As we’ve mentioned before Stasia is a CPA so this is a busy travel time of the year for her and that means I’m flying solo again in the intro while she is...literally...in the air flying home.

And I am so happy for her to be coming home because frankly...I really miss her when she’s gone. She is my best friend in the world and my evening just aren’t the same....or as funny without her.

That same kind of friendship is what immediately comes to mind as I look back on our interview with our guests for Ep. 9 of The Our First Drink Podcast, Jonny and Michelle Hoffner of Paper Antler.

They are a super talented husband and wife photography duo who since 2008 have been traveling the world capturing gorgeous images for numerous weddings in addition to Pixar, The Huffington Post, Satchel & Page, and Doomtree Records to name a few.

But most importantly they are unabashedly best friends and doting parents to their daughter, Dottie.

It was such a pleasure to meet these two in person a couple of months ago because they are one of those couples you meet and can instantly tell that they really, REALLY like each other. And that is why we are so happy to have them as our guests this week.

If you follow these two on Instagram @paperantler...and you totally should...it is crystal clear how much fun they have with each other and now with their daughter.

So we were really curious to learn about what the secret to their relationship is.

In this episode

• Why starting a relationship as close friends is hard to beat.
• How getting outside of your normal environment can help you see someone in a totally different way.
• How having a baby has changed their perspective on their business and their professional identity.
• Inspiration that comes from watching your partner do something that takes real gumption.
• The importance of liking each other in your relationship
• Celine Dion karaoke...your heart WILL in fact go on.

Our First Drink Couples Quiz

• Who is the CEO and who is the COO?
• What's more important to you...experience or accomplishment?
• Who is the straight man and who is the comedian?
• Make it happen or let it happen?
• Karaoke? Yes or no?

About Michelle and Jonny Hoffner

Lovers of: Dottie, pressing onward and a nice afternoon of Chipotle + Settlers.

Haters of: the game.

Since 2008 we've been your friendly husband + wife photography duo, traveling the world to capture the beauty and endurance of transient moments. From Argentina to New Zealand, and every corner of the United States, we thrive on being present, intentional and relational in the environments we inhabit.

Also, sometimes we rhyme slow. Sometimes we rhyme quick.

You can see their work on Instagram @paperantler, the Paper Antler website, and you buy their beautiful prints with...

20% Off Prints from Paper Antler

To get this special deal for Our First Drink listeners:

• Go to shoppaperantler.com
• Select your print(s).
• Enter the code, "firstdrink", at checkout for 20% off your ENTIRE order!

Thanks again for listening!

Best,

Josh and Stasia

p.s. If you liked the show will you help us create an awesome community of couples by clicking on this link to give us a five star rating on iTunes?

ourfirstdrink.com/episode9 | Rate us on iTunes | Use "firstdrink" for 20% at shoppaperantler.com

A lot of couples these days have a period of time in their lives where they’re dating long distance or someone is traveling for work (like Stasia is this week) and so they have the task of trying to maintain their relationship over things like the phone, texts, and skype. And it's definitely not always easy.

Fortunately, most couples don’t start their relationship that way. Usually there’s a fair amount of in-person time before you deal with anything long distance.

However, without giving too much away our guests for Episode 8 of the Our First Drink Podcast, Bryan and Ashley Minear, had a lot of ground to cover before they could finally share their first drink in person after meeting on eHarmony.

This interview went way over our normal interview time, but we had so much fun with their story that we just couldn’t cut it down.

ourfirstdrink.com/episode8

In this episode

• Designing One Direction and Frozen Fatheads - enough said.
• eHarmony marriage bonds despite bitter college rivalries.
• Beginning a relationship in two different states and the communication skills that come from it.
• Inspiration that comes from watching your partner do something that takes real gumption.
• How life can give you a nudge in the right direction.
• The balance between wanderlust, creativity, and impending parenthood.

Our First Drink Couples Quiz

• List or no list?
• Who is the straight-man and who is the comedian?
• Get to work early or stay late?
• Curate or accumulate?
• Fight or flight?

About Ashley Minear and Bryan Minear

Ashley is a Michigan-made marketing manager by day and a combination artist, cat-lover, tea-drinker, and photographer in her free time. She is a soon-to-be mommy and couldn’t be more excited.

Bryan is an Ohio-born photographer & designer currently based in Michigan. He spends his free time up early and out late shooting Midwestern city & landscapes. This soon-to-be daddy is still hoping he has matured enough to be in charge of another human by the time the baby comes.

Listen to more about Bryan's photography on the Hashtagged Podcast.

You can check them both out on Instagram @ashleylminear & @bryanminear as well as their wedding photography portfolio Ashley & Bryan.

Thanks again for listening!

Best,

Josh and Stasia

p.s. Win a lifetime sub to Lynda.com + Amazon Voyageur Prizes from our friends at AppSumo.

p.p.s. If you liked the show will you help us create an awesome community of couples by clicking on this link to give us a five star rating on iTunes?