Episode Summary

Marie and Adam open with personal and professional good news — including celebrating a successful first keynote together where they delivered their SPARK Framework (Safety, Play, Alignment, Rhythms, and Kaizen) — before diving into a candid conversation about how pop culture, romantic comedies, and porn have shaped our understanding of sex and sexuality, often in unhealthy ways.

What We Cover

• How sex education in the '80s and '90s was woefully incomplete — from banana-and-condom videos to scrambled late-night TV

• Why romantic comedies are considered "porn for women" — and how they set unrealistic expectations about spontaneity, desire, and relationships

• The role shame plays in sexual behavior and how suppressing sexual education can actually lead to more unhealthy outcomes

• How learning from pop culture (instead of real education) leaves both men and women with distorted views of sex, consent, and pleasure

• The connection between sexual openness and a stronger relationship — and how that spills into your business if you're an entrepreneurial couple

• Why scheduling sex isn't unromantic — it's practical

• How Marie and Adam went from intimacy once or twice a month to many times per week by normalizing open, honest conversations

Resources Mentioned

• 📺 The Diary of a CEO featuring Dr. Rachel Rubin (urologist)

• 🎙️ Sex With Emily — Emily Morse

• 🎙️ Shameless Sex podcast

• 🎙️ Where Should We Begin? — Esther Perel (also has a podcast)

• 📚 Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel

• 💻 OMGYes.com — research-based resource on women's pleasure

Core Values Spotlight

Each week, Marie and Adam highlight where their spouse lived out one of their shared core values: Continuous Growth, Play, Openness & Honesty, and Connection.

This week: Adam recognized Marie for Continuous Growth — owning the stage at their first keynote. Marie recognized Adam for Openness & Honesty — being vulnerable during a significant family transition at home.

Free Resource

Download the Weekly Connection Workbook — the exact tool Marie and Adam use in their own weekly relationship meetings. It includes the right prompts and agenda to spark deeper connection, communication, and continuous growth as a couple.

👉 Link in show notes

Connect with Startup Spouses

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