About this episode
<p>When things go wrong in our relationships, we often try to change the way our partners behave. But usually, trying to fix a person only makes things worse. Last week, we talked to psychologist <a href="https://www.clarku.edu/faculty/profiles/james-cordova/" rel="noopener noreferrer">James Cordova</a> about why this tendency can be so damaging, and what to do instead. This week, we explore another difficult but effective way to strengthen our relationships. Then, on Your Questions Answered, we bring back researcher <a href="https://sph.umich.edu/faculty-profiles/strecher-victor.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Victor Strecher</a>, who studies purpose. Vic spoke with us in June about the death of his daughter, and how it changed his own outlook on purpose. That conversation, which was called "<a href="https://www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/you-2-0-what-is-your-life-for/" rel="noopener noreferrer">You 2.0: What Is Your Life For?</a>" had a powerful impact on many listeners. We'll hear Vic's responses to their thoughts and questions. </p> <p><i>What have you learned about changing your partner in the course of your relationship? Have you come up with ways to accept your partner's flaws? If you have questions or comments for James Cordova, and you'd be willing to share with the Hidden Brain audience, please record a short voice memo on your phone and email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Use the subject line "acceptance." Thanks! </i></p> <p><i>The Hidden Brain tour is continuing, with our next stops just a few days away! Join us in Baltimore on October 11 or Washington, D.C. on October 12 to see Shankar live on stage. We'll also be in Los Angeles on November 22, and more dates in 2026 are coming soon. For more info and tickets, head to </i><a href="https://www.hiddenbrain.org/tour/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i>hiddenbrain.org/tour</i></a><i>. </i></p> <p> </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>
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Love 2.0: How to Fix Your Marriage, Part 2 from Hidden Brain gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Clue app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- Waking Up Your Spiritual Brain: Part 2 Jul 6, 2026
- Waking Up Your Spiritual Brain: Part 1 Jun 29, 2026
- Stepping Out of the Shadows Jun 22, 2026
- A Secret Source of Connection Jun 15, 2026
- Who Are You, Really? Jun 8, 2026
- Unleashing Your Creativity Jun 1, 2026
- The Past is Never Dead May 25, 2026
- The Empathy Gym May 18, 2026
- The Cowboy Philosopher May 11, 2026
- Radical Acceptance May 4, 2026
- Designing a Life that Matters Apr 27, 2026
- Do You Feel Loved? Apr 20, 2026
- How to Change the World Apr 13, 2026
- The Debt Trap Apr 6, 2026
- When It's Okay to Lie Mar 30, 2026
- Group Think Mar 23, 2026
- Rethinking Depression Mar 16, 2026
- Yuck! The Science of Disgust Mar 9, 2026
- The Secret of Charisma Mar 2, 2026
- Do You Feel Invisible? Feb 23, 2026
- Why You're Smarter Than You Think Feb 16, 2026
- Coming Clean Feb 9, 2026
- Keeping Secrets Feb 2, 2026
- You 2.0: Trusting Your Doubt Jan 26, 2026
- You 2.0: The Practice of Patience Jan 19, 2026
- You 2.0: How to Get Out of a Rut Jan 12, 2026
- You 2.0: Cultivating Courage Jan 5, 2026
- You 2.0: Stop Spiraling! Dec 29, 2025
- The Reset Button Dec 22, 2025
- The Path to Enough Dec 15, 2025