I Love You, Too

Dear Listener, has your relationship been rocked by a betrayal? Maybe you discovered your partner was hiding something—an affair, a secret account, or a series of trust-breaking half-truths. Or maybe you're the one who kept the secret, and now you're wondering if there's any way to heal your relationship. This is the second episode in our Managing Thirds series, and we're tackling one of the most...

Dear Listener, have you ever felt like you're competing with your partner's job, phone, friends, or hobbies for their attention? Or maybe you've been on the other side—accused of not prioritizing your partner when you didn't even realize you were doing it? Whether you're in a long-term relationship or just starting to date someone new, this episode is for you. (Singles: stick around until the end...

Dear Listener, you know those couples who somehow manage to stay connected and loving no matter what? Life is full-on life-ing at them, and somehow they seem stronger because of it. How do they do it? In this episode, we’ll explore one of the most powerful things you can do to build a relationship that thrives over the long haul: crafting your relationship's purpose and vision. Lasting, intentiona...

Dear Listener, does communicating with your partner sometimes feel like an uphill battle? Do you find yourself saying things you don't mean—or struggling to say what you do mean without it landing as an attack? What if there were a way to communicate that actually brought you closer, even during conflict? In this episode, we're joined by Relationship Center therapist and couples counselor Nicole P...

Dear Listener, are you a late-in-life virgin feeling broken, behind, or like something is fundamentally wrong with you? Do you avoid dating altogether because you dread the moment you'd have to disclose your virginity? If virgin shame is keeping you stuck in isolation — and making partnered sex that much less likely — you’re in the right place. In this episode, we welcome back Relationship Center...

Dear Listener, are you exhausted by the endless swipe-and-scroll cycle of dating apps? Do you wish potential matches could get to know the real you—not just a few photos and a character-limited bio? Well then, I’d like you to meet my friend, Date-Me Doc. Date-Me Docs are standalone documents (typically housed in Google Docs or Notion) that live outside dating apps and give you space to share who y...

Dear Listener, are you stuck in singleness limbo—eternally swiping and messaging? Do you rarely get past dates one or two, and never into a long-term relationship? Does it seem like you almost never meet someone who feels unquestionably right for you? What if the thing keeping you single isn’t your profile, lack of dating skills, or bad luck, but your brain running scared from doubt? In this episo...

Dear Listener, we’re back! In this short note, we pop in to say hello, share what we’ve been cooking up, and let you know what’s coming next on I Love You Too . Think: Date-Me Docs, crafting a clear relationship vision, and juicy interviews—including a deep dive with Cat Fillmore on one of the most overlooked reasons people stay chronically single. If you’ve missed us, the feeling is mutual. Subsc...

Dear Listener, we have some exciting updates—and a big life change—to share! In this special episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what’s ahead for the podcast, our work at The Relationship Center, and our family! We’re excited to share some personal and professional changes that will dramatically shape what we’re up to in 2025, including temporarily pressing “pause” on creating new episodes....

Do your relationships tend to develop at a romantic comedy pace, only to get messy fast and fall apart dramatically? If you’ve struggled to find sustainable, lasting love, then this episode is for you. Learn about common pacing pitfalls that prevent couples from building stable partnerships, including red flags such as love bombing, how pacing can help you work skillfully with the “addiction” of l...

What makes a good long-term partner, according to science? And why is it important to be mindful when we are choosing who to settle down with? In this episode, we dig into the research about what to look for and — equally important — what not to look for in a long-term partner. Plus, how do you clarify what you need in a partner? How can you differentiate between dealbreakers and “nice-to-haves” s...

Dear Listener, welcome to the final episode of our Dating Skills Series! In this installment, we focus on neurodivergent dating skills, offering insights into how autistics, ADHDers, highly sensitive people, and otherwise neurodivergent people may express affection, flirt, and show romantic interest. Whether you’re neurodivergent and struggling with dating, or a neurotypical crushing on a neurodiv...

Dear Listener, welcome to the third episode of our Dating Skills Series! In this installment, we dive deep into the art of building intimacy, a crucial aspect of creating chemistry and emotional connections on your dates. This episode is for you if you are frequently “friend-zoned” or struggle to get past first or second dates. Join us as we explore five key skills for building intimacy on a date:...

Are you struggling to keep conversations flowing on dates, Dear Listener? Rest assured, you're not alone – one of the most common questions we receive is, What should I talk about on a date?  Join us for part two of our four-part dating skills series, where we are here to guide you in improving your conversation skills. In this episode, we delve into 'juicy conversations' and explore how to k...

Dear Listener, welcome to the first episode of our Dating Skills Series! We delve into the foundational aspects of positive nonverbal communication, which are essential for creating connections and building attraction on a date. Whether you're a seasoned dater or just starting, these skills are crucial for getting past a first date and building meaningful connections. Join us as we explore key asp...

In this episode, Dear Listener, we dive into some of the most pressing questions about conflict in relationships: Why do we tend to avoid conflict? Why is it important to have conflict? And what is the best way to resolve a conflict? Today's special guest is Julie Barr , LMFT, an expert couples therapist and beloved Relationship Center clinician. She returns to explore the nuances of conflict and...

Are you tired of finding yourself in toxic relationships, Dear Listener? Wondering how to break the cycle and find someone who truly complements you? Then this episode is tailor-made for you! Join us as we introduce a practical 5-step process that you can use to finally find healthy, lasting love. We begin with an overview of the four keys to avoiding toxic relationships, then delve into the cruci...

Are you wondering, "Do I have to tell my date that I'm queer or trans?" or "Should I tell my partner if I'm questioning my gender or sexuality?" In this episode, we dive into the fluidity of gender and sexuality in relationships with our special guest, Nicole Penrod (she/they). Nicole, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, dating coach, and couples counselor on our team at the Relationship C...

Are you and your partner fighting too much, Dear Listener? Chances are you’re not taking advantage of our #1 communication tool for contentious couples – I-Statements! This episode delves into the power of using I-Statements (aka I-Messages) when communicating with your partner. We explore how I-Statements improve relationships by fostering open dialogue and compassion, while You-statements often...

Dear Listener, are you a sensitive, anxious man who struggles to feel confident while dating? You're not alone! In this episode, host and dating coach Josh Van Vliet shares his personal experience looking for love as a highly sensitive and, at times, insecure man.  Spoiler alert: Josh is now happily married to his co-host, Jessica! Jessica plumbs Josh’s dating experiences to answer the questi...

Jealous much, Dear Listener? Fret not! In today’s conversation with Julie Barr, MFT, we explore jealousy: what it is, whether it’s healthy, and what to do about it in intimate relationships. You may wonder, What is the true root of jealousy? Julie investigates whether jealousy is a fleeting feeling or an ingrained trait and how it differs from envy. We discuss whether jealousy is a natural, inevit...

Dear Listener, do negative thoughts about your body or your partner’s body stop you from building a satisfying love life? If so, you won’t want to miss our conversation with special guest Jessi Kneeland, a renowned body image coach, author of Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues , and host of the podcast This Is (Not) About Your Body . This illuminating discussion ex...

Dear Listener, are you navigating a breakup in the New Year? You’re not alone -- the holidays are hard on relationships. Some researchers and experts have even deemed December 11th “Breakup Day” because it sees the most relationship endings. That’s why we’re kicking the year off with "Breakups: Navigating Endings Gracefully & Healing." Psychotherapist and breakup guru Laia Pedreño Mateu offers...

Hey there, Dear Listener! Ready for the third and final chapter in our online dating series? This episode is brimming with all you need to know about filters, messaging, flirtation, and online dating etiquette. Wondering what filters to set on your dating app? Josh does a deep dive into how you can use filters to get higher-quality matches, including pointers on how to set filters for age and dist...

We answer a listener's question: Does age matter in a relationship?   If you’ve ever wondered, How much of an age gap is OK?, tune in to hear: Age Gap Realities: We review the research, unpacking trends in happiness and commitment in age-discrepant relationships. Listen to hear science’s mixed answer to the question, Can couples with large age gaps last?   Beyond Years: We explore how ag...