Listen - it's a big deal, and if you don't get at least a little worried about closing the distance, you're in the minority. In this episode, Rich & Aindrea address a listener email about their worries and concerns about moving from the US to Denmark to close the distance with their boyfriend. 

We all think we know our partners and what our life with them is going to look like, at least to an extent. But what happens when your partner throws a curveball and makes a big announcement you never thought you'd hear? Maybe they're gay. Maybe they've decided the don't actually want kids or they want to change religion. Perhaps they want to drop everything and pursue a degree in a niche field that they can only do on a remote island in Indonesia. These things can shake your relationship to...

Anyone going into an LDR needs to understand that certain things will be expected of them. Each long distance couple will need to agree on how much they expect to communicate with each other and see each other, and at the end of the day, being a considerate long distance partner means holding up your end of the bargain. In this episode, Aindrea & Rich dive into what that means. 

Relationships change over time and eventually, that constant need to have your hands all over one another begins to fade a bit. While that's normal, couples should make an effort to continue affection for the fun of it. In this episode, Rich & Aindrea talk about the power of (tasteful!) PDA, and the importance of continuing to be affectionate - just because - behind closed doors, as well. 

We all want certain areas of control in our lives - that's natural - and healthy to an extent! Having control over our health, welfare, finances and careers is something we should all strive towards. But what happens when our controlling behaviour starts to leak into other areas of our lives - specifically our relationships? The answer is that it can cause big problems and permanent damage if we're not careful. This week, Aindrea & Rich discuss what this controlling behaviour can look...

Off the back of a Tweet that Rich found addressing the emotional needs of men, in this episode, hosts Aindrea & Rich dive into the topic and ask: what about men? In a society that encourages toxic masculinity and then vilifies the very same thing, how and when are the emotional needs of men being ignored and not met? Is this issue at the root of the problem, and what can we do to address it? 

Couples, long distance or not, have all been affected by the pandemic. Our routines, habits and the things we enjoy doing together have all been turned upside down. So how do couples overcome this and still find ways to connect? Aindrea and Rich weigh in on the topic in this episode. 

... stay together. Or at least, Aindrea & Rich have certainly found that it adds value to their relationship. Whether working towards a common goal or challenge, or physically doing the same workouts together, dig into how facing fitness together can also make a positive difference in your own relationship - long distance or not. 

It's something we hear joked about a lot in pop culture - people "giving up" or "not making the effort" when it comes to themselves or their relationship. But these things are very real and they can affect our relationships in very real ways. At the end of the day, it never hurts to make a big more effort - even if you're already doing really well in your relationship. We can all offer a bit more. In this episode, Rich & Aindrea discuss how these issues can manifest and how to address them. 

It's important that couples have things they can enjoy together, but it's also important for each person to have their own hobbies and pursuits. What's even better is supporting your partner to enjoy those hobbies, when you're involved and when you're not. Tune in for more.

It can be a tricky topic - but there should be some boundaries when it comes to talking to exes - especially when you're in a new relationship. In this episode, Rich & Aindrea address the situation and follow up on a listener's question around being uncomfortable with how much is partner is talking to their ex. How much communication is too much? Does it mean something unfaithful is going on? Are you allowed to feel uncomfortable? Tune in for all this and more. 

In this episode, based on a listener request, Rich & Aindrea dive into the difficulties around telling your parents about an LDR, how to handle it, how not to handle it, and how to salvage the situation if it has gone badly, while addressing issues specific to the listener's situation and other common issues that can arise from telling parents. 

This week, Rich and Aindrea welcome back two very special returning guests who specialise in trauma therapy from different approaches. You might remember Orit, from episode 89 (https://www.longdistancetomarriage.com/e89-healing-past-traumas-with-orit-krug/) , and Esty from episode 91 (https://www.longdistancetomarriage.com/e91-cjea-with-esty-rappaport/) . Join in for an incredibly interesting conversation with two trauma experts who specialise in helping women and couples get past their...

It’s easy to bring other people down, but it’s one of the worst things you can do within your relationship. This week, Aindrea & Rich continue to examine inappropriate behaviours in relationships, and the focus is bringing your partner down - either to their face, or talking badly about them behind their back. Listen as they dive in to all the ways this can be done and the long-term damage it can bring upon your relationship. Discover why you should be talking and lifting your partner up...

If ever there was a better story to give long distance couple's hope right now, it's Tarley. Listen as Rich & Aindrea have a conversation with LDR survivor Tarley, who managed to move from Australia to London during the coronavirus pandemic to finally be with her boyfriend, Bradley. Tarley shares her experiences, advice as well as the realities and challenges of closing the distance at a time like this. 

We live in a world were it's easy, and expected, to be constantly contactable. This often results in almost constant communication in relationships - especially for long distance couples who don't have any other way to spend time together and feel they need to compensate. But what effect can this have on your relationship and why should you prioritise time spent NOT talking to your partner? Find out in this episode where Rich and Aindrea discuss the topic at length. 

Happy New Year! Rich and Aindrea are back for their first episode of 2021, and this week the focus is goals and fresh starts for your relationship. From sharing some details on their individual goals and goals as a couple, this episode is all about fresh starts. Maybe you want to take on a challenge as a couple this year, or maybe it's time to lay some issues within your relationship to rest. Either way, there's tons of inspiration and guidance in this episode. 

LDR is hard. It makes everything about your relationship more complicated, and for some it can even bring up serious anxiety. In this episode, Aindrea & Rich discuss symtpoms, how to talk about it, and how to deal with it in a productive way so that your relationship flourishes rather than suffers. 

Many of us struggle when it comes to balancing our family and our partner's needs. But when you're in a committed relationship, it's vital that your partner is your first priority. Easier said than done, but how can you balance that? In this episode, Rich and Aindrea discuss the damages than prioritising your family's opinions and needs over your partner's can have on your relationship, why it's an inappropriate behaviour, and how to stop it. 

Closing the distance is a big deal, especially if that distance is significant. Based on a listener request, this episode sees Rich & Aindrea diving into how to broach the topic of whether or not you should get engaged before closing the distance, what to consider, and why it may or may not be necessary. 

Expecting too much of your partner, or having out of this world, unrealistic expectations within your relationship can cause real problems, and a world of hurt. In this episode, Rich and Aindrea discuss what constitutes as unrealistic expectations and the effects that they can have on your relationship. 

The holidays will likely look different for most of this year, with coronavirus still making social gatherings and travel problematic. Long distance couples are still facing extra challenges, so Rich and Aindrea have brought out their best tips and advice for making the holidays special, even if you’re separated from your partner this year due to COVID-19. 

Continuing their series focusing on behaviours in relationships that are (or can be) inappropriate, Rich and Aindrea look at manipulation this week.  Manipulation can be on the big or small scale, and comes in many different shapes and sizes. Listen as Aindrea and Rich share an example of manipulation from their own marriage and how eliminating that behaviour has improved their relationship. Other methods of manipulation and its indications and possible outcomes are also covered. 

In light of recent world events like elections, protests and pandemics, sometimes it's helpful to know how to manage a situation in which you and your partner might have a difference of opinion on the big things. This translates into life choices, religious beliefs and so much more. Listen to this week's episode as Rich and Aindrea unpack how to respectfully handle differences of opinion in relationships.