The Bring It Up Show!: Recent Episodes
Big Feels Lab
A podcast about the art of difficult conversation. Co-hosted by therapist Chelsea Balzer and critical thinking professor Erik Anker who help callers figure out how to bring up touchy subjects with the important people in their lives.
The Bring It Up Show! is a production of Big Feels Lab, a nonprofit providing educational resources that empower people to pursue mental health and social progress.
Erik and Chelsea discuss their mixed feelings about Christianity. They further unpack the notion of stereotypes by exploring how systemic oppression intersects with personal beliefs.
Caller Babygirl, who was previously agnostic, discusses the challenge of telling the people in her life about her newfound Christian faith. The conversation gets tense as Chelsea and Erik disagree about whether stereotypes are ever justified.
Erik and Chelsea get worked up about monogamy, polyamory, and the "war on needs" under capitalism. Drawing from their own sex lives and personal histories, they dive further into the connection between clarity of communication and consent.
After caller Lisa recently ended a long-term monogamous relationship to return to her polyamory lifestyle, she finds that she and her ex are still in close contact and isn't sure how to talk about the new sexual relationships she's developing.
Erik and Chelsea explore common conflicts between family members and in-laws. From scapegoating to trash-talking and triangulation, they discuss the many ways of "hot-wiring" connection. And wine, they also talk about wine.
Caller Liz asks Erik and Chelsea for help telling her dad that she doesn't want to be friends with his new girlfriend. The group discusses how unresolved issues live on within family dynamics, as well as how to find the desire beneath irritation.
Erik and Chelsea explore the relationship between culture and codependency. In particular, they address how individualistic and collectivistic values influence our expectations about when and how much individuals should censor themselves to preserve group cohesion.
Caller Lotus asks Erik and Chelsea for advice setting boundaries with her first-generation American parents. Lotus discusses how intergenerational trauma and her family’s traditional Asian values make this a difficult conversation to have.
Erik and Chelsea talk about who they are, how they met, and why you should listen to them talk about talking.