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.

Ep 197 - Don't Want to Institutionalize Family Member

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...

Ep 196 - Work Bestie Steals Credit

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!

Ep 195 - How to Make Others Treat Me Better

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!

Ep 194 - Husband Won't Stop Spending

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!

Ep 193 - Wife Wants To Be Stay - At - Home Mom

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.

Ep 192 - Feeling Guilty During Business Travel

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!

Ep 191 - How to Tell My Boss No

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!

Ep 190 - Are Separate Vacations Bad for Couples?

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.

Ep 189 - Friendship Break - Ups

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...

Ep 188 - How To Quit at a Company I Like

A comedy writer (Breakwell) and a REAL psychologist (Olivas) tackle relationship questions and concerns in a funny yet meaningful way -- and they do it all in 10 minutes! Submit YOUR questions to JamesBreakwell@ExplodingUnicorn.com

10 Minutes to Save Your Marriage

James asks about fighting -- more specifically, what mistakes couples are most apt to make? Dr. Steve comes through with the answer … which both pinpoints common problems, and also provides solutions! Learn about handling conflict this week on TMTSYM!

Ep 58 - Three Mistakes Couples Make When Arguing

A listener writes in because she is concerned that her long-time boyfriend has a history of not getting a good job, or of making any movement toward marriage and "adulthood". James and Dr. Steve give their advice, and discuss some the rash of arrested development that seems to be a growing concern nation-wide.

Ep 42 - Boyfriend Won't Grow Up

Husband wants to live apart for awhile - wife wondering if this spells the end of the relationship. Kids are involved, one with special needs... a huge source of stress for all parties involved. James and Dr. Steve weigh in, and talk about marriages in trouble, and what different signals may mean.

Ep 56 - Is Separation the End?

A male listener writes in and reports that his wife waits a full 20 seconds before responding to his statements or questions. He asks what we think about it, and we (of course) rise to the challenge! See if you agree with us, and what YOU would tell this listener.

Ep 93 - Wife Speaks on a 20 - Second Delay

James and Dr. Steve get a question from a 15yo listener who laments saying something "weird" to a girl he likes -- and she has not been warm toward him ever since. Listen in as the pros empathize with the lad, but give him some tough advice to swallow.

Ep 38 - 15yo: I Said Something I Regret...

A husband writes in and asks for advice, as his wife announced that she is no longer interested in having sex with him. James and Dr. Steve tackle the question from different viewpoints, as James plays the heavy this week!

Ep 79 - Wife No Longer Wants To Have Sex

Even family members can have radically opposed beliefs and opinions -- and in this new world of managed identities and social media, how do we handle these conflicts? Grace and dignity may have to wait... hear what James and Dr. Steve have to say!

Ep 41 - Blocked Brother On Facebook

Another tough relationship issue this week... a listener begins law school with the support (and encouragement) of her husband -- who may now be having an affair and wants a divorce. She is confused and angry, and asks our advice. James and Dr. Steve handle it like the pros they are!

Ep 46 - He Abandoned Me In Law School

When you marry your spouse, you marry their family... Listen in as James and Dr. Steve work through a strategy for dealing with a sister-in-law who is determined to make one of our listeners as uncomfortable as she can!

Ep 19 - Evil Sister-In-Law

A listener writes in an says she has been married for ten years, but is no longer attracted to her husband. They have a child together, and she wonders what this means, or if anything can/should be done. James and Dr. Steve offer some of their sage wisdom, in hopes some changes can be made for the better!

Ep 68 - No Longer Attracted To Husband

A listener writes in and says his wife is no longer interested in living life according to the particulars by which he lives his life. He feels he has never lied to her, and that she is now trying to change the rules after they've been together for awhile. What should he do? James and Dr. Steve weigh in -- a complicated issue, see if you agree with what they said!

Ep 86 - Defending His Lifestyle

Our first question about sexuality within a relationship. A listener writes and expresses concerns about the different sexual appetites of each partner, and the resentment that can build as a result. Listen in while James gets more and more uncomfortable - as Steve ventures into an arena that is commonplace for relationship therapists!

Ep 15 - Different Sexual Schedules

A listener writes in with a serious marriage problem: he is an atheist, and his wife has recently converted to become a Born Again Christian. He is concerned about the impact this conversion may have on their marriage, and asks James and Dr. Steve to weigh in.

Ep 45 - Switching Religions Doomed The Marriage?

She's in China... he's in Canada... they met by chance -- do they HAVE a chance??? She writes in to ask if it would be prudent to pursue this unlikely pairing as a real relationship, and James &amp; Dr. Steve give their answer! See if you agree with us on this vexing new-world relationship quandary!

Ep 50 How Much Is Too Much Distance?

A listener writes in an reports that she is divorced from her ex, but now is struggling with feelings of attraction toward him again. Her dilemma is whether or not to tell him she may want to revisit some of the romance they shared. James and Dr. Steve seem in compete agreement when it comes to advising her on the best course of action!

Ep 67 - Should I Tell My Ex How I Feel?

Real simple this week: A listener writes in with an impasse -- he and his wife differ on the number of kids they want. She wants three, he wants two … what is a couple to do to resolve this foundational difference? James and Dr. Steve weigh in; listen, and see if you agree with their final answer!

Ep 60 - Two Kids, or Three?

An 18yo listener writes in to say his/her brother treats him/her in a verbally and emotionally abusive manner, and that their parents are unwilling to step in and curb his behavior. Unsure of what to do next, advice is sought -- and granted. James and Dr. Steve break down the situation and give solutions in their professional, but affable style.

Ep 39 - Brother Treats Me Horribly

We've got a special guest this week... Editor at Time Magazine, and marriage expert, Belinda Luscombe joins the show to add a woman's perspective! And a good week, too -- because a listener writes in to say she has gained a lot of weight since having children, and is concerned because she doesn't care. James, Dr. Steve, and Belinda wrestle with the question and the answer - you don't want to miss this one!

Ep 70 - Wife: I Gained Weight, but Don't Care

A listener feels a good vibe with a woman who works at his grocery store - but needs advice on the best way to proceed from here. Up to the challenge are two guys who haven't dated since Teddy Roosevelt's administration -- but know a thing or two about relationships! James and Dr. Steve give answers and direct him toward success!

Ep 35 - Asking a Woman Out at a Grocery Store

A personal episode for both co-hosts, as James and R. Steve answer a question about revealing seriousness/exclusivity in a new relationship -- but then share the story of how each of them FIRST said "I love you" to their respective spouses. Get to know these two like never before!

Ep 76 - The First "I Love You"

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