Why Modern Marriage Fails and What Couples Can Do About It

56 snips

Jan 15, 2026

In this engaging discussion, James Sexton, a divorce attorney and author, unpacks the realities of modern marriage. He warns that marriage fails 56% of the time and challenges the outdated notions of love. James advocates for treating relationships like a business by defining roles, setting expectations, and having regular check-ins. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the legal implications and encourages couples to question traditional norms. With actionable insights, he highlights how small gestures can significantly enhance intimacy and connection.

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INSIGHT

Love As An Economy

James Sexton frames love as an economy: partners trade different kinds of value rather than identical goods.
Successful pairings combine complementary strengths, not identical contributions.

ADVICE

Set A Shared Target First

Define a shared target before committing: agree on what you want to feel and where you're trying to go together.
Use simple clarifying questions to set the relationship's purpose and expectations early.

ADVICE

Use Weekly Preventative Check-Ins

Build short regular check-ins into your routine, e.g., ten minutes weekly to review what made you feel loved.
Ask each other what worked and what to improve to prevent drift and resentment.

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Welcome back to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. In this thought-provoking episode, Tom sits down with renowned divorce attorney and author, James sexton, for a candid conversation that cuts through the romantic clichés to examine what really makes modern relationships thrive—or crumble.

From the opening moments, James sexton challenges some of the most deeply held assumptions about love and marriage, describing marriage as a "technology that fails catastrophically 56% of the time," and emphasizing the practical, even economic, nature of romantic relationships in today’s world. Together, James sexton and Tom Bilyeu dive into why the idea of marriage as a simple, timeless institution is not just outdated, but potentially dangerous if entered into blindly.

They explore how evolving gender roles, economic shifts, and the explosion of social media have completely changed the game for couples, leading to confusion, higher expectations, and often, disappointment. James sexton brings his unique perspective as someone who has seen countless relationships unravel, and he’s not afraid to ask the tough questions—like why we don’t treat the most important partnership of our lives with the same strategic care we bring to business or personal growth.

Most importantly, this episode is packed with actionable insights. James sexton and Tom Bilyeu discuss the importance of defining roles, setting expectations, and building regular check-ins—treating marriage as not just an emotional bond, but a dynamic, evolving exchange of value. They reveal the often-overlooked rituals, mindsets, and communication techniques that can help couples avoid the common pitfalls and stay connected through life’s challenges.

Whether you’re single, dating, or decades into marriage, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what commitment means, and inspire you to take a more intentional, proactive approach to building lasting love. You won’t want to miss the hard-earned wisdom in this episode of Impact Theory.

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