Episode notes

You’ve seen it from rom-coms to Hallmark cards – our society is obsessed with everyone finding their soulmate. But did you know the idea of ‘the one’ is a relatively new concept in our culture? In fact, marriage and love were completely separate entities for centuries, and this week’s podcast guest, Professor Stephanie Coontz, tells us all about it.

Stephanie Coontz, who appeared on Adam Ruins Weddings teaches history and family studies at The Evergreen State College.

Her book, Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage traces the history of marriage from a union based on alliances and financial gain to today’s notion of finding our ‘other half’. On the podcast Adam and Stephanie discuss how the Enlightenment altered our idea of marriage, how the media covers love, and how equality is erotic.

Adam Conover is on Twitter @AdamConover and is currently touring the US.

You can find past episodes and bonus content from the TruTV show at AdamRuinsEverything.com.

Produced by Shara Morris for MaximumFun.org.