In this episode of Extraordinary Relationships, we sit down with Lorenzo and Nicole, who met in an Indian ashram thirty-three years ago and have moved through nearly every shape a relationship can take since. They fell into each other’s orbit through wildness on one side and steadiness on the other, married, built a life together in Lausanne, and eventually divorced. What has stayed constant through all of it is a friendship they have chosen, again and again.

Lorenzo and Nicole speak with rare candor about the years of negotiation that ran beneath their marriage: what it meant to stay exclusive or not, how much of themselves each had to compromise, and the slow accumulation of imbalance that eventually brought the relationship to an end. Their honesty extends to the hardest parts, including the affairs that coincided with their separation and the grief, shared openly and often through tears, that accompanied letting go of the marriage while holding onto each other.

Their wedding rings carried an inscription that became something like a philosophy: this too will pass. That phrase threads through the conversation as both comfort and provocation, a reminder that impermanence applies to the good moments as much as the difficult ones, and that a relationship can survive the ending of its original form. Sixteen years after their divorce, Lorenzo and Nicole still see each other weekly, supported by their current partners, and describe a closeness that feels lighter and freer than it ever did inside the marriage itself.

This is a conversation about what becomes possible when two people stop expecting each other to fulfill every need, and choose instead to keep telling each other the truth.

Guest Links & Resources:

* Nicole Monnerat is a Consultant in Corporate Health Risk Management and can be contacted via n.monnerat@bluewin.ch

* Lorenzo Clemente is a Family Support Specialist who guides and assists families through social, behavioral, or developmental challenges. His email is lclemente55@gmail.com

Reflections Episode soon to come:

In our Reflections episode, we reflect on the key moments, insights, and practices that stood out in our conversation with Lorenzo and Nicole. We share:

* Observations and highlights from the original conversation & experience.

* Personal insights from Andrew and Danielle on applying these principles in daily life.

* Practical ideas and exercises you can try to deepen the connection in your own relationships.

* A worksheet with instructions you can download.

The Reflections episode is a shorter, intimate companion to the main interview—designed to help you process, integrate, and embody what was discussed.

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