Elephant Talk

Host Andy Horning talks with Rich Tafel, Managing Director of Raffa Social Capital Advisors and the former President of Public Squared, a social entrepreneur strategy-consulting firm. Rich's passion is driven by a belief that we are all here to make the world a better place. From 1993 to 2002, Rich was the founding Executive Director of the Log Cabin Republicans, advocating equal rights for LGBT people in the U.S. He was one of America’s earliest political activists campaigning for gay marriage. He also pastors Church of the Holy City in Washington, D.C.

Host Andy Horning talks with Global Glue Project co-founder Gillian Pierce. The Global Glue Project's mission is to discover the glue that holds couples together. It is a relationship conservation project, filming couples around the world about the beginnings, middles and ends of all things relationship. Gillian talks about the inspiration behind the Project and how it's affected her personal view of love.

In recognition of June being PTSD Awareness Month, Host Andy Horning talks with disabled military veteran Tim Hilke. They discuss Tim's experience being a suicide survivor, living with PTSD, and how these illnesses have affected Tim's wife, their marriage and their life together.

Host Andy Horning talks with his parents, Lynn and Joe, about their fifty-six years of marriage, raising four kids, and how aging has changed both their individual and partnership transformations. Andy also reflects with his siblings about their varied experiences and personal intentions based on what was learned from growing up with their parents.

Comedian and TV host W. Kamau Bell often talks about how good things come from awkward conversations. Andy asks listeners, "What's the cost of not having courageous conversations? What would it be like if we embraced awkwardly courageous moments in our relationships and in our lives?"

Is sex purely a pleasure state? Or, can we use it to open a window into our own spirituality and who we are as energy beings? Grace and Corwin in their 20’s practice a form of Taoist sexuality. They see their relationship as an art form, a third entity that guides them to unexpected places. Contrasting in age but similar in practice, Andy and Johanina in their 70’s, see their relationship as an improvisation. They were each married before and knew one another for years before seeing each other with new eyes.

Stacie was 28, Kenyon was 42. Kenyon is already a father of two kids and has decided he doesn’t want any more children. For Stacie, a young woman in a relatively new stepfamily relationship, the unanswered question remains if she wants kids of her own in the future. In the second half of the show, Andy talks with Waylon Lewis, founder of the online magazine Elephant Journal, and host of the webcast “Walk the Talk.” They discuss Buddhism, dating, and how Waylon’s mom is ready for him to get married.

Jimmy Kimmel shared a difficult experience with his newborn son in an emotional opening monologue on May 2, 2017. There was a deep connection he gave his audience by being vulnerable, open and strong. 

Sympathy can turn to empathy when we share the same experience with another person and connect more deeply through it. Mark and Deb’s story shows how the power of their shared experience and their shared faith helped them through multiple unforeseen struggles. In the second half, Andy talks with Dr. Susan Heitler, an author and clinical psychologist at the Rose Medical Center in Denver. She and Andy talk about the importance of words that create tension, like "but," and words that enhance togetherness, like "and," as well as her 6 Safe Sentence Starters for couples.

He was experienced in the world of non-monogamy. She was a neophyte. Together, Robert and Morgan live into their sexual desires and remain committed to one another. Their recipe is one of rules, deep listening, and holding space for the hurt. Andy also talks with Orpheus Black, an author and erotic educator, specializing in hierarchical dynamics, non-monogamous relationships, and extreme sexual encounters. They discuss building safety and trust between partners wanting to explore kink, BDSM, and meditative bondage.

Jacob was four years into his transition when he and Jo met, and fairly new to being read as male. Jo had been out as a queer woman. Their story of courtship, marriage and family has the commonalities of what many consider a typical relationship. But underneath it all are layers of insecurity, apprehension and distress. In the second half of the show, Andy talks with Carole Clements, a professor and practitioner of contemplative psychology. They discuss the evolving vocabulary and terms regarding gender and identity.

A bonus segment of Andy's talk with Carole Clements, professor and practitioner of contemplative psychology. They discuss the evolving vocabulary and terms regarding gender, identity, and heteronormativity. 

After a year of letter corresponding, Sheila and Joe decided to meet in person for the first time. She took the bus to the prison and waited for Joe in the visiting room. That first meeting lasted five hours. Two years later they were married. It would be twelve more years before Joe was released from prison and they could begin their life together on the outside. Andy talks with Dr. Sue Johnson, relationship researcher, teacher, developed of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and author of the seminal books Hold Me Tight and Love Sense.

Michael and Robin's relationship was built from obligation, guilt, and crisis. Years later they reevaluated their marriage and recognized they were still in love with each other but not with the relationship.  Andy talks with Dr. Julie Hanks, a licensed clinical social worker, family therapist, consultant, and author of The Assertiveness Guide for Women: How to Communicate Your Needs, Set Healthy Boundaries, and Transform Your Relationships.

For fifteen years, Host Andy Horning has met twice a month with the same group of men. The only rules are to show up, be honest, be open to feedback, and share the space together. Andy asks, "What does it mean to be both a man and a husband in a partnership?"Andy talks with evolutionary biologist Marc Bekoff about the importance of studying animal behavior to understand human behavior.

Most people might think that an intimate partnership of two sex educators would be filled with crazy hot sex. But, what happens when two experts who know all the answers to a fulfilling sex life start to feel under pressure? Andy talks with documentary filmmaker Doug Block about the real secret to a happy marriage.

When Shannon told his personal story of infidelity to the public, it was only his side of the story. Even years after the affairs, he didn't know Cindy's true feelings or point of view. Andy talks with creative mogul Alex Bogusky about how to advertise real love.

Kai is from the US and Xia was born and raised in China. They met while he was teaching English literature at a university in China and have been married for more than ten years. When Kai is given a life-threatening diagnosis, Xia feels her “luck” has run out. Mind-Body therapist Dr. Katherine Puckett discusses why it’s more important to be real than optimistic when managing illness with a partner.

When they met, she was Medusa and he was Captain Jack Sparrow. Their love of characters didn’t stop there. Tracey and Sam have been together for over twelve years. During this time, their relationship has been tested again and again, with illnesses, injuries, loss and despair. Convergence Coach Raven Wells unveils what he calls our culture’s greatest myth and truest religion - romantic love.