Happy Wife Happy Life – Episode 79: "How to ACTUALLY be a Good Husband w/ Waleed Mansour"

Release Date: September 1, 2025
Hosts: Kendahl Landreth & Jordan Myrick
Guest: Waleed Mansour (comedian, podcaster, husband, and dad)

Main Theme and Purpose

This lively and candid episode is all about what it actually means to be a “good husband,” featuring comedian and real-life husband Waleed Mansour. Kendahl and Jordan, two comedians known for dishing out loving but unqualified relationship advice, dig into the daily realities, challenges, red flags, little victories, and occasional absurdities of partnership—especially through the lens of heterosexual marriage, household mental load, and parenting. Waleed shares wisdom and debunks myths, with the trio exploring how to balance personal needs, affection, communication, and managing anger alongside the chaos of parenting.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introducing Waleed: Podcasts, Parachutes, and Risk

• Waleed introduces his new podcast collaboration with Rekha Shankar, where they play themselves as dead, interviewing guests in the afterlife. (00:50)
• The trio riffs on risky activities like skydiving and jet skis, correlating them to adult responsibilities and partnership.
  • Waleed: “I should have skydived before I got married. That is how I genuinely feel.” (02:35)
  • Spirals into a hilarious jet ski horror story that leads to a serious chat on risk as parents. (04:30)
• Probability, karma, and the power of “speaking things into existence” come up—cue comedic skepticism from all sides. (05:19–06:38)

2. What Makes a “Good Husband” (and Partner)

• Waleed’s credentials: Married since 2017, with his now-wife since 2014. He “locked it down pretty quick.” (08:05)
  • Memorable: He was shopping for rings within three months.
  • Waleed: “If you know, you know. It should feel right the whole time.” (08:50)
• On commitment and background—grew up Muslim, initially viewed marriage as a requirement but came to it by choice and love. (09:51–10:16)
• Met his wife Emma right before moving cities; started long-distance but stayed together.
  • “We both were in that space of not wanting to meet the love of our life, and then it just happens.” (11:08)

3. Red Flags & Self-Awareness as a Husband

• Waleed admits he “thinks he’s right too much” and is a chronic “problem solver,” always trying to fix instead of just listen (12:07)
  • Waleed: “You come to me with your problems, and I try and solve them, and I shouldn’t.”
• Jordan & Kendahl relate: Jordan identifies as a “fixer,” Kendahl wants empathy, not solutions (13:40)
• Petty partner fights—leaving out takeout, missing the apology, recreating the “bath tub chocolate” scenario (14:18)
• On deferring or scheduling arguments: Jordan sends Google Calendar invites to resolve postponed disagreements. It's both “serious” and comedic. (16:02)
  • “Jordan has sent me a calendar invite for an argument discussion.” (16:06)

4. Dividing the Mental Load in Marriage and Parenting

Listener Question: “How do you split up the mental load of household and parenting?” (17:16)

• Current reality: Emma works full-time as a kindergarten teacher; Waleed is with their two sons all day. Debate on whether child-rearing is “work,” and how to equate tasks. (17:32)
• Wisdom: There’s no simple 50/50; both partners always feel they’re doing “60%.” (18:38)
  • Quoting (probably) Brené Brown: “Both partners will always feel like they're doing more.” (18:51)
• Unseen contributions: Putting a coaster back, closing cabinets, storing herbs—things the partner doesn’t value but you do. Leads to built-up resentments and humor. (19:14–20:18)
• The importance of adult companionship and self-care as a stay-at-home parent: “If I go four days without seeing friends... she cannot be the only adult I see in a week.” (22:21)

5. Negotiating Wants vs. Needs in Long-term Partnership

Listener Question: What about when you deeply want your partner to do something they hate (like slow dancing)? (25:33)

• Waleed, Kendahl & Jordan agree it’s not a “bad sign” if your partner won’t slow dance, as long as affection shows up in other ways. (25:50)
  • Waleed: “Has it always been that way? After ten years you’re surprised they don’t slow dance?” (26:01)
• The “long letter” conversation: Kendahl wanted long heartfelt cards, Jordan wasn’t into it—eventually learned it’s not a fundamental need. (26:24–28:02)
• Communication is key: “Don’t expect your partner to do something they hate all the time... but if you need it, vocalize it.” (28:50)
• Don’t build resentment by always saying yes. “Try not to do the things you don’t want to do, because that's just... you're just going to build resentment.” (29:00–29:14)

6. Compromise, Personal Space, and Letting Go

• Example: Waleed prefers to skip twice-daily walks; Emma doesn’t want to play video games—both have learned it’s OK, love doesn’t depend on it. (34:42)
• On hobby gifts: Best “little happy” for husbands or anyone is a gift that acknowledges what they’re into right now (36:13)
  • “If I was really into a hobby and Emma brought me something for it... that would be amazing.” (36:31)
• Caution: Don’t buy the “wrong one” for a hobbyist (“I need the six-millimeter!”). (38:06)

7. Navigating Anger (Especially for Men and Parents)

Listener Question: “How do I help my husband navigate his anger issues?” (42:06)

• Waleed’s approach: Take a beat. Walk away before talking. But don’t ignore it—anger builds up otherwise. (42:53)
  • Shares tale of toddler/infant chaos, frustration, and the difference between rational conversation with adults and small children (43:33 onward).
• Sometimes, with young kids, you just have to survive (“They can be little villains”), but with spouses, you can communicate hurt.
• Waleed admits to shutting down (going quiet) during fights, waiting for the other to “figure out why I’m mad,” even though he knows it’s not healthy. (47:24)
  • “I care that you don't care that I'm sad about it.” (48:38)

8. Fighting Well & Repair

• Jordan advocates for the corny but true: “You and I are working together against the problem, not against each other.” (49:02)
• On “never go to bed angry”:
  • Jordan: “I'm not someone where time and space heals an issue if there's no conclusion.” (52:32)
  • Kendahl: Sometimes sleep is helpful; the next day it feels easier. (53:46)
  • Waleed: The longer you wait, anger turns into resentment at the person, not the action. (53:22)
• The “perfect fight”: Apologize sincerely, acknowledge feelings, plan a short debrief next day, then hug and watch Shrek. (54:45–55:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Waleed on Knowing You’ve Met The One:
  • “If you know, you know. Like, it’s either there and it’s easy… it should feel right the whole time.” (08:50)
• On division of labor:
  • “Both partners will always feel like they’re doing 60% of the work.” (18:51, paraphrased from Brené Brown)
• On red flags:
  • “I think I’m right too much.” (11:47)
• Waleed on Anger:
  • "I will shut down. I will, like, go quiet often. And I need you to figure out why I'm mad at you." (47:24)
  • “You're never fighting about what just happened. There’s always something deeper down.” (50:11)
• On gifts:
  • “What a dream. If I was really into a hobby and Emma brought me something for it… that would be amazing.” (36:31)
• On kids vs. pets:
  • “The thing about pets is like, after about five months, they're pretty much the same for the rest of their existence. It's nice that kids learn to talk and can pick up their own—well, you've never met our dog.” (24:52)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:50 — Waleed introduces his new comedy podcast about the afterlife.
• 02:35-05:06 — Comedy riff on dangerous activities as parents.
• 08:05-09:51 — Waleed details his relationship timeline & how he “just knew.”
• 12:07–13:40 — Discussion of red flags and the fixer/listener dynamic in relationships.
• 17:16–22:36 — The mental load of household and parenting; why “fair” isn’t 50/50.
• 25:33–30:01 — Navigating unmet “wants” in a relationship (e.g. slow dancing, love letters).
• 34:42–36:35 — Letting go of activities you don’t want to do; giving gifts that fit fleeting hobbies.
• 42:06–51:03 — Dealing with anger as a husband (and dad); why walking away helps, and the traps of silent treatment.
• 52:29–55:25 — “Never go to bed angry?” Rules for fighting and finally moving on.

Tone and Style

Playful, teasing, and banter-heavy but honest—these are real-life partners and friends hashing out the mess and joy of relationships. Kendahl and Jordan’s irreverence keeps even tough topics light, but their genuine affection and emotional insight come through—especially as they, and Waleed, reveal their own flaws and learning curves as partners.

Takeaways for Listeners

• You don’t need to be everything for your partner; “knowing and accepting” differences is key.
• The mental load will always feel uneven, so compassionate communication and check-ins matter more than rigid fairness.
• Clear communication—especially about wants vs. true needs—prevents resentment.
• Taking a break, addressing the real issue, and approaching conflict as a team are all “good husband” (and partner) strategies.
• Humor, small tailored gestures, and a willingness to accept imperfection go a long way in building a happy partnership.

Where to Find the Guest

• Instagram & TikTok: @MrWaleedMansour
• Comedy podcast We’re Dead (YouTube & audio platforms)
• Awesomely Awful (YouTube movie reviews with Sean Coyle)