Podcasts about Modern Love

When her wildly popular memoir “Eat Pray Love” came out in 2006, Elizabeth Gilbert suddenly found herself touted as an expert on self fulfillment, spirituality and love. Readers might assume that Gilbert had vanquished her demons as she settled into a life of fame and marriage to the man she fell in love with at the end of the book.But her struggle was far from over. On this episode of “Modern Love,” Gilbert talks about a new love story that almost destroyed her life.Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Back in the 1930s, love was about survival—one person brought money, the other ran the home. By the 1990s, polarity and attraction became the focus. But in 2025? That's not enough. Today, real connection needs three things: survival, desire, and alignment.In this episode, Marvyn Harrison explores how blurred gender roles, economic independence, and new expectations around emotional intelligence have reshaped what it takes to build lasting relationships. He asks the tough questions:Can you survive together?Do you still desire each other?Are you truly aligned in values, money, health, parenting, and vision?If you've managed all three, you're not just lucky—you're rare. Listen in to rethink love, dating, and marriage in a modern world where commitment is harder, but also deeper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of Friends Talking Nerdy, Professor Aubrey and Tim the Nerd turn their ears toward one of the most expressive instruments in music history: the saxophone. From Bob Seger's hauntingly beautiful “Turn The Page” to the iconic smoothness of Wham's “Careless Whisper,” the duo digs into the way the saxophone can transform a song into something timeless. They groove through the Rolling Stones' laid-back “Waiting On A Friend,” dance with Bowie's “Modern Love,” feel the epic storytelling in Springsteen's “Jungleland,” and toast with the classic party anthem “Tequila” by The Champs. The journey continues with Aretha Franklin's powerhouse hit “Respect,” the soulful yearning of INXS' “Never Tear Us Apart,” the rock ‘n' roll roots of Bill Haley's “Shake, Rattle, and Roll,” and another Bowie gem, “Young Americans.”Check out the playlist on YouTube Music.In the second half of the show, Tim the Nerd reflects on the passing of professional wrestling icon Hulk Hogan. While acknowledging Hogan as the spark that first drew him into the world of wrestling, Tim candidly explores the complicated legacy Hogan leaves behind—both as a larger-than-life performer and as a deeply flawed man. He emphasizes the importance of being honest about public figures' lives, for better and worse, while also calling out the extremes of online criticism that turned into harassment of Hogan's loved ones.It's a thoughtful, music-filled episode blending appreciation for the power of the saxophone with a nuanced conversation about legacy, fandom, and the messy ways we talk about the people who shaped pop culture.As always, we wish to thank Christopher Lazarek for his wonderful theme song. Head to his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for information on how to purchase his EP, Here's To You, which is available on all digital platforms.Head to Friends Talking Nerdy's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more information on where to find us online.

In the latest edition of The John Cash Show Podcast, John Cash & The Gang discuss the new dating trend, "SHREKKING" and much more! Be sure to catch The John Cash Show Podcast on ytour FAVORITE streaming platforms! Follow www.thejohncashshow.com for all things John Cash! Check out Patreon.com/TheJohnCashShowPodcast for Exclusive Episodes and Behind The Scenes Content!   #JohnCashShow #Podcasts #PettyProverbs #CashOutConfessions #TriggerMeThis #Entertainment #Dating #Adult #Relationships #Love #Spotify #ApplePodcasts #Shrekking

“I don't believe in modern love,” David Bowie belted back in 1983—and it still feels oddly relevant today. This week on the Two Please Podcast, we stress-test that line by exploring modern romance through three films that, together, feel like its best on-screen representatives: Her (Love In The Time of AI), The Materialists (Love In The Time of Capitalism), and Gone Girl (Love In The Time of Self-Loathing). We've jokingly called it our “Before Trilogy of Modern Love,”- one story told across three very different movies. Expect takes on AI intimacy vs human messiness, pragmatism vs passion, why some marriages implode, timely headlines, and a few red flags. Spoilers to follow.Don't forget to LIKE THE VIDEO & SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL.Check us out on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3i7THqryfJKdPDGJx2aH74?si=12584370a76542c0Every Other Place We're Streaming On:https://linktr.ee/twopleasepodChapters:00:00:00 — Coming Up00:00:27 — Why These 3 Films00:02:02 — Her (2013): AI love & loneliness00:07:48 — When the illusion breaks in *Her00:09:10 — “OS break-up” & what it means (spoilers)00:13:46 — The Materialists: Love vs. Security00:15:22 — Matchmaking math & modern dating cynicism00:18:21 — Broke Boy Propoganda (spoilers)00:22:09 — PSA: Height surgery & Self-worth00:23:32 — Gone Girl: When love curdles00:24:44 — Censorship mini-rant: Let people kiss!00:26:28 — Why some marriages implode00:27:29 — Amy, control, perfectionism00:30:48 — Marriage wave to divorce wave00:32:14 — First sign of trouble: contempt00:34:49 — Shout-out to the original *Before* trilogy00:36:53 — Closing ThoughtsBlade Runner 2049 Episode:https://open.spotify.com/episode/05gXXF5vKRleYKovf6Nppg?si=94aaeebe264c42a2Check us out on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/twopleasepod

“I don't believe in modern love,” David Bowie belted back in 1983—and it still feels oddly relevant today. This week on the Two Please Podcast, we stress-test that line by exploring modern romance through three films that, together, feel like its best on-screen representatives: Her (Love In The Time of AI), The Materialists (Love In The Time of Capitalism), and Gone Girl (Love In The Time of Self-Loathing). We've jokingly called it our “Before Trilogy of Modern Love,”- one story told across three very different movies. Expect takes on AI intimacy vs human messiness, pragmatism vs passion, why some marriages implode, timely headlines, and a few red flags. Spoilers to follow.Don't forget to LIKE THE VIDEO & SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL.Check us out on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3i7THqryfJKdPDGJx2aH74?si=12584370a76542c0Every Other Place We're Streaming On:https://linktr.ee/twopleasepodChapters:00:00:00 — Coming Up00:00:27 — Why These 3 Films00:02:02 — Her (2013): AI love & loneliness00:07:48 — When the illusion breaks in *Her00:09:10 — “OS break-up” & what it means (spoilers)00:13:46 — The Materialists: Love vs. Security00:15:22 — Matchmaking math & modern dating cynicism00:18:21 — Broke Boy Propoganda (spoilers)00:22:09 — PSA: Height surgery & Self-worth00:23:32 — Gone Girl: When love curdles00:24:44 — Censorship mini-rant: Let people kiss!00:26:28 — Why some marriages implode00:27:29 — Amy, control, perfectionism00:30:48 — Marriage wave to divorce wave00:32:14 — First sign of trouble: contempt00:34:49 — Shout-out to the original *Before* trilogy00:36:53 — Closing ThoughtsBlade Runner 2049 Episode:https://open.spotify.com/episode/05gXXF5vKRleYKovf6Nppg?si=94aaeebe264c42a2Check us out on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/twopleasepod

In this episode of the Anxiety Chicks podcast, The Chick's discuss Alison's dating life, sharing personal stories and insights about relationships, dating apps, and the challenges of finding love in your 40s. The Chicks also touch on the importance of communication and intentionality in relationships. (dating, relationships, communication, dating apps, 40s dating) Takeaways: Sharing personal stories can be therapeutic. Dating in your 40s presents unique challenges. Communication is key in any relationship. Intentional dating leads to better connections. Dating apps can be both helpful and frustrating. FaceTiming before a date can help gauge compatibility. Being single can be preferable to being in the wrong relationship. Divorce rates are rising among people in their 40s and 50s. Marriage requires ongoing effort and communication. It's important to have open discussions about relationship doubts. Don't forget to rate and review The Chicks!

Christine Woolley always knew she wanted to be in a plural marriage. She grew up in a fundamentalist Mormon community, loved having two moms and several grandmothers, and wanted to raise her own children in that environment. As an adult, and after Woolley married a man with two other wives, her family decided to share their lives on the TLC show “Sister Wives.”Woolley stayed in the relationship for 25 years, with much of it televised, but slowly she realized she needed to leave and go out on her own. On this episode of “Modern Love,” Woolley discusses what she loved about her upbringing, the joys and pitfalls of a shared marriage, and what she's learned from her first monogamous relationship.Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2724: Alysha Jeney explores the stigma around being labeled “too needy” in relationships, showing how fear of rejection often leads people to suppress their true needs. She emphasizes that wanting reassurance and security is natural, and the key lies in expressing these needs vulnerably and responsibly, creating space for deeper connection rather than conflict. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.modernlovecounseling.com/too-needy/ Quotes to ponder: “You have the right to feel secure in your relationship, and believe it or not, we have to work together in order to achieve mutual security!” “You will always be perceived as ‘too needy' or too much if you choose to not express your fears and needs in a calm, vulnerable way.” “This version of requesting your needs is not ‘too needy;' they are normal and healthy.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you turn a personal story into a publishable memoir?In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman talk with Ruthie Ackerman, a journalist, book coach, and author of The Mother Code, about the journey from personal storytelling to completing a book.Ruthie shares how her Modern Love essay helped reveal the through line for her memoir, what she learned from losing a major book deal, and how she rebuilt her path to publication. She also discusses the power of micro-communities over social media when building a platform, and the emotional ROI of showing up in person through book tours and community events.Resources:Connect with Ruthie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruackermanConnect with Ruthie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthieackerman/ Connect with Ruthie in Substack: https://ruthieackerman.substack.com/ Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/clubDownload Bethany & Fran's e-book on how to craft a standout book proposal here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-bookProduced by Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/

When the writer E. Jean Carroll accused President Trump of sexual assault in 2019, she unearthed a memory she had pushed away for decades. She also admitted, for the first time, something she hadn't fully reckoned with: She hadn't had sex since.In this episode, Carroll tells Anna Martin what it was like for her to go from “man crazy” to someone who could not engage in even the slightest flirtation. She had always prided herself on moving forward with a smile and not dwelling on the past. But in recent years, as Carroll went public with her story, and as she took Mr. Trump to court twice, she began to realize that finally facing the loss of her sex life might be an important step toward getting it back.Carroll's latest book, “Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President,” came out in June.Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe spent a lot of this past season on “Love Island USA” coupled up with other people, but in a last-minute twist they wound up together.Fans were divided. They read into body language, smirks, eye contact and passing comments to try to piece together whether Nic and Olandria got together out of convenience or their love was a genuine slow burn.Despite all that sleuthing, the two think viewers didn't get the full story.In this episode of “Modern Love,” Nic and Olandria tell our host, Anna Martin, what their experience on the show was really like and what's next for them.Watch this episode on YouTube.Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Send us a textThis week on Needs to Be Studied, I'm joined by Honey & Teddy, a queer bisexual poly couple, for a deep dive into what it really takes to make polyamory and open relationships work. From boundaries to communication, they share how they keep love strong while embracing multiple connections.Here's what we cover:✨ Poly dynamics — how Honey & Teddy structure their relationship

Stories of romantic love are everywhere, but the actor, singer and comedian Bridget Everett says that friendships deserve our attention, too. Onscreen and in everyday life.Last Fall, Everett appeared on Modern Love to talk about her HBO Original series “Somebody Somewhere,” which centers on a close friendship. Now she's nominated for an Emmy Award for writing the show, along with Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen.In “Somebody Somewhere,” Everett stars as Sam, a woman struggling with grief and self-doubt after losing her sister. As Sam grows closer to her friend Joel — played by Jeff Hiller, an Outstanding Supporting Actor nominee — the future starts to look more bearable.In this episode of Modern Love, Everett tells Anna Martin why she's looking for a friendship like the one Sam and Joel have on the show. She also reads a Modern Love essay called “When Your Greatest Romance Is a Friendship,” by Victor Lodato. Lodato was in his 40s when he fell into a platonic life partnership with an artist in her 80s, who lived across the street.In April 2024, Lodato published “Honey,” a novel inspired by Austin Brayfield, the friend he wrote about in his essay.Find new episodes of Modern Love every Wednesday. Follow the show wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Guest host Connie Willis and relationship expert John Gray discuss men and women relating to each other as technology advances. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stories of romantic love are everywhere, but the actor, singer and comedian Bridget Everett says that friendships deserve our attention, too. Onscreen and in everyday life.Last Fall, Everett appeared on Modern Love to talk about her HBO Original series “Somebody Somewhere,” which centers on a close friendship. Now she's nominated for an Emmy Award for writing the show, along with Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen.In “Somebody Somewhere,” Everett stars as Sam, a woman struggling with grief and self-doubt after losing her sister. As Sam grows closer to her friend Joel — played by Jeff Hiller, an Outstanding Supporting Actor nominee — the future starts to look more bearable.In this episode of Modern Love, Everett tells Anna Martin why she's looking for a friendship like the one Sam and Joel have on the show. She also reads a Modern Love essay called “When Your Greatest Romance Is a Friendship,” by Victor Lodato. Lodato was in his 40s when he fell into a platonic life partnership with an artist in her 80s, who lived across the street.In April 2024, Lodato published “Honey,” a novel inspired by Austin Brayfield, the friend he wrote about in his essay.How to submit a Modern Love Essay to The New York TimesHow to submit a Tiny Love Story Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Sam Graham-Felsen never imagined being lonely. Throughout his childhood and as a young man his life revolved around his friends. But when Sam got married and then had kids, going out with his friends almost felt like a luxury. After years of focusing on everything in his life except friendship, Sam began to realize he was missing something essential, and he decided to get his friends back.On this episode of “Modern Love,” Mr. Graham-Felsen describes how he went from being a boy with a wealth of deep friendships to finding himself feeling lonely as an adult, and what he did to bring friendship back into his life.Read his essay “Where Have All My Deep Male Friendships Gone?” in The New York Times Magazine.Find new episodes of Modern Love every Wednesday. Follow the show wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube |iHeartRadio Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

We're diving deep into modern dating vs 2000's dating to uncover why so many people are terrified of today's relationship market. From ghosting and situationships to dating apps and hookup culture, we compare it all to a time when love felt more genuine. If you've ever wished we could go back to simpler dating days or you're trying to survive the 2020's dating scene this conversation is for you.

Sam Graham-Felsen never imagined being lonely. Throughout his childhood and as a young man his life revolved around his friends. But when Sam got married and then had kids, going out with his friends almost felt like a luxury. After years of focusing on everything in his life except friendship, Sam began to realize he was missing something essential, and he decided to get his friends back.On this episode of “Modern Love,” Mr. Graham-Felsen describes how he went from being a boy with a wealth of deep friendships to finding himself feeling lonely as an adult, and what he did to bring friendship back into his life.Read his essay “Where Have All My Deep Male Friendships Gone?” in The New York Times Magazine.Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Ben Stuart is back to unpack the mess and meaning of modern relationships. From ghosting to God's design, he shares why dating has become more confusing—and how the church can step in with clarity and care. Plus, insights on Gen Z's hunger for connection, life in DC, and some hilarious fishing fails. Connect with us on social!Ben: @Ben_Stuart_Levi: @leviluskoJennie: @jennieluskoFresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links]Read Single, Dating, Engaged, Married: https://bit.ly/3ZVg4bkGet the 5-Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHYGet the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Timestamps01:27 – Why Ben Updated His Book05:57 – Church Dating Trends09:23 – God's Moving in DC11:46 – Young Leaders in DC15:35 – Appreciating Ben and Donna21:01 – Daily Rhythms and Life Hacks

Ben Stuart is back to unpack the mess and meaning of modern relationships. From ghosting to God's design, he shares why dating has become more confusing—and how the church can step in with clarity and care. Plus, insights on Gen Z's hunger for connection, life in DC, and some hilarious fishing fails. Connect with us on social!Ben: @Ben_Stuart_Levi: @leviluskoJennie: @jennieluskoFresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links]Read Single, Dating, Engaged, Married: https://bit.ly/3ZVg4bkGet the 5-Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHYGet the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Timestamps01:27 – Why Ben Updated His Book05:57 – Church Dating Trends09:23 – God's Moving in DC11:46 – Young Leaders in DC15:35 – Appreciating Ben and Donna21:01 – Daily Rhythms and Life Hacks

For her entire life, Grace Hussar has been an overthinker. No matter how much she wanted to be in the moment, she always felt as if she was just outside it. But when she took up endurance running, she realized something: Extreme pain turned her thoughts off. She wanted more of that feeling — more pain and less overthinking. As a mother of two with a happy partnership and a career in finance, what she explored next surprised her.On this week's episode of “Modern Love,” Hussar talks about her essay, “The Kind of Pain I Wanted.” Hussar shares the story of how she discovered that rope play and kink were the keys to newfound presence and pleasure in her life.Find new episodes of Modern Love every Wednesday. Follow the show wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube |iHeartRadio Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2689: Alysha Jeney explores how long-term partners can reignite emotional and physical intimacy by intentionally creating new ways to connect. From rebuilding vulnerability to rediscovering curiosity, her guidance encourages couples to break routines, spark fresh chemistry, and reinforce the love that brought them together. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.modernlovecounseling.com/unique-ways-to-connect/ Quotes to ponder: "The spark is similar to a real flame. It burns out and needs to be reignited once in a while." "Curiosity is sexy and builds desire!" "We are constantly growing and changing; life is constantly moving." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Philip Hoover and his wife Lauren Hill-Hoover tested positive for COVID-19 three years ago, they thought they knew what to expect. But then Philip's symptoms persisted, morphed and intensified. They talk to Anita about how an illness that's affected tens of millions of Americans upended their life and forced them to confront big, existential questions, like: What does caring for each other in sickness and in health *really* mean?Meet the guests:- Philip Hoover is a writer who has long COVID- Lauren Hill-Hoover is Philip's wifeRead the transcript | Review the podcast on your preferred platformFollow Embodied on Instagram Leave a message for EmbodiedBuy tickets for our August event at Motorco, all about transformation!Dig deeper:Philip's Modern Love essay

For her entire life, Grace Hussar has been an overthinker. No matter how much she wanted to be in the moment, she always felt as if she was just outside it. But when she took up endurance running, she realized something: Extreme pain turned her thoughts off. She wanted more of that feeling — more pain and less overthinking. As a mother of two with a happy partnership and a career in finance, what she explored next surprised her.On this week's episode of “Modern Love,” Hussar talks about her essay, “The Kind of Pain I Wanted.” Hussar shares the story of how she discovered that rope play and kink were the keys to newfound presence and pleasure in her life.Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

“Am I in trouble?” “Am I secretly bad?” These are questions Meg Josephson, a therapist and author, grew up asking herself. She was constantly trying to anticipate other people's needs, worried that she was letting other people down. And it wasn't until she found herself standing in the aisle of a Bed Bath & Beyond, trying to remember her favorite color, that she realized her desire to please everyone was eroding her sense of self.On this episode of Modern Love, Josephson talks about how that realization led her to confront her tumultuous childhood, and what it took to stop “people pleasing.” She then reads the Modern Love essay “My Three Years as a Beloved Daughter” by Erin Brown, about a woman who found a type of love in her best friend's parents that she had never experienced before, and what that taught her about her own parents.Josephson's book, “Are You Mad At Me?,” is available Aug. 5, 2025.Find new episodes of Modern Love every Wednesday. Follow the show wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

“Am I in trouble?” “Am I secretly bad?” These are questions Meg Josephson, a therapist and author, grew up asking herself. She was constantly trying to anticipate other people's needs, worried that she was letting other people down. And it wasn't until she found herself standing in the aisle of a Bed Bath & Beyond, trying to remember her favorite color, that she realized her desire to please everyone was eroding her sense of self.On this episode of Modern Love, Josephson talks about how that realization led her to confront her tumultuous childhood, and what it took to stop “people pleasing.” She reads the Modern Love essay “My Three Years as a Beloved Daughter” by Erin Brown, about a woman who found a type of love in her best friend's parents that she had never experienced before, and what that taught her about her own parents.Josephson's book, “Are You Mad At Me?,” is available Aug. 5, 2025.Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This week's episode was recorded live at the 92nd Street Y in New York City! It was an intimate evening with beloved New York Times Modern Love podcast host Anna Martin exploring the tender, turbulent terrain of adolescence and its lasting impact on our lives. In this special conversation, Penn, Nava, and Sophie welcomed Anna for a night of storytelling about the universal threads that connect our coming-of-age experiences. And preorder our new book, Crushmore, here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993 Want more from Podcrushed? Follow our social channels here: Insta: https://bit.ly/PodcrushedInsta TikTok: https://bit.ly/PodcrushedTikTok X: https://bit.ly/PodcrushedTwitter You can follow Penn, Sophie and Nava here: Insta: / pennbadgley / scribbledbysophie / nnnava Tik Tok: / iampennbadgley / scribbledbysophie / nkavelin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explicit warning. We usually don't have an explicit language warning on our episodes, but since we discussed some adult topics, a few words were mentionedVisit the website to subscribe to our email listwww.podpage.com/the-3-13-men-money-and-marriageSummaryIn this episode of the 313 Men, Money, and Marriage podcast, host Andrew Johnson and guests John X and Grant Lancaster delve into the complexities of modern dating. They explore the disconnect in today's dating landscape, the impact of social media on relationship expectations, and the transactional nature of dating. The conversation also touches on the significance of body count in relationships and the ongoing debate about 50-50 marriages. Throughout the discussion, the trio emphasizes the need for realistic expectations and the importance of genuine connections in a world increasingly driven by superficial standards.TakeawaysModern dating is characterized by a disconnect and transactional nature.Social media significantly influences unrealistic expectations in relationships.Many individuals lack accountability in their dating lives.The concept of body count is viewed differently by men and women.Expectations in dating often exceed reality, leading to disappointment.Relationships require a balance of give and take, not just financial contributions.The importance of genuine connections over materialistic values is emphasized.Women often have high standards without understanding the implications.Dating should be about getting to know each other, not just monetary value.The dynamics of marriage have evolved, requiring new approaches to partnership.Navigating the Modern Love MazeThe Disconnect in Today's Dating Scene"Everything is so transactional.""It's not my job to feed you.""You can't body shame somebody."Chapters00:00 The Modern Love Maze: An Introduction02:36 Disconnect in Modern Dating05:41 Unrealistic Expectations in Relationships09:45 The Impact of Social Media on Dating13:16 Defining Broke: Dating Standards16:01 Transactional Nature of Modern Relationships19:17 Evaluating Connections in Dating23:48 The Illusion of High-Value Relationships25:47 Body Count: Perspectives and Implications39:03 The 50-50 Marriage Debate

They told you she was empowered.Independent. Sexy. Untouchable.They sold you the "strong female lead" but forgot to mention she was written to keep you small.What if the women you admired weren't role models… but weapons?In this episode, we expose how Hollywood and the Matrix hijacked the feminine through subtle programming. From Blair Waldorf to Bella Swan, Carrie Bradshaw to Meredith Grey, we unravel how glamorized archetypes have shaped the way you see love, power, and yourself.This isn't just about TV characters.It's about the blueprint you've been following without even knowing.———————Please like, comment, and subscribe if this episode resonates with you. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!Lucas Salame: www.instagram.com/lucas__salame/ | https://www.new-age-sage.com

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Love in Uniform: Finding Harmony Amidst Duty in Qingdao Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-07-30-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在青岛的一个夏日，海风轻轻吹拂，海洋的咸味在空气中弥漫。En: On a summer day in Qingdao, the sea breeze gently blew, and the salty scent of the ocean permeated the air.Zh: 海军基地的旗帜随风飘扬，军舰整齐地停泊在港口，整个基地显得忙碌而有序。En: The flags at the navy base fluttered in the wind, and the warships were docked neatly at the port, making the whole base appear busy yet orderly.Zh: 在这里，魏是一名敬业的海军军官，他对自己的职责充满热情。En: Here, Wei was a dedicated navy officer, passionate about his duties.Zh: 但在内心深处，他觉得生活中缺了些什么。En: But deep inside, he felt that something was missing in his life.Zh: 这一天是海军的一个隆重仪式，有许多记者前来报道。En: That day was the occasion of a solemn ceremony for the navy, and many journalists came to report on it.Zh: 丽娜是其中之一，她是一名雄心勃勃的记者，正在寻找一个能够让她在新闻界脱颖而出的故事。En: Lina was among them, an ambitious journalist looking for a story that could make her stand out in the news industry.Zh: 她的目光落在了魏的身上。En: Her eyes fell on Wei.Zh: 他在仪式上表现出色，带着坚定和自信。En: He performed outstandingly in the ceremony, with firmness and confidence.Zh: 仪式结束后，魏带着来宾们参观基地。En: After the ceremony, Wei led the guests on a tour of the base.Zh: 丽娜被分配到魏的组里。En: Lina was assigned to Wei's group.Zh: 在基地的一角，丽娜被停泊的军舰和忙碌的军官们吸引。En: In a corner of the base, Lina was captivated by the docked warships and the busy officers.Zh: 魏在这个时候走近她，微笑着说：“你好，我是魏。En: Wei approached her at this moment, smiling and saying, "Hello, I'm Wei."Zh: ”丽娜礼貌地点头：“你好，我叫丽娜。En: Lina nodded politely, "Hello, I'm Lina.Zh: 我是记者。En: I'm a journalist."Zh: ”在接下来的交流中，魏感受到一种从未有过的轻松。En: During their subsequent conversation, Wei felt a sense of ease he had never experienced before.Zh: 他发现丽娜不仅聪明，还对他的工作饱含热情。En: He found Lina not only smart but also passionate about his work.Zh: 他们聊了很久，关于海军，关于梦想，还有关于生活。En: They talked for a long time about the navy, dreams, and life.Zh: 虽然彼此心中都有犹豫，魏觉得生活的严谨不允许他过多涉足感情，而丽娜担心对工作的影响，但他们无法忽视内心的牵引。En: Although both had hesitations, Wei felt the rigor of his life did not allow him to delve too much into emotions, while Lina worried about the impact on her work, they could not ignore the pull in their hearts.Zh: 某个风雨交加的晚上，基地接到海上紧急任务，魏立刻行动。En: On a stormy night, the base received an emergency task at sea, and Wei sprang into action immediately.Zh: 看着他投入工作，丽娜的心被深深触动。En: Watching him engaged in his work, Lina's heart was deeply touched.Zh: 她意识到这是一个她愿意深爱的人。En: She realized that he was someone she was willing to love deeply.Zh: 几天后，丽娜递交了一篇关于海军生活的文章，感情真挚，引起了热烈反响。En: A few days later, Lina submitted an article about navy life, filled with genuine emotions, which sparked a strong reaction.Zh: 这篇文章不仅赢得了她的声誉，也让魏意识到，他可以在事业与个人生活中找到平衡。En: This article not only earned her a reputation but also made Wei realize that he could find a balance between his career and personal life.Zh: 最后，魏和丽娜在基地的港口重逢。En: Finally, Wei and Lina reunited at the base's port.Zh: 魏微笑着说：“想来基地看看吗？En: Wei smiled and said, "Would you like to visit the base?"Zh: ”丽娜轻声回答：“当然，我想知道关于你的更多。En: Lina softly replied, "Of course, I'd like to know more about you."Zh: ”从此，魏学会了在职业生涯中也能兼顾自己的情感生活，丽娜则懂得了职业之外，生活中的连接同样重要。En: From then on, Wei learned to balance his emotional life with his career, and Lina understood that connections beyond work were just as important in life.Zh: 他们在青岛的海风中，开始了新的篇章。En: They began a new chapter in the sea breeze of Qingdao. Vocabulary Words:breeze: 微风permeated: 弥漫fluttered: 飘扬dock: 停泊dedicated: 敬业solemn: 隆重journalist: 记者ambitious: 雄心勃勃outstandingly: 出色ceremony: 仪式subsequent: 随后的rigor: 严谨hesitations: 犹豫emotions: 感情emergency: 紧急sprang: 立刻行动captivated: 吸引genuine: 真挚reaction: 反响united: 重逢balance: 平衡chapter: 篇章firmness: 坚定confidence: 自信authority: 权威navigating: 航行storms: 风雨reputation: 声誉introspective: 内省passionate: 热情

The pop singer and actress Reneé Rapp has a deep love for her friends. She maintains a nonstop group chat with more than 15 close friends every day. Their lives are so intertwined that the line between platonic and romantic can sometimes get blurry, particularly since many of them have dated each other.Rapp, best known for her role in the Broadway musical and new film adaptation “Mean Girls,” has an upcoming album, “Bite Me,” which delves into the intimacy and messiness of friendships, not just romantic relationships. Mirroring her album's themes, Rapp walks Modern Love host Anna Martin through various vulnerable moments she has recently shared with friends, including one with her best friend and former “The Sex Lives of College Girls” co-star Alyah Chanelle Scott.It's no surprise that Rapp chose to read the Modern Love essay “This is What Happens When Friends Fall in Love” by Sammy Sass. The piece resonates with her own experiences of sustaining love within queer friendships. While Rapp says she doesn't have a blueprint, she has learned to navigate misunderstandings and express genuine love to those closest to her. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The pop singer and actress Reneé Rapp has a deep love for her friends. She maintains a nonstop group chat with more than 15 close friends every day. Their lives are so intertwined that the line between platonic and romantic can sometimes get blurry, particularly since many of them have dated each other.Rapp, best known for her role in the Broadway musical and new film adaptation “Mean Girls,” has an upcoming album, “Bite Me,” which delves into the intimacy and messiness of friendships, not just romantic relationships. Mirroring her album's themes, Rapp walks Anna Martin through various vulnerable moments she has recently shared with friends, including one with her best friend and former “The Sex Lives of College Girls” co-star Alyah Chanelle Scott.It's no surprise that Rapp chose to read the Modern Love essay “This is What Happens When Friends Fall in Love” by Sammy Sass. The piece resonates with her own experiences of sustaining love within queer friendships. While Rapp says she doesn't have a blueprint, she has learned to navigate misunderstandings and express genuine love to those closest to her.Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

When we meet Rob Delaney's character, “Neighbor Guy,” in FX's limited series “Dying for Sex,” he's scarfing down a burrito in an elevator, dripping food on his face and the floor. But Delaney's performance reveals that under Neighbor Guy's messy exterior is a man capable of deep vulnerability and empathy.“Dying for Sex” follows a woman named Molly, played by Michelle Williams, who is dying of cancer and desperate to experience sexual pleasure before it's too late. At first, Molly thinks Neighbor Guy is disgusting, but the two soon discover they make sense together, sexually and emotionally. Williams and Delaney received Emmy nominations for their roles.On this episode of Modern Love, Delaney tells host Anna Martin why exposing the messy and painful parts of ourselves to other people can be rewarding and hilarious. He talks about tending his own relationship and reads a Modern Love essay about a couple who decides to try some role play to avoid getting too comfortable with each other.For more Modern Love, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

When we meet Rob Delaney's character, “Neighbor Guy,” in FX's limited series “Dying for Sex,” he's scarfing down a burrito in an elevator, dripping food on his face and the floor. But Delaney's performance reveals that under Neighbor Guy's messy exterior is a man capable of deep vulnerability and empathy.“Dying for Sex” follows a woman named Molly, played by Michelle Williams, who is dying of cancer and desperate to experience sexual pleasure before it's too late. At first, Molly thinks Neighbor Guy is disgusting, but the two soon discover they make sense together, sexually and emotionally. Williams and Delaney received Emmy nominations for their roles.Today, Delaney tells host Anna Martin why exposing the messy and painful parts of ourselves to other people can be rewarding and hilarious. He talks about tending his own relationship and reads a Modern Love essay about a couple who decides to try some role play to avoid getting too comfortable with each other.Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The best-selling author and motivational podcast host Mel Robbins is known for her blunt advice and viral wisdom, from The 5-Second Rule to countless proverbs on relationships, confidence and everyday stuck-ness. Her most recent book, “The Let Them Theory,” has given her readers a fresh perspective for navigating disappointment, rejection and uncertainty in life.On this week's “Modern Love,” Robbins shares fives tips for letting go of control, and explains how these transformed her marriage and her relationship with her kids. She also reads a Modern Love essay, "You Have to Let Go to Move On,” about a woman who finally learns that real love doesn't come from holding on tighter.For more Modern Love, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The best-selling author and motivational podcast host Mel Robbins is known for her blunt advice and viral wisdom, from The 5-Second Rule to countless proverbs on relationships, confidence and everyday stuck-ness. Her most recent book, “The Let Them Theory,” has given her readers a fresh perspective for navigating disappointment, rejection and uncertainty in life.Today, Robbins shares fives tips for letting go of control, and explains how these transformed her marriage and her relationship with her kids. She also reads a Modern Love essay, "You Have to Let Go to Move On,” about a woman who finally learns that real love doesn't come from holding on tighter. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

When the Modern Love podcast asked listeners how location sharing is affecting their relationships, the responses they got were all over the map. Some people love this technology. Some hate it. But either way, it has changed something fundamental about how we demonstrate our love and how we set boundaries around relationships. In this episode, the Modern Love team shares a few of their favorite listener responses. Then, host Anna Martin talks with Arlon Jay Staggs, a Modern Love essayist who has wrestled deeply with whether to share his location.At first, location sharing wasn't a big deal for Staggs and his mother. He took a lot of long drives, and it made sense for her to keep tabs on him. But when he realized his mother was watching his little blue dot too closely, and it was causing her stress when she needed peace of mind, Staggs decided the sharing had to stop. He just couldn't figure out how to tell her. And when tragedy struck his family, the stakes of his decision to share or not share became a lot higher.Today's episode was inspired by the essay “Every Move I Make, She'll Be Watching Me.”For more Modern Love, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Send us a textSex, Cheating & Modern Love: A Conversation with Dr. Tammy Nelson | Episode 199In this episode of The Swing Nation Podcast, the top-rated podcast about non-monogamy and swinging, Dan and Lacy sit down for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Tammy Nelson.Dr. Tammy Nelson, PhD, is a Board Certified Sexologist, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with over 30 years of experience working with couples and individuals exploring flexible monogamy and non-traditional relationships. She's also a TEDx speaker and the host of The Trouble With Sex podcast.Together, Dan, Lacy, and Dr. Tammy dive deep into the connection between sex, intimacy, and relationship health, explore why people cheat, and discuss the growing societal shift toward non-monogamy. Whether you're curious about opening up, navigating long-term connection, or just want expert insight into what makes modern relationships work, this episode is packed with wisdom, real talk, and fresh perspectives from one of the leading voices in the field.Dr. Tammy's Websitehttps://www.drtammynelson.com/- The Swing Nation - Main Website Quick Navigation Website: -- (Find all our social media links & more!)- Swinger Society - Our Website to meet, connect & events Swinger Society Discord Our Facebook Group- Swinger Websites -Kasadie 90 day free trialUsername: TheSwingNation SDC 14 day free trial Username: TheSwingNation** Use code 36313 for 14 days free! ** SLSUsername: NorthernGuynSouthernGirl- Merch & More -Order Your Merch Here!- Lacy's Fun Links -VIP OnlyFansPREMIUM OnlyFans-- THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS --Wisp : Making sexual healthcare inclusive, cost-effective, and accessible—for everyoneUse Code SWING at checkout for 15% off your oder!Shameless Care: ED Medication and at home STD testingUse Code TSN at checkout for $30 off your order!Promescent® Make Love Longer, It's Time for Great SexUse Code SwingNation for 5% off!Sing it Bikinis:  adjustable one-size styles, thoughtfully crafted to flatter every body type.Support the show- Thank you for the support! -

This week on Modern Love, we're bringing you a conversation we liked so much that we're envious we didn't get to have ourselves. In a raw but deeply heartfelt and compassionate conversation with “The Interview" host David Marchese, author and poet Ocean Vuong talks about the real reason he became a writer. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Sheehan Quirke is The Cultural Tutor. A writer on history, art, and architecture with millions of followers, he is also the author of the forthcoming The Cultural Tutor: Forty-Nine Lessons You Wish You'd Learned at School, which is currently available for preorder here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The director Celine Song won over audiences and critics alike with her first feature film, “Past Lives,” the semi-autobiographical tale of a married Korean American woman meeting up with her former childhood sweetheart. Now Song is back with another story about love called “Materialists.” This time the main character is a matchmaker, a job that Song did briefly in her early 20s.On this episode of “Modern Love,” Song reads Louise Rafkin's Modern Love essay “My View From the Margins,” about a relationship columnist who can't figure out love in her own life. And Song tells us how neither falling in love at age 24 nor making a career of writing about love has brought her any closer to understanding it. “It's the one thing that makes me feel like a fool,” Song says.For more Modern Love, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

When we asked Modern Love listeners how location sharing is affecting their relationships, the responses we got were all over the map. Some people love this technology. Some hate it. But either way, it has changed something fundamental about how we demonstrate our love and how we set boundaries around relationships. Today, we're sharing a few of our favorite listener responses. Then, Host Anna Martin talks with Arlon Jay Staggs, a Modern Love essayist who has wrestled deeply with whether to share his location.At first, location sharing wasn't a big deal for Staggs and his mother. He took a lot of long drives, and it made sense for her to keep tabs on him. But when he realized his mother was watching his little blue dot too closely, and it was causing her stress when she needed peace of mind, Staggs decided the sharing had to stop. He just couldn't figure out how to tell her. And when tragedy struck his family, the stakes of his decision to share or not share became a lot higher.Today's episode was inspired by the essay “Every Move I Make, She'll Be Watching Me.”Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

When Jacob Hoff and Samantha Greenstone met, they became instant best friends. Then, even though Jacob was gay, they realized that their feelings for each other were evolving beyond the platonic, and they decided to give romance a try.On this episode of “Modern Love,” Hoff and Greenstone tell Host Anna Martin how their love gave him the courage to come out to his conservative family. They also explain that when they decided to get married, they realized they'd have to get used to clarifying their commitment again and again. This episode was inspired by Jenny Block's Mini-Vows piece, “A Close Friendship That Developed Into a ‘Soulful Connection.”For more Modern Love, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The director Celine Song won over audiences and critics alike with her first feature film, “Past Lives,” the semi-autobiographical tale of a married Korean American woman meeting up with her former childhood sweetheart. Now Song is back with another story about love called “The Materialists.” This time the main character is a matchmaker, a job that Song did briefly in her early 20s.Today on the show, Song reads Louise Rafkin's Modern Love essay “My View From the Margins,” about a relationship columnist who can't figure out love in her own life. And Song tells us how neither falling in love at age 24 nor making a career of writing about love has brought her any closer to understanding it. “It's the one thing that makes me feel like a fool,” Song says.Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

For Father's Day, the Modern Love team asked for your stories about fatherhood and emotional vulnerability. They heard from listeners who said that their dads rarely expressed their emotions, from listeners whose fathers wore their hearts on their sleeves and from fathers themselves who were trying to navigate parenting with emotional honesty and sensitivity. The stories had one thing in common: even just a peek into a father's emotional world meant so much.On this episode of Modern Love, we hear listener's stories about their dads. Then, Terry Real, a family therapist, returns to the show to offer his advice on being a father while also showing kids what it means to be emotionally vulnerable and available. He offers his philosophy around parenting through a combination of techniques.For more Modern Love, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Mireille Silcoff recently wrote an article for The New York Times Magazine titled “Why Gen X Women Are Having the Best Sex.” At a time of life when many women describe feeling less visible and less desirable, Silcoff said, her life instead “exploded in a detonation of sex confetti.”On this episode of Modern Love, Silcoff shares the juicy back story to her popular article, from her coming of age in Montreal to the surprising sexual resurgence she experienced after her divorce. Silcoff reflects on what it feels like to be a highly sexual person in her early 50s and tells us how being part of Gen X is central to her newfound freedom.For more Modern Love, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

When Samaiya Mushtaq was growing up, she imagined marrying a kind Muslim man, and at 21, she did. But while studying to become a psychiatrist in medical school, she realized her husband couldn't meet her emotional needs — something she deeply craved. Despite the shame she felt, she got a divorce.In this episode, Mushtaq shares the twists and turns of her unexpected second chance at love, where service is at the center. From working in health care during the pandemic to building a family to undertaking harrowing service trips to Gaza, she found what she truly needed in a marriage — only after letting go of what she thought she wanted.Samaiya Mushtaq's memoir will be published by Daybreak Press next winter.This episode was inspired by her 2023 essay, “Must We Feel Shame Over Divorce?”For more Modern Love, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday.  Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

A session with Terry Real, a marriage and family therapist, can get uncomfortable. He's known to mirror and amplify the emotions of his clients, sometimes cursing and nearly yelling, often in an attempt to get men in touch with the emotions they're not used to honoring.Real says men are often pushed to shut off their expression of vulnerability when they're young as part of the process of becoming a man. That process, he says, can lead to myriad problems in their relationships. He sees it as his job to pull them back into vulnerability and intimacy, reconfiguring their understanding of masculinity in order to build more wholesome and connected families.In this episode, Real explains why vulnerability is so essential to healthy masculinity and why his work with men feels more urgent than ever. He explains why he thinks our current models of masculinity are broken and what it will take to build new ones.This episode was inspired by a New York Times Magazine piece, “How I Learned That the Problem in My Marriage Was Me” by Daniel Oppenheimer.For more Modern Love, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Wednesday. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.