Thanks to Jamie Travers and the team at ABC archives for finding this audio of Bill Collins from the national Sunday morning program I used to host back in the day.

The toxic relationship can show such promise early on. Even when it turns to obsessive behaviour it can still look like intense love for a while, but then when it becomes excessively controlling and ultimately violent you may well need to take advantage of the help that is on offer for someone caught up in … Continue reading Suddenly Separated XIII – The toxic relationship: how it develops and what to do about it →

There are way more opportunities to find a partner now than there ever were - but is it better? No fault divorce was supposed to be more civilized but is it ultimately just more frustrating and emotionally lacerating. And why is infidelity in your own bed so much worse than if it occurs outside the … Continue reading Suddenly Separated XII – Is it harder to make/break our relationships now than in Granny’s day? →

If you've been caught by surprise and didn't want the relationship to end, it's only natural you're going to feel hurt and unhappy. But how long should you let that rule your feelings and outlook on life? Of course, snapping out of it and moving on can be a lot easier said than done. Julie … Continue reading Suddenly Separated XI – the misery of separation is very real – but how long can you let it dictate your emotional state? →

In this episode Julie and I discuss how one party can be blind sided by their significant other's apparent sudden decision to leave the relationship even though the one who's decided to be up and off may have been planning that exit for quite a while.

Is there really such a thing as a "Mid Life Crisis"? And how come we seem to expect it at about 50 years of age? Apart from anything else, this seems a pretty optimistic assumption. Even though we're living longer on average - certainly in the West - it implies we're going to live to … Continue reading Suddenly Separated IX – the “Mid Life Crisis” →

Usually - but not exclusively - younger women who "provide services" for financially well off older men. Variations on this kind of arrangement have been going on since time began - the main difference in this era is that (of course) there are websites catering to like minded individuals who want to connect. Is it … Continue reading Suddenly Separated VIII – Sugar Babies →

Julie and I discuss the often charming and credible parasites of both sexes who con vulnerable individuals out of money and in some cases in to criminal activity in the name of love. Looking at some of these situations from the outside it's hard to believe that people can let themselves be taken advantage of … Continue reading Suddenly Separated VII – Rip Off Artists who prey on vulnerable individuals →

Julie and I discuss the situation where a divorcee finds someone new but doesn't want to lose any of the remaining family fortune if the relationship doesn't go the distance. This can be particularly tricky if the kids don't want to see the inheritance split five or six ways instead of the two or three … Continue reading Suddenly Separated VI – divorcee who finds someone new but doesn’t want to risk the assets →

Julie and I discuss: Whether "cultural differences" can be the reason for a marriage to end? According to friends, Lady Davina (30th in line to the English throne) decided to divorce her sheep shearer husband after fourteen years. Can visiting a sex club really put the excitement of early romance back in to a relationship? … Continue reading Suddenly Separated V – Royal ends marriage to sheep shearer “cultural differences”; do sex club visits strengthen marriages. →