We rarely get to hear how high-powered tech couples actually make relationships work. In this remarkably candid conversation, Delian Asparouhov (Founders Fund partner and Co-Founder of Varda Space Industries) and author Nadia Asparouhov pull back the curtain on their unique approach to love and commitment. From their memorable first date featuring frantically-eaten burrata to building a space company while starting a family, they share how they've figured out what really matters - and why sometimes the best relationship advice is to talk less, not more. Together with Erik Torenberg, they dig into everything from their unconventional take on conflict resolution to what it's actually like balancing a growing family with ambitious work in tech.

Modern Relationships is a podcast from Turpentine. Learn more: www.turpentine.co

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Follow on X:

Nadia - @nayafia

Delian - @zebulgar

Erik - @eriktorenberg

Turpentine Podcasts - @turpentinemedia

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Links:

Nadia's writing: https://nadia.xyz/

Delian's site: https://delian.io/

Erik's substack: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Preview and Intro

(00:46) Origin of Modern Relationships

(01:48) "Make marriages great again"

(02:59) Fighting about the Eight Sleep mattress

(06:27) Handling unvoiced feelings

(10:05) Prison metaphor

(10:47) Early stages of the relationship

(14:03) First date and first impressions

(15:58) The burrata incident

(20:54) Ranking relationship priorities

(22:59) Finding the sweet spot in a relationship

(27:10) Communication and commitment

(32:46) Parenthood drudgery

(37:09) Debating young parenthood

(42:37) Having children

(49:32) Building 'an aristocracy'

(54:20) Balancing identity and motherhood

(56:05) Growing together through changes

(58:11) Tough guy cries at space movies

(58:41) Wrap