Family estrangement and infidelity: Esther Perel answers your questions

Family estrangement and infidelity: Esther Perel answers your questions

Author: ABC Australia March 14, 2026 Duration: 30:06
How do you grieve a dying parent you're estranged from? Do cheaters ever change? People say love should feel 'easy', is that true? Psychotherapist Esther Perel is back on All in the Mind, answering your questions about heartbreak, loss, and love in this extra special mailbag episode. We've got questions on how to reconnect with estranged siblings, what to do when global conflicts impact personal relationships, and whether a first love can still feel special, even if it happens later in life. And if you missed part one of our chat with Esther Perel, you can listen to our episode titled "Couples therapy with an AI partner? Esther Perel's just done it" here. Esther also featured on our first episode of Mind Hacks! Guest: Esther Perel Psychotherapist and couples therapist Author, The State of Affairs and Mating in Captivity Host, Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Roi Huberman More information: If you want to hear more from Esther Perel, she chatted to Lisa Leong on This Working Life. The episode is called Esther Perel on conflict and power struggles at work. You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on ABC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.

Ever wondered what's really happening inside your head? Each week, All In The Mind from ABC Australia ventures into the complex landscape of human thought and feeling. This isn't just a dry science lecture; it's a thoughtful exploration of the experiences that shape us, hosted by curious minds who know how to tell a compelling story. You'll hear conversations that bridge the gap between scientific research and the messy reality of daily life, delving into topics as diverse as the mechanisms of memory, the challenges of breaking an addiction, or the ethical puzzles posed by artificial intelligence. The discussions are grounded and accessible, making the inner workings of the brain relevant to anyone interested in health, behaviour, or simply understanding themselves a little better. By tuning into this podcast, you join a community considering how our mental universe influences everything from our personal fitness to our social connections. It’s a weekly opportunity to pause and reflect on the fascinating forces-both biological and psychological-that drive what we do and who we are. The production brings together expert insights with genuine human stories, creating a space where complex ideas about the mind and behaviour are unpacked with clarity and depth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

All In The Mind
Podcast Episodes
Our millennia-long obsession with immortality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:05
Would you want to live forever? The rich and powerful certainly do. There are numerous examples throughout history of people going to extreme lengths in search of immortality. These days, it's Silicon Valley tech bros, t…
Pretty privilege, surgery stigma and the cosmetic procedure paradox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:35
Cosmetic procedures aren't reserved for celebrities anymore - they're becoming more and more accessible for every day people. So if we're able to alter our looks or avoid the appearance of aging altogether, what impact d…
The psychology behind our moral outrage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:37
Politics, war, abortion, gun control — why do some topics make us so outraged? One theory is that our preoccupation with preventing harm is to blame. So today, we examine how humans developed morality, why we differ in w…
Staying sane in space [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
In the last couple of weeks, a lot of people have been getting excited about space exploration thanks to Artemis II. So this week, we revisit an episode from our archives all about life as an astronaut and the psychologi…
Mind Hacks with Dr Billy Garvey: "being a bit kinder to myself" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:54
Welcome back to All in the Mind's little sister: Mind Hacks. In this episode, we're joined by developmental paediatrician and co-host of Pop Culture Parenting, Dr Billy Garvey. From self compassion to channelling anger i…
The psychology of masturbation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
This week we're talking about something intimate… and sometimes taboo: masturbation. From self-love, to disordered behaviour and back again, we explore how our perceptions of masturbation have changed over the course of…
Mind Hacks: Casey Beros [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Welcome back to All in the Mind's little sister: Mind Hacks. In this episode, health journalist and author Casey Beros on managing your inner critic, balancing competing appetites for more and less in life, and filtering…
Tough conversations and anticipatory grief: being a carer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:36
When Casey Beros' dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma, she knew her entire world would change. More than three million Australians are carers — a role people are often thrust into without any kind of map. So based on her…
Mind Hacks: Joel Pearson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:59
Welcome back to All in the Mind's little sister: Mind Hacks. In this episode, cognitive neuroscientist Joel Pearson tells us how he manages his own stress (clue: it involves saunas!) Each week on Mind Hacks, we're bringi…