The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

The Case for Prenups, and Why Young People Aren’t Getting Married — ft. James Sexton

September 14, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Divorce attorney James Sexton returns to the Prof G Pod to answer listener questions about money, conflict, and the sharp decline in marriage among young people. The conversation, hosted by Scott Galloway, moves from practical advice on shared finances and de-escalation tactics to a broader diagnosis of why fewer people are pairing up. Sexton argues that the same skills that make a good prenup—honesty, vulnerability, and a clear-eyed exchange of value—are the very things that make a relationship work in the first place.

The Case for Separate Money (and Prenups)

Sexton is unequivocal: two people can absolutely have a successful marriage while keeping their finances separate. He advocates for a "you, me, and we" Venn diagram approach, where some money is shared and some is private. The goal isn't secrecy but autonomy. "If we have only joint accounts and only joint credit cards, we've got full transparency, but that also means when I buy you a birthday present, you're going to see what it cost and where I bought it," he says. He believes financial privacy—like medical privacy—is a healthy boundary, not a sign of division.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (01:33) **Welcome and First Question: Can a Marriage Work with Separate Finances?** - James Sexton joins Scott Galloway to answer audience questions about money, conflict, and marriage.
  • 2 (04:52) **The Case for Prenups as a Romantic Act** - James reframes prenups as a proactive, loving agreement rather than a plan for failure.
  • 3 (08:50) **Second Question: How to De-escalate Conflict in a Relationship** - James shares his method for calming arguments, rooted in genuine apology.
  • 4 (13:19) **The Power of Humor and Good Faith in Fights** - James and Scott discuss using laughter and assuming good intent to survive conflict.
  • 5 (19:48) **Third Question: The #1 Reason Young People Aren't Getting Married** - James and Scott explore the multifaceted economic and cultural drivers of declining marriage rates.
  • 6 (23:49) **Scott's Economic Analysis: The Decline of the American Male** - Scott presents data showing the economic decline of young men is a primary causal factor.
  • 7 (25:22) **The Inundation of Options and Unrealistic Expectations** - James and Scott discuss how social media creates a "perfect storm" against relationship contentment.

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Guests on this episode

James Sexton Scott Galloway

Show Notes

In part two of our Office Hours special on relationships, Scott Galloway and divorce attorney James Sexton discuss whether couples should keep their money separate, why every marriage already has a prenup, and what’s driving young people away from marriage. Plus, they share advice for de-escalating conflict and making space for imperfect love.


Want to be featured in a future episode? Send a voice recording to [email protected], or drop your question in the r/ScottGalloway subreddit.


Plus, you can now call or text Scott a question at our new Office Hours hotline: ‪(201) 472-3656‬.

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The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

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