Episodes

  • I'm Worried The Baby Will Ruin What We Have

    I'm Worried The Baby Will Ruin What We Have
    Jun 30 2025
    John is concerned that having a baby will totally disrupt their marriage. Thank goodness the co-authors of Baby Bomb: A Relationship Survival Guide For New Parents were available to help Allison and John navigate this new chapter. Therapists Kara Hoppe, MFT and Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT, discuss how Allison and John can continue to take good care of each other despite the major changes babies bring. Also, were the Ratliffs happily married before Timothy lost all their money on The White Lotus? A debate ensues. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about the possibilities of modern marriage with a copy of ⁠⁠⁠I DO (I THINK): Conversations About Modern Marriage⁠⁠⁠. Purchase Allison’s new romcom novel ⁠⁠⁠Save The Date.⁠⁠⁠ If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/StarterMarriage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Our Imperfect Love Story

    Our Imperfect Love Story
    Jun 23 2025
    So many couples focus on the story of how they got together as a testament to whether their marriage was "meant to be." In this episode, Allison and John describe all the ways their early relationship broke the mold of what to look for--from John being worried that Allison was unstable to Allison not wanting to have to get to know someone new after her broken engagement. But despite not having a traditionally romantic journey to the altar, they still found their way there thanks to not having unrealistic expectations of each other, themselves or wedding planning. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠. Learn more about the possibilities of modern marriage with a copy of ⁠⁠I DO (I THINK): Conversations About Modern Marriage⁠⁠. Purchase Allison’s new romcom novel ⁠⁠Save The Date.⁠⁠ If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/StarterMarriage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • A Reformed Jew And A Lapsed Catholic Get Married

    A Reformed Jew And A Lapsed Catholic Get Married
    Jun 16 2025
    Allison is culturally Jewish while John is a lapsed Catholic. What does this mean for the religious future of their child? Couples therapist, Genesis Games joins the show to help the couple navigate having an interfaith marriage. Is it possible to find a middle ground to raise a curious child rather than a religious one? Also, Allison confesses to being weary of Catholicism while John reveals he thinks consciousness is a construct, an idea that infuriates his wife. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠. Learn more about the possibilities of modern marriage with a copy of ⁠I DO (I THINK): Conversations About Modern Marriage⁠. Purchase Allison’s new romcom novel ⁠Save The Date.⁠ If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/StarterMarriage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • You’re Difficult To Be Around

    You’re Difficult To Be Around
    Jun 9 2025
    How do you navigate your partner’s mental health without losing yourself in the process? In this episode, Allison and John interview Sheva Rajaee, founder and director of The Center for Anxiety and OCD in Southern California. Sheva offers expert guidance on how couples can strike a balance between helping their partners and maintaining healthy boundaries. Allison talks candidly about her OCD’s impact on their marriage, and John opens up about finally trying antidepressants after being resistant to the idea. (Spoiler: it was a great decision.) If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about the possibilities of modern marriage with a copy of I DO (I THINK): Conversations About Modern Marriage. Purchase Allison’s new romcom novel Save The Date. Follow Sheva Rajaee on Instagram and buy her book: Relationship OCD: A CBT-Based Guide to Move Beyond Obsessive Doubt, Anxiety, and Fear of Commitment in Romantic Relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • A Newlywed Nightmare

    A Newlywed Nightmare
    Jun 2 2025
    Rain on your wedding day is supposed to mean good luck, but for Allison and John, it meant they were about to have the worst year of their lives. From John experiencing a life-changing set-back in his career, to Allison losing her beloved mother to a rare neurological disease, their time as newlyweds was anything but peaceful. But in the inaugural episode of the podcast, John and Allison dissect how this rough patch ultimately strengthened their commitment to an institution that many feel is no longer necessary. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about the possibilities of modern marriage with a copy of I DO (I THINK): Conversations About Modern Marriage. Purchase Allison’s new romcom novel Save The Date. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Introducing Starter Marriage

    Introducing Starter Marriage
    May 19 2025
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 min