Marriage Is Funny

In what could possibly be known as the longest-shortest move of all time, The Peppers have now (nearly) landed in the house across the street. This week they learned that leaving in a hurry is less than ideal, but that nothing says “home” like a block full of generous neighbors.

There was SO much to say in the Season 7 premier, so we’re hosting a live post-game recap on Wednesday, June 5 at 5pm PT! Tune in to FB for some exclusive deleted scenes and in the meantime, get excited for the Marriage Summit that we announced for Spring 2020!

Thanks to OpenFit + Warby Parker for making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show.

QUICK BITES:

DISCLAIMER: Anything that might accidentally sound like legal advice in this episode is NOT actually legal advice.

Jessie never wants to see another cardboard box as long as she lives, and you can find out why by reading this post about Love As Big As A House.

The Pepper’s lose their home to a landlady with no heart, but they are trying to be gracious despite the desperate wishes to stay put.

Jessie claims that she’s not planning on speaking to “the woman who shall not be named” but you can place your own over/under bets on how long it takes before they’ve officially made amends.

Learn more about the magic of The Three Kings in Episode 21.

This is not the first time that Jessie has had woes about moving her toiletries… Listen to Episode 16 for the backstory and say a prayer for her skincare if you think of it this Summer!

No surprise here, but the generosity of our neighbors is one of the things that makes us so resistant to leave!

The Peppers realize they’re second-guessing the security of having a real home-base. As usual, clinging to each other ends up being the best way to stay rooted in Great Love.

Don’t forget to follow along with our adventures on instagram and if you’re having as much fun as we are, please share this show with your favorite married friends!

You’ve waited long enough for the newest season to arrive… This episode is a (very) quick recap of what we’ve been up to since December.

Plus: don’t miss the official invite to celebrate our 4th “pod-iversary” with popsicles + Pepper Margs on Saturday!

Quick Bites:

The rumors are sadly true… earlier this year we had to pack up and move!

We can hardly believe that Marriage is Funny turned four this week. Listen to our first episode for a throw back and be sure to stick around for the party details!

Our recent Great Love Getaway might have been our best trip yet.

We’d love to have you join us for a casual meet-up in Scottsdale this weekend! Click here to RSVPif you can make it.

Mark your calendars for JUNE 5th because Gerard has generously “offered” to foot the bill for your OWN listener party!

We missed you guys and are so glad to be back! Follow along with our day-to-day over on instagram and don’t forget to share this show with your favorite married friends!

This episode features an in-depth look at The Pepper’s end-of-year traditions. Jessie is on the fence about their big epiphany party plans next month but Gerard has ulterior motives because he loves her festive cooking. Pruning the garden happens in conjunction with pruning our calendars for 2019 and both can be painful if you don’t keep an eye out for the thorns.

Thanks to PrepDish + Zola for making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show.

QUICK BITES:

The backstory of our big Epiphany Party can be found by listening here. Our new year doesn’t technically begin until the day-after-party debrief, but hosting parties together is one of our favorite pasttimes

Did you hear that our stove saga has been solved? Jessie’s new kitchen appliance has seriously changed the dinner-party game..

Jessie’s grocery store pals make a reappearance from Episode 47.

Purging the garage resulted in a loss of important paint cans.

The infamous armoire has finally been around long enough that it needs to be snazzed up with some organization.

Our mattress history gives some context about why a bedroom swap is impending.

Gerard is in charge of our green thumb duties and follows pruning rules to a T when it comes to his show-stopping roses.

We’ve purged our closets in the past, but lately this project has felt a little too bristly to feature on the show.

Gerard’s busy work schedule has made it difficult to connect amidst an already very busy season.

Travel has been a very big part of our relationship and we’re craving it as a chance to reconnect with one another. Hear more about our tips, tricks + justifications by listening to the Summer Travel Series from 2017.

The new year is a great time for dream-lining, and you can listen to us practice that together back in Episode 35.

Jessie launched a new business a few years ago and you can get the backstory from our archives and then take a peek at her website for more info.

Get focused for the new year by checking out the Essentialism book right here.

Here is a description of the Tim Ferriss Year in Review process that we typically follow for our pre-January pow-wow.

Listen to the tear-jerking episode that provoked the latest one-star review.

Whether it’s broken furniture or the deconstruction of someone’s faith, The Peppers always try to take an approach that is as forgiving as possible.

Thanks to PrepDish, Minted + Songfinch for making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show.

QUICK BITES:

Sadly, our annual end-of-the-year purge resulted in a heartbreaking smash of broken glass.

Curious about what the broken table might sell for? Prepare to have your jaw drop open here and then please come help scrape Jessie off the floor.

Our affinity for Craigslist runs several seasons deep. Proof: The infamous Goodwill armoire + our usual pre-move prep.

Episode 73 will explain why Sadie is hard to calm down when Jessie is around.

Spite cleaning. Is that a thing?

Haste makes waste, especially when it comes to glass. An homage to Ep 44: Wine glasses are not meant to be washed by hand.

Our time together is short these days, and that makes every conversation feel too precious for arguing.

Jessie’s spiritual life has been transformed by the book Centering Prayer And Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault.

Welcoming Prayer involves these three steps: identifying your emotion, welcoming the emotion, and then letting the emotion go.

Looking for a cool coffee shop in downtown KC? Say hey to our friends at Monarch, and please be sure to tell them we sent you.

Gerard brings up his updated stance on pacifism and you can hear us talk more about it in Episode 49: Pacifists Fight With Puns Not Guns.

Listen to the Liturgist podcast episode about mysticism to hear what inspired Jessie’s extra dose of insight.

TRIGGER QUESTIONS:

1.) Is there a favorite book that you find yourself regularly recommending to others?

2.) Which piece of furniture in your house holds the strongest sentimental value?

3.) Do you think it’s possible to forgive someone before they’ve apologized for their misstep?

4.) Have you ever been hurt by what Gerard labels ‘reckless faith’?

Jessie is concerned about the health of the family car while Gerard is wishing that she’d buck up and take care of it herself. With additional hardware issues to solve at home, the Peppers admittedly have some tech troubleshooting to do.

Thanks to PrepDish, Songfinch + our own Great Love Goods for making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show.

QUICK BITES:

A quick read for anyone who is curious about the epic downfall of the mighty Saab.

Jessie borrowed the “damsel” slogan from one of her favorite podcasts called You Made It Weird.

Our strong phone preferences have been previously documented and the individual assertions still stand.

TRIGGER QUESTIONS:

Who feels more comfortable handling mechanical issues at home: you or your partner?

Have you ever been talked-down-to by someone who was hired to help with a technical task?

Can you think of any chores that you typically prefer to do with your partner’s help?

The Peppers are finally whipping up some homemade hot sauce for their neighborhood Christmas gifts this year. Gerard wants to invent his very own recipe and Jessie is having deja vu about the last time they took a stab at it. Once you listen to this week’s show, be sure to check out the launch of our latest project called Let’s Taco ‘Bout God!

Thanks to PrepDish + Songfinch for making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show.

QUICK BITES:

You’re probably not surprised by how much The Peppers LOVE hot sauce. We talked about it on the show a few years ago, and now Gerard is ready to give it another shot.

Gerard wants to use this recipe, but hopes that Jessie can add her own dose of creative flavor. Sounds like grilled pineapple is going to be the secret ingredient, which means that G will have to do the taste testing all by himself.

Jessie’s sugar-free grain-free granola is a seasonal adaptation of this simple recipe.

Become a hot sauce ninja by keeping these tiny cholula packets nearby at all times.

Curious about the official scoville rating system? Check out this handy chart to keep your spice levels in check.

Check out the launch of Gerard’s latest project! It’s called Let’s Taco ‘Bout God and you won’t want to miss it.

TRIGGER QUESTIONS:

If you could deliver one thing to your neighbors for a holiday gift, what would it be?

How do you feel about the art of re-gifting?

What is the spiciest thing that you’ve ever eaten?

A special episode of Marriage is Funny where The Peppers talk all about houseguests… having them, being them + what to do when they take over your lives from now until January 1st. Gerard + Jessie give some helpful tips when it comes to managing expectations, and making your home a great place to host guests.

Thanks to PrepDish, Ritual + Zola or making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show.

QUICK BITES:

The Peppers have simplified their holiday plans by letting things fall into place around the plans of other family members.

We gave a rundown of our usual Thanksgiving approach in last years episode: Rule 066 | Spontaneous Combustion Is No Laughing Matter.

We no longer have the “Friendsgiving” excuse for not being with our own families around the holidays, and now have to be a bit more careful about hurting the feelings of our own parents.

One way to alleviate “Family FOMO” is to make sure that the partner who’s away from their family during a holiday gets some extra TLC by choosing at least a few of the holiday traditions.

Being regular houseguests has helped us learn how to be better hosts. We have a handful of favorite things about staying with friends + family, so take a listen to the comprehensive list as a way to make your home an extra cozy nest for guests.

Houseguest-HOSTING TIPS from the Peppers

Comfy cozy bed. Fill your duvet covers with TWO comforters to make things extra luxurious.

Temperature control. Let your guests have their say with the thermostat.

Coffee Set-up. Everyone has a strong opinion about this one, but supplying the caffeine basics will make a significant difference.

Give A Grand Tour. Bathrooms, parking, entrances, kitchen cupboards, etc.

Water Access. Give a head’s up on things like faucets, filters, or bottled.

Wi-fi Log In. Put the network name and password in a prominent place.

Plunger Placement. Bathroom supplies should be easy to find and fully stocked at all times.

Room Layout. Don’t clutter the space with too much of your own stuff.

Preferred Linens. Decent sheets + towels go a very long way.

Gerard’s Holiday Family-Time Playbook

The Traditional Trade — Alternating years and/or actual occasions. Use the predictability of it to manage expectations.

The Marathon — Hitting all houses and invites in order to make everyone happy. Bonus points if you get pie at every stop.

The Wild Card — Do whatever the hell you want and don’t worry too much about breaking tradition. Perfect opportunity for visiting friends or taking a private vacation, but deliver the news carefully to avoid hurting feelings.

The Home Team Advantage — Become a real adult by hosting the holiday on your own turf. Stay mindful of group dynamics and don’t be surprised by a random mix of people.

TRIGGER QUESTIONS:

Have you ever felt “Family FOMO” when spending a holiday away from your parents + siblings?

What are the top three details that you appreciate when being a houseguest?

Do you have any things that you are too grossed out to share with your spouse?

The Peppers decide to go rogue by getting serious and breaking some rules. Gerard claims that his full plate has left no room for quality time, while Jessie admits that she’s been craving connection amidst a dry spell. This episode is a very honest look at how to (barely) survive a difficult season of marriage.

Thanks to PrepDish, Minted + Follain or making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show.

QUICK BITES:

Jump way back to Episode 1 to hear how our nearly-broken marriage inspired us to start this show in the first place.

Having support from the original Great Love Gangsters has been one of the things that has ultimately kept us going. We would love to connect you with your own crew of couples, so sign up right here to get involved!

We’ve talked about busy work schedules before and you can listen back to Episode 56 for some context.

Gerard hasn’t always been a workaholic, but he now understands the danger of stepping foot on the slippery slope.

Shared projects are important to us, but sometimes the timing tends to backfire if both partners aren’t on the same page. Back in Episode 37, we talk about creating and serving and encouraging others together, but protecting quality time is always our first priority.

We’ve reached the homestretch when it comes to busy schedules, and holding on a little longer is the only hope we have!

Our past experiences with seeing professional counselors have not gone as well as you might think… Feel free to listen to the story of The Narcoleptic Therapist right here.

Throughout this episode, we discovered a handful of phrases that help when said to your partner... “I miss you.” / “We can do this.” / “I want to be better.” (Feel free to steal your favorite or use all three.)

Jessie sneaks up on Gerard all the time and you can follow along with the shenanigans over on IG stories.

Jessie’s Tips For Following Through On Projects:

Test for success before you invest.

Know when a project should be shelved for later.

Give yourself grace when something fails.

Having an outside voice provides perspective.

How to talk to difficult people about politics:
(AKA Our Re-do from Episode 75)

Do your research about both sides of the issue.

Put yourself in the other person’s shoes.

Learn how to present a compelling argument.

TRIGGER QUESTIONS:

What is one way that you and your partner could connect with each other through playfulness this week?

How many hours did you and your spend working and/or parenting this week? How does that compare with the time you’ve spent focusing on your spouse?

Do you and your partner have another couple who you can ask for prayer or advice or encouragement when things get tough?

Jessie accidentally hops on the “true crime” bandwagon and Gerard agrees that some of their media consumption is concerning. In this episode, The Peppers discuss everything from sex to drugs to murder, so you may not want to listen with your kids in the room.

Thanks to PrepDish, Minted + Audible or making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show.

QUICK BITES:

So many true crime mentions from this episode: Serial, NBC’s Dateline, Dirty John, and many more!

Haven’t caught up on The Pepper’s cross-country trip? Check out Episode 10 to hear about our coast to coast adventure!

Jessie has talked about her skittish nature on the show before. Episode 27 was when we documented her mild paranoia and the drama that ensued after she dove through a window.

Connie Britton is Jessie’s crush of the week.

Take a look at the Peppers neighborhood by watching Dexter + CSI: Miami!

Bravo is launching a new scripted series called Dirty John (based on the popular podcast) and some of the taping took place on our very block!

My Favorite Murder is one of the leading true crime podcasts that Jessie mentions, much to Gerard’s dismay.

This article inspired the original Dirty John deep-dive and was written for the Los Angeles Times by Christopher Goffard.

The Girl On The Train + Gone Girl are two of the books that increased Jessie’s appetite for mystery.

Grab the Overdrive app to read your LIbrary’s books for free!

Making A Murderer is Gerard’s exception when it comes to true crime TV that features blood or gore. Fictional shows are another story, and in this category he has watched The Sinner, Yellowstone, Breaking Bad + House of Cards.

The Peppers both enjoyed Weeds + Ozark which we promise are only coincidentally about drugs.

We last discussed our distinct TV preferences back in Episode 56. (The front runner is still a show called Big Little Lies: a mini series based on the book by Liane Moriarty.)

TRIGGER QUESTIONS:

What is the best mystery you’ve ever read?

Have you ever gotten sucked into a show, series or book about something dark or disturbing?

Do you ever feel concerned about the kinds of media that your partner consumes?

We’re talking about politics and it’s just in time for the midterm elections. Facebook-Gerard is glad to be back but Uncensored-Jessie is unsure about his arrival. Social media may cause a sense of split-personalities but apparently, it’s even harder to for these two to agree on important condiment decisions as a family.

Thanks to PrepDish + Season for making this episode possible! Click right here to learn more about our sponsors and head to our site for more info about how to support the show.

QUICK BITES:

It’s high time to revisit some of the things that we talked about in Episode 27. (Pretty funny to the last time we tried to tackle a similar subject, pre-Trump.)

Gerard explains how digiphrenia has been a very real experience for him. If you’d like to learn more, we recommend the book Present Shock by Douglas Rushkoff.

The infamous FB post has since been deleted, but Gerard’s sentiment remains the same and Jessie happens to agree.

Tearing down someone’s character is an unfair and ineffective way to win an argument online. (Especially if you’re attacking someone who is married to a collegiate-champion debate captain.)

We’re looking for ways to have real-life chats with people about what they believe, but we promise not to ruin the evening if you end up having us over for dinner.

Pacifism resurfaces in the form of a lurking husband that is covered in camouflage... We talked about this last (minus the weeds and the machete) back in Episode 49.

Gerard’s edgy approach to twitter has created conflict in our midst and it’s something that that gets Jessie riled up about, even after a full year has passed.

The podcast called “I love you, but I hate your politics” has been broadening our perspective of what it means to love someone who may be on the opposite side of the aisle.

TRIGGER QUESTIONS:

Who’s more political on social media -- you or your partner?

How does it make you feel when your partner posts about something online that you happen to disagree with?

Have you ever made a joke (either in person or online) that got taken out of context?