Episodes

Ever wondered how two clueless adults turned into semi-responsible parents? Dave and Reese share their playbook filled with surprising wins, laughable mishaps, lessons learned the hard way, and everything in-between. Parenting might not come with a manual, but it sure comes with stories, laughter, tears, and a whole lot of Manic Joy. Whether you're a veteran parent, a newbie, or just love a good family tale, this episode's warm wisdom and chaotic charm is for you. So grab your favorite snack, ...

Couples fight—so why not get better at it? In this episode of Manic Joy, Dave and Reese share how real marriage communication works when disagreements arise. From fiery debates to gentle negotiation, they model what healthy conflict looks like, proving that fighting fair is one of the best ways to stay connected long-term. Tune in for honest, funny conversation about the messy middle of midlife marriage. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email lis...

What happens when couples laugh together? Dave and Reese dig into their funniest shared moments—the stories that have kept their 20-year marriage playful and connected. Discover why humor isn't just fun; it's how couples navigate midlife changes, strengthen intimacy, and remember why they chose each other. A couples podcast about the joy that makes marriage work. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

Why do couples love superhero movies? After watching The Flash, Dave and Reese explore what these fantasy worlds say about midlife marriage—the escape, the humor, and the chance to be playful together. A funny dive into why keeping marriage fun means sometimes saving the day from reality itself. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

Dave and Reese's movie night sparked an unexpected conversation about acting, authenticity, and the roles we play in our marriages. What does it mean when we're performing vs. being ourselves? And yes, there's a gloriously oversized pretzel involved. This episode models what curious couples communication looks like—diving from the everyday absurd into the deeper questions. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

We spent a spontaneous pool day playing Top 3s — and learned more about each other than we expected. From favorite songs and beloved places to surprising smells and the moments that changed us, Dave and Reese reveal what their choices say about keeping a 19+ year marriage fun and connected. A funny couples conversation that proves you never stop discovering the person next to you. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

Dave and Reese get honest about keeping marriage fun at midlife—this time, they do their first-ever drunken food review to celebrate the 4th of July. Grab a drink, a hot dog, and join this funny couples podcast for Independence Day shenanigans. A reminder that the best relationships make space for ridiculous moments together. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

What happens when bodies break down but marriages don't? Dave and Reese reveal injury stories from 19 years together—and why Reese's secret couldn't stay hidden any longer. This couples podcast explores vulnerability, aging, and the strange humor that keeps long-term relationships alive through life's physical plot twists. Real stories. Real laughs. Real marriage. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

How do our fathers shape our marriages? Dave and Reese dive into the men who influenced them most—sharing meaningful moments and honest reflections on inherited patterns, learned lessons, and what it means to model healthy partnership in midlife. A Father's Day conversation about legacy, vulnerability, and the relationships that built our relationships. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

Reese walks successfully from kitchen to bedroom without spilling—but does her nervous laugh during allergies and games reveal something deeper about how long-term couples handle awkward moments? Dave and Reese explore why laughing at inappropriate times might be a sign of real connection, not weirdness. Join them for a funny couples conversation on marriage communication, coping, and the moments that make you realize: "We really do get each other." New grass, grown-up life, and all. Go behind ...

What do couples really talk about? Not the big relationship stuff—the strange, random, real stuff. In this episode, Dave and Reese jump from fading memories and hearing loss to Phil Donahue, summer plans, and why grey hair sparks entire conversations. It's what midlife marriage sounds like when the recorder is on: a beautiful, absurd, totally honest mishmash. This is better conversations—unfiltered and unscripted. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy...

Dave and Reese are switching things up! Instead of their usual bar banter, they're getting candid and interactive with The Moth Storytelling Game right by the crackling fire. Our dynamic duo stokes the flames of memories, channeling their inner raconteurs on the theme of 'Adventure.' So, are you ready for an adventure? Tune in, sit back, and let the fireside storytelling begin. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

Dave and Reese take their midlife marriage to Vegas—and discover what happens when a long-term couple chooses adventure, laughter, and intentional connection in Sin City. From navigating bright lights to handling unexpected moments together, they explore how couples stay playful and connected when life (and Vegas) gets weird. This is what keeping marriage fun really looks like. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

Dave and Reese sit down with college freshmen Emily and Jonnie—and in a refreshing twist, the real conversation isn't about their kids' first year. It's about what parenting adult children means for their midlife marriage: the awkward freedom, the rediscovery of couple time, and how your relationship shifts when the house gets quieter. A funny, honest look at the empty nest you didn't see coming. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

What happens when one partner takes the lead? In this funny couples podcast milestone, Reese flips the script and steers the conversation while Dave hangs on for the ride. From concert anxiety to dental fears, their role reversal reveals how healthy couples navigate shifting dynamics. Join them for honest, hilarious talk about 19 years of marriage, turning into their parents, Vegas dreams, and why keeping marriage fun means trying something new—even after 50 episodes. Go behind the scenes, help...

Dave returns from the Craftcation Conference brimming with stories—glass etching, rubber stamp design, wire weaving—while Reese revives her beloved craft nights. In this episode, we explore how intentional hobbies and shared creative time strengthen relationships in midlife marriage. Sometimes the best conversations happen with your hands busy and your heart open. Grab your supplies, invite your partner, and tune in for an episode that proves keeping marriage fun doesn't require exotic vacations...

Dave & Reese uncover the humorous and quirky side of their sleeping habits. From pillow talk (talk about actual pillows) to blanket battles, they share their personal experiences, hilarious anecdotes, and the surprising ways sleep influences their relationship. Get ready for a lighthearted and entertaining conversation that might keep you awake with laughter! Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

Dave and Reese are back with more fun questions about love. What are their biggest concerns about their relationship? What scares them the most? What excites them the most about their future? Listen in to get all the juicy details. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. ⁠Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list⁠.

In this episode, Dave and Reese tackle random relationship questions and offer candid stories and practical advice. It's an entertaining and insightful discussion on navigating love's many challenges and joys. Join us for some love, laughter, and (manic) joy! Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list.

Dave and Reese recount their rollicking St. Patrick's Day weekend — the shenanigans, the laughs, and the dreams of traveling to Ireland together. This episode models how couples keep marriage fun and adventurous in midlife, even when real life gets messy. Plus: what their Ireland dreams reveal about staying connected for the long haul. Grab your green and join the chaos. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list.

We all have them: the shows we watch alone, the snacks we pretend we don't eat, the hobbies we're secretly obsessed with. In this episode of Manic Joy, Dave and Reese confess their biggest guilty pleasures—and explore why keeping marriage fun actually means letting your partner have their own indulgences. They'll spill on food, music, shopping, and more. You might discover your next favorite guilty pleasure, or finally feel validated in your own. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and ...

Tech is supposed to keep couples connected—so why do Dave and Reese sometimes feel more alone while scrolling together? In this episode, they get real about how technology has rewired their marriage communication, from constant accessibility to the pressure of always being "on." They explore the absurdity and stakes: Can you maintain intimacy when you're both staring at screens? How do couples protect their relationship from the devices meant to enhance it? With humor and hard-won wisdom from 20...

Dave and Reese dive into Bono's memoir "Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story"—and discover unexpected lessons about marriage communication, vulnerability, and staying intentional after decades together. Plus: a hilarious detour into AI "intelligence" and what book tours tell us about long-term relationships. Real conversations, real laughs, real marriage wisdom. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list.

Dave and Reese are back from Jamaica—and they're spilling what really happened when two midlife people stepped away from the grind. In this episode, discover what a couples getaway taught them about intentional relationships, staying connected, and why vacations matter more than Instagram photos. Perfect for anyone wondering if they need a break—or if their marriage does. Go behind the scenes, help shape our shows, and more. Subscribe to the Manic Joy email list.