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Asking for mental advice

Hey Brett, I have been listening for about a year. I would love your advice. I have had some extreme mental health issues. I had a anxiety attack at work yesterday, whays your advice for coping? I am only temporally out of work. Thanks, I look forward to every episode, -Isaiah ♥️

Asking for mental advice

Hey Brett, I have been listening for about a year. I would love your advice. I have had some extreme mental health issues. I had a anxiety attack at work yesterday, whays your advice for coping? I am only temporally out of work. Thanks, I look forward to every episode, -Isaiah ♥️

How Do You Handle Triggers and Stay Grounded?

Hi Brett! First of all—my husband and I saw your show in Miami (I’m the girl who shouted out the Machu Picchu question, btw lol), and it was incredible to see you live! I’ve been a fan since The Comment Section days, and watching you grow and build such a strong, authentic community over the years has meant so much. A bit about me: I came to the U.S. from Cuba in 2016 at age 16, after being raised by my mom and her partner (a woman and one of my favorite people in the world). Growing up, I felt different from my peers at times, but I was always surrounded by love. That changed when I moved here—I went through some pretty heavy stuff (domestic violence, food insecurity, harassment, etc.). Still, I pushed through, became an accountant, and recently married the love of my life after four years together. Now, in this more stable chapter, I sometimes catch myself reacting from a place of fear and lack, just because I lived in survival mode for so long. You’ve talked about recognizing emotional patterns and dealing with your past, especially in your relationship with Alex, which I really connected with. So here are my questions for you: 1. What do you remind yourself of on the days when you feel like you’re spiraling or stressing over things that don’t truly matter? 2. If you ever feel triggered or defensive around toxic situations or people, how do you stay grounded and keep your peace? 3. As a soon-to-be mom (congrats, btw!), what’s one trait you really hope to pass on to your child to help them develop secure attachment and self-love? P.S. Don’t forget my cookies 🍪💜

Dealing with an abusive/absent father and deciding wether to erase or keep his surname

Dear Brett, First of all, thank you for sharing parts of your difficult relationship with your father growing up. Even though our stories differ, I so much related to your feeling growing up of ‘needing to break the cycle’ , especially in a world where us girls with "daddy issues" are almost expected to be unable to grow a healthy relationship - while this was actually my drive make it happen. Seeing part of my story in yours, and how beautifully your life is flourishing has sparked hope in me- and I hope it will in many more people too! My parents divorced when I was a toddler due to violent circumstances and I’ve barely seen my father outside courtrooms. I have both my parents surnames but I’ve always only signed with my mother’s surname and this is also my ‘artist name’. Still, I’ve always hesitated to officially delete his surname, concerned I’d be disrespectful , or that I’d be erasing a part of my story, wether I like it or not. I have just gotten engaged to my college sweetheart, the most amazing man who has erased all the traces of cynicism towards marriage and relationships that I had earlier in my childhood! I have been struggling with the idea of substituting my father’s surname for my husband’s after we marry (my mother’s surname remaining as my artist name) but I still wonder if it would be wrong. Did you ever struggle with having your father’s surname, or anything like this while growing up? And would you have any advice that could help me make a decision? I’d love to hear your advice! Thank you, and wishing you all the very best on your beautiful growing family!

Your Maternity Leave Plans

Hi Brett, I'm very excited for your baby to get here. I'm wondering what your Maternity leave plan looks like? It’s extremely important that you as a new mom spend as much time with your newborn as possible so I'm curious, will you be prerecording content, having a guest host, or going radio silent, which selfishly is the option I like the least but would understand. You and Alex should do whatever you think is best. Thanks for reading this!

Expanding my Faith and Politics

Hi Brett, recently through watching your videos and exploring more conservative viewpoints I’ve found myself growing towards starting a relationship with Christ and looking into a more conservative viewpoint. Any advice on how to grow more confident in exploring the conservative way and my relationship with Christ. 🩷🙏

Fandom Homlessness

Hi Brett. I'm 23, and I'm struggling with fitting in anywhere. Like genuinely this has been a struggle my entire life, adult friendships only get harder. So I for example love comic book DC movies, the hunger games, and other franchises; DC most. But every time I express that, I find myself in a fandom where everyone is just...promoting insane liberal ideologies like transgenderism and abortion. I stand up for myself and I am an outcast. Frankly I'm the very thing anti-Semitic weirdos claim about Jewish people kicked out everywhere. I struggle to find any space, and I've been doing this for seven years. I thought I found one with like Rippaverse but the head of the wiki became and anti-Semitic asshole and while I wish him well in becoming better...I find myself losing this. Like..I'm all alone.

Ahhhh so glad to finally be here from the great area of Chattanooga!

Brett, I’m now 35 years old and am currently a traveling manger within the healthcare system. This isn’t a career that I feel any passion for which has led to a feeling of being a drift. I’ve begun growing my relationship with Jesus which has been the number one step for me. Unfortunately, at 35 starting a new career path seems a little late in life and is so terrifying! I’d love to start dog training and through that share my love of Jesus and finding my way away from the left. Any advice on making a major career move??

Motivated YET, Underestimated

Hey Brett! Mazel tov on your baby! I have been absolutley loving your new show(you are doing great! in my very not so humble opinion;) I wanted to ask if you have any advice for someone who isn't fantastic in terms of academics. I am mature(for my age), and know I will go far, but it bothers me when people undersestimate me because of my grades or what they see as lack of effort. I absolutely thrive in work environments, and in fact I have a real job and most people my age don't. Yet, I am still constantly being underestimated by my peers and teachers. This sometimes results in being put in classes far below my level, which unmotivates me further and I don't understand what I am doing wrong. Sorry this was so wordy-Thank you for your time and effort to inspire my generation! P.S. Whats your baby's gender?(You totally don't have to answer, just kinda sorta REALLY CURIOUS)(Sorry I'm not that mature:)

Any advice for an incoming conservative student at an Ivy League and college in general?

Hi Brett! I’m an 18 year old girl from Wisconsin heading to college next year. I’m deeply conservative and have become more conservative in the last two years or so, but I’m especially worried about what the college scene will look like. I feel like American universities are so far to the left nowadays that it’s impossible to be conservative on campus. On top of this, I’m actually attending Cornell University, so one of the most liberal colleges in the country. I fully plan to join the conservative/republican club there but I’m just unsure how I’ll fit in. I currently work at Starbucks (lol) so I’m used to being in environments where my opinions aren’t shared, but I feel like this is an entirely new level. So, I’m looking for any advice here - how do I not get berated, and how do I find my crowd at an Ivy? Should I just shut up? Thanks 🫶🏻

Thread

Hey Brett, If you are reading this please see the thread of responses between me and Byron under my other question.

Should I push or just let things work there way out ?

Let me start by saying Congratulations on bring a little brett into the world!.. Kids only have one problem, They grow up to fast... So here is my question if you wish to answer it.. Lets start out by saying I am 58 and love your opinions on life in general and if I had a daughter I would hope she would have some of your same thoughts, however I have a 21 year old son. So a bit of a background for a proper answer.. He is in a good College ( No protest crap that I know of) and has a job as well in his future field that he does like. Never been in trouble, Does not smoke anything, Does not like drinking at all.. And is usually the driver if he ever goes out. And that is where my question comes in, He does not have a girlfriend, He does not talk about girls at all, he even went to Itally for 40 days last summer with a bunch including 12 girls and nothing happened. I have asked and looked into that he is not gay. So with him being the case he is a great kid that calls me at least 5 times a week just to hang on the phone and talk I do not know how to bring up or push him to get going on a relationship. So should I , or should I just let it be what it is ? Any thoughts?>?

Should I push or just let things work there way out ?

So here is my question if you wish to answer it.. Lets start out by saying I am 58 and love your opinions on life in general and if I had a daughter I would hope she would have some of your same thoughts, however I have a 21 year old son. So a bit of a background for a proper answer.. He is in a good College ( No protest crap that I know of) and has a job as well in his future field that he does like. Never been in trouble, Does not smoke anything, Does not like drinking at all.. And is usually the driver if he ever goes out. And that is where my question comes in, He does not have a girlfriend, He does not talk about girls at all, he even went to Itally for 40 days last summer with a bunch including 12 girls and nothing happened. I have asked and looked into that he is not gay. So with him being the case he is a great kid that calls me at least 5 times a week just to hang on the phone and talk I do not know how to bring up or push him to get going on a relationship. So should I , or should I just let it be what it is ? Any thoughts?>?

How did you approach single life?

Hi Brett, I just joined Cooper Confidential this week. Really hoping to meet some cool people this way. I'm twenty-two, just graduated college, and living alone in California trying to make my way. As someone who longs to be a mother and wife, I enjoy my life now by pursuing a career, staying active, also lots of hobbies, but just feel like I'm helplessly waiting for my life to change by meeting the right guy to really get where I want to be in life. I know a lot of people meet their partner's in college, but that didn't happen to me. I want to keep putting myself out there but everything is so intimidating for a girl living on her own. What got you through your single life?

Dating advice

Hi brett! I met this guy who im interested in getting to know better (for context: im a senior, he just graduated). Im not sure how he feels about me but he’s shown interest in some of our conversations (without saying anything straight out). I want to message him and let him know im interested but I have no idea what to say since i dont know him very well. I dont want to sound too forward but I also dont want to beat around the bush/waste my time. Also congrats on the baby! You’ll be a fantastic mom!!

Birth Control?

Hi Brett! Congratulations on your pregnancy! When I was 20 I was about half way through my journalism degree and I got pregnant with an IUD. Discovering so, removing it and keeping the pregnancy was all traumatic. They are supposed to 99% effective, and sometimes I think im still not over the shock and subsequent endless internal exams. I’m turning 22 soon and happier than ever with my son. But I still feel conflicted on ever using birth control again, like it just wont work. Is abstinence the best play here? Especially when I desperately want to continue my education.

What would have changed your parents marriage?

Hi Brett, I listened to you talk about your parents marriage on the Iced Coffee Hour. In your opinion, what would have needed to change in your parents marriage for it to survive? My marriage sounds somewhat similar in that I am "too dominant" and my husband is "too sensitive" and I have been the breadwinner for our entire marriage (going on 6 years). When we got married there was an understanding that I would be able to stay home with the kids at some point after my husband finished grad school. Unfortunately, my husband has been in and out of school and can't seem to settle on a career path. He is also extremely sensitive to shame and gets defensive when I try to talk about his plans for the future. Counseling has helped me communicate my needs and be okay with those needs not being met, and I'm trying to stop comparing my relationship to others...but my ears always perk up when I hear of similar dynamics and would love to hear any musings you are willing to share, having watched your parents dynamic and navigated yourself to a better one.

How do I talk to people part 2

Howdy Mrs. Brett. It's me again with a similar question as before. I'm going to give a little better explanation as to why I'm asking this. I have a tendency to be very blunt and honest with folks and most folks, especially of the women variety, have a real problem with that and I usually scare them away unintentionally. I'm also very dark humored. I make jokes about race, disabilities, death, destruction, and even suicide. It's the way I grew up. As my Dad says," you can either laugh about it and move on, or cry and die early". With that mind set, I also have a belief system that I have been told on countless occasions died in the 1800s. Because of all of this, I have no friends. I never really cared for having friends or being around people in general, but as of the past couple years, I have decided that it would be nice to start a family, and it's pretty hard to do that when you don't know how to talk to people without scaring them away after they've gotten to know you more than a couple days. I'm generally a nice guy and don't talk much, but when I do, that's when people get scared away. So, how do I talk to people without being awkward, creepy, and completely honest, until they get to know me well enough to know the darker side of me is just for humor purposes? Hopefully you can make sense of my rambling

Is It Still Possible to Change the Future of Education?

Hi Brett, I'm a 26-year-old teacher from Mexico. I never wanted to become a teacher — in fact, I wanted to be anything but a teacher. But God or destiny had different plans for me, I guess. Now, I'm a teacher at an elementary school here in Mexico, and I love it. I've realized that kids are more complex than I thought. They face real problems, and social media, influencers, YouTubers, TikTok, and Instagram aren't helping at all to shape them into people with a better future with good values. I feel like parents don't care about education anymore. They see school more like a daycare. In other words, I feel that the relationship between parents and schools is broken. So I wanted to ask you: do you think it's a good idea to build an educational platform for kids and parents? The kids would have class-style videos, and the parents would have videos teaching them how to raise their children. The idea is still a work in progress, but I truly want a brighter future for the kids — and to restore the image of teachers. Here in Mexico, being a teacher is often seen as a failure (and we don’t get paid well either, hehe).

Is it bad to want to wait for kids?

Hey Brett! This question might be a little difficult to answer since you’re expecting, but it made me think. My wife and I got married in December, and since we live in a rather small apartment and sometimes have difficulty getting financial needs met even with both of us working, I’ve wanted to wait to have kids until things feel more steady for us. My wife is 23 and I’m 24 so thankfully her biological clock has many more years left . . . but despite that, sometimes I feel a little bit like the party pooper who always shuts her down about having kids right away (though I do want them). Mostly I’m just worried that I’ll still be saying “we should wait” even when finances and living space are no longer tight. Did you and Alex have any of the same worries or wonderings or am I just stressing too much about it?

Struggling With Fear About Motherhood Despite Wanting a Family

Hi Brett! A while back, you made an episode of The Comments Section titled “Gen Z is Intentionally Vilifying Motherhood” where you talked about the girl with “the list” and how it basically became a trend on social media to complain about pregnancy, motherhood, and kids in general. I related to that episode so much. I’d noticed the same thing — so much of the content online makes having kids look scary, miserable, or like the end of your life. Even though I’ve always dreamed of having a family, all that negativity started to get to me and made me question if I actually wanted kids, and if maybe all those voices were right. Now that I’m in a different stage of life and married, my husband and I know we want children — hopefully soon. But I still feel scared and unsure if I’ll ever truly feel “ready.” All that noise from our modern, anti-family culture still lingers in the back of my mind, and it’s hard not to internalize it. I’d love to hear your perspective: how did you know you were ready for this next chapter? Do you ever struggle with doubts or fears around motherhood, even though you know it’s something you want? What’s your advice for getting past that mental roadblock? Thank you for your advice — and congratulations on your growing family! I can’t wait to see your show in Atlanta!

How Do I Handle the Pain of Something Ending?

Hi Brett! It's me again, the 12-year-old girl who asked for help making friends. I now need help with something else. As you probably know, summer break is coming up and the school year is ending. My class this year was a mix of 7th and 8th graders, and the 8th graders are about to move on to high school. I’ll be in 8th grade next year, and I’ve been thinking a lot about how much of an impact the 8th graders made on me. They really brought life to the class with their kindness, wisdom, and sense of humor. This class is really special to me because I've had hard times with my 4th-6th grade years in DODEA where they taught woke stuff and I now go to a classical Christian school. I've been able to share my conservative values without being bullied for it. I was wondering if you have any advice. My questions really are, how can I bring the same kind of joy and leadership to the new 7th graders next year that the 8th graders brought to me? And, How can I make the most of these last days with the 8th graders before we say goodbye?

How Do I Handle the Pain of Something Ending?

Hi Brett! It's me again, the 12-year-old girl who asked for help making friends. I now need help with something else. As you probably know, summer break is coming up and the school year is ending. My class this year was a mix of 7th and 8th graders, and the 8th graders are about to move on to high school. I’ll be in 8th grade next year, and I’ve been thinking a lot about how much of an impact the 8th graders made on me. They really brought life to the class with their kindness, wisdom, and sense of humor. This class is really special to me because I've had hard times with my 4th-6th grade years in DODEA where they taught woke stuff and I now go to a classical Christian school. I've been able to share my conservative views without being bullied for it. I was wondering if you have any advice. My questions really are, how can I bring the same kind of joy and leadership to the new 7th graders next year that the 8th graders brought to me? And, How can I make the most of these last days with the 8th graders before we say goodbye?

Managing adulthood and the attainment of a stable career

Hi Brett, congratulations on the baby! Your videos have always been very inspiring not only in the sense that you have helped me build what I think is a more balanced perspective when looking at common issues among conservatives and those on the opposing side, but you have also been an outstanding example to the younger generation in your strengths and constant cheerful personality. That said, my question more so leans toward how do you style your routine and/or what did/do you do to maintain a healthy lifestyle as a young adult and what do you recommend for those of the younger generation (early adulthood) that struggle with issues like self-esteem and sort of the unknown where it concerns young adults having certain things they would like to pursue as a career, but do not exactly connect with it as much? My family tends to be very traditional in the sense that it is commonly encouraged to attend college and university, get a master’s degree, etc., but then I also feel like I am the only one who’s lost in the sense of not knowing what to go for while those around me seem to know confidently what they desire, which has made me doubt if I am perhaps doing enough research or such. Thank you for listening!

How to enjoy transitional periods of life

Hi Brett! HUGE congrats on your pregnancy!!! So so so excited for you and Alex to enter this new chapter of life! I too am about to start a new chapter, as I’m about to graduate college! I’m currently applying to PA school, but will be moving home for a gap year to make and save money before hopefully going to school again. I was wondering if you had any advice on how I can keep life interesting during this somewhat transitional period. A lot of my friends are moving to big cities together, my boyfriend is literally moving across the globe to New Zealand, and while I recognize the economic and familial benefits of living at home, it definitely feels less glamorous and exciting and a little more lonely. I’ll be working full-time so won’t have oodles of free time, but would love any advice you have in regards to not getting stuck in a rut and to retain the joy of everyday life!

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