Stop Looking for the Perfect Partner

Stop Looking for the Perfect Partner

Author: The New York Times March 15, 2023 Duration: 21:35
“The only three men I had ever imagined a future with all told me that something was missing,” Oz Johnson wrote in her Modern Love essay. When Oz was 23, her boyfriend said she met 99 percent of his criteria, but she was missing 1 percent. Over a decade later, another man broke up with her via email. Their love was almost perfect, he said, but not enough to last. What is this missing, unquantifiable feeling? Oz used to be haunted by these rejections, but now she has come to embrace the search for imperfect love. After: Nancy Cardwell wasn’t looking for love — but then, at 58 years old, she fell passionately in love with tango. Her newfound zeal for the dance took her to Buenos Aires, where she fell in love again — this time, with a man named Luis.

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: 445

Modern Love
Podcast Episodes
Three Mothers, One Bond | With Gaby Hoffmann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:28
Gaby Hoffmann, known for her Emmy-nominated role in the Amazon series "Transparent," as well as her work in HBO's "Girls," reads an essay about a couple navigating the complex waters of adoption.
Just Friends? | With Tony Hale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:05
Emmy Award-winning actor Tony Hale of HBO's "Veep" reads an essay about breaking up, moving on (or not), and reading between the lines.
Live Without Me | With Catherine Keener [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:26
Two-time Oscar nominee Catherine Keener reads Katherine Friedman Holland's essay about a near-death experience on an airplane.
One Last Swirl | With Jason Alexander [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:52
Jason Alexander -- best known as George Costanza from the iconic 90's sit-com "Seinfeld" -- reads a story that explores mortality with the help of a resilient pet fish.
Estranged Spouses | With Lance Reddick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:15
Lance Reddick, best known as Lt. Cedric Daniels on HBO's "The Wire," reads a story about infidelity and healing.
Fighting Words | With Alysia Reiner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:19
Alysia Reiner of Orange is the New Black delivers a story about what happens when a stable relationship suddenly takes a hard left turn.
The Doorman | With Cecily Strong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:33
Saturday Night Live's Cecily Strong reads a story about a woman's friendship with her doorman.
The Wait | Modern Love Bonus Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:28
We asked you to tell us about a time when you "waited for love," and you answered from all over the world. This bonus episode of Modern Love features some of those stories.