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It has become increasingly common to find that traditional gender roles in the household are no longer –well, traditional.   Who is the primary housekeeper, parent, breadwinner?  It isn’t always what one might expect which raises some questions about how best to navigate the relationship when the traditional roles no longer apply.  For many men, being the stay at home father/homekeeper is a delight but for others it is a challenge when one’s spouse or partner makes more.  And it isn’t limited to men and women–the same inequity questions can crop up in same sex relationships as well.  That’s in part because money often is viewed as power affecting the balance of the arrangement.  Alvean and Doug talk about this perceived inequity and related questions in this episode, a complete transcript of which is available here: LL08

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Perhaps a friend has said it–maybe it was you: Where are all the good  (men/women), I just can’t find the one.  If you have any self awareness this should lead you to ask the question: Am I Too Picky?  You may not be, or you just might but failing to ask the question is an all too common mistake.  Let’s face it, we dream of finding the ideal person–and once we get to know our intended we no sooner begin to notice the small or larger issues -things we want to change or in extreme cases cannot abide. Are we setting our sights too high, are we unrealistic or is there really a dirth of good people from whom we might choose?  For answers to these questions listen to Alvean and Doug discuss ways to identify your expectations and understand whether they are realistic or otherwise. For a complete transcript of this episode, click here: LL07

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We probably should have been more direct.  There is no good way to say goodbye–but there are ways to bring a relationship to a close without causing each other deep and lasting pain. In this episode, Alvean and Doug talk about how to do just that–to honestly and transparently acknowledge that for whatever reasons the relationship has run its course and the possibility of resurrecting mutuality is nil.  You may remain friends after a time, or not as you both navigate the future but you can and should part ways the same way you began with genuine affection and respect for one another.  For a complete transcript of this episode, click here:LL06

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You’ve probably heard people describe someone as a soul mate, or say that their relationship was meant to be.  Are their cosmic relationships, those blessed by God, and karmically arranged, or are these simply justifications?  Alvean and Doug take on this somewhat controversial subject in this episode, a transcript of which may be found here: LL05

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Quite often men and women will question whether their relationships are authentic, or a manifestation of chemistry, the short tem allure of the chase, or some other temporary circumstance.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug offer some thoughts on how to recognize a genuine bond, built of real love and respect for one’s partner.  For more and a full transcript, click here: LL04

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Building on the previous episode, Alvean and Doug talk about how our role models and family help us to expand our capacity for loving. For a full transcript of the episode, click here: LL03

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As we go though life we may find various people who will become our role models in life, in our careers and in our relationships.  They may be parents or other relatives, friends or simply people we meet along the way.  In this episode Alvean and Doug discuss their own role models and offer thoughts on how the identify those who might serve as role models.  For a full transcript of the episode, click here: LL02

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In this episode, Alvean and Doug talk about passive/aggressive behavior and offer insights on how best to address this toxic form of relationship.  For a full transcript and more, click here: 68-The Passive-Aggressive Partner

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It is a pervasive influence on our lives and some would say not a healthy one.  How does participation in social media affect our lives and our relationships for better or for worse?  Alvean and Doug discuss the subject and offer some thoughts on how to navigate this fraught space in a healthy and productive manner.  For more and a complete transcript, click here: 64-Relationships and Social Media

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Some have said that Parenthood is the last of the unskilled occupations. How do we prepare ourselves, how do we take on the necessary wisdom to raise our children to become successful and happy adults?  To answer these and other questions, Alvean and Doug offer real world examples from their own and others’ lives in this episode.  For a full transcript, click here: 65-Parenthood