You Keep Planning A Future Without Me

Conflict is not toxic or immoral. In fact, it's generative and the lifeblood of our relationships. It isn't something to avoid. It matters, and it can even bring us closer together. Priya Parker, author of The Art of Fighting, joins Esther to dig into how conflict can be a produc ...  Show more

A married couple arrives at Esther’s office hoping to recover from a devastating rupture with his mother after the birth of their first child. But immediately their session reveals a longer, more complex history of betrayal within their relationship and within his larger family s ...  Show more

At 35, Athena doesn't believe she deserves a meaningful relationship, feels disconnected from herself, and is involved in a 3-year affair. Brian suffers with fears his ex will spread toxic stories about him in a tightly-knit community, and has become withdrawn. Sven goes to work, ...  Show more

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’ve been in a relationship with a woman for a year and I need some advice. She’s 35 and I’m 54 years old. When we met, I was legally separated and I was miserable, in a one bedroom apartment and depressed because my wife had a new boyfriend already. I wan ...  Show more

Dear Steve and Shirley, I was married for four short years and my ex husband and I are still really good friends, but we can't seem to get along well enough to live together. I moved to a nearby city to start over so I wouldn't have to run into him all the time. As soon as I move ...  Show more

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m in a bad situation and I need your advice. A few months ago, I was in a great relationship and my man and I were happy. I had a male neighbor that I only talked to on social media. My man found out about us sending each other messages and he accused me ...  Show more