logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
53m 7s

History of the Self: Love

NPR
About this episode
How did love – this thing that's supposed to be beautiful, magical, transformative – turn into a neverending slog? We went searching for answers, and we found them in surprising places. On today's show: a time-hopping, philosophical journey into the origins of modern love. (This episode first ran as Love, Throughline)

To access bonus episodes and listen to Throughline sponsor-free, subscribe to Throughline+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/throughline.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Yesterday
The lightbulb conspiracy is both real and everywhere
Over the next few episodes, we present Hidden Histories: stories that will make you rethink how the world works. First up, the conspiracy behind the lightbulb—and how it came to shape the entire consumer economy. If you ever wondered why your tech outdates so quickly or just plai ... Show More
31m 49s
Jul 28
The license to be funny in America
One of the most fundamental aspects of American democracy has been the public’s ability to critique power, whether that’s through protest, legislation, or a really funny joke. Today, we take a romp into the history of American comedy, showing no matter how crude, rude, or distast ... Show More
20m 1s
Jul 23
The architect of modern China
From impoverishment to global superpower, China’s supremacy happened at a breakneck speed thanks to the visionary strategy of the man who took power in 1978. Over the next decade, under leader Deng Xiaoping’s firm leadership, China flirted with capitalism and transformed its soci ... Show More
37m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2019
Love
A Thinking Allowed special on 'love'. What are the origins of our notions of high romantic love? Was the post war period a 'golden age' for lifelong love? Has marriage for love now failed? Laurie Taylor hopes to finds some answers with the help of the social historian, Claire Lan ... Show More
28m 56s
Aug 2021
have we destroyed our capacity to love?
<p>in this episode, we talk about modern love and all the ways it intersects with politics. we explore the age-old question "is love political?" we talk about all the things that sustain love, as well as the things that undermine it. we differentiate between healthy love and unhe ... Show More
27m 37s
Jul 2015
What Is Love?
A history of ideas. Presented by Melvyn Bragg but told in many voices.Each week Melvyn is joined by four guests with different backgrounds to discuss a really big question. This week he's asking 'What is Love?'.Helping him answer it are theologian Giles Fraser, writer Lisa Appign ... Show More
12m 52s
Nov 2016
Episode #093 ... Nietzsche pt. 4 - Love
Today we look at the concept of love from several different angles in an attempt to better understand our own thoughts on love. Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help. Website: https://www.philosophizethis.org/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/phil ... Show More
26m 43s
Nov 2023
Journeying Together: Our Milestones in Love and Life
<p> 🌟 Join us for a heartwarming and reflective episode as we dive into the depths of our journey as a couple. In this candid conversation, we explore the progress we&#39;ve made, the challenges we&#39;ve overcome, and the dreams we&#39;ve built together. SUPPORT THE SHOW</p> < ... Show More
46m 22s
Nov 2022
Feeling Unlovable & Accepting Love
How often do you truly feel loved? Do you have many moments where you do or are they rare relics? In this episode, we take a look at times we found ourselves feeling loved in the purest way possible, why we sometimes have a hard time accepting love, and how we often question why ... Show More
45m 22s
Dec 2020
the sorrows and pleasures of romantic love
<p>this week, i have a veryyy in-depth, insightful and (painfully) honest conversation with Lave Gallo, about the pleasures and sorrows of romantic love. we talk about the inherent incompatibilities between cis-het men and women. we talk about the tension between desire and stabi ... Show More
23m 12s
Oct 2021
Repeating history in relationships
We all want to know what it's like to feel worthy and chosen in love. In this episode of Thick & Thin, I reveal my true birthday wish and ponder over my past relationships to discover a repeating pattern. // Follow me on IG: instagram.com/katybellotte // Sources: https://www.medi ... Show More
42m 4s
Nov 2021
#36 The Truth About Love: Beyond the Stereotypes and Clichés
In this episode, I talk about love and what it means in a broad sense. I discuss how it is expressed as an emotion, where and when it applies, who it applies to, how it affects your life, and the essential value it has. I talk about the common idea of love, which is romanticism, ... Show More
21m 39s