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Starter Marriage

Starter Marriage

By: Allison Raskin John Blakeslee & Studio71
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About this listen

 New York Times best-selling author and relationship coach, Allison Raskin, has spent the last few years researching what it really means to get married in today’s society. And now she is expanding her investigation with hands on experience as she navigates her first (and hopefully last) marriage with her husband and co-host, John Blakeslee. Pulling from the latest research, other couples and various experts, the duo will examine modern marriage from every angle including how it impacts the world on a societal level (think trad wives) and on the most personal (like losing a parent). Allison, a well-known mental health influencer, is used to sharing her life online, so opening up about the intimate details of her marriage to help others understand their own felt like a no-brainer. John, a former undercover CIA officer, who isn’t used to sharing his life so publicly, needed a little more convincing. But, hey, isn’t marriage all about compromise? For advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com We wanna make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4 Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20PolicyAllison Raskin, John Blakeslee, & Studio71 Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Our Imperfect Love Story

    Our Imperfect Love Story
    Jun 23 2025
    So many couples focus on the story of how they got together as a testament to whether their marriage was "meant to be." In this episode, Allison and John describe all the ways their early relationship broke the mold of what to look for--from John being worried that Allison was unstable to Allison not wanting to have to get to know someone new after her broken engagement. But despite not having a traditionally romantic journey to the altar, they still found their way there thanks to not having unrealistic expectations of each other, themselves or wedding planning. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠. Learn more about the possibilities of modern marriage with a copy of ⁠⁠I DO (I THINK): Conversations About Modern Marriage⁠⁠. Purchase Allison’s new romcom novel ⁠⁠Save The Date.⁠⁠ If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/StarterMarriage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • A Reformed Jew And A Lapsed Catholic Get Married

    A Reformed Jew And A Lapsed Catholic Get Married
    Jun 16 2025
    Allison is culturally Jewish while John is a lapsed Catholic. What does this mean for the religious future of their child? Couples therapist, Genesis Games joins the show to help the couple navigate having an interfaith marriage. Is it possible to find a middle ground to raise a curious child rather than a religious one? Also, Allison confesses to being weary of Catholicism while John reveals he thinks consciousness is a construct, an idea that infuriates his wife. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠. Learn more about the possibilities of modern marriage with a copy of ⁠I DO (I THINK): Conversations About Modern Marriage⁠. Purchase Allison’s new romcom novel ⁠Save The Date.⁠ If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/StarterMarriage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • You’re Difficult To Be Around

    You’re Difficult To Be Around
    Jun 9 2025
    How do you navigate your partner’s mental health without losing yourself in the process? In this episode, Allison and John interview Sheva Rejaee, founder and director of The Center for Anxiety and OCD in Southern California. Sheva offers expert guidance on how couples can strike a balance between helping their partners and maintaining healthy boundaries. Allison talks candidly about her OCD’s impact on their marriage, and John opens up about finally trying antidepressants after being resistant to the idea. (Spoiler: it was a great decision.) If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about the possibilities of modern marriage with a copy of I DO (I THINK): Conversations About Modern Marriage. Purchase Allison’s new romcom novel Save The Date. Follow Sheeva Rejaee on Instagram and buy her book: Relationship OCD: A CBT-Based Guide to Move Beyond Obsessive Doubt, Anxiety, and Fear of Commitment in Romantic Relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
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