Dr. Marcus C. Shepard explains the family life cycle and the four core family communication patterns—consensual, pluralistic, protective, and laissez-faire—focusing on conversation and conformity orientations and how they shape family dynamics.

The episode ends with three practical tips for better family communication: reorienting relationships with restart conversations, managing words-thoughts-emotions, and setting boundaries, especially useful during holidays and removing oneself from the familial dynamic.

Dr. Marcus C. Shepard discusses a Wired article (https://www.wired.com/story/ai-relationships-are-on-the-rise-a-divorce-boom-could-be-next/) on the rise of AI relationships and their growing impact on marriages, including legal disputes and financial secrecy tied to chatbot companions.

He applies interpersonal communication concepts (investment, emotional closeness, trust, support) and Duck’s stages of relational breakdown, and closes with practical advice for managing tense family dynamics over Thanksgiving.

This episode summarizes a Swedish longitudinal sibling-comparison study (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10680-024-09722-6) showing that cohabiting people have mortality risks between single and married individuals, with differences growing with age.

Dr. Marcus C. Shepard discusses health benefits of partnership, implications for aging and COVID-19, and ideas for future research on cohabitation and community health.