54: One-Year Anniversary Special: Audience Favorites, BIG Giveaway & a Toxic Engagement Story

Older. Employed. Owned a car. Buying a house. Apparently, those were the “red flags.”This week marks one year of Here Comes The Drama (yay!), and I’m sharing a deeply personal, most bizarre wedding story where an engagement triggered years of emotional manipulation, financial pressure, and escalating abuse. From blessing requests gone wrong to explosive ultimatums, we unpack how toxic family dynamics can surface during major life milestones. This story is heavy, but important.Plus, we’re celebrating one year of Here Comes The Drama! 🎉 Subscribe to my podcast and YouTube channel, and comment “Entered” on this episode’s YouTube video for a chance to win one $150 Visa gift card or one of two $25 Amazon gift cards. Winners will be announced on March 12.JOIN ME IN GREECE OCTOBER 2026!My new book Here Comes the Drama: A Ferris and Sloan Story is live!Get the book!Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments The Podcast Turns One – We’re celebrating one full year of Here Comes The Drama with a special giveaway: a $150 Visa gift card or one of two $25 Amazon gift cards. Would You Rather: Wedding Edition – I’m answering your toughest “would you rather” wedding dilemmas, from feuding relatives to money with strings attached, during our one year special episode. The “Blessing” That Became an Interrogation – What should’ve been a respectful conversation spirals into grilling, accusations, and power plays. Control Disguised as Concern – Parents frame normal age gaps, financial stability, and independence as red flags to maintain control. Financial Manipulation & Wedding Ultimatums – From demanding a master’s degree to refusing wedding support, money becomes leverage. The Attic Incident – Screaming, verbal abuse, and a father apologizing to the boyfriend instead of his daughter push everything over the edge. Choosing Safety & Ending the Cycle – Moving out, going no contact, and protecting future children becomes the ultimate act of healing. Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This EpisodeControl doesn’t always show up as anger, sometimes it shows up as “concern.”When your independence threatens someone, the behavior will escalate.Green flags can look like red flags to people who benefit from your dependence. Money with strings attached is never a gift. Protecting your peace sometimes means choosing distance, even when it’s painful. Ending the cycle is an act of love for the next generation. *This conversation is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please seek a licensed professional for your specific situation.Join the Drama with Christa Innis:WebsiteTiktokInstagramYouTubeFacebookGet ‘Here Comes the Drama: A Ferris & Sloan Story’ on Amazon Got Wedding Drama? We Want to Hear It!Your stories make Here Comes the Drama what it is! Share your unforgettable wedding tales, hilarious mishaps, or unbelievable moments with us. Whether it’s a wild confession or a story worth a skit, we can’t wait to hear it.Submit your story today: Story Submission FormFollow us on social media for updates and sneak peeks at upcoming episodes. Your stories inspire the drama, the laughs, and the lessons we love to share!A Team Dklutr Production