Robert Louis Stevenson said, “Everyone, soon or late, sits down to a banquet of consequences.” Today on Radical Intimacy, Zoë and Andrew sit down to discuss the concept of ‘a banquet of consequences’ and how it applies to romantic relationships. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about why Andrew thinks life is like a kitchen, why you need to “cook” with consciousness, how your romantic relationships will be affected karmically by your choices, and what it looks like to be mindful, present, and intentional. We delve into the danger of defending yourself so fiercely with your partners before discussing the importance of checking on your relationship every day instead of having a ‘set it and forget it’ mindset. Listeners are even reminded that ‘all of you is welcome,’ good and bad! Finally, our hosts stress the importance of helping each other reframe the idea of failure. To hear all this and so much more, be sure to tune in now! And if you want to hear something specific on the show, be sure to email Zoë your suggestions and requests.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why life is a kitchen and the importance of “cooking” with consciousness.

• How these karmic concepts apply to romantic relationships.

• The importance of being intentional, present, and mindful, and how to do that.

• Why we defend ourselves, and the danger of doing so in relationships.

• The power of removing your ego and focusing on intention vs. impact.

• Why you constantly need to check in with your relationship.

• A reminder that ‘all of you is welcome!’

• Why you need to help your partner reframe the idea of failure.

Quotes:

“Our day-to-day habits and how we interact with our partner become our recipe [and] our patterns become menus.” — Andrew Rothmund [0:07:55]

“Our relationships – are a tasting menu for the growth of our soul or the lack of growth.” — Andrew Rothmund [0:08:25]

“Sometimes, [you should] stop trying to ‘do the work’ and just celebrate. Just say, “I love you!” — Zoë Kors [0:36:32]

“All of you is welcome!” — Zoë Kors [0:37:42]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Robert Louis Stevenson

Andrew Rothmund on Instagram

Zoë Kors

Zoë Kors Email Address

Zoë’s Website

Zoë’s Book

Zoë’s Program

Zoë’s Coaching

Zoë’s Retreat

What does it mean to truly connect in a world that’s always online? In this episode of the Radical Intimacy Podcast, Zoë and her husband, Andrew, reflect on a spontaneous moment of connection that they experienced while waiting for friends that reminded them of the power of “relating off-grid.” They explore how presence, free from devices and distractions, can reignite intimacy, reset nervous systems, and strengthen the emotional bond in relationships. From the neuroscience behind dopamine hits to mindful morning rituals, Zoë and Andrew unpack how technology can shape our relational habits and offer simple, practical ways to reclaim connection, including starting your day with your partner instead of your phone. For a candid, playful, and deeply insightful take on what it means to be present with yourself and with the ones you love, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Relating off-grid: a spontaneous moment of deep connection.

• Why presence resets the emotional energy in relationships.

• Zoë’s take on technology, productivity, and disconnection.

• Dopamine hits and the illusion of urgency.

• Simple morning rituals for grounding and intimacy.

• The power of stopping at literal and emotional stop signs.

• How mindfulness and embodiment support intimacy and connection.

• Benefits of simply noticing how often you're distracted.

• An invitation to share a quiet moment with your partner.

Quotes:

“[It] is essential for any relationship – to connect with the moment, connect with the here and now, and bring it all back to the present moment.” — Andrew Rothmund [0:22:34]

“Let the world penetrate you through your five senses. – Every human being on the planet during these times would benefit from connecting with the world around us and how it lands somatically.” — Zoë Kors [0:26:25]

“You have to surrender to ‘here we are’: two beings in bodies sharing a moment together. It’s delicious.” — Zoë Kors[0:32:29]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Zoë’s Website

Zoë’s Book

Zoë’s Program

Zoë’s Coaching

Zoë’s Retreat

What does it mean to be free? More specifically, how does freedom manifest in love? Today’s conversation with Zoë and Andrew begins with Zoë expressing her impatience with her healing process after oral surgery and her praise for Andrew for taking care of her throughout. Then, we dive into the definition of freedom and why we’ve chosen it as today’s topic before examining what freedom in a relationship looks and feels like. We also learn how to seek understanding without judgment, why curiosity matters, why Zoë and Andrew are freer now than in any of their previous relationships, and how one’s upbringing influences one’s view of freedom in a relationship. To end, we unpack the importance of being open to receiving and accepting love, and we explore self-love as the best starting point and pathway to achieving relationship freedom.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Zoë’s current state after her recent oral surgery and praise for Andrew’s attentive care.

• Defining “freedom” and why we’ve chosen it as today’s topic.

• How freedom manifests in love: what freedom in a relationship looks and feels like.

• Seeking understanding without assigning blame, looking inward, and curiosity.

• How judgment kills relationships.

• Why Zoë and Andrew feel freer in their marriage compared to previous relationships.

• Lovemaps: how upbringing influences one’s understanding of freedom in a relationship.

• Why it’s vital to be open to receiving and accepting love.

• Exploring self-love as the best preparation for freedom in a relationship.

Quotes:

“I get to enjoy the gift of giving and it’s part of my love language – and I get to see you flourish.” — Andrew [0:01:41]

“You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.” — Zoë Kors [0:02:54]

“One of the things that I really value – is curiosity. I value a partner or a friend or conversations in which somebody is curious.” — Zoë Kors [0:10:56]

“Freedom also requires a certain level of trust.” — Zoë Kors [0:20:53]

“Sometimes, [staying in abusive relationships] it’s because people don’t know what else there is out there. They don’t know how good it could be.” — Andrew [0:26:05]

“Being loved and receiving someone’s love doesn’t mean, necessarily, that they become a burden. You’re anything but a burden.” — Zoë Kors [0:32:09]

“If you don’t love yourself, how can you allow somebody to love you? If you don’t love yourself, it’s also harder to love the other person.” — Andrew [0:35:16]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Zoë’s Website

Zoë’s Book

Zoë’s Program

Zoë’s Coaching

Zoë’s Retreat