This is Love
Psychology & Relationships
About
Love is more than you think.From the creators of Criminal. New episodes twice a month.Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Episodes
- SOS
Brandon and Gina, who barely knew each other, found themselves lost on a mountain. Their story was featured in an article titled "Lost & Found" in Backpacker Magazine.
- The French Fries
Cathy finds mysterious bags of french fries on her porch. Her neighbor Harley joins her to investigate the mystery.
- Feeling Good
Comedian Dan Perlman recounts the experience of being asked to impersonate Michael Bublé for a night after a stranger noted their resemblance. He had six days to prepare for the performance.
- You've Got Mail
Delia Ephron, known for romantic comedies such as "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail," shares how she experienced a real-life romance similar to the plot of "You've Got Mail." This episode explores the intersection of her work and…
- A Needle in a Haystack
This episode of This is Love recounts the story of a missing dog in a Brooklyn park. A local Facebook group collaborated to assist in the search efforts.
- Chloe and the Hare
Chloe Dalton discusses her experiences with a wild hare, which she chronicled in her memoir, Raising Hare. She describes the bond she formed with the animal through their frequent encounters.
- The Treasure Hunt
This episode of This is Love discusses Forrest Fenn, who hid a treasure box in the Rocky Mountains. It delves into the clues provided for the treasure hunt.
- Into the Ice
Explorer Jill Heinerth discusses her expedition to dive into the B-15 iceberg in Antarctica. During the journey, she faced significant dangers in the Southern Ocean before a small animal provided unexpected assistance.
- The Obituary Section
Heather Lende shares her experiences writing nearly 500 obituaries for community members in her small Alaskan town. She discusses the process of writing about people she has known personally.
- The Long Walk
This episode explores the story of Emma Gatewood, who began thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail at the age of 67. The episode features author Ben Montgomery, who wrote the book Grandma Gatewood's Walk.
- How's Your Life?
Twenty years after graduation, Minh Nguyen begins reaching out to his former classmates to ask them the same set of questions about their lives. This episode explores the story behind these reconnections.
- Cry
This episode discusses the history and inspiration behind Alvin Ailey’s ballet 'Cry,' created in 1971 for his mother. It explores the emotional and physical demands of the choreography and Ailey's reflections on his mother's life.
- Ava and the Pickpocket
In this episode of This is Love, Ava Do shares the story of how she met a professional pickpocket at a Las Vegas bachelorette party in 2004 and eventually fell in love.
- One More Time
This episode explores the history of totem poles in the Pacific Northwest and the impact of their disappearance from the village where Robert Davidson was born.
- A Sky of Kites
This episode of This is Love explores the tradition of kite flying in India, looking at its historical uses and its intersection with the scavenging black kite birds that share the same skies.
- The Throne
In this episode of This is Love, a landlord in 1964 Washington, DC discovers an unusual project left behind by a tenant who had failed to pay rent. The man had been working on the creation for 14 years.
- My Penny
This episode explores the story of a man who held a press conference at a Denver hospital in 2006 to ask for help identifying himself after experiencing memory loss. This episode was originally released in 2021.
- The World According to Rick Steves
Travel expert Rick Steves discusses his approach to travel, including tips on packing, journaling, and using duct tape.
- Alone Together
This episode explores the story of Maurice and Maralyn Bailey, who left their suburban lives in 1966 to build a boat and set sail. The episode features insights from Sophie Elmhirst, author of A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obses…
- The Sea Around Us
This episode of This is Love explores the letters exchanged between writer Rachel Carson and her neighbor, Dorothy Freeman. Guests Lida Maxwell and Martha Freeman discuss the nature of the relationship and the published collection of their…
- Hot Dog!
This episode explores the culture of hot dogs and the individuals who have a passion for them. It is part of the This is Love podcast series.
- The Terra Nova
This episode explores a love story uncovered within the journals and letters of the 1910 British expedition to the South Pole. It references an article by Allegra Rosenberg titled "From Antarctica with Love."
- An American Original
In 1963, Jeanne and Alan Abel staged a protest at the White House advocating for animals to wear clothes. Their daughter, Jenny Abel, and her husband, Jeff Hockett, explore their story in the documentary Abel Raises Cain.
- Bambi, a Burrito Bowl, and Barry Manilow
This episode features behind-the-scenes conversations between Phoebe and Criminal co-creator Lauren Spohrer from the Criminal Plus series. Topics include Phoebe's bracelets, a court order to watch Bambi, and information on supporting the p…
- The Bear Repair
Sally Winey has spent 40 years repairing damaged stuffed animals for people. This episode explores the significance of these items in their owners' lives.
- This Is Uncomfortable
Terence McPherson and Shawnika Giger discuss navigating financial conversations early in their relationship. This episode is a collaboration between This is Love and This Is Uncomfortable.
- And... Did You Kiss? Part 2
This episode of This is Love follows up on blind dates featured in a newspaper column to discover what happened when the participants were asked if they would meet again.
- And… Did You Kiss? Part 1
This episode of This is Love explores the experiences of two strangers who went on a blind date organized by a journalist at The Guardian newspaper. The individuals share their own perspectives on how the date unfolded.
- D'yan
In this episode, D’yan Forest shares her experience pursuing a career in stand-up comedy at an older age despite facing criticism from others.
- The Security Guard
Patrick Bringley discusses his decision to leave his office job to work as a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art following his brother's death. He reflects on his ten-year tenure at the museum and his book, All the Beauty in t…
- On the Way to Dinner
In this episode of This is Love, Danny Stewart recounts the 2000 incident where he discovered an abandoned baby while on his way to dinner in a New York City subway station. The story explores the subsequent journey of Danny Stewart and hi…
- Nice to Meet You Again
Haley Woloshen shares her experience of being ghosted by Cody Bryant, only to later discover that he had forgotten about her entirely.
- Frog Call
Edgardo Griffith and Heidi Ross bonded over a shared interest in searching for Panamanian golden frogs. As their relationship progressed, they faced the challenge of the species beginning to disappear.
- In the Great Green Room
This episode explores the history of the children's book 'Goodnight Moon' and the life of its author, Margaret Wise Brown, featuring insights from Leonard Marcus.
- Beaver in the Christmas Aisle, Pig in the Pumpkins, Camel on the Run
This episode of This is Love features stories about animals, including a beaver in a Christmas aisle, a pig in pumpkins, and a camel on the run.
- The King of Fruit
Ahmed Ali Akbar recalls his 2018 trip to the Detroit airport to collect a shipment of a special fruit for his cousin. This episode reflects on the story behind the delivery.
- The Manuscript
This episode explores the mystery of an object that remains unidentified despite more than a century of investigation by cryptologists and linguists.
- What Happens Next
Phoebe interviews journalist Sebastian Junger about his experience being rushed to the hospital after feeling ill and witnessing something unusual. The episode also touches on a personal story Phoebe previously shared about her mother's pa…
- Valentine
In the 100th episode of This is Love, Phoebe shares a personal story about her mother, Valentine, who passed away in the spring.
- Prairie Warbler
In this episode of This is Love, Drew Lanham discusses his lifelong passion for birds, his journey from studying engineering to pursuing his love of nature, and his book, The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature.
- At the End of Sight
Writer Andrew Leland discusses his experience living with the degenerative eye disease Retinitis pigmentosa and his memoir, The Country of the Blind. Leland speaks with host Phoebe about his transition into life with vision loss.
- Octavia and Miguel
This episode tells the story of Miguel Esteban, who at age 14 contacted science fiction author Octavia Butler to request a contribution for his self-made magazine.
- Hula with Teeth
In this episode, Patrick Makuakāne recounts a night in the 1990s when he and a group of hula dancers performed at a San Francisco club known as Old Dreamland.
- Nurse BokHee
This episode explores the character of Nurse BokHee, who has remained a background presence throughout every season of Grey's Anatomy. Despite having very few lines, she has become a beloved character among the show's audience.
- A Day at the Crematory
Crematorium worker Gabrielle Gatto shares her daily experiences at Green-Wood Cemetery. The episode also features insights from funeral home director Lynda Thompson-Lindsay.
- Switched-On
Charlie Harding and Nate Sloan of Switched On Pop discuss the history of the synthesizer and the influence of Wendy Carlos and her album Switched-On Bach. The episode explores why Carlos is considered a significant but lesser-known figure…
- To Know the Dark
This episode explores the global increase in light pollution and visits a specific location dedicated to preserving the night sky.
- You Can't Promise to Love Forever
Folk singer Peggy Seeger discusses her creative work, her relationship with Irene Pyper-Scott, and her past partnership with Ewan MacColl, who wrote the song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" for her. This episode is from the podcast T…
- The Most Romantic Place in Philadelphia
This episode explores the history and reputation of McGillin’s Olde Ale House in Philadelphia, which is noted as the city's oldest bar and credited with having a history of matchmaking.
- At the Drawing Board
This episode profiles Ray Billingsley, who has been drawing the nationally-syndicated comic strip Curtis, featuring a mostly-Black cast, for 35 years.