On the final episode of Dear Prudence, Jenée is joined by Lonnae O’Neal – a senior writer for ESPN/Andscape and the author of the forthcoming book Bibb Country: Unearthing My Family Secrets of Land, Legacy and Lettuce. Together, they’ll answer questions like: what do you do when your friends’ husband calls you his wife’s hot lookalike? Is it worth taking a self-esteem hit to attend your 10-year high school graduation? How do you break it to your clingy best friend that you need some alone time? ...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Jenée is joined by Seema Yasmin, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, poet, medical doctor, author, and professor. Together, they’ll help a listener set on decorating their home with their old burlesque photos and posters without looking too narcissistic, another feeling isolated when her friends invite her ex-girlfriend to parties and events, a listener upset that their friend didn’t stick up for them after their music choices got them labeled a “horrific bigot,” and a listener co...
May 30, 2025•43 min
In this episode, David Roth and Drew Magary (the hosts of Defector Media’s The Distraction) join Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about what to do when your parents are cosigning your brothers’ political values just because he’s the favorite, how to be an optimistic dater after a near-decade of failed dating, and how to react when you’re sure that your husband’s step-son is trying to hustle you for money. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately...
May 23, 2025•37 min
In this episode, Jenée is joined by Helen Rosner, an award-winning staff writer at The New Yorker. Together, they answer questions from listeners in serious conundrums. Do you tell your grieving sister-in-law that your now-deceased brother cheated on her years ago? Are you allowed to punish a child you're babysitting when they’re being an extremely picky eater? And how do you support your wife’s health journey without getting bacon grease all over you? Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate...
May 16, 2025•56 min
In this episode, Jenée is joined by Brittany Luse — the host of NPR’s It’s Been a Minute. Together, they answer questions from a reader distraught that their fiance won’t stop publishing smutty fiction about real-life historical figures, another unsure what to do after her husband stole a $500 bottle of wine from their friends’ dinner party, a spooked listener who can’t get over how much she looks like her boyfriend’s dead wife, and a daughter trying to break it to her mom that her choice to liv...
May 09, 2025•52 min
In this episode, Jenée is joined by Daria Burke – an award winning business leader, board director, and author. Together, they answer questions from a listener unsure whether to invite their feuding friends to a party next month, a CPA figuring out how to climb the corporate ladder without a defined job title, a daughter contemplating hosting a sober Easter to account for her mother’s inappropriate drunk behavior, and a listener scared she might become de facto babysitter to her pregnant sister....
May 02, 2025•52 min
In this episode, Jenée is joined by Willa Paskin, the host of Slate’s podcast Decoder Ring. Together, they answer questions from a listener hoping their sister will “gain sanity” to leave her husband soon, another from a self proclaimed girls’ girl who can’t stop getting into disagreements with other women at work, a step-mother wondering if it’s time to “step up” and defend her husband’s ex-wife to their children, and “the pickiest eater on earth” wondering whether their food habits are impacti...
Apr 25, 2025•59 min
In this episode, Jenée returns from parental leave and is joined by Solomon Missouri — a pastor at AME Zion Church in Snowhill, North Carolina, and author of the forthcoming “Not a Biblical Dating Book.” Together, they answer questions about a listener rekindling with his ex (and her children), someone who’s nervous about starting a romantic relationship for the first time in 20 years, and a childfree woman who’s afraid her boyfriend’s not on the same page. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to ...
Apr 18, 2025•55 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by sports journalist and author Frankie de la Cretaz. Together, they answer questions about confronting your dad’s hoarding partner, moving forward after a fight with your mom, and dealing with a controlling fiancé. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our...
Apr 11, 2025•36 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by award-winning journalist and founder of TransLash media Imara Jones. Together, they answer questions about being taken advantage of by a friend, confronting an alcoholic parent, and supporting your cousin when her mom is being delusional. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “T...
Apr 04, 2025•31 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Ada Calhoun, the author of Crush and Why We Can’t Sleep. Together, they answer questions about going no contact with your parents permanently, reconciling after a messy divorce, and cutting ties with an ungrateful kid. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top ...
Mar 28, 2025•35 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Traci Thomas, the creator and host of the critically acclaimed literary podcast The Stacks. Together, they answer questions about dealing with rude stepchildren, loving but not liking your sister, and being sick and tired of watching other people’s kids. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcast...
Mar 21, 2025•49 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by comedian and actress Heather McMahan. Together, they answer questions about believing abuse accusations, getting in the middle of a sibling’s relationship, and making boundaries with a friend. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visi...
Mar 14, 2025•40 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Real Housewives alumna and Humble Brag podcast host Crystal Kung Minkoff. Together, they answer questions about feeling conflicted over an ex living their best life post-divorce, navigating a friendship after someone breaks the other’s trust, and asking for financial help. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe n...
Mar 07, 2025•37 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by writer and YouTube essayist Princess Weekes. Together, they answer questions about reconciling with a daughter after a huge fight, navigating toxic inlaws and making boundaries with selfish parents. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or...
Feb 28, 2025•39 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by advice columnist Adrienne Lee and James Beard Award nominee and writer Nylah Iqbal Muhammad. Together, they answer questions about whether a spouse actually owes their partner an apology, a fiance anxious about future family finances, and someone trying to figure out whether or not to follow their supervisor’s suggestions at work. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free lis...
Feb 21, 2025•49 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Lori Gottlieb – a psychotherapist, an Ask the Therapist Columnist for The New York Times, and a bestselling author. Together, they answer questions about being honest with a friend about their mental health, how to politely turn down an offer of friendship, and getting family to understand and respect boundaries during a divorce. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free list...
Feb 14, 2025•38 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Peloton instructor, author and podcast host Cody Rigsby. Together, they answer questions from someone who wants to end their marriage over housework, a person struggling to pronounce people’s names correctly, and someone navigating the grief of a homophobic bigot. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on App...
Feb 07, 2025•38 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Tuck Woodstock – a journalist, educator and host of the award-winning podcast Gender Reveal. Together, they answer questions about how to tell your friends not to bring their baby everywhere, what to do when you’re being pressured to connect with a sibling you want nothing to do with, and how to kindly tell your spouse to return a gift they bought for you. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus,...
Jan 31, 2025•39 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Vanessa Zoltan, the CEO and Founder of Not Sorry Productions. Together, they answer questions about abuse accusations, how to introduce your parents to the person you’re dating, and how to resolve an explosion of a fight with a sibling. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try...
Jan 24, 2025•47 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by culture critic and writer Anne Helen Petersen. Together, they answer letters about secretly contributing to a kid’s college fund, asking a friend to apologize for their internalized fatphobia, and resolving a massive fight with a stepchild. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking ...
Jan 17, 2025•47 min
Guest Prudie Anna Sale – host of Slate’s Death, Sex & Money – is joined by illustrator and author JP Brammer. Together, they answer letters about a mom who can’t understand her kid’s gender identity, a painting causing unexpected jealousy, setting the record straight after a bad break up, and how to make things work at a job after it took a long time to find one. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listenin...
Jan 10, 2025•46 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by podcast producer Vic Whitley-Berry. Together, they answer letters from a concerned spouse over their husband’s drinking, a mom trying to get her daughter to apologize to her aunt, and someone who can’t avoid going down the rabbit hole of social media. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts b...
Jan 03, 2025•49 min
In this episode, Jamelle Bouie (New York Times opinion columnist) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to turn down gifts that make you cringe, what to do when you discover a sibling was given up for adoption before you were born, and when it’s too late to chase your dreams If you want more Dear Prudence, join Slate Plus, Slate’s membership program. Jenée answers an extra question every week, just for members. Go to Slate.com/prudieplus to sign up. It’s ju...
Dec 27, 2024•38 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by author and Slate writer Dan Kois. Together, they answer letters about holding on to holiday traditions, thinking your sister is a bad therapist, and how to convince your mom she doesn’t have to knock everytime she comes over. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at t...
Dec 20, 2024•52 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by actress Stephanie Hsu. Together, they answer letters about how to deal with an ally who has also been your bully, a person who is pushing the limits of what “extended family” means during the holidays, and someone who wants to better get to know their partner’s parents. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now ...
Dec 13, 2024•35 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by Zak Rosen, who co-hosts Slate’s Care & Feeding parenting podcast – and doles out his own advice on The Best Advice Show. Together, they answer letters from a listener concerned their step son is turning into an attention seeking drama queen, a cancer patient whose husband is turning resentful after taking on primary caretaking duties, and a couple concerned with making new friends post-retirement. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to i...
Dec 06, 2024•42 min
In this episode, Carvell Wallace (author of Another Word for Love and host of Slate’s How To!) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters from readers about how to cancel on family vacation plans that sound horrible to you, how to break it to your butch lesbian girlfriend that her friends might be misogynists, and how to convince your parents to let you go to a high school in a not so great neighborhood. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bon...
Nov 29, 2024•44 min
Guest Prudie Cheyna Roth is joined by Steven Ray Morris — best known for his work on My Favorite Murder, but now producing and hosting See Jurassic Right. Together, they answer letters from a listener hurt by her boyfriend’s comments that “marriage isn’t on his radar,” another hoping to support her partner through work conflicts without adding to her own stress, and a listener whose husband doesn’t seem concerned that their family friends have been displaced by Hurricane Helene. Want more Dear P...
Nov 22, 2024•38 min
Guest Prudie Kristen Meinzer is joined by longtime Slate-ster June Thomas — author of A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Have Shaped Queer Women’s Culture. Together, they answer letters from a boyfriend who has been financially supporting his girlfriend but can’t afford to anymore, a spouse whose younger partner is mocking part of their aging, and a friend struggling to support someone in their life going through something so similar it’s painful. Want more Dear Prudence? Subscribe to Slate Plu...
Nov 15, 2024•44 min