205. Can men and women ever just be friends?

Welcome to the podcast!

Sara & Anna are back with a fresh dose of conversation and reflection. From the vibes of city life versus island chill, to what keeps us awake at 4 am, to how advertising quietly shapes our romantic expectations, we’re diving deep this week.

Love Desk:
We look at how advertising has shaped our romantic rituals:

• Why women began shaving legs and underarms (thanks to a Gillette campaign)

• How De Beers convinced the world that diamonds = love

• Hallmark’s role in making Valentine’s cards feel mandatory

• The hidden pressure of sexual frequency “norms”

All raising the question: how much of what we think is romantic is really just marketing?

Hot Topic: Can men and women ever just be friends?
Sara and Anna unpack both sides:

• When friendship feels natural versus when boundaries blur

• The role of jealousy and trust in how couples navigate opposite-sex friendships

• Why “special energy” can be risky if it crosses into intimacy

• The importance of keeping your closest bond sacred within your relationship

• Where they disagree (yes, it happens!) and what it says about how different couples set boundaries

Listener Question:
"I’m a single parent, and the other parent never contributes to gifts like birthdays or Christmas. I suggested we work it out together, but they ignored me. What should I do?"
We explore:

• Why co-parenting often involves ego clashes and value differences

• How gifts link to love languages and what each parent is really trying to express

• Ways to reduce conflict for the kids, who often feel caught in the middle

• Practical steps for reframing conversations and moving forward

Takeaway:
From diamonds to friendships to co-parenting, we’re reminded how much external pressures can shape our relationships.