May's Book of the Month... is a Podcast

I can't help it. Even though I have a list of books to share with you, the resource I'm SO excited about this month is... a podcast. Yup - it's month two and I'm already changing all the rules. I promise you this will be worth it.

"Dear Sugar Radio" is billed as an advice column "for the lost, lonely and heartsick", and though many of the letters they answer do centre around relationships, I have to say it's much deeper and much broader than I expected. The first episode I listened to was on mothering and guilt, and as I sat in the car crying (with my partner beside me looking helpless and concerned), I thought - yes. This is the podcast I need to need to hear right now. I've been listening to it non-stop since.

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There's an episode on mother loss by choice that I think is really important for a lot of folks out there who are feeling alone right now. Another on "messy relationships" that I'm pretty sure we all can relate to in one way or another. They tackle conflicts like what to do when you want kids and your partner doesn't (or vice versa) and how to handle it when the relationship you're in is great except for one important thing.

It's amazing that a lot of the advice comes back to seemingly simple encouragement like "it's okay to set boundaries - talk to your partner" and "don't try to figure this relationship conflict out on your own - talk to you partner", but rest assured, the podcast itself is neither obvious nor simple. The detailed, often heartbreaking letters show the complexity of the people writing, and the responses honor that complexity.

I'd love to hear it if there was an episode that spoke to you, or advice that stood out - please let me know in the comments.

For all you die-hard book fans out there, the written version of this is "Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Life and Love from Dear Sugar" by Cheryl Strayed. Enjoy.