Dr. Marcus C. Shepard discusses a Wired article (https://www.wired.com/story/ai-relationships-are-on-the-rise-a-divorce-boom-could-be-next/) on the rise of AI relationships and their growing impact on marriages, including legal disputes and financial secrecy tied to chatbot companions.

He applies interpersonal communication concepts (investment, emotional closeness, trust, support) and Duck’s stages of relational breakdown, and closes with practical advice for managing tense family dynamics over Thanksgiving.