Here Comes the Drama with Christa Innis

A highlight episode featuring past guests Salma, Ivette, Shawna the Mom, and Lauren Lowder of Burnt Out Teachers. Alongside these, the conversation dives into a fresh listener dilemma: a pagan wedding planned for 2028 with unity circle seating, complicated by whether to make the ceremony child‑free. The heart of the episode explores family dynamics, parenting struggles, and how to set boundaries without alienating loved ones.
When family drama collides with wedding plans, the child‑free debate takes center stage. 
In this week’s episode, after a whirlwind August, it is the perfect time to revisit some of my favorite conversations. You will hear episode highlights with Salma, Ivette, Shawna the Mom, and Lauren Lowder of Burnt Out Teachers.
But the real conversation of this episode is a new listener dilemma. Planning a pagan wedding in 2028 with unity circle seating, only to face the question of whether the ceremony should be child free. 
The twist? Concerns about a sibling’s kids who have a history of disrupting family gatherings. I dive into the messy tension between wanting everyone included and protecting the meaning of the day, sharing perspective on boundaries, communication, and how to celebrate without letting family drama steal the spotlight.
Is wedding planning bringing out the worst in people, or simply revealing who they really are?
My new book Here Comes the Drama: A Ferris and Sloan Story is live!
Get the book!

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

Child-Free Ceremony Drama – One bride faces backlash after considering a child-free ceremony because of her brother’s unruly kids.

Know Your Finances – A woman facing divorce realizes she barely knows anything about her household finances.

The Ex Gets Invited – A jealous stepmother invites her son’s ex to the engagement party and takes sabotage way too far.

Wedding Cake Sabotage – An engagement party cake features the ex-girlfriend’s name instead of the bride’s fiancé.

Toxic In-Laws Escalate – Controlling relatives move from parenting criticism to shocking accusations and an attempted child abduction.

Disowned Over A Seating Chart – A future mother-in-law threatens to cut off her son because she hates her wedding table.

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

"Just be firm with your boundaries. If you ultimately decide no kids at the ceremony, no kids reception, stick to it and that's that.” - Christa Innis

”It's not because people don't like kids and not because they're worried about the kids, it's because the parents aren't going to take control over the kids.” - Christa Innis

“It always tell everybody you need a prenup. I don't care if you're just starting out.” - Salma

“I felt validated that she knew that there was a possibility that I would still leave that door open. that made me feel like kind of good about what I put out there.” - Salma

“ Do you not love your son? Don't you want it to be a good experience for him?” - Ivette Bracken

“She was kind of trying to be the bigger person and give her that benefit of the doubt and it totally backfired.” - Ivette Bracken

“It makes everything much more contentious. I can't fathom this.“ - Shawna Lander

“Why do they do that? It's not like she goes away, they have to still manage the child together.” - Shawna Lander

“Disowning your kid for where you're sitting at their wedding is psychotic, lady.” - Lauren Lowder

“If someone has no boundaries they will only continue to show that they have no boundaries the more you explain.” - Lauren Lowder

*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.

About the Guests

Salma Qaddourah
She is an attorney in Indianapolis, focusing on family and divorce law. She has seen how quickly things can shift when communication is overlooked in the lead-up to a wedding. 
Her content comes across like advice from a big sister who wants the best for you. Less about telling you what to do, more about making sure you are thinking things through.

Ivette Bracken
She is part of Christa’s inner circle and stood by her side as matron of honor. As a mom, wife, and psychotherapist, she brings thoughtful perspective, emotional insight, and a little unfiltered honesty to the mic.  
Shawna Lander
Shawna Lander is a creator and storyteller known for bringing relatable, and often chaotic, family dynamics to life through her viral name, Shawna the Mom. By playing multiple characters herself, she explores the realities of motherhood, relationships, and family reality in a way that feels both entertaining and uncomfortably real. 
Lauren Lowder
Lauren Lowder is a creator, former teacher, and the voice behind Burnt Out Teachers, where she brings the chaos, frustration, and hilarity of classroom life to the internet through viral storytelling and character-driven skits. Her content shines a light on burnout, difficult parents, toxic work dynamics, and the realities many teachers quietly deal with every day. 
 Follow Salma, Shawna, and Lauren

Salma Qaddourah: TikTok 

Shawna Lander: Website,TikTok, Instagram, YouTube

Lauren Lowder: Website, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook

Join the Drama with Christa Innis:

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Get ‘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 Form

Follow 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

Episode 86 of Here Comes the Drama is a REPLAY featuring pop culture creator Saron Olkaba, and this one is PACKED with wedding hot takes, toxic in-laws, family drama, relationship red flags, and confessions that will have you screaming, “STOP THE TRAIN!” From boundary battles to a mother-in-law who takes things way too far, this episode is messy, unfiltered, and VERY dramatic.
This is a REPLAY of one of our favorite episodes! What happens when a mother-in-law hijacks your wedding and makes it all about her? Absolute mayhem. 
This week on Here Comes the Drama, we dive into one of the most outrageous MIL meltdowns ever. From insisting on a 500-guest wedding to uninviting the bride from a wedding dinner, this story is a rollercoaster of entitlement, manipulation, and jaw-dropping audacity.
Saron Olkaba, a pop culture commentator, reality TV aficionado, and queen of hot takes joins Christa for a brutally honest take on wedding chaos, pop culture madness, and why cash bars should be banned. They’re spilling all the drama—from surprise proposals gone horribly wrong to the great debate on whether kids should even be at weddings.
Trust us, you don’t want to miss this one. If you love wedding scandals, unfiltered opinions, and stories that will make you gasp, this episode is for you!
My new book Here Comes the Drama: A Ferris and Sloan Story is live!
Get the book!

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

A bride shares how her MIL tried to double the guest list, uninvited her from a wedding dinner, and threw a fit over boundaries.

Should you ever make guests pay for drinks?

Should we retire the bouquet and garter toss tradition? 

A best man ambushes a wedding toast with a proposal—without asking the couple!

Kids at weddings: Are they cute guests or chaotic distractions? 

When the groom actually attended a wedding-related event that excluded his bride… 

MIL's final meltdown: Blocking, crying, and dramatic exits—this wedding story escalates to a shocking ending.

Will the couple cut ties for good? Should this bride run before it's too late?

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

 ”If you can't be away from your kids, just don't come, it's fine.” - Saron Olkaba

 ”Some hills are not worth dying on and others are. You just have to trust your gut.” - Saron Olkaba

“Cash bars, certainly, never, it's never okay under any circumstance. That's a huge problem.” - Saron Olkaba

“Be creative. You don't have to shove yourself into this box.” - Saron Olkaba

“ Let's not surprise a bride and groom on their wedding day.” - Christa Innis

*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.
About Saron
Saron Olkaba is a pop culture content creator known for her sharp commentary on celebrity news, reality TV, and trending topics. By blending humor, insight, and real talk, she delivers engaging takes on everything from viral scandals to entertainment industry moments. 
With a background in political consulting, Saron brings a unique perspective to the digital space, proving that smart women can love pop culture too. 
You can find her sharing the latest buzz on TikTok and Instagram (@saronthings), and stay tuned for her upcoming YouTube series featuring deep dives into the hottest topics in media.
Follow Saron Olkaba:

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Join the Drama with Christa Innis:

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Get ‘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 Form

Follow 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

This week, I’m joined by returning guest Jen Glantz to talk about motherhood, marriage, social media boundaries, wedding cold feet, and what she’s learned from working hundreds of weddings. Then we dive into a wedding story with bridesmaids quitting, a drunken mother-in-law speech, family money drama, and a shocking secret that changes EVERYTHING.
What starts with a pair of cowboy boots ends with a family secret you definitely won’t see coming.
This week, I’m joined by returning guest Jen Glantz, founder of Bridesmaid for Hire, and we dive into one WILD wedding story. Cowboy boots. Bridesmaids quitting. A drunken mother-in-law speech. Accusations about money. And then, just when you think you understand the drama, a shocking family secret changes EVERYTHING. Because, spoiler alert, this wasn’t about the boots.
We also talk about motherhood, social media boundaries, finding your village, and what 12 years of working as a professional bridesmaid has taught Jen about love, marriage, and those terrifying last-minute cold feet. What would you do if you said, “I don’t wanna do this,” right before walking down the aisle?
My new book Here Comes the Drama: A Ferris and Sloan Story is live!
Get the book!

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

Finding Your Village — Christa and Jen reflect on how some of their closest friendships exist entirely online and why community doesn't always have to be local.

When Cold Feet Get REAL — Jen has seen firsthand what happens when someone questions their marriage right before walking down the aisle—and one story still haunts her.

Put the Phone DOWN — Christa and Jen talk motherhood, social media, comparison, and the very real struggle of being present when your entire digital life is sitting in your hand.

12 Years of Wedding Drama — As the founder of Bridesmaid For Hire, Jen has watched hundreds of relationships up close. She shares what those weddings taught her about marriage and choosing the right person.

This Isn’t About the Cowboy Boots — Two sisters-in-law suddenly drop out of the wedding over dresses and cowboy boots. But Jen immediately sees what Christa sees: there is something much bigger going on here.

The Mother-in-Law Takes the Mic — A rehearsal dinner speech takes a wildly inappropriate turn when the mother-in-law gets drunk, drops multiple F-bombs, and claims she’s responsible for the couple meeting.

When Family Drama Gets DARK — What initially looks like toxic in-law behavior takes a heartbreaking turn when the couple discovers the mother-in-law has been struggling with a serious addiction.

The Money Mystery Finally Makes Sense — The couple eventually discovers why the father-in-law thought they were lying about the rehearsal dinner costs—and the truth is even messier than they expected.

Protective Mom or Future Problem? — Jen and Christa debate how they’ll handle their daughters dating someday. One wants to be welcoming. The other is already preparing to become a problem.

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

“If I have to choose between being present with my daughter or filming, I'm gonna be present.” - Christa Innis

“Sometimes I literally will be scrolling, and I'm like, I need to go outside and physically touch some grass right now.” - Christa Innis

“It’s so good to be authentic to you, because I think especially in social media, it’s so easy to get caught up on, ‘Oh, well, that’s what they do. So I should do that too.’” - Christa Innis

“I feel like a lot of it stems from insecurity and control.” - Christa Innis

“He needs to be standing up for her and on the same page as her.” - Christa Innis

“I want my daughter to feel comfortable bringing people here, and I wanna be, like, fun.” - Christa Innis

“If the line gets crossed and my daughter says, ‘They did this to me,’ I will never forget.” - Christa Innis

“This isn't about the dress and the boots.” - Jen Glantz

“You can choose who you marry, you can't really choose their family.” - Jen Glantz

“If you are engaged and you're not sure, it is okay if you go through with it. It's also okay if you decide to call it off.” - Jen Glantz

“You are so brave either way, truly.” - Jen Glantz

“I wanna live our lives, and just like you, make content when she doesn't see me do it.” - Jen Glantz

“When you're home all day and you're attached to your phone, you live in all these alternate realities and you kind of lose yourself a little bit.” - Jen Glantz

“You're not gonna be able to win this race yourself.” - Jen Glantz

*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.
About Jen
Jen Glantz is the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire, the world's first professional bridesmaid. What started as a Craigslist ad turned into bestselling books, a podcast, and a career helping people navigate everything from wedding-day chaos to friendship drama and life's biggest milestones.
Now a wife, mom, entrepreneur, and storyteller, Jen is passionate about embracing adventure, finding the humor in life's unexpected moments, and keeping it real through every season. Whether she's talking weddings, motherhood, or relationships, she's all about helping people laugh through the chaos and create stories worth telling.
Follow Jen Glantz:

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Facebook

Join the Drama with Christa Innis:

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Instagram

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Facebook

Get ‘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 Form

Follow 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

Remember who’s actually getting married. Otherwise, we would’ve printed your names bigger than the couple’s on the invitations.
For this episode, we're holding late-night tea stories that make you want to put your "Hold Your Horses" T-shirt on and call it a day. I framed this episode around my birthday week, letting you all in on both the chaos of these stories and my busy schedule, along with the joy of marking another year.
I dive into three mini stories, starting with a wedding ceremony that had to be restarted because the groom’s grandparents were forgotten. Then, a maid of honor friendship falls apart after the groom criticizes her dress. Finally, we get into a mother who decides her daughter’s wedding is somehow her day too.
The main story follows a mother-in-law who completely takes over the wedding planning, from the bridesmaid group chats, bridal shower to the venue, and somehow makes the entire celebration about herself. We also wrap up with wedding confessions and a very important reminder to practice your first dance in the actual shoes you plan to wear.
My new book Here Comes the Drama: A Ferris and Sloan Story is live!
Get the book!

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

The Ceremony That Had to Start Over – A wedding where everyone forgot to make sure the groom’s grandparents were there, despite them raising him after his mother’s death.

The Dress That Ended a Friendship – A maid of honor loses a 10-year friendship after the groom contacts her to complain that her wedding dress is too revealing.

Apparently, It’s Mom’s Wedding Too – A mother demanded a bigger role in the wedding and insisted that she was losing her daughter.

Meet Jolene – An overbearing mother-in-law takes over the bridal shower, and inserts herself into the bridesmaids’ group chat.

The Shower Nobody Asked For – A mother-in-law trying to “help” turns into a church basement and a venue change that leaves guests driving over two hours.

Thanking Herself at the Shower – “Jolene” gives a speech thanking herself and her husband before casually mentioning that the bridesmaids “didn’t do much.”

The Wedding Was Apparently Optional – The mother-in-law shows up late and delays the ceremony so she can take photos with her son without the bride.

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

"It's a work in progress, so we can all get a little better." 

“Weddings and stressful occasions do things to people. But I also feel like there's no excuse for it.” 

"So practice your dance in the actual shoes you're gonna wear." 

“The number one thing I hear is don't waste your time on favors."

"Anyone that wants to actually host for someone is going to make sure it fits their, like, their wishes and what they like and what they enjoy."

*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:

Website

Tiktok

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

Get ‘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 Form

Follow 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

She booked the wedding date, only the whole month is included.
I am joined by Samantha Blake to share how her love for dramatizing everyday absurdities turned into viral content, starting with her Coldplay CEO satirical video. Together we dive into the world of mothers and the weird assumptions strangers make on them and their kids.
Samantha then shares her own wedding photography nightmare, where it unleashed harassment of a maid of honor, leading to legal threats, and a mother-in-law who completely hijacked her wedding cake.
To top off more wedding dramas, we read a listener's submission about two brides whose wedding dates turned an entire friend group upside down. Sparking questions about entitlement, and whether anyone can really claim a wedding season.
Is wedding planning bringing out the worst in people, or simply revealing who they really are?
My new book Here Comes the Drama: A Ferris and Sloan Story is live!
Get the book!

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

Dibs on a Wedding Month – Christa reads a listener submission where two brides, one wedding season, and mutual friends create a friendship showdown.

Main Character Syndrome – Christa and Samantha debate whether wedding planning is bringing out the worst in some brides, or simply revealing who they really are.

Pregnancy Doesn't Erase Boundaries – With strangers rubbing baby bumps and making bizarre assumptions, they unpack the entitlement pregnant women often face.

Wedding Client From Hell – An overbearing mother of the bride crosses every professional boundary, pushing Samantha to involve lawyers. 

From Viral Joke to Viral Creator – Samantha shares how one satirical Coldplay CEO TikTok unexpectedly launched her storytelling career.

Coffee Thrown While Pregnant – A customer wrongly assumes Samantha is using drugs, then throws hot coffee at her after learning the bruises were actually from blood work.

One-Take Storytelling – Samantha reveals the simple routine behind her viral storytelling style and why authenticity beats perfection every time. 

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

"There's truth to every story, but there's also some exaggeration." - Christa Innis

“You have to go no contact with someone that risks your mental health.” - Christa Innis

"We're gonna have our thing that when they're older they're gonna complain about." - Christa Innis

“Different people want different vibes for weddings." - Christa Innis

"We always have to take with a grain of salt when we get stories and when we share them" - Christa Innis

"I see what you can do to people you care about, so I'm not letting you close to me." - Samantha Blake

“It's okay to realize that people are different.." - Samantha Blake

"Just because you would have kids at your wedding doesn't mean that they should also feel that way." - Samantha Blake

"When you're willing to speak your mind, you tend to piss people off a lot because they're not used to being called out on their behavior"  - Samantha Blake

"Sometimes you watch the bride walking down the aisle, and everybody's staring at their screen. The event is happening in front of you, and you're missing it.” - Samantha Blake

*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.
About Samantha
Samantha Blake is a storyteller and writer who built her following by turning everyday chaos into unforgettable narratives. She began writing books as a kid and carried that love of words into content creation during COVID, when she started sharing wild experiences from her years in the restaurant industry. Her viral Coldplay CEO satire drew thousands of followers who connected with her bold one‑take style and sharp humor. Today she mixes personal encounters with audience submissions, and continues to write with the same fearless honesty that defines her storytelling.
Follow Samantha Blake:

TikTok

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Join the Drama with Christa Innis:

Website

Tiktok

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

Get ‘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 Form

Follow 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