From the New York Times, I'm Anna Martin.
This is modern love.
Today I'm talking to the most famous couples therapist in the world, Esther Perel.
Esther's books, mating in captivity and state of affairs have forced so many of us, myself included, to rethink our assumptions about love.
Like maybe its unrealistic to expect the passion and fire we feel at the beginning of a relationship to last forever.
And when one partner cheats on the other, what if it could actually bring the couple closer instead of tearing them apart?
On her podcast?
Where should we begin?
Esther lets us eavesdrop on sessions with real couples.
People come to her with impossible problems and she somehow guides them to a breakthrough.
She gives him hope.
When I listen to Esther's podcast, I feel like I'm getting a free therapy session.
So I wasn't surprised in the slightest when she told me that people come up to her in public all the time and ask her deeply personal questions.
The grocery store is one place, but airplanes is even better.
Oh no, Esther, if I were you, I'd be really scared to fly.
They're suspended in the air and they tell you lots of things.
And it is often about can trust be repaired when it's been broken?
Can you bring a spark back when it's gone?
Can you rekindle desire when it's been dormant for so long?
What do you do when you're angry at yourself for having stayed, when you think you should have left?