Ep 6: Shawniece & Jephte Talk Marriage, Reconciliation, and Parenthood

Before we dive into today’s episode, we want to say thank you to all of you for the love and support for the miscarriage we recently experienced. You’re incredible, and we’re so grateful for each and every one of you. Today’s guests are Married at First Sight Season 6 stars Shawniece and Jephte. They had a tumultuous pregnancy during which they separated, but found their way back together again. We went through some struggles while pregnant too and honestly didn’t know if our marriage would pull through, so we can absolutely relate to them. At the beginning of their relationship, Shawniece was instantly smitten. For Jephte, though, things took a while longer. They’ll explain today how their journey progressed from this stage to being in a solid, loving relationship with a baby. We’ll also learn about how Dr. Pepper Schwartz helped them to navigate some of their struggles. The four of us will dig into the word “stranger,” and its complications. We all started this Married at First Sight process as strangers, but because the word means different things to different people, hearing it can be hurtful in two very different ways. We’ll also explore how things change once the cameras leave, and why it’s so important to have time to miss each other instead of being together all the time. Other topics we’ll explore include the role of the chase in relationships, how to turn the trust on, working through disagreements in a healthy and respectful way, the value of communication, diaper-changing duties, and much more! Jamie will also talk about her search for her father, and her experience with growing up without her dad. Today’s Guests: Shawniece on Instagram Jephte on Instagram Shawniece on Twitter Jephte on Twitter In This Episode: [02:03] - Doug and Jamie start things off with a message of appreciation for all the support. [05:26] - We learn about today’s guests, Shawniece and Jephte, and the similarities that they have with Jamie and Doug. [12:58] - Shawniece and Jephte have an inspiring story and they’ve been through a lot. [16:19] - Doug, Jamie, Shawniece, and Jephte chat about their similarities and the weirdness of getting married at first sight. [18:15] - When did Jephte and Shawniece consummate their marriage? Was it during the show? [20:01] - We hear about how Jephte and Shawniece’s journey went from the beginning, when Shawniece was instantly smitten. [24:22] - What advice did Dr. Pepper give Shawniece and Jephte that convinced them to tough it out rather than give up on their marriage? [27:48] - Jamie points out one of the hard things about Married at First Sight. [29:41] - Shawniece shares her perspective on the word “stranger,” which Jamie has just been talking about. [35:39] - We learn about why Shawniece and Jephte split while Shawniece was pregnant, and some of the issues that they had. [38:48] - How far along was Shawniece in her pregnancy when they went through their split? [42:30] - Jephte shares his thoughts on the experience of Married at First Sight Happily Ever After? ending, and how it was different from the end of Married at First Sight. [44:01] - Doug talks about the abrupt transition from being single to immediately being married, and the importance of having time to miss each other. [45:51] - What was Shawniece’s pregnancy like? [50:35] - Jephte and Shawniece talk more about their relationship dynamics, and the experience of the chase. [53:45] - Throughout their journey and even their separation, Shawniece has always trusted Jephte, she explains. [57:43] - Jephte talks about the difficulty of applying the experts’ advice in real-time once the show is over. [60:24] - Who changes more of baby Laura’s diapers? And who feeds her more? [64:44] - We hear more about Jephte and Shawniece’s day-to-day schedule and what their life looks like. [69:39] - Where can people find Jephte and Shawniece online to follow them or learn more about their journey? [72:10] - Jamie and Doug take a moment to express their admirat...