Parenting Hell Podcast #3

[180922]

Totally agree with the majority of comments here. Too frequently he dismisses Josh, or says "we'll talk about your story on the next episode" which inevitably doesn't happen because Rob's back talking about himself or his week. I guess it's just two different personalities.

I think its pretty obvious Rob doesn't 'get' the dynamic of Josh & Rose's relationship either, and perhaps feels Josh is a bit henpecked ...which I agree with to a certain extent based on what's been previously said. (Like I feel it's bizarre to make interior or structural decisions on your shared home without having those conversations with your partner.)

I still enjoy the pod but thought this latest episode, and a lot of your comments, highlight how I feel when I listen too.

 

[nym3ria]

I don’t know, my other half went out day drinking and got sent a picture of half the living room repainted…

structural decisions I’d feel bad without at least a consultation

 

[SwishSwing]

Totally agree with the majority of comments here. Too frequently he dismisses Josh, or says "we'll talk about your story on the next episode" which inevitably doesn't happen because Rob's back talking about himself or his week. I guess it's just two different personalities.

I think its pretty obvious Rob doesn't 'get' the dynamic of Josh & Rose's relationship either, and perhaps feels Josh is a bit henpecked ...which I agree with to a certain extent based on what's been previously said. (Like I feel it's bizarre to make interior or structural decisions on your shared home without having those conversations with your partner.)

I still enjoy the pod but thought this latest episode, and a lot of your comments, highlight how I feel when I listen too.

I haven't listened to the pod yet, and as an avid Rob Beckett apologist I'm a little wary of going in and knowing he's going to be annoying haha.

But just wanted to say I totally agree re each couples dynamic and it being different.

I think Rob and Lou have the stereotypical mum taking on more of the "home" mental load and he goes out and works and makes the "big" decisions, like he'll have watched his folks do.

Josh and Rose feel a bit more modern and partnershippy (not that the Becketts aren't), and a bit more they don't mind what the other does because it works for them. The house is her project and Josh is so casual about it (ironic given he stresses about a lot of other things) because he doesn't mind what happens.

It's funny because my parents have a bit of a traditional dynamic; my mum doesn't work and my dad goes away TO work. But he'll go away and she'll make decisions about the house and garden without him and his attitude is "as long as you're mother is happy I'm happy" kind of thing.

Every couple is so wonderfully different but I think sometimes we can see a couple so polar opposites to us we go "well that's not what we do so that's weird" kind of thing? I fear Rob may fall into that camp.

Or I could be all wrong and just don't get the humour he's trying to portray about them

 

[squeeze1]

Rob is definitely the more straightforward, stupid nickname, take the piss out of what you are wearing, stag do humour guy.

Not a bad thing & obviously more to him but that’s his role.

Josh is the quieter, bookish, more intellectual guy. Likewise not always but yeah.

We all recognise them from school.

As a two on a podcast, of course Rob will be louder.

The dynamic works but yeah sometimes you just want to hear Josh more.

 

[Affiliatemebaby]

I haven’t listened yet but in general I think they both look to get material and humour out of the differences between them, and Josh often acts as the straight guy when Rob is off on one. They both seem happy with this dynamic (and it’s making them both very successful) so I never listen thinking that Josh takes any of this personally.

 

[Heyholetsgo]

I don't mind either of them but also I'm not too fussed on missing an episode either. I feel like the guests have been lacking a bit and the last one I really enjoyed was Gabrielle! Hopefully they'll get some better guests on after the summer, or do another one of Michael looking after his niece - that was great!

 

[Heyholetsgo]

Haven't listened to today's but I like Frank Skinner, I think he's an older Dad so would be interested to hear his take on things!

 

[CaptainHolt]

I enjoyed today's pod. Like Josh I've been a huge fan of Frank Skinner since I was a teenager think I was about 14 when I first saw his stand-up on late night Channel 4.

I think this one was more comedian to comedian chat heavy, I don't think Rob gelled with him as much as Josh did (Rob did a lot of long rambling questions).

I was shocked to hear he's 67. Logically it makes sense, but I just always assumed he was in his 50s!

 

[Queenofthesea]

There was a point where Josh said “shall I tell you about my euros weekend” and Rob flat out ignored him and spoke over him. I really think Rob is hilarious but he definitely tries to dominate sometimes which is grating.

When they have guests, Rob often jumps in and basically paraphrases what the guest has already said. Sometimes he’ll add a (crap) psycho-analysis or try to explain how the guest feels for them. I think he wants to appear intelligent but it comes across rude. Josh is the better listener.

I still love the podcast, it’s my favourite but just some observations.

I so agree about Rob and his psycho-analysis, I don't usually listen to the guest episodes but have been lately and he is driving me crazy. I think he is insecure and trying to seem something he isn't, I'd rather he was just himself.

 

[Heyholetsgo]

He said he does a bit of therapy doesn't he so it's probably just feeding into his everyday life!

 

[CaptainHolt]

I've been having thoughts (feel free to ignore) and I'm projecting wildly so take it as you will!

Rob's just been diagnosed with dyslexia, he suspects he has ADHD (doesn't appear to want to get tested from me reading between the lines). This can really open up a lot of feelings in regards to the realisation you're not "just stupid" or "a bit much" you do a lot of self reflection and you can feel almost like you're grieving for the person (specifically the child) you previously were who was constantly made to feel less than your peers. It's hard to explain, but I went through the same and so much of your life suddenly becomes clear but also you get a bit cross that it was never your fault but you were constantly labelled "the naughty one", "the disruptive one", "must try harder" etc etc.

He's possibly going through a bit of a manic phase at the moment - he reminds me a lot of myself sometimes when I listen /see him on tele. I think it's similar to when Josh was depressed/getting sober. I think in a month or so he'll look back and maybe think "oh I was a bit much back then" but in the midst of it he's probably unaware. I reckon Josh, as a good friend of his, is his safe space to unleash on. Josh appears to take it in good humour.

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

I've been having thoughts (feel free to ignore) and I'm projecting wildly so take it as you will!

Rob's just been diagnosed with dyslexia, he suspects he has ADHD (doesn't appear to want to get tested from me reading between the lines). This can really open up a lot of feelings in regards to the realisation you're not "just stupid" or "a bit much" you do a lot of self reflection and you can feel almost like you're grieving for the person (specifically the child) you previously were who was constantly made to feel less than your peers. It's hard to explain, but I went through the same and so much of your life suddenly becomes clear but also you get a bit cross that it was never your fault but you were constantly labelled "the naughty one", "the disruptive one", "must try harder" etc etc.

He's possibly going through a bit of a manic phase at the moment - he reminds me a lot of myself sometimes when I listen /see him on tele. I think it's similar to when Josh was depressed/getting sober. I think in a month or so he'll look back and maybe think "oh I was a bit much back then" but in the midst of it he's probably unaware. I reckon Josh, as a good friend of his, is his safe space to unleash on. Josh appears to take it in good humour.

I agree with this. I thought similar when he read out that poem he wrote as a kid about people telling him he couldn't do certain things. I think he wants it to look like the diagnosis hasn't bothered him, but I think something like that will explain so much from the past that it's impossible for it not to affect you in some way.

 

[Affiliatemebaby]

It must have been very painful to be unable to help his small children with their homework. And I think he said didn’t he that in his assessment he burst into floods of tears as soon as he was asked to answer a question. A lot of unhappiness to unpick.

 

[TravellingPants]

He’s also created his career out of his defence mechanism. There’s a lot going on there, but a podcast where you’re interviewing guests is probably not a great substitute for therapy.

 

[frillylilly]

Just to clarify, I don’t think Rob is a bad guy at all, far from it. Just that once you notice some of his habits they can be jarring - I think most of it comes from a good place and the rest of it is simply the byproduct of being someone who likes performing/attention

 

[Maci77]

Just to clarify, I don’t think Rob is a bad guy at all, far from it. Just that once you notice some of his habits they can be jarring - I think most of it comes from a good place and the rest of it is simply the byproduct of being someone who likes performing/attention

I totally agree with this. He’s not a bad guy at all.

Just wanted to add that likewise, I’m in agreement with everyone. I wrote a few pages back my thoughts on Rob interrupting, analysing and paraphrasing guests etc. I stand by my observations, but I didn’t think about the fact he’s coming to terms with his dyslexia diagnosis and possible ADHD.
I know when I was diagnosed with a mental health condition officially it took me a long while to come to terms with it and accept it, and I acted manic and out of character for a long while. So maybe I should have been a bit more empathetic.

Rob & Josh are the strangest most unlikely pairing that strangely work together. It seems like their friendship is deeper than just making a podcast to make money which is nice to see.

 

[CaptainHolt]

I wasn't insinuating anyone thought he was a bad guy, by the way

 

[Aussie]

Being nosey, but I wonder where Lou is working now!

 

[Maci77]

Being nosey, but I wonder where Lou is working now!

He mentioned at the beginning of the year she was doing some kind of fashion course. I think he said she wanted to make handbags but I might be mis-remembering. I think she's also a qualified teacher too, so it could be that. Just speculating.

 

[N0sey.P4rker]

Josh's stand up was on Sky last night. First time I've ever watched one of his stand ups - he was very funny. But I couldn't get over how different his voice was!