In this episode of Getting Open, married couple Allison Raskin (author, mental health advocate) and John Blakeslee (former CIA officer, screenwriter) join Andrea Miller to talk about marriage, mental health, faith differences, and identity crises. From CIA secrets to financial struggles, and fertility to therapy, their candor offers powerful insights into modern love.

Chapters:
00:00 - Coming up: Marriage fights, financial stress, mixed faith dynamics & CIA surprises
02:00 - Meet the guests: Allison Raskin & John Blakeslee
04:39 - Launching their new podcast 'Starter Marriage'
06:18 - The power of direct communication in marriage
12:17 - How to bring up hard conversations lovingly
21:47 - Why premarital counseling changed their foundation
33:47 - Interfaith marriage challenges & raising kids without religious pressure
44:04 - Their biggest challenge: financial insecurity and shifting careers
52:59 - Grief, composting, and creative transformation
55:23 - Why their first year of marriage was the hardest
59:03 - How often do they fight?
01:03:14 - Resolving conflict through questions
01:08:12 - CIA questions: are you a spy? life undercover, real vs. fiction
01:14:41 - It doesn’t need to last forever to be meaningful

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“Getting Open w/ Andrea Miller” is a new podcast aimed at helping people truly open up to one another and to themselves by digging into hard truths and varying perspectives. We offer expert-approved relationship advice to help you grow emotionally through sharing compelling stories, vulnerable discussions, and personal insights we hope will spark inspiration.

Subscribe to YourTango’s Youtube channel to make sure you catch new episodes of “Getting Open with Andrea Miller” Tuesdays at 3 PM ET. You can also listen anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

For all of our amazing articles and more, visit our website:
https://www.YourTango.com

Do you have a relationship issue or topic you’d like to discuss?
Would you be interested in talking to our audience?
Email us at gettingopen@yourtango.com

———————
#marriageadvice #modernlove #couplestherapy

marriage podcast, mixed religion relationship, interfaith marriage struggles, financial stress in marriage, OCD in relationships, premarital counseling, emotional safety in couples, relationship conflict resolution, curiosity in marriage, CIA real life stories, identity loss, mental health in marriage, modern marriage dynamics, relationship communication tips, starter marriage podcast, Allison Raskin John Blakeslee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katherine Woodward Thomas, best-selling author of Calling in the One and Conscious Uncoupling, joins Andrea Miller to share how transforming your identity, healing old relationship wounds, and embodying self-worth can change your love life. Together, they unpack practical and spiritual tools to call in love, exit toxic patterns, and consciously create healthy relationships.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Hunter—creator of UpSpiral Life—joins Andrea Miller for a high-vibe deep dive into the truth behind manifestation, energetic alignment, Daoism, shadow work, and healing from the inside out. From overcoming an autoimmune illness to manifesting love, this episode blends ancient wisdom with practical spiritual tools for a better life.

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro to Michael and his wisdom on Daoism and manifestation
01:08 – Michael's background in acupuncture and UpSpiral Life
04:00 – Daoism: The OG Law of Attraction
10:30 – Why 90% of Manifestation Is Feeling Good Now
18:00 – Why venting can be harmful and what to do instead
25:00 – Shadow work & IFS (Internal Family Systems)
34:00 – Morning Routine That Changed His Life
41:00 – What Is the Quantum Field?
45:00 – Why energetic awareness + heart-centered meditation matters
48:00 – You Can’t Out-Affirm Your Wounds
55:00 – Michael's story of illness, divorce, and transformation
59:00 – Calling in “The One”: energetically attracting a relationship
01:07:00 – Michael's childhood connection with angels
01:17:00 – Coaching advice for celebrities like Zendaya or Billie Eilish
01:22:00 – Choosing whose dream you’re in
01:24:00 – Final Takeaways: what you think, say, and feel creates everything

FOLLOW YOURTANGO
INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/yourtango
TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@yourtango
THREADS | https://www.threads.net/@yourtango
TWITTER | https://www.twitter.com/YourTango
FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/YourTango/

“Getting Open w/ Andrea Miller” is a new podcast aimed at helping people truly open up to one another and to themselves by digging into hard truths and varying perspectives. We offer expert-approved relationship advice to help you grow emotionally through sharing compelling stories, vulnerable discussions, and personal insights we hope will spark inspiration.

Subscribe to YourTango’s Youtube channel to make sure you catch new episodes of “Getting Open with Andrea Miller” Tuesdays at 3 PM ET. You can also listen anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

For all of our amazing articles and more, visit our website:
https://www.YourTango.com

Do you have a relationship issue or topic you’d like to discuss?
Would you be interested in talking to our audience?
Email us at gettingopen@yourtango.com

———————
#manifestationpodcast #quantumhealing #lawofattraction

Michael Hunter manifestation, UpSpiral Life, high vibe habits, how to raise your frequency, chakra activation meditation, quantum field explained, Daoism and manifestation, internal family systems healing, emotional shadow work, law of attraction science, healing with energy work, EFT tapping manifestation, morning routine for manifestation, conscious dating stories, law of attraction podcast, Andrea Miller Getting Open

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.