Love on a Timeline with Esther Perel | What Now? with Trevor Noah Podcast

I love roller coasters. And. And I remember saying to my friends once, one of the things I love. most about roller coasters. is that people spend most of their time. complaining that the line is so long. and that they don't get to ride. They get into the roller coaster. and then they spend most of the ride. screaming saying, I wish it would stop. Just get me out of you. Get me out of here. Get me out of here. Get me out of you. And then after the ride, they go, that was so much fun. I want to do it again, or I don't ever want to do that again.

And then the way it sounds like. the relationship is a roller coaster, and then it becomes our ability. to remember that. we wanted a bit of a loop. and we also remember. when to hold on to the hottest. Some couples. live on a roller coaster and they like the edge. feeling of it, and some people. don't want to live on the edge. They want to live in the life they want. And then right a roller coaster. They go to the other things at the fair. You know. They just want to go and sit in the cup. The spin or the little round. Yes. Yes.

The Ferris wheel. Yes, Yes. Okay. And. this is what now. with Trevor Noah. You're listening to what Now with Trevor Noah. Our culture has never. been more comfortable with psychotherapy. It's no longer whispered secrets. It's practically a badge of honor.

I mean, for me, therapy has been a game changer, helping me work through everything. from past traumas to career challenges. And, of course, relationships. I would argue that few people have done. more to inject. the language of relationship therapy. into the culture. than today's guest, my friend Esther Perel. Esther singular goal in life. is to get all of us. to have healthier relationships. She's got her amazing podcast, which should we Begin, which features real couples working. through their triumphs and challenges.

She's got her books. She even just launched several online. relationship courses for you. to fix your world at home. Esther is a very busy person, but for the next hour, she's with us. to lay out her theory of what makes for truly. satisfying relationships. and to walk us through the life. cycle of a relationship. from first dates through moving in. together to yes, it happens, splitting up gracefully. So settle in. Esther Perel joins me now on a couch. Of course. Here we go.

So, Esther, I've known you for many years. I, like many people, have read. your your books. and watched your talks for many years. And so. in sitting down. to have this conversation with you, I was trying to think of something. that you haven't necessarily done before. And then I realized something. that everyone says. when when when thinking of a psychotherapist,

a relationship therapist, an expert in. sex and love, and the way we see ourselves. and everyone says, I wish. I wish I had known this from the beginning. I wish I had. I wish I had started. therapy sooner. I wish I wish. we had spoken to somebody sooner. And as crazy as it sounds, I thought to myself, What if you could start your relationship. with Esther Perel? What would it be like from the very beginning? You know, and I actually. Let's start with that.

Have you ever met somebody before. their relationships and then like. sort of gone through with them? Or do people only come to you. when things are going wrong? No. People used to come. when things were going south. I think there was this there was so much stigma. attached to psychotherapy. Yes. That people only came. if there was really trouble on the horizon. or not even on the horizon in their midst. And that has fundamentally changed.

the idea that you don't go. because things are terrible, but you actually go in order to prevent. certain things from happening. or because you've had. other experiences. and you know that. there's certain. vulnerabilities that you grapple with. and you come actually when things are. still really good and you say, What should we prepare ourselves for? That is a major thing that changed in. 40 years. In practice, this was a big shift. How do we immunize ourselves from.

what people are now turning over therapies? It feels like. we lived in a world. where people never went to therapy. and didn't want to deal with the brain. And now some people are warning. that we therapies everything and everyone. In fact, I read a tweet once that really. made me laugh thinking about it. Someone said, every relationship in L.A. is a proxy battle between therapists. No, it's two people in a relationship. saying, well, my therapist said this and no, no. Well, actually, my therapist. said this about it. How do we immunize. ourselves and do we even meet. Therapist no matter? Yes, exactly. Exactly.

You know, it's a little bit like sex. It used to be that. you had to be ashamed if you had sex. Now you are ashamed if you don't. So the same idea that. in this very psychologist society. that we are now living in, it's a cashier to put your being. in therapy on your dating profile. It suddenly doesn't take away from you. It adds. It stands for. I work on myself.

Yeah, I investigate my life. I seek insights. I seek to grow. I seek to be enlightened, etc. I think there is a risk of. being overly therapists. I think that you can become. a professional patient. And then. But that doesn't mean that you have been. in therapy for a long time. For many people, that long time has been. extremely beneficial. Yeah. So it's not like. you can make a statement and say, you've been in therapy ten years. and show me what you got.

You know where the good started. How do we know that it has really made. a significant difference. So for some people, this is a very important. endeavor that accompanies. their life for other people. It sometimes. is a way actually, to not address issues. you know, you can of can say I'm in therapy, but not much is happening there. So it can be a subterfuge to. like everything is it can be. used for great gain and for deep work. And it can be also used sometimes to perform,

to pretend. that you're. doing certain things, but you're not really engaged in it. So I think that you don't know. until you ask for more questions. The fact that somebody says I'm in therapy. or I have a therapist doesn't tell you much. What are the four questions. I knew you didn't ask me. I mean, you set me up. I gave it to you on a platter. You know, they're never four times the same. But. But you could ask.

what brought you to therapy? And have there been times. when the reason. why you go has completely changed? Because the what brought you may not be why. you're still there. And have you had long periods. where you stopped? And at this moment, how would you define what you do there? And if you thought about something. that has really changed you because of the work. that you did in therapy, what would it be?

Wow. That kind of questions. that tell you something. about how the person thinks. about their endeavor, what is the reflection. and about the reflection? I've always wondered, as a therapist, you are dealing oftentimes with people. who are telling you about their world. and how they relate to it, but you don't necessarily. get to relate to their world. You only see it through their lens. Like, how does a good therapist know. when the person who's sitting on the couch,

how do they know. when that person is sort of like presenting? Not not the truth, because everyone has a different truth. How do you know which perspective. to work from and how do you know. how to guide the person when they're the ones. presenting you. with reality? No. They're. not presenting me with reality. They are presenting me with their reality. Right. And when it comes to. the reality of relationships, relationships are stories. Everybody comes to talk about. their relationship.

They're coming with the story. of their relationship as they see it. So that's the first thing. you have to keep in mind. that what you're hearing. is a version of the story. that most likely there is another person. if we're talking relationships. who may have. a different version of the story, a different way. to tell. the relationship, the dynamic. in the relationship, the patterns, the, you know. So once you know that while you listen, you sit and you think and sometimes you ask.

if your partner was hearing this story. or if I asked. your partner that same question. or this person you're dating or. what do you think they would say, And then you try to see. this person sitting right here. has the ability to even imagine. that there can be another story. It's one of the great. challenges of relationships. And one of the great tasks. is the ability to live with difference. That's means another person. Yes. So, you know, one of the things. that happens to us a lot this couples.

therapy is. if I see you for a while alone. and you've told me a whole thing about you, and one day I say, I really would like to meet your partner. And most of the time. when you meet that partner, it's got nothing to do with what I imagine. You know, over years, I made myself a picture. of what this person was like, right? This person was so sweet or this person. was way more aggressive, or this person couldn't stop talking or this, you know, So we we also, in our mind, create.

a construct. of who we're talking about. until you meet the person. and then you realize that many times. relationships are like Swiss cheese, you know, it's like the holes. Everything one person didn't. mention is exactly. what the other one is highlighting. And it's. the story is the combination of the two. A lot of this conversation. actually reminds me in a different way. about a conversation I had with the author,

Yuval Noah Harari, on the podcast. And what I loved is his view. and what he was trying. to do as a historian was trying to understand. reality through multiple truths. to figure out where the facts lie. and then where people's. stories overlap and coincide. It almost feels like listening to you, you're now dealing with the. what do we do now when those information. are the same? What do we do when those. realities don't coincide? So how do. You even imagine a family?

You know, how does your brother see this? How does your father handle that? So it's systemic. I am a systemically trained therapist. I look at relationships as interdependent parts. and I look at how the parts. influence each other and. even create each other. Meaning. a person is not just an essential. being a person gets created. in the context of a relationship. You become by version of how you act.

and behave. in this particular relationship. and how you act, behave. and believe. is influenced by the reactions. of the other person. So we create each other in a relationship. People come into that this is how she is. This is how they are. We do. We do. in this relationship, in this context, problems take place in a context. People become defined. by the context in which they are in. and in a different relationship.

They may act differently. And that means that. if you want to change the other, one of the most powerful ways you can do. so is by changing yourself. I remember. you said some things that make sense. Yeah, it makes complete sense. because I remember you said something. once that that has stuck with me. The first time you said it, you said. it takes two people to create a cycle. It only takes one person to break it. Right. And that's essentially what you're saying is. we have the ability to change the dynamic.

by changing how we exist in the dynamic. I had this situation yesterday with someone I. actually on my team and we were talking about. challenging conversations. and situations. where we become very. reactive and polarized inside our families. And he was talking about how he didn't maintain. the religious faith of his family, which is. which the family is very steeped in.

and everything and has made that choice. So has his partner, their four kids. And the mother is often very upset. about all of that. And I. and I could see the dynamic dynamic. because the mother comes to. and the son tries to say, you know, to boundaries. Yes. Yes. And I said, that doesn't go anywhere. Do you ever imagined. that even. though you landed. in a completely different place, what would happen if you told your mom? I just want you to know.

how much I appreciate. the things that you taught me. They really have guided me. because your mother thinks that she failed. because you didn't keep the faith. Instead of telling her. Yeah, because this is all, you know, whatever. No, I so think of you so often. Every time I make decisions, I think of the essential. values that you gave me. I made different choices with them. But they are at the core. of my choices. And you are at the center.

of my belief system. And I don't want you to worry about that. You are still very much present. Try that for a change. And what that is, I didn't do it with him. because he's under assignment. I told him goodbye. But I've done this many, many, many times. because instead of pushing the person away. and saying, Drop off, get off my back, I disagree with you. I've made a different life than you. You're basically saying. if you became such a thinker. that you were willing.

to change your life, then obviously you took it from somewhere. And that means the thinking. that was given to you, even though. you're doing it in a different language. If you say to someone who feels they failed. that they matter greatly, they will relax and they will get off your back. without you having to push them off. You often bring up parents. when talking about people's relationships. with their romantic partners, and often times. when people talk about their romantic partners, the last thing they mention. is their parents.

How much does. working on your relationship. with your parents, even in hindsight, affect your relationship with your partner. that you're currently with. in a romantic situation? A lot. A lot. And why? Why is because. the first place where you learn to love, to desire to be loved, to have needs, to have needs, be met or thwarted, to feel protected or not to be rocked. or not to be pursued or not is all in.

with the people who took care of you. You learn about the emotional world. in those relationships. The people who raised you, they're your caregivers. They don't have to be your biological parents. And you, you learn, you know, if it if you were allowed. to cry or not, you learn. If it was okay to laugh, you were. And if you were if it was. encouraged to thrive, you learn. if you were going to be protected at home. or if you had to flee for protection, you learn. If you could trust people.

you learned about betrayal. I mean, the entire. range of emotional experiences. and you bring that with you, parts of that. in what you want to experience again. and in what you want to make sure to avoid. You know, a lot of friend of mine. says that a lot of childhood. is about having. too much of certain things. and too little of other things. and like, that's very real. And and so you, you, you either say, you know,

I could never trust, you know, nobody was reliable. I have learned to take care of myself because, you know, there was nobody there for me. Yeah, well, that I've learned. to stand on my own two feet. I am built for autonomy. I am built for self-reliance. You know, that becomes. a lens. with which, you know, through. which you live and you make your decisions. And then you find yourself. with someone who. was raised for loyalty and interdependence.

And that's a completely different book. of how you are. connecting with people, of what you look for. in people of how you open yourself. to them, of how you allow yourself. to be vulnerable, of how you follow rules, all of that. So I think that's, by the way, a very good distinction you can often use. where you raised for autonomy. and self-reliance or where you raised for. loyalty and interdependence. We're going to continue this conversation.

right after this short break. so I'm really excited to try this. And I know. it's going to be a little generic, but I want you to indulge me. as we play this game, just to give people an idea. of how we can differently. approach moments in a relationship. So this is this is basically me going. You have Esther Perel in your corner. from the get go from the inception.

of a relationship. So somebody sitting at home, they say to themselves, I want to be in a relationship. They they whip out a tinder profile. They they get themselves on on dating apps. and they go out to bars and immediately. How does Esther respond to that? Like, what should I be looking. at on my Tinder profile. to get me the person that I want. or which boss should I be going to. to meet the personal I need to meet. always at a library instead of a bar. Where where should I go? And how do I approaches. This to two parts to the question.

There's actually three things. that come to my mind. The first thing is, instead of asking yourself all the time, What am I looking for? Or Who am I looking for? Why don't you ask yourself. Who would you like to be. in this relationship? Who would you like? Yes, I mean, this. consumer mentality of I'm looking for, you know, filling the list, that's like. it's a bit strange. when you think of it, like, who do you want to be in this relationship?

If you know who. you want to be, you have a good idea. of what you are looking for. rather than making a checklist. The next thing is I think you can go. and put. make your profile and go on an app. and see what you find there. I also at this moment am very much into. kind of return to the analog. you know, where do you meet people, what are the things you enjoy doing. so that you can actually meet people and talk. about the things that you're interested in.

rather than meet people. and start to do a job interview, which is what a lot of the first dates. are like these days, sitting in a noisy place and asking questions. while you're looking to see. if you've got some butterflies, you know, moving in your belly. I mean, on what basis is that going to happen? But if you experience something with someone, you're listening to music, you're in a museum, you're. you're rollerblade, whatever you're doing, you're. and you start talking about something. that you're both looking at and interested in. Then you begin a natural conversation.

Then you find yourself. suddenly walking. and it's like 2 hours later. and you haven't stopped talking. That's very different. Then I'm coming to see if I found the one. because we're looking. for a soulmate on an app. You know. If I'm hearing you correctly, you almost think like what? What we're doing is counter to what. we're trying to achieve in many ways. In many ways, I'm well aware that. a ton of people meet online. Yeah, but there is something. ironic about, you know, the one and only on an app. in the middle of a thousand.

people at your fingertips, How am I supposed to know. that this is the one, you know, and done in a context. that is rather artificial. and disconnected from your life. because you live your life, your friends, your activities. I'm going on a date, and that date takes place away from the rest. of your life rather than omit somebody. I mean, bringing them along. to whatever we're doing. that's okay. That's interesting. So let's say so. Let's say things have gone well. Let's say. the person used an app, even though they.

maybe it wasn't the best choice, but they did meet somebody. or let's say. they were in a. in an art gallery and they. they saw a painting. and they spoke to the person next to them. Or they were even in the park. and they were sitting next to somebody. And a conversation started because of a dog. that ran between them either way, right? So now people have met. That does that feeling. And the next. Wait. But a butterfly is good. This is something I'm always confused about. Like what? I hear some people. saying butterflies or trauma. Other people say no butterflies. or the feeling of something new and. Exciting. before butterflies that you want Curiosity.

Is this person eliciting your curiosity? In what way? I'd like to get to know you more. I enjoyed this. Love to continue this conversation. Could talk you for another few more hours. That's curiosity. I'm intrigued. I'm open. I'm curious. I'm. I'm. You know, it's that position. Yes. You know, rather than is this is this person. meeting my standards kind of thing. You know, is it my feeling something? No. Maybe you're not feeling anything yet,

but your. your open curiosity is the beautiful word. about that. Then you realize that curiosity connects with. I think about this. So now I'm thinking about this person, you know, and it enters my mind. and I'm kind of I could ask about that, you know, I'm curious about this. And so now you start to have the imagination. about who is this person. and you start to imagine things. about this person.

I think that. when you look in small steps. as to what awakens you to someone, you know, and physically to, it's. not just all mental, it is so it's mental, emotional, physical, sensorial. So it's mental, emotional, physical and sincere. And I would reverse the order. It's sensorial. First I'm at ease. I'm comfortable sitting here. You know, I'm comfortable with you. We've had the different conversations I enjoy. Talk to you. I'm not holding back. I'm actually what we. like to call leaning in or I am leaning in.

I'm curious to see, does he actually like. is this the place he would go to. if we were not on the first date? I mean, did he pick this for me or did he pick this. because that's his kind of a dive. And you have a conversation. with the person in a conversation. with yourself. at the same time you're going back and forth. And this is music. Different instruments. are playing at the same time. I love the sound of That's okay. So now we've played the music. we're in the beginning stages. What's a perfect first dates? Is it a is it a movie? Is it a comedy club?

Is it a bar? Is it a. Because you said, why do we meet one on one for a job interview? You go, This is my I'm going on a date. and then I'm going to my life. That's right. So what is the alternative? I met somebody. I have a life and I'm bringing that person. along for the thing I was planning to do. So you meet a person. and then you bring them. to like your real life is. I find there's something very weird about you. Meet somebody away. from everything, away from situations. where you can get a ton of data points.

about the person way. from your friends notes, seeing you. in interaction with that person. And then at some point. you go for the big reveal. You know, you're bringing that person. to meet your friends. It's it, it's. there's something. strange about that when you really. I mean, it's. not that it's one way versus another, but yeah, there's something about saying. we were going to have a picnic. Do you want to join? And then you don't make a big deal out of it. It's just is it's not like. it's the person I'm dating.

So I met this person. and I'm bringing them along. and then you have a ton. of information, actually, because it's happening in your life. And not only do. you have a lot of. information, but if it doesn't continue, you haven't left your life. to go meet three nights in a row dates, and then come back to report to your beloveds. But then how do we. how do we balance the embarrassment. and the pressure that comes. with meeting a person with our people? Because I mean, I know even for myself, I wish I could be a perfect friend,

but I'm sure there'll be moments. where I'll be, like, judgmental. and there's moments where I'll be like, So why do you like this person? Interesting. I So they didn't laugh at that or they, they You really think this will go somewhere? How do we immunize ourselves. from choosing a person based on who our friends. think would work for us? Because we've introduced them so soon? We don't. But we don't immunize ever. We we constantly. look at people in social situations. You look at them at a restaurant, you look at them when they order. You look at how they talk to the cab driver. You are picking up information.

about these people's, you know, as social creatures, as social beings, your friends, you know, hopefully their opinion matters to you. Actually, they often see things you don't see. They often, you know, often. you don't care about what they see. But what I'm saying is that there. is such a split at this moment. Right. A disconnect. A disconnect. between the life you lead, the things you enjoy doing. and the dates that are taking place. in this very, I think, sterile situation.

So when you say. what is a perfect day, the perfect date is a date. that you want to have another one. It doesn't matter what you did, it's the fact that you would like. to see the person again. That's a good date. And maybe that it ended up. with an open ended ness that you had no idea. that this was going to. unfold and it led to that end. and that open ended ness. It's erotic, it's alive in that sense. It's full of possibility. And that. that is the definition. and that I'm talking about when I say erotic,

not sexually, but it's it's vibrant. That's a good date. The activity itself doesn't matter. A good. first date is the beginning. of how you read the first page of a story. I mean, everybody wants to ask couples, Where did you meet, right? How did you meet? People want to know the beginning. of the story, the origin story. The first date is the first moment. of the origin story.

Today, I'm talking to Esther Farrow. about relationships and compatibility, You know, finding the right person. and you know how finding. the right person to work with. can feel. just as important as finding. the right partner in life. Both take patience, a bit of luck, and a process that actually works well. Ziprecruiter has got the process down. to a science. Next, big opportunity is brought to you. by Ziprecruiter every day. Ziprecruiter helps 10 million candidates. with their job search,

which means no matter the role or industry, they can help your business. find qualified candidates fast. and when they say no matter. the role or industry, they really mean it. You can see for yourself. by going to ziprecruiter dot com slash Trevor, take this job listing. I came across a video game tester in Arizona. Okay, Imagine your job is literally. to play video games all day. Sounds amazing, right? But I imagine.

the challenge of being a game. tester is keeping your excitement in check. like it's still a job. You have to stay sharp and professional, even while playing something fun. My advice. If you're looking for roles like this, lean into your passion, but be ready to show. how you can. bring value to the table. and what skills do you think. it takes to land a role like that? You probably need incredible. attention to detail, insane patience. and the ability. to give constructive feedback. that makes the game better. If I were hiring for. this role, I ask questions like, What's your biggest frustration.

when playing a game? Or can you describe a moment. where you found a bug no one else noticed? It's kind of like getting to know. your partner on a deeper level. You have to dig beyond the surface, whatever role you're looking to fill, Ziprecruiter can help. with smart matching. technology and handy tools. like the invites to apply feature. You'll find a potential hire in no time. Ziprecruiter is the. hiring sites employers prefer most based on G2. In fact, four out of five employers.

who post on Ziprecruiter. get a quality candidates within the first day. See for yourself. Try it now for free. at ziprecruiter dot com slash Trevor. That's ziprecruiter dot com slash ari. VOA are ziprecruiter the smartest way to hire. is the is there a magic amount of time. that people should wait before having sex? None of this stinks. I mean, no, no. I think that. if you're somebody who knows.

that you attached very, very fast. and that sexuality is deeply connected. for you with intimacy, emotional intimacy, and that. you have at times felt. that you got close to. people before. you really were. close to them, then you need to hold back. But that's not because there's a number. That's because you know. that sexuality has a certain meaning for you. If you are a person for whom. casual sex is easier and you know, it's.

a nice it doesn't. Instantly. Bond you, doesn't bond you, it doesn't elicit your dependency needs. He doesn't elicit. your history of whatever. sexual experiences you've had then. Then it's less loaded for you. And that's, you know, I think it's more about self-knowledge. and the meaning of. sex for you that will determine. what do you need to experience. to feel, to have with this person that you met. in order for you to be comfortable. and to want to engage sexually as well.

rather than a set number? Here's the thing. You asked me questions. that that. presuppose something you said before about, you know, you're the expert on relationships. And I really think that no expert these days. has all the answers. because relationships. are more complex than ever. So I answer you, but I don't mean to. think I'm right. I can sound confident, but I'm sure of nothing. So this kind of questions, how many how.

long do you. Depends on you. Tell me what. has happened to you before, Tell me your story. Then I can think with you. what would make sense for you. at this moment in your life. If you're 16, it's one answer. If you're 24, it's a different one. And if you're 45, it's a different one. I think. people would like relationships to be. as precise as their apps, you know, frictionless, polished,

you know, one and zeros binary answers. And the majority of relationship questions. are often dilemmas. and paradoxes that you manage. and not problems with the precise answer. Not problems that you solve. Right. Okay. So let's move forward to. the people are now together. People are in a relationship. when me becomes weak. Yeah, a lot of people will. struggle with how to define that. Some people will say,

Well, we didn't defined enough. Others will say, you defined it too rigidly. You know, are we a couple? Are we not a couple? What does that even mean? What does it not mean? And then. how do people become a we in a healthy way? How do people not find themselves. now feeling suffocated or feeling abandoned. even though they're part. of something with somebody else? Okay, let me answer this in. Like, this one is what is the developmental stages. of a couple? How does one how do we become a couple? Yes. But how we become a couple has a lot to do.

with how each of us defines what is a couple. and so. a lot of what that process is about. is the synchronization. of these two views of what is a couple. And part of what defines a couple. is how you straddle two axis. autonomy and togetherness, commitment and freedom, connection. and separateness, security and adventure.

It's those two lines. every couple will need to define. what is together and what is a part, what is me and what is we. And in the beginning, I meet. you and I. begin to want to meet you again. And now I was going to go see this band. or whatever, and I thought, I'll ask Trevor if he wants to come too, because Trevor is entering the fabric.

of my life and the fabric of my being. So decide. now be gradually becomes we and then I may. have another plan. And I said, Would you like to join me on that? And then. and then the. first time I look at this jacket. and I think that's a nice jacket. And then the second time. I say that's a very nice jacket. And that the third. that my say, will you wear that jacket. because I got license. now to enter into your.

membrane. Yes. Right. And slowly. I start to say, I brought you. another jacket I think you will like. because it resembles your favorite jacket. And I brought you the coffee. that you enjoy. I start to know you. And as I get to know you. and you get to know me, I bring things that reflect. that knowledge of you. And that's part of the weaving of this. We and then and I start to make decisions. And instead of making them all alone, I say, What do you think? Would you like to.

I'd like to take a trip here. Would that interest you? Where would we go? And you start to see the pronouns changing. Now this is when it all goes nicely. But now there is. At some point one of us says, I wish we did more. We and one of us says, I wish there was more room for I. And that tension is. at the core of many issues that couples. grapple with. We all are born with these two sets of needs.

We all are born with this. need for the we, the security, the connection and the need for. the space, the freedom. But each of us comes out of our childhood, some of us needing more protection. and more connection, and some of us. needing more space and more individuality. And the person who needs more protection. and connection is often. the person. who is more in touch with the fear. of abandonment. and the person who is more in need for space.

And individuality. is often. the person more in touch with the fear of. obliteration, right? One person more afraid of losing the other one. person more afraid of losing themselves. The one who says we. to somebody who keeps saying, But what about. I often that. you asked me before tracing it back. to the parental story. This is a very good moment. where you want to find out.

what is the origin story of each person. that can help you understand. what is the charge when I say we. and why do I instantly some people instantly. want We seen you three. times and I'm already thinking of why. And you're like, I just met this person. and this is not just about. we have different rhythms. This is about attachment, this is about dependency, this is about fear of loss. This is about a lot of. other experiences that go.

and they play out as in, you didn't invite me, you know, And then you say, Well, you know, I have a life. I have other people. I see I am ignored, you know? But I invited you to you know, I've taken you. to everything that I've been doing. and you're like, Whoa, this is going too fast. And it looks like it's a rhythm issue. because it plays out in rhythm. But underneath the rhythm. is expectations, fears, losses, traumas. It's all of that.

that is actually. being activated in this moment of, why didn't you ask me to join you? So in that moment, does it mean that. people have met the wrong person? No, no, no. This is synchronization. Synchronization is learning to live. with somebody who. with a different rhythm, including the rhythm of attachment. So it's, first of all, understanding. No, it's not. I just reject you. If I didn't call you. or if I like to. take my day off for myself, it's.

not because. I don't like your company, but I enjoy my own alone as well. How can you experience that without taking it. as a rejection? It's finding where you meet each other, filling in the holes. The relationship needs it, and the two individuals participate. in the creation of the relationship. and how it balances those two. Fundamental said. We're going to continue this conversation. right after this short break.

What I've always found funny. is when I when I talk to couples, especially like couples. who've been married for a very long time, I like. Me. Yes. I often find there are. there are couples where they'll. and this is not always the case, but these are. the ones that I find most funny. because they're on the extremes. I will meet a couple who have. so much security. I mean, they. they almost the other person.

consistently and constantly exists. in their mind. And they just believe that they are there. I mean, I've met couples where they. they're always like. unsure, even if they've been. married for 20 years. And sometimes. the couples are the most. sure will almost complain about it. They'll like I've. literally talked to people who've gone, I wish my husband would cheat on me. I mean, he's so boring. He's home. I know where he'll be. And on the other side someone will go, I just don't feel secure. And my wife, I feel like she flirts with other men too much. And then the irony will be.

the couples who are like, insecure go, But we have the best sex. And then the couples who are. who are talking about like we're fully then. we know where we'll be and we understand. They'll go like, Yeah, and I just wish we could. I wish we could spice it up. It just feels like it's vanilla. It's it's all the same. And the question is no. So the question is, is it always is it a pendulum. that's always going to swing? How does a secure relationship couples. find the spark that comes from that freedom? And how does a couple that has no security.

find the security. that they need whilst maintaining, or can they even maintain? Do they have to give up. some of the spark of the sex? Like is. what is the compromise that we have to make. and do we have to make it? And when do we have to make it? Because everything I just described to you. doesn't just happen once in a relationship. What do you mean? It means that. you come up with a certain. kind of dance around this. and we and then ten or 15 years. into the relationship, five years into the relationship, something happens and it changes.

wow, this is hard work. So no, it means that. it means that you're not stuck. with one model for life, for God's sake. That would be boring and rigid. and so predictable. is that actually. a thriving relationship. breeds it's a living organism, and every living organism. straddles stability and change. It's true in nature, it's. true in relationships. And if you don't change enough, you fertilize and you die. If you change all the time, you're disregulated and you become chaotic.

That's the dance, you know? So when something works, you don't let it just sit there. like this to the point where it fossilized. It's needs to arrive. Changes take place in health, in the. political situation, in. the world outside, in the world, inside. And it says we need to adapt. You know, if a person gets ill, you readapt, you become more available at home. because you need to be there. Until that shifts again.

So that to me is. actually a very positive thing, is that this dance between I. and we are between security and adventure. needs to breed. It's the best metaphor I can use. And I, you know, mating in captivity, my first book was all about that tension. Yes. But the phrase I often used was fire needs air. Fire needs air, you know. In literally. Yeah, yeah, literally. So this is the answer to your question between,

you know, you don't have to have insecurity. to have passion, but you can have space, you can have air, you can have more individuality, more differentiation. There's not one model, seriously, there is no one size fits all. Every model can work. if it works for the people. that are involved in it. And if it gets. if it breathes, meaning that it. it expands. and it contracts, it changes. it adapts to the conditions of life,

That's actually one of the real strong. ingredients of what makes for. a thriving relationship is that it changes. Look, I often say. people will have two. or three marriages at this point. or committed. relationships in the West. in their adult life, and some of us will do it with the same person. who can do it with the same person. It's those. who are able to redefine that dynamic. You know, you arrive here, you're two young people do immigrants. They arrive to New York. You spend a lot of this.

A couple I just saw, you know, the whole first. phase of the relationship. was about building this togetherness. Yeah, helping each other establish each other, finding the first place that they lived in, getting their first jobs. And then at one point. that said this was created, they had defined the relationship. Now they wanted to redefine themselves. So that's a classic. It goes in both directions. You know, you have people who have spent. a lot of time maintaining themselves, and now it's time to actually consolidate.

the relationship. and consolidate the relationship is. what are the things. so that you can both. rely on the relationship. It's like. the relationship is the third entity. We start our adult life. and but then there comes a point. during 33 now of 39, and now it's like. you having. To find yourself. Alone. Who am I? You know. Let me ask you this. I know there are couples who. and this is again, because my. favorite thing to do when I speak to people, especially who've been married for a long time,

is hearing how they tell their story. And I've often been most amused by the stories. that that that are told post everything. you know. I remember speaking to a woman who was, I think, 92 years old and. Her husband had died a few years prior. And I remember saying to her like, how long have you been married? 40 years. And she was happy. And then she said, he was lovely and was beautiful. But how I wish he had died sooner. I said, I'm sorry. What?

I said, I thought you were happy. She said, Yes, he was great and everything. But she says, I only realized. after he was gone that I hadn't been living. Is there a way to know? Or how do we know it Was. that where people like you come in. After the. Fact? You only know after the fact. Often time in perspective. when you're in it, you don't see, you know, if my finger is left close to my nose, I can't see the contours. I have to put it there to see it clearly. So is there no tool that you can use. as a therapist to know, like, for instance, can you know that it's you.

Know, you can know. this woman. could know. that she but that doesn't mean. she would have done anything. She could know that she's given herself. completely over. to this relationship in. that she. just kind of disappeared in the process. But that doesn't mean she will do anything. I just went on tour, so. and and there were the questions. that people ask systematically, you know, from audience to audience, how do I have a new relationship. where I don't lose myself? That one came up every day,

or my ex-boyfriend was passionate but chaotic. My new boyfriend is stable, but boring. You know, that's kind of the case. you are presented to me before, you know, it's either one or the other. And there is a way in which we enlist. our partner. in a certain role that we need from them. You know, this woman with her stable. and boring boyfriend. I'm sure that when she was done. with the passionate,

you know, chaotic, she said, no, I want stable, trustworthy, reliable. And none of these words. at the time sounded boring. So how did stable become boring? And what does it say when you find yourself. wanting that person to be so stable. that you in the process. kind of clip their wings a little bit? You make them more. boring in order to make them more secure. And what it may allude to. is more about your own fears.

than about their personality. wow. This reminds me of something I said to you. Not leave me. to not be abandoning me, to not be predatory in nature, to not be threatening to me. So I'm going to tame you. in my imagination of you. I'm going to make you that fellow, that dude. And then I will get bored of you. Yes. And then I will say, you know, he doesn't fantasize. And this is a very important thing. It's sometimes. it says more about my fears.

and what I need you to be for me. than who you really are. And once you have worked. in the realm of infidelity, as I have for many, many years, then you know that this is. one of the big surprises because it's all these. that sometimes people think, I never thought you were capable of this. Who is this person? Which is. such a gutting experience. when your entire reality shattered. So, you know, I. when I work around sexuality, when I work around.

desire, when you're wrapped around fantasy, I really want to understand. what does security represent for you? And here's the thing. You can ask. If I think about love, I think of this. I think of sex. I think of, if I am loved, I feel. if I am desired, I feel if I love,

I feel if I want or if I desire. I feel. And then you look at the relationship. between love and desire, how they relate and how they conflict. As we as we as we move to the end. The big question. I think. a lot of people deal with that. don't even realize they're dealing with is. how do we. or is there even a way to have a. healthy breakup? What does it mean to separate with. somebody in a healthy and loving way?

Because it seems like the either isn't or is. You know, you hear ghosting. and you hear gaslighting and you hear. people love bombing and disappearing. and you hear, you know, people disappearing. in the relationship and breakup and heartbreak. But how do we. separate from people in a healthy way? I met a person just. in the last few days who I thought, what a beautiful separation. She said, you know, we are separating.

We met. I was very young. and I grew up with this person and. and I think. we have come to the end of this story. But my partner is a wonderful parent. We continue to have a family life together. We are now literally co-parents. And at some point. they said to someone else, you know, I've recently separated and that person said, he must be so hard to live with.

And she said, No, absolutely not. She's actually a wonderful person. to live with. But I no longer choose to live with him. And I thought, that is a very nice example and. I care about you. I want good for you. and benevolent. I don't know why it will be. when I see you with someone else. because we still something. that is very much at the center of our lives.

But but not in the romantic sense anymore. When when they separated, they said what they wish. they had done differently, what they wished for, the other henceforward, what they wished the other had. done differently, and what they. and what they cherished that they will carry. with them. Well, that's my four questions of how I help people. You know, And I often have them write it. and read it out loud in the session.

But I think that it's about not being filled. with resentment and bitterness. and competition. and fighting around money. and fighting over the kids and feeling. that you wasted your life. and feeling that they betrayed you. I mean, the negative stories that people carry with. them are multiple. And so. it's about you can be you can break up. The question is, how are you emotionally. able to disengage?

People are divorced. and that doesn't mean they are separated. and emotionally speaking. Yeah. So a nice separation is when you arrive. to the end of a particular story. And as she said, she will always be in my. life. Whoever I will meet from here on. will need to know that this person. is a major person in my life. But I know different kinds of love. and that love I no longer have for him. Esther, our story has come to an end.

Unfortunately, I wish it could. have gone on longer. I wish we could have spent more. time together. But I know we will in the future. I hope you will always be a part of my story. Thank you for taking the time. Thank you for sharing. I mean, it's funny how. it feels like. everything that you talk about. is at the core of. what humans are sort of looking for. Like there's. this beautiful thing at the center. Because of the quality of your relationships. ultimately is what determines. the quality of your life.

I love that. Well, thank you so much, Esther Perel. I hope we see you again. Thank you. Pleasure. What now with Trevor Noah is produced. by Spotify Studios in partnership. with Day Zero Productions. The show is executive produced by Trevor. Noah Simmons, Jianmin and Jodi AV. Again, our senior producer is just Hackel. Claire Slaughter. is our producer of Music Mixing and Mastering. by Hannah Brown.

Thank you so much for listening. Join me next Thursday for another episode. of What Now?