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There is an old saying that you cannot know another person until you have walked in their shoes.  It is another way of saying that empathy is the necessary first step in forming any kind of relationship, much less one that is loving. Alvean and Doug discuss the ways in which we as partners, parents and lovers must find and cultivate our expression of empathy.  For a full transcript, click here: LL19-Empathy is a Lost Virtue

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Much of the time men and women seek to protect themselves from unwanted pain and rejection by hardening their outer self.  We learn early that to remain vulnerable opens us to opportunities for many kinds of abuse, and yet to form any durable relationship at all, we must make that leap.  Alvean and Doug talk about the power that comes when we lose or fear of being vulnerable.  A complete transcript of the episode can be found here: LL18-Vulnerability

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The search for meaning in our lives is a common experience, but how do we know what really matters?  Alvean and Doug talk about stages of awareness and growth that help us to understand and define ourselves.  For a full transcript of the episode, click here:LL17

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Alvean and Doug talk about the knowledge and wisdom that often accompanies a painful life experience.  As hard as it is to overcome difficult circumstances in the moment, over time they can often be seen as pivotal inflection points in our lives, The process one must go through to transform pain into something that is ultimately affirming and productive requires introspection and time.  For a full transcript of this episode, click here: LL16

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They say that the biggest lies are the ones we tell ourselves.  How do we remain true and discover our authentic selves? Doug & Alvean talk about self deception and strategies for aligning our reality with the truth. For a full transcript of this episode, click here: LL15

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They say that breaking up can be the worst wound you will ever endure, leading to depression, recrimination, pain that is both emotional and physical.  Alvean and Doug discuss ways in which we can begin to heal ourselves and overcome the challenges of heartbreak in this episode.  For a complete transcript click here: LL14 

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Alvean and Doug talk about the ways in which couples seek to prevent their partners from straying. It is all about creating an atmosphere of open-ness, honest communication and reaffirmation of the bonds between couples.  For a full transcript of this episode, click here: LL13

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Doug & Alvean talk about the challenge of repairing a broken relationship when one or both partners prove unfaithful.  Surely one of the most devastating ruptures in any relationship –infidelity violates the trust between individuals that is at the heart of their bond and while it is not impossible to overcome the effects, doing so requires patience and forgiveness as well as transparency.  For a complete transcript of this episode, click here: LL12

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Alvean and Doug talk about the best advice they have received over time, and why a particular bit of intervention proved to be important in their lives.  For a full transcript of this episode click here: LL11

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Developing and maintaining enduring relationships is hard. It is harder still when matters of racial, religious or cultural difference bring both familial and sometimes societal pressures to bear.  Alvean and Doug bring their unique perspectives to the discussion of cross cultural relationships in this episode.  For a complete transcript, click here:LL10