Romancipation

S2 Episode 10: Stop Trying to Create Movie Moments   Episode Summary Who doesn’t love a good romcom, chick flick or trashy novel?  While these types of stories entertain and move us, they unfortunately also have a sinister side.  They create unrealistic ideas about what love, passion and a romantic relationship should look like.  Too many of us fall prey to the idea that if someone really cares, t...

S2 Episode 9: Loans and Love Do Not Mix Episode Summary Love and money can be a toxic combination.  When you think with your heart (or crotch) instead of your mind, you often end up making decisions that you later regret.  This is especially the case when you lend money to a romantic partner. Most people borrow money with the best of intentions (at least you hope) to pay it back.  Unfortunately, w...

S2 Episode 8: What’s Trust Got to Do With it?   Episode Summary Just about everything.  There is no point in having a romantic relationship with another person if you don’t trust them.  If you don’t trust your partner, you will not communicate with them in an open, honest and vulnerable manner.  If you don’t trust your partner, you will never feel secure or be able to develop emotional or physical...

S2 Episode 7: Part 1: If You Need to Lie About Your Relationship, Run Away!   Episode Summary No relationship is perfect.  Every person has experienced frustration, anger or sadness in relation to their romantic partner.  However, there is a big difference between normal conflict, and bad behavior that consistently compels you to lie about your partner and your relationship. Maybe you’re embarrass...

S2 Episode 6: Contracts Have a Place in Romance Episode Summary As unromantic as it sounds, legal agreements make romantic partnerships stronger.  Think of these contracts as insurance policies.  Prenuptial, postnuptial and cohabitation agreements allow partners to clearly define their boundaries and expectations for one another. Anyone who thinks that legal agreements demean a romantic relationsh...

S2 Episode 5: Empathy is Relationship Tonic   Episode Summary As the saying goes, there is always two sides to every story.  Never is this more apropos than when experiencing a conflict in a romantic relationship.  If you want to have a successful interaction with your partner, make sure to practice empathy.  Try to understand their perspective by being open to what they have to say.   Remember, y...

S2 Episode 4: Advocate for Yourself Because No One Else Will   Episode Summary Advocacy and self-preservation go hand in hand.  You cannot have one without the other.  Yet, females are often discouraged from developing and honing their advocacy skills at an early age.  This needs to stop.  Advocacy is beneficial for individuals and couples alike.  It is a skill set that can literally save your lif...

S2 Episode 3: What is an Exit Strategy and Why You Need One  Episode Summary For many people, ending a romantic relationship is one of the most difficult things they can imagine and so they often make choices that are unintentionally hurtful, damaging, and disrespectful to their former partner.  Whether it is very early in a relationship or a couple is married, how you end a relationship can have...

S2 Episode 2:  Communicate What? Communicate This!   Episode Summary Communication is one of the cornerstones of a healthy relationship.  Communication is not just one person telling the other what they want and/or need from a relationship.  Appropriate communication involves active listening as well as acceptance.  If you want to be heard, you have to be willing to listen and process what is bein...

S2 Episode 1: Your Reality is Your Perception, Not Your Partner’s   Episode Summary Each of us comes into a romantic relationship with preconceived notions of what we want, need and expect from our partner.  Some of us are better at communicating those things than others.  Unfortunately, a significant number of arguments in relationships come from conflicting perceptions of a particular situation....

S1 Episode 12: Reality Check: What Do You Bring to the Relationship?   Episode Summary Self-awareness is a gift that keeps on giving as long as you are willing to be open to the truth.  Some of us (often women) focus too much energy on looking for a partner that checks certain boxes without taking into account what qualities we actually bring to a relationship. When you are honest with yourself ab...

S1 Episode 11: Relationship Dirty Laundry Should Stay in the Hamper Episode Summary We are all guilty of it!  Airing complaints about our partner and our relationship to anyone who will listen.  As satisfying as it may feel short-term, there could be serious consequences from your vent session. By letting family and friends know intimate details about your partner (even the flattering ones) you ca...

S1 Episode 10: Focus on the Foundational Traits of a Partner, Not the Aspirational Traits Episode Summary When you look for traits in a partner, don’t fall into the common trap of focusing on the aspirational traits (attractiveness, wealth, social status, talent).  Instead focus your energies on finding a partner that shares the same value system as you, or the individual that communicates and is...

S1 Episode 9: Accept Your Partner has Baggage, That Does Not Mean You Have to Carry it Episode Summary Every person has some type of baggage they bring to a relationship.  It would be impossible to have lived and not have something that weighs you down.  What matters is how you handle your own issues, as well as your partner’s baggage. You get to decide how much burden you want to take on.  No one...

S1 Episode 8: Sometimes the Problem is You Episode Summary Do you find dating a struggle?  Maybe you keep finding the “one” but it never seems to last.  Are your romantic relationships difficult or unsatisfying? If you answered yes to one or all of these statements, the problem may lie with you. So many of us lack self-awareness, especially when we are emotionally involved in the situation.  When...

S1 Episode 7: True Love: Organic or Strategic? Episode Summary Is true love real?  Does it just happen, or can you make it happen?  A Romancipated person takes control of their love life and goes for what they desire. They don’t wait around for prince or princess charming to show up at their door. If you want a relationship that matches your wants and needs, be strategic.  Figure out what is impor...

S1 Episode 6: Most People Suck in the Sack: Is Sex on the First Date Worth it? Episode Summary Is sex on the first date worth it?  Probably not.  For sex to be truly enjoyable for both parties there needs to be trust, intimacy and respect.  If you’ve just met, the chances that the sex will be mind-blowing is slim to none. If anything, a negative first sexual encounter can end a potential long-term...

S1 Episode 4: Unconditional Love is for Children, Not Partners Episode Summary Unconditional love is for children—not partners. This idea, albeit somewhat unconventional, is important for a romantic relationship. There is no such thing as a healthy relationship without boundaries and conditions.  With children, unconditional love is a must.  You made them so you owe them your love (no matter how m...

S1 Episode 5: Every Relationship Has an Expiration Date Episode Summary Every relationship has an expiration date. Sad but true. Every romance eventually ends (even if is not until death do you part).  Once you have accepted that all good (or bad) relationships eventually expire, you are free to live in the moment and focus on your happiness.   If both partners' needs and wants are being met,...

S1 Episode 3: Why You Don’t Try to Fix a Broken Toy Episode Summary Too many of us are guilty of entering a relationship with the idea we can change the person.  This is a very bad idea and it never works.  If you view a potential mate as someone who needs changing, fixing or saving, then you should not enter into a romantic relationship with them.  Often the person that you think needs to change...

S1 Episode 2: Relationship Mining: Uncovering Diamonds in the Rough Episode Summary Instead of chasing after the “ideal” partner, focus your attention on a quality person that you may have overlooked.  We often have people in our life that possess the qualities we desire but for some reason we have a mental block from seeing all of this person’s potential because it is not obvious. When you do unc...

S1 Episode 1: What is Romancipation? Episode Summary Romancipation offers a fresh perspective on romantic relationships with a focus on self-preservation.  A Romancipated individual develops and maintains appropriate boundaries, learns effective communication, accepts personal responsibility, practices empathy, and recognizes accountability in every romantic partnership.  When these concepts are a...