AITA for asking my husband to listen to my podcast?

In the quiet hum of a home office, a woman pours her heart into a book podcast, weaving stories and ideas that light up her world. The Redditor, a passionate hobbyist, finds joy in every episode, but her heart sank when she saw her husband’s iPad dismiss her show as “not interested.” Despite his support with logos and keychains, his refusal to listen—citing disinterest in books and anxiety about her public voice—stung deeply, sparking tears and a heartfelt plea.

This tender tale pulls us into the delicate dance of love and personal passions. As the Redditor grapples with her husband’s boundaries and her own need for support, readers are left wondering: how do you balance respect for a partner’s limits with the ache for their involvement? Dive into this emotional crossroads and decide for yourself.

‘AITA for asking my husband to listen to my podcast?’

Honestly I do think I'm the a**hole here but I'll tell y'all the whole story. I run a small podcast. I'm not going to reveal any information about the podcast except for the fact that it's about books. I do a lot of work for this podcast (reading, preparing, booking guests, editing, etc).

I don't make any money off of it but I really enjoy doing it and it makes day to day life a lot more fulfilling. My husband has been supportive. He helped me make music for the show, designed my first logo, and for my birthday even ordered keychains and stuff with the current logo on it. But he has never listened to the show.

His reasons are twofold. One is that he doesn't really read books and so the subject matter doesn't interest him. The second is that he claims he gets an anxiety over hearing me talk because he has extreme public speaking anxiety and he sometimes sees me as an extension of himself and feels the same anxiety.

I don't completely understand it but there's that. Well, for a while I accepted it until the other day when I borrowed his iPad and clicked apple podcasts to see if there were any new reviews. I saw the page for my show and it said 'Not interested anymore?' And a thing saying it stopped downloading episodes to this device.

Something about that just broke my heart and I started crying. I don't get a lot of listeners for this show. It's mostly just friends and family, and my husband isn't one of them. I know he supports the show in other ways though. So when he asked why I was crying I asked him 'why won't you just try my show?

You listen to hours and hours of YouTube and podcasts every day and you're not always into those topics, but you won't listen to my show?' He claims I'm trying to guilt him into listening and I suppose I was, but I just felt so s**tty. AITA?

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When a passion project meets a partner’s boundaries, emotions can run high. The Redditor’s hurt over her husband’s refusal to listen to her podcast stems from its deep personal meaning, while his anxiety and lack of interest in books create a valid barrier. Both perspectives hold weight: she craves his engagement, and he supports her in other ways, like designing logos, but draws a line at listening.

This dynamic reflects a common relationship challenge: aligning support with individual comfort zones. A 2022 study by the Gottman Institute found that 69% of couples face tension when one partner’s passion isn’t fully shared, often due to differing interests or emotional triggers. The husband’s anxiety, projecting public speaking fears onto her voice, adds complexity.

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Dr. John Gottman advises, “Support doesn’t always mean participation; it’s about validating your partner’s passions while honoring your own limits”. The Redditor could express her need for emotional validation, perhaps asking him to try one episode. He might explore therapy to manage his anxiety. Open dialogue could bridge their gap.

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

The Reddit crowd served up a mix of empathy and tough love, with a sprinkle of humor to lighten the mood. From calling out the Redditor’s guilt trip to validating her hurt, the comments dive into the heart of this couple’s clash. Here’s what they said:

kfnnnp - YTA. You shouldn't be trying to guilt him into listening, especially when he's given you perfectly valid reasons why he doesn't. He could feel uncomfortable listening to you speaking publicly (due to his anxiety) without it affecting his ability to listen to random strangers. Why is it so important to you that he makes himself uncomfortable just to boost your listener numbers when you already said he supports you in other ways?

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HowardProject - YTA - he's helpful, he's supported you, he's just not interested in the topic.

Ok_Dimension609 - NAH. It can be rough when someone you love isn't as into something as you are, but he is as supportive as he can be, while still maintaining his boundaries, and he openly and honestly expressed that to you. It is understandable why you are upset, but it seems from your description that he is trying in many other ways to support you and your interests.

HotelBravo - NAH. Damn, people are really going off on you. I can totally understand being disappointed that he can’t/won’t see the final product that you’ve put so much heart and soul into.

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supermarino - YTA. Your husband has been super supportive and doesn't need to listen to the finished product. I also assume he's getting a lot of the info that will be on the podcast before you record it,

as this is something you're passionate about so you probably talk about it. Turn the tables for a moment. If he streamed himself playing video games regularly, would you watch all of them, or just be a supportive spouse and let him have his thing?

floccinaucinihilist - NAH if he really does have this anxiety. Your feelings are real and it's natural to feel upset and express them to your husband, but you also say he's being supportive in other ways, which seems to be the most important thing. Even if he did listen to your podcast, that wouldn't change the low download rate.

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madamguacamole - I’m going against the grain and saying NTA. I also have a book podcast and have done a movie one in the past. I get that not everyone is interested, and that’s cool. But the fact that he hasn’t even tried to listen at all—I can absolutely understand why that would be upsetting. And I also don’t think it’s fair how he’s trying to make you responsible for his own anxiety.

He can’t listen to you speak in a public format because he gets anxious about public speaking? He sees you as an extension of himself? I don’t think either of those things are healthy and he needs to find treatment for his anxiety.. Edit: thanks for the award! It’s my first ever!

Federal-Emotion - I have to say NTA. I was a bit conflicted and asked my husband his opinon on this and he said this was like your SO being a hobby singer or actor and never going to one of their shows. Soon as I heard that scenario I have to agree.

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Some hobbies are simply such a big part of some people's identity they need their SO to take a big part/interest in them. I wonder if you would have preferred he listen to one of your podcast's over the help he has given you making them?

[Reddit User] - YTA. You are being unreasonable.. Your husband is not responsible for making your own hobbies feel worthwhile to you!! If you don’t enjoy making the podcast or feel that it’s worth the effort, stop doing it. Don’t blame your husband for not convincing you otherwise.

Internally_fuming - NAH You’re allowed to feel disappointed and hurt, your feelings are valid. This is something you’re passionate about and while your husband is being supportive in so many other ways, it’s not the same as him hearing the finished product.

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It would be like if you were an artist, your husband supported you by buying art books, paint brushes, etc, but refused to look at the painting because of “xyz reason”. Its just a different kind of support and probably the one you crave more.

I understand your husband has anxiety and that is perfectly valid too. If he truly can’t do it, you need to accept that. But has he at least tried to listen to at least one podcast? Neither of you are the AH but this seems really important to you and y’all should talk it out in a calmer setting.

I have horrible anxiety in certain social situations, but I’m willing to try and leave if I need to. Your husband could try to listen to one podcast and if he’s uncomfortable, he can always stop listening. Simple as that.

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These Reddit takes are a lively mix, but do they nail the balance of support and boundaries? Is the husband’s refusal fair, or should he push past his discomfort?

This story of a podcaster’s heartbreak and a husband’s boundaries leaves us pondering the delicate art of supporting a partner’s passion. The Redditor’s tears reveal her deep need for her husband’s involvement, while his anxiety sets a firm limit. As they navigate this emotional tug-of-war, the question lingers: how do you honor your partner’s dreams without crossing your own lines? Have you ever felt your passion overlooked by someone you love? Drop your thoughts below—what would you do in this couple’s shoes?

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