The Psychology of Relationships

Money has a way of sneaking into every corner of a relationship—date nights, living arrangements, future plans, even how we argue or apologize. And yet, it’s one of the conversations couples avoid the most. In this episode, Julie and Yue chat with Netflix host, bestselling author, and creator of Money For Couples, Ramit Sethi, to unpack the psychology behind financial tension that inevitably creeps into relationships. Ramit explains why money arguments aren’t really about money—they’re about values, fears, power dynamics, and the stories we carry about security, freedom, and worth.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The Four Money Types and How They Influence Relationships
• How Different Earning Styles and Financial Habits Shape Dynamics
• Why Money Fights Are Often About Emotion, Not Numbers
• How to Communicate About Money Without Triggering Conflict
• How to Build a Shared Financial Vision That Supports Your Relationship
• Why Understanding Each Other’s Money Psychology Creates Trust and Intimacy
• How to Build a “Rich Life” Rooted in Choice, Alignment, and Safety

To learn more about Ramit Sethi: follow @ramit and visit https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sex is never just physical. Our desire, frustrations, and turn-ons are shaped by how we think, how we feel, and how safe we feel—both with our partners and within ourselves. In this episode, Julie and Yue sit down with health educator, researcher, and New York Times bestselling author Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. to explore the psychology and neuroscience of sex beyond surface-level conversations. Drawing from her groundbreaking work in Come As You Are, Come Together and Burnout, Emily breaks down why sexual desire isn’t one-size-fits-all and how stress, context, and emotional connection influence our sexual experiences far more than we’re taught to believe.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why Sexual Desire Looks Different for Everyone
• The “Accelerators” and “Brakes” That Shape Arousal
• How Stress, Body Image, and Emotional Safety Impact Sex
• How to Navigate Mismatched Desire Without Shame or Blame
• Why Desire Naturally Ebbs and Flows in Long-Term Relationships
• How to Build Sexual Connection During Stressful or Transitional Seasons
• Why Sexual Satisfaction Is About Safety and Understanding—Not Performance

To learn more about Emily Nagoski: follow @emilynagoski and visit https://www.emilynagoski.com/

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Why are we drawn to certain people—and why do some connections deepen while others fade? In this episode, Julie and Yue sit down with UC Davis professor and director of the Attraction and Relationships Research Lab, Dr. Paul Eastwick, to explore the science behind attraction and long-term compatibility. Drawing from decades of research, Paul Eastwick explains why our “ideal partner” checklist often doesn’t match who we actually connect with, how attraction can grow over time, and what psychological mechanisms—like attachment, motivated reasoning, and predictive modeling—shape the way we evaluate potential partners.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why Initial Attraction Isn’t Always a Perfect Predictor of Long-Term Compatibility
• How Our Stated Preferences Differ from Who We Actually Connect With
• How Repeated Interactions and Familiarity Deepen Attraction (Mere Exposure Effect)
• How Attachment and Past Experiences Shape How We Form Romantic Bonds
• How Predictive Models and Motivated Reasoning Influence Partner Selection
• Why Emotional Intimacy and Shared Experiences Strengthen Connection Over Time
• How Attraction Evolves—Sometimes in Surprising Ways—as Relationships Develop

To learn more about Paul Eastwick: follow @pauleastwick and visithttps://pauleastwick.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What if striving for fairness is actually driving disconnection in your relationship? We’ve been sold the idea of a 50/50 partnership—that equal contribution is the key to love—but real life, stress, parenting, and ambition often make that impossible. In this episode, Julie and Yue interview husband-and-wife team Nate and Kaley Klemp, authors of The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Relationship, to explore a new framework for connection. Drawing from mindfulness, leadership, and high-performance coaching, they share how radical generosity—giving 80% instead of keeping score—can build a stronger, more resilient partnership.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why the 50/50 Mindset Can Erode Connection and Foster Resentment
• How Radical Generosity Creates a Thriving Partnership
• The Role of Equity Theory in Relationship Satisfaction
• How to Navigate Key Transitions from Dating to Cohabitation and Parenthood
• Why Shared Success Matters More Than Equal Input
• How Couples Can Go “All-In” Together Without Burning Out
• Practical Ways to Co-Create a Relationship That Grows Over Time
To learn more about Nate and Kaley Klemp: follow @8080marriage and explore their work at https://8080marriage.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We talk a lot about love, commitment, and compatibility—but there’s one quieter factor that determines whether a relationship can truly thrive: emotional availability. In this episode, Julie and Yue sit down with Connor Beaton, founder of ManTalks and author of Men’s Work, to explore why some people can hold space for your emotions and connect deeply, while others seem emotionally out of reach—even when they’re right next to you. Drawing from attachment theory, emotional regulation, and decades of coaching experience, Connor explains how emotional safety is built, why vulnerability falters without it, and what it takes to cultivate real intimacy in modern relationships.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• What Emotional Availability Really Is—and Why It Matters
• How Attachment Patterns Shape Your Ability to Connect
• Why Emotional Safety Is the Foundation for Vulnerability
• How to Recognize When a Partner Is Emotionally Present—or Not
• Practical Tools to Increase Your Own Emotional Availability
• How Self-Leadership and Emotional Intelligence Support Deeper Relationships
• Why Facing Your Shadow Can Transform How You Show Up for Love

To learn more about Connor Beaton: follow @mantalks and visit https://connorbeaton.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy