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Dear Diary, My Husband Is an Asshole | Wrong Way Forward

Eight years of marriage. One secret Google Doc. An entire marriage's worth of grievances. What could possibly go wrong?

This week on Wrong Way Forward, Katy and Justin dive into a New York Times ethics dilemma involving a woman who has spent years documenting her arguments with her husband—only to discover that he secretly went through her phone and read every last word.

Now he's furious, she's devastated, and their marriage counselor probably needs a vacation.

Katy sees a massive invasion of privacy and a husband waving enough red flags to start his own parade. Justin isn't defending the snooping, but he has a question: If your spouse keeps an eight-year record of everything you've done wrong, is that therapy—or ammunition?

Naturally, the disagreement gets personal, with Justin threatening to start his own “Katy's an Asshole” journal.

Then the conversation turns to a listener's advice about handling childhood bullying, including why Justin might be the world's most overprotective parent despite not having children.

Finally, Katy and Justin take an unexpected detour into ancient philosophy, exploring Ryan Holiday's interpretation of Stoic wisdom from Marcus Aurelius and Seneca. Can we stop complaining, let go of things we can't control, and quit obsessing over what other people think?

For two people who have just spent half an episode judging a stranger's marriage, it's a particularly ambitious goal.

This week: Secret journals. Marital warfare. Helicopter parenting. Ancient philosophers. And two best friends who could probably benefit from a little Stoicism themselves.

New episodes every Thursday. Subscribe to Wrong Way Forward wherever you listen to podcasts.