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Starter Marriage - Podcast

Starter Marriage

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?


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Society & Culture Relationships Comedy
Update frequency
every 7 days
Average duration
62 minutes
Episodes
17
Years Active
2025
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How (The Hell) Do You Make Friends As An Adult?

How (The Hell) Do You Make Friends As An Adult?

Wouldn’t life be easier if you could live on a commune with your favorite people? This week John and Allison bring their next door neighbor on the show, Celia Kettering, to talk about found family, m…

01:05:59  |   Mon 15 Sep 2025
I Love You, But You Are So Annoying

I Love You, But You Are So Annoying

Is it normal to piss each other off? Allison and John come prepared this week with a long list of the many ways they annoy each other--from John leaving all of his stuff out around the house to Allis…
00:51:52  |   Mon 08 Sep 2025
You're A Burden To Me And I'm A Burden To You

You're A Burden To Me And I'm A Burden To You

After a harrowing week without hot water, John emerges as an expert on tankless water heaters, while Allison shares her battle with pregnancy exhaustion. She also takes aim at the corruption behind J…
01:09:54  |   Mon 01 Sep 2025
Being Married to a Man

Being Married to a Man

Gender roles can weigh especially heavy in a marriage. In this episode, John and Allison have a frank conversation about what it's like to be married to a member of the opposite gender, the pressures…
01:01:34  |   Mon 25 Aug 2025
Trad Wives Are Lying To You

Trad Wives Are Lying To You

It may be 2025 but the hottest trend on the internet is women pretending like it’s 1950. Trad Wives, short for “Traditional Wives,” boast millions of followers as they pretend to live the pastoral li…
01:03:18  |   Mon 18 Aug 2025
I’m Scared You Won’t Find Me Attractive Anymore

I’m Scared You Won’t Find Me Attractive Anymore

Most couples assume attraction fades over time, but does it have to? In this episode, Allison shares a fear that’s been on her mind during pregnancy: what if her body changes and John stops desiring …
01:03:20  |   Mon 11 Aug 2025
The Dark History of Marriage

The Dark History of Marriage

John and Allison are thrilled to welcome author and historian Stephanie Coontz to the podcast for a deep dive into the complicated history of marriage. How did what started as a strategic partnership…
01:10:57  |   Mon 04 Aug 2025
We Had A Fight About Navigating Conflict

We Had A Fight About Navigating Conflict

Conflict in relationships is inevitable, especially when you're making a podcast about your marriage. Allison and John dive into how they navigate conflicts in their relationship, including the surpr…
01:05:35  |   Mon 28 Jul 2025
Married & Non-Monogamous

Married & Non-Monogamous

This week’s episode is about sex, jealousy, and whether embellishing a story counts as a lie. Writer and content creator Hayley Folk joins Allison and John to talk about her experience with ethical n…
01:18:18  |   Mon 21 Jul 2025
I’m Worthless And Don’t Contribute To The Household

I’m Worthless And Don’t Contribute To The Household

John and Allison dive into one of the most contentious topics for any couple: money. Joined by Megan Ford from the Love and Money Center, they explore how couples can navigate tough financial convers…
01:17:57  |   Mon 14 Jul 2025
Some People Aren't Meant To Marry

Some People Aren't Meant To Marry

Being single isn't failure. For some, it's freedom. Social psychologist and author of Single At Heart, Bella DePaulo joins the show to dismantle the myth that marriage is life's ultimate goal, making…
01:07:23  |   Mon 07 Jul 2025
I'm Worried The Baby Will Ruin What We Have

I'm Worried The Baby Will Ruin What We Have

John is concerned that having a baby will totally disrupt their marriage. Thank goodness the co-authors of Baby Bomb: A Relationship Survival Guide For New Parents were available to help Allison and …
01:11:58  |   Mon 30 Jun 2025
Our Imperfect Love Story

Our Imperfect Love Story

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 relationshi…
01:00:23  |   Mon 23 Jun 2025
A Reformed Jew And A Lapsed Catholic Get Married

A Reformed Jew And A Lapsed Catholic Get Married

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 …
01:16:01  |   Mon 16 Jun 2025
You’re Difficult To Be Around

You’re Difficult To Be Around

How do you navigate your partner’s mental health without losing yourself in the process? In this episode, Allison and John interview Sheva Rajaee, founder and director of The Center for Anxiety and O…
01:00:53  |   Mon 09 Jun 2025
A Newlywed Nightmare

A Newlywed Nightmare

Rain on your wedding day is supposed to mean good luck, but for Allison and John, it meant they were about to have the worst year of their lives. From John experiencing a life-changing set-back in hi…
01:01:18  |   Mon 02 Jun 2025
Introducing Starter Marriage

Introducing Starter Marriage

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00:01:11  |   Mon 19 May 2025
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