Ask Ursula: My wife says it’s her or ‘The Gee and Ursula Show.’ What should I do?

I’m Ursula Reutin, one of the co-hosts of “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio.

Welcome to today’s edition of Ask Ursula, my advice column on MyNorthwest.

Hello. Hola !

I live in Valencia, a beautiful city in the Mediterranean coast of Spain, but instead of listening to local news, I prefer to listen to news broadcasts from other countries and news podcasts in different languages.

It helps me to improve my English, and I also think it’s useful to know the problems and points of view of people who live far away from me. Just the same as listening to people with different ideologies, or who are of a different generation.

The problem is that my wife doesn’t speak English at all, and she gets mad at me. She says I should listen to a podcast she could understand too!

Last time she said: One day, you are going to choose between Gee & Ursula, or me !!!

What should I do?

Signed,

Santiago

Dear Santiago, first of all, I LOVE that you wrote to us from Spain!!

We have listeners who tune in to “The Gee and Ursula Show” from all over the country, and even from other parts of the world. We’re genuinely honored that people who don’t live here will still seek out our podcasts, and I’m thrilled that you’re using the show to improve your English and hear different points of view.

But Santiago, “The Gee and Ursula Show” is all about HELPING relationships. We do NOT want to be responsible for breaking up a marriage in Spain!

And since you listen to the show, you know I believe that when it comes to any partnership, communication and compromise are key.

So the first thing I would do is make sure your wife knows you heard her loud and clear. Even if you were distracted listening to us, she needs to know that you understand what she’s really saying: she wants that time with you in the car to feel shared.

You can absolutely keep listening to us on the KIRO Newsradio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Just don’t make your wife listen along when she can’t understand a word we’re saying.

When the two of you are together, find a podcast you can both understand and enjoy.

And here’s another suggestion: steal ideas from us!

When we talk about marriage, money, family, work, friendships, annoying habits. Ask your wife what SHE thinks. You may end up turning “The Gee and Ursula Show” into a conversation starter instead of the thing that’s driving her crazy.

Again, I think it’s incredibly cool that you listen to us from Spain. But it’s not fair to expect your wife to sit there listening to something she can’t understand just so you can get your daily Gee and Ursula fix.

Don’t choose between your wife and us! Choose your wife. And then listen to us when she’s not around.

I promise you, we will not be offended.

With love,

Ursula

If you have a family or work dilemma, or you need advice after going through a major change, I’m here to help you! Send your question to me on MyNorthwest or email me directly at askursula@bonneville.com.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.

Follow @https://twitter.com/UrsulaKIROFM