In the first episode of the new season, Meredith Goldstein asks: Whatever happened to the good old-fashioned set-up? She talks to two friends with starkly different views on whether set-ups are worthwhile, and she visits a salon that offers far

#3 Let's Stay Together

May 4th, 2021 30m 24s

A vow renewal is a special breed of new beginning. It’s not just a restatement of original promises; it’s about a couple reaffirming their love and mutual commitment after years of lived experience. Which is exactly why Cindy Brown and Sharon M

#5 The Role of a Lifetime

Nov 10th, 2020 33m 21s

How do you get through the hardest moments as a couple? By building a strong foundation. Writer and actress Marianne Leone Cooper reflects on her life with actor Chris Cooper, and how the two of them supported and complemented one other when it

#4 Jenny Plus Molly

Oct 27th, 2020 24m 42s

Over the three decades they've known each other, Jenny and Molly have been friends, more than friends, and everything in between. Along the way, they've cycled through many different lessons about love, trust, and companionship. Their story is

Bonus: Jia Tolentino on Not Getting Married

Mar 10th, 2020 23m 29s

Jia Tolentino, staff writer at The New Yorker and author of the essay collection "Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion," joins Meredith to talk about how she knew she didn't want to get married. Have a story of your own? Email us at lovel

#11 My Year of Magical Selfhood

Feb 4th, 2020 34m 7s

Lisa was just 34 when her husband died suddenly of a heart condition. As she came to terms with her grief, she confronted questions she never thought she’d have to answer: How do you know when to move past mourning and date new people? How do y

#2 Is Forever Forever?

1 Sep 24th, 2019 26m 22s

Lance was certain he and his wife would be partners for life. But it would take years for Lance to truly understand himself. What happens when you make a big call about love at a young age? … Have a story of your own? Email us at loveletters@bo

#1 Getting Under to Get Over

Mar 20th, 2018 22m 3s

It’s common advice after a breakup: The best way to get over an ex is to get under someone new. But does it work? Is rebound sex empowering, or does it just leave you feeling lonelier? Meredith Goldstein explores the emotions -- and the science

#8 The Connecticut Wife

Jul 13th, 2021 24m 5s

Many of us have clear expectations for our romantic lives. We envision a certain kind of partner, a certain kind of relationship. But Nicole found her new beginning after giving herself permission to change course. The end result? She’s built a

#7 Boyfriend Person

Jun 29th, 2021 33m 54s

Trenni used to pity the “boyfriend people” -- women she knew whose lives seemed to revolve around a guy. She valued her independence and wore it like a badge of honor. Then, a chance encounter on the street led her to a life-changing discovery.

#6 How to Step-Mom

1 Jun 15th, 2021 34m 28s

When a step-parent enters the picture, it can be an especially fraught new beginning -- for everyone involved. Stacie discovered this after she and Tim decided to make a life together. Tim came with two kids; Stacie had none. Nor did she have a

#9 Move Over, Hugh Grant

Jan 12th, 2021 30m 46s

Paul’s story is straight out of a rom-com. After his first marriage fell apart, he gave up on love. Then a woman walked into his life, and, well, she changed his mind. That was more than 30 years ago. Through sickness, health, and many tears al

#3 No Ghosts Allowed

Oct 13th, 2020 25m 47s

Monica grew up an Air Force brat, moving with her family from base to base in Europe, Asia, and the United States. She never stuck around long enough to make meaningful connections. It wasn't until her 20s that Monica learned an important lesso

#2 What Buffy Taught Me About Love

Sep 29th, 2020 24m 17s

Ian was going through a hard time, but his new boyfriend seemed just right. The guy was cute, and exciting, and didn't make Ian dwell on his problems. But just when Ian needs him most, he reveals his limits as a partner. Turns out, it's a love

#1 Balls to the Wall

1 Sep 15th, 2020 25m 59s

When Jenni and Drew hit their 40s, Drew decides to build a ball pit in their house. Not for their kids -- for him. The splurge fulfills a lifelong dream of Drew's, but it also holds a lesson about marriage, self-care at middle age, and learning

#10 When Should You Have Sex?

Jan 21st, 2020 26m 37s

If you want a new relationship to last, how long should you wait to sleep together? There’s an old adage that says three dates. But is that right? In today’s episode, we explore three takes on this question. Have a story of your own? Email us a

#9 A Hollywood Arrangement

Jan 7th, 2020 32m 27s

Huda always knew her marriage would be supervised by her family. She accepted that, but she pined for romance: She wanted a love story worthy of the American rom-coms she grew up on. The question was, could she have both?... Have a story of you

#8 Mom's New Boyfriend

Dec 17th, 2019 32m 27s

As a newly single mom, Lauren had to wrestle with two big questions. First, when to start dating again. Second, how and when to introduce her daughter to the men she was seeing. For Lauren -- and for anyone trying to date while raising kids --

#7 Writing on the Wall

Dec 3rd, 2019 26m 31s

What do pierced nipples and “Silent Night” have in common? In today’s stories, both were signs that a relationship had run its course. Jordan had to accept that his marriage was over. Allison had to listen to her gut. Have a story of your own?

#6 Friends (Without) Benefits

Nov 19th, 2019 21m 50s

Sometimes friendship is just friendship, and sometimes it’s meant to be more. But how do you know? Aubrey spent years trying to figure that out with a guy she calls The Singer. Could she learn to be comfortable with ambiguity? … Have a story of

#3 Too Big to Fail

1 Oct 8th, 2019 29m 32s

Anna Sale, host of the podcast Death, Sex & Money, talks about the time a stressful couch purchase forced her and her boyfriend to reexamine their relationship. In time, they learned how to talk about money, and how to share a life together … H

#10 Extreme Love

Jun 4th, 2019 33m 29s

How do you build a relationship with someone who saved your life? In the final episode of Season 2, Meredith Goldstein shares stories of love that flowered in moments of stress and danger. Her sister, Brette, confesses to a trick she once used

#7 Going for Broke

Apr 23rd, 2019 26m 5s

Meeting someone takes work, time, and commitment. It can also take money. Sometimes a lot. In Episode 7, Meredith Goldstein explores what we spend on dating and why. She talks to Lindsey Stanberry, of Refinery29’s “Money Diaries,” and tells the

#4 What Fresh Hell Is This?

Mar 12th, 2019 24m 12s

Dating can feel like a second full-time job. You feel like you have to constantly check the apps, update your profiles, and swipe on new faces, lest you miss out on something. And that’s all before you actually go on any dates. In this episode,

#2 Take It Up with H.R.

Feb 12th, 2019 23m 31s

Meredith Goldstein tells the story of one of the riskier work crushes she’s come across. Because, really, what’s riskier than falling in love with H.R.? Meredith also explores the complexities of dating in the workplace in the #MeToo era, and s