Can’t Live In The Past

(16:50) You Have To Own Up To Your Farts

(18:07) So Your Partner Makes Spicy Content On The Side

(20:06) They’re Just Old Family Photos, Right?

(23:04) Lost Friendship Over A Pregnancy And A Wedding

(30:07) Keep The Guy Or The House?

(35:10) Being The Single Friend In The Group Is Tough

(39:14) Is It OK To Offer To Help Pay For Your Own Engagement Ring?

(44:40) When It Seems Too Good To Be True…

(49:57) Icks

(52:48) Listener Review

Visit our website www.giveittomestraightpodcast.com

Visit our other website www.alexjon.com

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Podcast

Alex

Jon


38. Finding Courage To Communicate



Communication within relationships can be challenging, and it requires constant effort to make it work. At times, expressing your thoughts can be particularly tough, especially when you and your partner aren’t on the same page. In this episode, Alex and Jon discuss listener questions about an open marriage with unexpected consequences, dealing with a husband’s ultimatum, getting caught faking a pregnancy, and how to support your partner’s success while working through your own jealousy. As a bonus, there’s an update from one of our listeners from episode 36!

Come Hang Out With Us On Nov 1 At The Beverly Center : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/listen-bev-give-it-to-me-straight-podcast-experience-tickets-735762354007

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(0:00) Intro

(8:59) Our Listeners Give Their Advice

(13:03) How Old Is Too Old To Be Living At Home?

(17:43) Shoot Your Shot At The Coffee Shop

(20:28) Your Personal Information Isn’t Safe Anywhere

(23:38) You Cheated And You’re Mad He Took You Back

(25:18) Way Too Much Information

(31:32) Do Ultimatums Ever Work In A Marriage?

(34:50) Classic Case Of Who Done It

(40:44) Faking A Pregnancy

(49:36) Is It OK To Be Jealous Of Your Partners Success?

(55:39) Listener Update From Episode 36

(57:41) Icks

(1:02:32) Listener Review

Visit our website www.giveittomestraightpodcast.com

Visit our other website www.alexjon.com

Find us on Instagram!

Podcast

Alex

Jon


37. Choosing What You Need And Not What You Want



Relationships come down to balancing your own wants and needs with what’s in the best interest of you and your partner. Things begin to get tricky when the differences between those two are paper thin. So, how do you make the right choice when the differences aren’t always apparent? In this episode, Jon and Alex answer listener questions about becoming a mom and wanting a career change, why one friend can’t seem to lock down a long-term partner, the trials of an unplanned and unconventional pregnancy, and how to deal with a neighbor’s disturbing habit of calling you at the wrong time.

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(0:00) Intro

(16:51) Our Listeners Give Their Advice

(21:47) Does My Partner Miss His Hoe Phase?

(27:18) It’s Me Or The Dog

(31:50) I’m A New Mom And Want A Career Change

(35:55) Should You Expect Help When Planning Your Wedding?

(37:55) So You Want Another Threesome

(41:25) Let’s Talk About Wifey Material

(47:02) A Very Unplanned Pregnancy

(52:51) Everything In Moderation

(58:02) Not Your Typical Butt Dial

(1:07:45) Icks

(1:16:55) Listener Review

Visit our website www.giveittomestraightpodcast.com

Visit our other website www.alexjon.com

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Podcast

Alex

Jon


36. Awkward Family Affairs



From the outside looking in, what’s normal for your partner and their family may seem strange to others. So what happens when you make an unsettling discovery about your partner’s family and past? In this episode, Alex and Jon dig into listener questions about sleeping with your friend’s crush, a debate on when kids should stop sleeping with their parents, an off limits conversation with a coworker, a fiancé no one has ever met, and addressing a questionable relationship between your husband and his mother.

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(0:00) Intro

(8:24) Our Listeners Give Their Advice

(13:48) So You Slept With Your Friends Crush And Didn’t Tell Her

(17:34) Does A Change In Travel Plans Raise A Red Flag?

(21:17) Do Birthdays Give You A Pass To Cancel On Your Boyfriend?

(24:30) When Should Kids Stop Sleeping In Their Parents Beds?

(29:02) Not A Conversation You Have With An Engaged Coworker

(32:21) You Fell In Love With Your Sugar Daddy

(37:13) Starting To Feel Like Catfishing

(43:28) We All Have A Past, When Do You Disclose Yours?

(50:20) Keeping It In The Family

(56:15) Icks

(1:01:35) Listener Review

Visit our website www.giveittomestraightpodcast.com

Visit our other website www.alexjon.com

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Podcast

Alex

Jon


35. Relationship History Lessons



They say history is bound to repeat itself and the same can be said for relationships. If you don’t acknowledge what has happened in the past, can you truly look forward to a better future for your relationship? In this episode, Jon and Alex offer their mediocre advice to listener questions about the denial of being ghosted, when being a healthcare worker and drinking don’t mix, changing family holiday traditions, living a lie after a traumatic event, and what exactly are your duties as a best friend.

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(0:00) Intro

(11:35) Our Listeners Give Their Advice

(17:27) Who Needs A Maid Of Honor Anyway?

(20:01) Whoever Smelt It, Dealt It

(22:19) From Being Ghosted To Going On Vacation

(25:56) Drinking On The Job Never Ends Well

(32:50) Sorry Grandma, We’re Not Coming To Christmas

(36:48) The Harsh Truth About Escaping A Traumatic Event

(40:30) Will Refusing To Go To Therapy End The Marriage?

(44:09) Dogs, Parents, And Your Kids Safety

(55:05) What Falls Under Best Friend Responsibilities?

(1:02:19) Icks

(1:08:16) Listener Review

Visit our website www.giveittomestraightpodcast.com

Visit our other website www.alexjon.com

Find us on Instagram!

Podcast

Alex

Jon


34. Breaking Down Your Intrusive Thoughts



Intrusive thoughts are an unwanted part of every relationship but they do need to be addressed when they come up. Avoiding them will only allow them to linger and get worse, possibly to the point of acting on them. In this episode, Alex and Jon answer listener questions about the need for prenups, dealing with insecurities about your partners past, setting boundaries with your aging parents, the negative impact of trauma dumping on a friend, and when a husband’s intrusive thoughts may lead to a scary reality.

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(0:00) Intro

(12:56) Is FOMO A Reason To Have A Child?

(17:55) Money And Prenups

(22:26) Your Insecurities Speak Volumes

(24:46) I Have The Perfect Partner But I Don’t Love Him

(28:58) What’s The Big Deal With Taking A Last Name Anyway?

(35:31) Setting Boundaries As Your Parents Caretaker

(38:48) Trauma Dumping And How That Can Impact Your Friends

(42:12) Comparison Will Only Hurt Your Relationship

(45:17) When Your Intrusive Thoughts Almost Become Reality

(50:32) Body Image Issues Are A Real Thing

(57:34) No Invites For The Black Sheep Of The Family

(1:01:53) Icks

(1:05:30) Listener Review

Visit our website www.giveittomestraightpodcast.com

Visit our other website www.alexjon.com

Find us on Instagram!

Podcast

Alex

Jon


33. The Complexities of Relationship Balance



Relationships are a lot of work even when both partners are giving their all. So what happens to a relationship when one partner starts to give more than the other? In this episode, Jon and Alex give their mediocre advice about a boyfriend needing to choose between his parents and his girlfriend, what opinion you can have on your partner’s desire to get Botox, dealing with grief and financial instability, and whether or not you should ignore toxic behavior when it’s a family member.

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(0:00) Intro

(14:56) Is It Rude To Go Into A Store Right Before Closing Time?

(16:57) The Story You Tell Yourself Isn’t Always True

(19:19) You Are NOT The Father But I Told You Otherwise

(22:50) Do You Get An Opinion On Your Partner Wanting Botox?

(27:15) Will He Choose You Or His Parents?

(30:27) A Grieving Process And Your Financial Stability

(39:42) Can You Run Out Of Things To Talk About?

(43:22) Should You Ignore Toxic Behavior If They’re Family?

(47:45) Sometimes You Have To Know When To Call It Quits

(53:34) When The Relationship Becomes Too One Sided

(59:33) Icks

(1:03:41) Listener Review

Visit our website www.giveittomestraightpodcast.com

Visit our other website www.alexjon.com

Find us on Instagram!

Podcast

Alex

Jon


32. Dating, Divorce, and Disclosures



Transparency, communication, and expectation setting are foundational to any successful relationship. So why do some many relationships fall apart as a result of ignoring their necessity? In this episode, Alex and Jon discuss navigating opposing religious views, choosing between your career and your partner, where do you draw the line when defending a family member, the unreasonableness of divorce, and the reality of living with an STI.

Submit your questions here!

(0:00) Intro

(11:14) Do You Charge Admission When Hosting Parties?

(15:03) Conflicting Religious Values

(18:33) Coming To Terms With Your Sexuality After The Wedding

(21:21) Choosing Between Who You Love And What You Love

(24:00) You Can’t Always Defend Your Family

(29:47) There’s Always Drama When You Brother And Bestie Date

(33:50) Divorce Is Rarely Reasonable

(39:07) My Sister Has Main Character Syndrome

(43:35) Long Term Care Planning For A Loved One

(46:46) The Heartbreaking Reality Of STIs

(52:38) Icks

(58:19) Listener Review

Visit our website www.giveittomestraightpodcast.com

Visit our other website www.alexjon.com

Find us on Instagram!

Podcast

Alex

Jon


31. The Best Intentions Aren’t Always The Right Priorities



Establishing a relationship means changing your priorities from what’s best for you, to what’s best for us. The key to making these priorities work is knowing when to change them to meet the demands of your relationship. In this episode, Jon and Alex answer some juicy listener questions about a boyfriends secret gambling debt, getting over past trauma to save a relationship, the shocking truth behind an at-home DNA test, when a fathers apology isn’t enough, and what to  do when you lose your father in law’s ashes.

Submit your questions here!

(0:00) Intro

(17:22) The Stress Of Being Laid Off

(18:50) A Secret Gambling Debt

(23:13) Is It OK To Make Friends For Your Wife?

(24:55) How Do You Prioritize Quality Time With Your Partner?

(29:10) Is Past Trauma An Explanation Or An Excuse?

(34:28) Family Secrets Get Exposed With At-Home DNA Kits

(40:10) Asking For Too Much Or Deserving More

(46:48) You Can’t Take Back Words

(52:19) There’s 3 Options And They All Suck

(1:01:55) Icks

(1:06:30) Listener Review

Visit our website www.giveittomestraightpodcast.com

Visit our other website www.alexjon.com

Find us on Instagram!

Podcast

Alex

Jon


30. Past Lovers and Present Dilemmas



Once you’re in a relationship, the decisions you make no longer only impact you but your partner as well.  The success of the relationship relies heavily on making good decisions for the team.  In this episode, Alex and Jon dish out mediocre advice on the impact of social media on parenting, when family businesses compete in a small town, an absentee father wanting back in, being friends with your spouse’s ex, and finding out your girlfriend slept with your brother.

Submit your questions here!

(0:00) Intro

(15:08) A Husband’s Road Rage

(18:44) When Should You Say I Love You?

(21:55) Are there rules for kids using social media?

(28:02) Competing Family Businesses

(30:20) Can You Lose The Right To Be In Your Kids Lives?

(34:28) Quit Drinking Or I’m Leaving

(37:58) Are You Holding Them Back?

(41:18) A Series Of Traumatic Events

(44:23) Opposing Parenting Styles

(48:59) Being Best Friends With Your Spouses Ex

(52:23) So You Slept With Your Boyfriends Brother

(57:14) Icks

(1:03:25) Listener Review

Visit our website www.giveittomestraightpodcast.com

Visit our other website www.alexjon.com

Find us on Instagram!

Podcast

Alex

Jon