Love is more than just an emotion—it’s an energy, a force, and a deep connection that transcends time. In this episode, Shelly O’Neal is joined by Dr. Raj, a renowned physician with a passion for exploring love, spirituality, and human connection. Together, they take a deep dive into the transformative nature of love—from its cultural and spiritual significance to the way it imprints on us and shapes our lives. Dr. Raj shares his perspective on love as a spiritual experience, drawing from his upbringing in Punjab, India—a place known for its deep-rooted romantic and poetic traditions. He and Shelly discuss how love is felt beyond the physical, why it has the power to reshape who we are, and the way it can elevate or challenge us. They also explore the science behind love, the intense neurological effects of romantic connection, and how love continues to evolve over time. Key Takeaways: Love is timeless. No matter your age or life stage, the emotions and depth of love remain just as powerful. First love leaves an imprint, but love itself is ever-evolving. Early relationships shape us, but love grows, transforms, and takes on new meanings over time. Love is more than physical attraction. It is an energetic and spiritual connection that can be felt deeply across lifetimes. Romantic love isn’t the only kind of love that transforms us. Love in all its forms—familial, platonic, or romantic—has the power to elevate and heal. True love should nourish the soul. A fulfilling relationship should help you grow, feel safe, and become a better version of yourself. — Host Shelly O’Neal is a therapist, life coach, substance abuse professional, and Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist. She is an entrepreneur, owner of two companies, along with being the founder of a non-profit that assists children and families dealing with issues such as abuse, addiction, trauma, and suicide. Shelly is the founder and CEO of a healthcare company with several locations in Kentucky. Her company provides both mental health and psychiatric medical services to children, teens, and adults in Kentucky. SO Wellness, is located in Nashville, Tennessee and focuses on helping both individuals and companies develop wellness programs to improve employee mental health and corporate wellness. Shelly addresses the needs of C-Suite individuals and high-profile clients. She has been featured on various media outlets including ABC’s WKM, NBC’s WSMV-4, MorningLine and Yahoo! Finance along with publications such as Authority Magazine, Medium Magazine, and Bellevue City Lifestyle Learn more about Shelly and SO Wellness on her website: shellyonealwellness.com — The guest on this episode is Dr. Raj Sharma. Born and raised in the land of Ancient wisdom and Love “India”, Dr. Raj has practiced a wholesome way of life since childhood. Dr. Raj is a world renowned American Gastroenterologist. He attended prestigious Loma Linda University, California. Dr. Raj has stayed true to his Eastern cultural philosophy, yet adapted to the western philosophy to create a quintessential balance that furthers the understanding and acceptance of all health and healing methods where East meets West. He has received multiple professional awards throughout his illustrious career. Dr. Raj has been featured on PBS, ABC, Fox, CBS, NBC, and SiriusXM Health/NYU Langone. He frequently speaks at numerous universities and professional meetings. He believes in the transformative power of love, and is a romantic at heart. His first passion during childhood was to be a movie star, but he was shy- a trait which he metamorphosed out of with hard work, dedication, and love. Born in the romantic state of Punjab, India where love flows in the water, adds fragrance to the air, and is core to most poetic literature, it would not take much for his already romantic heart to drench in love, and start palpitating.