Love Lives

We need to have difficult conversations about cancel culture May 31, 2024

We talk to author Yomi Adegoke about her debut novel The List, and the uncomfortable truth about #MeToo.

The novel follows Ola and Michael, an Instagram-famous couple who, one month before their wedding, are shaken when Michael is accused of predatory behaviour in an anonymous list shared online.

We talk with Yomi about the flaws within social media justice, the murky waters of anonymous allegations, and the importance of having nuanced discussions about cancel culture.

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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Neuroscientist on the science of falling in love May 17, 2024

When it comes to matters of the heart, what’s going on in our heads?

We’re joined by neuroscientist Nicole Vignola to discuss the science of falling in love, the chemicals that induce that giddy feeling, and how to trick our brains into creating lasting love.

Nicole also reveals how long it really takes to get over a breakup, why love can feel addictive, and why the head and the heart don’t need to be at odds with each other.

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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Comedian Andrew Hunter Murray: ‘The political landscape is ripe for satire’ May 03, 2024

Comedian, QI writer and Private Eye journalist Andrew Hunter Murray joins us this week to discuss his latest novel, A Beginner’s Guide to Breaking and Entering.

We talk with Andrew about satirising the housing crisis, the power of humour in storytelling, and how to humble the world’s billionaires using sudoku.

We also discuss the golden age of Twitter, Carrie Bradshaw’s questionable writing, and why Frasier is the ultimate comfort watch.

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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Otegha Uwagba on how Instagram fuels self-doubt more than a catwalk Apr 18, 2024

This week, we’re joined by Sunday Times bestselling author Otegha Uwagba to discuss how she left the systemic racism and misogyny of the corporate world to pursue a career in writing.

We discuss everything from the paralysis of writer’s block, to how doom-scrolling on social media impacts body image.

We also discuss all things fashion, the problem with Saltburn, and if 17 minutes is an appropriate length for a voicenote.

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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Tom Walker: ‘Songwriting is my therapy’ Apr 04, 2024

BRIT Award winning singer-songwriter Tom Walker joins us to discuss his second album, I Am.

Tom opens up about one of the singles on the album, ‘Lifeline’, about the unexpected death of a friend, and how writing the song allowed him to process his grief.

“It’s one of my favourite songs I’ve ever written, but also the most difficult song to listen to. It’s certainly one of the realest things I’ve ever put down on paper, and you can feel that when you listen to it.”

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV, YouTube, and all major social and podcast platforms.

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Author Ela Lee: ‘We need to start taking blackout sex seriously’ Mar 22, 2024

This week on Love Lives, we’re joined by author Ela Lee to discuss her hotly anticipated novel, Jaded, which tells the story of a young lawyer who wakes up the morning after a work event with no memory of how she got home.

We chat with Ela about the confronting aftermath of “blackout sex”, the grey area of consent, and why we need to debunk the ‘nice guy’ myth to tackle rape culture.

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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Journalist Bryony Gordon: ‘If men went through menopause, we’d never hear the end of it’ Mar 08, 2024

Love Lives is back, and we’re kicking off the brand new season with journalist and author Bryony Gordon.

We talk to Bryony about her new book, Mad Woman, the hotly anticipated follow-up to her bestseller, Mad Girl. The book explores everything from perimenopause and the ongoing battle to prioritise women’s health, to addiction, binge eating, and mental health.

We also discuss Bryony's struggles with drugs and alcohol, cross-addicting to food, and some of the myths around OCD.

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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Female rage, Tom Cruise, and pickles: Best moments from Love Lives in 2023 Dec 22, 2023

It’s been an incredible first year for Love Lives. After relaunching at the start of the year, we’ve been lucky to speak with a host of guests, including Hollywood actors, award-winning musicians, and bestselling authors.

From female rage, healthcare injustice and violence against women, to queer representation, stunt work in film and a lifelong love of pickles, our guests have had some incredible stories to tell.

A huge thank you to our wonderful guests and everyone who watched and listened this year – exciting things to come in 2024!

Check out Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube.

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Singer-songwriter Tom Grennan: ‘I need to live like an athlete so I can perform’ Oct 26, 2023

This week on Love Lives, we’re delighted to be joined by Brit award-nominated artist Tom Grennan to discuss his latest album, What Ifs & Maybes, and navigating life in the public eye.

The Little Bit of Love singer talks to Independent TV’s Olivia Petter about how ditching destructive vices allowed him to focus on music, and how his love of family, football, and furry friends helps keep him grounded following his dizzying rise to fame.

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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Writer Emma Forrest: ‘Trump’s election made me want to be celibate’ Oct 12, 2023

Our guest this week is film director, screenwriter and novelist Emma Forrest.

Emma joins us to discuss her second memoir, Busy Being Free, which follows the breakdown of her marriage, her move from the glitz and glamour of LA to a tiny flat in north London, and her commitment to a period of celibacy (at least partially inspired by the election of Donald Trump).

We chat about what it means to start again, life outside of marriage and the male gaze, and the “existential crisis” faced by a generation who grew up in the age of internet porn.

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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‘Bellies’ author Nicola Dinan: ‘Trans characters should have the right to be fallible too’ Sep 28, 2023

This week, we’re thrilled to speak with author Nicola Dinan about her debut novel, Bellies.

It follows the relationship between young graduates Tom and Ming and how their connection fluctuates in the wake of Ming’s transition, and is being adapted for TV by the studio behind the Normal People adaptation.

We chat with Nicola about the expectation that transgender characters should be overly virtuous, and how marginalised characters should have “the freedom to be pieces of s*** too.”

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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Author Poorna Bell on the power of withdrawing from one-sided friendships Sep 14, 2023

This week, we’re joined by award-winning journalist and author Poorna Bell to discuss the importance of letting go of one-sided friendships.

We discuss how it can feel daunting when friends’ lives splinter off in different directions, and why it's okay to be selective with your friendships.

We also talk about the myth of finding “the one”, the importance of writing South Asian stories into popular culture, as well as Poorna’s debut novel, In Case of Emergency.

You can also read Poorna's writing at her recently launched Substack, It's As I Was Saying with Poorna Bell https://poornabell.substack.com/

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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Singer Zara Larsson on being in the 'power of wanting to do it for yourself' Aug 31, 2023

Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson joins us on Love Lives to discuss fame and how blogging from a young age in Sweden has helped her feel comfortable speaking her mind and taking ownership of her work in the relentless and unforgiving music industry. Zara speaks about how she collaborates in the studio, how she came to the public's attention at a young age and how one form of transport has stolen her heart.

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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Author Megan Nolan: ‘I want to avoid using trauma to excuse all bad behaviour of my characters’ Aug 17, 2023

This week, bestselling author Megan Nolan joins us to discuss her latest book, Ordinary Human Failings, which explores a family who become tabloid scapegoats after a toddler goes missing from a London estate.

We talk about the exploitative tabloid culture and issues of addiction that lie at the heart of the book, as well as what drives people to commit violence, the impact of childhood neglect on adult relationships, and how trauma narratives are too often used to excuse bad behaviour.

Catch Love Lives on Independent TV and YouTube, as well as all major social and podcast platforms.

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Author Lorraine Candy: ‘Perimenopausal rage made me feel I was unravelling’ Aug 04, 2023

Journalist, editor and author Lorraine Candy joins us to discuss her latest book, ‘What’s Wrong With Me?’: 101 Things Midlife Women Need to Know.

Lorraine talks about a “huge unravelling” she experienced at around 47 years old, when she went through the perimenopause, and how a lack of knowledge about this process made her feel she was “going mad”.

We also discuss female rage, older women being sidelined in popular culture, and why the the myth that women can ‘have it all’ is a dangerous one.

Check out Love Lives on Independent TV and all major podcast platforms, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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Singer Freya Ridings: ‘I was an outcast until I found out I could sing’ Jul 20, 2023

Brit-nominated artist Freya Ridings joins us on Love Lives this week to discuss her second album, Blood Orange, the pressure she faced to write new material, and why we love listening to sad music when we’re feeling down.

The ‘Lost Without You’ singer reveals how she created the new album, which mixes disco, pop and rock alongside the melancholic, piano-driven ballads she’s known for, and opens up about how she channelled her heartbreak into songwriting from a young age.

Check out Love Lives on Independent TV and all major podcast platforms, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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Mission Impossible star Hayley Atwell on how she helped create her character Jul 06, 2023

This week, we’re thrilled to be joined by actor Hayley Atwell, to discuss her latest role in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Atwell stars as Grace alongside Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt, as the team track down a weapon that threatens humanity.

We talk with Hayley about how she collaborated with Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie to build her character, as well as stunt and combat training, and the barriers facing women in Hollywood.

Check out Love Lives on Independent TV and all major podcast platforms, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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Caroline O’Donoghue: ‘I shouldn’t believe in love at first sight’ Jun 22, 2023

This week, we’re delighted to be joined by Sentimental Garbage host and New York Times best-selling author, Caroline O’Donoghue.

We discuss her latest book, The Rachel Incident, which follows a young woman’s crush on her professor, and a subsequent plot to seduce him.

We loved talking with Caroline about the book, as well as the hidden power of channelling female rage in writing, the Taylor Swift phenomenon, and the best food to boost productivity.

Check out Love Lives on Independent TV and all major podcast platforms, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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Naoise Dolan: 'It’s rare that fiction doesn’t problematise queer relationships' Jun 08, 2023

“It’s rare that fiction doesn’t problematise queer relationships”...

Bestselling author Naoise Dolan joins us this week to discuss her latest novel, The Happy Couple, which follows two people as they approach their wedding day, and the three friends who threaten to draw them apart.

Following her hit debut novel, Exciting Times, the Irish author was earmarked by many as the “next Sally Rooney”. We chat with her about how she navigates labels like these, writing queer love stories into the modern literary landscape, and her lifelong love affair with coffee.

Check out Love Lives on Independent TV and all major podcast platforms, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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SNL, romantic comedies and the Pete Davidson effect - with Curtis Sittenfeld May 25, 2023

Hot male celebrities don't date funny, brilliant women unless they look like models - or do they?

We’re so excited to kick off our very first season of Love Lives with New York Times bestselling author Curtis Sittenfeld. The Rodham author joins us to discuss her latest novel, Romantic Comedy, which follows a witty but insecure sketch writer named Sally as she develops “a consuming, imbalance-inducing crush” on hot pop star, Noah.

We discuss the phenomenon of “dating up”, the gruelling and intense process behind putting together an episode of Saturday Night Live, and of course, the three loves of Curtis’s life.

Check out Love Lives on Independent TV and all major podcast platforms, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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Introducing Love Lives May 24, 2023

Millennial Love is getting a makeover!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Love Lives, The Independent’s brand new lifestyle podcast. We’ve got an incredible lineup of guests – from screenwriters and authors, to musicians and actors – so keep an eye out for new episodes every other Friday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Acast, as well as Independent TV and all major social media platforms. More soon – watch this space.

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Author Louise O’Neill on redefining boundaries in a post-Me Too world Dec 09, 2022

This week on Millennial Love, we’re joined by author Louise O’Neill to discuss her latest novel, Idol.

Idol is about Samantha, a hugely successful wellness influencer who, determined to speak her truth, writes an essay about a sexual experience she had as a teenager with her then best friend, Lisa. But it backfires when Lisa gets back in touch and says that her memory of the night is far darker than Samantha’s.

We chat with Louise about the Me Too movement, whether one person’s “truth” negates the other’s, and how wealth, power, and race play into who we choose to believe.

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)

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Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan on gender identity and how to untangle a toxic political debate Nov 18, 2022

This week on Millennial Love, we’re joined by bestselling authors Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan to discuss their new novel Mad Honey.

We talk about the process of writing a book collaboratively, some of the questions the book raises around gender identity, and how our past shapes our future selves.

We also discuss treating narratives about domestic abuse with sensitivity and care, how trans issues have become hijacked by a toxic political debate, and why it’s more important than ever to educate cisgender people about the struggles faced by their transgender cousins.

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Adult filmmaker Vex Ashley on feminist porn, sex work and the female gaze Nov 11, 2022

This week on Millennial Love, we chat with adult film director and performer Vex Ashley.

Vex is the founder of Four Chambers, an alternative, creative, female-centric porn platform that explores sex away from the mainstream “tube sites” that saturate the industry.

Vex challenges the misconception that sex work is exploitative and argues that, through a creative and collaborative process with performers, pornography can be a medium for artistic expression.

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Celebrity psychic Chris Riley shares what a reading could do for your relationship Oct 28, 2022

This week, we’re thrilled to be joined by celebrity psychic Chris Riley who explains what a psychic reading could mean for your love life.

Having first experienced psychic abilities when he encountered his grandad’s spirit as a child, Chris now helps people with everything from their relationships and careers, to communicating with loved ones after they pass.

We talk with Chris about why some may choose to seek guidance from a psychic or medium rather than a conventional therapist and how this can help people with their romantic relationships.

Chris shares his own psychic predictions and even gives Millennial Love’s own Olivia Petter a reading on her love life.

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Soma Sara on how sex education perpetuates rape culture and harmful myths about sex Oct 14, 2022

*Trigger warning: This episode contains themes of rape, sexual assault and sexual violence which some viewers may find upsetting*

This week on Millennial Love we chat with Soma Sara, author and founder of Everyone’s Invited, an anti-rape movement that focuses on exposing rape culture by allowing survivors to share their own experiences of misogyny, harassment and sexual assault.

We discuss how experiences of sexual harassment at school can shape our attitudes towards sex and how widespread slut shaming, victim blaming and policing of girls’ uniforms internalises harmful myths about sex and sexuality.

Soma’s book, Everyone’s Invited, is out now.

If you or someone you know has been affected by child sexual abuse, call Childline on their helpline at 0800 1111

The Victim Support helpline provides emotional and practical help to victims or witnesses of any crime, whether or not it has been reported to the police. Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (24/7)

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Comedian Jack Barry on threesomes, lockdown sex, and why monogamy is outdated Sep 29, 2022

This week, we’re joined by actor, writer, and stand-up comedian Jack Barry who discusses sex and comedy, and how he avoids joking about certain topics due to his privilege as a straight white man.

Jack opens up about being in a non-monogamous relationship, debunks some of the myths around polyamoury, and argues that, with proper communication, being polyamorous can strengthen a relationship.

We also discuss the darker side of comedy, and how abuse and harassment are still rife on the circuit for a lot of female comics.

You can watch this episode and more on Independent TV: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/millennial-love

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Beam Me Up Softboi’s Iona David examines the different types of softbois on dating apps Sep 15, 2022

This week on Millennial Love, we’re thrilled to be joined by writer, journalist and creator of the iconic @beam_me_up_softboi Instagram account, Iona David.

Iona unpacks what it means to be a softboi, how to spot one, and why we should be wary of dating them. She also recounts her own dating experiences which, yes, might have included one or two softbois…

Iona’s book, Is This Love Or Dopamine?: A Deeply Unofficial Study of Dating in the Digital Age, is out now.

You can watch this episode and more on Independent TV: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/millennial-love

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/millenniallove.

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Love Island’s Amber Gill discusses finding holiday romance, the pressures of coming out, and life after the villa Sep 01, 2022

Welcome back to a brand new season of Millennial Love! We're thrilled to be joined by author and Love Island star Amber Rose Gill to discuss finding a holiday romance and whether a summer fling can lead to lasting love. Amber opens up about her viral Tweet where she discussed “switching teams”, and how heteronormative society places unfair pressure on LGBTQ+ people to come out. And of course, we chat about all things Love Island, how Amber is finding life after the villa, and whether it’s possible to find true love on the show.

Amber’s novel, Until I Met You, is out now.

You can watch this episode and more on Independent TV: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/millennial-love

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Rebecca Humphries on emotional abuse, toxic love and her night out with a disappearing softboi Jul 14, 2022

This week, we're joined by the brilliant author and actor Rebecca Humphries to discuss her memoir, Why Did You Stay? A memoir about self-worth. The book details what happened after Rebecca's boyfriend was caught kissing his Strictly Come Dancing partner and how she later reclaimed the narrative, posting a powerful statement about gaslighting on social media that swiftly went viral. In this episode, Rebecca talks about how she found her voice, why emotional abuse is so complicated, and the truth about men who call women 'mental'. We also discuss love bombing, female rage, and Rebecca's night out with a disappearing softboi. Enjoy the show but please bear in mind that some of the themes of this week's episode some may find upsetting.

You can also watch this episode on Independent TV: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/lifestyle/rebecca-humphries-gaslighting-love-b2124176.html

If you've been affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast, you can find support at www.womensaid.org.uk

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Dr Hazel Wallace busts myths around the clitoris, female masturbation, and the ‘orgasm gap’ Jul 07, 2022

We’re back with another episode of Millennial Love where this week, we’re joined by registered nutritionist, best-selling author, and founder of ‘The Food Medic’ podcast, Dr Hazel Wallace.

We chat with Hazel about the taboos around women’s health, the ‘orgasm gap’, and how better sex can lead to better sleep.

She also reveals which foods to eat and which to avoid during your period, how diet can ease symptoms of PMS, and why it can be so hard to diagnose endometriosis.

Hazel’s book, The Female Factor: Making women’s health count – and what it means for you is out now.

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Love Island’s Yewande Biala discusses ‘racialised renaming’ and dating as a Black woman Jun 30, 2022

This week, we are joined by author and ex-Love Islander Yewande Biala. We chat with her about racialised renaming and the microaggression she faces every time someone can’t—or indeed won’t—correctly pronounce her name. Yewnade also opens up about her time on Love Island, the difficulties of being the only Black woman in the villa, and why she doesn’t watch the show now.

Yewande’s debut book, Reclaiming: Essays on Finding Yourself One Piece at a Time is available for pre-order now.

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Writer Salma El-Wardany discusses the importence of female friendship Jun 23, 2022

This week, we’re joined by writer and presenter Salma El-Wardany to discuss her debut novel, These Impossible Things. Salma chats with Olivia Petter about celebrating female friendship, writing Muslim women into popular culture, and why she’ll never post about her relationship status on social media. The two also discuss why we should include men in the conversation around misogynistic abuse, and dismantle the idea that “nice guys finish last”.

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien on how to choreograph the perfect sex scene Jun 17, 2022

This week, we chat with intimacy coordinator and movement director Ita O’Brien. Ita is one of the most in-demand people working in the field, and specialises in developing the best practice for sexual and intimate scenes on screen. She’s worked on Normal People, Sex Education and I May Destroy You, to name but a few. Ita and Olivia discuss the role of intimacy coordinators, how they work with actors to help make them feel comfortable on set and why in the past, sex scenes have been ripe for abuse and exploitation.

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Roxie Nafousi on manifesting the relationship you deserve Jun 09, 2022

This week, we’re joined by Roxie Nafousi, a self-development coach, manifesting expert and author of the Sunday Times bestselling book: Manifesting: 7 steps to living your best life. She describes how manifesting actually works and why practicing it could transform your romantic life. Roxie also opens up about her own journey to manifesting, revealing how she overcame addictions and bad habits to find inner peace and unconditional love with her son, Wolfe.

(LINK)

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Carrie Hope Fletcher on loneliness, fantasy, and leaving long-term relationships Jun 02, 2022

This week, we speak to Carrie Hope Fletcher, an award-winning West End star, YouTuber, and bestselling author. Carrie discusses her latest book, With This Kiss. She spoke about the process of writing romance novels, where she gets her inspiration from, and what drew her to write about a woman whose kiss gives her the ability to see how someone is going to die. She also opened up about breaking up from a long-term partner.

(LINK)

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Lalalaletmeexplain on abusive relationships and toxic femininity May 26, 2022

This week, we speak to Lalalaletmeexplain, the bestselling anonymous author and relationships educator with more than 200,000 followers on Instagram. Lala posts about all sorts of subjects on her account, from abusive relationships and cyberflashing to f*** boys and coercive control. On the show, Lala talks about how she started the account, her former role as a social worker, and delves into some of the issues she explores.

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by child sexual abuse, call Childline on their helpline for children and young people who need to talk. Phone: 0800 1111

The Victim Support helpline provides emotional and practical help to victims or witnesses of any crime, whether or not it has been reported to the police. Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (24/7)

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/millenniallove.

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Sophia Smith Galer on sex myths, virginity and virility May 19, 2022

This week, we’re joined by Sophia Smith Galer, a multi-award winning reporter, TikTok creator and now author. Her TikTok videos have garnered more than 75 million views. She discussed her debut book, Losing It: Sex Education for the 21st Century, which is all about busting the myths about sex we were taught at school. From virginity and virility to consent and porn, the subjects covered in this chat are wide-ranging. This episode was recorded during a live event held at Waterstones Gower Street in London.

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/lifestyle/ex-virginity-education-sophia-galer-b2083460.html

Check out Millennial Love on all major podcast platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by child sexual abuse, call Childline on their helpline for children and young people who need to talk. Phone: 0800 1111

The Victim Support helpline provides emotional and practical help to victims or witnesses of any crime, whether or not it has been reported to the police. Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (24/7)

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Laura Bates on how misogyny is damaging our relationships May 12, 2022

This week, we’re joined by Laura Bates. She is the founder of the Everyday Sexism project and bestselling author of several books about violence against women, including her latest: Fix the System Not the Women. In this episode, Laura joins Olivia to discuss how systemic misogyny affects women’s relationships, why we need to keep talking about sexual violence in schools and beyond, and what men can do to help.

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/lifestyle/laura-bates-misogyny-relationships-rape-b2078179.html

Check out the Millennial Love podcast on all major platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by child sexual abuse, call Childline on their helpline for children and young people who need to talk. Phone: 0800 1111

The Victim Support helpline provides emotional and practical help to victims or witnesses of any crime, whether or not it has been reported to the police. Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (24/7)

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/millenniallove.

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Raven Smith on masculinity, fake orgasms, and #MeToo May 05, 2022

This week, we've invited back Vogue columnist and author Raven Smith for his latest searing hot takes on life and love. Raven chats about his latest book, Raven Smith’s Men, and some of the issues it examines, like toxic masculinity, keeping the spark alive in long-term relationships, why men fake orgasms, and consent.

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/lifestyle/orgasm-toxic-masculinity-raven-smith-men-b2072905.html

Check out the Millennial Love podcast on all major platforms and Independent TV, and keep up to date @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

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Dr Michaela Dunbar on transforming your love life with the help of psychology Apr 28, 2022

Millennial Love is back! Season four sees Olivia Petter delving even deeper into discussions around love, dating and relationships. And now you can watch as well as listen on Independent TV and @Millennial_Love on Instagram and TikTok.

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/lifestyle/millennial-love-dr-michaela-podcast-b2068241.html

For our first episode of the season, we’re joined by clinical psychologist Dr Michaela Dunbar, the founder of My Easy Therapy and author of You’ve Got This: Seven Steps to A Life You Love. In this conversation, Olivia and Dr Michaela discuss how understanding basic psychology can transform your love life, covering imposter syndrome, attachment theory, overthinking, anxiety and so much more. Enjoy the show!

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A conversation with the women in The Tinder Swindler Feb 08, 2022

This week, we have a special bonus episode featuring a conversation with the women of The Tinder Swindler. The new Netflix documentary tells the story of a notorious conman who allegedly used the Tinder dating app to live a life of luxury while defrauding women across Europe. In this episode, Olivia speaks to the film’s director, Felicity Morris, producer, Bernie Higgins, and its stars: Cecilia Fjellhøy and Pernilla Sjoholm. They discuss how the film came to be, what it was like for the women to relive their traumatic experiences, and why they’re still fighting for justice. They also talk about the inordinate amount of victim blaming they have been subjected to. The documentary is available to watch on Netfilx now.

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Emily Ratajkowski on sexual violence, feminism, and learning to say 'no' Nov 11, 2021

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This week Olivia speaks to model, actor and writer, Emily Ratajkowski.

The two discuss the relationship with your body, self-worth through the male gaze, and what it means to be a commodifiable asset - and the nuances that surround being exploited by that asset while capitalising on it. Emily gives an honest and raw insight into the sexual assault she experienced throughout her life, personally and professionally.

They also discuss how publishing Emily's collection of essays, My Body, was her way of opening the closet door, turning the on the lights and staring the monster in the face.

You can buy Emily's book here.

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Turning your dating disasters into comedy, with Diana Vickers and Chiara Hunter Nov 05, 2021

This week we’re joined by the dynamic duo that is actor and musician Diana Vickers and singer-songwriter Chiara Hunter.

Together, they are Ki and Dee, a hilarious comedy duo making light of the trials and tribulations of millennial life, covering everything from fears around turning 30, friendship, and of course, dating.

Today, they join me to discuss the inspiration behind their hilarious viral videos.

We talk about some of their dating disasters, the agony of heartbreak, and why some breakups hit you harder than others.

Book tickets to see Ki and Dee here: https://www.theturbinetheatre.com/whats-on/ki-&-d

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Toxic relationships, narcissistic abuse, and attachment types, with Toni Tone Oct 22, 2021

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This week we’re joined by author and writer Toni Tone to discuss her new book: I Wish I Knew This Earlier: Lessons On Love, which focuses on all the things Toni wishes she knew about relationships in her 20s.

In this episode we talk about the importance of looking for green flags when you start dating someone, the difference between compromise and settling, and what narcissistic abuse actually means.

We also discuss attachment types and toxic relationships.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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Sex Education’s George Robinson on playing Isaac, ableism and intimacy co-ordinators Oct 08, 2021

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This week, Olivia speaks to actor George Robinson, who is best known for playing Isaac in Netflix’s hit series Sex Education.

The two discuss how George helped to shape the role of Isaac, what it was like working with an intimacy coordinator for his scenes with Maeve (played by Emma Mackey) and what some of the myths and misconceptions are when it comes to sex and relationships and people with disabilities.

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Join Millennial Love LIVE on Wednesday! Sep 26, 2021

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Olivia will be hosting a live Millennial Love event on Wednesday - and there's still time for you to join!

You'll get to hear from author of Alonement, and former Millennial Love guest, Francesca Specter, The Vida Consultancy's Director of Relationship Psychology Services Dr Madeleine Mason Roantree and Hinge’s Director of Relationship Science, Logan Ury.

The discussion, held on Zoom, will look at the changed landscape when it comes to finding love - no matter your age, gender, sexual orientation or where you live.

They will also touch on the benefits of being alone as well as ways to change approaches to dating to find a successful relationship.

The event is totally free to attend, and you can sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/millennial-love-dating-post-pandemic-tickets-169245226027

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Having an eco-friendly love life, with Aja Barber Sep 24, 2021

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This week, Olivia speaks to writer Aja Barber.

The two discuss the fascinating links between sustainability and romance, looking at all the surprising ways with which consumption affects the way we behave and think in relationships.

Touching on everything from wedding dress shopping and first date outfits to gender binaries and consumer identities, the episode is as wide-ranging as it is interrogating.

They also talk about Aja’s relationship with her current partner, and how it began as a long-distance online romance.

You can find out more about the upcoming Millennial Love event here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/millennial-love-dating-post-pandemic-tickets-169245226027

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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Being single, fabulous and living life on your own terms, with Paris Lees Sep 10, 2021

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This week, Olivia speaks to writer Paris Lees.

The two discuss the joys of being single, how Paris found herself experimenting with the idea of celibacy, and why we fetishise authenticity so much in relationships.

They also talk about transphobia in the dating world and Paris’s new book, What It Feels Like For A Girl, and how it felt for Paris to revisit her childhood.

Finally, they discuss the perils of social media and why Paris believes that being a trans person in the public eye is like being a “professional victim”.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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What’s the difference between a Soft Boy and a F*** Boy? With Maisie Peters Aug 27, 2021

This week, Olivia speaks to musician Maisie Peters.

The two discuss the crucial differences between Soft Boys and F*** Boys, how to reclaim the power in relationships, the nuances of writing songs about your love life, and why she’ll never explain who a song is ‘about’.

You can download Maisie’s new album here: https://lnk.to/YSUFT

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Shame and sexuality, with Will Young Aug 13, 2021

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This week, Olivia speaks to Will Young. The two discuss the shame we attach to sexuality and how Will was encouraged to keep his own sexuality a secret when he entered into the public eye as a Pop Idol contestant in 2001.

They also discuss the positives and negatives of labelling one’s sexuality, and what the music industry can do to become more inclusive of those in the LGBT+ community and adapt contemporary attitudes towards gender.

Finally, they discuss his new album, Crying on the Bathroom Floor, which is out now.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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Interracial relationships, narcissistic men and Love Island, with Candice Brathwaite Jul 30, 2021

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This week, Olivia speaks to Candice Brathwaite. Candice is the bestselling author and journalist, whose debut book, I Am Not Your Baby Mother, about being a black British mother, was a roaring success.

She joins Olivia to discuss her second book, Sista Sister, a collection of essays about the things Candice wishes she knew when she was growing up, covering everything from family and friendships to money and dating.

They discuss the complexities surrounding interracial relationships and Candice explains why she advises black women to always “go where the love is”.

They also discuss what drives women towards narcissistic men, how we can rectify the power imbalance between men and women in straight relationships, whether Love Island’s diversity problem can ever be fixed, and the microaggressions that Candice has experienced in the so-called “mummy blogger” sphere.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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The pain and pleasure of crushing on someone for over a decade, with Natasha Lunn Jul 16, 2021

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This week, Olivia speaks to author and journalist Natasha Lunn.

Natasha runs the popular newsletter called Conversations on Love, for which she interviews authors, celebrities and a wide range of experts all about love, dating and relationships.

We discuss her new book of the same name, which features interviews with the likes of Roxane Gay, Alain du Boton, Esther Perel and more.

Given that our books came out within a week of one another, this episode is split into two halves, with Olivia interviewing Natasha for the fast half, and then vice versa for the second.

The two discuss the complexities of writing about your own love life and how it impacts your partner, why love is earned and not simply given, and the expectations placed on mothers to fall in love at first sight with their newborns.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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Abusive relationships, love-bombing, and female sexuality, with Charli Howard Jul 02, 2021

This week, Olivia speaks to model, author and entrepreneur Charli Howard.

Charli is known for her body neutrality advocacy on Instagram and beyond, having written about the pressures she faced as a young model in her debut book, Misfit, in which she describes how she was dropped from her modelling agency for being “too big”.

Today, she joins me to talk about why body confidence and self worth is so integral to finding success in love, why women posting pictures of their bodies on social media is such a contentious subject, especially where feminism is concerned, and abusive relationships.

We also discuss love-bombing, gaslighting and psychological abuse - so please do bear this in mind before listening.

If you need support, you can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/millenniallove.

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Bonus episode: An exclusive extract from the Millennial Love book Jun 25, 2021

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This is a very special episode of Millennial Love. Regular listeners might notice that we're outside of our usual schedule – that's because instead of a normal show this week, we're releasing an extract from the Millennial Love audiobook, which is being released on 8th July along with the written book.

For those who might not know, the Millennial Love book is about examining the contemporary dating landscape, memoir, social commentary and interviews with previous podcast guests like Elizabeth Day, Munroe Bergdorf, and Raven Smith.

It covers everything from how MeToo has changed the way we think about consent to what Love Island teaches us about female sexuality.

In this bonus episode, Olivia reads an excerpt from chapter one. Enjoy!

Pre-order Millennial Love here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Millennial-Love-Olivia-Petter/dp/0008412308

Pre-order Millennial Love, the audiobook, here: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Millennial-Love-Audiobook/0008412332

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Why we all need to stop people-pleasing in relationships, with Emma Reed Turrell and Michelle Elman Jun 18, 2021

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This week, Olivia speaks to psychotherapist Emma Reed Turrell and life coach Michelle Elman about the importance of setting boundaries in relationships, and why people-pleasing can hinder our success at finding love.

They also discuss how people-pleasing can harm our sex lives, too, and why it’s necessary to set boundaries with a partner in bed. Michelle offers her tips on boundary setting at the start of a relationship, while Emma explains why it’s important to strike the right balance between learning how to put yourself first while still considering your partner’s needs.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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Playing it straight in the fashion industry and beyond, with Jack Guinness Jun 04, 2021

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This week, Olivia is joined by model, writer and broadcaster Jack Guinness.

Jack is the founder of The Queer Bible, a LGBT+ website he launched in 2017 that has now become a book of the same name.

Packed with essays written by a range of LGBT+ icons, including Sir Elton John, The Queer Bible is a celebration of the works and lives of the global queer community.

In this episode, Jack and Olivia discuss the book and Jack’s brilliant essay on how RuPaul has inspired him to embrace who he is.

In addition, they talk about self-worth, the value of labelling your sexuality, and conforming to gender stereotypes in the fashion industry, with Jack recalling how he was told by brands and agents to conceal his sexuality.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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Maybe it’s time we stopped believing in fairytale romance, with Niomi Smart May 21, 2021

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This week, Olivia is joined by Niomi Smart. Niomi is a hugely popular lifestyle YouTuber and the founder of Smart Skin, a vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand.

They discuss how beauty regimes can boost your confidence, what self-love actually means, and how much of your relationship you should share on social media.

The bulk of this episode, though, is about a big breakup Niomi went through last summer.

She speaks openly about how it affected her, what she did to pick herself back up again, and, ultimately, how she started over – in the midst of a pandemic.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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Romantic fiction, cheating and heartbreak, with Georgia Toffolo May 07, 2021

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This week, Olivia is joined by Georgia Toffolo.

The reality TV star-turned-author has just released the latest instalment in her series of romantic novels, Meet me in Hawaii. Georgia, or ‘Toff’, as she’s known,s poke all about what drew her to writing about romance and how much of what she writes is drawn from her own experiences.

The pair also talk about heartbreak in addition to how Toff has navigated dating in the public eye and what it was like to go through the trials and tribulations of romance on screen when she was in Made in Chelsea.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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How being a Jehovah’s Witness shapes your views on sex and dating, with Jodie Chapman Apr 23, 2021

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This week, Olivia is joined by author Jodie Chapman to discuss how being a Jehovah’s Witness shapes your views on sex and dating.

Jodie has just published her first book, a novel called Another Life, which tells the story of Nick and Anna, who meet when they’re young one summer and working at the same cinema. Nick and Anna come from two very different backgrounds, as we soon discover, with Anna having been raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, as Jodie was.

On the show, Jodie speaks about leaving the faith as an adult and the many ways that her upbringing as a Witness shaped the way she thought about sex and relationships.

The duo also talk about celibacy, how religion can act as a barrier in relationships, and misconceptions around Doomsday religions.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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The joys of being single and our obsession with romantic relationships, with Francesca Specter Apr 09, 2021

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This week, Olivia is joined by author, journalist and fellow podcaster Francesca Specter.

Francesca is best known for coining the phrase atonement, which is also the name of her podcast and of her first book.

Atonement is about celebrating the time you spend alone and, as we discuss in the show, Francesca came up with the concept after coming out of a long-term relationship and realising she wasn’t great at being alone.

We talk about why it’s so important to separate this idea of being alone with being single, why society often prioritises romantic relationships above others, and the concept of being alone but together

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Cheating, arguments and blackout sex: How alcohol affects the way we date, with Millie Gooch Mar 26, 2021

This week, Olivia speaks to writer and campaigner Millie Gooch.

Millie is the founder of the Sober Girl Society, which is a platform for sober and sober curious women. She’s also just published her first book, The Sober Girl Society Handbook.

In this episode, the duo discuss how drinking alcohol, and drinking culture, impacts the way we date. They talk about everything from sober dating and infidelity to how alcohol causes arguments in relationships and what happens when drinking blurs the lines of consent.

There is a discussion about sexual assault in this episode so please do bear this in mind before you listen.

Enjoy the show!

For more information on seeking support after sexual assault, contact Rape Crisis via their helpline: 0808 802 9999

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Unrequited love and why we need to make romance more inclusive Mar 12, 2021

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This week, Olivia is joined by celebrated author Sareeta Domingo to discuss unrequited love and why we need to make the romantic genre more inclusive.

The two talk about Sareeta's new book, Who’s Loving You: Love Stories by Women of Colour, a groundbreaking anthology of original short stores, covering everything from forbidden love to lost love.

We also talk about why diverse storytelling is so important within the romantic genre in particular.

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'Situationships' and the ambiguity surrounding queer relationships, with Naoise Dolan Feb 26, 2021

This week, we're joined by bestselling novelist Naoise Dolan to discuss her debut book, Exciting Times.

The duo talk about the two very different central relationships in Naoise's novel and how ambiguity characterises them both in very different ways. When does a push-pull dynamic between two people become toxic? And are we overusing that word when we describe romantic relationships?

The pair also discuss why female novelists are almost always asked if their work is biographical, particularly when it covers sex and relationships.

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How the decision to have children can define our dating lives, with Nell Frizzell Feb 12, 2021

This week, Olivia is joined by journalist and author Nell Frizzell, whose new memoir, The Panic Years, offers an insight into how much the decision of whether or not to have children can impact the choices we make in our dating lives.

They talk about how a big breakup when Nell was 28 led her to re-evaluate her love life, the politics surrounding motherhood, and why women in their 30s tend to have a higher libido than men in their 30s.

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Falling in love in your 30s, with Camille Charrière Jan 29, 2021

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This week, Olivia is joined by writer and broadcaster Camille Charrière to discuss the differences between dating in your 20s compared to your 30s.

The duo examine why the relationships we seek in our 20s tend to be fervid and unstable, and how this can lead us to make poor choices in our love lives.

Camille also discusses how she fell in love after being single for seven years and what makes this relationship, with her now fiancé, different from any other she's been in.

They also discuss the complex art of compromise in a relationship, and how it's not always the best way forward. Finally, Camille explains why it is that people often lose friends when they get into a serious relationship.

You can read Camille's article on this very subject here: www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/a34587107/camille-charriere-love-in-your-30s/

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Getting over a breakup by gardening, with Alice Vincent Jan 15, 2021

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This week, Olivia is joined by author and journalist Alice Vincent to discuss her memoir, Rootbound, which has just come out in paperback.

In the book, Alice talks about a year of her life in her late 20s when out of nowhere, she found herself single, living out of a suitcase and overcoming heartbreak.

The two discuss how Alice found a new lease of life in the wake of her breakup through nurturing pot plants and surrounding herself with greenery.

They also discuss the complexities of writing about ex-partners and the strangely cathartic compulsion to make your private life public when you're having a tough time.

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Christmas Special with Charly Cox Dec 25, 2020

Merry Christmas!

This year has been fairly dismal, to say the least, so we decided to provide some festive cheer by bringing you a special Christmas episode.

Olivia is joined by Charly Cox to share listener stories, answer questions, discuss some of their relationship highs and lows from 2020, and look ahead at what the new year may bring for our love lives.

Enjoy the show!

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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The ups and downs of female friendship, with Gemma Styles Dec 18, 2020

This week, Olivia is joined by writer and podcaster Gemma Styles to discuss the complexities surrounding female friendship.

The duo talk about how the pandemic has made them reevaluate some of their friendships, whether you can outgrow certain friends, and how these relationships change in your 20s and 30s.

They also discuss the fetishisation of female friendship groups in popular culture and the pressures this can put on women to form lifelong bonds at a young age.

Finally, they discuss whether or not we should put the same emphasis on friendships that we do on romantic relationships.

Enjoy the show!

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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Celibacy, Saturn Returns, and craving instability, with Caggie Dunlop Dec 04, 2020

This week, Olivia is joined by former Made in Chelsea star Caggie Dunlop.

The two discuss how your Saturn Return can affect your love life, why we chase after people we know are wrong for us, and whether or not a period of celibacy can help you reclaim autonomy over your intimate relationships.

Of course, they also discuss Made in Chelsea, and how being the star of a reality TV show at the age of 22 has shaped Caggie's life.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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How do our relationships impact our body confidence? Nov 20, 2020

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This week, Olivia is joined by body positivity activist, Felicity Hayward to discuss how relationships affect body confidence.

The two talk about overcoming insecurities we have about our bodies and how these can be highlighted when we get intimate with our romantic partners.

They also discuss the historically problematic marketing of lingerie and the long-lasting damage caused by the Victoria’s Secret show when it comes to body image.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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Masturbation and arranged marriages, with Poppy Jay and Rubina Pabani Nov 06, 2020

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This week, Olivia is joined by broadcasters Rubina Pabani and Poppy Jay, who host the award-winning BBC Asian Network podcast, Brown Girls Do It Too.

The show features candid discussions about sex, masturbation and sexting.

These subjects can be disproportionately under-discussed in South Asian communities due to myriad cultural reasons, which is something Rubina and Poppy hope to address.

On the show, the duo discuss why they wanted to launch their podcast and how they hope it will help young women reshape their views on sex and dating today and ultimately feel more confident in their skin.

Poppy also opens up about being in an arranged marriage at the age of 20.

Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

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How A.I. could change dating, with Tabitha Goldstaub Oct 23, 2020

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This week, Olivia is joined by artificial intelligence (AI) expert Tabitha Goldstaub to talk about the intersection between AI and dating.

Tabitha explains how advanced today’s AI is, and how far away we are from people actually being able to develop relationships with AI devices.

The two also speak about sex robots and the risks they pose when it comes to consent and exacerbating a culture that objectifies women.

They also talk about the possibility of whether or not AI could equalise the power dynamic between men and women in straight relationships.

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James McVey on body dysmorphia Oct 09, 2020

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Today Olivia is joined by musician James McVey to discuss his struggles with body dysmorphia and eating disorders.

The Vamps star opens up about his experiences, including having liposuction at 20-years-old, in an effort to encourage others to talk about their issues.

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Talking porn with Erika Lust Sep 25, 2020

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This week Olivia is joined by independent adult filmmaker Erika Lust.

Erika is often referred to as a trailblazer in the "feminist porn" movement, championing female pleasure, consent and diversity in her films among other things that are often dismissed in conventional adult films.

On the show, Erika explains how she got into the industry and the societal myths and misconceptions about porn that she hopes to rectify through her work.

They also spoke about the issue with the phrase "feminist porn" and how it could serve to marginalise the genre.

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Megan Barton-Hanson on slut-shaming and the stigma against sex work Sep 11, 2020

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This week Olivia is joined by model and former Love Island star Megan Barton-Hanson.

After appearing on the ITV2 series in 2018, Megan has gone on to become an advocate for female empowerment and combating the stigma attached to sex workers.

Megan opens up about how being slut-shamed at school led her to pursue a career in the sex industry and why she thinks people are still so judgmental of sex work in 2020.

She also talks about her time on Love Island, revealing that she regrets not talking about being bisexual on the programme.

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Motherhood and choice, with Sophie Mackintosh Aug 28, 2020

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This week, Olivia is joined by bestselling author Sophie Mackintosh to discuss motherhood.

Sophie’s debut novel, The Water Cure, was longlisted for The Booker Prize last year and earned her comparisons to Margaret Atwood thanks to its feminist dystopian themes. Her latest book, Blue Ticket, explores the thorny subject of motherhood.

Why do some women choose to be mothers, and others choose not to be? And what happens when that choice is taken away from you?

The pair discuss this alongside the reasons why we associate motherhood with femininity, why abortion remains a taboo subject, and the sexism surrounding contraception.

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Diversity in love stories, with Bolu Babalola Aug 14, 2020

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This week, Olivia is joined by author and writer Bolu Babalola, whose new book, Love in Colour, offers up a selection of ancient love myths that she has rewritten to make them contemporary and diverse.

A far cry from the white-washed Disney films and fairytales so many of us grew up watching and reading, Babalola's stories offer a more universal depiction of romance.

We talk about how she was inspired to write the stories after seeing a lack of black characters in romcoms, how fairytales impact the way we behave in relationships, and why Babalola thinks the online dating scene is 'atrocious' for black women in London.

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Why we need to talk about porn, with Sara Pascoe Jul 31, 2020

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This week, Olivia is joined by the brilliant author and comedian Sara Pascoe.

The two discuss her latest book Sex, Power Money and one of its main subjects: porn.

Why don't we talk about porn more? Is it anti-feminist to watch porn? Or does being anti-porn make you anti-feminist? And does porn really lead to more sexual violence?

We discuss all this and more. Enjoy the show!

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Florence Given on female sexuality and internalised misogyny Jul 17, 2020

This week, Olivia is joined by artist and author Florence Given.

The two discuss how internalised misogyny manifests in dating, what it means to benefit from pretty privilege, and the presentation of female sexuality in the media.

They also talk about Florence's new book, the Sunday Times bestseller, Women Don’t Owe You Pretty.

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Grace Beverley on the weirdness of dating in the public eye Jul 03, 2020

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Follow the show on Instagram at @millennial_love

This week, we are joined by fitness entrepreneur Grace Beverley.

At just 23, Grace has made the unlikely transition from influencer to wildly successful CEO and now runs three fitness companies, including the sustainable activewear brand Tala.

She joined me on the show to talk about how on earth she balances her business ventures alongside a dating life, why the myth of “having it all” is so damaging for women, and why she'd be cautious about sharing a relationship on social media.

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Raven Smith on the problem with dating apps Jun 19, 2020

This week, Olivia is joined by writer and author Raven Smith to discuss the difficulties of dating apps.

Raven is a Vogue columnist and the bestselling author behind Trivial Pursuits, a memoir-meets-social commentary book that covers everything from the cultural capital of being tall to what you can tell about a person from the contents of their fridge.

In the episode, Raven explains why he would never have met his husband in the dating app era.

The two discuss how people curate a version of themselves on a dating app that can never possibly reflect who they truly are and how the saturation of users makes us less likely to settle for anyone.

Raven also highlights the bizarre - and fundamentally racist - ethnicity filters on Grindr that have only just been abolished on the app in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.

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‘I was in quarantine with the man who catfished me’ Jun 12, 2020

Sometimes, you hear a story that sounds so far fetched, you can't imagine it being real. That was what happened when Olivia read Karina Mazur's first-person article in The Independent about her experience of being catfished by her boyfriend while they were isolating together.

Karina explains how she found out her boyfriend was not who he said he was, was stealing people's identities on multiple dating apps, and what the impact of all of this was on her.

She also discusses how she got in touch with some other women her boyfriend had catfished, including one of his best friends. It's an unbelievable story.

You can read her article here: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/lockdown-catfish-hinge-dating-online-quarantine-love-relationship-a9537421.html

You can follow everything to do with the show on Instagram at @millennial_love.

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If you enjoyed the show you can support us with a contribution here.

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Why we needed a transgender Alice in Wonderland, with Juno Dawson Jun 05, 2020

This week, Olivia is joined by bestselling YA author Juno Dawson to discuss her latest book, Wonderland, which is a contemporary retelling of Lewis Caroll's Alice in Wonderland in which Alice is a 17-year-old trans girl.

Juno explains why she wanted to retell this classic story through a transgender lens and how she hopes some of the issues explored in the book will help to educate young readers on sexuality and key LGBT+ issues, including sexual abuse, the difference between the female and male orgasm, and the fetishisation of trans women.

The two also discuss how Juno came out after Germaine Greer said on Newsnight that trans women are "not real women" and the consequences of such instances of transphobia. Finally, they also talk about Dawson's podcast, So I Got To Thinking, which is an homage to Sex and the City.

You can follow everything to do with the show on Instagram at @millennial_love.

If you're a new listener please remember to subscribe and leave us a comment, preferably a nice one!

If you enjoyed the show you can support us with a contribution here.

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Listeners share their socially distant date stories May 22, 2020

This week we have another listener special.

As of Monday last week, people in England can now meet up with one person outside of their household so long as they abide by social distancing rules.

This means people can go on dates! In this episode, we hear from four different women who have been on social distancing dates in the last week.

One date involved a cemetery and a rogue wee, while another wound up lasting seven hours.

We’re also joined this week by relationships expert and therapist Sally Baker, who offered some useful insight into the mysterious art of social distancing dating and how it could transform the future of romance for good.

You can follow everything to do with the show on Instagram at @millennial_love.

If you're a new listener please remember to subscribe and leave us a comment, preferably a nice one!

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Fleur East reveals how to keep the spark alive in long-term relationships May 08, 2020

Singer and radio presenter Fleur East joined Olivia back in January to talk about how to keep things exciting when you've been in a relationship with someone for so long.

Fleur shares some of her own tips - she has been with her husband for 10 years - and offers a unique insight into some of the things couples can do to reignite their passion for one another if things reach a plateau.

While the episode was recorded back in January, it's most definitely relevant today, when so many couples in isolation together are spending more time with one another than ever before.

You can follow everything to do with the show on Instagram at @millennial_love.

If you're a new listener please remember to subscribe and leave us a comment, preferably a nice one!

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We got a book deal! May 06, 2020

Breaking Millennial Love news: a brand new book is in the works and it's all about this show.

The book will be published by the fantastic team over at 4th Estate and will be written by Olivia. It's going to feature guests from the show, as well as some new and exclusive content as well.

Make sure you follow us on Instagram at @millennial_love for all the latest updates on the book, its progress and when it'll be available.

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Grace Campbell on why you should date a feminist Apr 24, 2020

This week we're taking a break from coronavirus content and returning to regularly scheduled programming.

Olivia is joined by comedian and activist Grace Campbell to discuss why it's important to date a feminist and what that means.

How do you know if you're dating a feminist? And if you're unsure, how can you educate a partner on equality without coming across as patronising?

Grace opens up about how she and her boyfriend support one another and strive to defy stereotypical gender roles.

She also reveals why she felt so irked when her father, Alastair Campbell, refers to women as "birds".

You can follow everything to do with the show on Instagram at @millennial_love.

If you're a new listener please remember to subscribe and leave us a comment, preferably a nice one!

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Phone-in special: Listeners' love lives in lockdown Apr 10, 2020

We're back with another very special episode for you this week.

We hosted a phone-in for listeners to share their stories about how coronavirus has impacted their love lives, whether it’s forced them to isolate separately from their partner or they’ve started going on social distancing dates with people at the supermarket.

I was also delighted to be joined by a special co-host: previous Millennial Love guest, poet Charly Cox.

Charly has just started a brilliant newsletter called A Little Coronamance in which she shares details from her own experiences of virtual dating and sliding into a mysterious actor's DMs.

Follow Charly on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/charlycox1/

Subscribe to her newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/819d3ab82627/charlycox

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Love in the time of corona Mar 27, 2020

This week, it's a slightly unusual episode as Olivia speaks to listeners about how coronavirus has impacted their love lives.

Living in a national shutdown means that most of us are completely house-bound, rendering our romantic lives somewhat obsolete. Or does it?

We hear from Candice, whose new relationship is flourishing on Face Time and Harriet, who has moved in with someone she has just started seeing.

There are less-than-ideal scenarios, too, like Ciara, who explains how she has had to continue living in a house with her ex-boyfriend due to the shutdown...

If you have an interesting story to share about how the pandemic has affected your love life, please do get in touch via Instagram @millennial_love.

If you're a new listener please remember to subscribe and leave us a comment, preferably a nice one!

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Ella Eyre on dating and friendships Mar 13, 2020

On Millennial Love this week Olivia is joined by singer Ella Eyre to discuss how to balance your dating life and your friends.

The pair, who have been pals for more than a decade, dive into what it's like when one of your friends gets into a serious relationship and talk about dating within a friendship group.

They also reminisce about old school times, over several of Olivia's favourite rich tea biscuits, and dig up old memories of stealing boyfriends off one another.

As always you can keep up to date with everything to do with the show on Instagram @millennial_love. If you're a new listener please remember to subscribe and leave us a comment, preferably a nice one!

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Emma Louise Connolly and Oliver Proudlock on Instagram in relationships Feb 28, 2020

Olivia is joined in the studio by fashion model Emma Louise Connolly and Made in Chelsea star Oliver Proudlock.

On the table for discussion is the use of Instagram in relationships. What do you share, when do you share it and, most importantly, who gets to post it?

The couple also reveal who messaged who first, with some surprising revelations in a Millennial Love exclusive!

As always you can keep up to date with everything to do with the show on Instagram @millennial_love. If you're a new listener please remember to subscribe and leave us a comment, preferably a nice one!

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Dani Dyer on relationships in the public eye Feb 14, 2020

To kick start season three Olivia is joined by Love Island winner Dani Dyer to talk about her experience on the show, what it was like to win and how she coped with a relationship, and subsequent break up, in the public eye.

Dani also spills the beans on this season of Love Island and which couples she's rooting for.

As always you can keep up to date with everything to do with the show on Instagram @millennial_love. If you're a new listener please remember to subscribe and leave us a comment, preferably a nice one!

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Season 3 of Millennial Love is back TOMORROW Feb 13, 2020

Season 3 of Millennial Love returns on Valentine's Day! Once a fortnight Olivia will be joined by a different guest to discuss everything from how to tell if you’re dating a feminist to how to keep the spark alive in long-term relationships.

So keep your eyes peeled for a new episode in your podcast feeds from tomorrow morning.

In the meantime keep up to date with everything to do with the show on Instagram, you can follow us at @millennial_love.

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Victoria Pendleton and Sophie Everard on how to deal with a break up Dec 13, 2019

This week Olivia is joined by Olympic cycling hero Victoria Pendleton and fitness entrepreneur Sophie Everard to discuss break ups. What's the best way to get through them? And what are the dos and don'ts of getting over someone?

After Victoria's divorce the pair took a surfing trip to Costa Rica. Is there really value in 'finding yourself' abroad, or is it just something that people think they need to do?

Plus, Victoria explains why her lesson in love is not to give too much if you don't get it in return.

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Cariad Lloyd on grief in relationships Dec 06, 2019

This week Olivia is joined by comedian and Griefcast host Cariad Lloyd to discuss grief in relationships. How can you help a partner who is grieving? What should you say to them and what should you definitely not say?

The duo discuss the complexities surrounding grief and explore why there's so much stigma surrounding it. Cariad also talks about why you shouldn't be surprised if a partner breaks up with you after losing someone close to them and how this doesn't necessarily mean your relationship is over for good.

Plus, she explains why the 'five stages of grief' is grossly misguided information and why there is no right time to move on after losing a partner.

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Sacrifice in relationships Nov 29, 2019

This week Olivia is joined by TV presenter Grace Woodward and poet Charly Cox to discuss sacrifice in relationships.

What lengths do we go to for love? How much of ourselves should we compromise for another person? And what happens when we start changing core parts of our personalities and our appearances to suit their desires?

How marriage and childbirth are two of the biggest sacrifices women can make and how having an absent father can hugely impact the way we behave in relationships are also up for discussion.

You can follow Grace on Instagram here

https://www.instagram.com/gracewoodward/

You can follow Charly on Instagram here and her new poetry anthology, Validate Me, is available now.

https://www.instagram.com/charlycox1/

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Gender fluidity and masculinity with Courtney Act Nov 22, 2019

This week, Olivia is joined by Shane Jenek, aka drag queen and artist Courtney Act.

The pair discuss how gender fluidity is perceived in 2019 and why there are still so many barriers to overcome with it comes to breaking down some of the stereotypes society attaches to masculinity and femininity.

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How to have feminist sex, with Gina Martin and Flo Perry Nov 15, 2019

This week, Olivia is joined by activist Gina Martin and writer Flo Perry to discuss feminist sex.

What is feminist sex? And how does it differ from, well, regular sex? Olivia, Gina and Flo also discuss the importance of communication in the bedroom, why straight men don’t talk about sex in the same way as other people, and how our parents help to shape our love lives in unexpected ways.

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Jordan Stephens discusses how #MeToo has changed the way we date Nov 08, 2019

Jordan joins Olivia to discuss how the #MeToo movement changed the dating landscape. The actor and musician opens up about how wider conversations about sexual harassment and manipulation made him reconsider some of his own experiences with women.

They also talk about coercive behaviour, emotional neglect and how the term "toxic masculinity" has been monopolized by the media and acquired new meaning.

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Sexual grooming and manipulation with Lisa Taddeo and Sally Baker Nov 01, 2019

This week Olivia is joined by author and journalist Lisa Taddeo and senior therapist Sally Baker to discuss sexual grooming and manipulation.

The conversation focuses on Lisa's bestselling book, Three Women, which examined the sex and relationship lives of three very different American women, one of whom, Maggie, was exploited by her high school teacher. What was it about that relationship that became abusive and how common are stories such as Maggie's?

On a lighter note, we also discuss how Sex and the City impacted our own dating lives and the decisions we made in love.

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Myleene Klass on blended families Oct 25, 2019

The broadcaster and former Hear'Say member talks to Olivia about blending her family with her partner's, Simon Motson. Both Myleene and Simon have two children from previous relationships, which Klass explains posed some complications early on that they were able to overcome.

Myleene opens up about what it's like to discipline children when they aren't your own and finding ways to be a good step mother without overstepping your place.

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Spencer Matthews and Vogue Williams on family life in the public eye Oct 18, 2019

Reality TV stars Spencer Matthews and Vogue Williams join Olivia in the studio to discuss sharing the ins and outs of their family life with the public eye.

The couple talk about why they choose to share so much with their fans on social media and TV and Spencer explains why he doesn’t ‘get’ social media influencers despite the fact that is what Vogue does.

Spencer also opens up about his Made in Chelsea days and explains why he thinks the programme has lost its touch in 2019.

Spencer and Vogue’s new show, Spencer, Vogue and Wedding Two, starts on E4 on Monday at 10pm.

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Munroe Bergdorf on coming out and gender identity Oct 11, 2019

Activist and writer Munroe Bergdorf joins Olivia in the studio to discuss her experiences of coming out as a trans woman and offers some valuable advice to people in the LGBT+ community.

Munroe also addresses the problematic concept of gender reveal parties, in which expecting parents share the biological sex of their unborn child with friends and family members.

Stay updated with all things Millennial Love by following The Independent lifestyle desk's Instagram account below.

Independent Lifestyle

https://www.instagram.com/indy.lifestyle/

Munroe Bergdorf

https://www.instagram.com/munroebergdorf/

Olivia Petter

https://www.instagram.com/oliviapetter8/

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Millennial Love returns on Friday 11th October Oct 08, 2019

Millennial Love is coming back! The Independent’s podcast all about relationships, sexuality and dating is returning on Friday with a brand new look and feel.

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#54 Series 1 finale! Oct 05, 2018

It's our series finale! To celebrate the end of season one of Millennial Love, we've decided to take a look back at all our past episodes and think back at what we've learned over the past year or so.

Thank you to everyone who's supported Millennial Love so far and stay tuned for what happens next!

Follow us on Instagram here: @rachel_hosie, @oliviapetter8 and @millennial_love.

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#53 Let's talk about sex(ual health), baby Sep 28, 2018

Happy Sexual Health Week, everyone! What a time to be alive.

In all seriousness though, being sexually healthy is incredibly important, and that's why we figured a podcast on the topic was long overdue.

From the different types of sexually transmitted infections and how you contract one, to how to get tested and what we can do to break down the stigma of having one - let's talk about sex(ual health), baby.

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#52 How do you know when to walk away from someone? Sep 21, 2018

Whether you’re more into them or they're more into you, whether you’ve been seeing someone for a few weeks or have been together for years, knowing when to walk away from a relationship is incredibly difficult.

What if you end things then regret it? But what if you wait, eventually cut things off and then wish you’d done it earlier? It’s never easy.

This week on Millennial Love, we offer advice on how to know when is the right time to walk away from someone - while sharing our own experiences, naturally.

Follow us on Instagram to stay up-to-date! instagram.com/millennial_love

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#51 Why it's important to fail at relationships, with Elizabeth Day Sep 14, 2018

What constitutes a relationship fail? A break-up? Treating someone badly? Cheating on your partner?

This week on Millennial Love we're joined by the brilliant journalist, author and fellow podcaster Elizabeth Day to discuss why it's important to fail at relationships, and we share our own tales.

After all, if you learn something about yourself, is there even such a thing as a fail at all?

Follow us on Instagram to stay up-to-date! instagram.com/millennial_love

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#50 Breaking the stigma of being (perpetually) single Sep 07, 2018

It's our 50th episode! We can hardly believe it. What fun it's been.

To celebrate, this week we're talking about being single - perpetually so. Why is there such a stigma? Being single is great, and never having had a long-term relationship doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. As two longtime singletons, we're done with being made to feel bad for not having partners. Join us!

Follow us on Instagram to stay up-to-date! https://www.instagram.com/millennial_love

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#49 How racism manifests in dating Aug 31, 2018

In this week's episode of Millennial Love we're joined by the authors of the brilliant book 'Slay In Your Lane', Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené, to discuss how racism operates in the contemporary landscape of dating and relationships.

Yomi and Elizabeth share their own experiences of dating as black women and we discuss the problem with fetishising ethnicities online and beyond.

Follow us on Instagram to stay up-to-date! https://www.instagram.com/millennial_love

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#48 Crushes: The excitement and pain of fancying someone Aug 24, 2018

Contrary to what popular culture would have us believe, having a crush is not limited to our teenage years: it's exciting, it's annoying and it very much still happens as an adult.

This week on Millennial Love, Rachel and Olivia are joined by comedian, TV presenter and podcaster James Barr to discuss our crushes past and present (both human and of the plant variety). How can you tell someone has a crush on you? And what should you do when you're crushing on someone?

Follow us on Instagram to stay up-to-date! https://www.instagram.com/millennial_love

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#47 Why do we let the people we like treat us badly? Aug 17, 2018

This week on Millennial Love we're joined by the brilliant young poet, producer and mental health ambassador Charly Cox to try to get to the bottom of why we let the people we like treat us like rubbish.

From emotional abuse to simply not replying to messages, we're all guilty of putting up with poor behaviour from someone we fancy even though we know we deserve much better. So why are we like this and what can we do about it?

Follow us on Instagram to stay up-to-date! https://www.instagram.com/millennial_love

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#46 Holiday romances and when to say 'I love you' with Maya Jama Aug 10, 2018

Summer lovin' eh? Sure, it can be a blast. And it always happens pretty fast too. But for most of us, holiday romances don't play out as rom-coms - from Grease to The Lizzie McGuire Movie - would have us believe. (We're still waiting to go to Rome, meet our international pop-star doppelgängers and fall in love with an Italian who'll drive us around on a Vespa).

This week, we're joined by TV and radio presenter Maya Jama to discuss the reality of holiday romances - do they actually happen? Do they ever end well? And why do we fall in love more easily when abroad?

We also discuss the ever problematical dilemma of when to say 'I love you' to a new partner for the first time. How do you know you're ready? Is there such a thing as too soon? And what do you do if someone says they love you but you don't feel the same?

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#45 Should class play a role in dating? Aug 03, 2018

Today on Millennial Love we're delving into the murky waters of class and, specifically, the role it plays in dating. Joining us in our discussion is the brilliant journalist and author Sophia Money-Coutts, who spent five years studying the British aristocracy while working as Features Director at society magazine, Tatler.

We discuss the concept of 'marrying up' (or down), the problematic nature of dating apps purely for the privately educated and what it means to be 'posh' anyway.

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#44 Female masturbation and the taboo surrounding it Jul 27, 2018

This week on Millennial Love we're joined by writer and activist Scarlett Curtis to discuss the taboo around female masturbation. Scarlett recently launched a campaign called #girlswanktoo which seeks to demystify female masturbation.

Why is it a gendered issue? Why is it important? And what can we do to break the stigma around it? We dive deep into all of this and more in this week's episode.

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#43 Dating as a millennial single mum Jul 20, 2018

As Rachel and Olivia harp on about every week, dating in your 20s is no walk in the park. But add a baby into the mix, and things get a lot more complicated.

This week we’re joined by Amy Nickell, author of Confessions of a Single Mum, to debunk the most common misconceptions around life as a young single mother on the dating scene today.

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#42 Love Island's Montana Brown reveals what really happens in the villa, from periods to alcohol Jul 13, 2018

Love Island has become a national talking point, but the hit reality series remains shrouded in mystery, leaving eager viewers wondering what really goes on behind the scenes in the Mallorcan villa. Do the women get bikini waxes? What's the audition process like? How much are contestants allowed to drink?

This week, we're joined by former contestant Montana Brown, who speaks candidly about her time in the villa, explaining everything from how many clothes the women pack to how they cope when they're on their periods.

Montana also addresses criticisms that some of the action is staged, revealing how involved the producers actually are with the goings on in the villa.

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#41 Roman Kemp on leaving love to fate Jul 06, 2018

"You'll find someone when you stop looking," the cliché goes. But is this piece of highly unhelpful advice really true? Should we be proactive when looking for love or simply leave it up to destiny?

This week, we're joined by TV presenter and radio DJ Roman Kemp who shares the rather fateful story of how he met his girlfriend. Roman, Rachel and Livi also share their top tips for finding love.

We've also got a cracking dating disaster story from one of our listeners - please do keep sending them in!

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#40 What makes a perfect first date and how to end it with someone you're "seeing" Jun 29, 2018

Whilst there's no one-size-fits-all approach to first dates - Rachel loves activities like crazy golf whereas Livi is more of an exhibition kind of girl - there are certain factors that make a first date more likely to be a winner. This week on Millennial Love, we're discussing the best first dates we've ever been on and what made them so great. Similarly, we also reveal the worst first dates we've suffered through - and there are certainly lots from which to choose.

And from the start of a "relationship" to the end: how do you break up with someone you're "seeing"? If you're not officially in a relationship or even exclusive, how much do you owe that person? We share our own experiences and expert tips to help get to the bottom of what to say, where to do it and when - if ever - ending things via text is appropriate. Do you agree? Let us know!

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#39 Is casual sex a recipe for disaster? Jun 22, 2018

The disposable culture of dating apps has made the idea of no-strings casual sex seem more prevalent and popular than ever before.

But is it ever wise to be intimate with someone who you have no plans of developing a long-term relationship with? Is it even possible? What happens if one person “catches feels”?

This week on Millennial Love we’re joined by writer, comedian and social media influencer Bella Younger to discuss the murky matter that is casual sex and all its tricky nuances.

We also delve into how it’s portrayed on Love Island, the ITV2 reality TV series that is at the vanguard of all conversations surrounding casual sex and dating right now.

You can follow Bella on @deliciouslystella.

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#38 Anxiety and mental wellness in relationships with Matt Haig Jun 15, 2018

Every aspect of life feels more fast-paced than ever today, and one of the areas in which this is most apparent is, of course, dating and relationships. This week on Millennial Love we’re joined by the brilliant author of ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ and ‘Notes on a Nervous Planet’ Matt Haig to talk about how the state of the world today has affected our love lives. We’re more connected than ever, so why do so many of us also feel so alone?

Matt also talks candidly about his own experiences with mental illness and how his relationship with his wife Andrea helped him get through some very difficult times, leading him to where he is today.

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#37 Love Island: Consent, body image and the problem with on-screen relationships Jun 08, 2018

Everyone's favourite summer reality series is back. There's been grafting, cracking on and plenty of muggy, melty behaviour. This week, Rachel and Livi are diving deep into the world of Love Island and the mirror up to society it holds. How much of what we see reflects real-life dating?

As much as we enjoy the show, there are issues around it: why is there no body diversity and does it send a dangerous message about consent?

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#36 Is contraception implicitly sexist? Jun 01, 2018

This week on Millennial Love we're joined by social media influencer and podcaster Oenone Forbat to discuss the many issues surrounding contraception and specifically whether it's inherently sexist. Whose responsibility should it be to ensure sex is safe? If there was a male pill, would women really trust men to take it given we're the ones who would still get pregnant?

We also discuss the different contraception options available and how they affect women psychologically.

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#35 Commitment-phobia and deal-breakers May 25, 2018

Did you know nearly half of Brits (46%) have unconscious issues with commitment? Whether you're single or in a relationship, fear of commitment is very common, as Rachel in particular knows all too well. This week on Millennial Love we reveal our own experiences with commitment-phobia, ponder whether the rise of dating apps is making the problem worse and suggest techniques for overcoming your fear of committing to a certain person, plans or relationship in general.

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#34 Mental health in relationships and dating with Bryony Gordon May 18, 2018

It's Mental Health Awareness Week and we are thrilled to be joined by journalist, author and mental health campaigner Bryony Gordon, who's written extensively both about her dating past and her mental health.

This week, Bryony, Rachel and Olivia open up about their own experiences with mental health and how its affected their relationships. We share our top tips for telling a new partner you're struggling with a mental health issue - and how to react and help someone who opens up to you.

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#33 Sexual dysfunction with The Naked Professor May 11, 2018

This week, we're joined by The Naked Professor, whose popular Instagram account is dedicated to showing the authentic and vulnerable sides of masculinity, which he does via a series of nude photographs taken across the globe.

The life coach, mental wellness advocate and personal trainer, whose real name is Ben, joins us to discuss sexual dysfunction and specifically, delayed ejaculation, a condition which he has lived with all his life which means he struggles to orgasm.

Also known as anorgasmia, it's a problem that is more common in women and, like the majority of sexual problems, is mostly considered to be psychological rather than physical.

Follow Ben on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thenakedprofessor/?hl=en

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#32 Body positivity in dating and relationships with Megan Crabbe May 04, 2018

Feeling good about your body - whether you're single or in a relationship - has a huge impact on how you relate to other people. So this week we're thrilled to be joined by body positivity advocate Megan Crabbe, who is perhaps better known as her Instagram handle, @bodyposipanda.

Rachel and Livi share their own struggles with learning to love their bodies and how this has affected their dating escapades, and Megan shares her top tips for feeling happy in the skin you're in and embracing whatever shape or size you may be.

If you'd like to fill your Instagram feed with wonderfully empowering body positive accounts, here are some of our faves:

https://www.instagram.com/bodyposipanda/

https://www.instagram.com/aliceandpeanutbutter/

https://www.instagram.com/allisonkimmey/

https://www.instagram.com/mynameisjessamyn/

https://www.instagram.com/selfloveclubb/

https://www.instagram.com/laikenrichelle/

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#31 Inside the world of professional matchmaking Apr 27, 2018

Finding a match for yourself in this day and age is nothing short of a battle. So this week, we welcome matchmaker and founder of Social Concierge Nana Wereko-Brobby to find out all about the millennials who pay for a professional to find potential soulmates for them. What makes a good match? And how does the whole matchmaking process work?

We've also got not one but two brilliant dating stories sent in by you lovely listeners, both of which are sure to leave you on a high (if for very different reasons).

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#30 Bisexual invisibility Apr 20, 2018

This week on Millennial Love we’re talking about an issue that many straight, gay and lesbian people don’t even know is an issue: bisexual invisibility and erasure. Many bi people face discrimination, and in this episode we’re joined by freelance writer Joanna Whitehead who shares her experiences of the matter.

With more millennials identifying as somewhere between straight and gay than older generations, are times changing? Why is there still a stigma around being bisexual? And what’s it like being bi on dating apps?

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#29 Jamie Laing talks unrequited love and reveals his dating past Apr 13, 2018

This week on Millennial Love we had an absolute ball with reality TV star, entrepreneur and podcaster Jamie Laing. Whilst spilling the beans on his relationships past - from first loves to dating regrets - Jamie offers some thought-provoking insight on the concept of unrequited love. Is there anything you can do to get over it?

Our other main discussion point this week is the oh-so-relatable arc of dating someone new, falling head over heels and getting smitten, then suddenly drawing back and wondering whether you're with the right person after all. Is it fear of commitment? Or hopeless romanticism?

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#28 Social media stalking and how to escape a bad date Apr 06, 2018

This week on Millennial Love it's pure Rachel and Olivia, oversharing and telling all our bad date stories. Up for discussion this episode: date exit strategies. If you're just not clicking and you know there's no future should you stick it out? Or try and leave? Should you make up a reason or just be honest? It's undoubtedly a dilemma we've faced many a time.

We're also talking about stalking potential dates on social media - a subject we certainly don't agree on (no prizes for guessing which of us is the serial stalker). Is it a good idea to Google someone before you meet up? Or is it best to discover everything in person?

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#27 Happn join us to discuss dating app etiquette and matching with friends Mar 30, 2018

This week on Millennial Love we're joined by dating expert and head of global trends and events at Happn, Claire Certain, for an episode all about dating app etiquette. How long should you speak for before arranging a date in real life? Should you message immediately after matching? How many people should you chat to at once?

We also tackle the tricky matter of coming across friends on dating apps. If you say yes, are you leading them on? Equally, if you say no, is it rude? Or could it be the start of a blossoming romance you never even considered?

Don't forget to join our Facebook group to stay up to date! https://www.facebook.com/groups/millennial.love/

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#26 Period sex and sleeping with someone new for the first time Mar 23, 2018

This week the Millennial Love ladies are joined by sex educator, broadcaster and all round sexpert, Alix Fox for our sexiest episode yet.

First, we discuss the contentious issue of period sex. Why is it taboo? And is it actually more of an issue for men or women?

We also ponder the etiquette of sleeping with someone new for the first time, with Olivia, Rachel and Alix revealing what they do to prep if they think they might be out to get lucky. Is it better to go to their place or yours? Should you settle for less than awesome sex if it's the first time? There are so many issues to overthink.

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#25 Sam Thompson joins us to discuss how to meet people in real life and whether lust can grow over time Mar 16, 2018

This week on Millennial Love we're joined by Made In Chelsea's newly single Sam Thompson to discuss where - and how - on earth you're supposed to meet a potential romantic partner nowadays when everything seems to happen on apps.

We're also pondering whether, for a relationship to be successful, you need to feel overwhelming lust from the very start. Can you grow to fancy someone? Or do you need to want to jump their bones at first sight?

Sam, Rachel and Olivia share and compare experiences in an attempt to get to the bottom of the matter.

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#24 How to get over a broken heart and is dating too much stopping you finding love? Mar 09, 2018

Getting your heart broken sucks, there's no two ways about it. This week on Millennial Love, we're joined by former dating columnist and author of Bad Romance Emily Hill to discuss heartbreak and how to get over it.

The past week has also seen relationship experts speaking out about the perils of 'overdating' - ie. dating too much. Could it really be that going on too many dates is stopping us finding love? With Rachel a serial dater and Olivia, well, the opposite, we ponder what the sweet spot might be.

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#23 Does it matter if your partner doesn't share your political views and values? Mar 02, 2018

This week on Millennial Love we welcome the brilliant trans activist Charlie Craggs to help us get to the bottom of how important it is to have common interests with a romantic partner.

Could you date a Tory if you're a passionate Corbynista? Do opposites really attract? And does it matter if your date isn't 'woke'? (Don't know what 'woke' means? Fear not, we explain.)

Let us know your thoughts on the episode by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millennial.love/

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#22 Is there ever a right time to lose your virginity? Feb 23, 2018

Losing your virginity is often heralded as one of the most seminal moments in a person’s life. But is it always such a big deal?

This week on Millennial Love we’re joined by journalist and author Radhika Sanghani to discuss some of the contentious issues surrounding ‘the first time’.

Is there ever a perfect time to lose it? And why is there so much pressure to do so, particularly in your teenage years?

We also share the virginity stories of some our brave and honest listeners – in addition to our own (gulp).

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#21 'Thirst-traps', Instagram flirting and religion in dating Feb 09, 2018

Actor Demi Lovato recently schooled us all in how to flirt on Instagram. Some say it's shameless, others say it's brilliant - either way, it's got us thinking about how we use Instagram to try and catch the attention of our crushes.

One of the most obvious ways is with a so-called 'thirst-trap,' which is essentially just a picture of you looking really hot.

This week on Millennial Love, we're also discussing the role of religion in relationships, with Helen and Sabrina sharing their experiences of dating as a Christian and Jew respectively. Does being religious make it easier or harder to find love? We try to reach a conclusion.

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#20 Dolly Alderton joins us to discuss dating in your 20s, female friendships and her new book Feb 02, 2018

This week on Millennial Love we are thrilled to be joined by former dating columnist, podcaster and author Dolly Alderton. As well as picking Dolly's brains about how she wrote her new book 'Everything I Know About Love', we discuss how to cope when your friends get into new relationships and you're suddenly less of a priority. It's a familiar struggle for many of us.

We also delve into our psyches and explore the idea of craving attention from the opposite sex whilst simultaneously fearing intimacy. How does it come about? And what can we do about the predicament?

Finally, Dolly explains how, after years of entertaining escapades with men, she's ultimately learned that she is enough.

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#19 A new app that lets you rate your dates and should school pupils be allowed to have relationships? Jan 26, 2018

A new dating app has been released that allows you to rate and review your dates straight after gong on them. Do I Date sounds terribly Black Mirror to us, so this week we reveal why we think it's an awful idea.

And speaking of bad ideas, the headmaster of a leading public school has banned his pupils from having relationships. This prompts us to look back on our own romantic escapades at school (or lack thereof) and wonder whether you could ever really stop teens from hooking up behind the school shed.

We also have two exciting new launches this week: firstly, a new segment of the podcast where we offer advice on your dating dilemmas. And secondly, we've created a new Facebook group for Millennial Love - head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/millennial.love/ to join the discussion.

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#18 Aziz Ansari, the problem with consent apps and is one person always punching above their weight in a relationship? Jan 19, 2018

The anonymous account of one woman's bad date with actor Aziz Ansari is the topic on everyone's lips this week, which ties in rather nicely with the launch of a new app that's meant to be used to officially give someone sexual consent. However, we feel there are a lot of problems with apps like this, and as usual, we're sharing all our thoughts in this week's episode. We're also pondering imbalances in relationships: is one person always punching above their weight? And is it necessarily a problem?

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#17 Sliding into DMs and getting 'the ick' Jan 12, 2018

Social media has created a whole new way to chat someone up: sliding into DMs (direct messages). But is there a correct etiquette for this? Is there a way to do it without being creepy? We share our thoughts on the matter this week on Millennial Love.

We're also discussing 'the ick' - the inexplicable feeling of disgust you sometimes develop out of nowhere towards someone you're dating, even though you were totally into them before. Where does it come from? Do men get the ick too? We try to get to the bottom of all these mysteries.

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#16 Millennial dating protocol and texting compatibility in relationships Jan 05, 2018

Dating someone new is a minefield - how often should you see each other? At what point should you invite them into your home? Should you do something different on every date? Joined by writer Jack May, we attempt to get to the bottom of all these issues this week on Millennial Love. We're also thinking about the importance of having compatible texting habits in a relationship and how communication changes depending on which messaging platform you use. Sliding into DMs is highly encouraged.

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#15 New Year's Eve kisses and our dating resolutions for 2018 Dec 29, 2017

As another year comes to a close, it's our New Year's Eve special. We discuss kissing at midnight and look into where the tradition came from. And after a year of being ghosted, "seeing" people and having indescribable, confusing, questionable romantic liaisons, we reveal the dating resolutions we're making for 2018. Happy New Year!

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#14 Facing family as a singleton at Christmas and a seasonal dating trend we've all experienced Dec 22, 2017

Although being single at Christmas can be a lot of fun, it also inevitably leads to the dreaded inquisition from family members who are nosy about your love life (or lack thereof). This week, we share our experiences of mothers who just don't understand us and having to sleep in children's race car beds when we go home for Christmas. We also discuss 'Marleying,' a newly-identified seasonal dating trend that sees people reaching out to their exes over the festive period. If you haven't done it, it's probably happened to you. Merry Christmas from Millennial Love!

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#13 'Cat Person' and do you always feel closer to someone after having sex with them? Dec 15, 2017

The topic on everyone's lips this week has been 'Cat Person', the short story about the early stages of dating someone which was published on the New Yorker and went viral - many young women have found it incredibly relatable, but it's also controversial in some ways, which is the main topic we're discussing this week. We're also talking about sex - there's a stereotype that after sleeping with someone, a woman always falls in love with them, but is that true? And what's the science behind it? We delve in.

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#12 How to know you've found 'the one' and which attachment style are you? Dec 08, 2017

This week on Millennial Love, we're joined by dating and relationships psychologist, Madeleine Mason. Did you know there are three main attachment styles? Madeleine explains what they are and we work out which category we fall into. We also discuss how we develop our attachment style and what we can do about them. As a relationship expert who got engaged after four months of dating by using her own techniques, Madeleine is in prime position to talk about how you find 'the one', if such a concept exists - we quiz her on her secrets.

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#11 The endless allure of fairy tale romances and where millennial daters are going wrong Dec 01, 2017

This week on Millennial Love we're joined by love and relationships coach (and all round romance guru), Ar'nie Rozah Krogh. In the light of the royal engagement announcement, we're thinking about fairy tale romance - why are we so obsessed with the idea of being swept off our feet and is it a problematic ideal to hold? Ar'nie also shares her thoughts on millennial dating, we discuss the plethora of apps that have become the norm and soak up her advice for young singletons on finding love.

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#10 What does it mean to be too keen and does the 'friend zone' really exist? Nov 24, 2017

This week on Millennial Love, we're talking about the so-called 'friend zone'. Does it really exist? Can straight men and women ever be just friends? And in millennial dating, showing actual interest in someone is rare, but why is being too eager considered a no-no? We discuss what it means to be too keen and enjoy another dating disaster of the week - keep sending them in!

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#9 F***boys and sober dating with Lucy Moon Nov 17, 2017

This week on Millennial Love we're joined by vlogger, blogger and podcaster Lucy Moon to discuss a very millennial problem: f***boys. What are they, where have they come from and how do you spot one? Equally linked to modern dating is drinking - Lucy tells us about her experience sober dating and we wonder whether lunchbreak dates are the way forward.

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#8 Bumble share their top tips for dating app success and critique our bios Nov 10, 2017

This week on Millennial Love we're joined by International Brand Director at Bumble, Louise Troen, for an episode all about the feminist dating app. Why are there better looking men on Bumble? How do you craft the perfect opening line? And how would Louise rate our Bumble bios? We discuss all this and more, and are set a dating challenge for next week.

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#7 Workplace winter flings, what constitutes cheating and dating app profile turn-offs Nov 02, 2017

As temperatures drop, we discuss the perhaps unsurprising news that flings with colleagues are more common in winter (watch out for mistletoe at the office Christmas party). We also debate what constitutes cheating - does a kiss count? And what about flirty messages? And considering we have our fair share of experience on dating apps, we chat about what people say in their profiles that result in a rapid left-swipe.

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#6 Ghosting, how to flirt and when flirting turns into sexual harassment Oct 26, 2017

Few people think they're adept at flirting, but what makes a good flirt? This week on Millennial Love we share our flirting fails and discuss when flirty fun becomes sexual harassment. We also chat about a very millennial dating phenomenon (and problem): ghosting. Is it ever OK? Listen now as we delve into the murky waters of dating etiquette

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#5 Hannah Witton joins us to discuss porn, contraception and starting a relationship after being long-time single Oct 19, 2017

This week on Millennial Love we're joined by the brilliant YouTuber, author and general sex-positive awesome person, Hannah Witton. First up, we're talking porn - is it ruining sex for a generation? Or does it have an unfairly bad rep? We also discuss contraception and how it's a huge headache for so many women. And as Hannah is now coupled-up after being single for years, she shares what she's learned about getting into a relationship with long-time singletons, Rachel and Olivia.

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#4 Sexual harassment at work, Tinder's controversial new feature and should we only ever have sober sex for safety? Oct 12, 2017

With allegations against Harvey Weinstein growing in number everyday, this week on Millennial Love we discuss sexual harassment in the workplace and how we can tackle it. We also consider the advice of a criminal barrister, who has spoken out to say men shouldn't sleep with women who've consumed alcohol because alcohol compromises your ability to consent. And Tinder has launched a new feature that's meant to be feminist, but we reveal why we're far from convinced.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#3 Playing it cool, relationship expectations of millennials and polygamy Oct 05, 2017

This week on Millennial Love, we discuss why millennials are so obsessed with playing it cool while dating and are so afraid of showing vulnerability. We also ponder how society's expectations of your relationship status changes over your 20s, and we wonder: is monogamy over?

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#2 The perfect man and woman, the worrying rise of sex robots and who should pay on a first datetitled Episode Sep 28, 2017

In the second episode of Millennial Love, we discuss Match.com’s study which has revealed the perfect man and woman, the worrying rise of sex robots and the divisive question of whether a man or a woman should pay on the first date.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#1 Mangagement rings, stealthing and cuffing season Sep 21, 2017

In the first episode of Millennial Love, we discuss the rise of engagement rings for men, the disturbing act of sexual assault known as stealthing and share our thoughts on the start of cuffing season once again.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.