Join us as we unpack the themes, characters, and societal issues depicted in the 2026 film "The Drama." From love stories to mental health, gun violence, and toxic friendships, this episode explores the profound messages woven into this romance drama and what they reveal about our culture.

In this episode:

• A detailed overview of the film's plot, characters, and major themes
• How the movie tackles societal issues like gun violence, bullying, and mental health
• The significance of forgiveness, do-overs, and repairing relationships
• The portrayal of toxic versus healthy friendships
• Insights into character development, especially Emma's journey
• The depiction of cultural commentary on violence and media sensationalization
• The importance of emotional safety and communication in relationships
• Reflections on ending with hope and a fresh start despite conflicts

Resources:

• Book on Healthy Relationships
• Understanding Gun Violence and Media Impact
• Negotiation & Communication in Relationships

Connect with the Cast & Creators:

• Zendaya - Instagram
• Robert Pattinson - Twitter
• The Drama Official Trailer

Connect with Us:

Let’s Chat! Have a love story to share or a book recommendation we can’t miss? Maybe you have a "What Would You Do?" dilemma for us to tackle? We’d also love to hear from published authors or fellow relationship podcasters interested in an interview!

Head over to My Perfect Romance to connect.

But while you're here… don’t forget to follow the show and leave a rating or review. It means the world to us!

Upcoming Books & Movies:

• Woman Down by Colleen Hoover
• Interview with Lionel Moses author of The Marriage Seed
• You, Me, & Tuscany starring Halle Bailey & Regé-Jean Page

• (00:00:00) - THE PERFECTION OF ROMANCE
• (00:00:31) - Zendaya and Tom Holland in 'Candy'
• (00:01:56) - 2026 Ending Explained
• (00:04:18) - The Blind Couple's Meet
• (00:09:32) - The Best Friend's Wedding
• (00:13:27) - Oh, The Worst
• (00:14:06) - Emma on Why She Was Considering Doing A Mass Shooting
• (00:19:16) - The Best Friend in '
• (00:23:38) - Charlie Makes Out With His Assistant In The Wedding
• (00:27:22) - The Wedding Speech
• (00:29:20) - Hating The Best Friend
• (00:33:38) - The Year of the Bullying
• (00:37:29) - Adam Levine on 'The Good Guy'
• (00:41:55) - "Let's Love Each Other"
• (00:43:20) - The Fault in Our Love
• (00:46:59) - Emma in 'The Help'
• (00:50:15) - The Perfect Romance

Join us as we explore themes of personal growth, midlife reinvention, and the empowerment found in embracing life's changes through our conversation with author Lindsay Goldstein. She shares insights from her debut novel, The Gap Year, and her own life experiences that inspired her storytelling.

Key Topics:

• How midlife women are redefining love and adventure
• The importance of self-love, forgiveness, and embracing change
• Balancing motherhood, relationships, and personal goals in midlife
• Practical advice for women considering a "gap year" or life-changing adventure

Resources & Links:

• Lindsay Goldstein Official Website
• Lindsay Goldstein on Instagram
• Lindsay Goldstein Substack
• The Gap Year on Amazon

If you'd like to share your love story, suggest a movie or book to review, ask us what would you do, or if you've written a published book and would like to do an interview, please reach out to us! You can go to our website at: www.myperfectromance.com. Please follow us wherever you get your podcasts and if you enjoy our content, rate and review. We would appreciate it so much!

• (00:00:00) - How to Write a Novel
• (00:01:40) - Jane Austen's 'The Visits'
• (00:08:31) - Jane Eyre on Her Husband's Treatment
• (00:09:26) - Jane and Laura's Cross generational Friendship
• (00:16:36) - The Reinvention of Jane Seymour
• (00:21:10) - The Book of Me: A Woman in Her 40s
• (00:28:12) - Jane Goes to the Galapagos
• (00:34:56) - Take a Leap of Imagination
• (00:39:20) - Where Can Fans Find You?
• (00:41:45) - Book Review

Today's episode Val, Courtney, and Lisa dive into the evocative novel Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman, exploring its themes of summer romance, self-identity, and profound emotional and physical connection. They analyze the symbolism woven into the story, discuss the characters' journeys, and share personal insights on love and acceptance.

In this episode:

• Key insights into Elio and Oliver's relationship, exploring themes of obsession, self-discovery, and mutual acceptance

• The symbolism of peaches and bodily intimacy in expressing connection and identity

• Discussions on age differences, societal acceptance, and the significance of authentic love

• Personal anecdotes highlighting the universality of fleeting yet impactful summer relationships

• The importance of honesty, vulnerability, and embracing one's true feelings
• The cultural context of sexuality and relationships in the 1980s versus today

Resources & Links:

• Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman - Amazon link for the book

• André Aciman - Official website
• Call Me By Your Name (Movie)

Connect with us:

Let’s Chat! Have a love story to share or a book recommendation we can’t miss? Maybe you have a "What Would You Do?" dilemma for us to tackle? We’d also love to hear from published authors or fellow relationship podcasters interested in an interview!

Head over to My Perfect Romance to connect.

But while you're here… don’t forget to follow the show and leave a rating or review. It means the world to us!

Upcoming reviews & topics:

• Colleen Hoover - Woman Down

• The Drama starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya

• Interview with Lindsay Goldstein, author of The Gap Year

• (00:00:00) - THE PERFECTION OF ROMANCE
• (00:00:31) - Oh My Perfect Romance
• (00:00:53) - To Find Me: The Book and Movie
• (00:03:11) - The Summer of Elio
• (00:04:22) - The Color of Love
• (00:06:55) - The Love Story of Elio and Oliver
• (00:12:29) - The Couple's Wedding in Italy
• (00:13:59) - The Summer of Love
• (00:16:42) - The Secret To Sharing A Bathroom
• (00:20:06) - Peeing In Front Of My Love Interest
• (00:23:55) - The Poop in Love
• (00:24:50) - In the Elevator With Emily
• (00:25:41) - "Man to Man Love Story"
• (00:28:40) - The Story of Ilio And Oliver
• (00:31:49) - Could These Guys Ever Get Together?
• (00:36:45) - How To Scratch An Itchy Face
• (00:39:00) - In The Elevator With Courtney
• (00:41:46) - Andre on Talking About How He Feels
• (00:44:20) - The Importance Of Love
• (00:49:09) - MY PERPETUAL ROMANCE

In this episode, we explore how to handle unwanted attention from neighbors, setting clear boundaries, and addressing uncomfortable situations tactfully yet assertively. Whether you're dealing with persistent friendliness or subtle flirting, learn practical strategies to protect your space and peace of mind.

Key topics:

• Recognizing signs of boundary crossing in neighborly interactions
• The importance of trusting your instincts when something feels off

Let’s Chat! Have a love story to share or a book recommendation we can’t miss? Maybe you have a "What Would You Do?" dilemma for us to tackle? We’d also love to hear from published authors or fellow relationship podcasters interested in an interview!

Head over to www.myperfectromance.com to connect.

But while you're here… don’t forget to follow the show and leave a rating or review. It means the world to us!

Coming Up:

• Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman
• The Gap Year by Lindsey Goldstein
• The Drama starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson

• (00:00:00) - In the Elevator With Our Friends
• (00:00:38) - The Neighbors' Flirting
• (00:03:08) - What To Do About A Neighbor's Flirting
• (00:06:19) - "It's Not Okay To Ask Questions Like That"
• (00:07:10) - "He Wanted To Use Me As A Matchmaker"
• (00:10:30) - How To Deal With a Creepy Neighbor
• (00:14:32) - I'm Just Not Interest In Having A Neighborly Relationship
• (00:18:21) - My Perfect Romance: What Would You Do?

Join Val and Lisa as they dive into the intense world of two NHL superstars caught in a fierce rivalry turned romantic. This episode explores themes of love, identity, and societal pressures within the high-stakes world of professional hockey.

Key Topics:

• The premise and storyline of Heated Rivalry, based on Rachel Reed’s novel, focusing on two top NHL players and their complex relationship.
• How rivalry in sports can evolve into deep understanding and love.
• The real-life challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes in male professional sports, emphasizing the lack of openly gay players historically.
• The characters Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilia Rosinov (Connor Story), their backgrounds, personal struggles, and cultural differences.
• The impact of external pressures like family expectations, national culture (Russia vs. Canada), and societal rejection.
• The significance of timing, proximity, and internal growth in making a relationship work under extraordinary circumstances.
• The portrayal of LGBTQ+ love stories in sports media, with an appreciation for authenticity and the potential for inspiring change.

Connect with Us:

Let’s Chat! Have a love story to share or a book recommendation we can’t miss? Maybe you have a "What Would You Do?" dilemma for us to tackle? We’d also love to hear from published authors or fellow relationship podcasters interested in an interview!

Head over to www.myperfectromance.com to connect.

But first, while you're here… don’t forget to follow the show and leave a rating or review. It means the world to us!

Resources & Links:

• Rachel Reed's novel Heated Rivalry
• HBO Official Site

Coming Up;

• Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/36336078-call-me-by-your-name
• Interview with Lindsey Goldstein Author of Gap Year: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57052023.Lindsey_Goldstein
• The Drama starring Robert Pattinson & Zendaya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zmKcUa4Xxk

• (00:00:00) - The Perfect Romance
• (00:02:54) - Ender's Game: The Rivals
• (00:07:12) - Shane Ilya vs Ilya
• (00:11:17) - Shane on Being Gay in Canada
• (00:13:02) - How Do Gay Men Get To Know Each Other?
• (00:17:58) - Shane and Ilya's First Night Together
• (00:22:11) - Ilya And Shane's Love Letter
• (00:25:50) - Shane Had Sex With Rose in The Bathroom
• (00:28:02) - Shane and Ilya's Coming Out Story
• (00:32:47) - Shane and Ilya's Coming Out Story
• (00:36:37) - "This Is For Adults"
• (00:38:19) - Reviewer: First Ghost Pepper
• (00:38:43) - The Perfect Romance
• (00:41:31) - "My Perfect Romance"

Celebrating Pride Month, Val, Courtney, and Lisa dive into heartfelt stories of navigating love and identity within diverse family and cultural backgrounds. Join us as we explore the journeys of two young women discovering themselves and each other, highlighting the power of authenticity, communication, and support.

If you'd like to share your love story, suggest a movie or book to review, ask us what would you do, or if you've written a published book and would like to do an interview, please reach out to us! You can go to our website at: www.myperfectromance.com. Please follow us wherever you get your podcasts and if you enjoy our content, rate and review. We would appreciate it so much!

Coming up we're going to review:

• Heated Rivalry starring Connor Storrie & Hudson Williams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKO26odltss
• Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/36336078-call-me-by-your-name
• Interview with Lindsey Goldstein Author of Gap Year: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57052023.Lindsey_Goldstein

• (00:00:00) - The Secret to Perfect Romance
• (00:00:37) - This Love Story Is Full of Pride
• (00:01:53) - Middle Child
• (00:06:18) - "It's Not Getting Better"
• (00:06:39) - Clara And The Green Flag
• (00:10:55) - How My Best Friend Started A Relationship With Me
• (00:15:04) - I Had A Crush On My Roommate's Best Friend
• (00:19:11) - "I Did It With That Clara Girl"
• (00:22:10) - The Night I Lost My Pinky Ring
• (00:25:27) - The Secret Life Of Lost Rings
• (00:26:16) - Clara and Claire on Bailing Out Loud
• (00:28:58) - "I Kissed My Girlfriend On The First Day"
• (00:32:53) - What I Wish I Knew About Ending A Relationship
• (00:36:53) - Is Your Love For Women Real?
• (00:39:34) - "We're in a Relationship where Communication is Huge"
• (00:43:01) - Are You Ready to Live Together?
• (00:47:22) - Married People Give Their Partner More Independence
• (00:50:56) - June 1st Is Gay Love Day
• (00:55:47) - "It's Always Going to Be Like That"
• (00:58:57) - "It's obvious how much you love your girlfriend"
• (01:02:21) - When A Gay Family Member Tells Her Daughter She's Gay
• (01:06:16) - My Mom's Relationship With Her Daughter
• (01:09:06) - Clara on Her Parents' Love Letter
• (01:12:36) - My Mother Tells Her Daughter About Her Crushes
• (01:15:36) - Queens Talk About Sex With Guys
• (01:18:27) - Peter Is Gay
• (01:21:35) - One lesbian's story about her transition
• (01:24:03) - MY Perfect Romance: Call Me By Your Name Review

In this episode, we explore practical, action-oriented strategies to repair and strengthen your marriage based on Lee Balcom’s principles. Whether you're feeling disconnected or just want to deepen your connection, these insights can help guide your journey toward emotional safety, better communication, and lasting love.

Main content insights:

• The distinction between simple and easy solutions in relationship work; real change requires effort.
• Focus on self-change by improving communication, emotional responses, and trust, which in turn can significantly impact the relationship.
• Relationships are dynamic; they either grow or shrink, be proactive in fostering growth.
• Shifting mindset from blaming your partner to focusing on your own behaviors fosters accountability.
• Small, consistent actions to rebuild trust and emotional safety are more effective than grand gestures.
• Avoid blaming or shaming; emotional safety is prioritized over superficial romance.
• The importance of recognizing that emotional disconnection occurs gradually and needs gentle, ongoing attention.
• Responding positively to bids for attention and connection is crucial; the Gottman Institute emphasizes bids and response rates.
• Address issues early before they escalate; waiting until problems become unbearable reduces relationship resilience.
• Working on oneself doesn't enable bad behavior but can empower you to make healthier choices including walking away if necessary.
• Communication through daily routines, like walks or shared activities, sustains connection over time.
• Defensiveness is a primary relationship killer; practicing vulnerability and understanding reduces conflicts.
• Love survives without admiration and respect; both are foundational for lasting partnership.
• Personal growth and positivity are attractive and can redirect marital trajectories toward renewal.
• Relationship maintenance resembles watering a garden, ongoing attention is key to long-term health.

To purchase How To Save Your Marriage: In Three Simple Steps by Lee Baucom, go to: Amazon or check Lee Baucom's Save The Marriage website

Let’s Chat! Have a love story to share or a book recommendation we can’t miss? Maybe you have a "What Would You Do?" dilemma for us to tackle? We’d also love to hear from published authors or fellow relationship podcasters interested in an interview!

Head over to www.myperfectromance.com to connect.

Coming Up:

• Heated Rivarlry: Official Trailer
• Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman: Call Me By Your Name - Goodreads
• Interview with Lindsey Goldstein Author of Gap Year: The Gap Year - Goodreads

• (00:00:00) - How To Save Your Marriage (3 Simple Steps)
• (00:05:42) - Lee Balcombe on How to Change a Marriage
• (00:08:47) - Does Working On Yourself Help Save the Marriage?
• (00:13:01) - How To Start Talking To Your Partner
• (00:17:35) - "Too Far Val": My nickname for my girlfriend
• (00:17:55) - What Makes People Feel Emotionally Connected?
• (00:20:56) - Why Do Married People Wait So Long to Address Problems in Their Relations
• (00:23:33) - How To Talk To Your Partner
• (00:28:09) - Is Defensiveness The Biggest Relationship Killer?
• (00:32:28) - Is Your Partner the One Carrying the Weight of Your Marriage?
• (00:33:31) - Forgiveness Is A Decision
• (00:36:21) - Does Relationship Change Start With One Person?
• (00:37:48) - Was The Book Too Optimistic About Saving Marriages?
• (00:38:15) - What advice in the book would actually be hardest to apply in your
• (00:40:41) - How to Win a Relationship: The Book Review
• (00:43:54) - MY PERFECT ROMANCE

Val, Courtney, and Lisa unpack a real-life scenario about the complexities of financial boundaries, social pressures, and relationship expectations among young partners. They provide insights into recognizing red flags, managing guilt, and prioritizing self-care in tricky relationship dynamics.

Main topics:

• The impact of financial control and guilt-tripping in relationships
• Recognizing signs of unhealthy relationship behaviors
• The importance of self-awareness and boundaries in dating
• The role social media and peer pressure play in relationship decisions
• Practical advice for managing relationship conflicts and social obligations

Let’s Chat! Have a love story to share or a book recommendation we can’t miss? Maybe you have a "What Would You Do?" dilemma for us to tackle? We’d also love to hear from published authors or fellow relationship podcasters interested in an interview!

Head over to www.myperfectromance.com to connect.

But while you're here… don’t forget to follow the show and leave a rating or review. It means the world to us!

Coming up:

• How To Save Your Marriage by Lee Baucom: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/5822685.Lee_H_Baucom
• Heated Rivalry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKO26odltss
• Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/36336078-call-me-by-your-name

• (00:00:00) - The Perfect Romance Deodorant
• (00:02:54) - Bradley Licks His Own Chapstick
• (00:05:53) - Microneedling is great for collagen production
• (00:07:23) - 8 Months In A Relationship
• (00:09:07) - His Childhood Friend's Birthday Trip To Mexico
• (00:12:29) - He Can't Afford To Pay For Her Wedding Plans
• (00:16:17) - He Doesn't Care About Money
• (00:20:44) - He Doesn't Want You To Go On A Vacation With Your
• (00:24:17) - How To Fix Your Perfect Love Life