How to Deal with Difficult People & Not Get Stressed Out

The Mel Robbins Podcast

SiriusXM Podcasts

Education, Mental Health, Relationships, Self-improvement, Society & Culture, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 10.6K Ratings

🗓️ 17 November 2025

⏱️ 75 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today, you are getting research-backed strategies for handling difficult people. If you’re done being dismissed, talked over, or made to feel small, this episode will help you show up with power - and walk away with peace. Whether it’s family, coworkers, friends, or anyone who knows how to trigger you, today you’re getting tools for dealing with difficult people. In this solo episode, Mel dives deep into how to respond to disrespect, deal with emotionally immature behavior without losing yourself, and finally stop overreacting and overexplaining around people who are never going to change. Mel also discusses The Let Them Theory, the powerful relationship tool that’s changed millions of lives, and shows you how to: -Stand up for yourself without sounding aggressive -Handle gaslighting, guilt-tripping, and “just joking” comments -Set boundaries without explaining or over-apologizing -Respond to fake apologies and toxic behavior with clarity -Stay calm and confident, even when someone’s pushing your buttons -Recognize emotional immaturity and stop taking it personally -Let go of control and stop trying to fix people who don’t want to change After this episode, you’ll know how to stay grounded and feel more connected to the people you love - without getting pulled into their drama. For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed, You Need to Hear This Connect with Mel: Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration. Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them Theory Watch the episodes on YouTube Follow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast Instagram Mel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-free Disclaimer

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, it's your friend Mel, and welcome to the Mel Robbins podcast.
0:08.8	Today, you and I are going to dig into one of the single most popular sections of the
0:14.1	Let Them Theory book. And trust me, you need this, because we're talking about how to handle
0:19.1	difficult people so you can keep your peace and finally take your power back. I'm talking about how to handle difficult people so you can keep your peace and finally take your
0:24.1	power back. I'm talking about the emotionally immature people in your life. And have you noticed
0:30.3	oftentimes you're related to them? I'm talking about people who are controlling and disrespectful
0:37.4	and manipulative and self-centered
0:39.9	and, oh my gosh, the passive, aggressive ones. And you may be listening or watching right now,
0:46.5	and you're on your way to a family gathering. You're going to a wedding. Or maybe it's the
0:52.4	holidays or you got dinner at your in-laws. And you know what you're doing? You're bracing. You're going to a wedding, or maybe it's the holidays, or you got dinner at your in-laws.
0:54.8	And you know what you're doing?
0:56.2	You're bracing.
0:57.6	You're gripping the wheel because you're thinking about what's going to happen.
1:02.0	Oh, my God, and then just deep down, don't you just want to fix them?
1:09.3	Why can't they be different?
1:14.2	Why can't our family get along? Why does this always happen? Here's the thing that I learned the hard way. You know that instinct that you have
1:20.9	to fix everybody else? What if that desire to fix everyone else is what's keeping you stuck? What if that's what's
1:30.0	stressing you out? I got to tell you, writing chapter seven of the let them theory, it really
1:35.9	forced me to realize I had relationships all wrong. I had family all wrong. Because here's the thing,
1:42.2	if you think love means managing people or changing them, if you think love means managing people or in changing them,
1:46.4	if you think love means knowing what's best for everybody else or trying to control the outcomes
1:50.9	or just making sure everybody's happy and everybody gets along, if you think love is doing everything
	...

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