Esther Perel on Thanksgiving Recipes and Who They Connect Us To @estherperel

Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago

The recipes we make are one way we bring the generations of our village together, or bring parts of our history to share with new connections, or learn anew to begin new traditions.

Tell me: Is there something special you'll be making or looking forward to eating today? Who does it remind you of?

And if you're part of my community on Substack, tomorrow I'll share the recipe I hope to pass down there.

Esther Perel on Thanksgiving Recipes and Who They Connect Us To

$My Sisters Engaged, Why Dont Men Want to Marry Me? | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel Esther Calling - He Doesnt Believe in Marriage, But I Cant Let Go of the Hope | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel On this weeks episode of Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel: When her younger sister gets engaged, a woman finds herself spiraling with unexpected grief and frustration. She’s spent years in relationships with men who shy away from marriage, and the news stirs up deeper childhood wounds—secrets about her family and questions of belonging. With Esther’s help, she begins to face the shame she’s carried and the tricky balance between wanting to be seen and wanting to stay true to herself. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Weight of Family Secrets 00:44 A Sisters Engagement and Personal Heartache 01:53 The Pain of Being Different 02:49 Confronting Deep-Seated Emotions 03:41 The Desire for Belonging and Validation 07:13 Exploring Family Dynamics 08:48 Unveiling Childhood Secrets 12:05 The Impact of Hidden Truths 16:45 Mothers Shame and Its Influence 19:15 Codependency and Emotional Safety 20:19 Breaking the Connection 21:07 Journey of Differentiation 21:46 Revisiting Relationship Patterns 22:31 Family Dynamics and Painful Conversations 24:11 Public Declarations and Symbolic Acts 26:48 Internal Conflicts and Realizations 33:55 Parental Conflicts and Emotional Burdens 38:43 Reflection and Moving Forward 42:33 Conclusion About Where Should We Begin?: Every Monday morning, step into the office of iconic psychotherapist Esther Perel and listen in as real people in search of insight bare the raw, intimate, and profound details of their stories. From breakups and open relationships to workplace conflicts and fractures in the family, it’s a place to hear our own stories reflected in the lives of others. About Esther Perel: Psychotherapist, relationship expert, and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Her celebrated TED Talks have garnered more than 40 million views and her bestselling books, Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs, are global phenomena translated into more than 30 languages. Esther is also the host of the hit podcast Where Should We Begin? which is available on Apple Podcasts. Learn more at EstherPerel.com or by following @EstherPerelOfficial on Instagram.$ $When Im Manic I Cheat | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel On this weeks classic episode of the podcast, he says he cheats when he’s manic. Her friends–and her mother–are convinced she should leave, but she wants to explore staying in their marriage. Listen into this episode where both partners speak very openly about what it would mean to stay. Chapters 00:00 Did Mania Lead to Cheating? 01:18 What Is This Conversation Really About? 02:06 What Happens When a Good Girl Falls for a Wild Guy? 04:51 How Do Faith, Marriage, and Bipolar Disorder Collide? 07:55 Are the Affairs a Symptom or a Sign They Are Incompatible? 08:41 Why Did Her Mother Warn That Love Could Bring Sadness? 10:20 Is This Hypersexuality or Polyamory? 13:51 Can Medication and Structure Hold Everything Together? 15:12 What Happens When You Pause to Breathe? 16:57 Is Sex Becoming a Way to Self Soothe? 19:05 What Changes When You Separate Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions? 20:28 Can Nonmonogamy Be a Values Based Choice? 21:04 What Is the Difference Between Acting Out and Accepting Yourself? 21:52 Is Real Progress Actually Happening? 22:10 What Happens When Friends Hear About the Cheating? 23:42 Why Does Infidelity Feel Like the End of Everything? 24:24 What Still Works Between Them? 30:24 Is Monogamy Something You Choose Again and Again? 31:26 What Do You Share Publicly and What Stays Private? 34:40 Can Love Exist Without Risk? 36:12 How Did Her Mother Teach Her to Protect Herself? 39:38 What Happens When Mom Enters the Conversation? 43:42 What Does Real Repair After Betrayal Look Like? About Where Should We Begin?: Every Monday morning, step into the office of iconic psychotherapist Esther Perel and listen in as real people in search of insight bare the raw, intimate, and profound details of their stories. From breakups and open relationships to workplace conflicts and fractures in the family, it’s a place to hear our own stories reflected in the lives of others. About Esther Perel: Psychotherapist, relationship expert, and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Her celebrated TED Talks have garnered more than 40 million views and her bestselling books, Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs, are global phenomena translated into more than 30 languages. Esther is also the host of the hit podcast Where Should We Begin? which is available on Apple Podcasts. Learn more at her website (https://bit.ly/4daEC7i) or follow for bonus content on Substack (https://bit.ly/3P0eAK2)$

Esther Perel and Sam Pressler Discuss Modern Loneliness

When You Dont Want to Live With The Answer to a Question

$My Husband Has Been Cheating For Years: What Now? | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel The Chronic Philanderer | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel On this weeks episode of Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel: Hes been cheating on her for years, and shes had enough. Now she wants to know: is he in or is he out? Chapters 00:00 Introduction: A Marriage in Crisis 01:46 The Husbands Double Life 04:41 Exploring the Root Causes 11:46 The Impact on Family Dynamics 18:14 The Struggle for Control and Resolution 22:58 Understanding the Root of Emotional Turmoil 24:11 The Impact of Family Dynamics 24:46 Navigating Personal Insecurities 25:17 The Struggle with Infidelity 26:28 Confronting Emotional Pain 28:13 The Weight of Past Losses 31:22 The Complexity of Parental Roles 33:36 The Path to Healing and Reconciliation 35:35 The Importance of Honest Communication 37:54 Reflecting on Personal Growth 43:16 Final Thoughts and Resources About Where Should We Begin?: Every Monday morning, step into the office of iconic psychotherapist Esther Perel and listen in as real people in search of insight bare the raw, intimate, and profound details of their stories. From breakups and open relationships to workplace conflicts and fractures in the family, it’s a place to hear our own stories reflected in the lives of others. About Esther Perel: Psychotherapist, relationship expert, and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Her celebrated TED Talks have garnered more than 40 million views and her bestselling books, Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs, are global phenomena translated into more than 30 languages. Esther is also the host of the hit podcast Where Should We Begin? which is available on Apple Podcasts. Learn more at EstherPerel.com or by following @EstherPerelOfficial on Instagram.$

Esther Perels Games and Courses 20% off until July 6

The relationship between trust and betrayal

$I Gave Him an Ultimatum To Stop Hiding Our Relationship | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel On this weeks episode of Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel: A person gives their partner an ultimatum, and they fail to meet it. What happens then to the relationship? This couple comes to Esther with that question, wondering what future, if any, might be possible for them. A painful misalignment lies at the center of their polyamorous relationship. She wants to be an integrated part of his life, including his other partnerships; he wants to keep his relationships separate and invisible. Tired of feeling like a secret, she finally gave him an ultimatum: make me a visible part of your life. He wouldnt do it, and now they are left wondering if it will be possible to stay together. Chapters 00:00 Can Transparency and Secrecy Coexist? 02:32 Why Do They Keep Repeating the Same Breakup? 04:16 Are They Even Defining Poly the Same Way? 05:14 What Happens When Your Other Relationships Stay Hidden? 07:24 Can a Relationship Survive Without Full Access? 09:43 What Is Compartmentalization Protecting Him From? 10:45 Where Did His Need for Secrecy Begin? 14:24 When Does People Pleasing Become Avoidance? 16:53 The Smallest Thing She Wants From Him 18:59 Can Relationship Anarchy Become Self-Erasure? 21:26 What Happens When He Finally Starts Telling the Truth? 24:18 Is Secrecy Still Running His Life? 25:39 What Does It Do to You to Feel Like a Secret? 27:53 Why Can’t They Let Go of Something So Painful? 29:16 Can Empathy Make You Abandon Yourself? 31:53 What Is He Really Losing by Ending These Relationships? 35:47 Have They Both Been Hiding From the Truth? 39:48 Can Love Survive Without Shared Limits? 44:51 Is He Using “Poly” to Describe Something Else Entirely? 46:49 How Do You Leave Without Feeling Certain? 51:28 Could They Be Friends Instead? About Where Should We Begin?: Every Monday morning, step into the office of iconic psychotherapist Esther Perel and listen in as real people in search of insight bare the raw, intimate, and profound details of their stories. From breakups and open relationships to workplace conflicts and fractures in the family, it’s a place to hear our own stories reflected in the lives of others. About Esther Perel: Psychotherapist, relationship expert, and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Her celebrated TED Talks have garnered more than 40 million views and her bestselling books, Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs, are global phenomena translated into more than 30 languages. Esther is also the host of the hit podcast Where Should We Begin? which is available on Apple Podcasts. Learn more at EstherPerel.com or by following @EstherPerelOfficial on Instagram.$