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Rebecca Brody
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'The Ring': Episode 12 -- Dark Skin Isn't My Thing

By Rebecca Brody on Jan 28th 2011 6:00PM
Filed under: Dating, Relationships

Comments (64)

Everyone is entitled to their own relationship preferences, but is excluding someone because of their complexion going too far? Rebecca Brody and Mason Jamal discuss the longstanding color complex issue in the black community. Check it out below!

Continue reading 'The Ring': Episode 12 -- Dark Skin Isn't My Thing

Luv Coach Q&A: Can I Really 'Train' My Man?

By Rebecca Brody on Jan 28th 2011 5:00PM
Filed under: Luv Coach

Comments (11)

I met a guy a year ago in college and we instantly became friends, although he wanted more. I wasn't ready to move on from my last relationship, but he didn't care. In his words, he loved me. After about six months I "gave in" realizing I really liked him. We've been in a relationship for five months now and this is the only relationship he's ever been in. I, on the other hand was in a five year relationship prior. I seem to expect more from him as far as "showing me love" and confronted him about this before. He says it's because he's never been in a relationship before and that he's clueless on how to be, but I think that it's common sense when it comes to making someone else happy. Are some guys really that clueless and don't know how to consider someone's feelings other than their own, or is he just not ready to be in a relationship? Sometimes I feel like I need to let him go to get him to realize I am special, and to make him want to do more thoughtful things for me. Keep in mind, that I don't expect much. For example, when I stay at his house, I wish he would offer me a drink or make me breakfast since we're at his house. Hospitality, manners, and consideration are the main things I want, but they don't seem easy for him. Without trying to "change him," what should I do?
-Jeni

Continue reading Luv Coach Q&A: Can I Really 'Train' My Man?

Luv Coach Q&A: Sexless Marriage

By Rebecca Brody on Jan 26th 2011 4:00PM
Filed under: Luv Coach

Comments (9)

I have been married to a great guy for the past three years, but I feel like the honeymoon is over because my husband won't sleep with me. I have been trying to have a baby and believed he was on board, too. However, his unwillingness to make love has me feeling frustrated, unwanted and inadequate. What should I do? I have a stepson who is residing with us, however I don't feel very maternal with him. He is a great kid, a teenager, respectful to others and generally follows rules. My lack of maternal feelings with him stem from a combination of resentment; he came to live with us less than a year after we got married, and me not having conceived a child of my own. I also sometimes feel left out of decisions concerning him. Please know I do love my husband immensely, but not having sex is a large thing for a woman who is trying to conceive. I'm ready to leave. Please help!
-Yvonne

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Luv Coach Q&A: I'm Afraid to Commit!

By Rebecca Brody on Jan 21st 2011 6:30PM
Filed under: Dating, Relationships, Luv Coach

Comments (7)


I have been with Chris for about ten months now, although three years ago we were in a relationship for a year and a half. I broke off our prior relationship because I wasn't able to balance my life with a teenager and dating. I needed to give my 14 year-old all the attention and focus he needed.

Chris and I rekindled our relationship, although he calls it 'friends with benefits'. I still have feelings for him as I was very much in love with him before, and was extremely heartbroken even though I initiated the break up. At this point, it seems to me we are in a relationship; but then again we both like our own personal freedom. I don't know what else to say, it's complicated. I love him and we have a great sex life, but I'm still not sure if he is 'the one'. I really don't want to be committed completely. Is there anything wrong with this?
-Denise

Continue reading Luv Coach Q&A: I'm Afraid to Commit!

Luv Coach Q&A: Rushing Into Marriage

By Rebecca Brody on Jan 18th 2011 3:00PM
Filed under: Relationships, Luv Coach, Marriage

Comments (11)

My oldest son is turning 29 in March and has decided to get engaged. He has never been married and he has a 3-year-old son, my only grandson. For whatever reason, my son and my grandson's mother had issues in their relationship and went their separate ways 14 to 16 months ago. They had been dating and living together for over three years. I was never told the details, but it appears that the new lady in his life is to blame for the separation. My son's fiance in her late 20s and I'm not completely sure, but I believe she was married for six years and has three girls ages 12, 10 and 6. I have met her maybe three times since last summer, but have yet to meet any of her children.

When my son told me they got engaged over New Year's weekend, I was very disappointed by his decision. I advised him to seek some professional marriage counseling before jumping into this. They've been dating for a little over a year and are now living together. He is an excellent father -- very responsible and independent -- with the exception of this decision. Maybe it's just my maternal instincts, but I am not feeling good about this. My grandson's mother and I are still good friends and we still communicate regularly. I guess she is aware of his engagement decision and she does still care for my son and she is a great mother. As you can see, I really don't know much about the new woman in his life except that she has a whole lot more to bring to the table than he does. I need to know if I should be concerned or just let him live his life.
-Doris

Continue reading Luv Coach Q&A: Rushing Into Marriage

Luv Coach Q&A: Still Not Over My First Crush

By Rebecca Brody on Jan 14th 2011 12:00PM
Filed under: Relationships, Luv Coach, Marriage

Comments (17)

I've been obsessing -- honestly, for decades -- about my first crush from junior high school. It's quite embarrassing. I haven't told a soul, of course, but I find myself thinking about him many times a day. We still see each other -- with our spouses -- for a concert or a class reunion maybe once or twice a year. I just can't seem to let him go! The worst part of it all is that my husband's perfect. He's romantic, sweet, funny and a great dad. I'm crazy about him and I feel like I don't deserve such a terrific guy. I should be spending my time obsessing over Mr. Wonderful, not Mr. Habit. Could you help me get my thoughts back in line?
-Margaret

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Luv Coach Q&A: Rocking the Cradle of Love!

By Rebecca Brody on Jan 7th 2011 3:00PM
Filed under: Dating, Relationships, Luv Coach

Comments (61)


I am a 28-year-old black, Christian woman who is presently dating a 20-year-old black, Christian man. It has only been six weeks so far and I'm starting to grow feelings for him. We are both attending college as science students, and we both have similar goals and aspirations for our lives. He tells me that he isn't ready for a relationship, but acts differently. If I go away for at least 45 minutes he misses me, and wonders where I've been. He acts very emotional towards me. We had sex a few times. (I know that's wrong in God's eyes). I told him lets just be friends and stop the touching and cuddling, but then he can't eat nor sleep. He then starts to ask me if am seeing someone else.
Please help.
-Roxanne

Continue reading Luv Coach Q&A: Rocking the Cradle of Love!

Luv Coach Q&A: Workplace Romance

By Rebecca Brody on Dec 24th 2010 9:00AM
Filed under: Dating, Relationships, Luv Coach

Comments (39)

I met a great guy at work that's very funny, well-liked and respected. We hit it off the instant we met. We work in different divisions, but I see him at meetings and office functions. We talk and text at least 10 times a day. We get along well, joke around a lot and have similar tastes. If I need help with something he'll go out of his way to help me, even when I forget that I needed the help. He also describes me as lovely, says I'm his 'little buddy' and has called me 'hot'. Sadly, he also says he wants to stay alone. He says he's not looking to get married, is fine with cheating and content with having a bunch of meaningless affairs. He also drinks a lot. In the year I've known him, I've taken serious heed to what he had said about relationships and I haven't made any moves or acted interested in anyway. I may flirt a little, but I've simply continued to be his friend. Obviously I write because I'm interested in him. He always calls or texts me first everyday except for our days off. I was off for a week and he said he really missed his little buddy. I'm scared I have low self-esteem for liking someone like him and I feel, because he likes a bunch of girls, that I'm just part of the crowd. Is there anything I can do other than "just get over it?" I'm confused and want to do the right thing. Any advice would be helpful.
-Lisa

Continue reading Luv Coach Q&A: Workplace Romance

Luv Coach Q&A: Cheating with the Pastor!

By Rebecca Brody on Dec 10th 2010 4:00PM
Filed under: Luv Coach

Comments (29)


22 years ago my first love proposed to me, but he was in the military and hard to contact. He went on with his life because he had accepted his call as a man of God and he didn't hear from me when he thought he should have. Throughout the years he would come home every now and then and find me, but I would turn him away. Then I moved out of state and he couldn't find me. I later moved back and got back in touch. We both are on our second marriage. He has only been married for three years, but we have been together intimately since the first year and a half of his marriage. I respect his status in society as a church pastor, and told him that we had to stop, but he says he can't let me go again. He claims he can't divorce his wife. I love him and I know he loves me, but it's wrong in the eyes of God what we are doing and I don't want people to think bad of him because he is a wonderful person. Why is it so hard for us to let go?
Sophia

Continue reading Luv Coach Q&A: Cheating with the Pastor!

Luv Coach Q&A: I Want a Partner, Not a Wife

By Rebecca Brody on Dec 3rd 2010 4:00PM
Filed under: Luv Coach

Comments (18)


I've been separated from my wife for over 11 years. We have sought divorce, but never followed through. We own a modest amount of property and assets in the $3 million range. The female friends I have want me to get a divorce before they consider moving in with me. I don't want a roommate and I don't want to divide what we have worked to acquire. My wife is my business partner and she is accepting of our arrangement; the lady friend(s) wants more. I've been honest from the start, but it always ends in the same way. I want a true relationship that is not based on money, but at the same time I'm not interested in marriage -- especially at age 65! Please help.
-Richard

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