She said she was healing. Her friend said she was freeloading.

This week’s confession comes from someone who moved into her friend’s guest room after a messy breakup—and didn’t leave. Six months, zero rent, and a whole lot of unspoken tension later, her friend changed the Wi-Fi password and handed her a formal three-day notice.

Yikes.

In this Patch Job, we break it down: the slippery slope from houseguest to headache, why real apologies matter, and how to make an exit you can be proud of. With wisdom (and some tough love) from our True Home Confessions community, we talk about boundaries, gratitude, and how to move on—literally.

One confession. A few fixes. That’s the patch.

HOME IMPROVEMENT PRO & HOST: Laurie March

https://www.instagram.com/laurie_march/

Follow us on Social & Contribute to the Next Patch:

Substack: https://truehomeconfessions.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/truehomeconfessions/

https://www.truehomeconfessions.com

Call the Confession Line and Leave A Confession or Leave Some Advice for a Caller: 323-716-2107. By leaving a message, you grant the True Home Confessions show permission to use your audio message.

Audio post production: Scott Ecklein Swayze

https://www.soundsbyswayze.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Renewal by Andersen

This episode is brought to you by Renewal by Andersen. So, if you need a window or door upgrade, here’s an offer: Buy One window or door and Get One 40% off - Plus an additional $200 off your entire purchase when you buy four or more. Special financing is available. Are you in? Give Renewal by Andersen a call at 844-290-2458. https://thcshow.co/Renewal Tell ‘em I sent you!

If you’ve ever looked around your space and thought “I cannot deal,” then opened Instagram and lost 45 minutes to fridge tours and color coordinated shelf bins, this episode is for you. Our confessor is buried in clutter, frozen by overwhelm, and frustrated that looking at other people’s perfectly organized homes isn’t making her feel any better. Honestly?

Relatable.

This week’s Patch Job offers a simple triage plan and some real-life encouragement—from me, and from the True Home Confessions community. You shared everything from ideas like body doubling and ten-minute timers to letting go of shame around mess. (Plus one chaotic idea about buying yourself something new every time you put something away??)

I’ll share the organizing systems that really helped me, the book I think you should start with, and why you should hold off on those cute containers—at least for now.

One confession. A few fixes. That’s the patch.

HOME IMPROVEMENT PRO & HOST: Laurie March

https://www.instagram.com/laurie_march/z

Follow us on Social & Contribute to the Next Patch:

Substack: https://truehomeconfessions.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/truehomeconfessions/

https://www.truehomeconfessions.com

Call the Confession Line and Leave A Confession: 323-716-2107. By leaving a message, you grant the True Home Confessions show permission to use your audio message.

Audio post production: Scott Ecklein Swayze

https://www.soundsbyswayze.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Renewal by Andersen

This episode is brought to you by Renewal by Andersen. So, if you need a window or door upgrade, here’s an offer: Buy One window or door and Get One 40% off - Plus an additional $200 off your entire purchase when you buy four or more. Special financing is available. Are you in? Give Renewal by Andersen a call at 844-290-2458. https://thcshow.co/Renewal Tell ‘em I sent you!

We’re taking a short break from full-length episodes while I sort through new confessions for Season Two—but in the meantime, welcome to Patch Job, a mini-series from True Home Confessions!

Each week on Patch Job, we share one anonymous home-related confession and patch it up with advice from real listeners (and a little help from me, Laurie March).

This week’s confession comes from a newly divorced dad, who is setting up a new home and wants to make it feel welcoming and safe for his four-year-old daughter. From fairy lights and fog machines, to favorite foods and chicken tender selfies - we’ve got ideas to help make this next chapter a cozy one.

One confession. A few fixes. That’s the patch.

HOME IMPROVEMENT PRO & HOST: Laurie March

https://www.instagram.com/laurie_march/z

Follow us on Social & Contribute to the Next Patch:

Substack: https://truehomeconfessions.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/truehomeconfessions/

https://www.truehomeconfessions.com

Call the Confession Line and Leave A Confession: 323-716-2107. By leaving a message, you grant the True Home Confessions show permission to use your audio message.

Audio post production: Scott Ecklein Swayze

https://www.soundsbyswayze.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Renewal by Andersen

This episode is brought to you by Renewal by Andersen. So, if you need a window or door upgrade, here’s an offer: Buy One window or door and Get One 40% off - Plus an additional $200 off your entire purchase when you buy four or more. Special financing is available. Are you in? Give Renewal by Andersen a call at 844-290-2458. https://thcshow.co/Renewal Tell ‘em I sent you!

Wrapping up Season One, we swoop in with one of our most hilarious episodes, chock full of relatable moments and comedy gold. Our confessor called to say that even though he lives in Los Angeles, he finds himself completely unprepared for earthquakes. Like - he has NOTHING. His final words are, "I feel like if the apocalypse hits, I'm just going to lay down and die... unless you have some suggestions."

Boy do we ever! In each episode, we bring on a 'Friend of the Show' - to offer our caller some friendly advice. We bring back crowd favorite Ryan Barton, who shares with us his 'meat of choice' for disaster, his silly ideas for what to barter in an emergency, and when you'll know you need to kick him out if he's taking up too many post-earthquake resources.

Next, we bring in an emergency preparedness instructor, Chin Thammasaengsri, member of Los Angeles's prestigious CERT team. We unpack the essentials of what goes in an earthquake kit, the most important thing you should have under your bed and on your nightstand, and the transformative power of community in the face of disaster. We find out if Chin thinks Ryan's advice was good, and you'll get a firsthand audio experience of what it sounds like to wake up in the middle of the night to an earthquake!

FRIEND OF THE SHOW: Ryan Barton

https://www.instagram.com/rrybrator

https://www.instagram.com/sellingfountainavenue/

Writer, comedian, UCB Main Stage performer, and creator of Selling Fountain Avenue

EXPERT: Chin Thammasaengsri

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ladisasterplan

HOME IMPROVEMENT PRO & HOST: Laurie March

https://www.instagram.com/laurie_march/

Follow us on Social:

Substack: https://truehomeconfessions.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/truehomeconfessions/

https://www.truehomeconfessions.com

Call the Confession Line and Leave A Confession: 323-716-2107. By leaving a message, you grant the True Home Confessions show permission to use your audio message.

Audio post production: Scott Ecklein Swayze

https://www.soundsbyswayze.com/

Consulting Producer: Jenny Curtis

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Renewal by Andersen

This episode is brought to you by Renewal by Andersen. So, if you need a window or door upgrade, here’s an offer: Buy One window or door and Get One 40% off - Plus an additional $200 off your entire purchase when you buy four or more. Special financing is available. Are you in? Give Renewal by Andersen a call at 844-290-2458. https://thcshow.co/Renewal Tell ‘em I sent you!

In this week's spicy episode of True Home Confessions, we hear from Will - a young man who's facing an awkward situation with his elderly neighbor. She's not shy about letting him know that she can hear him and his girlfriend getting busy in their thin-walled apartment! He's called in to tell us - she's cornered him in the garage to confront him, and Will doesn't know what to do. He doesn't want to make his (loud) girlfriend feel self conscious, but he's also ready to never hear about it again.

In each episode, we bring on a 'Friend of the Show' - to offer our caller some friendly advice. The fiery Laura Hayden returns to help us navigate this cringe-worthy situation, bringing some outlandish (and possibly illegal?) solutions, including bribery, alcohol, and a few ways to make it all so much worse.

Next, we bring in the 'King of Quiet' Martin Poirer, a soundproofing expert with a huge following. He shares practical (and not-so-practical) tips for how Will can reduce the noise and avoid further complaints from his neighbor. We also get an education on the difference between sound proofing and sound deadening, we learn what 'white' noise actually is, and discover a few of the other colors of noise you might not have known about.

FRIEND OF THE SHOW: Laura Hayden

https://www.instagram.com/drlaurahayden/

https://www.laurahayden.com/

Comedian and dangerously educated blonde in great shoes

EXPERT: Martin Poirer

https://www.youtube.com/@soundproofguide

https://soundproofguide.com/

From Martin: I'm Martin, a proud father of three and a power industry veteran for the past 23 years. By day, I'm immersed in testing protective equipment to ensure safety. But when the workday ends, I step into the world of YouTube as the creator of the Soundproof Guide channel. Each week, I share practical insights on soundproofing rooms, quieting vehicles, and testing products.

HOME IMPROVEMENT PRO & HOST: Laurie March

https://www.instagram.com/laurie_march/

Follow us on Social:

Substack: https://truehomeconfessions.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/truehomeconfessions/

https://www.truehomeconfessions.com

Call the Confession Line and Leave A Confession: 323-716-2107. By leaving a message, you grant the True Home Confessions show permission to use your audio message.

Audio post production: Scott Ecklein Swayze

https://www.soundsbyswayze.com/

What exactly do we owe our aging parents, if the relationship is strained?

In this episode, our caller opens up about her difficult relationship with her belligerent mother, who’s losing her independence due to health issues. Despite a few falls and mobility struggles, her mother refuses to consider other living options, like community housing or a condo with an elevator. Now, as our caller and her husband save for their first home, the idea of buying a duplex with her mother has come up. The thought of sharing her new home—and yard—with her mom is bringing up major anxiety, but she’s feeling stuck, with few good options.

In each episode, we bring on a 'Friend of the Show' - to offer our caller some friendly advice. We bring back LA based comedian Nikki Bon, to hash through some of this season's most hilarious advice yet. From a crazy new job that Nikki says Mom should do to pay for her care, to what our caller should do to keep Mom from annoying her during parties, Nikki is full of ideas on how to make this work - or not!!

Next, we bring in money expert and author, Shannah Game, to break down the pros and pitfalls of buying a home with your ailing parent. From the awkward money talks to estate planning, inheritance issues, and setting boundaries, Shannah shares essential tips for navigating it all. Plus, she reveals the professional support you’ll want to bring in to help make this tough decision.

We also talk about how many Americans who had an abusive, addicted, or neglectful parent - might be thinking about a decision like this - and how to navigate the complicated emotions that come up.

FRIEND OF THE SHOW: Nikki Bon

https://www.instagram.com/nikkibon/

https://www.youtube.com/c/NikkiBon

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whoa-dad/id1528899607

Nikki is an LA based comedian originally from Toronto.

EXPERT: Shannah Game

https://www.instagram.com/shannahgame/

https://everyonestalkinmoney.com/book/

Shannah Game is a Money Expert, Trauma of Money Specialist, author of Unraveling Your Relationship with Money, Creator of the Everyone’s Talkin’ Money podcast.

HOME IMPROVEMENT PRO & HOST: Laurie March

https://www.instagram.com/laurie_march/

Follow us on Social:

Substack: https://truehomeconfessions.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/truehomeconfessions/

https://www.truehomeconfessions.com

Call the Confession Line and Leave A Confession: 323-716-2107. By leaving a message, you grant the True Home Confessions show permission to use your audio message.

Audio post production: Scott Ecklein Swayze

https://www.soundsbyswayze.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Renewal by Andersen

This episode is brought to you by Renewal by Andersen. So, if you need a window or door upgrade, here’s an offer: Buy One window or door and Get One 40% off - Plus an additional $200 off your entire purchase when you buy four or more. Special financing is available. Are you in? Give Renewal by Andersen a call at 844-290-2458. https://thcshow.co/Renewal Tell ‘em I sent you!

Is It Possible to Recycle... TOO MUCH?

In this episode, we dive into the ups and downs of striving for a zero-waste lifestyle. Our confessor shares his journey from feeling empowered by small changes like shopping in bulk, going dairy-free, and embracing a more eco-friendly lifestyle - to becoming completely overwhelmed by the obsession with Zero-Waste perfection. After a family intervention, he questions: Is recycling real? And can one person even make a difference in today’s world of plastic?

In each episode, we bring on a 'Friend of the Show' - to offer our caller some friendly advice. We bring LA based comedian Nikki Bon to the studio to unpack this wild confession - including some of the eco-friendly behaviors Nikki won't do (even for the planet!) and the things she stands by - like 'if it's yellow, let it mellow' - and Nikki's new obsession with getting an apartment compost bin - with worms!

Next, we bring on our pro: Jonathan Levy, waste and recycling expert, to discuss the mental and emotional cost of living eco-consciously, navigating the challenges of trying to be perfect in an imperfect world. Jonathan shares his version of the "R's" of creating less waste - Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Rehome, Remanufacture, Recycle, Rot. We hear a story about the first 'plastic ban' in history, and the many childrens' deaths that were caused by one product.

How can we can truly make a sustainable impact, and find balance in eco-conscious living - while maintaining our emotional well-being in a consumer-driven society? And Jonathan answers our caller's painful question: Is Recycling Real?

FRIEND OF THE SHOW: Nikki Bon

https://www.instagram.com/nikkibon/

https://www.youtube.com/c/NikkiBon

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whoa-dad/id1528899607

Nikki is an LA based comedian originally from Toronto.

EXPERT: Jonathan Levy

https://www.instagram.com/zerowasteguy/

https://zerowastepro.com/

Jonathan Levy is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Zero Waste Pro, an environmental consultant company that helps municipalities, waste haulers, and businesses implement waste reduction strategies to comply with California's complex regulatory climate. As and independent consulting firm, Zero Waste Pro provides customer-tailored solutions that are best for its clients.

HOME IMPROVEMENT PRO & HOST: Laurie March

https://www.instagram.com/laurie_march/

Follow us on Social:

Substack: https://truehomeconfessions.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/truehomeconfessions/

https://www.truehomeconfessions.com

Call the Confession Line and Leave A Confession: 323-716-2107. By leaving a message, you grant the True Home Confessions show permission to use your audio message.

Audio post production: Scott Ecklein Swayze

https://www.soundsbyswayze.com/

(00:04) Anonymous Caller - dangerously obsessed with Zero Waste lifestyle

(05:05) Comedian Nikki Bon sounds off on our Caller's wild life

(10:32) Things Nikki Bon Would or Wouldn't Do for the Planet

(17:24) Rethinking Waste with Expert Jonathan Levy

(24:44) The Blame Game - A Sobering Story

(30:42) Challenges of Recycling and Consumption

(36:16) Mindful Consumerism and Convenience Culture

(40:52) Community Engagement and Sustainable Choices

(49:49) Roundup of tips from Nikki, Jonathan, and Laurie for YOU

Mentioned in this episode:

Brought to you by Renewal by Andersen

This episode is brought to you by Renewal by Andersen. So, if you need a window or door upgrade, here’s an offer: Buy One window or door and Get One 40% off - Plus an additional $200 off your entire purchase when you buy four or more. Special...

What happens when your mom’s love language is gift-giving—but you’re drowning in things you don’t want? In this episode, we explore a common struggle: how to navigate family dynamics when your minimalist lifestyle clashes with parents' well-meaning gifting habits. Today’s confessor lives in a tiny apartment, follows a minimalist lifestyle, and loves simplicity… but her mom insists on buying her expensive, not-her-style clothes—and refuses to let her get rid of them. Even worse? Mom checks to make sure they’re still there.

Why do some parents express love through material things? And how do you set boundaries with parents without ruining your relationship?

In each episode, we bring on a 'Friend of the Show' - to offer our caller some friendly advice. Coauthor of the Substack 'How To Be Less Old' and owner of The Montage Queen, Deanna Cheng joins us in the studio to talk through this problem that sounds like a dream to some of us - too many gifts! Deanna has thoughts on how to handle unwanted gifts, and on how our confessor might manage her stubborn Mama.

Next: we bring on our expert, Lori Gottlieb, Therapist and New York Times bestselling author of 'Maybe You Should Talk to Someone.' We determine if our caller should be taking Deanna's friendly advice, and hear a powerful strategy from Lori for dealing with people you love who aren't listening to your wishes. Lori and host Laurie March dig down into this relationship, and Lori shares the impact of disrespectful gifts, and how to appreciate support while maintaining independence. Who doesn't need some Lori Gottlieb advice?

FRIEND OF THE SHOW: Deanna Cheng

https://howtobelessold.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/deannamcheng/

https://www.themontagequeen.com/

Deanna Cheng is an actor, writer and director. She's been seen on Black Monday, GLOW, Bajillion Dollar Properties, and as guidance counselor Ms Fleming in the reboot of Heathers. Deanna co-created Comedy Central's digital series UNSEND with Matt McConkey and Paul Scheer, hosted by Patti Harrison and Joel Kim Booster. She also directed the solo show, HOMEBREW, which was featured at Edinburgh Fringe festival.

Deanna is the owner of The Montage Queen, a boutique montage company that curates unforgettable videos that you’ll revisit for years to come.

EXPERT: Lori Gottlieb

https://lorigottlieb.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lorigottlieb_author/

Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, which has sold over two million copies and is currently being adapted as a television series. In addition to her clinical practice, she is co-host of the popular “Dear Therapists” podcast produced by Katie Couric and writes The Atlantic’s “Dear Therapist” advice column. She is a sought-after expert in media such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, CNN, and NPR’s “Fresh Air” and her TED Talk was one of the Top 10 Most Watched of the Year. Learn more at LoriGottlieb.com or by following her on Instagram @lorigottlieb_author and Twitter @LoriGottlieb1

HOST: Laurie March

https://www.instagram.com/laurie_march/

Follow us on Social:

Substack: https://truehomeconfessions.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/truehomeconfessions/

https://www.truehomeconfessions.com

Call the Confession Line and Leave A Confession: 323-716-2107. By leaving a message, you grant the True Home Confessions show permission to use your audio message.

Audio post production: Scott Ecklein Swayze

https://www.soundsbyswayze.com/

(00:03) CONFESSION: Gift Giving Dilemma

Marina struggles with her mother's expensive gifts, feeling misunderstood and guilty, as she's a minimalist.

(09:11) FRIENDLY ADVICE:...