Malala Thought She’d Never Fall in Love

Malala Thought She’d Never Fall in Love

Author: The New York Times October 15, 2025 Duration: 55:53
When she was 15 years old, Malala Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban, targeted for saying that young women should have the right to an education. By the time she woke from the ensuing coma, the world had already cast her in the role of fearless activist. In the years that followed, she embraced the part, starting the Malala Fund and traveling the globe speaking truth to power. But now Malala has a new memoir out called “Finding My Way,” and she’s ready to reintroduce herself. Today, she tells us about navigating ordinary life — like making friends at university, finding her personal style, going to parties and … falling in love. “Finding My Way” comes out on Oct. 21. The Modern Love team also wants to hear your questions about dealing with family during the holidays. Read our submission guidelines here.

For two decades, the Modern Love column in The New York Times has offered a uniquely intimate window into how people navigate relationships, heartbreak, and connection. That same spirit of honest, personal storytelling finds its voice in this weekly podcast, hosted by Anna Martin. Here, the written essays are brought to life, often by notable actors, and expanded upon through Martin’s thoughtful conversations with the authors and other guests. They delve into the aftermath of the published story, exploring what was learned and how lives have unfolded since. You’ll hear about love in its many forms-romantic, familial, platonic, and self-love-across a spectrum of experiences that are by turns heartbreaking, awkward, humorous, and profoundly uplifting. This isn’t about fairytales, but the real, messy, and transformative moments that define us. The Modern Love podcast, from The New York Times, continues that essential tradition of sharing our most vulnerable stories to see our own lives more clearly. New episodes arrive every Wednesday.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Modern Love
Podcast Episodes
The Secret to True Romance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:18
What we learned when you sent in stories of your most romantic moments. Plus, the king and queen of valentines.
The Real Story Behind Jennette McCurdy’s Novel “Half His Age.” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:56
Please note: this episode contains explicit descriptions of sex. Jennette McCurdy pretty much grew up in front of an audience. In her role on the Nickelodeon show “iCarly,” she seemed like a bubbly, happy teenager. Behin…
I Was the Fun Dad. It Almost Destroyed My Marriage. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:08
When Jordan Carlos looks back on the role he was playing in his family a few years ago, he does not like what he sees. He was bringing home a good salary as a comedian, but doing only the bare minimum as a husband and a…
I Tried to Toughen Up My Son. He Had Other Ideas. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:14
Sam Graham-Felsen was not a tough child. He feared violence and didn’t feel that he could stand up for himself when he was bullied. His fear ate away at his confidence; he was afraid to go on dates, afraid to try hard in…
Was I Married To A Stranger? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:10
Belle Burden was living the kind of life most can only dream of. Born into a wealthy New York family, she married a dashing attorney who had swept her off her feet. The couple had a beautiful apartment in Manhattan, a su…
Want to have better sex this year? Here’s how. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:12
Do you think you could be having better sex? Are you confident you know what really turns you on? What makes your body feel good? How do you communicate about it? Nicole McNichols wants everyone to be asking these questi…
I Cashed Out My 401(k) to Build a Women’s Only Retirement Community [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:58
When it came time to retire, Robyn Yerian didn’t feel like she had enough money saved. She didn’t want to depend on her children or end up in a nursing home, so she cashed out what she had in her 401(k) and bought a plot…
Finding the Magic, Just in Time (Encore) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:20
Clare Cory was 59 years old and had been single almost her whole life. She thought her love story was over. Then everything changed.