Love Letters

Meredith has always been a little afraid of Nantucket. Despite living a fast ferry ride away, she’s only been there twice. As far as Meredith is concerned, the people on Nantucket are fancy, the drama is high, and because it’s an island, it’s hard to escape. For best-selling author Elin Hiderbrand, though, Nantucket represents comfort … even when it’s stifling. Nantucket is where Elin found happiness after leaving New York. It’s what inspired her writing. It’s where she found community – and the best kinds of love. In a live conversation recorded in November, Meredith interviews Elin about Nantucket, what it means to fall in love with a place, and why Elin decided to stop writing about the island after decades of living there. They also talk about the power of books about women and love. Elin novels include “The Perfect Couple,” which became a Netflix show starring Nicole Kidman, and “The Five Star Weekend,” which is slated to be a series starring Jennifer Garner. This talk was part of “Globe Summit,” a two-day Boston Globe event that featured journalists speaking with experts in their fields. Remember, Love Letters is also an anonymous advice column. When you ask a relationship question, you help others wondering the same thing. Email your question to loveletters@boston.com. Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter at Boston.com/meredith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elise, 17, appreciates that she’s growing up in a world that understands what it means to be nonbinary. She just wishes people had an easier time understanding fluidity. Because sometimes Elise feels like a boy, and other times she feels like a girl. Sometimes these changes shift with the seasons. In this episode, Elise explains how her fluidity affects her dating life – because some people who fall for her as a masculine person might be less interested if she becomes more feminine months later. She also reveals she might be a chimera – meaning, as she sees it, she might literally be two people in one. Elise and Meredith talk it through together. If you love Love Letters, give us all the stars. We love validation. We’re also an anonymous advice question; when you ask a relationship question, you help others wondering the same thing. Email your question to loveletters@boston.com Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter at Boston.com/meredith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nexan Asencio Corado was 20 when he left Guatemala and crossed into the U.S. illegally. He wound up settling in Massachusetts and built a life there. Within a decade, he was working in construction and framing. He fell in love with Christina Toledo and married her. They had two twin sons. In May, Nexan – who had started the process of seeking lawful permanent residency in the U.S. – was arrested by ICE agents and brought to a Federal Correctional Institution. From that moment, Nexan and Christina faced important choices about how to stay together, care for each other, and protect their family. In this episode, Boston Globe immigration reporter Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio tells the story of Nexan and Christina, using recordings from their life and phone calls, with their permission. We love feedback and questions at Love Letters – and with this episode, there’s a lot to talk about. After listening, please send your thoughts to loveletters@globe.com. You can always email us a voice memo. We’re also a relationship advice column. You can send your anonymous questions to loveletters@globe.com. To learn more about this story and Love Letters, in general, sign up for the Love Letters newsletter at Boston.com/Meredith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna is a part-time model. Sometimes her modeling jobs are unique – think wearing stilettos and popping balloons... or wearing lingerie while feeding ducks. Recently, she's been getting paid to play a damsel in distress. With cars. How does Jenna’s modeling work affect her dating life? It’s not easy. Some people act like they’re comfortable with her job at first - but then they turn out to be judgmental and jealous. In this episode, Jenna tells Meredith the story of how she got into this type of work and how much she's willing (or not) to give up for it. A universal lesson about compromise – and finding people who love us as we are. ___ Remember, Love Letters is an advice column, too! Send questions about human relationships (romantic, friendship, etc.) to loveletters@boston.com. Sign up for the Love Letters newsletter at Boston.com/Meredith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Situationships. Are they all bad. Can you have a meaningful, hopeful, life-changing … situationship? In this episode, Meredith talks to Nicole, a woman who has come full circle on situationships after many years of resenting them. She’s wanted a permanent partner, but maybe situationships aren’t so bad in the meantime. Meredith also has a conversation with word expert Amanda Montell, of the podcasts “Sounds Like a Cult” and “Magical Overthinkers,” who explains how the word “situationship” has evolved, and why it’s one of the best slang portmanteaus around. ___ Love Letters is also an advice column. Send an anonymous relationship question to loveletters@boston.com. Sign up for the Love Letters newsletter at boston.com/meredith . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time of year is a little unsexy and unromantic to Love Letters host Meredith Goldstein. Why? She doesn't like sports. In the fall, there are so many sports. Football, hockey, and basketball – not to mention that baseball can extend into early November. On this episode, Meredith tries to rally for sports and seeks out new, romantic entry points into fandom. She gets help from two funny experts. One is The Boston Globe’s own Christopher L. Gasper – Meredith’s former roommate – who explains how athletes are fascinating personalities, not unlike characters on television dramas. It’s a conversation that includes talk of “Vanderpump Rules,” how difficult it can be to date a sports writer, and the one sport Chris believes should have a series of romance novels. Meredith also talks to best-selling romance novelist Tessa Bailey, who writes steamy stories about baseball, golf, and hockey. Tessa explains why she's chosen to focus on athletes, how she appreciates fandom in real life, and how anyone – even Meredith – can fall in love with the game. ___ Do you have a story? Send questions about your relationships to loveletters@boston.com. Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter – with behind-the-scenes pics, giveaways, and other extras – at boston.com/meredith . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Akela Cooper knows dating can be scary. Cooper, a screenwriter known for “M3GAN,” sits down with Meredith to talk about the horror of vulnerability – and opening yourself up to love. Enjoy this episode filled with pop culture references, advice, and thoughts about how sometimes it’s difficult to know whether you’re in a horror story … or just a bad romantic comedy. ___ Do you have a story Send your question about your relationships (romance, friendship, family, etc.) to loveletters@boston.com. Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter – with behind-the-scenes pics, giveaways, and other extras – at boston.com/meredith . Episode art courtesy of Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rory Uphold was in a literal haunted house when she realized her date for the night... might be the real monster. Is she just a "final girl" in love? ___ Do you have a story Send your question about your relationships (romance, friendship, family, etc.) to loveletters@boston.com. Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter – with behind-the-scenes pics, giveaways, and other extras – at boston.com/meredith . Episode art courtesy of AP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moving is STRESSFUL and movers... are sometimes de facto relationship experts. They literally see people’s personal lives packed into boxes - from couples moving in together for the first time to the breakdown of long term marriages. They help people through their most stressful moments! After all, most big life changes require moving from one place to another... In this new episode about love and moving, we talk to a professional mover who has seen it ALL. We also interview author Adam Sass, who has moved with his husband 12 times in 10 years. Meredith and Adam explore how difficult moving can be on relationships and whether feeling “settled” is ever really possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet an aspiring Single Mother By Choice. An SMBC, if you will. Kristy has made the decision to go it alone as she tries for her second child. What does it mean to choose children over romance – and why does it seem to matter so much to everyone else? Kristy joins Meredith to tell a story about controlling your own timeline in love and family planning. Meredith's favorite character in this one: Kristy's daughter. Love Letters is also an advice column. Send your question about your relationships (romance, friendship, family, etc.) to ⁠loveletters@boston.com⁠. Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter – with behind-the-scenes pics, giveaways, and other extras – at ⁠boston.com/meredith⁠ (all lowercase). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Hiller, a 2025 Emmy nominee for “Somebody Somewhere” – is a very funny man. A dramatic man. A theater man. A man with many feelings. What do thoughtful performers do when they get dumped? They make a screen-worthy speech. A proclamation. Like Julia Roberts saying “Choose me!” in “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” Or Conrad saying “I still love you” on “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” In this new episode, Jeff shares a hilarious and intimate story about a breakup in his 20s – and the short speech that followed. He and Meredith discuss the pros and cons of making big proclamations, especially if you’re talking to someone who doesn’t even reciprocate. Expect laughter, lessons, and DRAMA. Love Letters is also an advice column. Send your question about your relationships (romance, friendship, family, etc.) to loveletters@boston.com. You can also tell Meredith about a speech you made – and how it was received! Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter – with behind-the-scenes pics, giveaways, and other extras – at boston.com/meredith . Episode art courtesy of AP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in the day, Meredith was kind of … married to her mother. It was “Gilmore Girls”-esque – for better and worse. That’s why Meredith brought her friend Kumar on Love Letters in 2022 – to talk about how having a partnership with a parent can change your love life. Kumar was kind of married to his mom, too. This is a classic Love Letters episode – with an update from Kumar about how how grief looks over time, and how being on the podcast might have helped him find a new kind of love. Listen and enjoy. Love Letters is also an advice column! Send your questions (we’ll keep them anonymous) to loveletters@boston.com. Get behind-the-scenes podcast news, giveaways, and more by signing up for the Love Letters newsletter at boston.com/Meredith (all lowercase). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Love Letters is back with new episodes Sept. 9! You’ll hear guests tell REAL stories about finding love … dating more honestly … planning for a family … navigating big moves with a spouse … getting over breakups (with lots of laughter) … and the importance of family and friends. Get ready to feel your feelings. (Don’t be scared – we’ll be there with you.) Find Love Letters wherever you get podcasts. To get all the news, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes scoop, sign up for the Love Letters newsletter at boston.com/meredith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer camp love is for kids. Unless you reach out to your camp crush as an adult and fall in love with them all over again. Today, hear a classic Love Letters podcast episode about two people who reconnected after decades. Find out where they are now – with new commentary from the original storyteller. Maybe you'll realize the love you've been searching for ... is in your sleep-away camp directory. Remember, Love Letters is also an advice column! Send your anonymous questions about single life, married life, breakup life, and friendship life to loveletters@boston.com OR by visiting Boston.com/loveletters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this month, two executives were caught cheating – exposed via Jumbotron! – at a Coldplay concert. It happened at Gillette Stadium, about 40 minutes from Meredith’s house. The incident – and its viral aftermath – reminded Meredith of a classic episode of Love Letters … the one about a workplace romance that involved a woman in HR falling for an employee. Join Meredith for a new take on the story – with thoughts on Coldplaygate. Remember, Love Letters is also an advice column. If you want Meredith to answer a question about relationships (anonymously!), email loveletters@boston.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five years ago, in the summer of 2020, Meredith Goldstein and the Love Letters team were in lockdown because of the pandemic, making the podcast from separate closets and basements. In their personal lives, they were asking: how can we remain isolated without losing support from community? How can live with loved ones …. without getting sick of them? They found answers by interviewing two people who were already experts in being alone, together: Glenn and Kim Schryver, who fell in love and chose an remote life as caretakers of the Grizzly Reservoir. Meredith revisits this episode and its meaning, five years later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This season, we’ve tried to answer one big question: Can people change for the better? The answer has been complicated. Basically: sometimes. In our season finale, we recap what we learned. We also visit a magical place called Butterfly Hollow, where caterpillars change into butterflies in real time. What can human learns from a creature that has to change to survive? Plenty, says an expert. Join us for an episode that brings metaphor to life. ___ Love Letters is taking stories for next season! To come on the show, email loveletters@boston.com with "my story" in the subject line. For giveaways, behind-the-scenes photos of guests, and extra commentary, sign up for Meredith's newsletter at boston.com/meredith (all lowercase). To leave Meredith a voicemail about any episode of Love Letters, call 401-484-0590. To send Meredith an anonymous question about relationships, go to boston.com/loveletters and hit "send letter." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meredith’s sister, Brette, has told a beautiful story about falling in love with her husband. But sometimes the narrative needs to change. In an emotional episode about partnership, sisterhood, and community, Meredith and Brette dissect the meaning of marriage – and how to make sure you’re getting what you need to be healthy. Enjoy this one. We loved recording it. Want to share your relationship story on Love Letters? Have thoughts about this episode? Email ⁠loveletters@boston.com⁠ or leave a voicemail at 401-484-0590. Read the Love Letters advice column or send a letter at ⁠boston.com/loveletters⁠. Sign up for Meredith's newsletter at ⁠boston.com/meredith⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you love meet-cutes? Then tune in to this episode – because Meredith would quite literally not exist without the adorable, rom-com love stories in it. Her family is FULL of meet cutes... and in this episode from Season 2 of Love Letters, you’ll get the details. We’re re-running this classic – updated with some new thoughts – to prepare you for next week’s story, which is about how the best love stories can change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She’s American-Israeli. He’s Palestinian. They fell in love and navigated a universe of complications. Then, in 2023, a new war. Conflict, violence, and devastation rocked the world. Echos of trauma from decades past. Mya Guarnieri tells the story of how she met her now ex-husband, fell in love, and, in 2023, became each other's best support system, as exes, when they needed each other most. Love Letters is taking stories for next season! To come on the show, email loveletters@boston.com with "my story" in the subject line. For giveaways, behind-the-scenes photos of guests, and extra commentary, sign up for Meredith's newsletter at boston.com/meredith (all lowercase). To leave Meredith a voicemail about any episode of Love Letters, call 401-484-0590. To send Meredith an anonymous question about relationships, go to boston.com/loveletters and hit "send letter." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices