100 | Beyond Happily Ever After: The Science of Long-term Love with Lee Baucom

In this podcast, we deep dived into the world of ‘Happily Ever After’—and what actually happens after the final page is turned. To help us separate the soulmate myths from relationship science, we are joined by, Lee Baucom, a man who spends his days helping couples navigate the ‘sequels’ that romance novels usually skip over.

Lee shares actionable advice on maintaining connection, debunks common romance myths, and emphasizes the importance of daily interactions and emotional regulation in sustaining long-term love.

Key Topics:

The critical role of daily low-intensity, high-frequency positive interactions in relationships

Why grand gestures are temporary fixes rather than sustainable solutions

How small 'bids' for connection, like sharing a bite or a glance, build trust and intimacy

Identifying red flags in romantic tropes such as enemies-to-lovers or forced proximity

The biological basis of passion and how to bridge the chemical gap with intentional actions

The misconception of 'the one' and focusing on skill-building rather than fate

Defensive behaviors, emotional dysregulation, and the importance of safety and ownership in conflicts

Tools and resources such as the Unpause Marriage app and Save the Marriage system for relationship repair

How emotional safety and good communication markers predict relationship resilience