My husband Eric and I have known and appreciated Cameron Madill’s work for a long time. After attending the opening premiere of the first Funshop, we knew this was something worth sharing, and I was thrilled to sit down with Cameron recently to talk about the Happy Couples Project.
Cameron’s philosophy immediately sets him apart: he’s adamantly opposed to couples feeling like they have to “work” on their relationship. Instead, he calls them Funshops — intentionally designed date experiences that mix joy, play, and learning. When I asked him about the idea, he explained that it’s about going on a fun date, learning a little about each other, and really infusing your relationship with positivity and intentionality.
Some Funshops examples really capture this approach: couples might try pickleball together, take a cocktail-making class, enjoy a wine-and-art night, or even dance. Each experience is a chance to grow your friendship, build shared meaning, and strengthen fondness and admiration — principles grounded in the Gottman Method that Cameron has studied extensively.
Cameron’s background is as inspiring as his approach. He started his first company right out of Stanford at 22, ran it for 20 years, and eventually sold it to his employees. He’s not a therapist, but he brings a master’s-level understanding of positive psychology to his work. You can see it in how he designs Funshops: every activity encourages connection, engagement, and joy.
During our conversation, one of Cameron’s ideas that really stuck with me is that couples often underestimate the power of play. That’s often where it all begins, isn’t it? When we first meet our partner, we expend a lot of energy connecting and getting to know them. But, as Cameron points out, all that work “is happening in a context of play and novelty and fun.”
When you intentionally create opportunities for fun throughout the course of your relationship, you’re not just having a good time — you’re designing your relationship. That’s the heart of what he’s building: a way for couples to invest in their partnership without feeling pressured or overwhelmed.
For those reading this post and watching our interview, you’ll see Cameron explain, in his own words, how a Funshop is not like a traditional workshop — and how it’s designed with the specific aim of creating connection between couples, something we think is pretty unique to the Happy Couples Project.
Video clip: Cameron describes Funshops vs. workshops
In the next post in this series, we’ll dive into why play matters in relationships — and how creativity and intentionality in your dates can completely shift your connection.
If you want to dive even deeper, you can watch my full interview with Cameron Madill. It’s full of insights, stories, and practical tips to inspire your own relationship.
Photo courtesy of Sabrina Walters
