Advertise on podcast: Just Between Us with Jennifer Zamparelli

Still waiting on a sorry that's never coming? Or apologising for everything except what matters? Leslie Shoemaker joins Jennifer to explain why the Irish over-apologise, why "I'm sorry you feel that way" is gaslighting, and what a real apology sounds like. Plus: Doireann O'Connor tries to quit her 50-a-day sorry habit, the friend who keeps cancelling, and whether you should ever go to bed angry.  ­ We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you keep the peace without building up resentment? And when is it time to say enough is enough? Jennifer is joined by Doireann O’Connor, Sinéad Culbert and Brian Gallagher to tackle your biggest in-law dilemmas, from mothers-in-law bringing unwanted food and commenting on what you eat, to fathers-in-law turning down the heating, starting DIY jobs and rearranging the dishwasher. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer is joined by Rosie Wilby to talk about what happens when relationships end, from being dumped by email to finding ways of moving forward with compassion. The award-winning comedian and author of The Breakup Monologues explores what breakups can teach us about ourselves, why humour can help us through heartbreak, and whether staying friends with an ex is really possible. To find out more about Rosie and her work: rosiewilby.com We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer is joined by friend of the show Doireann O’Connor, comedian Julie Jay, and intimacy coach and sex educator Grace Alice Ó Sé to chat about dating, long-term relationships and listener dilemmas at the show’s first-ever live recording at Kildare Village. ­ We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are Irish people really bringing to sex therapy? Jennifer is joined by Orlagh Reid, a psychotherapist specialising in clinical sexology to decode the bizarre riddles and everyday code words we bring to therapy, why some people wait decades before they book an appointment, and what's really going on behind closed doors. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From soft launches and couple posts to red flags and the bare minimum, social media has created a whole new relationship rulebook. Jennifer is joined by journalist Édaein O’Connell and comedian Ger Mullins to talk comparison, expectations, privacy versus secrecy — and what actually matters in a relationship when nobody else is watching. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smut didn’t begin with BookTok. From Judy Blume and Jackie Collins to audiobooks and sexy dragons, women have long read it for fantasy and escape. But can it help you work out what turns you on, or leave real-life sex feeling flat? Jennifer is joined by bestselling author and former sex columnist Vicki Notaro to talk desire, porn and whether sharing a steamy chapter can help couples say what they want. ­ We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A couples’ holiday sounds romantic until you’re tired, lost and arguing over where to eat. Jennifer is joined by psychotherapist Síle Uí Chiaráin to explain why holidays can expose pressure points in a relationship – and how couples can manage conflict, repair a row and reconnect. Just Between Us is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anal sex is surrounded by myths about preparation and pain. General Surgeon Dr Evan Goldstein joins Jennifer to explain what people often get wrong and how to approach your body from a pleasure point of view. Listeners note; Competition entries are now closed for tickets to our live podcast recording. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a friend keeps returning to the same relationship, it can feel like you’re trapped in the cycle with them. Do you tell them exactly what you think, keep your mouth shut or admit that you can’t keep having the same conversation? Psychologist Louize Carroll joins Jennifer Zamparelli to discuss compassion fatigue, boundaries and the difference between honest support and judgement disguised as care. Plus, why people go back, whether no contact works and how to face the ex everyone called a bastard. Listeners note; Competition entries are now closed for tickets to our live podcast recording. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all had a fantasy we've kept to ourselves, but should it stay there? Jen is joined by relationship and sex educator Aoife Murray to talk about the fantasies people actually have, why they're so common, and why talking about them doesn't have to be awkward. From BDSM and foot fetishes to communication, consent and Irish shame, this is an honest, funny conversation about what really goes on in our heads. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who should pay on a first date, should couples split everything equally, and how much financial independence should each partner keep? Jennifer Zamparelli and matchmaker Mairead Loughman explore how money exposes our expectations around fairness, security and respect—from joint accounts and childcare to debt, spending habits and the rows that are rarely just about money. Listeners note; Competition entries are now closed for tickets to our live podcast recording. Just Between Us is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long before our first kiss or heartbreak, our ideas about love were already taking shape at home. Jennifer is joined by Emma Kehoe, Brenda Dennehy and Kieran Corrigan for a funny and revealing chat about how siblings, birth order, school and the Irish mammy can shape our relationships. From eldest-daughter syndrome to growing up with brothers or in a family of eight, they ask how much of our love lives can be traced back to childhood. Listeners note; Competition entries are now closed for tickets to our live podcast recording. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do good people cheat? Jennifer Zamparelli sits down with psychotherapist Dr. Richard Hogan to talk about the messy reality of infidelity and why it's rarely as simple as right or wrong. They chat about attachment styles, midlife, rebuilding trust, and whether a relationship can ever come back from betrayal. Listeners note; Competition entries are now closed for tickets to our live podcast recording. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us learned about sex in fragments through rumours, awkward conversations and a lot of guesswork. Twenty years after his bestselling book She Comes First changed the conversation around female pleasure, sex therapist Ian Kerner joins Jennifer for an honest, funny, and eye-opening chat about cunnilingus, the orgasm gap, performance anxiety, and why great sex has far more to do with communication than technique. From clitoral anatomy to confidence in the bedroom, this episode unpacks what actually works and why many of us are still getting it wrong.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.