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Psychotherapist / Author
Esther Perel
Belgian psychotherapist and author of Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs. Host of Where Should We Begin? podcast. Leading voice on modern relationships, desire, infidelity, and how technology reshapes intimacy and work.
Known For
Mating in CaptivityWhere Should We Begin? podcastErotic intelligenceModern relationships framework
Canon
Biographies as Substitute Mentors
Curious
Courage Is a Learnable Skill
Curious
Environment Shapes Behavior More Than Willpower
Canon
Four Horsemen Predict Relationship Failure
Canon
The Hedonic Treadmill — Happiness Returns to Baseline
Canon
Meaning Comes from Responsibility, Not Happiness
Canon
"What Is the Most Generous Interpretation of This?"
Curious
Close Relationships Are the Strongest Predictor of Life Satisfaction
Canon
The True Self vs. False Self — Childhood Adaptations That Persist Into Adulthood
Canon
Books
■Mating in Captivity(2006)
■The State of Affairs(2017)
Episodes
#ReThinking: Esther Perel on the relationship baggage we bring to workMar 3, 2026#Esther Calling — One Relationship. Two Truths.Nov 17, 2025#I Want to Feel WantedOct 6, 2025#We Became Parents and Forgot We Were PartnersSep 15, 2025#How Technology Is Changing Love and Work — with Esther PerelAug 21, 2025#Friendship — My Reliable GiftAug 11, 2025#Esther Calling — Esther Says 'Run!'Jun 23, 2025#I Need Her to See MeMay 5, 2025#Best Friends Don't Make For the Best BossesApr 14, 2025#Walking Toward My MotherMar 10, 2025#The Relational Baggage We Bring to WorkFeb 18, 2025#Leaving the Shame BehindFeb 10, 2025#Esther Calling — I Don't Want to Turn Into My MotherJan 6, 2025#Esther Calling — Grief Is Like a FingerprintDec 16, 2024#How Many Times Can I Forgive You?Nov 18, 2024#What Happened to Us?Oct 21, 2024#Esther Calling — Why Can't I Find Someone? Is It Me?Sep 16, 2024#Still Single at 40Sep 16, 2024#The Arc of Love — Young LoveJul 15, 2024#Four Affairs, Four Divorces. Why Do I Keep Doing This?Jul 15, 2024#Trapped In Their Own StoryJun 3, 2024#The One Who Stays and the One Who GoesMay 6, 2024#Esther Calling — Love Is a TrapApr 22, 2024#My AI Loves Me Better Than Anyone Ever CouldApr 1, 2024#I Can't Give You a ChildMar 18, 2024#I Married His Potential, Not HimFeb 12, 2024#We Parent Completely DifferentlyJan 22, 2024#He Retired and I Do Not Know Who He Is AnymoreNov 6, 2023#I Do Not Mean to Be Mean, But...Sep 18, 2023#Esther PerelSep 18, 2023#My Race Is Invisible to YouAug 14, 2023#Before We Got Together I Identified As GayJul 10, 2023#Your Mother or MeJun 5, 2023#I Have Had BetterMay 15, 2023#The Affair Is Over but the Marriage Is NotApr 3, 2023#His Porn Is Our ProblemMar 20, 2023