Danny Lavery welcomes Dylan Marron, author of the book Conversations with People Who Hate Me, and the host and creator of the critically acclaimed podcast by the same name. Marron recently joined the writing staff of the Emmy-winning hit television series Ted Lasso.

Lavery and Marron take on two letters. First, from a letter writer who doesn’t want to give up on his once supportive dad. Another letter writer wants to stop bickering with her husband over house chores. Plus, the story behind Marron’s book and podcast, Conversations with People Who Hate Me.

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Email: [email protected]

Production by Phil Surkis

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Danny Lavery welcomes Maud Newton, author of Ancestor Trouble: A Reckoning and a Reconciliation.

Lavery and Newton tackle two letters. First, from a letter writer who doesn’t want to tell her new boyfriend about her cancer diagnosis. Another letter writer is worried that her favorite aunt can’t stop talking about her political organization. Plus, a deep dive into Newton’s new book, Ancestor Trouble: A Reckoning and a Reconciliation.

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Email: [email protected]

Production by Phil Surkis

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Danny Lavery welcomes Jessica Nordell, a science journalist and the author of the book The End of Bias: A Beginning.

Lavery and Nordell take on two letters. First, from a letter writer who’s at her wits end with her friend’s racist comments. Another letter writer has caught her friend faking the symptoms of autism. Plus a deep dive into Nordell’s book, The End of Bias: A Beginning.

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Email: [email protected]

Production by Phil Surkis

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Danny Lavery welcomes June Thomas, co-host of the Slate podcast “Working”, which explores the creative process.

Lavery and Thomas take on two letters. First, from a letter writer who is wondering how to be comfortable in their own body when their sense of self is constantly changing. Another letter writer is wondering if they should tell their friend that they saw their date committing domestic abuse. Plus, Lavery asks Thomas about the inspiration for her forthcoming book about lesbian spaces.

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Email: [email protected]

Production by Phil Surkis

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Danny Lavery welcomes Marissa Gouverne, a documentary and commercial editor living in New York City.

Lavery and Gouverne tackle two letters. First, from a letter writer who’s wondering how to avoid the same mistakes when dating. Another letter writer is asking how to maintain extended family relationships after cutting off their parents. Plus, Lavery and Gouverne talk about Steve Allen, Fred Astaire, and low grade ailments.

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Email: [email protected]

Production by Phil Surkis

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Danny Lavery welcomes Daniel Shannon, a senior software engineer and technical lead at Vox Media, where he works on digital editorial content.

Lavery and Shannon take on two letters. First, from a letter writer who’s wondering if her cousin is “love bombing” their girlfriend, and if she should say something about it. Another letter writer is asking what to do now that they realize they don’t respect a friend that they’ve been supporting for years.

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Need advice? Send Danny a question here.

Email: [email protected]

Production by Phil Surkis

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Danny Lavery welcomes Esther Jaffee, a marine microbiologist who specializes in algal biochemistry.

Lavery and Jaffee tackle two letters. First, from a letter writer who caught her boyfriend lying about his plans to move away with her. Another letter writer is wondering if it’s time to tell off their boss. Plus, Jaffee shares the latest and greatest from the world of algae.

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Production by Phil Surkis

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Danny Lavery welcomes author Heather Havrilesky, who recently published the book, Foreverland: On the Divine Tedium of Marriage. She also writes the Ask Polly advice column.

Lavery and Havrilesky take on two letters. First, from someone who feels resentment over a former lover’s new relationship. Another letter writer is wondering whether sharing an old family memory will be helpful or harmful. Plus, a deep dive into Havrilesky’s new book.

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Production by Phil Surkis

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Danny Lavery welcomes Kyle Turner, a queer freelance writer based in Brooklyn, NY. Turner is a contributor to Paste Magazine, and his writing on film and culture has been featured in The Village Voice, GQ, Slate, Vanity Fair, and the New York Times.

Lavery and Turner tackle two letters. First, from someone who's not sure if they should identify as a lesbian give their history. Another letter writer is wondering how to support a close friend who is moving far, and also not get in her way. Plus, Turner shares about his Stephen Sondheim’s Follies themed birthday extravaganza. 

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Need advice? Send Danny a question here.

Email: [email protected]

Production by Phil Surkis

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Danny Lavery welcomes Laura Leigh Abby, a writer and star and subject of a new documentary podcast series from Paradiso Media called Seventeen: Conversations with My Teenage Self. 

Lavery and Abby take on two letters. First, from someone who's worried that her wife will discover her bullying past. Another letter writer is wondering how to get her husband to stop suggesting that she tries polyamory. Plus a look into what inspired Abby’s new documentary podcast. 

Slate Plus members get another episode of Big Mood, Little Mood every Friday: sign up now!

Need advice? Send Danny a question here.

Email: [email protected]

Production by Phil Surkis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices