Still Talking About It

Janelle has a few hills she's willing to die on when it comes to mothers-in-law, daughters-in-law, and complicated family dynamics… and apparently, so does the internet. This week, she's diving deeper into two recent viral posts and explaining WHY she stands so firmly behind some of her most talked-about opinions. Stop scolding your adult children. Treat your grandchildren equally. Respect a boundary without arguing about it for three weeks first. And maybe, just MAYBE, the daughter-in-law who notices the unhealthy family dynamic isn't automatically the person who created it. Janelle also gets into what happens when your adult child gets married and builds a family of their own, why that SHOULD change the family dynamic, and why a daughter-in-law's feelings, comfort, and mental health matter just as much as everyone else's. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok .

Janelle asked for your hottest takes about grandparents, in-laws, boundaries and family relationships… and boy did you DELIVER! This week, Janelle is reacting to some of the hottest takes her followers and listeners shared on Instagram. Do good grandparents have to be good parents first? When family comes to visit, should they automatically get a hotel? Did you really "marry the family" when you married your spouse? And are fathers-in-law sometimes even worse than mothers-in-law? Janelle also gets into grandparents who always seem to have an excuse for not showing up, why enforcing a boundary can be more productive than trying to convince someone to understand it, and the very real grief that can exist even when going no contact was absolutely the right decision. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok .

We spend a LOT of time talking about mothers-in-law around here… but apparently we've been sleeping on the sister-in-law drama! In fact, some of your sisters-in-law are giving the toxic mothers-in-law a run for their money. This week, Janelle is digging into follower submissions about difficult sisters-in-law, and as usual, the stories range from mildly irritating to absolutely unhinged. We're talking wedding drama, sisters who REALLY struggle with the concept of personal space, family members who manipulate everyone around them, and some truly wild examples of what happens when sibling closeness crosses a few too many boundaries. Janelle also gets into why one incident that sounds relatively harmless to an outsider can feel completely different when it's the latest in a long history of little digs, uncomfortable moments, and ignored boundaries. Because around here, we know allllll about death by a thousand cuts. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok . Treat yourself to something nice from Cozy Earth . And, as an added treat, when you use the coupon code JANELLE, you'll get 20% off your order!

This week, Janelle is joined by fellow content creator Sam, who originally started sharing her story online anonymously after years of dealing with a mother-in-law who threatened her, crossed some pretty serious boundaries, and even attempted to pursue grandparents' rights. Janelle and Sam have something else in common now, too. Both of their mothers-in-law recently passed away, and the feelings that come with losing someone you had an incredibly difficult relationship with are… complicated. They talk about grieving the relationship you wish you could have had, the relief that can come from knowing the conflict is finally over, and why it can feel uncomfortable to admit that you're not necessarily grieving the person themselves. The conversation also gets into protecting your kids when other family members feel entitled to access, being the "black cat" who refuses to keep the peace at your own expense, and why both women continue talking about their experiences online even though that chapter of their lives has ended. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok .

This week, Janelle is joined by content creator, birth and postpartum doula Bri Knight, who has built a following online sharing her own experiences with difficult in-law dynamics after becoming a mom. They get into "pseudomutuality," the idea of a family that appears incredibly close on the surface, but where authentic communication, accountability, and healthy boundaries are a whole lot harder to come by. The conversation also gets personal as Bri shares how complicated in-law dynamics affected her marriage, why she and her husband ultimately separated, and what had to change before they could begin working toward reconciliation. Janelle and Bri also talk about breaking generational patterns, raising boys who feel safe expressing their emotions, and why sometimes the healthiest thing you can do for a relationship is stop pretending everything is fine. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok . To see Bri's content, follow her out on Instagram and TikTok .

Gift giving is supposed to be nice, right? So why does it cause SO much drama in families? This week, we're Still Talking About… Gifts. Janelle gets into the surprisingly complicated role gifts can play in difficult family relationships, from overgifting and grandparent competition to gifts that feel like they come with some pretty big strings attached. She also talks about the weird position parents can find themselves in when a grandparent is happy to shower the kids with presents but puts very little effort into actually building a relationship with them. Because while kids obviously LOVE getting stuff, there's a pretty big difference between buying them things and actually showing up. The episode also gets into favouritism between grandchildren, grandparents who completely ignore parents' requests around gifts, and why asking someone to please buy less stuff shouldn't turn into a family crisis. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok .

This week, Janelle hits 'pause' on her vacation to sit down in her cabin and talk about one of the most common pieces of advice people give when family relationships get complicated… "Just work it out." Sounds easy enough. But what does "working it out" actually mean when one person is expected to do all the apologizing, all the compromising, and all the emotional labor? Janelle shares her own experience with being told to repair relationships that lacked accountability, why so much advice comes from people who have never actually lived through these dynamics, and how easy it is for outsiders to underestimate what has already happened behind closed doors. She also spills the tea on a distant relative of her own mother-in-law showing up in her Instagram comments to antagonize her. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok . PS. If you want to see the Instagram skit Janelle referred to in this episode, you can watch it here .

This week, Janelle is answering your questions in another listener Q&A episode. She shares her thoughts on everything from going no contact and explaining difficult family relationships to your children, to what happens when a spouse refuses to stand up for their partner. She also weighs in on guilt, healing, religion being used to justify unhealthy behavior, and whether you really have to call your in-laws "Mom" and "Dad." Along the way, Janelle opens up about balancing work, motherhood, and content creation, reflects on her own healing journey, and offers practical advice for navigating some of the most common questions she receives from her followers. And, if you're curious and want to check out last week's episode, in which Janelle addresses the recent death of her own MIL, head to her YouTube channel and watch it here . For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok.

This week, Janelle is joined by Melissa, a follower whose relationship with her own mother-in-law has been marked by years of subtle digs, impossible expectations, and what she describes as "death by a thousand cuts." Melissa shares how the tension started almost immediately, the countless moments that chipped away at the relationship over the years, and the incident that ultimately led her husband to draw a line in the sand and ask his mother for an apology. The conversation explores how small comments can have a lasting impact, why accountability matters, and what happens when someone refuses to acknowledge the hurt they've caused. Melissa also opens up about the complicated reality of moving forward when boundaries have been set, but the conflict is far from over. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok.

This week, Janelle shares something deeply personal. After years of talking about difficult family dynamics online, inspired largely by her relationship with her own mother-in-law, she received the difficult news that her mother-in-law had passed away. She opens up about what the last few weeks have looked like for her family, why a terminal diagnosis doesn't erase years of complicated history, and what it's been like watching her husband navigate grief, estrangement, and unanswered attempts to reconnect. The conversation also explores the difficult decisions families sometimes face at the end of someone's life, why boundaries don't suddenly disappear because circumstances change, and how complicated relationships often remain complicated until the very end. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok.

This week, Janelle is talking about something she sees all the time in difficult family relationships… scolding. Not giving feedback. Not expressing disappointment. Scolding. She breaks down why so many parents continue speaking to their adult children the same way they did when they were kids, why that approach almost always backfires, and how shame and guilt can quietly erode relationships over time. Janelle also shares a personal story from the early days of her social media journey, when her in-laws tried to pressure her into taking down a viral video, and why that experience completely changed the way she thinks about conflict, communication, and accountability. The episode explores healthier ways to express hurt, why self-reflection matters before reacting, and how honest conversations are almost always more effective than trying to make someone feel bad. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok .

This week, Janelle is chatting with someone listeners have heard her mention many times… her podcast producer, Robyn Flynn, owner of Le Studio Quinze in Châteauguay, Quebec. The conversation starts with how the two met through social media and eventually teamed up to launch Still Talking About It, before shifting into Robyn's own experience navigating marriage, parenting, and a complicated relationship with her mother-in-law, including how that toxic relationship contributed to the end of her own marriage. They talk about the subtle comments that add up over time, what happens when your partner struggles to stand up for you, and how different family cultures can shape expectations in ways you don't always recognize until you're living them. The episode also explores choosing the boundaries you're unwilling to compromise on, learning to let go of relationships that aren't healthy, and why sometimes protecting your peace means accepting that not everyone is willing to grow with you (or stand up for you). For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok . Treat yourself to something nice from Cozy Earth . And, as an added treat, when you use the coupon code JANELLE, you'll get 20% off your order!

This week, Janelle welcomes Dr. Tracy Dalgleish back for Part Two of their conversation about family dynamics, boundaries, and what it takes to build healthy relationships in complicated family systems. They talk about why honest feedback can be so difficult to hear, how to tell the difference between criticism and genuine concern, and why having people in your life who challenge you isn't always a bad thing. The conversation also explores parenting, boundaries, and the pressure many adults feel when trying to balance their own needs with family expectations. Janelle and Dr. Tracy discuss why boundaries are not a substitute for difficult conversations, the importance of presenting a united front in your relationship, and why it's never too late to change unhealthy patterns. They also tackle the rise of therapy language on social media, including the way terms like "narcissist" are often overused, and why focusing on labels can sometimes distract from the real issue. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok .

This week, Janelle is joined by clinical psychologist and You, Your Husband and His Mother author Dr. Tracy Dalgleish for a conversation that gets to the heart of so many in-law struggles. Like why daughters-in-law so often find themselves cast as either the victim or the villain, and what it looks like to step out of those roles and become the main character in your own life instead. Janelle and Dr. Tracy also discuss the generational shifts that are changing family relationships, why younger generations are less willing to tolerate unhealthy dynamics, and what happens when two very different family systems collide through marriage. They also dive into resentment, emotional labor, self-awareness, and the difficult reality that healthy relationships require participation from both sides. Sometimes the biggest question isn't how to fix the relationship… it's deciding what you're willing to accept if nothing changes. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok .

This week, Janelle is tackling a topic that generated a lot of strong opinions from followers… What happens when your mother-in-law continues to maintain contact with your partner's ex? This all starts with a listener sharing how her mother-in-law has maintained a close relationship with her son's former partner, despite being told that it makes him uncomfortable. The listener wanted to know whether this is something you can set a boundary around… and the answers weren't nearly as straightforward as you might think. Janelle also gets into the difference between a request and a boundary, why some family situations are more complicated than a simple right-or-wrong answer, and how to navigate relationships that continue to hurt your feelings even when nobody is technically doing anything "wrong." You'll also hear about the importance of making space for uncomfortable emotions, why validation doesn't always mean agreement, and how relationships can sometimes be maintained without becoming the center of someone's life. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok . Treat yourself to something nice from Cozy Earth . And, as an added treat, when you use the coupon code JANELLE, you'll get 20% off your order!

This week, Janelle is talking about some of the less obvious red flags and green flags that can show up in mother-in-law relationships. Not the big, dramatic, easy-to-spot stuff. The smaller things. The comments that leave you feeling a little weird. The patterns that are easy to brush off individually, but start to paint a picture over time. That includes figuring out what are those behaviors that might signal a relationship is heading in an unhealthy direction, along with the qualities that tend to show up in genuinely supportive, respectful family relationships. The episode also explores why context matters, why not every awkward interaction is a red flag, and why it's important to pay attention to patterns rather than isolated incidents. And before anyone starts diagnosing their entire family based on a podcast episode… Janelle also talks about the danger of overanalyzing every interaction and why healthy relationships leave room for people to be imperfect. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok . Treat yourself to something nice from Cozy Earth . And, as an added treat, when you use the coupon code JANELLE, you'll get 20% off your order!

This week, Janelle is joined by licensed therapist, content creator, and mom of two Andrea Brambila to talk about modern parenting, family dynamics, and the pressure parents are under to do literally everything perfectly. Andrea shares her thoughts on "90s-style parenting," why kids don't need parents acting like full-time cruise directors, and how independence, boredom, and lower screen time can actually create calmer family dynamics. The conversation also gets into navigating difficult in-laws while raising kids, how to decide which parenting "hills" are actually worth dying on, and why flexibility matters… especially when extended family members do things differently than you would. They also talk about creating a home that people genuinely want to be in, why connection matters more than control, and how trying to force relationships almost always backfires. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok . Treat yourself to something nice from Cozy Earth . And, as an added treat, when you use the coupon code JANELLE, you'll get 20% off your order!

If your adult kids, their spouses, or even their friends never seem to want to spend any time at your house… there's usually a reason. And no, it's not because they're "too busy." This week, we're Still Talking About Why They Won't Come Over…. As in, why your adult children simply don't want to come to your house. Janelle draws a parallel between parenting younger kids and navigating relationships with adult children and in-laws. Because just like kids naturally gravitate toward the houses that feel warm, welcoming, and easy to be in… adults do too. The episode gets into why creating a welcoming environment has very little to do with perfection and everything to do with how people feel around you, why some parents struggle when their child's partner doesn't seamlessly fit into the family dynamic, and how constant criticism or passive-aggressive behavior slowly pushes people away. Because at the end of the day, ya can't force closeness. People go where they feel comfortable, accepted, and safe. And guess what, that might not be your house. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok . Treat yourself to something nice from Cozy Earth . And, as an added treat, when you use the coupon code JANELLE, you'll get 20% off your order!

This week, Janelle is joined by a follower to talk about a situation that goes beyond awkward dynamics or difficult personalities… and into something much more serious. What starts as uncomfortable, boundary-crossing behavior early in the relationship slowly builds into a pattern that becomes harder and harder to ignore. Moments that feel off. Comments that don't sit right. Situations that make you question whether you're overreacting… or finally seeing things clearly. They talk about what it looks like when trust is broken, why some boundaries aren't about preference but about safety, and how quickly things can escalate when those concerns aren't taken seriously. The conversation also touches on navigating situations like this as a couple, especially when one partner is still trying to maintain a relationship when the other one is DONE… And, what it means to stay firm in your decisions and your boundaries when you know what's at stake. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok . Treat yourself to something nice from Cozy Earth . And, as an added treat, when you use the coupon code JANELLE, you'll get 20% off your order!

This week, Janelle is talking about the kind of moments that make you pause and think… did that really just come out of your mouth? It starts with a very real decision. Whether or not to invite extended family to her daughter's dance competition, knowing there's a history there, and knowing that what should be a fun, supportive event can easily turn into something else. Because sometimes it's not just about showing up. It's about the energy people bring with them, the comments, the expectations, the way everything somehow becomes about them. From there, Janelle shares some of the most inappropriate, invasive questions her followers have been asked by in-laws… and it quickly becomes clear that for a lot of people, this isn't rare… it's a pattern. For more mother-in-law content, make sure you're following Janelle on Instagram and TikTok . Treat yourself to something nice from Cozy Earth . And, as an added treat, when you use the coupon code JANELLE, you'll get 20% off your order!