Season 20 2021 - 2022

TV-PG

A mystery in Mexico; a young firefighter is found dead at a luxury resort. Elijah Snow and his wife, Jamie, flew to Cancun for what was supposed to be a romantic trip to celebrate their 10th anniversary. But on the very first night, their vacation turned into a nightmare. Jamie says she woke up alone and discovered her husband was missing. Hours later, she says she was told he was dead, and she would return home without him. Authorities say Elijah’s death was an accident, but in an exclusive interview, Jamie speaks out for the first time and claims it was murder. She reveals the evidence she says suggests her husband was brutally killed.

Today, an exclusive interview with Tonia Bales, the first wife of the infamous con artist “Dirty John” Meehan. Tonia shares the details of her 10-year marriage for the first time with Dr. Phil and discusses her new podcast available on Audible, The First Wife: John Meehan’s Reign of Terror. She is later joined by the second wife of Meehan, Debra Newell, who says she survived an emotionally abusive relationship with the known con man. Debra has returned with a positive update and to talk about her new book, Surviving Dirty John: My True Story of Love, Lies, and Murder. Then, hear from Debra’s daughter Terra Newell, who says she was a victim of “Dirty John” Meehan in a violent attack. She is also called a hero by many, as she was the one who fatally stabbed John Meehan in self-defense.

Fran says she’s in love with a man named “Craig,” who she met online, and hopes to prove everyone wrong that not only is their love real but that he is real too. Fran says that despite multiple failed attempts to meet “Craig” in person, she is still optimistic about meeting him face-to-face. But Fran’s siblings, Herman and Fay, both say “Craig” is bad news and not real. They say there’s no way Fran can fall in love with someone she has never met and fear that “Craig” is only in this “relationship” for the money. Fran admits she has sent “Craig” over $30,000 but says he has promised her to pay back every penny -- and more -- once he receives his inheritance! Will Dr. Phil be able to bring together Fran and “Craig” at last? Or, will Fran be faced with the hard truth that “Craig” may not be who he says?

When Jenaye posted an emotional video online about uncovering her husband James’s infidelity, she never imagined it would go viral. From uncovering conversations with multiple women to discovering that her husband slept with his former hairstylist on their fifth anniversary, Jenaye says she thinks divorce might be the best option. But James, who claims if he were having more sex in his marriage he would never have been unfaithful, says he is willing to do anything to avoid losing his family. Plus, find out how Jenaye claims James’ former hairstylist is creating more drama.

Today, Jenaye comes face-to-face for the first time with the woman her husband, James, slept with on their fifth wedding anniversary. The woman, Chelsey, who is also James’s former hairstylist, tells her side of the story. Why does she say she believes she has done nothing wrong -- and why does she say she believes she, too, is a victim? Will Jenaye believe Chelsey’s claims?

In July 2021, 22-year-old Gabby Petito set off from Florida on a cross-country van trip with her fiancé, but two months later, he returned alone; her desperate father pleads for answers about the missing young woman.

Brian "The Bull" Barbosa, two-time Interim World Middleweight boxing champion, admits there is something seriously wrong with his brain; Dr. Phil reveals the results of a state-of-the-art brain scan he set up for Brian to take.

Where is Gabby Petito? What do the 22-year-old missing “van life” blogger’s final videos reveal about what might have happened to her? Gabby and her fiancé, Brian, recorded themselves traveling cross country, but two months after leaving Florida, Brian returned to Florida alone. He is now refusing to speak to investigators and her family. Plus, despite posting videos looking like a happy couple, police released a very different kind of video -- body cam video of a distraught Gabby crying about an altercation with Brian in the days before she disappeared.

Josh wrote to Dr. Phil desperate for help to save his brother, Dustin’s, life. Josh says after years of battling addiction, there’s one thing that his little brother just cannot quit, and that’s his bulimia. His mom, Melissa, says she’s a registered nurse but cannot save her own son. Dustin says he’s tried everything to recover from his eating disorder, but nothing has worked.

From full-on brawls between airline passengers to the unruly being duct-taped to their seats, these days hopping on a plane is becoming less of a dream experience and more of a flightmare for many. Today, Dr. Phil hears firsthand accounts from four different passengers who all filmed what became viral videos of chaos and drama on their flights. From passengers physically and verbally assaulting each other to a mother and daughter deemed "Karen" and "Karen 2.0" for what some called their "entitled" behavior, find out the alleged stories behind these viral incidents. Plus, Dr. Phil speaks with two former passengers with one thing in common: they were both kicked off their flights! But, learn why they claim it was their flight attendant’s "abuse of power" and not their behavior that terminated their flights.

Megan and Brandy say their 69-year-old grandma, Gail, believes she is in a relationship with musical artist Post Malone but she is actually being catfished by a scammer posing as the musician. Gail’s daughter, Michelle, says her mother has always had an obsession with men, but this is the worst she has seen it. Gail says she is coming to Dr. Phil to prove to her family that her relationship is real. Gail’s family says they are worried for Gail’s safety and her mental health.

Sabrina says she has a relentless, obsessed stalker who monitors her location, phone calls, texts and even her social media. In fact, she says, on numerous occasions, she’s caught him staring at her through her bedroom window and even climbing in! But Sabrina’s stalker isn’t some stranger -- it’s actually her boyfriend of six years, Harold! Harold says he has no choice but to stalk Sabrina because she’s become “untrustworthy” ever since her “Brazilian Butt Lift” surgery. He says Sabrina cheated on him just two months ago and is still in contact and receiving money from the other guy! Can Dr. Phil help repair this “toxic relationship,” or is it finally time for this couple to go their separate ways? Find out!

Emily says her childhood was full of dysfunction because her mother, Linda, lived a double life. By day, Linda says she was a suburban housewife driving her daughter to ballet class in her gray minivan. But unbeknownst to Emily and the neighborhood, Linda secretly was a drug-addicted “madam” who oversaw two brothels that serviced rich and powerful men. Now, Emily tells Dr. Phil she’s feeling a lot of resentment toward her mother but doesn’t know how to tell her. Can Dr. Phil help Emily set up some boundaries with her mom? Plus, Emily reveals another secret she says her mother kept from her for over 30 years.

Samantha wrote to Dr. Phil after she claims her mini gastric bypass surgery in Tijuana went terribly wrong. She says that when she wanted to leave the hospital, her husband, Josh, stood by and would not help her leave. She also says that since waking up from the surgery, she’s been terrified to eat, afraid of her own shadow, and the stress is tearing apart her already fractured family.

Dr. Phil welcomes a group of dynamic, vibrant and inspiring seniors to prove that age is just a number. Former guest Lydia, 80, aka "Glamma," who asked him to find her a date, returns. Watch while Lydia meets three wealthy eligible bachelors who each take her on a date, ranging from a gondola ride to fine wine tasting. Which of the three men will Lydia choose? Tune in to find out! Dr. Phil also meets Annie, an 82-year-old social media influencer with over 240K followers, and Ernestine, an 85-year-old bodybuilder who is still training clients half her age!

Sandy says her 32-year-old daughter, Kelli, has been using drugs and alcohol since she was a child and has overdosed countless times. Kelli’s best friend, Staci, says she fears she will be burying her before she ever becomes sober. Kelli says she has been to multiple detox and rehab centers and can’t stay clean, but Sandy says it’s because Kelli refuses to face her traumas, and they are keeping her stuck in her addiction. Does Kelli need to come clean about her traumas before she gets clean? Or, is there more to her addiction than her mother realizes?

Dr. Phil sits down with Gabby Petito's parents and stepparents. Check back soon for more information on this Dr. Phil Exclusive!

Part two of Dr. Phil's exclusive interview with Gabby Petito's parents and stepparents,

Dr. Phil welcomes back previous guest Heather and her daughter, Marissa, who was rebelling in dangerous ways, like stealing her mom’s car and smoking marijuana. Since their appearance, Heather says things have gone from bad to worse. She says Marissa has continued to steal her car, smoke weed, fail at school and get into fist fights with other girls – and allegedly has also tried to kill Heather by poisoning her with hydrocodone tablets. Watch while Dr. Phil reads a chilling text exchange in which Marissa says she has already attempted to kill her mother! Marissa denies she ever tried to poison her mother and says she was just joking around in her texts. Dr. Phil also welcomes back child behavioral psychologist Dr. Michele Borba who conducts a one-on-one session with Marissa to determine why she is lashing out in such a destructive manner. Will Dr. Phil be able to get through to Marissa? Tune in to find out!

Susan says her daughter, Emma, has always had a troubled life of drugs and abuse but that things took a turn for the worse when Emma’s fiancé died from an overdose leaving her alone with her two children. Emma says she blames herself for his death -- and then relied on her father, David, for financial support. David says Emma has been troubled ever since she was a teen and expects everyone to fix her mistakes. Emma’s brother, Jasper, says he is standing up for his father because Emma has been using him for too long. Emma says her family has never been there emotionally for her and has always given her money to keep her away from them. This family hasn’t been in the same room in nine years. Today, they are finally together for the first time on Dr. Phil’s stage.

On an early June morning in 2007, 32-year-old Chris Vaughn was found limping away from his SUV with two non-fatal gunshot wounds. His children, 12-year-old Abigayle, 11-year-old Cassandra, and 8-year-old Blake, were found dead, seated together in the rear passenger seat, each shot twice. The body of Chris’ wife, Kimberly, was in the front passenger seat, slumped over the center console with a single contact gunshot wound under her chin. Chris’ handgun was found on the floorboard near her feet. Five years later, a jury convicted Chris of murdering his family, and he is now serving four life sentences. Chris’ parents, Gail and Pierre, sit down for their first television interview with Dr. Phil to tell him why they believe their son is innocent.

Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Chris Vaughn’s parents, Gail and Pierre, who say they believe their son is innocent of committing the murders of their three grandchildren and daughter-in-law. Chris recently spoke out about the horrific morning of June 14, 2007, for the first time, when he sent Gail and Pierre a letter giving his explanation on what happened. For the past 14 years, private investigator Bill Clutter has been investigating the case and claims, with the help of Chris’ letter, he now has the answers in hopes of getting Chris out of prison. Bill shows what he believes happened inside that SUV. If Chris didn’t commit these murders, then who did and how? Also, hear from Chris Regis, the former Assistant State’s attorney who fought hard to put Chris behind bars. He says Chris Vaughn is right where he should be.

Michelle says her 9-year-old son, Raymond, has screamed, cursed, and punched others since the age of 3 -- and even recently gave his grandmother a black eye! Michelle says she’s exhausted spending so much time trying to keep up with Raymond’s latest diagnoses and trying new medications that doctors prescribe for him. But Michelle’s family members say they want to know if Raymond’s issues are real or if he’s just choosing to act out? Certified Behavioral Analyst Megan St. Clair and Child and Family Psychiatrist Dr. Charles Sophy work with Raymond and his family and weigh in on the possibilities with Dr. Phil.

Carlea wrote into the show desperate for Dr. Phil’s help because she claims her brother, Jay, is an egotistical,untruthful narcissist who physically abused the mother of his child, Cassie. Carlea says her nephew, Ky, deserves better, and Jay needs to be Ky’s father 100 percent of the time; not after the next girl, the next party, or the next group of what she calls “idiots” he wants to associate with. Jay and Cassie both agree they do not know how to co-parent, and the only one they trust for advice is Dr. Phil.

On August 13, 2019, 37-year-old Andrea Knabel, an outgoing and devoted mother of two who volunteered for a group that helps find missing people, disappeared; it turns out that Andrea was hiding several secrets about her risky behavior.

Keira says that when she was 15, her mother, Karen, chose to move across the state to be with her husband, James, leaving her behind and forcing her into foster care; a few years ago he called her a racial slur, and her mother still chose his side.

Keira and her mother's husband, James, face off after discussing an argument that happened two years ago that led to James calling Keira a racial slur. James also admits to hitting Keira when she was just a child – does he have any regrets? And, Keira's mother, Karen, returns to the stage without Keira. Will Karen choose her husband or her daughter?

Heather says her 14-year-old son, Trenton, was expelled from school after he was caught on camera destroying school property and stealing a handicap parking sign! She says these antics were part of a trending social media challenge called "Devious Licks." Heather and her fiancé, Michael, say Trenton’s behavior has worn them down and has started to tear apart their relationship! Will Heather and Michael finally get on the same page with parenting and punishing Trenton, or will they let him run the show until he gets his way?

Fallon claims she was humiliated after being rejected by a party bus heading to a Miami nightclub because of her appearance. She says she was shamed and discriminated against because of her weight, but that didn’t stop her from speaking out! Korisa says she, too, was publicly humiliated for her weight when a video went viral after she fell into an icy lake and was rescued by first responders. She says online shamers quickly bullied her instead of worrying about her safety. And, Taylor and Eric say they’re getting ready to tie the knot, but they can’t seem to agree on what exactly “health” means. Taylor says she’s happy with her body and how she feels, but her fiancé, Eric, wants the couple to work out together and eat healthier. Are Eric’s feelings about leading a healthier life validated, or is he causing his fiancée shame about her appearance? Plus, Nikki Sixx is not only an international rock icon and founding member of Mötley Crüe and the band Sixx:A.M., but he is also a three-time New York Times best-selling author. Nikki discusses his newest memoir, The First 21: How I Became Nikki Sixx, which tells the inspirational story of how a young man named Franklin Feranna became the music icon we now know today as Nikki Sixx, all within the first 21 years of his life.

Fifty-eight-year-old death row inmate Richard Glossip claims he was wrongfully accused of the murder of Barry Van Treese in January 1997. After 23 years on death row, Richard says he has gone to deathwatch to await execution three separate times and still believes he will be exonerated. Dr. Phil interviews Richard from death row and discusses updates on the controversial case in studio with Richard’s defense attorney Don Knight and paralegal Meri Wright. Oklahoma State Representatives Kevin McDugle and Justin Humphrey, and Oklahoma politician Justin Jackson share why they support Richard’s fight for freedom. Later, hear from the CEO of Lava Media and the founding member of The Innocence Project, Jason Flom, about his relationship with Richard and his long history of helping inmates be exonerated

Tom says he’s 100% convinced his fiancée, Teaka, is cheating on him with his friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even the mailman! Therefore, Tom says he’s had no choice but to set up secret surveillance cameras inside their home so he can monitor Teaka’s alleged infidelity. Teaka swears she’s never cheated on Tom and claims he has turned her into a literal prisoner in their home. She says every sound, shadow, or misplaced object turns into Tom’s “evidence” of her cheating. But Tom says he has all-new video evidence to show Dr. Phil and Teaka that he claims proves Teaka’s unfaithfulness. You don’t want to miss it!

With over 3,000 shows and two decades of helping change the lives of his guests as well as viewers at home, Dr. Phil takes a look back and celebrates 20 years of Dr. Phil. Dr. Phil made a promise two decades ago to be a beacon of hope shining a bright light on the silent epidemics and problems tearing apart families and communities, and today, he shares inspirational updates from some of his most memorable guests and finds out how many of them are doing nearly 20 years later. Also, meet some of Dr. Phil’s staff, both current and past, and hear about their most memorable moments over the past 20 seasons. Plus, you don’t want to miss the surprise Dr. Phil has for Robin. All that and much more!

Dr. Phil continues looking back on the past 20 years. Updates include toddlers, what happened to a daughter who faked 10 pregnancies, a violent 12-year-old and a former all-star athlete turned heroin addict. Dr. Phil has another surprise for Robin.

Dr. Phil meets Brittany, who claims her dad, Charlie, is being scammed by his online fiancée, “Stephanie,” and her roommate, “Carina.” Charlie says he has given “Stephanie” over $25,000 – and she hasn’t paid him back, despite her promises to do so. Charlie says he's tired of her excuses and even wants her arrested! Brittany says “Stephanie” claims she is expecting a $4.5 million inheritance and tells her dad she is sending him $250,000 – and Brittany says she wants answers. Dr. Phil starts his investigation in Los Angeles and ends in Denmark, where “Stephanie” claims her inheritance is being held. Tune in to find out what happens!

Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Brittany, who claims her dad, Charlie, is being scammed by his online fiancée, “Stephanie,” and her roommate, “Carina.” Charlie says he doesn’t know where his relationship with “Stephanie” stands but still hopes to get married when they meet in person – whenever that is. In the past, Charlie says “Stephanie” has missed 10 flights when promising to visit – but not today. The real women in the photos are here, and Charlie meets them face-to-face. What happens? Find out today on this part-two conclusion.

Renee says she has been caring for her 34-year-old daughter, Danielle, for over two decades because of her extreme case of anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Danielle, who now weighs 68 pounds, says she first believed she was fat in elementary school and then starved herself at age 14 and dropped around 50 pounds. Danielle says she was then admitted into a hospital and had a feeding tube put in, beginning a constant cycle of hospital visits. Now, as an adult, Danielle admits she has posed as a nutrition counselor advising others online on how to lose weight. Danielle’s friend, Thalia, says she felt compelled to reach out to Dr. Phil for advice after seeing Danielle looking emaciated in birthday photos on social media.

Sixty-year-old Sandi says she will soon be flying to Nigeria to marry her 22-year-old fiancé, Peter – but her three daughters say not if they can stop her. Sandi’s daughters say she is being scammed for either money or a Green Card – but Sandi is adamant that Peter is truly her soul mate. Additionally, Sandi’s daughters say they fear Peter’s sister is really his girlfriend or wife, and “in” on the con – and they want answers. Peter denies the daughters’ accusations and insists that he loves Sandi. Dr. Phil meets Sandi and her three daughters and starts to unravel the truth behind her online relationship with Peter.

Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Sandi and her three daughters, discussing Sandi’s online relationship, which the daughters believe is a scam. In most “catfish” episodes, the real person in the photos doesn’t know their image is being used – but Sandi’s fiancé, Peter, has been speaking to Dr. Phil’s team, and today, will be sitting down to talk to him via satellite. Peter insists that he loves Sandi and denies that he is scamming her. What does Dr. Phil uncover about his story? And, meet the Nigerian correspondent who interviewed Peter and says he noticed some “interesting” behavior. Will Sandi listen to her daughters’ concerns, or will she fly to Nigeria to marry Peter? Find out today during this part-two conclusion.

Dr. Phil welcomes controversial YouTuber “Agent Sebastian,” who runs a page called “Cart Narcs” where he posts hundreds of explosive videos of him apprehending shoppers in parking lots who do not return their carts to the corrals. “Agent Sebastian” meets one of his so-called “victims,” Tromaine, who was filmed in public by Sebastian for leaving out his cart. Watch while Tromaine tells Sebastian exactly why he believes what he is doing is morally wrong. Dr. Phil also welcomes Australian radio and TV host Mel Grieg, who experienced the unimaginable in 2012 when an innocent radio prank resulted in a suicide. Then, academic Dr. Nicholas John confronts Sebastian about his motivation for his “Cart Narcs” page. And, social media lawyer Ethan Wall takes part in the conversation to reveal whether what Agent Sebastian is doing is illegal. Is Sebastian breaking the law? Tune in to find out!

Dr. Phil welcomes three -- out of a possible 45 – alleged victims who claim they were targeted and manipulated out of tens of thousands of dollars by a woman named Mair Smyth, who has been accused of posing as an Irish heiress, a psychologist, a life coach, a mortgage broker, and even a cancer patient to extort in excess of $1M from people all over the world. First, Jonathan, a TV producer and narrator of the new podcast Queen of the Con: The Irish Heiress, says he was conned out of nearly $100K by Smyth. Then, meet Heather and Tess, who claim they, too, were conned by Smyth. Finally, Dr. Phil talks to podcast creator Aliza Rosen and top litigator Michael Kraut, who gives his legal insight into how to prosecute so-called con artists like Smyth. Watch while Dr. Phil sends a news crew to where it is believed Smyth lives. Will the crew make contact with her? Tune in to find out!

Christine says when she divorced Tom 14 years ago, it affected all her children, including her quadruplets. Tom claims Christine has brainwashed their children into thinking he was abusive and manipulated them, behavior he denies. Two of their daughters, Maria and Liz, say they hold a lot of anger from their past and manage it through violence, eating disorders, and smoking weed. They currently live at Tom’s house, which they say reminds them of a “mental institution.” They claim there is always screaming and the family punches holes in the walls. Tom says he tries to keep his house in order, but his children have destroyed it, causing over $10k in damage. Maria and Liz say the house is disgusting, and their dad is so controlling that he won’t allow them to clean. Who is telling the truth? Dr. Phil says he is going to get to the root of the problem.

Maria and Liz say their family is completely toxic. Maria says she takes her anger out by fighting and punching holes in the house, while her sister Liz says she had to quit her job to take care of Maria. Their older sister, Antonia, says she was only able to change her life after moving away from her family. She claims their dad, Tom, is the reason for the family trauma because he’s a sociopath, abusive and an alcoholic – accusations Tom vehemently denies. Their mom, Christine, claims her 20-year-old quadruplet children don’t know how to be adults. Tom claims Christine has given up on their children, and he is their last hope. Who is telling the truth? Plus, award-winning author Mitch Albom joins Dr. Phil for a touching segment about spirituality, life and loss featuring his brand-new novel, The Stranger In The Lifeboat.

Today, a murder that has remained a mystery for more than 30 years. New York undercover Detective Dennis Wustenhoff lived in Long Island, New York, with his wife and three children when he was murdered by a bomb that had been planted under his unmarked police car. At first, police suspected he was targeted and killed by one of the dangerous criminals he tried to put away. But then came a shocking twist; Dennis was having a secret affair. Now, more than three decades after Dennis’ murder, his family claims they know who killed their beloved husband and father -- and they want justice.

It’s been almost four months since 5-year-old Summer Wells vanished from her home in rural Tennessee on June 15, 2021. Her parents, Don and Candus, say they believe their daughter was abducted. But, the couple say online bullies have accused them of having something to do with Summer’s disappearance. Don and Candus agreed to sit down with body language experts Scott Rouse and Greg Hartley, interrogators who have worked with the FBI, law enforcement and the military and have been referred to as a human lie detector, in hopes of clearing their name. Find out what the men think and if Dr. Phil agrees with their findings.

Since the night of June 15, 2021, there have been no answers as to where Candus and Don’s 5-year-old daughter Summer could be. The parents say they thought they were doing the right thing by requesting the public's help to find their little girl, but it backfired. Instead, the couple say they became targets of online bullies who accused them of involvement in the disappearance of their missing child. In part 2, Don and Candus speak out in their exclusive first national TV interview. Dr. Phil digs deeper into the story to discover whether there is any new information that might help solve the mystery of Summer’s disappearance.

Ariyanna has made some disturbing allegations against her mother, Cornelia. She wrote to Dr. Phil for help to confront her mother about allegations of physical and mental abuse. Ariyanna claims that while her mother was there for her financially, Cornelia locked her in the attic, abandoned her, and once, even resorted to waterboarding. Cornelia says Ariyanna is lying about some of her allegations and exaggerating about others. She says she hasn’t spoken to her daughter for almost a month after their last blowup and if their relationship doesn’t start changing for good with the help of Dr. Phil, she’s done.

Nancy says, for the past two years, she has been in an online relationship with an honest and loving man, “Shaun.” The problem? For starters, her son, Darcy, says Nancy doesn’t even know what he looks like! Nancy says despite the evidence her son and daughter-in-law have shown her, she is adamant she is not being scammed by “Shaun.” In fact, Nancy and her family were supposed to meet Dr. Phil last season, but Nancy declined. Today, Nancy sits down with Dr. Phil – and even throws his staff a curve ball about a university “Shaun” allegedly went to. What happens? Find out on part one of this two-part episode.

Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Nancy, who, despite the evidence Dr. Phil presented, was adamant she isn’t being scammed by her online boyfriend, “Shaun.” Today, Nancy and her son, Darcy, speak face-to-face for the first time in over a year. And, Darcy has been hiding a shocking secret about “Shaun” from Nancy. What is it? Plus, updates from past guests who can relate all too well to Nancy’s story. Where are they now – and will their story inspire Nancy to have a change of heart?

Inside the madness of Astroworld, Travis Scott’s Houston festival, a mass casualty event leaving people dead, children clinging to life, and attendees traumatized. What really happened? And, who is to blame? Attendees reveal the horror they saw, and families file lawsuits.

Cassie says the stress of raising four children, including her 15-year-old daughter, Brinley, is making her physically ill. She claims Brinley is constantly smoking pot, vaping, and running away. She says that recently, Brinley disappeared for three days and claims she was kidnapped before making a daring escape from her captors! But Cassie also says her husband, Jonah, is addicted to drugs and uses alcohol to excess and that his unsafe behaviors while under the influence have caused him to become a danger to her children. Dr. Phil enlists Brinley’s help to try and get her mom to see the real problem in this family.

Cassie insists her teen daughter’s behavior is the root cause of her family’s dysfunction, despite her husband, Jonah, being addicted to drugs and alcohol and endangering their children. Dr. Phil presents Cassie with a difficult choice: pick your children or your husband. Cassie’s mother, Sandy, also joins and says she believes her granddaughter’s behavior will never improve until her parents get their act together. What will Cassie decide?

Jessica and Ian’s two children were removed from their custody over a year-and-a-half ago. The parents insist they’ve done everything required to get custody back -- but is that true? Ian’s mother, Pamela, says the one thing they should do is end their toxic relationship. Ian’s brother Jeremy says Ian’s unstable lifestyle only makes matters worse. Is everyone in this family ready to get real with Dr. Phil?

Whoever said being in a long-term relationship was easy? If you’re wishing you were married, thinking about getting married, or are married, you won’t want to miss this episode. After 21 years of marriage, Paula says she’s thinking about divorcing her husband, Jeremy, because, in her words, he’s “clueless, absent, and non-verbal.” But Jeremy says the real problem is Paula. He says not only is Paula controlling, but she’s a grudge-holder, too, and won’t move on from a mistake he made almost 10 years ago. Find out the mistake Jeremy made, and Dr. Phil gets to the bottom of why Paula is so controlling. Plus, Dr. Phil and Robin share the secret to their 45-year marriage.

On April 16, 2001, two lives were forever changed. One, a man gunned down in cold blood, and the other, a teenage girl named Kiera, who was convicted of his murder and sentenced to 60 years to life in prison. After serving over 19 years in prison, Kiera was released early and has continued to claim she is innocent and was falsely incarcerated. Today, Dr. Phil exams Kiera’s case and speaks with her lawyers, who call Kiera’s conviction “the starkest miscarriage of justice” they have ever seen. Dr. Phil looks at all the evidence Kiera and her attorneys claim is proof that she had nothing to do with this horrendous crime. Plus, hear from Kiera’s high school teacher who testified that Kiera was in her classroom at the very same time the murder took place. But that’s not all, also hear from a key witness for the prosecution -- has he now changed his story?

Jessica says her once successful Uncle Ed had a long-standing career in the aerospace industry but lost everything in just six months. She says he left his home, marriage, children, and job and began street performing and preaching as “Cowboy Tygg.” She says her once responsible uncle has since been arrested seven times, destroyed his credit, gotten multiple tattoos, and moved across the country where he now spends most of his time high and drinking, floating in a motel pool. Ed’s sister, Dawn, and brother-in-law, Bill, say Ed suddenly “snapped” last year, and no one knew what was happening or how they could help him. Ed says he believes he would never have been in the position he is today if it wasn’t for his parents betraying him one year ago. Ed says his parents have been dead in his eyes ever since.

Former criminal prosecutor Loni Coombs, tribal filmmaker Rain, and Representative Greg Stanton of Arizona tackle the nationwide epidemic of missing Indigenous women with Dr. Phil.

BillieSue admits she enabled her now adult children, Alex and Hana, so badly that it’s akin to child abuse. She says her enabling turned them into hateful, disrespectful menaces to society! She claims her son, Alex, “bullied” her out of her house, and then Hana nearly got her evicted from her apartment. Alex and Hana deny any wrongdoing and claim it’s their mother who has transformed into a “mean, anxiety-riddled mess.” But BillieSue says she’s finally had enough of their “disgusting” behavior and cut them both off. Can Dr. Phil help repair this broken family?

Dr. Phil devotes his platform to the current shoplifting crisis that is sweeping the nation – an epidemic that, according to experts, is costing the retail industry over $45 billion a year. Dr. Phil meets Maria, a store manager from Tucson, AZ, whose physical confrontation with a shoplifter was caught on tape. Watch while Dr. Phil interviews a self-admitted organized retail criminal to learn more about how and why they do what they do. Dr. Phil also meets YouTuber Peter Santenello, who says he chose to leave San Francisco for Florida because he did not feel he or his family could live safely. Then, hear what a lieutenant and sergeant say they see as the biggest challenges of the shoplifting crisis.

Today, meet two young adults who desperately need Dr. Phil’s advice. Patriece and Eric say their son, Erin, is ready to drop out of college to pursue his dream of becoming the next big social media star. Erin says to accomplish his dream, he expects his parents to financially support him because he refuses to get a “regular job.” Next up, Donna says her 20-year-old daughter, Hope's, party lifestyle is completely out of control. Can Dr. Phil help Erin and Hope before it’s too late?

Dr. Phil meets a family who has lived through the unimaginable. On the night of July 25, 2003, Christopher Bennett, 18, broke into his stepfather’s home and claims he caught him molesting his younger sister, Viccy. Chris shot Vincent in the head and confessed to the killing. He is now serving 1,800 years in prison. Desperate for him to be released, Christopher’s mother, Libby, and his half-sisters, Viccy and Cassie, meet with Dr. Phil to discuss the abuse and the trauma they say they have lived through. Watch while Dr. Phil conducts an exclusive prison phone call with Christopher! Dr. Phil also welcomes Christopher’s family friend and criminal justice advocate, Janet, who has made it her life’s work to help free Christopher. Dr. Phil also meets leading Virginia attorney Adam Carroll to discuss what recourse this broken family has. Can Dr. Phil help?

Lauren Dumolo, a young mother, disappeared over a year-and-a-half ago. Her purse, shirt, and shoes were found at a local park she frequented daily – but no sign of her. She seemingly vanished into thin air. Theories and questions continue to mount as her last known whereabouts do not add up. Did someone close to her hurt her accidentally? Was she privy to information she shouldn’t have known? Or could she be a victim of sex trafficking? All that her friends and family know is she left her apartment one afternoon and was never seen again. Lauren’s father, Paul, and sister, Cassie, say they believe there’s foul play involved and are certain Lauren would never leave of her own free will. They’ve both sworn to never give up until they bring her home.

The pandemic made it easier for online predators to prey on children stuck at home. Dr. Phil speaks with parents who have experienced the dark side of the internet. First, Patrick’s 15-year-old daughter, Sophie, was last seen four years ago on surveillance footage walking down a street in the early morning hours. The police told Patrick they found on Sophie’s computer that she was dabbling in adult websites which could have gotten her entangled in human trafficking. Next, Meaghan says she caught her young daughter chatting and sending explicit videos to older men. Plus, Roo Powell is a child advocate who transforms herself into online teenage decoys to help law enforcement catch predators. And, human trafficking and online sex crime expert Detective Joseph Scaramucci tells Dr. Phil what to look for on your child’s phone.

Dr. Phil launched a private “Phanatics” Facebook group last season, where superfans gain exclusive access to news, content, and a “Dr. Phil” community. Today, members of Dr. Phil’s “Phanatics” group discuss common problems and real solutions – with some fun mixed in! First, Dr. Phil and Robin meet a newly engaged couple who say they don’t see “eye-to-eye” on house cleaning. What happens when Dr. Phil and Robin pay them a house call? Next, Dr. Phil speaks with newlyweds about a common question they get asked and why they shouldn’t be asked it. Lastly, Dr. Phil meets a set of twins who do everything together – and we mean everything!

Nowadays, social media rules the world, and this decade has proven to be more “untraditional” and “mold-breaking” than ever before. But in this ever-changing society, we continue to ask an important question: How far is too far? Dr. Phil discusses that when he meets three different people whose quest for fame and fortune not only went viral -- but also made national news. Some were criticized -- and in some cases, canceled -- by the public for “crossing the line.” First, a 22-year-old went viral in August after quitting his day job and approaching a popular social media influencer and asking him for a job. Does he have what it takes for a career in social media? Next, Dr. Phil meets a YouTuber who was canceled for his controversial videos. What does he have to say? And lastly, meet a woman who turned to social media to make money in what some call an “unconventional” way – but she says she’s doing better than ever before.

On November 30, 2021, it is alleged that 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley opened fire at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit, killing four students and injuring seven others. It is the deadliest U.S. school shooting on a K-12 campus since May 2018.

Marie is a life coach but says she can’t seem to find a plan that works for her 15-year-old daughter, Willow. Marie wrote to Dr. Phil desperate for his advice because she says her daughter is causing so much chaos in her life that her house is a war zone, and she had to move her younger son out for his safety. Marie says she’s the target of her daughter’s anger, and claims she and her family worry Willow will kill her someday. Willow says she’s done breaking her mom’s bones and home, but she doesn’t know how to stop.

Holly first appeared on Dr. Phil in a 2004 multi-part episode entitled “The Real Lives of Desperate Housewives,” where she revealed that she was hiding an alcohol addiction. It’s been 17 years, and Holly is still sober and says she has an amazing life -- except for her tumultuous relationship with her teen daughter, Ella, and her husband, Jeff, is caught in the middle. Holly dedicates over 40 hours a week to her recovery program and hosts meetings at their home five times a week -- but is her intense dedication alienating her family? Find out what Dr. Phil thinks.

As over 30 million Americans quit their jobs this year, Dr. Phil welcomes guests from very different backgrounds to discuss “The Great Resignation” and the phenomenon of “Rage Quitting.” Twenty-one-year-old Edwin says he went viral after posting a video of himself quitting his job in a major store using the PA system. Dr. Phil also speaks to leadership consultant Mike Ashie, who disagrees with how Edwin quit his job. Then, Dr. Phil welcomes money expert Mandi Woodruff Santos, who says she quit her job six times in 10 years and increased her salary by over $100,000! Watch while Dr. Phil discusses “The Great Resignation” with eminent Harvard Business School professor Tsedal Neeley, who claims working from home is the future for millions of Americans.

Lori received a phone call claiming she was eligible for thousands of dollars in federal grant money. Lori said she needed to send thousands in gift cards to someone claiming to be a federal grant officer before she could receive her lucky payday.

In 2019, there were reportedly 17 million cancer survivors in the US, and in 2020, 1.8 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed. Today, Dr. Phil meets a woman who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer but strives to maintain a positive outlook on life – and says she is Dr. Phil’s biggest fan! Additionally, Dr. Phil meets another woman who has been cancer free for five years but says she still fears the future. Both women say cancer has impacted the way they view themselves and would love Dr. Phil and Robin’s help improving their self-confidence. But, what Dr. Phil and Robin have in store might be more than they imagine – including a live performance by multi-platinum singer/songwriter Andy Grammer! Tune in for an episode of inspiration and surprises. Plus, Dr. Phil sits down with the pastor of America’s largest church, Joel Osteen, to discuss his latest book.

Monica says she used to be an English teacher, a marathon runner, and happy -- and she wants her old life back. She says she now weighs only 90lbs., and her life consists of lying in bed. She says she can’t eat solid food due to being diagnosed with C-diff, and she has to chain herself to her bed to make sure she doesn’t sleepwalk and binge on food in the middle of the night. Monica’s mother, Stephanie, says taking care of her daughter has become a full-time job, and not only is she taking care of Monica, but she is also taking care of her 2-year-old son. Monica’s friend Breanna claims Stephanie enables her to an extreme and says Monica isn’t taking the steps to get better.

Tammy and Mark claim they haven’t spoken to their son, Cory, in over a year. They say that’s completely because of Cory’s wife, Katrina, who they claim is manipulative, mentally ill, and quite literally, a witch! Katrina is a self-proclaimed “witch,” or Wiccan, who claims Tammy and Mark judge her for her beliefs. Cory denies he’s being “controlled” or “brainwashed” by Katrina. Rather, he says he’s sick and tired of his parents’ horrible treatment of his wife. But Tammy and Mark say they’ve done nothing wrong and only want their family back together. Can Dr. Phil help mend this broken family?

Dr. Phil tackles one of the most divisive topics of the year: Critical Race Theory (CRT). Dr. Phil invites passionate parents on both sides of this great debate, including Tiffany and Quisha, founders of the group “Mothers For Liberty,” who say they believe CRT is being taught in K-12 schools and is poisoning the minds of their children. They are joined by fellow ally and mother Amy, who says her young children shouldn’t be expected to be social justice warriors. They debate with moms Laura and Sara who say they support CRT being taught on the college level and do not believe elementary and high schools should avoid talking about race and privilege in classrooms.

Sumyr and her partner, Wayne, say every day is a “chaotic, hellish, nightmare” because of her out-of-control 13-year-old son, Ash. Sumyr claims if they ever say “No” to Ash, he will hit, bite, and kick them and sometimes hurt their dogs! Sumyr claims in July, Ash even set her car on fire! But Ash’s grandmother, Lenora, blames her daughter for provoking Ash to violence and claims he’s never acted out under her supervision. In fact, she claims Sumyr is trying to get Ash taken into custody by the authorities so she doesn’t have to parent him anymore. So, which is it? Is Ash out of control or provoked by his mother? Find out!

Amanda says she is worried for her 17-year-old daughter, Ollie. She says even though she and her husband, Junior, used drugs excessively during most of Ollie's childhood, they are doing the best that they can in parenting Ollie. Junior says he wants to kick Ollie out the second she turns 18. He says he has had enough of her stealing cars, physically fighting and running away. Ollie says she feels like she is a normal teen doing normal teenager things and felt like she had to raise herself during her parents’ bad past. Ollie says she thinks her parents don’t think her life is important, so they should allow her to do what she wants.

Larry and his wife, Marsha, say a few years ago, Larry’s 32-year-old daughter, Taylor, accused Larry of sexually abusing her as a child -- an accusation Larry vehemently denies. Taylor claims she experienced these flashbacks as an adult after seeking therapy for depression and anxiety. Larry and Marsha also say they wonder how Taylor went from a straight-A student, beauty pageant queen, and professional dancer to living at home with her mom, Larry’s ex-wife, Jan. Jan claims Taylor’s problems began when she went to Hollywood at 18 to chase her dream of being a professional dancer, but then spiraled down due to having an eating disorder and depression.

Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Taylor and her mother, Jan, who both agree that Taylor is suffering from trauma. Hear why Dr. Phil questions if mother and daughter may have a dysfunctional relationship.

Shelly and Oggie say they couldn't be more different in their parenting styles. Shelly says she's tired of being the 'bad cop' while Oggie gets to play the fun, 'good cop.' Shelly says her husband is always giving in to their 6-year-old daughter.

Abby says her 17-year-old son, Aidan, used to be a straight-A student but has now turned into a stealing, violent, wannabe gangster. She says the teen's behaviour is so out of control that he has physically pushed her and has broken down their front door.

Caitlin claims her sister Rebecca is in complete denial that she has a drug addiction, alleging that she “doctor shops” to obtain different prescription medications. Rebecca denies these claims, saying doctors have prescribed all her medication, she isn’t an addict, and she doesn’t understand why her family is worried and brought her to speak to Dr. Phil. Caitlin also claims Rebecca has lost custody of her special needs daughter three times, has been to jail five times, and has lost several friends and her fiancé due to drug use.

Tony Fort was just 10 years old when he says a man his mother trusted to watch him began grooming him, brainwashing him and sexually abusing him. Tony says he was vulnerable and lonely and he believed the older man was his best friend.

Tony Fort, a young man who was abducted by a family friend when he was 11 years old, reunites two decades later with the FBI agent that he says saved his life. Go inside the dramatic rescue of Tony from a convicted sex offender.

Dr. Phil meets two LGBTQ+ activists who answer general questions about pronouns and their overall importance. Then, Dr. Phil meets a host and author who disagrees. Next, Dr. Phil talks to a communications professor who specializes in gender and feminism.

Parents Suzette and Greg say their son, Dawson, is violent and abusive whenever he is told the word 'no.' The parents say their son's violent tantrums have even resulted in him using a hammer and a machete to destroy their home.

Samantha says after her husband of nine years, Zachary, accused her of cheating, lying, and using drugs, and saying people were following him home from work, she separated from him for three months. After reconciling, they moved into her mother-in-law, Christal’s, home, but Samantha claims Zachary’s paranoia just got worse.

Sarah, 36, received a $5.1 million medical settlement at age four. This money was held for Sarah in a trust, but instead of receiving it at 18 or a designated age, she claims family members tried to control her money.

Dr. Phil tackles the controversial topic of cryptocurrency: digital currencies that are being hailed as the future of finance by some and a scam by others.

Steven says he and his girlfriend, Danielle, have been together for 20 years but that he can no longer trust her because he believes Danielle has been hiding secrets from him.

Michelle says she wonders if her rocky divorce from Michael drove her son Logan to use drugs. She says their divorce was messy, there were accusations of cheating, the police were called, and their children witnessed it all.

Tiffany claims her fiancé, Marques, forced her to expose him as a narcissist on social media, but she never imagined her online story would go viral and be viewed over three million times. After Tiffany’s popular post, she admits she posted more.

Tyler says she needs Dr. Phil's help on getting her life back to normal. In May of 2020 she lost control of her car and hit a tree. When police arrived, instead of helping her, they arrested her. She has been suffering from a mental illness since then.

Jon Vaugh, Tad Deluca and Chuck Christian are former University of Michigan athletes who are coming forth with their stories of sexual abuse at the hands of university doctor Robert Anderson. They are among over 1000 people with similar stories.

Ex-University of Michigan athletes say the team's doctor, Robert Anderson, sexually assaulted them; coach Bo Schembechler's son makes the same accusation; Trinae Goszcar, who survived abuse at the hands of Larry Nassar, inspires the men to speak out.

Dr. Phil meets Kyle, a 30 year old, who claims he is a fertility expert and has fathered 40 kids across the world through private sperm notations. Kyle sits down with an endocrinologist and Dr. Charles Sophy who weigh in on his donation process.

Nicole and her husband Marc turn to Dr. Phil for help. He says he's angry because he's 100% sure that she's cheated on him. She says she's been faithful. Dr. Phil reviews Marc's evidence and tries to help them save their marriage.

Bill says he believes he is a narcissist after pushing away almost all of his loved ones, including his brother Tom and his daughter Bridget. They have both stopped speaking with him. A tense reunion gets emotional.

Dubbed as 'The Miracle Lady,' Carly was successfully resuscitated by her husband after being electrocuted. Family say she may have survived but she is not the person she used to be, exhibiting odd and troubling behaviour.

National outrage grew after an Illinois judge overturned guilty verdict of Drew Clinton, charged with one count of criminal sexual assault. Drew maintains his encounter with Cameron Vaughan was consensual.

A night that was supposed to be fun night out with friends ended up turning into the worst night of a woman's life. Arrested for a crime she didn't commit, a mugshot and false charges made it to the news, viral, leaving her embarrassed and upset.

Almost 10 million households in the US own timeshares, shared ownership of vacation properties. Daughters say their mother is being scammed and want answers. Find out what Dr. Phil will uncover.

Ida, a woman who had two sets of twins before she was 19 writes to Dr. Phil to help break the cycle of dysfunction. Ida feels that she failed to protect her daughters from the dangerous situations that led to her own youthful indiscretions.

Dr. Phil looks back on some of the most memorable guests who have appeared on the show, and gets surprising updates on where they are now.

Dr. Phil invites everyday citizens, members of law enforcement, and policymakers to discuss the wave of violent crime that is on the rise across the country.

Lance and his wife Julie join Dr. Phil to discuss their emotional journey in figuring out a diagnosis for their 16-year-old son Jaxon. Then, we'll meet Jaxon and his orthopedic surgeon, Dr. David Feldman from the Paley Institute in West Palm Beach.

Former inmates, Debra and Tiheba join Dr. Phil to discuss the abuse they experienced while incarcerated. While the two agree that individuals should be punished for crime, they believe no one should experience the same abuse as they did.

Rebecca says her best friend, Jane, is being scammed by her online boyfriend, "Jonathan," who claims he is stuck on a construction site in Miami. Jane says she's in love with "Jonathan" and has been sending him money -- totaling nearly $1 million dollars.

Dr. Phil continues his conversation with Jane, who recently sold her dream home and has sent her online boyfriend, "Jonathan," close to $1 million dollars. Today, Dr. Phil sends a producer to Miami to look for "Jonathan."

A couple has never consummated their union of 13 years and the husband claims his wife is pushing him away by hitting and slapping him and being too controlling. The couple is sat down and importance of domestic violence is discussed.

Dr. Phil and his panel of experts and people who are on social media, uncover the plusses and minuses of social media and what it is doing to our culture.

Married for over 30 years, the husband believes his wife has been hiding major secrets from him for over the past three years. He accuses her of having affairs and claims she hired a hitman to have him murdered.

Dr. Phil analyzes how life has changed for Black Americans since the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests. He meets with Dr. Shaun Harper, Rashad Turner, Lydia Pope, Natasha Scruggs, Allison Mahaley.

A mother shares her story about how the leader of the religious group forced her to starve her 15-month-old son when he didn't say 'amen' after Grace. Joy Fluker also shares her story of living with her mother, the leader of House of Prayer.

Baylen, who struggles daily with tics and OCD due to Tourette Syndrome found support online when she shared her struggles on TikTok. Lele Pons, who also suffers from OCD, Tourette’s and depression, has had a different experience with social media.

After having a brin tumor removed and relearning to do everything, a woman then suffered from debilitating anxiety attacks. Her father had to move in with her to help care for her. Plus, Jay Glazer shares his story of battling anxiety and depression.

As the world is more connected online, beauty trends spread quickly, constantly redefining what beauty means. Dr. Phil discusses how the standards of beauty have changed and how some are rebelling against what they believe are outdated societal standards.

Four families come together to talk about the loss of their young children. They say their children purchased counterfeit pills on social media, which were laced with fentanyl, a deadly drug that killed their children within moments.

We all see the news reports of homelessness in America. But what's most shocking is the divide over the cause of this human suffering -- and how to fix it. Dr. Phil speaks with advocates, experts, residents, and people currently experiencing homelessness.

Dr. Phil continues the discussion on issues surrounding homelessness with advocates, experts, residents, and people currently experiencing this hotly contested social issue.

Seventy-three-year-old Linda says she is currently raising her grown daughter, Angie's, child -- and this isn't the first time she's raised one of Angie's children. Linda's sister, Joanie, says the stress has left Linda with terrible health issues.

The whole world is watching Russia's invasion of Ukraine with horror. Dr. Phil speaks with several people deeply and personally affected by the senseless violence both in Ukraine and abroad.

As a string of high-profile stories dominate the news, Dr. Phil addresses the complex issue of suicide; family members left behind discuss working through their immense grief.

Two young women say they are suffering from phobias they claim have completely taken over their lives. First, Bethany says she is absolutely terrified of all pregnant women! Then, Victoria says she's terrified of eating or touching gluten.

Deanna says she's been really down on herself ever since she started losing her hair and was diagnosed with alopecia a couple years ago. Her best friend hopes Dr. Phil can change her attitude. He enlists the help of celebrity wig maker Amy Gibson.