Esther Perel

The first years until the pandemic, we recorded every session in my office. So people came in like every patient would have come in, except that they come for the podcast. So they are not patients and never will be. They sit in the waiting room. And they walk into my office and it's the same office in which I see people throughout the day for my practice.

Same chair, same mental space, same room. And it really, I think, is what gave the podcast a tremendous voice of authenticity because it was blended in with the other sessions that I do.

Same chair, same mental space, same room. And it really, I think, is what gave the podcast a tremendous voice of authenticity because it was blended in with the other sessions that I do.

Most of the time, people are completely surprised to be sitting there because, you know, one person at midnight decided to fill in the form and was convinced that they would never hear from us. And here they are. And then there is the person that came with them.

Most of the time, people are completely surprised to be sitting there because, you know, one person at midnight decided to fill in the form and was convinced that they would never hear from us. And here they are. And then there is the person that came with them.

And sometimes they have never heard of me because, you know, with podcasts, one person listens and the other one doesn't know what you're listening. It's not like there's a book in the house and you're reading that book. You can listen to a podcast for years and your partner has no idea.

And sometimes they have never heard of me because, you know, with podcasts, one person listens and the other one doesn't know what you're listening. It's not like there's a book in the house and you're reading that book. You can listen to a podcast for years and your partner has no idea.

Exactly. You're having a relationship under my eyes, you know, and I don't know anything about it. So it's different, but we have created an office here too in the studio. And once it starts, I'm in the session. I mean, there is just no world outside.

Exactly. You're having a relationship under my eyes, you know, and I don't know anything about it. So it's different, but we have created an office here too in the studio. And once it starts, I'm in the session. I mean, there is just no world outside.

Eight years we're doing it.

Eight years we're doing it.

40, almost.

40, almost.

I mean, it's like entering the antechamber. It's like going backstage. It's the story that you hear about other people's relationships that you never know. You really are like a fly on the wall. So who really knows the truth about couples? And these days, especially, your friends can come and tell you they're breaking up and you never saw it coming.

I mean, it's like entering the antechamber. It's like going backstage. It's the story that you hear about other people's relationships that you never know. You really are like a fly on the wall. So who really knows the truth about couples? And these days, especially, your friends can come and tell you they're breaking up and you never saw it coming.

And on top of it, people are posturing and parading themselves all over social in these perfect situations. So the real truth about couples is a secret often.

And on top of it, people are posturing and parading themselves all over social in these perfect situations. So the real truth about couples is a secret often.

and when you listen to it you feel less alone you feel like your issues are not your own only that there are other people who have similar things yeah you listen intently and intensely to them and you actually see yourself even if it's not the same situation and the same story there's always something where you say i can relate to that the thing i noticed is

and when you listen to it you feel less alone you feel like your issues are not your own only that there are other people who have similar things yeah you listen intently and intensely to them and you actually see yourself even if it's not the same situation and the same story there's always something where you say i can relate to that the thing i noticed is

That's one of the ways. Sometimes they go home with the opposite experience. But yes, there is a sense of it normalizes. There is a sense of being in a kaleidoscope. That one partner sees themselves reflected in another or validated by another or that you get to hear your partner differently because someone else is saying it for them. And it's just...