63 episodes
Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel Esther’s Office Hours
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- Society & Culture
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4.8 • 12.9K Ratings
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Every Monday morning step into the office of iconic psychotherapist Esther Perel and listen in as real people in search of insight bare the raw, intimate, and profound details of their stories. From breakups and open relationships to workplace conflicts and fractures in the family, it’s a place to hear our own stories reflected in the lives of others. So…where should we begin? Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
New episodes begin July 10th.
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How's Work? - The Preacher's Wife Part Two
When a tragedy shakes their church and their community, both the preacher and his wife try to put the pieces back together for themselves and his congregation. This is the second part of a special two-part episode. This episode contains discussions of a death by suicide. Please take care listening.
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Polysecure - Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy with Jessica Fern
It seems like everyone these days is talking about attachment theory but usually only in relation to monogamous relationships. Polyamorous psychotherapist, Jessica Fern, extends attachment theory into the realm of consensual nonmonogamy and changes the idea that attachment is only a story of two. This episode is part of a longer conversation that Esther and Jessica had on her membership platform Sessions, where Esther hosts conversations with colleagues in and around the mental health space.
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How's Work? - The Preacher's Wife
She has never quite fit into the mold of the preacher's wife in their small town. He has put his self-worth solely into his career, as a bandaid over deep-seated childhood insecurities. They have never been able to come to terms with the resentment they both experience. This is the first part of a special two-part episode.
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September Subscriber Preview
For Esther growing up, September often felt like the beginning of the year, not January. Fall brings with it so much more than just a change of season. After a summer of recharging, September can be a time to transition back into a more organized life, to bring back structure, and to perhaps re-define boundaries around work. With that in mind, Esther tells her Apple Subscribers about two interesting conversations she wants to share with them later this month.
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Behind the Scenes - The Must Listen List
Esther is not one to play favorites when it comes to her sessions BUT when pressed she would tell you the ten couples whose stories stayed with her these past few years. In this WSWB behind the scenes, Esther and her producer (Jesse) curate a list of must listen to couples for you.
1. Twice Married, To Each Other
2. Speak to Me In French
3. In This Relationship, What is the I and What is the We
4. Do You Want Me To Watch The Kids While You Go Out With Other Guys
5. My Orgasm Is Not Just For Me
6. I Don’t Mean to Be Mean But…
7. On Again/Off Again
8. The Chronic Philanderer
9. 100 Conversations With You In My Head
10. What Would It Take For You To Come Out? -
Esther Calling - My Brother's Wife Ruined Our Relationship
In this Esther Calling, we meet a woman who feels that her brother's wife is standing in the way of her relationship with her brother. For years, she has compared the closeness she shares with her brother to all of her romantic relationships. And because of it she has found herself single, time and time again. Esther talks her through the question she came with about her brother, "If you really understood and loved me, why would you choose her?"
Esther Callings are a one time, 45-60 minute interventional phone call with Esther. They are edited for time, clarity, and anonymity. If you have a question you would like to talk through with Esther, send a voice memo to producer@estherperel.com.
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Customer Reviews
AMAZING!!
Esther is such a gifted, insightful, psychotherapist of human behavior and modern relationships. She’s a true visionary and most influential voice of our time . Love her podcast I learn more and more each episode. I definitely recommend!! Her accent is a plus as well 😬
Esther is a marvel, but this preacher guy...
I am listening to the two-part episode with the preacher and his wife. He is a piece of work. He is so self-centered. I hope he learns to grow up. If not, I don't know if this marriage will work out.
Preacher’s Wife episode
This husband and the church he serves both e seem to be self-righteous, tribal, paternalistic, and cruel — the kind of sect that gives religion a bad name and that humanity would be better off without. I don’t see how anyone could stay in a community like this, and I don’t see why any intelligent woman should be drafted to serve it. The first episode had me grinding my teeth and the follow-up was no better. The policy that caused the staff suicide seems to be based on a presumption of pedophilic behavior that reminds me of the prehistoric rules that would never allow a man and woman together without a chaperone because of course they would be up to no good. Ugh !!
This kind of church upholds St Paul’s dictum that “the wife should be in subjection to her husband “ and tends to idolize their pastors instead of holding them to account as servants of their flock.
It’s like an abusive system—you have to get out. You can’t change it and it can only damage you.
To trade a rewarding career and a friendly church for an entitled angry man and an unpaid position in a dysfunctional place seems like a mind and soul destroying choice.
I don’t want to hear any more from a staff that decides this a great episode.
I like Esther’s couple sessions but there’s no way I’d pay to hear this stuff.