Podcasts about Modern Love

When she was growing up, the writer Lindy West was bombarded with negative messages about being fat. The whole world seemed to think she didn't deserve love unless she lost weight. In her first book, “Shrill,” West wrote about how hard it was to combat fatphobia within herself, in society and on the internet, where she was attacked by some particularly vicious trolls. By the end of the book, West had found confidence in herself. She also got married to the love of her life. Now, West is opening up about a conflict that was built into her marriage from the start: She wanted to be monogamous. Her husband, Aham, did not. To make Aham happy, West agreed that he could see other people, but she was terrified of what would happen to her self-esteem if he ever acted on it.  This week on “Modern Love,” West talks about what happened when Aham started seriously dating someone else. Once this new girlfriend entered the picture, it forced West to rethink her feelings about her marriage, and about herself. On the other side of all that tough emotional work, she was surprised to discover a new kind of joy.  Lindy West's latest book, “Adult Braces: Driving Myself Sane,” comes out March 10. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

These community questions explore the hard truths of dating, from reading mixed communication energy and knowing when someone is genuinely interested, to attachment patterns, anxiety in early dating, sex and pacing, and the biggest mistakes people make in relationships. We also unpack emotionally unavailable dynamics, what to do when someone isn't ready for a relationship but doesn't want to lose you, and how to move toward more secure, grounded love. This episode of Selfdom is brought to you by Bumble https://bumble.com Where Women Make the First Move  Connect with us:  Follow Selfdom on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/selfdom__ Follow Dom Elissa on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dominiquelissa Follow Margarita Nazarenko on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/margarita.nazarenko/ Shop Selfdom:  Gratitude journals + more: https://selfdom.au For partnership inquiries: hello@selfdom.info Produced by Talkback Media: info@talkbackmedia.com.au

In this episode of The Marvyn Harrison Podcast, we unpack one uncomfortable question: is the internet killing love? From religion and existential doubt to seasonal depression, trauma bonding, toxic relationship dynamics, and the rise of online healing culture, this conversation goes deep into how modern life is reshaping intimacy.We explore:Why social media amplifies heartbreakThe difference between passion and trauma bondingWhether peace is the same as silenceThe mental health impact of winter and isolationWhy so many people feel disconnected despite being constantly onlineWhether faith still offers structure in a chaotic worldHow masculinity and femininity narratives are shiftingThis isn't surface-level relationship advice. It's a real conversation about connection, loneliness, identity, healing, and responsibility in modern culture.TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Do You Actually Believe in God? 05:12 — Leaving Religion Without Losing Meaning 12:40 — The Existential Void After Faith 18:03 — Who Do You Call When You're Not Okay? 22:45 — Peace vs Quiet: The Big Misunderstanding 27:52 — Is The Internet Designed To Break Relationships? 31:49 — Love Or Emotional Addiction? 35:01 — Trauma Bonding Explained 42:30 — Are We Addicted To Being Broken? 50:18 — The Attention Economy & Pain 58:44 — Therapy, AI & Healing Culture 01:07:11 — Seeing Your Parents As Humans 01:16:20 — Masculinity, Accountability & Modern Love 01:24:55 — Choosing Love Instead Of Needing ItWelcome to The Marvyn Harrison Podcast — a story-driven conversation exploring identity, fatherhood, masculinity, relationships, culture, politics, sport, and modern life.In each episode, Marvyn Harrison sits down with leading thinkers, creatives, athletes, policymakers, and cultural voices to unpack the defining moments that shaped them. Through image prompts, structured storytelling, and revealing game segments, guests explore pivotal memories, career turning points, personal struggles, and the beliefs that guide their decisions today.Expect honest discussions on mental health, family dynamics, leadership, equity, ambition, resilience, and the realities of navigating success in Britain and beyond.This is a podcast about clarity, where lived experience meets sharp cultural insight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Helena de Groot was a child, she pictured an exciting future for herself: living in a big city, getting an apartment with lots of plants, having a creative job and going dancing on the weekends. She never saw becoming a mother as part of that future. When people asked, she told them she didn't want children. As she grew up, got married and watched her friends become parents, she stood by that decision. But, deep down, she had doubts. The question of whether she was making the right decision for the right reasons consumed Helena's thinking, and had profound implications for her life and marriage. This week on the “Modern Love” podcast, she discusses how she navigated uncertainty, how it changed her life and how she imagined her future. Helena de Groot's podcast about her experience, “Creation Myth,” is available from the CBC.  How to submit a Modern Love Essay to the New York Times How to submit a Tiny Love Story Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonya Lester, LCSW, is the author of Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself and a Brooklyn-based psychotherapist and writer known for her work with relationships and communication. Her essay “Couples Therapist, Heal Thyself” was published in the Modern Love column in The New York Times, and she has been writing the popular Staying Sane Inside Insanity blog for Psychology Today since 2020. She has been featured as an expert in The Guardian, Newsweek, Well+Good, HuffPo, Fatherly, and the Bumble site The Buzz.   Here she and Dawson cover:   Conflict aversion  Assertiveness Jealousy  Question: “Where do I have resentment and the other person would be surprised?” Value of a script Reciprocity, reliability, and communication  Should partners do therapy together or separately? We don't need to process absolutely everything, we can let some things go Core vulnerabilities: incompetence, unloveable, unworthy Noticing where you overreact A “dread list” of things  If your emotions are getting above a 5, take a break Speaking for your feelings not from your feelings Reframe conflict from what divides us to what brings us closer    For more information about Tonya and her work: https://www.tonyalester.com/   Find host Dr. Dawson Church at: http://dawsongift.com/   To purchase Dawson's latest book, Spiritual Intelligence:  https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Intelligence-Activating-Circuits-Awakened/dp/160415294X/   #mindtomatter #blissbrain #spiritualintelligence #eft #meditation #highenergyhealth #sq #relationships #communication   

Julia Stoller loved her dad. But she never wanted to be him. He was a rule follower, he was so serious, and he was so straight. Then, when Julia was in her 20s, she got a phone call that completely changed her idea of who her father was. And as he opened up to her, sharing secrets he had been holding onto for decades, she was finally able to open up to him, too.This week on “Modern Love,” Anna talks to Julia about what happened when she had to get to know a whole new version of her dad, and what she learned about herself in the process.You can read Julia's original story in the Modern Love column.We Want to Hear From YouEmail us at modernlovepodcast@nytimes.com. Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay. Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Joy Behar and Sara Haines sit down with executive producer Brian Teta to talk about Alyssa's new baby boy and what it will be like with guest co-hosts at the table. They also talk about the passing of actor Robert Duvall and why “The Godfather” is one of their all-time favorite movies. Sara and Joy also delve out some relationship advice and talk about who should make the first move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Virginia DeLuca is a writer and psychotherapist. She's the author of the award-winning novel, As If Women Mattered. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Modern Love, The Boston Globe, Vulture, The Huffington Post, the Iowa Review, and The Writer. Virginia's also a graduate of GrubStreet's 2020 Memoir Incubator.Her most recent book is If You Must Go, I Wish You Triplets, a candid, funny, and emotionally rich memoir about her divorce and reinvention in her 60s. She published this debut memoir at 72, proving it's never too late to tell your story. I've read If You Must Go, I Wish You Triplets, and found it to be inspiring, particularly regarding not giving up despite numerous challenges in your personal life. Virginia's book will resonate with readers who may be navigating heartbreak, identity shifts, and the complicated freedom that comes with starting over. Virginia believes emotional resilience is built through humor and friendship, both of which are well expressed in her book.

Most people don't fall out of love… they fall out of awareness.In Part 2 with Adam Roa (poet, speaker, and coach), we get into what actually makes relationships go numb, why “space” can be healthy, how shame quietly hijacks connection, and why a lot of men learned that opening up comes with a cost.And women, this one matters too. Understanding the male experience doesn't excuse bad behavior, but it explains a lot of what you're seeing.We talk relationship seasons, taking space vs. avoidance, shame as a hidden killer, why men shut down after vulnerability gets used against them, the “boss babe” conversation nobody can have calmly, and how we've started outsourcing relationship decisions to friends… and now AI. Adam also shares the story behind one of his poems—then performs it.Subscribe for more conversations on relationship psychology, love, masculinity, and human behavior.⸻Adam Roa Social Media:InstagramCrazy LoveWebsiteSacred Thomas Social Media:TikTokInstagramFacebookTwitter LinkedInWebsiteYoutube

As we approach Valentine's Day, we're taking stock in the meaning of romance. It means different things for different people from small acts of care to grand romantic gestures. Anna Martin, the host of the New York Times' podcast "Modern Love," shares the most romantic stories she's featured on the show. Plus, listeners share the most romantic things someone has done for them.Photo: Syced via Wikimedia Commons

Recently, the “Modern Love” team asked you to share stories about the most romantic things that have ever happened to you. What struck us about your stories was how frequently romance was found in quiet, everyday actions: rubbing your loved one's feet, paying the bill, changing a flat tire, eating dinner together on the porch. This week, in celebration of Valentine's Day, we hear stories that remind us all how simple love can be. Then, we speak to the king and queen of Valentine's Day. For 30 years, Lonnie Anderson has made giant, over-the-top valentines for his wife, Anne Bolger Witherspoon, and has become a local legend in Albuquerque for doing so. The two tell us why Lonnie goes to the extraordinary lengths he does, and what it feels like for Anne to receive these extravagant, very public valentines. Find photos of Lonnie's valentines here.How to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York TimesHow to submit a Tiny Love Story Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever found yourself caught in a whirlwind of infatuation, unable to discern between love and obsession? In this conversation, Dr. Alexandra and journalist and author Amanda McCracken discuss limerence, a state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person, typically characterized by a strong desire for reciprocation of one's feelings. Drawing from her compelling new book, When Longing Becomes Your Lover, Amanda shares her personal journey through the complexities of limerence, shedding light on how modern dating practices and social media amplify this intense emotional state. Beyond the macro/cultural factors, you will hear about the individual risk factors that can lead to patterns of limerence, such as painful early experiences and certain neuro-wirings/diagnoses, like ADHD and autism. You will also hear about how Amanda approached healing from her limerent patterns and opened herself up to a healthy, reciprocal intimate partnership.Resources worth mentioning from the episode:When Longing Becomes Your Lover: Breaking from Infatuation, Rejection, and Perfectionism to Find Authentic Love: A True Story of Overcoming Limerence by Amanda McCracken https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-longing-becomes-your-lover-breaking-from-infatuation-rejection-and-perfectionism-to-find-authentic-love-a-true-story-of-overcoming-limerence-a/ef0e30a5bd30e10b?aid=116429&ean=9781546008538&listref=2026-most-anticipated-memoirs-and-essay-collections&next=tLearn more about Amanda McCracken: https://www.amandajmccracken.com/Follow Amanda McCracken on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelonginglabListen to The Longing Lab Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-longing-lab/id1606581375Dr. Tom Bellamy's Living With Limerence: https://livingwithlimerence.com/about/Reimagining Love episode Crushes, First Love, and Heartbreak: Supporting Teens Through Relationship Milestones with Lisa A. Phillips https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crushes-first-love-and-heartbreak-supporting-teens/id1588419386?i=1000704425459&l=ruContinue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274Access Resources, like quizzes and courses: https://www.dralexandrasolomon.com/resourcesOrder Dr. Alexandra's book, Love Every Day: https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-every-day-365-relational-self-awareness-practices-to-help-your-relationship-heal-grow-and-thrive-alexandra-solomon/19970421?ean=9781683736530Cultivate connection by subscribing to Dr. Alexandra's Loving Bravely newsletter: https://newsletter.dralexandrasolomon.com/Learn more on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alexandra.solomon/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Please note: this episode contains explicit descriptions of sex.Jennette McCurdy pretty much grew up in front of an audience. In her role on the Nickelodeon show “iCarly,” she seemed like a bubbly, happy teenager. Behind the scenes, though, she was struggling. In her 2022 memoir, “I'm Glad My Mom Died,” McCurdy described her toxic and often abusive relationship with her mother, her struggles with depression and disordered eating, and the painful work she did to build herself back up. The book was a New York Times bestseller for over 80 weeks. McCurdy has a new book out, and this time, she's written a novel. “Half His Age” tells the story of an intimate relationship between a 17-year-old girl named Waldo and her 40-year-old teacher, Mr. Korgy. This week on “Modern Love,” McCurdy explains how some of her own experiences inspired the story in “Half His Age,” and how writing the book allowed her to work through her rage, understand her desire and reclaim her power. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonya Lester, LCSW, is the author of Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself and a Brooklyn-based psychotherapist and writer. Her essay, "Couples Therapist, Heal Thyself" was published in the Modern Love column in The New York Times, and she has been writing the popular Staying Sane Inside Insanity blog for Psychology Today since 2020. Tonya is a well known couples therapist, so it's particularly juicy and important that we're going to talk about struggles Tonya faced in her own marriage, and how she and her husband worked through them in couples therapy. Here's some of what we talked about: The conflict that landed them in couples therapy Being challenged by their couples therapist How Tonya and her husband changed their pattern The difference between a deal-breaker issue and a grappling issue Tonya's thoughts on secure attachment and attachment bonds How her own work as a couples therapist changed after being a client Show notes at https://anniezam.com/podcast/255  

Fluent Fiction - Hungarian: From Messages to Magic: Árpád and Ilona's Budapest Meeting Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hu/episode/2026-02-01-23-34-02-hu Story Transcript:Hu: A kávézó ablaka mellett ült Árpád, de nem a kinti látvány kötötte le figyelmét.En: Árpád was sitting by the window of the kávézó, but it wasn't the outside view that held his attention.Hu: Előtte az asztalon két csésze gőzölgő kávé állt.En: In front of him on the table were two cups of steaming coffee.Hu: A meleg ital illata keveredett a frissen sült pogácsa illatával, ami a pult mögül áradt.En: The aroma of the warm drink mixed with the scent of freshly baked pogácsa, wafting from behind the counter.Hu: Odakint hópelyhek szállingóztak csendesen, Budapest utcái békés forgatagban álltak.En: Outside, snowflakes were gently falling, and Budapest's streets stood in a peaceful bustle.Hu: Árpád izgatottan várta, hogy találkozhasson Ilonával.En: Árpád was eagerly waiting to meet Ilona.Hu: Online már hosszú ideje beszélgettek.En: They had been chatting online for a long time.Hu: Most végre eljött a nap, hogy személyesen is megismerhessék egymást.En: Now the day had finally come for them to meet each other in person.Hu: Az étterem hangulata megnyugtató volt, a halk zene és a halk beszélgetés zsongása körülölelte őt.En: The atmosphere of the étterem was soothing; the soft music and the quiet murmur of conversations surrounded him.Hu: De Árpád gyomrában gyenge remegés árulkodott idegességéről.En: Yet a slight tremor in Árpád's stomach betrayed his nervousness.Hu: "Bence, szerinted bírni fogom?En: "Bence, do you think I'll manage?"Hu: " kérdezte Árpád halkan.En: Árpád asked softly.Hu: Mellette ült barátja, Bence, aki azért kísérte el őt, hogy támogatást nyújtson ezekben a feszült pillanatokban.En: His friend, Bence, sat beside him, having accompanied him to offer support during these tense moments.Hu: "Ne aggódj.En: "Don't worry.Hu: Légy csak önmagad" – mondta Bence mosolyogva.En: Just be yourself," Bence said with a smile.Hu: "Ilonával már most ismeritek egymást.En: "You and Ilona already know each other.Hu: Csak hagyd, hogy minden a maga útján menjen.En: Just let things take their course."Hu: "Árpád bólintott.En: Árpád nodded.Hu: Még egy pillantást vetett a kinti hóesésre, majd visszafordult a kávézó bejárata felé.En: He took another glance at the snowfall outside, then turned back toward the kávézó entrance.Hu: És akkor belépett Ilona.En: And then Ilona entered.Hu: Rögtön felismerték egymást, még a távolból is.En: They recognized each other immediately, even from a distance.Hu: Szívritmusát érezte a torkában, amikor Ilona mosolyogva odalépett hozzá.En: He felt his heartbeat in his throat as Ilona approached him with a smile.Hu: "Szia, Árpád!En: "Hi, Árpád!"Hu: " köszönt Ilona, hangja lágy volt és barátságos.En: greeted Ilona, her voice soft and friendly.Hu: "Szia, Ilona" – mondta Árpád, kezét tördelve.En: "Hi, Ilona," Árpád said, nervously wringing his hands.Hu: Felállt, és kezet nyújtott neki.En: He stood up and extended his hand to her.Hu: A pillanat furcsa volt, mégis bensőséges.En: The moment was strange yet intimate.Hu: Leültek.En: They sat down.Hu: A kezdeti zavar után Ilona még több mosolygó szót ejtett el, amitől Árpád feszültsége oszlani kezdett.En: After the initial awkwardness, Ilona offered more smiling words, which started to ease Árpád's tension.Hu: Beszélgettek a közös tapasztalataikról, terveikről, és hamarosan egyre inkább felszabadultá vált a légkör közöttük.En: They talked about their shared experiences, their plans, and soon the atmosphere between them became increasingly relaxed.Hu: Árpád érezte, ahogy önbizalma lassan visszatér.En: Árpád felt his confidence gradually returning.Hu: Végül összeszedte bátorságát, és így szólt: "Ilona, őszinte akarok lenni.En: Finally, he gathered his courage and said, "Ilona, I want to be honest.Hu: Kicsit féltem, hogy nem lesz ugyanolyan közöttünk élőben, mint online.En: I was a bit afraid that things wouldn't be the same between us in person as they were online."Hu: "Ilona megérintette Árpád kezét az asztalon.En: Ilona touched Árpád's hand on the table.Hu: "Szerintem csodálatos, hogy őszinte vagy.En: "I think it's wonderful that you're honest.Hu: És ugyanolyan jól érzem magam veled most, mint amikor írtunk egymásnak.En: And I feel just as good with you now as when we were writing to each other."Hu: "A szavai megnyugtatták Árpádot.En: Her words reassured Árpád.Hu: Az órák gyorsan teltek, a beszélgetés meghitté és természetessé vált.En: The hours passed quickly, and the conversation became intimate and natural.Hu: A kávézó zaja elhalkult az idő múlásával, ahogy Árpád és Ilona egymásra koncentráltak.En: The noise of the kávézó faded over time as Árpád and Ilona focused on each other.Hu: Végül, mikor elbúcsúztak, Árpád egy újfajta biztonságot érzett.En: Eventually, as they said goodbye, Árpád felt a new kind of security.Hu: Tudta, hogy az utazásuk nem ér itt véget, hanem most kezdődik igazán.En: He knew that their journey didn't end here, but was truly beginning now.Hu: Már nem aggódott, hanem örült mindannak, ami előttük áll.En: He was no longer worried, but rather excited about everything that lay ahead.Hu: Ilona búcsúcsókot nyomott Árpád arcára, és azt mondta: "Szeretném, ha minden nap így lenne.En: Ilona gave Árpád a farewell kiss on the cheek and said, "I wish every day could be like this."Hu: ""Én is" – mosolygott vissza Árpád, miközben nézte, ahogy Ilona a hóesésben sétál el.En: "So do I," Árpád smiled back, watching Ilona walk away in the snowfall.Hu: Szíve tele volt reménnyel és boldogsággal.En: His heart was filled with hope and happiness.Hu: A kávézó meleg fényeiben állva Árpád megértette, hogy az igazi kapcsolat a bátorsággal és őszinteséggel kezdődik.En: Standing in the warm lights of the kávézó, Árpád understood that true connection begins with courage and honesty.Hu: Ebben a téli délutánban Budapest szívében egy új fejezet kezdődött számukra, és ő készen állt mindenre, amit a jövő tartogat.En: On this winter afternoon in the heart of Budapest, a new chapter began for them, and he was ready for whatever the future held.Hu: Ahogy Árpád elindult Bence mellett az ajtó felé, valahogy már nem érezte olyan hidegnek a téli napot.En: As Árpád started toward the door beside Bence, somehow the winter day didn't feel so cold anymore.Hu: A hóesés szép volt, a szeretet pedig melegítette belülről.En: The snowfall was beautiful, and love warmed him from the inside. Vocabulary Words:steaming: gőzölgőaroma: illatasnowflakes: hópelyhekeagerly: izgatottansoothing: megnyugtatótremor: remegésmurmur: zsongásaccompanied: kísértereassured: megnyugtattákintimate: bensőségesconfident: önbizalmacourage: bátorságfarewell: búcsúgathered: összeszedtegradually: lassanfocused: koncentráltakfilled: teleheld: tartogatgently: csendesenordinary: mindennapitension: feszültségeawkwardness: zavarreturned: visszatértgathered: összeszedteincreasingly: egyre inkábbbetrayed: árulkodottrelaxed: felszabadultexperiences: tapasztalataikrólhonesty: őszinteséggelovercome: elnyert

Is there really such a thing as a bad date?

When Jordan Carlos looks back on the role he was playing in his family a few years ago, he does not like what he sees. He was bringing home a good salary as a comedian, but doing only the bare minimum as a husband and a dad. When Jordan did show up at home, he was more likely to take the kids out for an all-day candy binge than to take them to the dentist or to tuck them in by bedtime.But Jordan got a painful wake-up call when the pandemic hit and his work came to a halt. Home all the time, Jordan looked around and noticed that nobody seemed to need, or expect, any help from him. And his marriage was in serious trouble.This week on “Modern Love,” Jordan explains how he let things get so bad in the first place, and how day by day, chore by chore, he started to take responsibility for all the little things that actually mean a lot.Jordan's book, “Choreplay: The Marriage-Saving Magic of Getting Your Head Out of Your Ass,” comes out Feb. 10.Listener Callout: “Modern Love” wants to hear from you. What's the most romantic thing that has ever happened to you? What's the most romantic thing you've ever witnessed? If something made you feel that rush of romance, send us a voice memo by Feb. 4, and we may use it on the show. Check out our submission page to learn more. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Sam Graham-Felsen was not a tough child. He feared violence and didn't feel that he could stand up for himself when he was bullied. His fear ate away at his confidence; he was afraid to go on dates, afraid to try hard in school. As an adult, he thought he had moved past those fears. But then he started to notice some of those same tendencies in his young son. Sam wanted to change that, so he took his son on a cross-country road trip to Badlands National Park, in search of what Theodore Roosevelt called “the strenuous life.” Along the way, he found himself wrestling with what it means to be a good man, and to raise a good man.This week on “Modern Love,” Sam explains what happened, and how his son changed his own ideas about what it means to be tough.You can read Sam's original story in The New York Times Magazine.“Modern Love” wants to hear from you. What's the most romantic thing that has ever happened to you? What's the most romantic thing you've ever witnessed? If something made you feel that rush of romance, send us a voice memo, and we may use it on the show. Check out our submission page to learn more.How to submit a Modern Love Essay to the New York TimesHow to submit a Tiny Love Story Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Dr. Wendy Walsh explores the concept of time and how our perception of it changes as we age. She delves into the psychology behind why time seems to speed up or slow down, citing research on how our brains process different senses and experiences. Dr. Walsh also discusses the importance of mindfulness and meditation in slowing down time, sharing her personal experience with meditation and offering tips for beginners. Additionally, she touches on the topic of loneliness and the challenges of modern dating, setting the stage for a discussion on strategies for finding meaningful relationships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Belle Burden was living the kind of life most can only dream of. Born into a wealthy New York family, she married a dashing attorney who had swept her off her feet. The couple had a beautiful apartment in Manhattan, a summer house on Martha's Vineyard, three children, and what Belle thought was a happy marriage.Then, after 20 years, with no warning, her husband told her he wanted a divorce. Belle remembers him saying, “You can have custody of the kids, you can have the house and the apartment. I don't want any part of this life anymore.” In a moment, he became a stranger to her.As Belle tried to understand the disintegration of her marriage, she made a decision that surprised people close to her: she shared her story with the world. In 2023, she published a Modern Love essay about her experience. Her new book, “Strangers: a Memoir of Marriage,” reveals more of her story.On today's episode, Belle Burden talks about the abrupt and difficult end to her marriage, and how that led her to the start of a new life.How to submit a Modern Love Essay to the New York TimesHow to submit a Tiny Love Story  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

link Трек-лист: 01. David Bowie — Modern Love 02. Dee-Lite — Groove Is in the Heart 03. Utah Saints — Something Good ’08 04. Keane — Under Pressure 05. Tiga & Zyntherius — Sunglasses At Night 06. Electric Six — Danger! High Voltage 07. The Cranberries — Salvation 08. Italian Secret Service — Smells Like … Продолжить чтение Lofstrom loop 429 (10.01.2026)

Do you think you could be having better sex? Are you confident you know what really turns you on? What makes your body feel good? How do you communicate about it? Nicole McNichols wants everyone to be asking these questions.Dr. McNichols is a psychology professor at the University of Washington, where she teaches a class on human sexuality to over 4,000 students a year. She has immersed herself in decades of research on what makes a good, fulfilling sex life — and she has the data to back it up. Her new book, “You Could Be Having Better Sex,” is full of practical tips, backed by science, on how to have truly fulfilling sex.On this week's episode of “Modern Love,” Dr. McNichols explains the most common misunderstandings people have about sex and shares practical advice for how to level up your sex life.What's the most romantic thing that has ever happened to you? What's the most romantic thing you've ever seen? If something made you feel that rush of romance, send us a voice memo, and we may use it on the show. Check out our submission page to learn more.How to submit a Modern Love Essay to the New York TimesHow to submit a Tiny Love Story Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Just how are you going to pass the time on Christmas Day after you've got the roast in the oven (at low temp, of course) and you've finished your obligatory annual screening of Die Hard? How about a special Christmas Day edition of the Three Whisky Happy Hour! Lucretia took time out from the kitchen to host this ad-free episode which features a discussion of the law governing religious symbols on public property, and why they are NOT violations of the Estasblishment Clause of the First Amendment (the phrase "separation of church and state" is not even hiding in any of the emanantions an punumbras of the Constitution, so don't even look). Discussion also turned to wondering why liberals are increasingly hostile to religion—especially Christianity—and Steve offers his theory that the decline of patriotism among liberals, which also shows up in opinion survey data, is connected to the decline of religion among liberals, too. (He gave the full analysis of the matter in this Substack post a few months ago. One sentence summary: politics, the substitute diety for the left, isn't going well for them right now, which makes them angry.) And did you know that Christmas itself is now a"far right" plot? That's what Politico thinks. (Yes, we know: "Politico thinks" is an oxymoron.)We manage to get in some good holiday cheer, such as mocking John's total ignorance of "throuples" *the latest thing for the "Modern Love" section of the NY Times) and we manage to get in our obligatory reference to—wait for it!—the Clean Air Act, and Sydney Sweeney. Because it's Christmas!We'll be back sometime over the weekend with a regular episode in which we review the most significqnt events of 2025, and offer predictions for 2026.

This emotional interview with the actor Andrew Garfield is a listener favorite. In it, Garfield talks about his 2024 film “We Live in Time,” in which he plays a newly divorced man named Tobias who falls in love with a chef named Almut, played by Florence Pugh. Their story feels epic and expansive, but still intimate. It focuses on the small, everyday moments that make up a love story: washing dishes together after a dinner party, sharing biscuits, smelling fruit at a farmers' market. These are the moments that sustain the couple through Almut's excruciatingly difficult medical crisis.Garfield tells Anna Martin, host of “Modern Love,” why this film about the intertwined nature of joy and grief came into his life at just the right moment, and gives an unexpectedly raw reading of Chris Huntington's essay “Learning to Measure Time in Love and Loss.”"Modern Love" will return on Jan. 7 with all new episodes. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

When it came time to retire, Robyn Yerian didn't feel like she had enough money saved. She didn't want to depend on her children or end up in a nursing home, so she cashed out what she had in her 401(k) and bought a plot of land in East Texas. She built spots for tiny homes and called the area the Bird's Nest. Over time, the Bird's Nest has become home to a community of women who are rethinking retirement. On this episode of “Modern Love,” Yerian and Cheryl Huff, a longtime resident of the Bird's Nest, describe what it feels like to grow older together with the support of other women, and discuss why they can't imagine doing it any other way.This episode is inspired by Lisa Miller's story in The New York Times titled, “11 Women, 9 Dogs, Not Much Drama (and No Guys).”   Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Today on Sex Advice for Seniors, I'm speaking with Dr. Tammy Nelson, a sex and relationship expert, psychotherapist, author, and host of The Trouble with Sex. Tammy joins me from Los Angeles to talk about her book Open Monogamy, a title that grabbed me immediately. We explore what “open” and “monogamy” can mean today, why relationship agreements are no longer one‑size‑fits‑all, and how couples can navigate changing needs, fantasies, jealousy, and long‑term desire with honesty, integrity, and transparency.In an era where traditional relationship models are being challenged, Dr. Tammy Nelson's concept of “open monogamy” is gaining traction. This innovative idea invites couples to explore their commitments openly, redefining what monogamy means in today's world. I'm curious to know - what does commitment mean to you?00:00 Introduction to Open Monogamy02:32 The Concept of Open Monogamy05:31 Navigating Relationship Changes08:17 Communication in Relationships11:03 Defining Monogamy and Non-Monogamy14:01 Jealousy and Relationship Dynamics16:33 The Role of Appreciation in Relationships19:35 Fantasies and Their Impact on Relationships22:26 Conclusion and Key TakeawaysYou can find Dr. Tammy Nelson here.Browse Dr. Tammy Nelson's eBooks here.Unlock even more pleasure, clarity, and confidence in your intimate life by becoming a paid subscriber. You'll gain full access to every weekly blog, the complete archive of 150+ expert-led podcasts, the private chat room for candid Q&A, and my 32‑page guide Sex Toys and Supplements for Thriving in Later Life. If you're ready to deepen your knowledge, explore new possibilities, and feel fully supported on your journey, upgrade today only £6.99/month or £49.99/year. Get full access to Sex Advice for Seniors at www.sexadviceforseniors.com/subscribe

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 2835: Alysha Jeney explores why many couples struggle with feeling secure in their relationships, regardless of how long they've been together. She explains how internal insecurities and unclear boundaries often lead people to seek external "proof" of commitment, when true relationship security comes from emotional vulnerability, self-awareness, and inner acceptance. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.modernlovecounseling.com/committed-relationship/ Quotes to ponder: "We may never really feel secure in our 'committed' relationship if we can't feel secure in exposing ourselves… flaws and all, and be accepting of them." "It is essential to have two people who are willing to be vulnerable and self aware." "Finding security and acceptance in ourselves is the ultimate level of security and this will only hold the necessary safe space for a mutually committed and fulfilling relationship to develop, grow and sustain."

This week's interview with the cofounders of SheWrites.com, Kamy Wicoff and Deborah Siegel-Acevedo, is especially touching for Brooke because these two women are where it all started. This week's interview is about why community matters as told through the histories and sensibilities of two community champions who started something that lit the literary world on fire in 2009. SheWrites back then was a little bit like Substack is today, but with small breakout groups and a lot of meet-ups happening in the real world. The feminist sensibility of SheWrites was what drew Brooke to the platform, and to Kamy and Deborah in those early days when she was a Senior and then Executive Editor at Seal Press—and this origin story is both a walk down memory lane and an inspiring episode on the enduring power of community. Kamy Wicoff is a writer, former publisher, and psychotherapist with a degree in social work. Kamy holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Columbia and is the author of several books, including the novel Wishful Thinking and the nonfiction book I Do But I Don't: Why the Way We Marry Matters, and has contributed to multiple anthologies, most recently Feminists Reclaim Mentorship: An Anthology. Kamy is the cofounder of She Writes Press. She serves as a trustee on the board of the Brooklyn Public Library and lives with her husband and their four sons in Brooklyn. Deborah Siegel-Acevedo, PhD is a Visiting Scholar in Gender & Sexuality Studies at Northwestern University and the author of Sisterhood, Interrupted and co-editor of the literary anthology Only Child. She is a regular on Chicago's “live lit” storytelling stages. Deborah's essay “My Husband, the Reluctant Barista” just appeared this past October in the Modern Love column at The New York Times. Her op-eds and essays on gender, motherhood, family, feminism, and writing have appeared in Slate, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and elsewhere. She's a TEDx speaker, a longtime coach and champion of writers, and her coaching company, Girl Meets Voice, Inc., has supported hundreds of established and emerging writers. Together, they cofounded SheWrites.com in 2009. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Trending with Timmerie Episode Guide Women opting out of casual sex. Saying goodbye to the hookup culture (2:07) Christmas gift ideas for adults and kids with a Catholic twist (21:14) How the fulfillment of Advent changed everything (28:45) Hope and the meaning of the Advent wreath (40:03) Resources mentioned: The State of Us: National Study on Modern Love & Dating in 2025, a survey conducted in partnership by DatingAdvice.com and the Kinsey Institute. https://www.datingadvice.com/studies/virginity-survey Book: “The incarnation, birth, and infancy of Jesus Christ” by St. Alphonsus Liguori https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-incarnation-birth-and-infancy-of-jesus-christ-deluxe-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOorNV5eWxEhqm64wor6jTmvWR4duz9goDxv9PtMDaEByTW-r-pqx PDF of the above book https://www.saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Alphonsus%20Maria%20de%20Liguori%20-%20Complete%20Works%20-%204%20-%20The%20Incarnation,%20Birth,%20and%20Infancy%20of%20Jesus%20Christ.pdf Christmas gift ideas - Relevant Radio Store https://relevantradio.store/ Advent/Christmas books ‘Twas the Day Before Christmas in Bethlehem Town https://amzn.to/4pFWgCZ The Wise Men Who Found Christmas https://sophiainstitute.com/product/wise-men-who-found-christmas/?srsltid=AfmBOoqbeaPvPnIgVaw3fM-g9cBe4RDr7CEQ0D0VhliSKCa55lp5WzAw Gift Ideas: Shining Light Dolls – all things Catholic kids https://shininglightdolls.com Telos Art Shop – Catholic Jewelry https://telosartshop.com/ Perfume, cologne, and more https://saltandlightbysami.com/products/perfume-sample-pack The Catholic Company https://www.catholiccompany.com My Saint My Hero – Catholic Jewelry https://mysaintmyhero.com/ House of Joppa – decor and jewelry https://www.houseofjoppa.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZepC159Ilur65Zk7tUfNQ4Rr477DSgnAn0ZCOV-3-hFzILn7vevlT7oNc_aem_5SiDeRO3YRWV4aEKoMIipg Chews Life – baby teething and shoes https://chewslife.com/ The Little Catholic https://thelittlecatholic.com The Protection We All Need - The Saint Benedict Medal and exorcism explained https://relevantradio.com/2025/11/the-protection-we-all-need/

The actor Jessie Buckley says she wasn't surprised that she got pregnant right after she finished shooting “Hamnet.” The film — starring Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Buckley as his wife, Agnes — tells the story of a couple grieving the loss of their only son. “When I was filming ‘Hamnet,' I deeply wanted to become a mother,” Buckley says. “And it was such a gift to move through this woman and her motherhood and her love and her loss before I became a mother myself.”On this episode of “Modern Love,” Buckley describes how she was able to access the vulnerability she portrayed onscreen. And she talks about how her life has changed since having her own child. Plus, she reads the Modern Love essay “The Wrong Kind of Inheritance” by Victoria Dougherty.How to submit a Modern Love Essay to The New York Times.How to submit a Tiny Love Story. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Recorded live at the CORE Club, Zibby interviews Sunday Times bestselling author Emma Gannon about her novel TABLE FOR ONE, a warm and witty story about what it means to be happily alone, not lonely. The two discuss Emma's winding career path, from early blogging days to a hit Substack and bestselling books. Emma opens up about the joy and necessity of creative solitude, the real-life sparks behind her characters, and how burnout led her to rethink her life, work, and writing. She also shares an inside look at her upcoming memoir, A YEAR OF NOTHING, and her decision to publish it independently. Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for listening guides and more. **(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world where age gaps still raise eyebrows, Helani and Kartik's love story is proof that when emotional intelligence leads, love expands beyond every expectation. In this episode, we explore how a simple DM turned into a soulmate-level connection. one built on honesty, respect, and deeply aligned values.You'll hear how Kartik's emotional awareness, shaped by his upbringing and artistic background, allowed him to approach Helani with clarity, maturity, and genuine admiration. And how Helani, a powerful woman and mother, felt seen, honored, and safe from the very beginning.From their first seven-hour “non-date date” to dissolving stereotypes about what love should look like, their story reminds us that real connection isn't dictated by age, it's driven by authenticity, communication, and emotional depth.What We Cover:How Kartik slid into Helani's DMs with emotional clarity (and zero games)Navigating the age conversation with curiosity, not judgmentWhy emotional intelligence became the backbone of their connectionHow growing up around strong women shaped Kartik's relational awarenessThe moment Helani knew he was differentBreaking stereotypes around age, motherhood, and modern datingWhat actually matters when you meet your soulmateTakeaways:Love expands when you stop performing for societal expectations and start honoring the truth of what you feel. Emotional intelligence, clear communication, and mutual respect can bridge even the widest gaps.Connect w/ the couple:Helani's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helanisarathkumara/Kartik's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kartikkuna/Join UNION: The AI-powered relationship wellness platform for aligned love & thriving partnerships. Whether you're single looking to attract an energetic match or a couple looking to transcend patterns into conscious love, join us as we revolutionize modern love. Follow Sana on Social:https://www.instagram.com/sanaakhandhttps://www.tiktok.com@sanaakhandhttps://www.youtube.com/@sanaakhandSEO Keywords:Age Gap Relationship, Emotional Intelligence, Dating Advice, Modern Love, Soulmate Connection, Relationship Growth, Clear Communication, Authentic Love, Thriving in Love Podcast.

On this episode of Trending with Timmerie Episode Guide Women opting out of casual sex. Saying goodbye to the hookup culture (2:07) Christmas gift ideas for adults and kids with a Catholic twist (21:14) How the fulfillment of Advent changed everything (28:45) Hope and the meaning of the Advent wreath (40:03) Resources mentioned: The State of Us: National Study on Modern Love & Dating in 2025, a survey conducted in partnership by DatingAdvice.com and the Kinsey Institute. https://www.datingadvice.com/studies/virginity-survey Book: “The incarnation, birth, and infancy of Jesus Christ” by St. Alphonsus Liguori https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-incarnation-birth-and-infancy-of-jesus-christ-deluxe-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOorNV5eWxEhqm64wor6jTmvWR4duz9goDxv9PtMDaEByTW-r-pqx PDF of the above book https://www.saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Alphonsus%20Maria%20de%20Liguori%20-%20Complete%20Works%20-%204%20-%20The%20Incarnation,%20Birth,%20and%20Infancy%20of%20Jesus%20Christ.pdf Christmas gift ideas - Relevant Radio Store https://relevantradio.store/ Advent/Christmas books ‘Twas the Day Before Christmas in Bethlehem Town https://amzn.to/4pFWgCZ The Wise Men Who Found Christmas https://sophiainstitute.com/product/wise-men-who-found-christmas/?srsltid=AfmBOoqbeaPvPnIgVaw3fM-g9cBe4RDr7CEQ0D0VhliSKCa55lp5WzAw Gift Ideas: Shining Light Dolls – all things Catholic kids https://shininglightdolls.com Telos Art Shop – Catholic Jewelry https://telosartshop.com/ Perfume cologne and more https://saltandlightbysami.com/products/perfume-sample-pack The Catholic Company https://www.catholiccompany.com My Saint My Hero – Catholic Jewelry https://mysaintmyhero.com/ House of Joppa – decor and jewelry https://www.houseofjoppa.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZepC159Ilur65Zk7tUfNQ4Rr477DSgnAn0ZCOV-3-hFzILn7vevlT7oNc_aem_5SiDeRO3YRWV4aEKoMIipg Chews Life – baby teething and shoes https://chewslife.com/ The Little Catholic https://thelittlecatholic.com The Protection We All Need - The Saint Benedict Medal and exorcism explained https://relevantradio.com/2025/11/the-protection-we-all-need/

Heather's brother and grandfather died in a tragic drowning accident when she was 12 and from that day, she began looking for a way to commune with what lies beyond. The quest has taken the Stella award winning writer to Buddhist monasteries, Native American dance rituals and sweat lodges, and to the discipline of writing.And Heather has had an intuitive sense of life's mystery ever since she was a little girl growing up near the ancient forests and wild beaches of Tasmania.Heather's novels include The Museum of Modern Love and the best-selling thriller Bruny and Sarah spoke with Heather in 2022 after the publication of her memoir, Nothing Bad Ever Happens Here.This episode of Conversations was produced by Alice Moldovan, the Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.It covers, grief, death, drowning, family, Tasmania, writing, Buddhism, memoir, Native American Dance rituals, therapy, nature, the mystery of life, arthritis, chronic illness.

KEXP DJ Sean joins host Evie Stokes to talk about one of his favorite tracks of the year: Elaine Howley’s "Hold Me In A New Way,” described by some as the perfect music for insomniacs and romancers — out now on Modern Love. Hosted by Evie Stokes Produced by Lilly Ana Fowler Mastered by: William Myers Production support: Serafima Healy Associate Director of Editorial: Dusty Henry Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube. Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones Contact us at headphones@kexp.org.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holiday season is upon us. It's a wonderful time, but if we're being honest, it's also a little stressful. Whether you're worried about hosting a big family gathering, talking with cousins who have very different perspectives on politics or awkward questions from prying aunts, the holidays are full of complicated relationship dynamics. On this episode of “Modern Love,” Nedra Glover Tawwab, a therapist, responds to questions from listeners about making the holidays just a bit more tolerable. Tawwab is the author of “Drama Free,” a guide to having better relationships with family, and the forthcoming book “The Balancing Act,” which is all about creating healthy dependency within relationships. She tells us why Black Friday is her practice's busiest day of the year, and how we can all take control of our own holiday experience.  How to submit a Modern Love Essay to the New York TimesHow to submit a Tiny Love Story Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Episode 145 sits down with Daniel Cady, Grant Shulkin and Jacob Sherman of Taproom Beer Co. in North Park, San Diego. The conversation traces their personal journeys from homebrewing and front‑of‑house jobs into professional roles, explores the brewery's passion for wet‑hop/fresh‑hop beers (including their GABF bronze), and highlights signature pours like Jagged Hedge, Church of Chill and Modern Love. Topics include brewing and sales paths, festival success (Yakima/Fresh Hop accolades), recipe and label stories, collaborations and distribution, plus why Taproom's lineup and neighborhood vibe are worth a visit. Expect tasting notes, behind‑the‑scenes anecdotes, and quick hits about beer culture, community and upcoming Taproom events.

According to Ramit Sethi, a personal finance author and coach, a lot of couples get stuck bickering about everyday purchases. If you're hung up on what's in the cart at Target, or who's buying too many iced teas on the way to work, Sethi says you're missing the bigger picture, and a chance to live what he calls a truly “rich life” together. Sethi is the author of “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” and “Money for Couples.” He has a podcast, also called “Money for Couples,” and was host of the Netflix show “How to Get Rich.” On this episode of Modern Love, Sethi fields questions from listeners who want to have more constructive, and less tense, money conversations. He also explains how a little curiosity and compassion can help couples through emotional processes like merging their financial lives, disclosing their debts, and mapping out their dreams for a shared future. Read four takeaways from the episode here. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

How do you love without losing yourself? Tonya Lester, is the author of Push Back: Live, Love, and Work with Others Without Losing Yourself and a Brooklyn-based psychotherapist and writer known for her work with relationships and communication. Her essay “Couples Therapist, Heal Thyself” was published in the Modern Love column in The New York Times, and she has been writing the popular Staying Sane Inside Insanity blog for Psychology Today since 2020.In this episode of Last First Date Radio:• Why so many women have trouble asserting themselves in their relationships• Why it's sometimes good to be “difficult" in your relationship• How perfectionism isn't about excellence, it's about anxiety• How to tell if we should keep pushing back or if it is time to leave a relationship• Why it's important to stop saying, “But I shouldn't have to tell him!”  Connect with Tonya LesterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonya.lester.58/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyalesterpsychotherapy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-lester-b9a3ab14/   Website: http://www.TonyaLester.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/Push-Back-Others-Without-Yourself/dp/1608689468►Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts http://bit.ly/lastfirstdateradio ►If you're feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to find your last first date, sign up for a complimentary 45-minute breakthrough session with Sandy https://lastfirstdate.com/application ►Join Your Last First Date on Facebook https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate ►Get Sandy's books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love https://bit.ly/womanofvaluebook , Choice Points in Dating https://amzn.to/3jTFQe9 and Love at Last https://amzn.to/4erpj7C ►Get FREE coaching on the podcast! https://bit.ly/LFDradiocoaching ►FREE download: “Top 10 Reasons Why Men Suddenly Pull Away” http://bit.ly/whymendisappear ►Group Coaching: https://lastfirstdate.com/the-woman-of-value-club/ ►Website → https://lastfirstdate.com/ ► Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lastfirstdate1/ ►Get Amazon Music Unlimited FREE for 30 days at https://getamazonmusic.com/lastfirstdate  

Janene Lin loathed the moment when the dinner bill would hit the table. When her date would pay, she felt like her love was for sale. Splitting the bill felt like no one had anything at stake. Most of the time, she would pay the bill herself, but that left her feeling uncared-for. So Janene prepared a pitch: On her next date, her third with a man named Aodhán, she would ask to open a joint bank account.On this episode of Modern Love, Lin tells our host, Anna Martin, why this risky move felt like the best solution, how Aodhán reacted and what it taught her about what money means to her and her family.This episode is adapted from Janene Lin's essay The Woman Who Always Paid for Dinner.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. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Andrea Gibson was the poet laureate of Colorado and a giant of the spoken word poetry scene. This past July, Gibson died of ovarian cancer, leaving behind their devoted fans, friends, family and longtime partner, the poet Megan Falley.For the last year of Gibson's life, a film crew followed Andrea and Megan as they navigated countless treatments and moments of triumph. In the darkest of times, their connection grew. Their deeply moving love story is the focus of a new documentary, “Come See Me in the Good Light.”On today's episode of Modern Love, Megan Falley talks with our host Anna Martin about falling in love with Andrea Gibson and loving them through their cancer diagnosis and eventual death. Falley reckons with what it's like to be a 37-year-old widow, and how despite Andrea being gone, they are very much still with her.The song Megan talks about in this episode is called “Hold Down The Fort.”Megan Falley's newsletter is called “Things That Don't Suck.”Here's how to submit a Modern Love Essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story.Listener call-out: Thanksgiving with family can be tough. We want to help. The Modern Love team wants to hear your questions about navigating tricky family situations over the holiday, and we'll try to find answers for you. Find out how to submit your voice memo here Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Not everything you see online is actually meant for you, we're talking online boundaries!! Plus, we dive into what it really means to share (or not share) your relationship online. From “hey girl” DMs to moving in together, we talk about the pros, cons, and triggers of public vs. private love. Plus, we unpack Kim Kardashian’s viral podcast interview, Keith Urban's final show, Megan Moroney's new era, and a famous couple kept their relationship secret for 16 years. Follow Morgan M: @morganmassengill Follow Morgan H: @webgirlmorgan Follow Take This Personally: @takethispersonallySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Natasha Cloud is a powerhouse. The New York Liberty point guard seems to have it all: a successful W.N.B.A. career, fierce confidence and a loving relationship with her girlfriend and teammate, Isabelle Harrison. On and off the court, Cloud radiates self-assurance and seems to know exactly who she is, but that sense of self was hard-won.In a conversation with “Modern Love” podcast host Anna Martin, Cloud talked about growing up as the only mixed-race child in a white family, and how one conversation with her mother shifted everything she thought she knew about herself. She discussed finding her identity in college, her family's love and acceptance for the “new Tash,” and why professional pressure led her to publicly identify as bisexual even though she knew the label didn't feel right.Listener call out: The Modern Love team wants to know how differences over money are straining your relationship. Tell us what's going on, and we may get you some expert advice on an upcoming episode. Find out how to submit your voice memo here.Also: The Modern Love team wants to hear your questions about dealing with family during the holidays. Read our submission guidelines hereHow to submit a Modern Love Essay to the New York TimesHow to submit a Tiny Love Story Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

In cities across China, there's a special kind of consultant you can hire if you find out your spouse is cheating. They're called “mistress dispellers,” and their job is to work their way into your spouse's life, get close to their lover and convince the pair to break it off. When all goes according to plan, the cheaters end up believing it was their idea to end the affair.In this episode of “Modern Love,” the filmmaker Elizabeth Lo tells Anna Martin what it was like to embed herself with a mistress dispeller over the course of three years. Lo explains some of the secrets to the mistress dispeller's success, and why working on the project played a role in her own breakup.Lo's documentary “Mistress Dispeller” is in select theaters today.Listener call out: The Modern Love team wants to know how differences over money are straining your relationship. Tell us what's going on, and we may get you some expert advice on an upcoming episode. Find out how to submit your voice memo here.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. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

When she was 15 years old, Malala Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban, targeted for saying that young women should have the right to an education. By the time she woke from the ensuing coma, the world had already cast her in the role of fearless activist. In the years that followed, she embraced the part, starting the Malala Fund and traveling the globe speaking truth to power. But now Malala has a new memoir out called “Finding My Way,” and she's ready to reintroduce herself. Today, she tells us about navigating ordinary life — like making friends at university, finding her personal style, going to parties and … falling in love. “Finding My Way” comes out on Oct. 21.The Modern Love team also wants to hear your questions about dealing with family during the holidays. Read our submission guidelines here. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Tessa Thompson's latest role is an infamously chaotic one: Hedda Gabler. Adapted from the classic play by Henrik Ibsen, “Hedda,” in select theaters Oct. 22, casts Thompson as a 1950s housewife who feels snubbed by an old lover and stifled in a new marriage. For Hedda, the only exit strategy is to punish those who have hurt her and then destroy herself.In this episode of Modern Love, Thompson explains why she relates to female characters like Hedda and to the desire to define life and love on one's own terms. She also reads a Modern Love essay about an unhappy marriage that helped the author find herself.Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Gail Rice, a writer and a therapist, was approaching her 70th birthday. She had given up on dating apps and hadn't had a romantic connection with anyone in years. But for her 70th, she wanted a very specific birthday present: an orgasm.So Rice decided to hire an escort. In this episode, she describes what went right, what went wrong and what she's planning for her next birthday.You can read Gail Rice's essay about hiring an escort in the newsletter “Oldster.”Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay to The New York Times.Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story.The Modern Love column is looking for “breakup lines.” If you have a memorable story about what you said when you were breaking up with someone, or what someone said to you, you can share it here. The deadline is Sunday, Oct. 5. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

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.

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.