E105: Delian Asparouhov & Nadia Asparouhova: Making Relationships Work

"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

Varda Space founder Delian Asparouhov and writer Nadia Asparouhova get surprisingly candid about what makes their relationship work - from their chaotic first date to how they've built a life together while pursuing ambitious work. Turns out: sometimes talking less, not more, is the key to lasting partnership. This is the first episode of Turpentine's newest podcast Modern Relationships, which will feature insights from tech power couples and leading thinkers like Rob Henderson about building strong relationships. Subscribe below:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod

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RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

Check out Modern Relationships, where Erik Torenberg interviews tech power couples and leading thinkers to explore how ambitious people actually make partnerships work. Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov and researcher Nadia Asparouhova kick off the series with an unfiltered conversation about their relationship evolution.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1786227593

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hJzs0gDg6lRT6r10mdpVg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRelationshipsPod

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LINKS:

Nadia's writing: https://nadia.xyz/

Delian's site: https://delian.io/

Erik's substack: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/

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@nayafia

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@eriktorenberg

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE:

• Delian and Nadia met in San Francisco, where Delian quickly pushed for commitment while Nadia was initially intrigued but uncertain about his intense personality.
• They built their relationship on minimal but direct communication, believing that over-communication can create problems where none exist.
• Their careers grew alongside their relationship, with both valuing some shared context in tech while pursuing different interests.
• Having their first child changed their dynamic from independence to necessary schedule coordination, though they work to maintain their individual pursuits.
• Delian advocates for men having children younger to grow alongside their careers, while Nadia emphasizes women should have time to find themselves first.
• The couple balances ambitious careers with family life, seeing their domestic world as an expanding universe rather than a limitation.
• They approach conflicts with a "short memory" philosophy, choosing not to overanalyze small issues and accepting that some days will have tension.