Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

Achieving a balance between work, family, and personal time can feel overwhelming, especially for dual-career couples. 

For this two part series we are going to first learn about Brian and Lucy’s home dynamics, and you’ll likely find that, when it comes to the division of labor and obstacles couples face, that there are a lot of common challenges. 

This is part one of the two part series.

We will then discuss the guiding principles of the Fair Play system. For the second part of the series, we will finish the implementation of the Fair Play system, so you can see for yourself how you can apply it in your relationship.

Lucy McAfee is the host of The ManFlu podcast, where she explores gender dynamics and emotional labor in modern partnerships, and what it looks like to raise boys to become thoughtful, connected men. After 16 years in healthcare strategy, she stepped away from corporate life to focus on this work and develop Boys Who Care, a program aimed at building social and emotional skills for boys.

Her husband, Brian McAfee, spent over a decade owning and operating a restaurant and is now in his next entrepreneurial chapter focused on sports betting.

They live in Lake Tahoe with their two sons, where they’re beginning the work of creating a more balanced partnership in real life. You can find more from Lucy and The ManFlu podcast on Instagram @lucypmcafee. 

Enjoy the show.

00:00 Introduction
01:22 Lucy and Brian, tell us a bit about yourselves, your family, and what a typical week looks like in your home.
03:43 What made you both say yes to today's conversation? 
04:23 If this conversation goes really well, what would feel different in your home a month from now?
07:04 How do each of you define leisure time?
12:42 True leisure vs. responsibility disguised as leisure
15:13 The Fundamentals of the Fair Play System
20:19 Facilitation of the Fair Play System

#fairplay #chores #divisionoflabor #mentalload 

ManFlu Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/033U3TUJv0ChU1hQNjro7r 

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Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I provide as a Certified Financial Therapist, Accredited Financial Counselor and Fair Play Facilitator. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com.

Today we welcome Dr. Megan Ford and Dr. Christine Hargrove. Dr. Ford is the University of Georgia Director of the Love and Money Center, Certified Financial Therapist, and Licensed and Marriage Therapist. Dr. Hargrove is the Love and Money Center Assistant Director, UGA Clinical Assistant Professor, Certified Financial Therapist, and Licensed and Marriage Therapist.

For today’s episode, Dr. Ford and Dr. Hargrove share research on financial conflict, the emotional burden of day-to-day money management, and how roles like “bean counter” shape stress within relationships. The conversation also offers practical, research-backed strategies for couples and neurodivergent individuals to manage money with greater awareness, compassion, and teamwork. Enjoy the show.

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction
02:19 What do we do at the Love and Money Center? Why is it unique? Why is it needed?
06:54 Can you tell us about the Ford Financial Empowerment Model
08:07 Would you share with us your research behind beancounters, and neurodivergents? 
15:48 What's the history behind how the Love and Money Center came to be?
20:44 What are the benefits for students?
26:57 Can you highlight some interesting research that has emerged from the Love and Money Center?
33:36 Can you each share one actionable tip for our listeners to improve their financial relationship with their partners?

Love and Money Center

#money #relationships #financialtherapy

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Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I provide as a Certified Financial Therapist, Accredited Financial Counselor and Fair Play Facilitator. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com.

Today’s guest is Dr. Anne Welsh, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified executive coach who began her career as a psychologist at Harvard University before founding her own practice supporting ambitious women and working parents in thriving both at work and at home.

She is the author of Ambitious Mother: From Surviving to Thriving in Your Career and at Home. The episode discussion highlights the importance of redefining ambition beyond traditional career success. Anne offers practical advice for couples who are seeking a more balanced approach to family and work life, challenging societal norms around gender roles.

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction
01:35 Let’s start with you sharing an overview of your book. What’s it about?
03:58 How did becoming a mother change the way you thought about your own ambition and identity?
06:43 Was there a moment when you realized that the way you were striving wasn’t sustainable? What was that like for you?
16:22 You’ve said that the men in your life were supportive and involved, yet you still ended up with an unequal division of labor. How did that happen?
19:32 What tends to keep good partners with good intentions stuck in old patterns, even when they share values around equality?
21:40 For someone who feels stretched thin and isn’t sure where to start, where do you usually suggest they begin?
24:38 If you could go back and talk to your earlier self about ambition and motherhood, what would you tell her?
26:25 Where can listeners learn more about you and purchase your book?
27:06 What is one simple and actionable piece of advice you want to leave our listeners with? 

Learn more about Anne: https://www.drannewelsh.com/ 
Purchase Anne’s book: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Anne-Welsh/dp/B0FZCZ9QY6 

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Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

For today’s episode, Dr. Ross and I discuss with Christian his experiences and lessons learned during his first year as a father. Listeners will walk away with the real and fresh wisdom to help new and expectant fathers. As a recent empty nester, what Christian shared warmed my heart and made for a better day. A new or expectant father or not, you will enjoy this episode.

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction
01:46 You recently became a dad. What has surprised you the most about fatherhood so far?
04:39 What has been the biggest adjustment mentally, emotionally, or physically since becoming a parent?
10:34 What’s been your favorite part of becoming a dad so far?
12:24 How has becoming parents changed the dynamic between you and your wife?
14:51 What conversations do you now realize couples should have before having children?
18:25 What are some small things husbands can do during the newborn stage that make a huge difference for their partner?
22:28 What’s one thing you wish more men understood about supporting their wives after childbirth?
27:25 What kind of father do you hope your child describes you as someday?
28:20 Were there any past Modern Husbands Podcast episodes that unexpectedly helped prepare you for fatherhood?
30:32 What’s one message you want new or expecting fathers listening to this episode to hear?

#fatherhood #parenting

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Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I provide as a Certified Financial Therapist, Accredited Financial Counselor and Fair Play Facilitator. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com.

Today we welcome Dr. Mikel Van Cleve. Mikel earned his Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech University, where he specialized in blended family financial dynamics. His research deepens our understanding of how complex family structures, particularly blended families, achieve financial well-being. In this episode, we unpack why estate planning is especially critical for blended families, the emotional conversations couples often avoid and offer practical advice for navigating fairness, conflict, and long-term financial decisions as a family. Enjoy the show.

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction
01:47 Can you share a little bit about your Ph.D. focus with our listeners?
02:53 Where does your passion for this topic come from?
06:18 Why is estate planning so important for blended families?
09:22 What happens if they don’t set things up the right way?
19:39 What tips would you give blended families to ensure they address this critical area of financial planning and do it the right way? 
24:46 What is one piece of simple and actionable advice you want to leave our listeners with?

#BlendedFamilies
#EstatePlanning
#FamilyFinance
#ModernHusbands
#FinancialPlanning

https://mikelvancleve.com

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Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

Today’s episode is part two of a two part episode on Empowering Men to Partner or Lead at Home. Today’s guests are Eve Rodsky, Dr. Kate Mangino, and Dr. Allison Daminger.

Dr. Kate Mangino is the author of Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home, a field guide to evolving masculinity and domestic partnership. 

Eve Rodsky is the author of Fair Play and creator of the viral Fair Play system, a revolutionary method for dividing household responsibilities with clarity and fairness. 
Dr. Allison Daminger is a sociologist at the University of Wisconsin and author of What’s On Her Mind, which dives deep into cognitive labor—the planning, tracking, and decision-making that often goes unseen. 

Enjoy part two of our special two part series. We will pick up where we left off. Enjoy the episode.

00:00 Introduction
01:06 Can you share some of your favorite success stories of couples using the Fair Play method and men, in particular, experiencing a boost in their own happiness and relationship satisfaction?
07:05 What are some subtle ways men have shifted from delegating to initiating mental labor in a home?
13:50 What do you say to skeptics who think "this work should just come naturally"?
17:08 What are the bumps in the road that men often experience employing the Fair Play method, and how do they work through them with their partners?
23:31 What cognitive labor traps do you see highly educated or dual-career couples falling into, and how can they work through them?
28:41 How can we prevent the motherhood penalty from occurring in our relationships?
#ModernHusbands
#FairPlayMethod
#EqualPartners
#MentalLoad
#MarriagePodcast

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Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

Today’s episode is part one of a two part episode on Empowering Men to Partner or Lead at Home. Today’s guests are Eve Rodsky, Dr. Kate Mangino, and Dr. Allison Daminger.

Dr. Kate Mangino is the author of Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home, a field guide to evolving masculinity and domestic partnership.
Eve Rodsky is the author of Fair Play and creator of the viral Fair Play system, a revolutionary method for dividing household responsibilities with clarity and fairness.
Dr. Allison Daminger is a sociologist at the University of Wisconsin and author of What’s On Her Mind, which dives deep into cognitive labor—the planning, tracking, and decision-making that often goes unseen. 

Enjoy part one of our special two part series.

00:00 Introduction
01:08 What does it mean for a man to lead at home? 
What does it mean for men to lead at home today, and why can labeling it as women’s work be such a toxic label?
07:55 For those who are unfamiliar, can you describe the Fair Play system?
17:39 Your book explores the thinking work that drives a household. What examples can you share of men who shoulder an equitable or lion’s share of this type of labor, and what has allowed them to break the norm?
23:43 Can you share an example from Equal Partners of a man redefining provide in a powerful way?

#ModernHusbands
#FairPlayMethod
#EqualPartners
#MentalLoad
#MarriagePodcast

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Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

For today’s episode, Christian and I discuss with Dr. Ross his experiences and lessons learned during his first year as a husband. Listeners will walk away with the real and fresh wisdom to help new and soon to be husbands. Dr. Ross is one of the leading academics in this area, and his insights are an excellent balance between lessons learned from science, and from his first hand experiences. A new or soon to be husband or not, you will enjoy this episode.

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction
01:35 Tell us about your wedding and the research behind divorce and wedding costs
07:43 What has been the biggest adjustment in day-to-day life since getting married?
10:34 What has been your favorite part of married life so far?
11:48 What household systems or routines have helped your relationship function well?
15:21 What does being a supportive partner actually look like in everyday life?
18:12 How do you and your wife stay connected when life gets busy?
26:04 What relationship skill do you think deserves far more attention than it gets?

#relationships #marriages 

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Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I provide as an Accredited Financial Counselor and Fair Play Facilitator. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com.

Today’s guest is Dr. Sheehan Fisher, an Associate Professor at Northwestern University, with a research  specialization in understanding mothers and fathers unique contributions to the family and child health. In our conversation, Dr. Fisher discusses the dynamics of parenting, particularly focusing on the roles of fathers and the societal pressures faced by mothers. The discussion also highlights strategies for teamwork in parenting and how to navigate life transitions while maintaining relationship satisfaction. Enjoy the show.

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction
01:13 Can you share a bit about your family?
02:03 As a dad yourself, how has your personal experience influenced your professional focus? 
06:41 What do you want fathers to understand about a privilege they have as being a father, and how are women judged upon? 
10:11 What strategies help fathers manage stress while balancing work, parenting, and personal wellbeing? 
11:44 What role does self-care play in effective parenting and partnership?
12:51 What’s one evidence-based practice you’d recommend for couples who feel overwhelmed by daily life stressors?
16:27 What have you learned about how the mental load and household responsibilities affect relationship satisfaction?
18:07 How can parents communicate about non-visible labor (like emotional or planning work)?
23:55 What tools or frameworks do you recommend for parents to strengthen teamwork during challenging life transitions?
26:00 How can parents check in with each other emotionally without turning it into a confrontation?
27:11 What can parents do today to ensure both individuals feel equally supported, seen, and heard?
29:08 Where can our listeners learn more about you? 
30:05 If you had to give one piece of advice to every parent listening about shared responsibility and partnership, what would it be?

Dr. Sheehan David Fisher
https://www.sheehanfisher.com/ 

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Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

Today is part two of a two part series on money, masculinity, and equity at home. For today’s episode we will pick up where we left off in our conversation with Will and Ellie Windle. 

As a reminder, Will Windle is an MMA fighter and EMT and Ellie Windle Founder and Chairperson of Persist. They have busted through the gender norms that can suffocate the space they both need to grow in their careers and work as teammates to manage their home and be parents. They share practical advice for couples navigating economic realities, emotional labor, and parenting together. Enjoy the show.

00:00 Introduction
00:48 Will, what would you say to men who want to step up at home but feel unsure, unprepared, or like they’re breaking from how they were raised?
4:43 Ellie, many women feel exhausted and hopeless about imbalance. What message of realistic hope would you want them to hear from your story?
8:07 Ellie, where can listeners learn more about Persist and how to rethink mental load as a couple?
14:58 Will, what is one piece of simple and actionable advice you want to leave men with?
19:48 Ellie, what is one piece of simple and actionable advice you want to leave men with?

Persist Free Careload Assessment: https://www.timeforpersist.com/free-careload-assessment 

#masculinity #relationships 

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