10 Minutes to Save Your Marriage

We've got a doozy this week--and why not?! We're back after a long layoff. Thanks to an alert listener who sent in a great question, we're back in business! Be sure to send your questions so we can get back 100% on track and serve our fine audience.

This week, a listener writes in to ask about the coming out process for members of the LGBTQ community. The writer has concerns because of his family and their background, so Dr Steve and James handle the sensitive topic with a directness that honors the different components in the writer's situation. As per usual, listen in and see if you agree!

This week, a fan of Dr. Steve's writes in to say he has a friend who recently made an ill-advised--major--purchase. Listen in as the entire show unravels when James and Dr Steve get into it about the answer, the question, and the entire premise of the episode!

The title tells the tale--a listener writes in to ask how to initiate boundaries with a mother who seems to require constant attention. Dr Steve takes a rare role as "bad cop" this week, as he details a plan that includes (not surprisingly) therapy for the letter-writer. James doesn't use a softer touch necessarily but tries to slide into the unfamiliar "good cop" role. An interesting episode to be sure!

A listener writes an and asks a provocative question about parent/child boundaries. As per usual, James and Dr. Steve take different approaches to recommending an answer--but all in all, they are both in agreement. See what YOU think...

A serious episode this week--despite the letter-writer wanting a light-hearted answer. Basically, a listener wrote in and asked advice from James and Dr. Stev regarding a family member who may need to be institutionalized. Try as they might, the co-hosts could not make light of a serious situation. Listen in as the boys put on their "good advice" cas and reply to the question.

A listener writes in with a work-related question. Her "work bestie" has stolen credit for her ideas for some time now--and she wants to know what to do about it! Listen in as James (who is familiar with corporate culture) and Steve (who has only had a real job for the past two months) offer strikingly similar advice...

After what feels like an eternity, James and Dr. Steve are back in the saddle and answering listener questions. This week, we are grateful to get a softball from a listener who is concerned about her relationship choices. You'll rarely hear the two co-hosts agree with each other...but you will this time!

A listener writes in and asks for our advice. It seems her husband has some extraordinary spending habits that have driven the family into debt. The wife has been working hard to keep them afloat, but feels her husband will not listen to her pleas for a better long-term plan. James and Dr. Steve give their opinions--see if you agree with our advice!

This week, a listener writes in because he is concerned about his wife, who does not seem to want to leave their new baby. He wonders about her desire to return to work and expresses some confusion about her work ethic. James and Dr. Steve mash up a technically flawed episode (more phone demons, I'm afraid), but cobble together some basic nuggets of wisdom!

This week, a new business traveler writes in to ask about the guilt she feels when she steals away on a business trip and explores the town. James and Dr. Steve both agree she should not feel guilty, but differ in the advice they give to help her overcome those feelings.

A listener writes in and asks for suggestions on how to tell the boss NO...without coming across as rude. James and Dr Steve offer advice, but then descend into a conversation about break-ups--and not accepting a partner's break-up. Listen in to see how this pertains to the two of them--it will make you laugh!

This week, James stumbled upon a concept that caught his attention--so he brought it to the show. Are separate vacations for couples normal and healthy, or abnormal and/or potentially a warning sign? He and Doctor Steve discuss...but either way you think, this is a topic that could generate some controversy!

James comes up with the question this week, as he saw something online and wanted Dr. Steve's take on it. Should we "break up" with friends we no longer wish to keep? Both hosts seem to agree on the answer, but the stories told add a funny footnote to this issue.

A listener writes in and asks about managing the guilt she feels over quitting a job she loves. Spoiler alerts: (1) She is leaving for a LOT more money, and (2) James takes a far more hardcore approach than Dr Steve. Listen in and think about the advice YOU might give to this person...

A listener writes in to talk about a deal-breaker issue between she and her boyfriend: She would like to have a baby, and he does not want to. Specifically, she asked how to broach the topic with him--but James and Dr. Steve take an entirely different approach. Listen in and see if you agree with the hosts (who seem to agree with each other!).

A listener writes in with baby fever--but mentions some extenuating circumstances that will make the conversation with her boyfriend difficult. James and Dr. Steve layout their advice--and get a bit spicy with each other in the process!

This week, James and Dr. Steve field a question about a worker who feels anxiety at work due to Imposter Syndrome. Dr. Steve analyzes the situation and explains the concept of I.S. James takes his usual pragmatic approach--cutting through Steve's psychobabble and getting to the root of the issue.

A listener writes in with a question related to his current polyamorous relationship. This is an arrangement not many folks have experience with--but that doesn't stop James and Dr. Steve from weighing in and offering answers to his question!

After a week of technical difficulties, James and Dr Steve are back in the saddle! This week's question is a retelling of the question that got nuked by the software gods last week: a woman wonders if her marriage is possible to salvage. The cohosts give their opinions...see what YOU think!

A problem has arisen for one listener--she wants to know how to live her life to the fullest when it seems she is burdened with being a caretaker. James and Dr. Steve agree about the proper advice on the surface--but listen to see if their agreement is really all that it seems!

Just as the title line implies, this week's letter writer asks about how to handle a situation whereby her employee literally smells bad. Dr Steve recounts a couple stories where he has had to deal with this exact issue, and James chimes in with some practical wisdom. Listen in and compare our answers with what YOU might do!

This week, a listener writes in and asks about how to handle a colleague who never admits to being wrong--even to the point that it affects the work of those around them. James and Dr. Steve weigh in, leading to a rare admission by James that Steve has made some good points...

The title says it all -- and as a bit of irony, Dr. Steve has to struggle with his own sanity while recording this episode (a storm hits right as he's speaking!). James gives his two cents to the listener, which always seems to contradict Steve...

A great listener question this week--she asks about how she knows if she is in love? What is love? How do we define love? And pragmatically, what to do with a relationship that seems to beg these questions. James and Dr. Steve tackle the question while Steve dodges lightning strikes under a thunderstorm on his ranch. A fun, informative episode!

A listener writes in and asks for advice--because he has trouble making small talk when he first meets someone. James and Dr. Steve dive right in, offering step-by-step practical advice. A first for the show? Perhaps...

James himself has a question this week--because he's having an issue with his neighbor. Hear what the problem is and how he is choosing to handle it (DESPITE Steve's advice)!

Pretty straight forward question this week--a listener writes in to say that she is in a bad marriage and that her daughter has been asking if they are getting divorced. The listener mentions what she has told her daughter and is asking for advice and feedback. A tough one for sure, no easy answers. James and Dr. Steve do their best to lend some guidance in under ten minutes!

A very common question these days--should I stay, or should I go? In this case, it's about the letter writer's job. She wonders if she should leave for more money or stay where she is comfortable. James and Dr. Steve seem to agree--although it never quite feels that way!

Pretty straight-forward question this week--but an interesting one to dive into! A listener wrote in about asking a friend if the friend thinks a girl (that the letter writer met online) is attractive. An awkward question, or a developmentally appropriate one? You decide!

Forgot to post this one last week--sorry!!! The title says it all! A woman is in a relationship...but has a secret crush! What should she do? James and Dr. Steve have some advice to give.

A listener writes in with a question about a work relationship. They feel it is untenable, but the cohosts have other ideas...

The title says it all! A listener writes in and asks for our advice on how to handle a disrespectful coworker. James and Dr. Steve offer different opinions--which should come as no surprise to you! Be sure to send your questions in to James--we have been out of questions for nearly a month!

A listener writes in and asks what she can do to remain friends with a guy pal who has started a new romance, James ad Dr. Steve seem to agree as to the appropriate advice--which can't be good for anyone!

A listener writes in and asks how she might politely tell her (healthy) parents that she does not want them to move in with her. Jaems and Dr. Steve play good cop bad cop, but both arrive at the same advice. See how you compare to the co-hosts!

A listener writes in and asks how she and her partner can keep the fire burning. They have been together for awhile, and she fears settling into a less exciting pattern of interacting. James and Dr. Steve give their take on the situation--and Steve remembers giving an entire seminar on the topic.

A letter writer sends a follow-up to a question about an obnoxious family member. We like to hear success stories!

The title doesn't do this episode justice. There is a lot going on in the letter writer's family, as she describes one incident that has led to an escalation in discord. Listen in and think about the advice YOU would give--a troubled situation, to be sure.

Just as the title implies, a listener writes in to ask about her husband. She is concerned because of some of the things he believes. James and Dr. Steve weigh in, offering their points of view as well as potential solutions. Listen in and see if you agree!

A listener writes in to ask our advice on how to handle a situation with her husband. She and he are on different ends of the political spectrum, and she feels put down by him in front of their child. James and Dr. Steve weigh in on this sensitive topic.

James cheats on his beloved Dr. Steve this week--by recording an episode with a real-life divorce lawyer. Hear about the process and the price paid by couples who engage in divorce...from a person who has a front row seat to the best and worst examples of divorce.

A listener writes in and asks a philosophical question: Is THIS supposed to be the happiest time in my life? She then goes on to ask James and Dr Steve about the happiest times in their lives. You may be surprised by their answers!

James and Dr. Steve receive a question from a listener this week--a question that rings familiar to both co-hosts. As they break down the problem and offer solutions, they are struck by how personally this question affects each of them! Fortunately, they both arrive at roughly the same conclusion...

A listener writes in and lays out her current life situation. At the end of the thought, she asks our opinion about whether or not she and her husband should have a third child--thereby potentially disrupting their idyllic life. James and Dr. Steve are no strangers to offering advice, and we do so. Oddly, both co-hosts seem to be in agreement...

A listener writes in because she is concerned about the wife of a high school friend. It seems the marriage has been having some issues and now the writer may know too much! She asks James and Dr. Steve for advice - which we gladly give! See if you agree...and let us know what YOU think!

No question this week--which gives the hosts time to reflect upon the past three years of listener involvement. They go over their favorites, and argue a little over which are the best. The show must go on--so we need your emails! JamesBreakwell@ExplodingUnicorn.com

There were no listener questions this week, so James fired one off to Dr Steve: How do couples manage stress while moving? The question is particularly salient to Dr Steve, who is preparing to sell his house and move. Always an instigator, James stirs the pot...

A listener writes in, concerned that she may be putting people off with some of her social skills. She lists the issues she has been having, and then asks for advice, James and Dr. Steve go through the practical advice they normally give, but then Dr. Steve offers some solutions from his world of psychology. A step-by-step episode if we've ever had one, with some ideas EVERYONE can use starting today!

A listener writes in to give the audience an update on her situation. She write several months ago and asked about a relationship that was devoid of sexual intimacy. In her update, she asks another question: Is it possible that traditional relationships aren;t my thing? James and Dr. Steve take a crack at answering--although their replies seem to follow very different courses...

A listener writes in with a straight-forward question: should I get an emotional animal (given her situation)? James and Dr. Steve take in her info and give a straight-forward reply. See if you agree!

A listener writes in to ask about a former boss--who seems to be bad-mouthing her, even long after she has left the company. James and Dr. Steve give their reactions to the scenario, as well as offer their advice. Listen along and think about what YOU would do in that situation...