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3 Poignant ‘Modern Love’ Podcast Episodes That Attest To Our Vulnerability And Capacity To Love

Frequently, we need a reminder of what it means to be human; "Modern Love" provides just that.

Alexandra Gergova

Feb 27, 2021

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

3 Poignant ‘Modern Love’ Podcast Episodes That Attest To Our Vulnerability And Capacity To Love

Photo by visuals on Unsplash

Because we frequently find ourselves assailed with stories of heartbreak and looming divorces in popular media, I have found myself frequently withdrawing comfortably from these tales into a period dominated entirely by The New York Times' "Modern Love," a weekly "column, a book, a podcast — and now, in its 16th year, a television show — about relationships, feelings, betrayals and revelations."

Something particularly warm and tender about "Modern Love" is its rawness. Each episode reminds us of our humanity — our capacity to err, love, and feel — without holding back. Whether you are a first time or active listener, described below are 3 emotional and beautiful episodes to listen to.

Take Me as I am, Whoever I am (Oct. 28, 2016)

In this episode, Rebecca Hall reads Terri Cheney's reflective essay about how her bipolar disorder has affected her love life — both with herself and with others. There was something extremely raw about the way Cheney revealed that there was more comfort in repressing her diagnosis from others than allowing them to know her struggle with bipolar disorder — a fear that is inherently human.

The Language of Love (May 23, 2018)

In this episode, Saoirse Ronan reads Emily Robbins' essay documenting the love — as well as communication issues — that arises from a language barrier between an Iraqi doctor and a young woman. What was particularly powerful about this episode was the way it grappled with reflections and lessons from a relationship years after it had passed.

Learning Humanity from Dogs (Sept. 12, 2018)

In this episode, Ethan Hawke reads Pauls Toutonghi essay demonstrating that oftentimes the only way to escape turbulence and the lowest point is by loving another––in this case, a dog. I was incredibly touched by the way this episode reveals how endless a dog's capacity for love is and how salvation can be found in the furry arms of a dog.

The next time you find yourself with 20 or so minutes to spare, I highly recommend immersing yourself in a "Modern Love" episode. Our capacity for love should serve as a warm reminder of what it means to be human.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

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Recommended for you

3 Poignant ‘Modern Love’ Podcast Episodes That Attest To Our Vulnerability And Capacity To Love

Frequently, we need a reminder of what it means to be human; "Modern Love" provides just that.

Take Me as I am, Whoever I am (Oct. 28, 2016)

The Language of Love (May 23, 2018)

Learning Humanity from Dogs (Sept. 12, 2018)

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

A Fish

CDs

Movie Tickets

Candy

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