Unconditional Love

Gestalt theory offers a way of looking at how people can change through their interactions with their environment: the cycle of experience. In this episode, Lois explains how this model can be used to change how we experience housework and caring for our homes and relationships. She and co-host Stephanie explore the stages people go through as they see what is, imagine what could be, and integrate new actions. If you are feeling stuck or unmotivated, this episode is for you!

Research shows that women smile more than men. Why does this happen and what does it mean? In this episode, Lois and Stephanie review a large metaanalytic study involving all scientific data on gender and smiling. They go point-by-point thrugh the findings in order to understand the circumstances under which women smile more and men smile less and and those where men and women smile equally. Check it out.

According to Lyz Lenz, in America, marriage is "a relationship made unequal not by accident, but as a function of a society that relies on inequality to fill in the gaps that it refuses to fund--childcare, eldercare." In this episode, Stephanie and Lois discuss the newly-released, powerfully candid book, "This American Ex-Wife," emphasizing its instant resonance not just with them and this show, but with women everywhere. (Within one week of its release, it made the NY Times top-10 best-seller list.)

"But I don't have anything to say." In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Lois explore the meaning of non-responsive silences, often by men toward women, by asking, what is someone really saying when they say they have nothing to say?

Love: Brought To You By Valentine's Day. In this February-14th-inspired episode, Lois and Stephanie reflect on Valentine's Day and discuss the varying ways it's viewed in American culture. They ask, is it a sweet day for showing genuine love and affection, or is it a heteronormative, capitalistic, sexist pseudo-holiday? (Or is it just a day for kids?) And, also: What exactly is love anyway? Check it out.

Connecting with song lyrics can be both powerful and healing. In this episode, Lois and Stephanie talk to NYC-based singer-songwriter Shilpa Ray about the fiercely resonant lyrics of the songs in her album "Portrait of a Lady." Shilpa describes the inspiration for the album, the stories behind each song, the critical role of truth and honesty in social change, and the necessity of pressing on. *be advised this episode contains explicit language

The meaning of a word can sometimes depend on the context in which it’s stated. In this episode, Lois and Stephanie talk about well-intentioned but now-aggravating words that, to them at least, have been corrupted by mis- and over-use.

Is unconditional love a basic emotion, a sweet fantasy, a birthright, or a spiritual achievement? And how does the expectation of condition-free love show up in our relationships, for better or worse? In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Lois explore their thoughts on unconditional love, asking whether or not love should, if fact, have conditions.

Why aren't people dating and getting married at the same rates as before? Why do women get told, instead of asked, what the problem is? In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Lois explore the social and psychological issues that play out in modern relationships.

One of the best parts of Thanksgiving, many would say, is the leftovers. In this episode, Lois and Stephanie discuss common Thanksgiving Leftover Fantasies and go on to explore the underlying gender dynamics of food, cooking, and feeding. It’s important to notice who feeds whom, and to make sure that everyone, especially the cook, is getting fed.