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What if the problem in most marriages isn’t effort, but assumptions?

In this episode, Alicia and George unpack why the idea of a “50/50 marriage” sounds good in theory but often breaks down in real life. Drawing parallels between marriage and running a company, they explore why fairness isn’t the same as effectiveness, and how division of labor, accountability, and outsourcing can actually reduce resentment at home.

George challenges the popular “Fair Play” framework, arguing that life and relationships aren’t fair by design, and that focusing too much on equal task-counting can turn a partnership into a transactional scoreboard. Instead, they discuss treating the household like a startup, with clear functional ownership, aligned strengths, and honest check-ins.

From invisible labor and mental load to quarterly getaways and outsourcing laundry, this conversation blends humor, real-life examples, and hard-earned lessons from both marriage and entrepreneurship.

If your household is running on vibes alone, this episode offers a new way to think about partnership without killing the romance.

What We Cover:

• Why marriage doesn’t have to be 50/50 to be healthy
• The danger of unspoken assumptions and silent resentment
• Running a household like a business (without losing the romance)
• Functional accountability at home vs task-based fairness
• Why George doesn’t believe in “Fair Play”
• Outsourcing, time tradeoffs, and protecting your relationship
• Monthly check-ins, quarterly getaways, and intentional connection

Listen now to Episode 58 of Married to the Startup

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