Starter Marriage

In the series finale of the podcast, Allison and John answer questions from the audience about how they deal with being attracted to other people, the process of online dating, and whether this show has been good for their marriage. During Marriage Moments, Allison finally reveals the results of the guest survey she gave out at their wedding. Plus, an announcement about the future of Starter Marri...

Ash Perez joins the show to talk about his divorce and how to know when to walk away from a marriage that isn't working. It's a raw, vulnerable conversation about societal expectations, being in the public eye and finding yourself again. Former coworkers Ash and Allison also try to explain the Buzzfeed Video Universe to John, who still doesn't understand. Get Ash's new audiobook, SPEAK NOW: https:...

John interviews Allison about her career as a relationship coach, including her reservations about coaching and the pressure she feels to be a perfect wife. During Marriage Moments, Allison appreciates being humored when she insists on an excessive pasta order and John wonders how often couples send each other calendar invites for major national holidays. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Mo...

Allison and John share the harrowing story of their dog Phantom’s medical emergency, a crisis that left them overstretched, emotionally exhausted, and reckoning with their newfound responsibility for three different lives. They open up about what makes them most anxious as new parents. During Stay or Leave, Allison considers hiring an exorcist and is surprised to learn that John has a lot of opini...

In this tension-filled episode, John and Allison discuss co-parenting (or--as John points out--just parenting). This leads to a difficult conversation around different styles and expectations of each other. Also, would you rather be married to a horse?  If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarria...

Nora McInerny joins the show to share what it's been like to remarry after losing her first husband to brain cancer in her early 30's. She opens up about the differences between the two relationships and why she (mistakenly) never thought she'd fall in love again. Also, an elaborate marriage moment involving a kitchen knife and shadow karate. Check out the interview with Allison's mom: https://fee...

John thinks everyone wants to be his friend. Which is a perfect segue into the main topic of the episode: your partner's social circle. Do you have to be friends with your partner's friends? Do you have to like them? Allison has some strong thoughts about one of the important people in John's life. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

One of John's best friends, Bri LeRose, joins the show to talk about her decision to get engaged even though she never thought she'd get married. The trio discuss what Bri and her fiance are doing to feel more prepared to tie the knot--including reading Allison's book (very exciting!). If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week, Allison and John tackle the viral videos putting modern relationships to the test. Is it science, or just clickbait? The conversation takes a detour when John references the iconic door test from the 1993 film A Bronx Tale only to realize Allison thinks he's talking about a talking cartoon mouse. Plus, they talk about Michael Douglas… a lot. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Momen...

John shares some of the first texts Allison sent him and they are...interesting. The couple then dives into how much they've each changed since getting together. This includes John learning a bananas amount of math and Allison feeling disconnected from the world after losing her mom. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In the first ever sequel episode of the podcast, Allison and John pick up the story of Parker's birth once he is outside of Allison's body. Highlights include: a brief NICU stay, Allison compulsively telling people labor was easy, and a wild story starring "The Educator."  If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

The story everyone has been waiting for! A detailed play-by-play of Parker's birth. Highlights include: leaking amniotic fluid everywhere, our doctor being a figment of our imagination and the beauty of an epidural. What a ride!  If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week, Allison and John talk about other people's marriages and how the relationships we grow up around influence our perception of the institution. What marriages do we want to emulate and what types of marriages make us want to run for the hills? Also, John put vinegar on his ice cream and producer Travis is upset about it.  If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future...

This week, journalist Vicki Larson joins the show to discuss alternative marriage structures including not sharing a home and only marrying for money. And John finally learns what a lavender marriage is.  Check out Vicki's work on her website : https://www.vicki-larson.com/ If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠s...

This week, Allison and John discuss the fundamentally unfair dynamic of the upcoming birth of their child as Allison prepares for her body to go through a crucible while John wonders whether he needs to buy himself a chair to sleep in. The two dive into their fear points around the pregnancy and postpartum. (Spoiler, this was recorded in October before their baby made an early arrival on Thanksgiv...

Jackie Johnson joins the pod to share how her (terrible) first marriage impacted her (lovely) second one and why she had to change her approach to relationships in general. Also, John doesn't know how to pronounce muffins. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/starter #rulapod This week, John and Allison dive deep into codependency. John opens up about his unhealthy relationship history. Things then get a little heated when they revisit a disagreement over who was busier this summer, an...

This week, Allison and John are joined by Jen Glantz, CEO and founder of Bridesmaid For Hire--a business that will shock you. Jen shares what it's like to go undercover at weddings and help strangers navigate their big day. Critics will call it a "jaw dropping" episode. (Hopefully.)  If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Allison coins a new phrase that will hit the zeitgeist by storm. The duo then dive into jealousy toward each other. Allison feels threatened by John's writing now that he has a Substack and is envious that he doesn't also live with OCD. And John reveals he hasn't always dealt with his jealousy in the healthiest of ways.  If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode t...

This week, Allison and John dive into John's least favorite topic: divorce. They each share their deal breakers and have a detailed debate over how much privacy is appropriate in a marriage. Allison then shares some divorce statistics that blow John's mind.  If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@...

If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: ⁠https://learn.nocd.com/StarterMarriage This week, Allison and John are joined by their wedding planners, Katie and Adam Schuette. They dissect what it was like planning a wedding together, how many animals is too many animals for a formal event and why premarital counseling s...

If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/StarterMarriage Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/STARTER #rulapod In this solo episode, Allison and John dive into th...

Professional Matchmaker Maria Avgitidis of Agape Matchmaking joins the show to talk about the biggest dating mistakes people make when looking for a spouse and the surprising advice she gives her clients. Also, John is defiant about not having to wear socks with loafers and tells a Marriage Moment story about panicking after getting out of the shower.  If you would like to submit a “Marriage Momen...

Allison and John unpack meeting their in-laws and what it was like for John to enter the very specific culture of Allison’s family. John shares his last conversation with Allison’s mom before she passed. And Allison admits the awkwardness of being with John’s family and the quiet grief of losing her relationship with her exes’ parents. In Marriage Moments, John has Allison crying with laughter ove...

Allison’s long-time creative partner Gabe Dunn joins the show to dissect their decade-long collaborations and share candid observations about Allison’s past romantic relationships. Gabe and Allison explore how their creative partnership was an actual "starter marriage” given how entwined they were personally and professionally. John reveals that while he isn't jealous of any of Allison's actual ex...