In Part 3 of our Fair Play series, Kendra sits down with her husband, Dr. Adrian Harvey, to talk candidly about what it looks like for a physician husband to move from “helping” to complete ownership at home. They unpack the provider-role pressure, the mindset shift required to truly value time equally, and how shared ownership can deepen connection with both spouse and kids, even in a demanding medical career.
In this episode, we discuss:
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Dr. Adrian’s first reaction to Fair Play, and what changed over time
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What “peer marriage” looks like in a physician household
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The provider role, earning differential, and why money should not determine who carries the home
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What complete ownership means with call schedules and limited bandwidth
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How shared domestic ownership can shift identity, parenting connection, and partnership
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Prioritizing marriage with five kids, protecting romance, and staying emotionally connected
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What Dr. Adrian would tell other physician husbands who believe they “don’t have time”
Key takeaways:
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Ownership is not “helping,” it’s taking responsibility from start to finish
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A demanding schedule makes shared ownership harder, but also more necessary
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When both partners value time equally, resentment drops and friendship grows
Mentioned in this series:
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Fair Play by Eve Rodsky (book and system)
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Modernizing Marriage: equality and flexibility make better husbands and wives (Psychology Today) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/199409/modernizing-marriage
Listen to the full Fair Play series:
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Episode 33 (Part 1 of 4): Mental Load, Invisible Labor, and True Partnership
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Episode 34 (Part 2 of 4): Practical Division of Labor with Unpredictable Schedules
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Episode 35 (Part 3 of 4): Time Equality, Provider Pressure, and Being a True Partner at Home
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Episode 36 (Part 4 of 4): Katie and Talon Harris share their Fair Play experience (coming next week)
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Disclaimer: This podcast is educational and supportive, and it is not therapy or medical advice.