This episode is brought to you by: LINGO BY ABBOTT: For users in the US and UK, Lingo by Abbott is offering an exclusive 10% off a 4-week plan with the code LIVEMORE10. Just visit https://hellolingo.com/livemore for more information. Terms and conditions apply. Why do our relationships feel harder than ever, even when we have more ways to connect than ever before? In this episode, I’m joined by renowned psychotherapist and relationship expert Esther Perel to explore what modern life is doing to our relationships, our sense of connection and our ability to be present with one another. Esther explains why we’ve become so good at criticising the people we love, why appreciation matters, and why staying curious and playful can help keep relationships alive over time. We explore how our phones and increasingly frictionless lives can make it harder to be truly present, and why a little uncertainty may actually be essential for desire and excitement. We also discuss why we expect too much from our partners, how the idea of finding a soulmate can create unrealistic expectations, and why one person was never meant to provide everything that an entire community once did. Esther shares her thoughts on modern loneliness, mismatched desire and what she learned from a recent therapy session between a human and an AI companion. We also explore what we can do to protect real, embodied connection in a world that is becoming increasingly digital. At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: the quality of our relationships ultimately determines the quality of our lives. If you’ve ever wondered why relationships can feel difficult, why connection can be hard to maintain, or how to stay close and curious as life changes, this conversation offers a fresh way to think about love, connection and what it means to be truly present. 🌱 Want to feel better and live more? Subscribe for new conversations that could change how you think about your health and your life. ________________________________________ Episode Chapters 00:00 INTRO 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Esther Perel’s Best Relationship Advice 04:08 How to Keep a Marriage Healthy 08:50 Why Being Present Matters in Relationships 12:30 How Your Phone Affects Relationships 14:55 The Way (Ad) 16:20 Erotic Intelligence Explained 20:25 How to Navigate Modern Dating 23:21 How Culture Shapes Relationships 26:54 How Modern Intimacy Has Changed 29:01 The Soulmate Myth and Perfectionism 34:02 How Important Is Sex in a Relationship? 38:17 What We Must Protect in Relationships #feelbetterlivemore Connect with Esther: Website: https://www.estherperel.com Podcast: https://www.estherperel.com/podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/EstherPerelOfficial X: https://twitter.com/EstherPerel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estherperel_official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.perel Esther’s book: Mating in Captivity: How to Keep Desire and Passion Alive in Long-Term Relationships UK https://link.amazon/B0fboRc7y US https://link.amazon/B09B5UcMZ #feelbetterlivemore #feelbetterlivemorepodcast The Thrive Tour: Transform Your Health and Happiness, a live show: Book Your Tickets https://drchatterjee.com/live ----- Follow Dr Chatterjee at: Website: https://drchatterjee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drchatterjee Twitter: https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Newsletter: https://drchatterjee.com/subscription DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.