Guest Chat: Finding Your Beshert with Dr. Jo-Ellen Pozner and Dr. Benjamin Zeitlin

In this episode, Irina welcomes Temple University law professor Dara Purvis for a lively conversation about tradwives. Who are tradwives and to whom do they target their social media content? What do we know about their lives, and do they nostalgically portray a past that perhaps never existed? Dara explains why tradwife content isn't just superficial entertainment and represents part of a larger cultural and legal movement to erode women's rights and desire for equality. She also delves into how the attack on trans rights not only victimizes trans individuals but is rather also a move to enforce rigid gender stereotypes for everyone. Warning: this episode may make you laugh at times and rage at others!Prof. Dara Purvis's faculty profileSOTI ep. 89: Having It All with Dr. Corinne LowNYT piece on how tradwife content is actually for men who want submissive wivesMother Jones article about how tradwives are thriving in the post-Dobbs eraNPR essay asking what tradwife content says about feminism todayThe Cut piece about how tradwives represent a fake pastPicture of wooden dust panMelinda Wenner Moyer's book on how to raise kids who aren't assholes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Irina speaks with author Karen Palmer whose recent memoir "She's Under Here" has left people gasping. To protect her two daughters and herself from her abusive and dangerous ex-husband Gil, the California native went into hiding with her family for two decades. Essentially creating a do-it-yourself witness protection plan, Karen used her graphic skills to create new identities several states away from the man who threatened to kill her. Follow her tale from her Catholic upbringing that resulted in having to give up her first baby after birth in the same place where her birth mother had done the same, to her wild Vegas trip at seventeen with much older boss Gil, to a life filled with joy with the love of her life Vinnie. You won't want to miss the story of a woman who has had to fight for everything she has!Karen Palmer’s websiteKaren’s book “She’s Under Here”Article in The Guardian about Karen’s story and book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irina talks to Santa Clara business school professor Jo-Ellen Pozner and Scottish scientist Benjamin Zeitlin about how they found each other two decades ago the old-fashioned way: on JDate. They discuss the infamous Chicago Art Institute smoked fish incident, their resolution of the two-body problem, and their move into their California marital home after never having lived in the same city at all. The couple shares their thoughts about antisemitism across their lifetime, media depictions of Jewish relationships, and the recipe to a happy marriage. You won't want to miss this joyful episode about love, culture, and communication! Jo-Ellen’s websiteBenjamin’s LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Irina welcomes writer and professor Kelly Foster Lundquist who recently published the book "Beard: A Memoir of a Marriage." Raised as a pastor's daughter in Mississippi, little did Kelly know that the man with whom she fell in love as fellow counselors at a Christian camp would deceive her and himself about his sexuality. Their story largely unfolds in Chicago, while Kelly is--of all things--a PhD student in queer studies. Suspicious events begin piling up, including with Kelly finding suspicious pictures of men on her husband Devin's computer. Subjected to conversion "therapy" when younger, Devin becomes both victim and cheater, until the marriage inevitably crumbles. Kelly narrates her tale of survival and ultimately rekindled friendship with Devin, also commenting on what LGBTQ+ populations still face in America today. Come hear a tale that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster replete with love, food, alcohol, and redemption!Kelly Foster Lundquist’s websiteKelly’s book “Beard: A Memoir of a Marriage”Kelly’s faculty profileArticle in The Times about Kelly’s story and bookArticle in People that Kelly authored about beardsSOTI ep. 84: Pride Month Special (Part 1)SOTI ep. 85: Pride Month Special (Part 2) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irina welcomes on this episode Natalie Licini, a photographer and business owner whose rags-to-riches story will make your head spin. Natalie grew up poor and at times on food stamps in Staten Island, where she sometimes lacked a coat in winter and physical fights in school were the norm. Taking on every odd job she could find from flipping burgers to running a manicure operation from her dorm room, Natalie hustled her way through high school and the five colleges she attended. While it took her nine years to finish her bachelor's degree at NYU due to all that life threw at her, she became a respected executive assistant at a major Wall Street firm. How the mom of three took on a top New Jersey divorce lawyer by herself to fight for her rights and now runs a photography business out of a castle, along with other ventures, is part and parcel of this episode. Come hear about how not to be afraid of start over, again and again if needed, and thrive with your head kept high!Natalie Licini’s websiteNatalie’s IGSOTI ep. 22: Dating and Mental Health Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Irina talks with employment attorney Laura Koistinen from the Law Office of Kevin Mintzer, which has taken on Harvey Weinstein, Andrew Cuomo, and FoxNews, among others. Named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers since 2020, Laura has challenged problematic employers from her early days as a junior attorney in Portland, Oregon to today in New York City. She is part of the team representing actor Julia Ormond against Weinstein, CAA, and Disney, and explains why victims are afraid to come forward whether they face sexual harassment, employment discrimination, or both. Laura shares the many legal obstacles facing mistreated employees but also the progress that has been made (and will need to continue to be). Come join for fascinating insights from a life fighting for justice!Laura Koistinen’s professional profileJulia Ormond’s lawsuit against Weinstein, CAA, and Disney: Rolling Stone write-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irina and Michelle have the pleasure of welcoming Wharton professor and economist Dr. Corinne Low, the author of the new book (out September 23, 2025) "Having It All: What Data Tells Us About Women's Lives and Getting the Most Out of Yours." Part autobiography and part comprehensive economic analysis, the book is chock-full of eye-opening practical advice on how to examine and lead one's life in a way that maximizes so-called personal utility. What is the economic cost to women of picking a problematic romantic partner or of experiencing sexual discrimination or harassment in their jobs? Do women really need to be more like men at work? How do legal policies and cultural expectations need to change to create a fairer world for everyone? While a recent article in "The Cut" focused on how Corinne increased her happiness between a first marriage to a man and a second to a woman, Irina and Michelle take a deep dive into the research side and the many different ways to change your life! Dr. Corinne Low's websiteCorinne's faculty profile Having It All bookCorinne's SubstackThe Cut article about CorinneCorinne's Bluesky, IG, and Facebook profiles Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are boundaries and how do you enforce them? Irina and Michelle delve into why these questions aren't as simple as they may appear. People who weren't taught to draw boundaries as children (or in fact had them disregarded) often struggle to deny requests in adulthood and stand their ground without guilt. How can you learn to respect yourself and make sure others respect you as well or get out of your life? The Dating Professors work through every step of the struggle and share what kind of line drawing doesn't come easily to them.SOTI ep. 36: Therapy Speak as Relationship Abuse Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A recent op-ed in the New York Times by Rachel Drucker asked "Men, Where Have You Gone?", followed by reader responses from men. Drucker lamented men withdrawing from the romantic public sphere and seeking stimulation over connection. At best, according to Drucker, single men would be willing to entertain situationships rather than relationships. Irina and Michelle discuss in this episode whether they think Drucker is right and what they make of the reader responses. Are respondents right that expectations for men have just gotten too confusing? Or that it makes sense for them to withdraw from dating if otherwise they risk being put on blast on social media if a woman does not like their behavior? Let's dive in!Rachel Drucker's NYT op-ed "Men, Where Have You Gone?"Reader responses to the NYT op-ed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irina and Michelle have the pleasure on this episode to talk to newlyweds Monica and Will. The academic mom and enrollment manager dad blended their families after a magical year-ish together. Find out how Monica used a dating consultant to make the best choices and Will finally escaped some confusing vegetable emoji games. Did their solar eclipse date seal the deal for these two romantics that buy matching shirts and broke all their own rules about not getting married or moving in together with a new partner? Join us for an unbearably cute episode about love that overcomes grief, skepticism, and any other challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.