Cross Cultural Relationships



Let’s face it, relationships aren’t always easy–they require real effort, patience and understanding on the part of both parties. When differences in race, religion, politics or culture come into play they can be fraught with even greater challenges.  Alvean and Doug discuss those challenges and ways in which couples can help ensure they make their relationship a safe harbor.  For more, and a full transcript, click here: LL10


Blending Families



Second or third marriages bring both the opportunity to find happiness in the wake of a divorce or widowhood but they can also pose some challenges especially when children are involved.  Blending your two families requires patience, acceptance and sensitivity to how children process emotional attachment and sibling relationships.  Alvean and Doug talk about when and how to navigate this rite of passage.  For a full transcript of this episode, click here: LL09


When the Woman makes more



With apologies for the title, this post should say when one person in a relationship earns more than another, because as we know this issue is a common source of potential imbalance in a relationship that can lead to a number of issues.  We do hear about a fragile male ego, but the truth is while that may have something to do with some couples’ clashes it is really about self imposed and societal expectations of roles within a relationship that is the cause of the division.  Alvean and Doug discuss the traps we might create for ourselves and how to find a healthy balance that recognizes the value of the contributions both partners bring to each other.  Hint, it isn’t only about the cash!  For a full transcript of this episode, click here:LL08


Am I Too Picky?



I just can’t seem to find the right man; every woman I meet is ……..; there are no good men left.  Do these and similar statements seem familiar to you? If so, the problem may not be with the universe but with you.  Alvean and Doug discuss the ways we may be sabotaging our dating life, creating unreasonable expectations , seeking impossible perfection, or revealing our own insecurities.  Relationships may look easy from the outside or in the first blush of affection and chemistry but they take effort to succeed over the long term.  Find out more about how you score in the relationship game.  A full transcript of this episode can be found here: LL07


The Best Way To Say Goodbye



Let’s face it, breaking up, as the song says, is hard to do.  Unless you are callous or exiting a toxic relationship no one wants to consciously hurt another person.  There are ways to help a former lover to gain appropriate closure and free them and yourself to move on.  It still hurts, but these approaches which Alvean and Doug discuss are not only the right way they are the kind way to help you both through a difficult passage.  For more and a complete transcript, click here:LL06


God’s Dating Service



Is there such a thing as a soulmate?  Are we destined to find our true love, a match made literally in heaven? Alvean and Doug explore these beliefs and the truths behind real and lasting relationships.  You’ll be surprised.  Learn about couples who have life long commitment, who pass from this life within minutes of one another, who seem to defy the odds against life long happiness.  How do they do it?  This and more in this episode.  For a full transcript, please click here: LL05