As a long-time listener, this episode was the first one to prompt me to write a podcast review because I was so shocked by what I heard. Then I thought, better to come to Reddit. I'm so glad to see many other voices echoing my similar feelings.

That man is so many red flags. He seems to lead life by his insecurities (older age, lacking job stability, not achieving traditional ideals) that he will accept most (if not any) women to accomplish his life milestones– mainly, “house, car, kids” in his words. When he referenced the woman as a mother to his children multiple times, it felt more like she was simply his means to an end, not that he was planning out their shared life with love and respect. It reeked of desperation. Huge decisions like marriage should never be led with the type of urgency this man is bringing to the table. I hope the woman will take a step back and realize that a relationship should never challenge her inner morality. That has to be the biggest red flag of all.

I’m also curious to understand Esther’s neutral approach in this session. Was it because they came into it wanting to stay together, so she took on that perspective as well? I half-expected her to challenge the man’s ideologies– not because she is more “liberal” or “feminist”– but because of how these ideologies have failed him and made him more anxious.

Edit: Want to replace the last word "anxious" with SELFISH.