Perhaps one of the most important attributes we can have as humans is empathy for our fellow beings. But empathy is often misunderstood and some have difficulty expressing it.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug talk about empathy through the lens of their personal experiences.  For a full transcript, click here: LL19-Empathy is a Lost Virtue

Empathy

We may wear many faces in life, and often they mask who we really are, because we are fearful, or have suffered a past hurt, or have simply learned to put on a brave front.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug reveal the power that comes with showing others that you are vulnerable, able to feel and empathize.  For a full transcript, click here; LL18-Vulnerability

The power of vulnerability

Most of us will ask at some point why we are here, what our purpose is, and what our lives are all about.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug ponder that question, what really matters.  You might be surprised at what they have to say.  For a full transcript, click here:LL17

What really matters?

In this episode, Alvean and Doug talk about the byproduct of painful experience; the wisdom that follows once we have processed the life lesson we are meant to learn.  Although we all wish to avoid pain--few are spared.  But there are ways to cope and to transform those emotions into something that will endure.  For mre, see the attached transcript: LL16

The wisdom found in pain

It is bad enough to lie to someone else, worse yet to lie to oneself.  Alvean and Doug talk about the ways in which we can deceive ourselves even though that may not be our intention, and how we can spot these tendencies if or when they emerge.  For a full transcript, click here: LL15.

Lies we tell ourselves

To love openly and honestly requires vulnerability creating the potential for heartbreak if a relationship founders.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug talk about the grieving process that occurs when a relationship ends and talk about the ways in which one can use the experience to learn and grow stronger.  For more and a complete transcript, click here:LL14

Getting Over Heartbreak

In this episode, Alvean and Doug follow last week's post 'Surviving Infidelity' with a discussion on the ways in which couples can work together to prevent cheating, and create a relationship based in trust and transparency. For a full transcript of the episode, click here:LL13

Can you prevent cheating?

It is one of the hardest trials to overcome, when someone with whom you are in relationship violates trust and cheats.  Can love survive this offense or is everything poisoned forever?  Alvean and Doug talk about the redemptive power of forgiveness and the steps one must take to find a way back to a loving, honest and abiding relationship. For a full transcript, click here: LL12

Surviving Infidelity

Alvean and Doug dish about the best advice they each have received over the years.  Some surprising counsel is on hand in this episode and complete transcript of which can be found here: LL11

Best Advice Ever

Whether it's a difference of race, religion, nationality or any other cultural divide, relationships can get more interesting and sometimes more complicated when the partners come from different backgrounds.  Alvean and Doug talk about the hurdles and the ways in which they can be surmounted in this episode.  For more and a full transcript, click here: LL10

Cross Cultural Relationships

Living your life and loving it: navigating healthy relationships to find and keep that special someone in your life

When children are involved relationships get more complicated and especially when those children are from a prior marriage.  How and when to blend two families is a critical question deserving of patience and tact--especially if there are exes involved who are birth parents.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug take on the many issues surrounding blended families and offer some counsel about how to approach it.  For more and a full transcript, click here: LL09

Blending Families

Many of us were raised in a traditional family structure and are used to the idea that the man in the family is the breadwinner. In today's world that assumption can be a presumption as women take their rightful place in the working world and attain positions that compensate them at levels that may be more--even a good deal more than their partner.  In a perfect world that should not be an issue but it can result in some friction if it is not addressed early and both partners have a healthy sense of self esteem. In this episode Alvean and Doug explore the ways in which couples can navigate this arrangement successfully.  For more and a complete transcript click here: LL08

When the woman makes more

Maybe you've heard a friend say it, or perhaps said it yourself:  Why can't I find a good man, a good women?  Are they all taken, or are your requirements simply too picky?  Alvean and Doug unpack the question in this episode and explore the reasons we find some people attractive and others not so much--and how we can sometimes sabotage ourselves by finding faults that may or may not exist even before a relationship has a chance of getting started.  For more and a full transcript click here: LL07

Am I too Picky?

Breaking up a relationship is never easy and it shouldn't be, after all at one time you both were in love or thought you were.  Regardless of the reasons for ending it, there is a right and a wrong way to go about it.  In this episode Alvean and Doug offer some insight and suggestions about how to minimize the pain for both of you.  For more and a full transcript, click here: LL06

The Best Way to Say Goodbye

Partners in a relationship--especially a new one often ask if what they are feeling is real or just a short term infatuation.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug talk about the ways in which we can identify and test our own feelings and gauge the truth of those to whom we are attracted. For a full transcript of this episode, click here: LL04

What is real?

It has been said that life is the play we put on while we learn how to act..  Learning to love and creating loving relationships is the foundation for an expansive heart--a forgiving, and generous spirit.  In this episode, Alvean and Doug discuss the ways in which we can make this a conscious part of our daily life. For a transcript of this episode, click here:LL03

Loving Relations Expand our Hearts

In this episode, Alvean and Doug talk about how we choose people on which to model our own lives. Sometimes it is a parent or caregiver but often it can be another relative or as we age, a colleague/mentor, a close friend, or even a figure from history.  The process is not always a conscious one but become aware of these models is not only instructive, but crucial to understanding ourselves.  For a full transcript click here: LL02

Who are our models?

Perhaps you have had one or at least met the type.  Passive aggressive behavior is easily recognized but the signs are often subtle: sarcasm, extended silence, subtle criticism, avoidance and habitual lateness are all forms of passive aggressive personalities and they can be highly corrosive.  Recognizing and learning how to cope with this personality is the key to maintaining friendships and sometimes relationships.  In this episode Alvean and Doug describe the personality in more detail and talk about coping mechanisms for those who have such individuals in their lives. For a full transcript, click here: 68-The Passive-Aggressive Partner

The Passive Aggressive Partner

A lot has been written, especially of late, about the pros and cons of social media in relationships.  To be honest relationships are delicate and require privacy, nurture, and understanding none of which are especially common in social media.  Finding a path to healthy engagement with friends and family --enjoying the socialization of digital media can be tremendously rewarding or anathema.  Alvean and Doug offer some insights into how best to avoid the negative aspects without abstention.  For a full transcript, click here:64-Relationships and Social Media

Relationships and Social Media

One of life's great joys and also a scary proposition for many, parenthood has been described as the last of the unskilled occupations.  Most of us do what our parents did--or the exact opposite, neither of which is necessarily a prescription for success. In this episode, Alvean and Doug talk about parenting and offer advice on how best to prepare for this awesome responsibility.  For more and full transcript, click here: 65-Parenthood

Parenthood

I have really enjoyed this podcast so much! Extremely insightful and balanced thoughts on all things love and life! There has been a take away for me from each podcast and now that I’m all caught up, I am repeating many of the past ones while I wait. Alvean and Doug are a great combo—please don’t stop doing this! Thank you!!

Love it!!

Discovered it after listening to ‘another view.’ Great podcast with sage real-world advice! I also enjoy the Christian pov-even though you don’t have to be Christian to benefit from the show. Anyone could take these thoughtful discussions and apply them to real life and their actual relationships. And the shows are fairly short in comparison to other podcasts which is nice so I can listen to it on my morning commute. Thumbs up!

Love it!

LoveLife Podcast

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Non-Current Politics Podcasts

The best podcast episodes on parenting. Interviewing experts and talking through common issues surrounding parenting. This topic is filled with important lessons and insights for anyone listening. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!