Open Heart Surgery Podcast

Season 2 update: what’s new with us

Suzanna and Adrian are back with an update! We talk about what's been going on with us in the last 7 months since finishing season 1. We talk about our personal journeys and clue you in on how season 2 is coming and when you can expect more episodes. We also take a quiz, play a game, read a poem, and talk about Suz's cottage cheese addiction. 

Live season finale: reflections on what we’ve learned

On our season finale we record our episode in front of a live audience with special guests poet Mo Pirela and storyteller Carla Eastis. Mo performs some original poetry about love and relationships, and Carla tells a great story about dating involving a dress that may or may not be cursed. Suzanna and Adrian talk about what they have learned and their big takeaways from the last year. They also ask the audience some fun questions and answer some questions from listeners. It was an amazing night and we're excited you can relive it with us!

Infidelity and desire: how to respond to and prevent cheating

This week we talk to therapist Devin Griffin about what causes people to cheat and how you can respond to infidelity in a relationship. We talk about signs that your relationship is heading in the wrong direction. We also talk about how to keep the spark alive and ways to encourage honest communication around sex and desire. Suz also talks about channeling her dog's voice and Adrian does their Ira Glass impersonation, so there's really something for everyone here. 

Flirting: how to show your authentic self

On this episode Adrian & Suzanna talk to dating and relationship coach Clara Artschwager about flirting and how to be your truest, most authentic self. We talk about how that can show up in relationships whether you're first starting out or in an established relationship and how to keep that spark alive. We also premiere an audio play called "I Think I Might Be Bad at This" that Adrian wrote during therapy when they first started dating.  

Swinging: the lifestyle and enthusiastic consent (and vision boarding 2023)

On this episode, we talk to a friend about swinging (aka "the lifestyle") and enthusiastic consent. We talk about how swinging is one aspect of ethical non-monogamy and the importance of practicing healthy communication and boundaries for those involved. Suz and Adrian also do a vision board for 2023 and talk about their goals and how to manifest them and work towards them. 

How to fight fair: handling conflict in relationships

On this episode we talk to our friends Anthony and Sierra--a married couple who are both therapists--about how to fight fair and handling relationship conflict. We talk about different ways to approach dealing with conflict in relationships and the importance of couple's therapy. Anthony and Sierra get very vulnerable about their personal experience with couple's therapy. Also, Adrian & Suz share about how their feelings around grief and divorce are not linear and how that's shown up for them recently. We tackle some heavy things but as usual, we find ways to laugh and have fun while we do it. 

Astrology: identifying with your chart

Suzanna and Adrian talk to their friend Coléa about astrology and how that can affect relationships and connections. We talk about the different signs and types of signs and how they can interact. We talk about how expansive and affirming knowing your chart can be. We also discuss what kind of nut we identify with and whether Jesus was a Capricorn or a Sagittarius. It's a fun episode, grab your star chart and join us!

Economics in relationships: finding your balance

This week Suz and Adrian talk to author William Nicolson about his book The Romantic Economist. They talk about applying economic theory to dating and relationships and whether that is a good idea. They also get real about finances in relationships and how that can be a struggle. We also get some updates about the live season finale coming up (January 13th!), Adrian and Suz give you updates on their dating lives, and they read a few writing pieces they wrote in a workshop recently. It's a packed episode that's worth the investment of your time! (see what we did there?)

Exploring sexuality and gender identity: embracing the journey

This week we talk to Jordan Forrest Miller, a scholar, educator, and organizer who specializes in sexuality and gender identity. We talk about the many different facets that encompass the spectrums of sexuality and gender. Jordan tells us about some of their work around activism and villaging and we talk about how to intentionally engage with queer communities. Adrian and Suzanna also share their stories of exploring their own sexuality and gender and talk about the journey they're still on. They also have a lot of fun taking tests to see where they land on the Kinsey Scale and the Storm's Sexuality Axis. It's potentially our queerest episode yet. 

The Gottman method and bids for connection: turning towards each other

In this episode we talk to our friends Holli & Robert about the Gottman method and bids for connection. Holli & Robert tell us about how they stay intentional about turning toward each other and showing each other value through sharing the small life moments as well as the big ones. Adrian also talks about going through a break-up while dating. And Suz addresses some controversy she unwittingly created last week.