For more than 20 years, the Modern Love column has given New York Times readers a glimpse into the complicated love lives of real people. Since its start, the column has evolved into a TV show, three books and a podcast. Each week, host Anna Martin brings you stories and conversations about love in all its glorious permutations, dumb pitfalls and life-changing moments. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. 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.
Sudden marital collapse during pregnancy leaves TV writer Lauren Bans feeling completely destabilized and incapable of managing her future. Seeking a way to reclaim her sense of agency, she discovers an unconventional remedy in escape rooms. These immersive, puzzle-based challenges provide a structured environment wher...
Dogs function as emotional safety valves, allowing humans to express unconditional love that often feels stifled in interpersonal relationships. Comedian Ramy Youssef shares his experience adopting his dog, Basha, which provided a sense of connection and confidence during a period of isolation. The essay "Opening the h...
Writing letters serves as a profound mechanism for building intimacy, sharpening creative observation, and navigating life's most challenging transitions. Isabel Allende, an iconic author, highlights how a thirty-year practice of exchanging daily letters with her mother fostered a unique, unfiltered connection that thr...
Tracy Clark-Flory recounts the discovery of a secret sister, born when her mother was a teenager and placed for adoption in the 1960s. This revelation, first shared by her mother at age 16, transformed her understanding of family history and her mother's hidden trauma. Years after her mother’s death, Clark-Flory used a...
The financial and emotional burdens of modern bridesmaid culture often strain female friendships, leading to a "bridesmaid resignation" movement. Ruhama Wolle, author of I Hope You Elope, details how the wedding industrial complex—fueled by social media and high-pressure expectations—transforms supportive roles into un...
Maintaining a long-term marriage requires intentional, evolving communication and a willingness to navigate life’s transitions as a unified team. Actor and director Elizabeth Banks, who has been married for 33 years, emphasizes that successful partnerships rely on practical collaboration, such as working together to al...
A marriage's evolution through depression and crisis is explored, focusing on how love adapts when mental health challenges become central. Stefanie Gunning recounts meeting her husband Jonathan, his openness about his depression early in their relationship, and her initial belief that love could conquer all. The conve...
The podcast explores the complexities of knowing a partner, inspired by the movie "The Drama" starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Zendaya and Pattinson discuss whether it's essential to know everything about someone before committing to marriage, revealing their differing views on boundaries and the role of the past...
This episode of Modern Love explores the unconventional relationship between Jacob Hoff, a gay man, and Samantha Greenstone, a straight woman, who are married. The conversation delves into the complexities of their bond, which they describe as a "soul tie," and how it challenges societal norms and expectations. Jacob d...
The interview explores the intersection of sex and grief, particularly for older adults, with Joan Price, a senior sex educator. Price discusses how societal "ick factor" often ignores the sexuality of aging individuals, emphasizing that old people are simply future versions of ourselves. She recounts her own journey o...
The podcast explores themes of motherhood, familial curses, and intergenerational relationships through an interview with actress Jessie Buckley. Buckley discusses her role in the movie "Hamnet," and how playing a mother on screen impacted her own journey to motherhood. She reflects on the "wildness" of her character A...
Lindy West discusses her book "Adult Braces," which explores the challenges and unexpected outcomes of opening her marriage to non-monogamy. West recounts how her husband, Aham, initially proposed the idea to avoid possessiveness, leading to a period of emotional turmoil and self-discovery. She describes her initial re...
Helena de Groot discusses her personal journey of grappling with the decision of whether or not to have children, a central theme in her podcast "Creation Myth." She recounts her initial certainty about not wanting kids, influenced by her aunt's inspiring, child-free life, and the societal pressures she faced in her ea...
The podcast explores the complexities of identity, relationships, and self-discovery through Julia Stoller's personal story. It centers on Julia's journey of understanding her bisexuality and navigating marriage, which is catalyzed by her father's revelation of being bisexual and leaving his marriage. The conversation ...
This episode of Modern Love explores the meaning of romance through listener-submitted stories and an interview with Lonnie Anderson and Anne Bolger Witherspoon, known for their elaborate Valentine's Day celebrations. The listener stories reveal romance in small, everyday gestures, such as a partner adjusting seating a...
Jennette McCurdy, actress and author of "Half His Age," discusses the novel's exploration of female rage, power, and desire through the lens of a 17-year-old girl's relationship with her 40-year-old teacher. McCurdy reveals the book was a way to process her own age-gap relationship that began when she was 18, noting th...
The podcast explores how comedian Jordan Carlos transformed his marriage by taking on more domestic responsibilities. Initially, Carlos believed his financial contributions excused him from household chores and childcare, leading to resentment from his wife. A turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic when he rea...
The podcast explores the complexities of raising a son in today's world, particularly regarding toughness, vulnerability, and societal expectations. Sam Graham-Felsen discusses his attempt to instill resilience in his sensitive eight-year-old son through a road trip to the Badlands, inspired by Teddy Roosevelt's strenu...
Belle Burden recounts the abrupt end of her 20-year marriage and the aftermath, detailing her husband's sudden departure after revealing an affair and his desire for a divorce. She reflects on the shock and disorientation she experienced, compounded by his decision to relinquish custody of their children. Belle shares ...
The podcast explores strategies for enhancing one's sex life, focusing on both casual and long-term relationships. Dr. Nicole McNichols, a professor at the University of Washington, shares insights from her human sexuality course and her book, "You Could Be Having Better Sex." For casual sex, she emphasizes the importa...
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