The Bert Show.

Stepdad got acknowledged online on Father's Day, but biological Father did not, and he's

Boost!

Yeah, he is.

And this all comes from a conversation I had with a friend of mine a couple nights ago on Father's Day.

She came over because Father's Day is a little touchy for her and I have a plethora of white wine at my apartment.

So I said, why don't you come over over why don't you hang and I know you

don't have therapy until next week so you can use me as your free therapist and it came

down to a situation where I'm sure you've been in this position before where your friend really is telling a

story in a way where they think you're going to be on their side and they want

you to be on their side but you're just kind of sitting there being like,

do I say how I really feel, or do I be a good, am I a good friend?

And do I just side with them because I know that's what's going to make them feel better.

I'm always wondered if therapists feel that same way, like do I validate this person so that they

feel good and they come back or do I actually give them the hard truths that they

need to hear?

Somebody once told me before embarking on a conversation, they actually use this

advice for marriages, but it also works for, I think, friendships. When somebody's coming to

you, you have to establish out the gate, all right, do you want me to just listen?

Mm.

Do you want me to offer like a grant offer support

or do you want me to keep it real with you?

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