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Huberman Lab #241 · May 5, 2025 · 2h 20m

Contracts of Love & Money That Make or Break Relationships

Divorce attorney James Sexton — 20+ years, thousands of cases — on what actually destroys marriages. Not big betrayals but small erosions: emotional neglect, financial deception, and the Four Horsemen patterns. A lawyer's view of Gottman's research.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Canon

Sexton: Gottman's Four Horsemen (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling) appear in every divorce he processes. By the time couples reach his office, the Horsemen have been riding for years.

Highlights

Small erosions destroy marriages — not big betrayals
Sexton: the #1 reason marriages fail isn't infidelity — it's thousands of small moments of emotional neglect. Not turning toward your partner when they bid for attention. Not responding to their excitement. Not noticing their pain.

References

If You're in My Office, It's Already Too LateJames SextonLessons from thousands of divorces
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