relationships

A couple try a practice to bring more excitement and passion into their relationship, even while sheltering-in-place.

Do you want to be famous? What’s a favorite memory? These 36 questions can bring you closer to loved ones, even if you’re separated.

Think of an important person in your life. Now imagine you never met. Our guest practices counting his blessings by picturing his life without a special person from his past.

March 01, 2017:

1. Presidential Pivot? Voters Say Trump Softened in Address to Congress (13 min)

2. Bomb Threats Ripple Across American Jewish Communities (6 min)

3. Life After Prison: High Hopes For an Uncertain Future (7 min)

4. Texas Supreme Court Hears Challenge to Same-Sex Marriage Benefits (4 min)

5. A Musician’s Soul-Filled Response to Trump’s Immigration Ban (7 min)

(Rebroadcast) Many Americans have lost trust in U.S. institutions, politicians, and the media. In this special podcast, The Takeaway explores what it means to trust after the 2016 election.

September 21, 2016: 

1. Understanding Tulsa’s Struggle with Racial Justice (6 min)

2. Placing Modern Movements for Racial Equality in Context (6 min)

3. Watching Syria as a Refugee (7 min)

4. Will the Warren v. Wells Fargo Stand Off Bring Real Change? (6 min)

5. Love Warrior: Stories of Infidelity, Betrayal, and Redemption (12 min)

Click on the audio player above to hear this interview.

Wouldn’t it be nice, in a creepy sort of way, to collect points in the romantic hazing process we call dating? What if you could cash in those points for a coveted prize? That prize, of course, is a guarantee that your relationship will work.

That’s exactly what Brook Silva-Braga and Jill Andres decided to do. They attacked the question of finding “the one” in a game of challenges, something that led to their new book, “The Marriage Test.“

The challenge consists of 40 tests—from swapping credit cards and speed dating with strangers to not touching each other for one week. They say it’s a way to simulate married life before leaping down the aisle.

Click on the audio player above to hear the happy couple (pictured below) explain how they came up with “The Marriage Test,” and how it assess compatibility. 

Check out five of the 40 challenges below.

Speed Dating

Plan to spend at least $35 and two hours testing your devotion to one another. A quick Internet search should get you there. Arrive separately with some clearly defined ground rules, which should probably include no follow-up messages once you leave the den of temptation. Plan a rendezvous and debrief afterward to talk over whatever trouble you’ve gotten yourselves into.

Trade Credit Cards

You’re swapping credit cards for a month so you can only buy things with the other’s money. Also exchange about $100 cash to use for things you can’t charge, then give back what’s left at the end of the month. Don’t peek at your bank balance; it’s more fun (and a more useful exercise) to spend their money without knowing how they’re spending yours. We didn’t have any trouble using each other’s cards except when purchasing a plane ticket. Our solution: Keep track of any charge that absolutely must be put on your personal card. Then get reimbursed at the end of the month.

Borrowing a Baby

You’re taking care of a real, live child for twenty-four hours. We happened to have access to a nine-month-old, but almost any kid will do! An offer of twenty-four hours of free babysitting turns out to be pretty attractive, so it may be easier to borrow a baby than you think. Venture outside during your parenting session to see just how hard it really is. If you’ve always pictured carrying your spawn to brunch, give it a try.

Sex Notes

After a week of your best efforts, exchange feedback on what is and isn’t working in the bedroom. You could hold your own private Reddit-style “Ask Me Anything,” or create sexual “Wish Lists” to swap and discuss. Remember, compliment sandwiches can help soften the blow of tougher feedback!

Play It Back

Record a fight or emotional conversation—you can wait for one to emerge organically or just record another date you expect to be contentious. We used a video camera, but a cell phone voice memo will work fine too. Once the dust settles, give a listen, possibly separately at first, but also ultimately together. You can stop to point out things or ask questions if you like, but don’t interrupt too much. Once you’ve both had a chance to listen and reflect, try to discuss ways to argue more constructively.

Jill Andres and Brook Silva-Braga

Click on the audio player above to hear this interview.

Maybe it’s the cheesy cards, the overpriced prix fixe menus, or the chalky candy hearts, but Valentine’s Day has become one of the most hated days of the year. Click on the audio player above to hear comedian Dean Obeidallah lays out his hatred for holiday along with some Takeaway listeners.

But not all of you feel that way. We asked you, our host John Hockenberry, and a few members of The Takeaway team to answer this question: How did you know your partner was “the one”? Check out that conversation in the video below.

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Your Take: Finding ‘The One’

How did you know your partner was “the one”? We asked you, our host John Hockenberry, and a few members of The Takeaway team. Here’s what everyone had to say. #ValentinesDay

Posted by The Takeaway on Friday, February 12, 2016

February 12, 2016: 1. Is the Latino Vote Up for Grabs? Candidates on Both Sides Rush to Reach Voters | 2. Spying for Citizenship: An FBI Deal for Muslim Informants | 3. Understanding Our Changing Universe | 4. Valentines Day: A Breakdown of the Day People Love To Hate | 5. Films to Catch and Skip This Weekend

September 02, 2015: 1. President Obama Secures Democratic Support For Iran Deal | 2. Violent Crime Spikes in Major U.S. Cities | 3. Huge Scorpions Patrolled the Seas 460 Million Years Ago | 4. Love at First Tweet: How Tech Compatibility Influences Our Relationships