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A lot has been written, especially of late, about the pros and cons of social media in relationships.  To be honest relationships are delicate and require privacy, nurture, and understanding none of which are especially common in social media.  Finding a path to healthy engagement with friends and family –enjoying the socialization of digital media can be tremendously rewarding or anathema.  Alvean and Doug offer some insights into how best to avoid the negative aspects without abstention.  For a full transcript, click here:64-Relationships and Social Media

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One of life’s great joys and also a scary proposition for many, parenthood has been described as the last of the unskilled occupations.  Most of us do what our parents did–or the exact opposite, neither of which is necessarily a prescription for success. In this episode, Alvean and Doug talk about parenting and offer advice on how best to prepare for this awesome responsibility.  For more and full transcript, click here: 65-Parenthood

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It is one of those rites of passage, moving in together.  It isn’t a step to take lightly though.  It can lead to a stronger and more meaningful relationship or it can tear at the fabric that binds you.  Planning this move and learning to accept another person sharing every part of your daily existence is not something to leave to chance.  That’s why Alvean and Doug walk through the process and offer some counsel on what to do and what to avoid doing to ensure your move is the right one.  For a full transcript, click here: 63-Moving In Together

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Perhaps you have heard of the love languages–the various ways we demonstrate our feelings for one another.  Understanding your own love language and those of your partner can help you both to build a better framework for communication and for expressing your feelings.  Alvean and Doug describe the love languages and discuss the ways in which a fulsome recognition has helped couples grow closer bonds.  A complete transcript can be found here: 66-The Love Languages

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Often we seek out or find a mate who supports and empowers us–helping us to become the best possible version of ourselves we are able to be.  But it is not uncommon for couples to enable one another and that can lead to a toxic and destructive form of dependency. In this episode Alvean and Doug discuss enablers and how, consciously or otherwise they can lead their significant other down a bad path.  For a full transcript, click here: 67-Are you an Enabler?

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If you are unattached or in what you recognize is a short term relationship you’ve probably given some thought to what or who you are looking for in an ideal mate.  How we choose speaks volumes about us, our upbringing, family and social values.  While finding the right person for you is never simple it helps if you start by understanding what you are looking for.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug reflect on that process, how we identify and choose , and more importantly how we can be more certain we are making good choices.  For a full transcript, click here:LL62-Your ideal mate

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There is an old saying, you don’t choose your family but you do choose your friends.  But what does it mean to be a friend, much less a good friend. Many of us have dozens even hundreds of friends on social media but we understand they aren’t all our real friends, not people who we expect to be there for us in times good and bad,more like casual acquaintances perhaps.  in this episode Alvean and Doug explore what it means to be a good friend and how that reflects on us and our relationships in general.  For a full transcript of this episode, click here: LL61-Are you a good friend?

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For some, the word intimacy conjures the image of smoking hot sex, while others imagine a dreamier kind of romantic idyll.  Like so many things in life, it turns out that intimacy is what you make it, sublime or ferocious–sexy or sweet, it is all up to you and your partner.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug talk frankly about love, sex and intimacy in a relationship, how intimacy is obtained and maintained throughout our lives.  For more and a complete transcript, click here:LL60-What is Intimacy

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True love, something well beyond infatuation or romantic engagement endures and changes us as we grow closer to one another, There are valuable lessons to be learned by observing those who are blessed to have found that deeper and abiding relationship and Alvean and Doug offer some insight and examples for their listeners in this episode of LoveLife.  For a complete transcript, click here: LL59-What has true love taught you?

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There is a common misconception that humans come with use by dates when it comes to marriage.  Phrases like confirmed bachelor or old maid are pejoratives used to describe those who appear to be chronologically past the age of matrimony.  But is there any truth to this?  Are we ever just too old, too set in our ways to find love?  Alvean and Doug explore the myths and truths behind the idea in this episode of LoveLife.  For a complete transcript, click here:LL58-Is there a use by date….