Sister Wives Go to Therapy

After welcoming fourth wife Robyn and her children, the Brown's lives are flipped upside down. Okaaaaay. I've been dreading covering this episode, still not sure why. Perhaps because watching someone's real birth on screen is too intimate. Perhaps it's because I can feel myself having deep annoyance towards Kody and Robyn, when they're just existing as parents who are welcoming a baby into the world. The recurring theme in this episode is how people in the Brown family are expected to perform certain emotional expression. The wives and kids are supposed to feel excitement. Christine is supposed to be welcoming. Robyn tries to squeeze out tears when giving Meri the thoughtful and generous offer to be their surrogate. Heads up: I share more about myself in this episode, including some details of birth. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kody heads for the Vegas strip on a guy's night out, testing his wrestling skills and answering questions about his lifestyle; and the wives help set up Robyn's new nursery. This week, we’re talking about performance. Kody's strutting for his "friends." Meri is masking her rage with tears. And Robyn fenagles more furniture for Sol's jungle-themed baby room. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sister Wives get makeovers and head to the strip for a night on the town while Kody stays home to babysit. How will they find the adult entertainment Vegas has to offer? The sister wives give the appearance of enjoying each other. Kody is completely overwhelmed with having to take care of his own children and pats himself on the back for doing the bare minimum. There's conversation about modesty and post-partum depression and anxiety. Trainer Bill is still the worst. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Brown family nervously accepts an invitation from a religious professor to talk to her students in Boston. Anxious about the question they will face, how will they respond? Meanwhile, the older teens tag along to visit some of Boston's best colleges. The Browns head to Boston to defend plural marriage at a university panel and end up revealing far more than they intended. Christine learns that Aspyn doesn't want to live polygamy, Kody's disdain for Christine boils over, and cutie patootie Logan is so excited to go to college. In the game of good wife/bad wife, I'd say Janelle wins in this episode. What do you think? You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When another couple from the Browns' church in Utah comes to visit, the conversation turns to polygamy. How will the Browns respond to questions surrounding courting another wife and dealing with jealousy? What advice will they offer to ensure success? This episode focuses on one question: Why should a couple enter plural marriage if they know it's going to destroy their relationship? The Browns are giving monogamist couple Andy and Nichole the hard sell. Kody characterizes Warren Jeffs as a bully; meanwhile, their guest Andy compares plural marriage to eating your vegetables. Hunter and Maddie seem to be coming out of their situational depression, and Janelle couldn't be any more relieved. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christine isn't getting along with her eight-year-old daughter Ysabel so she moves her in with sister wife Meri. Meanwhile, angry teen Hunter spoils the family camping trip. I strongly disagree with the episode description and I'll tell you why in this episode. My two key takeaways: 1) the parents are fundamentally misunderstanding their children in a way that is hurting them, and 2) oh boy, is Robyn manipulative! You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The sister-wives open up about an issue that has bothered all of them: their weight. Watch the sisters speak candidly about their battle with the bulge and see their attempts to shed the pounds as they they make their way to a gym for a body-fat analysis. Well, that was horrible. I always include the TLC/Puddle Monkey/Discovery+ episode description in my show notes and this one is just awful. I realize in the Age of Recreational GLP-1s, diet culture is here to stay...but wow. The Biggest Loser BS in this episode made my blood boil. The whole thing felt like an exercise in humiliation, especially for Janelle. They literally weigh the wives on camera and Robyn, being the lightest, lets out a 'Woo!' Despite all the mistreatment, Janelle is a great mom in this episode. And Christine? I have a theory she's spending a ton of energy to stop herself from blurting out that she wants to end her marriage. What do you think? You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kody returns to his Wyoming hometown with all four wives to introduce them to his high school friends. The group faces mixed, and sometimes hostile, reactions regarding their polygamist lifestyle. Meanwhile, Robyn and Kody officially announce the name of their baby. You know how so many Sister Wives episodes are engraved in our brains? Not this one. Beyond his high school friends speculating on his sexuality, there are so many moments here worth remembering, from Kody's pathetic attempts to get Ken's approval to the Lovell townspeople literally pointing and whispering. And here's a first in this rewatch: I almost felt bad for Kody. To round out the episode, we have Robyn using her pregnancy to try to rewrite her romantic history. I wish she named the baby Gabe as an anonymous child suggested. Let me know what you think! You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four days in Kody's life see him go from house to house, visiting a different wife each day. Plus, the gender of Robyn, and Kody's baby is revealed! * Content note: Discussion of red flags for grooming and sexual abuse * Hey, I'm baaaaack! I was away for several weeks traveling for work and seeing family. I told myself I would edit while I was on the airplane and I just....didn't. But I'm back and I'm thankful for those of you who've stuck with me! In this episode, we see Kody spend time at each wife's house, and the dynamics are notably different. Off the top, some of the things I noticed: Christine's nights were bookends of the episode and both nights were family dinners; it's so quiet at Meri's house; time with Janelle was more about interacting with the kids; and Robyn is very intentional about making Kody feel like 'the head of the house'. Let me know what you think! You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robyn and Kody go and see their midwife, but will their worst nightmare come be a reality? Meanwhile the other wives are making over one room in each house. In maybe the first filler episode, the Kody and the sister wives go shopping for furniture. Even though the adults were trudging through a very boring plot line, they still told on themselves on the couch. I forgot how ice cold Janelle was! She's openly disgusted with Robyn's relationship with Kody. Meanwhile, Robyn is micromanaging everyone's marriages. Meri's being passive aggressive because the family made a decision for her. And Christine is trying so hard to mask her heartbreak. Let me know what you think! You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kody, Christine and Janelle experiment with working in real estate; the teens are going out with new friends in Las Vegas; Robyn and Kody receive a scare. I have seen these early episode several times, but there's an interesting dynamic I noticed this time around. Let's just say Robyn's influence on the family and on Kody is especially evident. But only if you're keeping an eye out for it! She is tricky to say the least. Also in this episode, the teens spill their secret-not-so-secret dating history, Christine climbs onto Kody's shoulders, and Janelle is jumping out of her skin to go back to work. My kids are young, but this episode still got me thinking about their sexual health education, or as it's called in their school-- 'body science', and how I am and will do things differently than the Browns. They sure are shaming and rigid. BUT I think there are more messages being communicated between the lines... How did 'the talk' go for you growing up? You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robyn finally announces her new pregnancy; the older teens' unhappiness starts to bubble to the surface. To be honest, I was not looking forward to this episode. The whole kerfuffle about announcing Robyn's pregnancy with Sol BOTHERS me. From performatively telling Meri 'privately' on camera to Kody framing the official announcement through the de-throning of Truly as the baby to the adults following Leon who was trying to take some space, so many points had me clutching at my chest for how cringy and cruel Kody and Robyn were being. In the end though, the episode as a whole has so many iconic moments that must be unpacked. Christine calling Pastor Ray a shark predating on their children to his face. Robyn yelling about frontal lobes. It's a good one. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Browns finally arrive in Las Vegas but face new challenges in building their life away from Utah, like finding a home. Meanwhile, which wife has exciting news to announce? As the Browns settle in the vacation rental, they are sitting with this new reality: they no longer live under one roof, they have to find housing in under a month, and that will require a whole lot of money they don't really have. There's plenty of discussion of finite resources, what's fair, and whose needs and wants take priority when. Janelle is stressed about money. Logan continues to carry too much responsibility. Kody is just giddy to be in a new place. And Robyn is excited to decorate. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the move to Las Vegas only three days away, the Browns begin to pack, but when the media gets hold of the news, plans turn into panic. The Browns flee to Las Vegas, a huge upheaval in the family, and from where I'm sitting, a crisis the parents chose that traumatizes their children. This episode contains moments that the show will flash back to many, many times. It's jam packed with dynamics to comment on: the teenagers holding the emotional weight of the move, the adults (mostly Kody) being disorganized and neglecting their children's needs. There's triangulation, enmeshment, parentification, trauma responses... I have so much to say! You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kody, Meri and Robyn drive down to Las Vegas in search for a new home. Meanwhile back at home, the rest of the family plans a surprise birthday party for Meri. I am thrilled to sit down with Dr. Adam of the Sister Wives Professor Podcast to talk about this fascinating episode, a snapshot of the Brown's family life at this very specific time in their trajectory of a family. While the adults wring their hands over the move, the teenagers are holding the emotional weight. Christine (mostly Christine), Janelle, and the kids race to throw a surprise 40th birthday party for Meri. Mona the realtor makes a welcome appearance. And Kody is suspiciously happy. Listen to the Sister Wives Professor podcast. Subscribe to Dr. Adam's patreon You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The wives struggle to accept that this will be their last Christmas in Utah. Meanwhile, the mounting tension from the investigation leads to a huge change to the family dynamic. In this classic Sister Wives episode, we have some of the most memorable moments: Maddie was gonna be legend in this town, Meri flies over the snow bank on a sled, and the children do the Christmas pajama fashion show. In contrast to the Brown Family Christmas joy, there are other things happening in the shadows. The teenagers are hurting, as they carry the stress and knowledge of the move. Christine straight up gets gaslit about how Kody is happy to Lehi. And Robyn is manipulating. What's new? But also, this is something I did not spot the first watch. Fascinating to see how she was pulling strings, even back then. So, what do you think? Did the Browns have a real choice about whether to leave or stay in Utah? You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Browns go to a cabin in the woods to get away from the pressure of their police investigation and to celebrate Christmas. A decision is made that will affect the family's lives once again. The Kody Brown Family system is put under some serious stress in this episode, and it shows. Kody is chaotic, and while Christine responds with sarcasm, Robyn is lavishing him with praise. The teenagers, fully knowing about the investigation and impending move, cushion the tension. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heads up: my throat is scratchy so the vocal fry is extra crunchy. Meri goes to the doctor for a cancer screening, but will the results be more than she bargained for? Meanwhile the wives invite their monogamous friends over for dinner. The colonoscopy episode. I cannot believe Meri agreed to do this. Not much of substance happens, but you know I'm going to find something to overanalyze. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christine and her kids head to Vegas so they can spend time some alone time with their dad in her favorite vacation spot. Meanwhile back at home, Meri decides to take the rest of the family out for a bowling night. We're back to the re-watch! Diving into Season 2: Christine and Kody before the breakup, before the knife in the kidneys, and before David. Christine actually calls her and Kody's marriage 'blissful'. So, was she just kidding herself? Or outright lying? Meri is comin' in hot with the passive aggressiveness. Some things never change. Robyn uses bumpers for bowling. And Janelle marvels at the requirements of being a parent ("I have to comb Savannah's hair??") Let me know what you think! You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final installment of the Season 20 One-on-Ones, the conversation turns yet again to one of the Browns' favorite topics: trust. Kody and Meri revisit the "dark time" of the catfishing scandal. Kody refuses to accept blame for the breakdown of the marriage. Then the focus shifts to Robyn's long-standing pattern with the other wives: private conversations that didn't stay private. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. You can support the show by sharing your rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at sisterwivesgototherapy[at]gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.