Esther talks to a woman who, despite her best efforts, finds herself implicated in the same toxic cycle of abuse from her partner that she grew up watching between her parents. Rationally, she knows she deserves better, but just can't seem to get out from under this painful repetition of events. Esther talks her through why she thinks she finds herself back ... Show More
Aug 3
I Love My Partner, So Why Can’t I Let Go of My Ex?
What is the distinction between a love story and a life story? And what happens when they no longer move in the same direction? After returning to the Philippines to reconnect with a former partner she never fully let go of, one caller finds herself overwhelmed by grief, longing, ... Show More
50m 59s
Jul 20
Is Using ChatGPT Hurting My Relationship?
She comes to Esther with a question that feels distinctly of this moment: when does a tool become a transgression? After leaving a long, stable marriage, she finds herself in a new relationship marked by intense highs and low lows. She turns to AI, using it as a real-time coach t ... Show More
52m 29s
Apr 2018
I'm In Love With My Abuser — With Esta Soler
<p>For the first time on the podcast, the Sugars answer a voice mail message from the Dear Sugars hotline. The message comes from a woman who reunited with her ex-boyfriend, who once assaulted her. Wracked with shame, she wonders if reconciling with him is acceptable and if it’s ... Show More
26m 17s
Jun 2025
How Do I Trust in Love When My Heart Has Been Broken?
Nora talks with Jess, a struggling caller who has found herself in a relationship with someone she desperately wants to trust. But after a string of unhealthy relationships, Jess can’t help but feel like she’s just waiting for the other shoe to drop. For full ad-free episodes, th ... Show More
52m 37s
Nov 2022
Encore: I'm In Love With My Abuser
<p>For the first time on the podcast, the Sugars answer a voice mail message from the Dear Sugars hotline. The message comes from a woman who reunited with her ex-boyfriend, who once assaulted her. Wracked with shame, she wonders if reconciling with him is acceptable and if it’s ... Show More
26m 25s
Oct 2024
Q&A: It's Not About Childhood. It's About How They Treat Me Now
In this conversation, Whitney Goodman answers two caller questions about the complexities of estrangement and the challenges of communicating with parents. She emphasizes the importance of self-protection, setting boundaries, and understanding the dynamics of parent-child relatio ... Show More
34m 19s