Crappy Friends

One last letter, and, appropriately, on a topic the Ladies have yet to cover. As we ride off into the sunset, we want to say a heartfelt thanks to all who've listened, written and shared their embarrassing personal problems. It's been a blast.

You've been friends for ages, but sometimes, you're not invited to things. Other times you are. But why aren't you on the inner circle? Are they mean girls, or are you just being a drama queen? The Ladies discuss in their second-to-last episode. 

You adore her…it's her new love you can't stand. Do you say something? How do you suffer through evenings with him? As we wind down the podcast, the Ladies are joined by the Princess!

You're just getting settled into your adult life: marriage, family, career. The problem is, your bestie is flailing. She hates her job, her relationship, doesn't know what she wants and complains about the same things over and over. But you love her, you've had so many good times, and you don't want to lose her. It's just that your lives are so different now. The Ladies weigh in, plus an epic Embarrassing Personal Problem as we enter into the last few episodes of our podcast.

She's been your best friend for years now…but she seems to have all the answers to life's deepest questions. Your life's deepest questions, that is. When you don't take her advice, she tells you you're wrong. Time to cut the cord, or is it worth trying one more time?

She's been a great friend until she says a few things about your family. Your kids. Your marriage. How do you handle this? Are friends allowed to judge each other, and if so, when? Kristan shares her latest humiliation in hot yoga, and Joss laughs at her. Again.

Your mediocre friend sent your husband a message. Do you A) get your broadsword and drive to her house; B) email everyone she works with and tell them she's after your man; or C) take a good look at what's really behind this rage? The Ladies discuss…and have an announcement. 

You're invited out. You politely decline, and suddenly, you're a horrible person. Our first letter discusses what to do with the frustration that comes from…well…other people being jerks. But the second is from a thoughtful friend, wondering how to stop her close, loving pal from always offering a solution that's worked for someone else. Plus, Joss's foray with a personal trainer and the shocking amount of sweat she can produce.

Oh, the difficulty of teenage friendship! As a parent, how much do you intervene when a mean girl comes after your kid? Do you talk to her parents? Was…horrors…your kid actually the mean kid? The Ladies discuss!

She's been your best, best friend since you were ten years old, and now she's getting married. And you're not her maid of honor. Is bridesmaid good enough? Why is she nicer to other friends? Are you the doormat, or are you maybe a little too needy? The Ladies discuss how different perspectives on childhood friendships can change everything.

She was the only one who stood by you during a tough time…and then her life went into the toilet. You're her emergency contact, she's got one disaster after another, now she's in the ICU (or not) and she's a THERAPIST, too. How the Ladies love a beautifully formatted novel!

Two letters ask if they've done the right thing the right way when a friendship goes stale. Dogs vs. cats, plus Joss's epic, never-to-be-topped embarrassing personal problem.

Is it possible to be friends with a sister who's always in some kind of crisis? You grew up together, you love each other, but damn it, you're tired of the latest installment in the soap opera. But what about the family at large? They want everyone to get along. The Ladies discuss at length, and Joss, no longer a model of grace and elegance, shares her Embarrassing Personal Problem.

The Ladies tackle three letters about three very interesting and different topics and bask in the glow of listener compliments.

Your friend group is well-heeled, and you've participated in some events. But now the financial strain of hanging out with this crowd is starting to show. Can a balance be found? Are these true friends, or just a gang of lobster-eating, champagne-drinking people you know? 

You're great and wonderful friends with a guy (yeah, we know, we know). You make each other funnier and smarter. Then tragedy strikes…and he backs off. Even worse for the friendship, you turn your tragedy into success, and he drops off the damn face of the earth. What the what? 

The Ladies are back from summer hiatus! This week, we discuss four short letters on dealing with friendship issues, encourage you to resend your letters if we haven't covered them yet, and why O'Hare is the most exhausting airport in America (and possibly the best).

In this episode, we have two letters from women who are wondering if the time required to maintain the friendship (that is, appease the difficult "friend") is worth it. Based on the use of air quotes, you can imagine the Ladies' response. Plus, one of our Hall of Fame Embarrassing Personal Problems.

She's got a pattern, and yep, it came around to you. Then you dated/married one of her pals, and it seemed like she wanted to reestablish contact. Or not. Hubby in the middle, awkwardness abounds, a high school reunion is coming up! How best to handle the potential drama? The Ladies weigh in!

There's no drama mama like a theater drama mama! Two friends, their two daughters, auditions and vacations! Pettiness abounds, and you can't help feeling hurt that you're being let go. Is it because your daughters are competing for the same roles? Or was she always kind of cut-throat? The Ladies discuss and suggest ways to deal with friends in competition and still be super classy.