"Modern Relationships"
Erik Torenberg, Turpentine
We rarely get to hear how people actually make relationships work, especially in the high-pressure, fast-paced world of tech. While there's endless dating advice out there, what's missing are the real, unfiltered stories of how ambitious people navigate modern relationships and build a life together.Unlike every other aspect of modern life that can be solved with an app or outsourced to a service, building meaningful relationships remains stubbornly resistant to quick fixes. Through conversations with leading relationship thinkers and candid interviews with real couples, we dig into the raw truth of what it takes to make partnerships work - from the challenges and fights to the breakthroughs and lessons learned along the way. I believe we learn best from seeing how others have navigated similar paths. These conversations offer honest perspectives on what it really takes to make modern relationships work in our corner of the world.Hosted by Erik Torenberg, investor and entrepreneur.Modern Relationships is part of the Turpentine podcast network.
Episodes
Mentioned books
17 snips
Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 9min
E8: Marriage is a Preparation for Divorce | Agnes Callard & Arnold Brooks
Agnes Callard, a philosopher at the University of Chicago, known for her unique views on marriage, joins her colleague Arnold Brooks, who focuses on Aristotle's insights about relationships. They discuss how their relationship evolved from a student-teacher dynamic into a deep partnership, arguing whether marriage should be transcendent or an achievement. Agnes provocatively claims that "marriage is a preparation for divorce," while Arnold suggests the essence of partnership is simply appreciating one's partner's life. Their conversation invites listeners to rethink modern love.
10 snips
Feb 21, 2025 • 1h 2min
What Makes a Relationship Inevitable? | Sasha Chapin & Cate Hall
Sasha Chapin is a writer and co-founder of a perfume company, while Cate Hall is a former professional poker player and CEO of a foundation. They discuss the concept of radical honesty in relationships and how the Enneagram can illuminate personality differences. Their conversation humorously navigates their contrasting backgrounds, exploring commitment versus connection. They also reflect on evolving gender roles and envisioning future parenthood, emphasizing growth, trust, and the beauty of embracing vulnerability in love.
28 snips
Feb 14, 2025 • 1h 23min
Propose On the First Date | Adam Gries & Rie Yano
Adam Gries and Rie Yano, startup founders in the longevity space, explore the art of partnership. They share the quirky story of their first meeting born from misunderstanding and how it blossomed into a 50/50 marriage while balancing startups and parenting. Key topics include their anti-work philosophy, the necessity of equal responsibilities, and practical hacks for family organization like Google Calendars. They emphasize that great relationships shouldn't feel like constant toil and discuss the joys and tensions of working together.
10 snips
Feb 7, 2025 • 1h 2min
Date 60 Was The One | Tara Viswanathan & Alex Modon
Tara Viswanathan, Co-founder and CEO of Rupa Health, discusses her innovative, data-driven approach to finding love, emphasizing emotional alignment over checklists. Alex Modon, a tech entrepreneur, shares his unexpected journey to love and how personal growth plays a key role. They explore the balance of ambition and relationships, the significance of self-improvement, and the complexities of dating in your thirties. Together, they reveal that love is a conscious choice and navigating it requires both vulnerability and understanding.
Jan 31, 2025 • 1h 6min
Relationship Yoga | Aike Ho & Camilla Hermann
Aike Ho, a partner at ACME Capital, and Camilla Hermann, an entrepreneur, dive into the transformative practice of relationship yoga. They discuss how intimate relationships can reveal unresolved aspects of ourselves, emphasizing the growth potential through emotional triggers. Aike and Camilla explore the importance of self-awareness in healing and navigating long-term connections. They challenge superficial relationship norms, advocating for genuine connections based on personal growth and emotional maturity.
Jan 24, 2025 • 1h 8min
Get Romantically Involved With Your Best Friend | Liv Boeree & Igor Kurganov
Liv Boeree, a former poker champion and AI safety advocate, teams up with Igor Kurganov, a poker pro and effective altruism enthusiast. Together for a decade, they delve into their unique methods for handling conflict, like the playful 'hiss signal' for communication. Their conversation unpacks the evolution of attraction from physical looks to personality, along with reflections on parenthood and the significance of relationship rituals. With insights drawn from their dynamic journey, they champion rational decision-making in love.
46 snips
Jan 10, 2025 • 1h 3min
Living Within Baby Monitor Range | Kristen Berman & Phil Levin
Kristen Berman, a behavioral scientist and founder of Live Near Friends, and Phil Levin, co-founder of the same community, explore their unconventional relationship journey that blossomed from friendship. They reveal quirky social experiments they conducted to navigate attraction and emotional connections. The duo emphasizes the significance of designing environments for success, the importance of shared values, and how thoughtful co-living fosters fulfilling lives. Their insights redefine commitment and the dynamics of emotional support in modern relationships.
