What Is A Pause Button Marriage, And Are You In One?

In this episode of The Love Lab Podcast, host Kevin Anthony explores the concept of a 'pause button marriage' with marriage coach Dr. Lee Baucom. A pause button marriage occurs when couples subconsciously hit a mental 'pause' after marriage, shifting focus to careers, parenting, or other life goals while neglecting the relationship. This disconnection, though often well-intentioned, leads to emotional distance, resentment, and eventually symptoms like poor communication, conflict over money or sex, and even affairs. Dr. Baucom emphasizes that one person can initiate change without needing their partner’s immediate buy-in, using the analogy of a team where both members must show up to win. He outlines a three-part process—connecting, changing, and creating—to rebuild the relationship through small, consistent actions like 'tag along' invitations, emotional check-ins, and shifting from a 'me' to a 'we' mindset. The episode concludes with practical tools like the Unpause app and the Save the Marriage system, encouraging listeners to take proactive steps to reignite connection before the relationship reaches a breaking point.