We have a question for you: Do you actually want a partner, or are you just looking for someone to call your girlfriend?
In this episode of Do As We Say, Not As They Did, Harris O'Malley and Dr. Liz Powell share two Reddit stories that reveal just how much the manosphere has poisoned modern dating, and the actual work it takes to build and maintain healthy, happy relationships.
First up is a man who leaves his wife of 20 years for a 20-something, only to realize that putting zero work and effort into a relationship will only ever result in failure.
Then, Dr. Liz and Harris tackle an absurd ultimatum: a boyfriend demands that his girlfriend laser all her body hair to "prove she'll sacrifice for the relationship." They're sure you can guess how much he's willing to sacrifice for her…
Highlights of the episode:
The male loneliness narrative
Why Harris considers himself more of a badger than a bear
Some mutual venting about how much shaving sucks
The bottom line is that healthy relationships take effort. And if you don't have good intentions, trust, and mutual respect, your relationship troubles will be sure to follow you.
Time Stamps
00:00 - Welcome to the show
00:40 - Weather, capitalism, and Bay Area rent
04:00 - First Reddit story: "My ex-wife predicted my future"
06:00 - Leaving a long marriage for a younger partner
09:00 - Why relationships stagnate
12:20 - Relationship maintenance and emotional labor
16:30 - Small acts of care to keep relationships strong
19:30 - Midlife crises and aging anxiety
24:20 - Why large age-gap relationships can struggle
27:00 - Dating dynamics in poly and kink communities
29:30 - The "no communication for a week" dating problem
31:00 - Accountability and the consequences of cheating
34:30 - Divorce, grief, and relief
35:30 - Do men still learn romance from culture?
37:00 - The manosphere, misogyny, and the male loneliness narrative
40:40 - Why male friendships and emotional vulnerability matter
44:20 - Second Reddit story: "Laser remove your body hair, or I'm out"
47:00 - Why ultimatums are a huge red flag
50:30 - Complicated feelings around body hair
58:40 - The breakup and escape plan
01:02:30 - Meltdowns and harassment
01:07:00 - Sacrifice vs equity in relationships
01:09:00 - Why couples need regular relationship check-ins
01:11:00 - Relationship skills everyone should learn
01:12:40 - Men: learn to cook to improve your dating life
01:13:45 - Where to find Dr. Liz and Harris
01:14:50 - Closing thoughts
#drnerdlove #drlizpowell #doaswesaypod #datingpodcast #relationshippodcast #datingredflags #reddit #redditstories #redditreadings #redditrelationshipadvice #redditstorytime #misogny
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