Hot Marriage. Cool Parents.

In today’s episode, we get candid about a time when divorce was in the cards for us and share how our couple’s therapist made us aware that it wasn’t realistic to count on one person to be everything to each of us. You’ll hear how our therapist managed to identify that Doug’s habit of speaking in an announcer’s voice is stonewalling, and how she showed us that it is damaging to our relationship. The purpose of this podcast is to connect with you! We tell you how we learn and grow from your contribution and answer a listener question about why the producers of Married at First Sight paired us with one another, before telling you what we are constantly learning from one another. We discuss the guy Jamie dated before she met Doug and the story of how we are still friends with the girl Doug lost his virginity to. Jamie records a voice note after a session with a couple’s therapist and shares her thoughts on boundaries, and how her childhood has shaped who she is today. One of the main things we hope you take from this episode is that spreading yourself too thin serves nobody, least of all you! Please join us for some powerful insights from our personal journey today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• How our therapist helped save our marriage from the brink of divorce.
• What we learned from therapy: you can’t count on one person to be everything.
• How Jamie used the voice recorder on her phone as a form of therapy.
• Doug’s ‘announcer voice’ and how this stonewalls Jamie in situations of conflict.
• How you can get in touch via email or social media with your questions.
• The main aim of Hot Marriage Cool Parents, which is to connect with you!
• Doug’s endorsement of Manly Bands and their range that you can customize.
• Listener question: what did the producers find compatible about Doug and Jamie?
• How Doug has shown Jamie how to get comfortable in her own skin and how Jamie has taught Doug to have drive about everything he does.
• Jamie shares why the person she dated before Doug was a great guy, but not suited to her.
• How Doug stayed friends with the girl he lost his virginity to.
• Jamie’s voice note that she recorded in her car after a couple’s therapy session.
• How finding the right fit in a therapist has been a huge game changer for us.
• How putting yourself last doesn’t make you reliable, but is a way to try to get the love and acceptance of people around you.
• The effect of having no boundaries, which is resentment.
• How having boundaries benefits absolutely everyone in your life.
• The story of how Jamie’s mother turned to drugs and put her family’s needs aside.
• How she realized that setting boundaries helps her please herself and put her family first.
• What Jamie identified about spreading herself too thin: that she’s no good to anyone, including herself!

For All Things HMCP, Check Out Our Instagram Handles:

Hot Marriage. Cool Parents. — https://www.instagram.com/hotmarriagecoolparents/

Jamie — https://www.instagram.com/jamienotis/

Doug — https://www.instagram.com/doughehner/

And Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Manly Bands - Get 21% off plus a free silicone ring by going to manlybands.com/hotmarriage

DBS Alliance - To learn more about how you can start conversations about mental health and suicide in your community, visit dbsalliance.org/suicide-prevention

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In today’s episode, we pull back the curtain on Jamie and Doug's past, and some of the experiences in her and Doug's life which have shaped how they both view and interact with the world. Jamie shares the guidance that her therapist has given her regarding managing her workload in order to protect her mental health. Also, we take a look at Jamie’s previous relationships and the influence that these have had on her. On a lighter note, prompted by a listener’s comment, we also pull back the curtain on Doug and Jamie’s experiences in the world of reality TV!

We also chat about Jamie's recent break from social media and why it was important.

We are so appreciative of all the support that you have shown us during this time. We truly have the BEST listeners!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The mask that Doug usually wears.
• An explanation of what batch-work is.
• What we are hoping to achieve through the question-and-answer sessions with our listeners.
• Jamie shares a story about the brand that duped her, and what it taught her about collaborations.
• Advice that Jamie was given from her therapist about how to work in a way that protects her mental health.
• Where the phrase “unveiling the curtain” comes from.
• The various reality shows that Doug tried out for.
• How Jamie ended up on the Bachelor.
• Why Jamie’s ex-boyfriend was so instrumental in determining how she deals with issues in relationships.
• Jamie runs us through some of the unhealthy relationships she had in the past.
• Doug delves into what his relationship with his ex-girlfriend was like.
• Jamie's recent break from social media including an audio clip of her story from Instagram

For all things HMCP check out our Instagram handles:

Hot Marriage. Cool Parents. - https://www.instagram.com/hotmarriagecoolparents/

Jamie - https://www.instagram.com/jamienotis/

Doug - https://www.instagram.com/doughehner/

And thank you to our sponsor:

Native Deodorant — Visit https://www.nativedeo.com/HMCP or use promo code HMCP at checkout to get 20% off your first order.

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Welcome back to Hot Marriage. Cool Parents! In this week’s episode, we catch up with both Doug and Jamie. We are currently still in Cortland, New York visiting Jamie’s family, and have had to recover from an unfortunate bout of illness that’s been doing the rounds! Life is still crazy and we are both very much looking forward to being in one place for more than a few days!

After a quick rundown of how our family has been doing, we spend some time on feedback from our listeners. Doug gives a shout-out to an awesome review and shares why he’s so grateful when fans connect with him. We also hear a voice note from one of our listeners, who shares a painful story of ectopic pregnancy, and Jamie takes the time to unpack the issue and empathize with how difficult it can be to deal with. Next, we delve into the question of the benefits and challenges of being open and vulnerable about your struggles, especially when they’re painful and intimate. We discuss how Jamie’s therapist has helped with insights that have contributed to a healthier dynamic between us and what our hopes are going forward. Join us today as we reflect on life, relationships, and much more!

Key Points From This Episode:

• We hear from Jamie about her time in Los Angeles doing Unfiltered.
• Doug shares his shout-out for the week.
• Why Doug and Jamie are grateful when fans connect with them.
• We hear from listeners about their struggles and how the podcast has impacted them.
• Jamie breaks down what it means to have an ectopic pregnancy.
• Doug and Jamie discuss what it’s like for their lives to be so public.
• Jamie empathizes with a listener who went through an ectopic pregnancy.
• Why it’s important to be vulnerable and open in your life.
• Doug shares his struggles with being open and vulnerable and how communication has helped him.
• How Jamie’s therapist helped them find a healthier dynamic as a couple.
• How the isolation of COVID 19 has impacted Doug’s opportunities for being open and communicative with friends.
• Jamie’s hopes that Doug will become less closed off and be willing to share his inner life with her more.
• Why Doug believes his and Jamie’s personalities complement one another.
• Some of the details of their visit to Cortland, New York, Jamie’s hometown.
• Jamie and Doug give a sneak peek into next week’s episode and encourage listeners to send voice notes.

For all things HMCP check out our Instagram handles:

Hot Marriage. Cool Parents. - https://www.instagram.com/hotmarriagecoolparents/

Jamie - https://www.instagram.com/jamienotis/

Doug - https://www.instagram.com/doughehner/

Become Body Positive - https://www.instagram.com/becomebodypositive

And thank you to our sponsors:

GoHenry — Teach your kids the value of money starting today! Go to gohenry.com and use promo code HMCP to get your first month free!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Couples' Cam — https://www.mylifetime.com/shows/married-at-first-sight-couples-cam

Big Little Feelings — https://biglittlefeelings.com/

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Jamie is back for this exciting episode, discussing the past 11 weeks of pregnancy with twins. Jamie and Doug share their Gender Reveal Party plans, and what it’s like not having family around to be there. Later in the episode, Jamie and Doug break down the Decision Day for Married at First Sight, and what they feel is missing from these past few seasons. Hear their honest and raw feelings towards the cast and what the experts and producers may want to watch out for to help in future seasons.

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Doug was faced with a man having a heart attack for the 2nd time a few days ago. Hear him retell the entire story, how he used a defibrillator to bring the man back to life, and the touching message the gentleman and his wife sent through email. Doug can’t help but think there is a higher power at play, and how his life has changed since inviting church and prayer into his life (thanks to his wife Jamie). Earlier in the episode Doug explains the surprise he has in store for Valentine's Day, and hints at a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT coming in the next week....

Doug finishes off with his recap of Married At First Sight Ep 16!

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