Today, I'm talking with Dr. Keri Leigh Merritt about her recent piece in Aeon Magazine, entitled "The southern gap." The piece explores the roots of economic underdevelopment in the American South, a problem that still plagues the region. From there, we talk more broadly about the politics of the South and what it means to be a Southerner today. Ke…

A very different yet important episode of our podcast. As we wrap up this season, the Love Engineer has a message. Enjoy and stay connected.

In the 4th part of this series on declaring love, Coach Tre and Dr. Joi engage in a role-playing scenario around the issue of vulnerability. While Dr. Joi makes her interest clear, it doesn't resonate with Coach Tre the way she hoped. Listen to hear why.By Alex Merritt / Dr. Joi Chester / Coach Tre Bradley

In part 3 of this series, Alex Merritt, Coach Tre, and Dr. Joi discuss the value of emotional intelligence when navigating intimacy.By Alex Merritt / Dr. Joi Chester / Coach Tre Bradley

In this episode, Alex Merritt, Dr. Joi, and Coach Tre continue their discussion on how to declare love with a look at how pop culture and the superficiality it creates influence our ability to declare love in 2024.By Alex Merritt / Dr. Joi Chester / Coach Tre Bradley

In this episode, Alex, Coach Tre, and Dr. Joi discuss how men and women process information differently when evaluating potential partners, the impact of media on body image, and how to prioritize loving yourself in any relationship.By Alex Merritt / Dr. Joi Chester / Coach Tre Bradley

Dr. Kristin Lunz Trujillo from the University of South Carolina joins to discuss ruralness and identity in America. We talk about the new book, White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy by Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman, as well as some of the broader ideas about who is rural and what that means for the people living in those places. You ca…

In this special episode of I Declare Love, Alex Merritt brings on fellow engineer Bill Brown to discuss his experinces through marriage, divorce, and covenants. In part two, they discuss the need for communication and intentionality in relationships and the perceptions of gender roles.By Alex Merritt // Dr. Joi

In this special episode of I Declare Love, Alex Merritt brings on fellow engineer Bill Brown to discuss his experinces through marriage, divorce, and covenants. In part one, they discuss the difference between contract marriage and covenants. Bill also discusses how a friendship became a romantic relationship based on an existing foundation of trus…

Pulaski fellow Bailey Fairbanks joins to talk about the potential for a mifepristone ban and the practice of judge shopping.By The Pulaski Institution

In this episode, Dr. Joi discusses the importance of intimacy, commitment, and self-love. In the theme of this series, she also talks about contracts for non-traditional relationships and the need for self-reflection when considering any commitment.By Alex Merritt // Dr. Joi

Host Alex Merritt starts this series discussion about marriage and covenants with a few personal stories of her own and how imagination can play a powerful role in shaping our ideas about relationships.By Alex Merritt

Bailey Fairbanks joins Alan to talk about the Supreme Court's temporary hold on Texas's SB4. We also chat about a story featured in one of this week's Headlines from the Heartlands, concerning Russian Orthodoxy and American neo-Confederates. Find the link to our new home for Headlines from the Heartlands here: https://alanelrod.substack.com?utm_sou…

In each segment of this "Lies of Love" series, Alex the Love Engineer, Dr. Joi, and Coach Tre explore the myths and messages that may create challenges in relationships as well as how to overcome them. In this edition of The Loveseat, they role play some of the challenges of turning a situationship into a relationship.…

Dr. Alex Middlewood of Wichita State University joins to talk about her new venture, IKE Lab. At IKE Lab, Alex and Brian Amos are building data and analysis of Kansas elections down to the most local level. We also talk about a new anti-DEI bill in Kansas, the challenges of brain drain, and crackdowns on local authority in red states. Read Dr. Midd…

In each segment of this "Lies of Love" series, Alex the Love Engineer, Dr. Joi, and Coach Tre explore the myths and messages that may create challenges in relationships as well as how to overcome them.By Alex Merritt / Dr. Joi / Coach Tre

Bailey Fairbanks joins to talk immunity, Judge Aileen Cannon, Alabama's IVF U-turn, and the Michigan primary.By The Pulaski Institution

In each segment of this "Lies of Love" series, Alex the Love Engineer, Dr. Joi, and Coach Tre explore the myths and messages that may create challenges in relationships as well as how to overcome them.By Alex Merritt / Dr. Joi / Coach Tre

Welcome to a new regular segment of The Periphery, in which I'll be joined by Pulaski fellow Dr. Bailey Fairbanks to talk about current events with an eye to Pulaski's mission. This time, we're talking about the Alabama Supreme Court's recent ruling that frozen embryos are children.By The Pulaski Institution

In each segment of this series, Alex the Love Engineer, Dr. Joi, and Coach Tre explore the myths and messages that may create challenges in relationships as well as methods to overcome them.By Alex Merritt / Dr. Joi / Coach Tre

In this episode, Alex, Dr. Joi, and Coach Tre explore how to not mess up Valentine's Day no matter what.By Alex Merritt // Coach Tre // Dr. Joi

In this episode learn how or why a man may not feel ready to be emotionally available in certain situations.By Coach Tre // Alex Merritt

This episode focuses on the many joys and pains of pleasures when it is out of balance for the mind, body, and soul.By Dr. Joi // Alex Merritt

In this episode, you'll learn why (like the tip of Cupid's arrow) love sometimes hurts.By Alex Merritt

How to introduce your partner to new experiences in love.By Alex Merritt // Dr. Joi // Coach Tre

In this episode, Coach Tre challenges us to show up to our relationships in a NEW way to get a different outcome.By Coach Tre // Alex Merritt

In this episode, Dr. Joi shares the secrets of having all of your new experiences be pleasurable in 2024. Choose new experiences that will make your brain process lust, attraction, and attachment in a way that is pleasurable...using science.By Alex Merritt // Dr. Joi

2024 can be your most love-filled year! In this segment, The Love Engineer shares how she tapped into New Love after ending what seemed like a perfect relationship.By Alex Merritt

Uncover how a thoughtful question allows you to give gifts that your man really wants.By Coach Tre // Alex Merritt

Tthis episode explores and analyzes the differences in giving, gifting, and receiving pleasure.By Dr. Joi // Alex Merritt

In this episode, uncover why being considered a prize may not leave you feeling loved while the many gifts of love are revealed.By Alex Merritt

In this episode, explore how two people who really love each other end up headed toward divorce and how compassionate communication can save the relationship.By Alex Merritt / Coach Tre / Dr. Joi

In this episode, learn how men view gratitude in a relationship and why they may stop doing the things they used to.By Coach Tre // Alex Merritt

In this episode, uncover what you may have been missing out on and how to experience more magic in something as simple as eating.By Dr. Joi / Alex Merritt

This episode is guest hosted by Pulaski fellow Dr. Dominik Stecula. Dominik is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Colorado State University. His research interests encompass the intersection of political communication, political behavior, and science communication, in the American, but also in a comparative context. He was also born in …

On this episode, learn the formula for expressing gratitude and appreciation to keep your relationship healthy.By Alex Merritt

Matt McManus joins to talk about his newest book, The Political Right and Equality: Turning Back the Tide of Egalitarian Modernity (Routledge). The book is a wide-ranging and gripping exploration of right-wing arguments against egalitarianism. We talk about as many of McManus's subjects as we can fit into an episode, including Fyodor Dostoevsky, Pa…

In this episode, hear the do's and do NOTs when it comes to answering this triggering question.By Alex Merritt / Coach Tre / Dr. Joi

Itoro Bassey is a first-generation Nigerian-American who grew up in Southbridge, Massachusetts. She is a journalist, playwright, cultural worker, educator, and novelist. Her debut novel, Faith, was published by Malarkey Books in 2022. Itoro has previously worked as a correspondent for Arise News and is now a segment producer for the BBC, based in W…

In this episode you will uncover the 7 vital verses of love that will make you more magnetic and in love with a man!By Coach Tre // Alex Merritt

This episode with Dr. Joi focuses on how to share, discover, explore or enhance your experiences solo or in a relationship based on science.By Dr. Joi / Alex Merritt

Dr. Kevin Vallier is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Bowling Green State University, where he directs their program in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law. Vallier’s interests lie primarily in political philosophy, ethics, philosophy of religion, and philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE). He is also an affiliate with the Center for…

In this episode, you will uncover the true power of falling in love and how to access it.By Alex Merritt

In this episode of The Loveseat, explore how to handle the awkwardness that comes up when sexual advances are made too soon. Dr. Joi drops a gem on how to keep it sexy and keep your clothes on.By Alex Merritt / Coach Tre / Dr. Joi

In this episode, Coach Tre gives a rare peek into the mind and heart of men and why sex comes up so often and so soon in relationships.By Coach Tre / Alex Merritt

This is an episode to understand your pleasures of dating and how to communicate them to get more of what you want.By Dr. Joi // Alex Merritt

In this episode, The Love Engineer explores the difference between intentions, expectation and desires and how it impacts your relationships.By Alex Merritt

Learn what to do when he is not in the mood. Bringing your closer when the pressures of life are trying to drive you apart.By Alex Merritt / Coach Tre

11 benefits of sex and a new way to communicate your relationship so you are satistifed.By Dr. Joi // Alex Merritt

Pulaski fellows Dr. Hanah Stiverson and Dr. Dominik Stecuła join Dr. Michael Simeone from New America and Arizona State to discuss some of the dangers of misinformation and disinformation, with particular attention given to rural and exurban America. A link to the video version of the panel is here: (488) A Pulaski Panel: Misinformation, Disinforma…