New Season of World-Renowned Therapist Esther Perel’s ‘Where Should We Begin?’ Podcast to Launch on Spotify

It’s not uncommon to see innovative couples’ therapist and author Esther Perel compared to Dr. Ruth, who helped the masses understand the importance of confronting sensitive subjects. Yet unlike the celebrity therapist of the ‘80s, Perel never sticks to a script or specific approach as she deftly unwinds the complicated dynamics of each relationship. That’s why her groundbreaking podcast Where Should We Begin? has proven so popular among everyone from singles to those celebrating 50 years of marriage. Beginning October 10 — and in conjunction with the launch of the podcast’s third season — Where Should We Begin will become a Gimlet series and will be available as a windowed exclusive on Spotify.

What makes Perel’s approach unique—and uniquely attractive to listeners the world over—is that there’s no distinction between her public and private counseling. Each episode of the podcast is a recording of a therapy session with a real couple navigating the complexities of their relationship—from the euphoric beginning to long-term love, unexpected loss, power struggles, and the ups and downs in between—right from her New York office. In the podcast’s new, third season, Perel explores the evolution of marriage through the stories of six couples at different points in their relationships.

“Where Should We Begin is a groundbreaking podcast and Esther is a unique and singular voice in podcasting,” said Nazanin Rafsanjani, Head of New Show Development at Gimlet. “She uses the power of audio to let us listen in and learn from people’s most personal revelations and struggles. We are thrilled to be partnering with her and bringing her talents to Spotify.”

“As we continue to explore the complexities of modern relationships, season three takes you through the stages of marriage, from the dreams to the disillusions to the dissolution and the new dreams,” said Perel. “My hope is to provoke, evoke, and stimulate meaningful conversations. When you listen deeply to the stories of others, you see yourself, you feel less alone, are open to new ideas and are emboldened to start the conversations that will transform your life. We’re pleased to partner with Spotify and Gimlet to bring my work to a dynamic and global audience. We have a shared belief: Beyond the riches of our individual and cultural particularities, we all have a universal need for connection.”

Perel, whose two TED Talks combined have more than 28 million views, is also the author of two best-selling books that have been translated into multiple languages: Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence, which explores the crossroads—and the often conflicting forces—of domestic partnership and desire; and The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity, which analyzes infidelity not from a perspective of right and wrong, but in terms of what it can teach us about modern relationships and commitment in general.

Spotify and Gimlet look forward to working with Perel on future seasons of Where Should We Begin? 

Click below to stream the season three trailer of Where Should We Begin?