Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I provide as an Accredited Financial Counselor and Fair Play Facilitator. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com.

Today we welcome Dr. Shandra Parks. Dr Parks serves as Board President with the Maryland Council on Problem Grambling and is a Family Involvement Facilitator, Resource Home Worker and is a Field Instructor for MSW students with the University of Maryland, School of Social Work. Dr. Parks provides wellness counseling, financial education as well financial counseling to individuals and families impacted by Disordered gambling.

In this conversation, Dr. Shandra Parks discusses the complexities of gambling addiction, its evolution in the digital age, and the psychological factors that contribute to it. She describes early warning signs, understanding the emotional impact of gambling, and finding a balance between entertainment and addiction.

Enjoy the show.

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction
02:03 You work with people and families affected by problem gambling every day. When you hear the phrase “gambling addiction,” what do most people get wrong?
03:08 Many people picture casinos or slot machines. How has gambling changed in the last decade, especially with apps, sports betting, and online platforms?
06:01 What are loot boxes?
12:07 Does gambling feel different from other money struggles like overspending or credit card debt? If so, why?
13:19 What are some early warning signs that gambling is becoming unhealthy, even if bills are still getting paid?
20:59 Many people tell themselves “I’m just doing small bets” or “this is entertainment.” Where is the line between entertainment and risk?
25:37 If someone is listening right now and feeling uneasy about their behavior, what is the first step that doesn’t feel overwhelming or shame-filled?
31:03 How should a spouse bring up concerns without triggering defensiveness or shutdown?
34:07 How do you balance compassion for the person struggling with gambling while still protecting yourself financially and emotionally?
37:00 How long does recovery typically take, and what does progress realistically look like?
39:01 What is one piece of simple and actionable advice you want to share with our listeners?

Learn more: https://www.marylandproblemgambling.org/dr-shandra-parks

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Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I provide as an Accredited Financial Counselor and Fair Play Facilitator. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com.

Today’s episode is the second of a three part series: Empowering Men to Partner or Lead at Home: The Mental Load

Today’s guests are Dr. Julie Wayne and Paige Connell.

Dr. Julie Wayne is professor at Wake Forest University. She is a leading scholar on work-family integration and gender equity. Her research uncovers the structural and psychological barriers to balanced partnerships—and how men can take intentional steps to reduce the mental load on their partners.

Paige Connell is a mental load strategist who equips families with clear tools to divide responsibilities fairly and prevent burnout. Her work, which she shares with hundreds of thousands of her followers on social media, translates the “invisible” into systems couples can use to feel more connected, supported, and balanced.

The mental load isn’t just about who does the chores—it’s about who thinks about them. Today we will talk about making invisible labor visible.

Enjoy the show.

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction
01:31 Can you briefly define mental load, cognitive labor, and the consequences of imbalance?
04:42 Your research has uncovered key psychological barriers to sharing the mental load, can you walk us through them?
10:53 Can you share an example where a couple went from burnout to balance?
24:15: How can men step in and shoulder more at home?
32:04 What do your findings suggest are effective ways to invite men into this space meaningfully?
39:23 What tools or frameworks have been most effective for dividing the “invisible work”?
45:50 What are a few simple tricks couples can use to better work together?
49:24 Can you explain the difference between emotional labor and mental labor, and share which is more taxing and why?

Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media!

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Welcome to the Modern Husbands podcast, where any combination of Dr. Bruce Ross, Christian Sherrill, and Brian Page host national experts who share winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team.

I’m Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands. Sometimes our listeners want more support than a podcast can give, individual or couple support, which I now provide. Details can be found at modernhusbands.com.

Today’s podcast is the first of a three part series: Empowering Men to Partner or Lead at Home: When She Earns More.

Today’s guests are Dr. Gary Barker, Ed Coambs, and Melissa Hogenboom.

Dr. Barker is the President and CEO of Equimundo. He is an internationally recognized expert on engaging men and boys in gender equality work.

Ed Coambs is a licensed marriage and family therapist, financial planner, and founder of Healthy Love and Money. He helps couples uncover the emotional roots of money stress, especially in relationships where earning dynamics are unequal.

Melissa Hogenboom is a BBC journalist and author of the book Breadwinners: The Next Chapter of the Fight for Equality, which examines the social and relational impact of female breadwinning.

Our conversation will focus on overcoming the unique challenges and dynamics in female breadwinning relationships.

Enjoy the show.

Questions

00:00 Introduction
01:25 You've worked with families across 40+ countries. What are some universal patterns you see when women become the primary earners?
06:09 In researching your book Breadwinners, what surprised you most about how female earners experience their relationships?
09:00 What are the emotional undercurrents behind money tension when she earns more?
16:22 What advice would you give couples trying to “rewrite the script” when roles flip?
21:15 How can couples begin uncovering and addressing money shame or resentment?
29:26 What cultural shifts do you think are needed—and possible?
32:01 Are the algorithms of social media adding to the belief that it’s “men vs. women” facing today’s challenges?
36:33 What types of men generally embrace relationships that include a female breadwinner, and what can we learn from them?
39:27 What does financial intimacy really look like in these relationships?
41:58 How can female breadwinners make their partners feel valued and loved for who they are?

Subscribe or follow Modern Husbands on social media!

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