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Heavy Meddle

Heavy Meddle with Steve Almond was WBUR's advice column. The series ran from 2013 to 2017.

After 231 editions of Heavy Meddle, Steve Almond is hanging up his spurs as Cognoscenti’s resident advice columnist.
(Amine Rock Hoovr/Unsplash)

Goodbye To All That Meddling

After 231 editions of Heavy Meddle, Steve Almond is hanging up his spurs as Cognoscenti’s resident advice columnist.

Oct 23, 2017

A daughter wants her father to be honest with her about his history as a sexual harrasser. (Erik Witsoe/Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: Struggling With The Sins Of The Father

A daughter wants her father to be honest with her about his history as a sexual harasser.

Oct 9, 2017

The problem is, she invited them in and they have no intention of leaving. (Anouk Van Houts/Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: I Want The Neighbor Kids Out Of My House

The problem is, she invited them in and they have no intention of leaving.

Oct 2, 2017

A special ed instructor battles to grant herself the right to leave a toxic workplace. (JJ Thompson/ Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: I Just Got A New Teaching Job And Now I Want Out

A special ed instructor battles to grant herself the right to leave a toxic workplace.

Sep 25, 2017

An allegation of molestation becomes the dividing line for a family.
(Watari/Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: In Trying To Protect My Niece, I Lost My Only Sister

An allegation of molestation becomes the dividing line for a family.

Sep 18, 2017

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The problem is people assume “retired” means “available for every activity.” (Giulia Bertelli/Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: A Newly Minted Retiree Just Wants To Be Alone

The problem is people assume “retired” means “available for every activity.”

Sep 11, 2017

A woman holds a banner during a demonstration in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. (Thibault Camus/ AP)

I Was Offered The Chance To Denounce Trump — And Chickened Out

Fears of “sounding stupid” trumped the letter writer’s desire to take a stand.

Sep 4, 2017

A bride-to-be finds herself weeping when she thinks about tying the knot without her loved ones beside her. (Celia Michon/ Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: The Agony Of Planning My Wedding Without The People Who Raised Me

A bride-to-be finds herself weeping when she thinks about tying the knot without her loved ones beside her.

Aug 28, 2017

(Jerry Kiesewetter/ Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: How Do I Move To A New City But Hang Onto My Old Relationships?

Is there some sort of magic spreadsheet that will do the trick?

Aug 21, 2017

I’m okay with not being a bridesmaid. But should I throw a bridal shower anyway? Whose job is that? (Tamara Menzi/ Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: What's My Role At My Brother's Wedding?

I’m OK with not being a bridesmaid. But should I throw a bridal shower anyway? Whose job is that?

Aug 14, 2017

A letter writer contemplates the mindset of those who willfully trash what others seek to beautify. (Valentina Locatelli/ Unsplash)

What Kind Of Person Would Steal Books From A Little Free Library?

A letter writer contemplates the mindset of those who willfully trash what others seek to beautify.

Aug 7, 2017

A letter writer struggles with the ethics of what to disclose and when. (Elizabeth Tsung /Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: I Have Herpes And An Open Relationship

A letter writer struggles with the ethics of what to disclose and when.

Jul 31, 2017

A mother worries that she’s worrying too much about her son, and the bad decisions he might make. (Ben White/Unsplah)

Heavy Meddle: My Son Is On The Spectrum And Headed For College. I’m Freaking Out

A mother worries that she’s worrying too much about her son and the bad decisions he might make.

Jul 24, 2017

I feel deserted by her, but I also want to be able to lend support. (Gemma Evans/ Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: My Cousin Abandoned Me. Now She Has Cancer. What Do I Do?

I feel deserted by her, but I also want to be able to lend support.

Jul 17, 2017

A sister worries that if she doesn’t intervene, her brother may give up on life. (Ian Espinosa/ Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: My Jerk Brother Is In Crisis; Should I Reach Out To Him?

A sister worries that if she doesn’t intervene, her brother may give up on life.

Jul 10, 2017

More than five years in, a woman is starting to feel that she’s the only one working in the relationship. (David Goldman/ AP)

Heavy Meddle: My Boyfriend Is Drifting Through Grad School With No End In Sight

More than five years in, a woman is starting to feel that she’s the only one working in the relationship.

Jul 3, 2017

She’s great with her grandkids, but kind of a mess. How do we deal with her? (Luisa Rusche/ Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: Help! My Mother-In-Law Acts Like A Teenager!

She’s great with her grandkids, but kind of a mess. How do we deal with her?

Jun 26, 2017

Her aunt lost two partners in less than two years and wound up ostracized by her family. (Ben White/ Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: My Grieving Aunt Is A Pariah, Should I Reach Out To Her?

Her aunt lost two partners in less than two years and wound up ostracized by her family.

Jun 19, 2017

A couple senses their good friend is suffering cognitive decline, but they’re not sure when and if to say something.
(Fabrizio Verrecchia/ Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: How To Help A Friend With Dementia?

A couple senses their good friend is suffering cognitive decline, but they’re not sure when and if to say something.

Jun 12, 2017

(Daniel Lee/ Unsplash)

Heavy Meddle: How Do I Deal With An Emotionally Abusive Brother?

A loving sister finally reaches her limit with the brother she’s long supported.

Jun 5, 2017