Heavy Meddle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Heavy Meddle

Goodbye To All That Meddling

Heavy Meddle: Struggling With The Sins Of The Father

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heavy Meddle: I Have Herpes And An Open Relationship

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heavy Meddle: How To Help A Friend With Dementia?

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

Sections

Radio

Podcasts

CitySpace

Support

Subscribe to our weekday newsletter

Goodbye To All That Meddling

Heavy Meddle: Struggling With The Sins Of The Father

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heavy Meddle: I Have Herpes And An Open Relationship

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heavy Meddle: How To Help A Friend With Dementia?

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