Episodes

  • Cross Cultural Relationships

    Cross Cultural Relationships
    Jul 27 2025
    A lot has been written and said about interracial or inter-religious relationships and the challenges they pose, but really these differences are only a part of what Alvean and Doug describe as cross cultural relationships because they involve more than race or faith, but a matrix of language, behavior social and cultural norms that may be wide or narrowly different between partners. In this episode, Alvean and Doug offer some thoughts on how to energize and remain open to thsoe diferences seeing them as opportunities rather than obstacles. For a full transcript, click here: LL10
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    15 mins
  • Blending families

    Blending families
    Jul 20 2025
    Whether as a result of divorce, widowhood, or other circumstances second marriages often face the prospect of combining families. Where children are involved this is a delicate and potentially difficult proposition but also one that can be rewarding and a significant improvement for all involved. The results turn on how well the prospective partners relate to and communicate with their children in the months/years prior to combining their households and families. Alvean and Doug take on this tricky subject with lots of good counsel for all concerned, parents and children. For a full transcript, click here: LL09
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    14 mins
  • When the woman makes more

    When the woman makes more
    Jul 13 2025
    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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    15 mins
  • Am I too Picky

    Am I too Picky
    Jul 6 2025
    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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    15 mins
  • The Best Way to Say Goodbye

    The Best Way to Say Goodbye
    Jun 29 2025
    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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    15 mins
  • God’s Dating Service

    God’s Dating Service
    Jun 15 2025
    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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    16 mins
  • What is real?

    What is real?
    Jun 8 2025
    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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    16 mins
  • Loving Relations

    Loving Relations
    Jun 1 2025
    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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    15 mins