Imagining Futures: The Role of Contracts in Relationships

My guest is James Sexton, Esq., a renowned attorney specializing in contracts related to love and money—prenuptial agreements, divorce and custody. We explore the counterintuitive fact that people with prenuptial agreements tend to stay married longer and report more satisfying relationships than those who don’t. We discuss how legal contracts can foster deeper understanding by encouraging vulnerability and honest communication about each partner’s values and expectations.

We also examine what defines true, lasting love versus generic romantic ideals—and how social media can distort our understanding of what we truly need. Additionally, we review how cultural traditions, gender dynamics, courtship length, and age at the time of marriage shape marital outcomes.

This episode offers practical tools for anyone—single or partnered—to build more successful and stable relationships through deeply honest dialogue and contracts that reflect genuine values around love and money.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 James Sexton

00:02:19 Divorce & Breakups, Men vs Women, Perception; Infidelity

00:12:04 Sponsors: Wealthfront & BetterHelp

00:14:41 Contracts, Business, Marriage Celebration, Prenups

00:26:24 Nesting; Prenups, Creating Rulesets

00:33:56 Prenups & Strengthening Marriage

00:38:19 Marriage Traditions; Divorce Rates, Religion

00:44:44 First vs Second Marriages, Love & Impermanence

00:50:09 Sponsors: AG1 & Our Place

00:53:53 Contracts, Relationships & Hard Conversations

01:02:37 Marriage & Underlying Problems, Love, Successful Marriages

01:16:27 Ideals, Social Media & Advertising, Simplicity, Dogs

01:27:33 Sponsor: Function

01:29:26 Intimacy, Tool: Early Framework for Hard Discussions

01:37:06 Prenup Consultation, Legal Defaults, Reasons for Marriage

01:47:37 Alimony, Prenups & Creating Rulesets, Yours, Mine & Ours, Adultery, Pets

02:02:30 Fond Memories & Ending Relationship, Pain, Divorce

02:12:49 Social Media, Movies & Ideals, Pornography vs Real Sexual Relationships

02:22:43 Revealing Flaws, Bravery, Prenups & Expectations, Money

02:37:49 Bravery, Vulnerability, Relationship Changes, Men vs Women, Marriage

02:47:11 Relationship Sacrifices, Men & Women; Prenups, Government

02:54:45 Life Milestones, Early vs Late Marriage, Navigating Challenges

03:01:38 Courtship Period & Marital Outcomes

03:10:12 Knowing Self & Partner, Vulnerability

03:16:58 "Postnup", Rekindling or Ending Relationships, Tool: Leave a Note

03:26:41 Heartbreak & Love, Divorce; Acknowledgements

03:34:45 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures