Marriage Is Funny

The Peppers are pulling back the curtain for a behind the scenes look at their latest budgeting woes. As they give a debrief of episode from their recent interview with The Vreelands (Ep 101), you’ll hear them using financial goals and an “abundance mindset” as they try to whip their bank account(s) into shape.Want to learn more about growing together in Great Love? Join us at the Grounded Marriage Summit we’re hosting in Long Beach next February! With expert speakers and authentic Mexican food in the heart of Southern California, we promise it will be an event that you do NOT want to miss.

Celebrating a BIG milestone on Marriage is Funny this week! We’re 100 episodes in and that means we’ve got plenty of stories to show for it. Tune in for a look back at how starting a podcast has saved our marriage and be sure to join in the discussion over in our private facebook group.Meanwhile, are you looking to grow a relationship that’s rooted in Great Love? Join us in Long Beach for the Grounded Marriage Summit in Feb 2020! Head to our site for more event info and click right here to support the show. ♥︎

This week, we’re joined by marriage experts and co-authors Les + Leslie Parrott! They are the brains (and hearts!) behind the Better Love marriage assessment, and this week we’ve enlisted their help with how to approach conflict in a healthy way. These two have massively shifted our perspective when it comes to fighting fair and you’ll love this episode if you want an excuse to send your partner to their room.Meanwhile, are you looking to grow a relationship that’s rooted in Great Love? Join us in Long Beach for the Grounded Marriage Summit in Feb 2020! Head to our site for more event info and click right here to support the show. ♥︎QUICK BITES:Follow Les + Leslie on instagram for marriage advice on the go!The Better Love marriage assessment is meant to help you love more deeply, every day.Books mentioned in this episode: The Good Fight, Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, Healthy Me Healthy You (coming out in 2020)Learn more about The Parrotts and their upcoming events at lesandleslie.com!

This week, we are joined by friends Ron + Morgan Day Cecil! They are the creators of a movement called Romance + Adventure and we have enlisted their help with our ongoing and sometimes wobbly quest for intimacy. Whether you’re seeking a deeper connection OR trying to wiggle your way out of a back-rub (ahem) these two are experts when it comes to heartfelt connection and we are SO ready to learn the magic of their ways.Meanwhile, do you want to grow a relationship that’s rooted in Great Love? Join us in Long Beach for the Grounded Marriage Summit in Feb 2020! Head to our site for more event info and click right here to support the show. ♥︎QUICK BITES:Book recommendations: The Passionate Marriage by David Schnarch, Intimacy And Desire by David Schnarch, Wired for Joy by Laurel Mellin.The miracle of love isn’t in the falling, it’s in the remaining. Morgan shares this quote with us as a reminder to keep making the choice, even though it’s not always easy!The Cecils remind us of the distinct importance of understanding, defining and communicating what we want by sharing it regularly (and openly) with our partner.Regardless of gender, remember that your sexual energies are meant to be complementary to one another and do not need to be identical.The person with the lower desire can “take back the lead” in order to feel empowered. The Cecils share a positive and proactive solution for couples who have libidos that land on completely different levels!Morgan explains why having “order” in the house is something that helps her feel free enough to get lost in a moment of passion. (Ron promptly begins clearing the space around her, just in case.)Talking about sex when we’re already laughing or having a good time together is what starts to normalize the conversation and remove potential triggers. Morgan reminds us to “Stay in the heart instead of letting ourselves get stuck in the head.”The Cecils teach us about brain state awareness. It is important to know that prioritizing personal growth is what allows you to show up for your partner as your true self. Relationships become dangerous when you to expect or rely on the other person to fix you.

This week, we’re joined by Andre + Jeff Shinabarger! They are the hosts of a podcast that is aptly named “Love or Work” and we’re excited to get their advice about what it looks like to pursue both values at the very same time. Whether you’re trying to build a bookcase together or running a full-blown company with your spouse, these two are teaching us that healthy communication is at the heart of it all. Be sure to check out their show and come say hey on IG while you listen: @meetthepeppers + @loveorwork!Meanwhile, do you want to grow a marriage that’s rooted in Great Love? Join us in Long Beach for the Grounded Summit in Feb 2020! Head to our site for more event info and click right here to support the show! ♥︎  

This week, we’re learning that ideas are like rabbits... Leave them alone for five minutes and you’ll have way more than you bargained for. Jessie’s enormous pile of topics is causing a log-jam and it’s going to take a miracle (or a bonfire) to burn through the logistics of daily life in an effort to reconnect. We may be breaking the rules of our usual podcast format, but it’s taken us back to the original roots of this show.Do you want to grow a marriage that’s rooted in Great Love? Join us in Long Beach for the Grounded Summit in Feb 2020! ♥︎ A special thanks to ThirdLove + Native for making this episode possible. Check out our site to find out how to support the show! Quick Bites: As we game plan the house projects for our recent move, it has crowded out some of the things that are actually FUN to talk about.The Peppers stay connected through three specific things: Travel, Shared Projects + Heartfelt Conversations.Our Wheel of Fortune discussion gave us a chance to determine how to spend time together after we eat dinner.Gerard’s busy work schedule rears its ugly head yet again. Trigger Questions:Which partner is more of the conversational enthusiast?Share one topic you’d like to talk about with your partner from both the logistical and life-giving categories.How do you organize the list of things that you need (or want!) to talk about with your partner?

The Peppers have a long history with their favorite game show, but now they’re ready to take it to the next level by becoming official contestants. Jessie may know her way around a dictionary, but Gerard is the strategic gambler of the family. They both agree that Wheel of Fortune makes great background music for dinner, but weeknight quality time feels like a prize all on its own.Thanks to Ritual + Native Deodorant for making this episode possible. ♥︎ Click right here to learn more about our podcast partners and head to our site for more info about how to support the show!QUICK BITES:We’re signing up to become Wheel of Fortune contestants!Jessie hates listening to Gerard’s mouth noises during dinner, so her solution is tuning in for the primetime game shows.Visual proof that game show presenters might be stronger than they look.Here’s a fun article about the Samsung v. Vanna White lawsuit.TRIGGER QUESTIONS:If you could be on any game show (past or current) which one would it be?Do you have any TV watching guidelines when it comes to quality time as a couple or as a family?Are you and your partner bold enough to leave the house in matching outfits? If not, which person usually ends up changing?

The two recent earthquakes in Southern CA have kept The Peppers on their toes. A rumbling house has led Jessie to believe that they’re living on a fault line, while Gerard realizes that growing up in California didn’t really teach him very much about earthquakes.Relaxing on the 4th of July was interrupted by Jessie’s voice from upstairs AND the house shaking beneath their feet. (Verdict is still out on which of the two events might have caused the other to occur.)Tune in as they navigate the ins and outs of emergency preparedness and find out what to do amidst the corresponding marriage conflict.Thanks to OpenFit + ThirdLove for making this episode possible. ♥︎ Click right here to learn more about our podcast partners and head to our site for more info about how to support the show!QUICK BITES:Gerard might be married to a psychic, but he has enough of his own powers to know that Jessie’s been a part of Team Nap all along.Following random bursts of inspiration during the occasional “cat think” is what leads Jessie to some of her best works.Doorframe or duck-and-cover? The Peppers try to decipher which is the best approach during a 45-second earth-shattering alarm.Gerard’s seismic past does not make him a convincing expert when it comes to tectonic activity.Jessie’s note to news reporters: Please refrain from using dumb words during a life or death experience!Gerard is not the only one who has a crush on lead seismologist Lucy Jones.Wonder what you’re actually supposed to do after surviving a natural disaster? Avoid screaming to conserve your energy, use text messages instead of phone calls, and always make sure your family knows the master plan.Jessie’s predisposition to conspiracy theories is very possibly going to turn her into a doomsday-prepper.Trigger Questions:Which partner is most likely to be overly prepared in the face of a natural disaster?Did you ever have to learn or practice any type of emergency drills as a kid?Design your perfect storm bunker together... don’t forget amenities, snack foods + entertainment!

This week, The Peppers are trying to decide on colors AND quantities of their impending suitcase purchase(s). Jessie learns that Gerard is QUITE generous with his gift-giving, but certainly much stingier with his exit row on an airplane. Tune in for a lively recap of our latest listener-vacay to Mexico and we’ll send bonus points to anyone who can find us the bubbly water (and silk pillowcase) that we sadly left behind.We had SO much fun in the live FB hangout last week, so we’re doing another post-game recap on Wednesday, June 19th at 6pm PT! Be sure to join the gang for all our juicy stories that didn’t make it on the air.Meanwhile, thanks to Third Love + Care.com for making this episode possible. ♥︎ Click right here to learn more about our podcast partners and head to our site for more info about how to support the show!QUICK BITES:Suitcase drama abounds. Scuffs! Torn corners! Sticky wheels, OH MY!There’s a bit of confusion about coupon expiration dates. What the statute of limitations when it comes to unclaimed gifts?The Peppers can’t seem to agree on this one: Are suitcases meant to be pristine or patina-ed?Jessie is tempted to match her new Away suitcase to her silk Pepper dress, but thankfully it appears as though Gerard has backed her off of that ledge.Currently looking for an attorney who is well-versed in special occasion coupons.If you’re looking for related conversations, you might enjoy our Summer Travel Series from 2017.Valentine’s Day has had it’s fair share of mishaps: gifts, dinner partiesSince when does the gift-giver decide how the giftee uses the gift?Gerard’s sunscreen habits rear their ugly head, yet again.A recap of the Great Love Getaway, including highlights + mishaps!The Peppers fess up about how to get away with a beach club birthday.Jessie’s favorite cocktail is set to take the world by storm but La Jessie Especial will always have roots in Puerto Vallarta.If anyone knows where to get Penafiel in the US, please let us know and we’ll love you forever!The Peppers have a history of smuggling things in from other countries, and Jessie narrowly avoids getting flagged on our latest Mexico trip. Her bags got searched multiple times in May, yet no one seems to care that her bag was full of suspicious items.Gerard encounters a nut-job on our recent Southwest flight. His pacifism finally has a reason to come into play, but it certainly doesn’t stop him from sticking up for our flight attendants.Trigger Questions: Have you ever accidentally regifted something to your spouse for a special occasion?How many suitcases do you think one avid traveler needs?What is the weirdest (or most dangerous) souvenir that you’ve ever brought home from a trip?Don’t forget to follow along with our adventures on instagram and if you’re having as much fun as we are, please share this show with your favorite married friends!

In what could possibly be known as the longest-shortest move of all time, The Peppers have now (nearly) landed in the house across the street. This week they learned that leaving in a hurry is less than ideal, but that nothing says “home” like a block full of generous neighbors.There was SO much to say in the Season 7 premier, so we’re hosting a live post-game recap on Wednesday, June 5 at 5pm PT! Tune in to FB for some exclusive deleted scenes and in the meantime, get excited for the Marriage Summit that we announced for Spring 2020!Thanks to OpenFit + Warby Parker for making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show.QUICK BITES:DISCLAIMER: Anything that might accidentally sound like legal advice in this episode is NOT actually legal advice.Jessie never wants to see another cardboard box as long as she lives, and you can find out why by reading this post about Love As Big As A House.The Pepper’s lose their home to a landlady with no heart, but they are trying to be gracious despite the desperate wishes to stay put.Jessie claims that she’s not planning on speaking to “the woman who shall not be named” but you can place your own over/under bets on how long it takes before they’ve officially made amends.Learn more about the magic of The Three Kings in Episode 21.This is not the first time that Jessie has had woes about moving her toiletries… Listen to Episode 16 for the backstory and say a prayer for her skincare if you think of it this Summer!No surprise here, but the generosity of our neighbors is one of the things that makes us so resistant to leave!The Peppers realize they’re second-guessing the security of having a real home-base. As usual, clinging to each other ends up being the best way to stay rooted in Great Love.Don’t forget to follow along with our adventures on instagram and if you’re having as much fun as we are, please share this show with your favorite married friends!

This episode features an in-depth look at The Pepper’s end-of-year traditions. Jessie is on the fence about their big epiphany party plans next month but Gerard has ulterior motives because he loves her festive cooking. Pruning the garden happens in conjunction with pruning our calendars for 2019 and both can be painful if you don’t keep an eye out for the thorns.Thanks to PrepDish + Zola for making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show. QUICK BITES:The backstory of our big Epiphany Party can be found by listening here. Our new year doesn’t technically begin until the day-after-party debrief, but hosting parties together is one of our favorite pasttimesDid you hear that our stove saga has been solved? Jessie’s new kitchen appliance has seriously changed the dinner-party game..Jessie’s grocery store pals make a reappearance from Episode 47.Purging the garage resulted in a loss of important paint cans.The infamous armoire has finally been around long enough that it needs to be snazzed up with some organization.Our mattress history gives some context about why a bedroom swap is impending.Gerard is in charge of our green thumb duties and follows pruning rules to a T when it comes to his show-stopping roses.We’ve purged our closets in the past, but lately this project has felt a little too bristly to feature on the show.Gerard’s busy work schedule has made it difficult to connect amidst an already very busy season.Travel has been a very big part of our relationship and we’re craving it as a chance to reconnect with one another. Hear more about our tips, tricks + justifications by listening to the Summer Travel Series from 2017.The new year is a great time for dream-lining, and you can listen to us practice that together back in Episode 35.Jessie launched a new business a few years ago and you can get the backstory from our archives and then take a peek at her website for more info.Get focused for the new year by checking out the Essentialism book right here.Here is a description of the Tim Ferriss Year in Review process that we typically follow for our pre-January pow-wow.Listen to the tear-jerking episode that provoked the latest one-star review.

The Peppers are finally whipping up some homemade hot sauce for their neighborhood Christmas gifts this year. Gerard wants to invent his very own recipe and Jessie is having deja vu about the last time they took a stab at it. Once you listen to this week’s show, be sure to check out the launch of our latest project called Let’s Taco ‘Bout God!Thanks to PrepDish + Songfinch for making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show.QUICK BITES:You’re probably not surprised by how much The Peppers LOVE hot sauce. We talked about it on the show a few years ago, and now Gerard is ready to give it another shot.Gerard wants to use this recipe, but hopes that Jessie can add her own dose of creative flavor. Sounds like grilled pineapple is going to be the secret ingredient, which means that G will have to do the taste testing all by himself.Jessie’s sugar-free grain-free granola is a seasonal adaptation of this simple recipe.Become a hot sauce ninja by keeping these tiny cholula packets nearby at all times.Curious about the official scoville rating system? Check out this handy chart to keep your spice levels in check.Check out the launch of Gerard’s latest project! It’s called Let’s Taco ‘Bout God and you won’t want to miss it.TRIGGER QUESTIONS:If you could deliver one thing to your neighbors for a holiday gift, what would it be?How do you feel about the art of re-gifting?What is the spiciest thing that you’ve ever eaten?