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? 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%20Policy

Episodes

I Never Thought I'd Get Married

February 23, 2026 • 57 mins

One of John's best friends, Bri LeRose, joins the show to talk about her decision to get engaged even though she never thought she'd get married. The trio discuss what Bri and her fiance are doing to feel more prepared to tie the knot--including reading Allison's book (very exciting!). If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepo...

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The Danger of Viral Relationship Tests

February 16, 2026 • 64 mins

This week, Allison and John tackle the viral videos putting modern relationships to the test. Is it science, or just clickbait? The conversation takes a detour when John references the iconic door test from the 1993 film A Bronx Tale only to realize Allison thinks he's talking about a talking cartoon mouse. Plus, they talk about Michael Douglas… a lot. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode top...

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Allowing Your Partner To Change

February 9, 2026 • 58 mins

John shares some of the first texts Allison sent him and they are...interesting. The couple then dives into how much they've each changed since getting together. This includes John learning a bananas amount of math and Allison feeling disconnected from the world after losing her mom. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepodcas...

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Everything That Happened After Our Baby Was Born

February 2, 2026 • 74 mins

In the first ever sequel episode of the podcast, Allison and John pick up the story of Parker's birth once he is outside of Allison's body. Highlights include: a brief NICU stay, Allison compulsively telling people labor was easy, and a wild story starring "The Educator." If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠...

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Our Baby Came Early And We Panicked

January 26, 2026 • 71 mins

The story everyone has been waiting for! A detailed play-by-play of Parker's birth. Highlights include: leaking amniotic fluid everywhere, our doctor being a figment of our imagination and the beauty of an epidural. What a ride! If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. John's Subs...

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I Don't Want That Kind of Marriage

January 19, 2026 • 58 mins

This week, Allison and John talk about other people's marriages and how the relationships we grow up around influence our perception of the institution. What marriages do we want to emulate and what types of marriages make us want to run for the hills? Also, John put vinegar on his ice cream and producer Travis is upset about it. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

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You Don't Have A Real Marriage

January 12, 2026 • 45 mins

This week, journalist Vicki Larson joins the show to discuss alternative marriage structures including not sharing a home and only marrying for money. And John finally learns what a lavender marriage is. Check out Vicki's work on her website : https://www.vicki-larson.com/ If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠...

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What We Thought Labor Would Be Like (Before Allison Went Into Labor)

January 5, 2026 • 60 mins

This week, Allison and John discuss the fundamentally unfair dynamic of the upcoming birth of their child as Allison prepares for her body to go through a crucible while John wonders whether he needs to buy himself a chair to sleep in. The two dive into their fear points around the pregnancy and postpartum. (Spoiler, this was recorded in October before their baby made an early arrival on Thanksgiving! Everyone is doing well!) Plus,...

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I'll Be Remarried In A Year

December 15, 2025 • 70 mins

Jackie Johnson joins the pod to share how her (terrible) first marriage impacted her (lovely) second one and why she had to change her approach to relationships in general. Also, John doesn't know how to pronounce muffins. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. John's Substack : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

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I Don’t Want Us To Be Codependent

December 8, 2025 • 64 mins

Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/starter #rulapod This week, John and Allison dive deep into codependency. John opens up about his unhealthy relationship history. Things then get a little heated when they revisit a disagreement over who was busier this summer, and Allison reveals the times in the...

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Why People Hire Fake Bridesmaids

December 1, 2025 • 56 mins

This week, Allison and John are joined by Jen Glantz, CEO and founder of Bridesmaid For Hire--a business that will shock you. Jen shares what it's like to go undercover at weddings and help strangers navigate their big day. Critics will call it a "jaw dropping" episode. (Hopefully.) If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail....

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I'm Jealous Of Your Success

November 24, 2025 • 63 mins

Allison coins a new phrase that will hit the zeitgeist by storm. The duo then dive into jealousy toward each other. Allison feels threatened by John's writing now that he has a Substack and is envious that he doesn't also live with OCD. And John reveals he hasn't always dealt with his jealousy in the healthiest of ways. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

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Our Grounds For Divorce

November 17, 2025 • 58 mins

This week, Allison and John dive into John's least favorite topic: divorce. They each share their deal breakers and have a detailed debate over how much privacy is appropriate in a marriage. Allison then shares some divorce statistics that blow John's mind. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠startermarriagepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ...

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Rehashing Our Wedding Day

November 10, 2025 • 67 mins

If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: ⁠https://learn.nocd.com/StarterMarriage This week, Allison and John are joined by their wedding planners, Katie and Adam Schuette. They dissect what it was like planning a wedding together, how many animals is too many animals for a formal event and why premarital counseling should be a part of every pre-weddi...

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We Don't Agree On How To Raise Our Kid

November 3, 2025 • 55 mins

If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/StarterMarriage Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/STARTER #rulapod In this solo episode, Allison and John dive into the minefield of parenting. Hot t...

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The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Looking For A Partner

October 27, 2025 • 65 mins

Professional Matchmaker Maria Avgitidis of Agape Matchmaking joins the show to talk about the biggest dating mistakes people make when looking for a spouse and the surprising advice she gives her clients. Also, John is defiant about not having to wear socks with loafers and tells a Marriage Moment story about panicking after getting out of the shower. If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode top...

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Dealing with In-Laws

October 20, 2025 • 67 mins

Allison and John unpack meeting their in-laws and what it was like for John to enter the very specific culture of Allison’s family. John shares his last conversation with Allison’s mom before she passed. And Allison admits the awkwardness of being with John’s family and the quiet grief of losing her relationship with her exes’ parents. In Marriage Moments, John has Allison crying with laughter over a strip-mall overreaction. If yo...

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Allison’s “First Husband” Sits Down with her Second

October 13, 2025 • 67 mins

Allison’s long-time creative partner Gabe Dunn joins the show to dissect their decade-long collaborations and share candid observations about Allison’s past romantic relationships. Gabe and Allison explore how their creative partnership was an actual "starter marriage” given how entwined they were personally and professionally. John reveals that while he isn't jealous of any of Allison's actual exes, he is jealous of Gabe. If you ...

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Our Biggest Disagreement

October 6, 2025 • 65 mins

Allison and John discuss compatibility and how to tell if there is too much friction to make a relationship work. The conversation gets heated when Allison shares she only wants to have one kid and John isn’t so sure. During Stay or Leave, the pair decide whether they could get through an organic chemistry course If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a future episode topic, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠starter...

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Marrying Your High School Crush with Amanda Montell

September 29, 2025 • 78 mins

New York Times Bestselling author and podcaster Amanda Montell is joined on mic by her husband Casey Kolb for the first time! The newlyweds discuss their fairy tale romance, how they came around to joining the institution of marriage, and Amanda’s elaborate proposal to Casey. Meanwhile, Allison roasts John for not understanding the meaning of the word “prenatal.” If you would like to submit a “Marriage Moment’ or suggest a futu...

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Starter Marriage

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}I Never Thought I'd Get Married

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}The Danger of Viral Relationship Tests

Allowing Your Partner To Change

Everything That Happened After Our Baby Was Born

Our Baby Came Early And We Panicked

I Don't Want That Kind of Marriage

You Don't Have A Real Marriage

What We Thought Labor Would Be Like (Before Allison Went Into Labor)

I'll Be Remarried In A Year

I Don’t Want Us To Be Codependent

Why People Hire Fake Bridesmaids

I'm Jealous Of Your Success

Our Grounds For Divorce

Rehashing Our Wedding Day

We Don't Agree On How To Raise Our Kid

The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Looking For A Partner

Dealing with In-Laws

Allison’s “First Husband” Sits Down with her Second

Our Biggest Disagreement

Marrying Your High School Crush with Amanda Montell

Popular Podcasts

I Never Thought I'd Get Married

The Danger of Viral Relationship Tests