The Season Eight Finale is here and Jessie + Gerard are using it to uncover the truth about why it’s ok to admit when your marriage isn’t perfect. Tune in for more details about our Grounded Marriage Summit and in the meantime, we’re wishing you a Merry Christmas and very Happy New Year!

Rule 103 | Asking For Help Is Not Everyone's Cup Of Tea

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.

Rule 102 | Envelopes Are The Safest Place To Keep All Your Cash

This week, we’re joined by our friends Lauren + Jeremy Vreeland! They recently paid off OVER 230K dollars of debt and we have enlisted their help with some of our own (less-noble) budgeting woes. Whether you’re looking for financial clarity OR wish your spouse would quit bugging out about your spending habits, these two have tons of insight 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!QUICK BITES: Looking for a naturopathic doctor who is located in Southern California? We’re both big fans of Lauren’s practice and if you happen to be a parent, she also does pediatrics!Curious about our past budgeting conversations? Check out episodes 22, 47 and 57 for more backstory.

Rule 101 | Building A Budget Is Tough Unless Both Partners Are On Board

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. ♥︎

Rule 100 | Always Save Your Best Stories For An Audience

Jessie + Gerard are sharing an exclusive debrief about their recent interview with marriage experts Les + Leslie Parrott. (Be sure to get the backstory in Episode 98 before you listen!) Hear about how we’re putting their advice into practice, and come share your thoughts about healthy conflict over in the MIF facebook group.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.

Rule 099 | Sometimes Fighting Fair Means Walking Out The Door

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!

Rule 098 | It's OK To Take A Time-Out Every Now And Again

Jessie + Gerard share a “sexy” debrief about their recent interview with friends Ron + Morgan Day Cecil. (Listen to Episode 96 for the backstory!) The result is an honest conversation about pursuing sex and intimacy in a healthy way, and if you’re interested in our new approach just head to romanceandadventure.com for details.To hear more from The Cecils and their deep well of wisdom, be sure to join us at the Grounded Marriage Summit that we’re hosting next February! Ron + Morgan will be speakers at the upcoming event, and we promise it’ll be an experience that you do not want to miss.

Rule 097 | Intimacy Is Easier When All The Chores Are Complete

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.

Rule 096 | Saying No To Sex Is Not The End Of The World

Jessie + Gerard are sharing some behind-the-scenes thoughts on the recent interview with The Shinabargers and the result is a conversation filled with stories they’ve never told before on the show. Andre + Jeff are fellow podcasters and the duo behind a show called Love or Work. Make sure to tune in to episode 94 to get the backstory before you listen!Here’s the Dish:G shares more about giving up on professional ministry.J causes some bristling with her masculine energy.The Peppers share an upcoming chance to find great marriage mentors!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! ♥︎

Rule 095 | It’s Harder To Delegate Tasks Than it is To Do Them Yourself

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! ♥︎  

Rule 094 | Your Partner Is Not To Blame For Unused Vacation Days

A marriage in isolation is a difficult place to thrive. The Peppers are back for Season Eight of the podcast, but this time they’re enlisting the help of some very wise friends! Tune in to hear about the upcoming episodes and find out how to attend the Grounded Marriage Summit in 2020!Tickets are going live TODAY and the early bird price is available until November 1st. Act now to hold your spot because space is limited and it’s going to be FUNNNNNNN.Don’t forget: go to GroundedMarriage.com for all the info!

Rule 093 | Every Marriage Is Better With A Little Mediation

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?

Rule 092 | Every Couple Needs At Least One Jackass

This week, we’re hashing out the meaning and the messes behind our recent anniversary gifts. Gerard makes a strong impression with something silky and then Jessie (accidentally) breaks his heart with a failed scavenger hunt.Thanks to Grounded (our Marriage Summit!) for making this episode possible. ♥︎ Click right here to join us in Long Beach on Feb 20-22, 2020 and head to our site for more info about how to support the show!QUICK BITES:We stand by our warning about Summer weddings (and backsweat).The backstory about our flower failure is blooming yet again.The list of anniversary materials is helpful when you’re searching for the perfect gift.Gerard treats Jessie to the most luxurious way to sleep. We talked about her lost pillowcase earlier this season and now thankfully the silk situation has been solved.Jessie nearly burns Gerard’s face off with a new habanero “exfoliator.”Gerard’s hot sauce habit is something that jessie always appreciates at dinner time.Jessie wonders if she inspired the recent suitcase shenanigans by griping about Gerard’s unclaimed denim jacket.Birthdays (or really any special occasion) can be sticky situations when you come from different frames of reference... We’ve discussed this in the past but it remains to be a challenge!Trigger Questions:What is your fondest anniversary memory together?Have you ever had a “date night fail” or special occasion gone wrong?What is your favorite errand to run with your partner?

Rule 091 | Don't Show Up To Your Anniversary Empty-handed

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?

Rule 090 | There's A Thin Line Between Word Play And Foreplay

The Peppers are discussing backyard security after a raccoon tries to sneak in their bedroom window and an army of ants sets up camp in the kitchen. Tune in as they make a defense plan against household pests and the corresponding (stinky) antics.Thanks to Noom 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: Didn’t catch our past convos about Jessie’s ubiquitous Mercy Curse? You can catch up by listening to Episode 48 (termite trauma) + Episode 67 (spider woes).Here is the pet-safe and kid-safe bug repellent that Jessie tried... So far, the ant spray has not worked, but we’re hopeful about the fly traps.Bug-A-Salt 2.0 comes highly recommended from a gadget-centric friend.Gerard may claim to be a pacifist, but that has nothing to do with his vendetta against household pests.One of the many benefits to having super close neighbors is that they can easily pop over to help secure the perimeter in the middle of the night.Trigger Questions: What is the absolute worst pest infestation that you can possibly imagine?Have you ever been startled by an out-of-place animal at your home?What is your least favorite way to be woken up in the middle of the night?

Rule 089 | Backyard Jungles Are Not Meant To Be Tamed

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!

Rule 088 | Keep Your Shoes Close And Your Flashlight Closer

Summertime certainly has it’s pros and cons, but The Peppers try to balance each other out while they cover the nitty-gritty. We’re celebrating the holiday with a special episode of the show and be sure to follow along on IG to see the real-time action from our festive neighborhood this week!Thanks to Cove 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:Jessie loves: Bae Days! Sand coasters, pool floats + sunscreen for all.Gerard loves: Cornhole Tournaments! Spoiler alert: he may have a trophy for his form, but don’t expect to see him in the finals anytime soon.Jessie loves: Fresh Produce! Sign us up for fruits + veggies for every meal.Because we know you’ll ask: Jessie is working on recipes for the blackberry feta dip and watermelon fizz this week and they will hopefully be posted over on Style + Pepper soon!Gerard loves: Sunset Happy Hours! A chance to connect with each other while he practices his mixology.Jessie loves: 4th of July Bloody Mary Bar! On our block, the festivities get kicked off with tons of fixings + flavor.Gerard loves: Horny Corner in Belmont Shore! Sand couches, beer hats, and more bikinis than you’ve seen all year.Jessie dislikes: Fireworks. They stress out the dog and you can hear about her past anxiety issues back in Episode 73.Gerard dislikes: Excessive Amounts Of Dog Hair. Might be time to get a Roomba? Either that, or Sadie needs to borrow the hair supplements we talked about last week.Jessie dislikes: Body Hair Maintenance. When you show more skin it means you have more surface area to shave.Gerard dislikes: Sweating In Bed. Our house without AC means a total lack of privacy and a robust fleet of fans.Gerard also dislikes: swarming flies. The key is to steer clear of the alley and keep all the screens closed.Jessie dislikes: Tourists. Specifically – sandy towels, illegal parking, and husbands who wear tank tops.TRIGGER QUESTIONS:What are your favorite and least favorite things about Summer?If you could only eat one fruit or veggie for the entire season, which one would it be and how would you prepare it?Men in tanks tops… Yes or No?

Rule 087 | Illegal Fireworks Are Always Overrated

The Peppers recent move has majorly shifted ownership of the bathroom-counter real estate. Gerard is ready to revamp his grooming routine and is willing to accept help with the hair on his head AND his face.Meanwhile: Jessie wants straightening trays, but Gerard is concerned that it will drain their bank account. After having braces for nearly a decade, it seems like her little chompers should be as straight as they come.Finally, The Peppers discuss how investing in personal appearance can be balanced out by the other ways that they both save (or spend) their money. Jessie’s wrinkle cream currently takes up a decent percentage of the total amount, but her recent discovery in Mexico might be the way to cut corners on the cost.Tune in for post-game with the Peppers on Friday, June 28th at 5pm PT! Be sure to join the gang over there to hear all our juicy stories that didn’t make it onto the air.Thanks to Noom + Ritual 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:Our “June Boxes” have been retrieved and the corresponding toiletries are taking up some serious space in the breakdown of who gets which beauty cabinet.We’ve talked about our skincare regimen on several past episodes: sunscreen, wrinkles, and the best travel toiletries.Because we know you’ll ask: here is Jessie’s favorite exfoliator, the moisturizing serum that she gave Gerard, and the skin oil that combats facial redness.Gerard’s facial hair makes a repeat appearance (from both Ep 28 + Ep 67) on the show. Jessie admits that his beard-to-mullet ratio is one of the ways she determines her opinion of how he keeps his look.Is it a naturally high hairline or male pattern baldness? Either way, we’ve found a fix and now Gerard has a much healthier head of hair that is more full than when we met.Can extreme stress cause hair loss? 👈🏼 Check out this article that makes a fairly convincing case.The bruush has caused some segregation in the dental care department of our bathroom and now the toothbrushes must be kept separate so that their bristles never touch.Has anyone else had a palate expander that ruined their life? The Peppers are thinking of starting a petition to get them banned by the Geneva Convention.Gerard got an urgent phone call in Guatemala when Jessie got bad news at the orthodontist.Does wrinkle cream deserve its own category in the family budget? Tune in to find out how we’re cutting down on skincare costs by crossing country borders.

Rule 086 | Medicine Cabinets Make Great Housewarming Gifts

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!

Rule 085 | A Scratch On Your Suitcase Is The Sign Of A Good Adventure

The Peppers have been living with Jessie’s family for five weeks, and let’s just say there are many reasons why they’re happy to finally be “pushed” out of the nest.There are plenty of pros and cons about having parental roommates but no matter how you slice it, the abundance of quality time takes the cake.We had SO much fun in the live hangout last week, we’re doing another post-game recap sometime this weekend! We’ll post it on instagram when we pick a date and time, and be sure to join the facebook group for all the juicy stories and behind the scenes dish!Thanks to Ritual + Noom 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:Confused about our living status? Listen to Ep 83 for the backstory and to find out why we’ve been living like gypsies.The Peppers discuss the dangers of overstaying their welcome, and hope that their efforts of pitching in will make it easier to have them around.Gerard has gotten used to having a short-order cook and Jessie compulsively cleans the kitchen while everyone else rolls their eyes.Treating the family for dinner is not as easy as it sounds… most of the time our Dad’s are too savvy to let us snag the check!Jessie fesses up to being the microwave delinquent and Gerard gets heated about his in-law’s cabinet habits.Spoiler Alert! Gerard was right: There is a “THE” in front of Usual Suspects. Also, maybe skip this episode if you don’t want to ruin the movie?Jessie has spent the last several months figuring out how to survive as an introvert who has been thrust into non-stop family time.Martha + Ray have adopted The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, but now the closet cast-offs seem to be clogging up the guest room.The Peppers finally realize that THEY are actually horning in on the lives of their gracious hosts. Guess that means it’s time to get going!Trigger Questions:Which partner’s family would be most easy for you to live with?Does your family have an obvious weirdo? (If you’re looking around, it might actually be you!)What is your favorite way to spend an unexpected burst of alone time?

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