About this episode
<p>No one will deny that marriage is hard. In fact, there’s evidence it’s getting even harder. This week on the show, we revisit a favorite episode about the history of marriage and how it has evolved over time. We talk with historian Stephanie Coontz and psychologist <a href="https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/directory/finkel_eli/">Eli Finkel</a>, and explore ways we can improve our love lives — including by asking less of our partners. Then, on Your Questions Answered, psychologist <a href="https://www.olin.edu/bios/jonathan-m-adler">Jonathan Adler</a> answers your questions about the science of storytelling.</p><p><i>If you have follow-up questions or thoughts about these ideas, and you’d be willing to share them with the Hidden Brain audience, please record a voice memo on your phone. Then, email it to us at </i><a href="mailto:ideas@hiddenbrain.org" target="_blank"><i>ideas@hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i>. Use the subject line “marriage.” That email address again is </i><a href="mailto:ideas@hiddenbrain.org" target="_blank"><i>ideas@hiddenbrain.org</i></a><i>.</i></p><p><i>The Hidden Brain tour is continuing, with our next stop just a few weeks away! Join us in Los Angeles on November 22, and stay tuned for more dates coming in 2026. For more info and tickets, head to </i><a href="https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/"><i>hiddenbrain.org/tour</i></a><i>. </i></p><p><i>Episode illustration by Getty Images for Unsplash+</i></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>