I Fell for My Best Friend, But He Didn't Feel the Same | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel @estherperel

Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 minutes ago

On this week's episode of Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel: He fell in love with his best friend. But when his best friend reconnected with an ex, it was too much to bear and he had to end the friendship. He wonders how to let himself fall in love again and move into the next chapter of his life.

Topic: Relationships with Family & Friends

Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Beginning of a Heartfelt Journey
01:09 A Heartfelt Question: Navigating Unrequited Love
04:00 The Story Unfolds: From Friendship to Heartbreak
05:52 Reflecting on the Past: Cultural and Emotional Insights
08:19 The Turning Point: Choosing Separation
12:30 Moving Forward: Embracing New Beginnings
24:24 Exploring New Connections: Dating and Social Strategies
35:19 Conclusion: Embracing Change and New Opportunities

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.

$I Fell for My Best Friend, But He Didnt Feel the Same | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel On this weeks episode of Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel: He fell in love with his best friend. But when his best friend reconnected with an ex, it was too much to bear and he had to end the friendship. He wonders how to let himself fall in love again and move into the next chapter of his life. Topic: Relationships with Family & Friends Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Beginning of a Heartfelt Journey 01:09 A Heartfelt Question: Navigating Unrequited Love 04:00 The Story Unfolds: From Friendship to Heartbreak 05:52 Reflecting on the Past: Cultural and Emotional Insights 08:19 The Turning Point: Choosing Separation 12:30 Moving Forward: Embracing New Beginnings 24:24 Exploring New Connections: Dating and Social Strategies 35:19 Conclusion: Embracing Change and New Opportunities 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.$ $I Accidentally Dated An OnlyFans Star: Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel On this weeks episode of Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel: Post-breakup rumination is a familiar spiral. We replay the signs, question our judgment, and wonder how we didn’t see it coming. This week, Esther speaks with a man grappling with the lingering grief and betrayal of discovering that his ex wasnt exactly who he thought she was. Together, they explore the complex aftermath of a relationship. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Post-Relationship Rumination 00:20 A Jealous Man and OnlyFans 00:50 Unpacking the Relationship 01:25 Discovering the Truth 02:15 The Breakup and Aftermath 02:55 Reconnecting and Betrayal 03:28 Grief and Self-Blame 16:58 The Impact of Loss 21:01 Connecting the Dots 23:07 Struggles with Jealousy 24:11 Defining Jealousy 24:57 Trust and Surveillance 25:49 Personal Experiences of Jealousy 26:18 Feelings of Inadequacy 29:02 Reflections on Past Relationships 38:36 The Impact of Loss 43:39 Concluding Thoughts and Dedication 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.$

Should I Have Another Baby? Where Should We Begin? With Esther Perel

$My Boyfriend is Married and Im Jealous I Where Should We Begin? With Esther Perel On this weeks episode of Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel: A divorced woman calls Esther to untangle a new love that brings both exhilaration and heartache. She is in a relationship with a married man whose marriage is ethically non-monogamous and finds herself caught between desire, jealousy and the longing to feel chosen. As the conversation unfolds, buried childhood wounds, attachment patterns, and an inherited inner critic rise to the surface. They explore how old stories shape present love and what it might mean to rewrite the story she tells herself about love. Chapters 00:00 Should She Stay or Should She Go? 01:17 What Does Her Poly Relationship Really Look Like? 05:42 When Jealousy Collides With Family First 07:42 How Did Divorce Shape the Way She Loves? 10:47 How Do Father Wounds Influence Attachment? 13:22 What Happens When Fear of Loss Turns Into Outbursts? 16:54 What Changes After Meeting the Wife? 19:57 Can You Externalize Jealousy Instead of Becoming It? 22:53 Whose Voice Is Undermining Her Self Worth? 25:59 What Do Primary and Secondary Really Mean? 27:36 Is Exclusive the Same as Special? 30:30 How Much Do Friends’ Opinions Matter? 32:24 Which Story About Jealousy Will She Believe? 34:21 Are Her Meltdowns Echoes of Childhood? 36:31 What Is Anger Trying to Protect? 37:38 Why Does Flirtation Trigger Such a Spiral? 40:37 Is She Competing With Other Women or With Herself? 44:50 What If She Could Design Love on Her Own Terms? 48:34 What Happens When You Stop Hiding Jealousy and Put It on the Mantle? 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 on her website (here: https://bit.ly/4daEC7i) or by joining her Substack community Entre Nous (here: https://bit.ly/3P0eAK2) for bonus content.$

For the First Time: Video of Couple on Where Should We Begin?

$Wedding Woes About My Mom | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel On this weeks episode of Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel: She’s getting married soon, but before she walks down the aisle, she wants to walk toward her mother with more understanding. Years of complicated emotions since her parents’ divorce have built walls between them. With Esther’s insight, she learns how to acknowledge her own feelings, understand her mother’s defenses, and lay the groundwork for a more loving connection. Chapters 00:00 What Does It Mean to Truly Honor Your Younger Self? 01:06 Why Do We Keep Repeating the Same Fight With Our Parents? 04:07 What Really Broke the Family and What Stayed Intact? 07:07 Why Does Accountability Feel Like an Impossible Ask? 10:09 Was She Always This Way or Did Something Shift? 12:57 What Happens When You Choose Curiosity Over Confrontation? 16:17 Can a Wedding Become a Chance to Rewrite the Script? 19:25 How Do You Say Something Hard So It Can Actually Be Heard? 23:35 What Changes When You Stop Needing Them to Validate You? 25:33 Can Someone Else Help Bridge What You Can’t Say Directly? 26:35 What If You Stopped Knocking on a Door That Won’t Open? 28:55 What Changes When You Try to See Her Pain First? 30:54 What Can a “Chinese Finger Trap” Teach About Letting Go? 32:38 What Would You Say to Your Teenage Self Now? 34:52 Is Divorce the End of a Family or Its Transformation? 38:39 Can You Separate the Mother From the Partner She Was? 43:42 What Happens When You Lead With Honest Praise and a Clear Ask? 46:47 What Does It Look Like to Actually Try Something New? 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.$

Global Response to Esther Perels Mating in Captivity

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