Share
A Life of Greatness
Esther Perel: The Truth About Why Passion Fades (and How to Bring It Back)
Season 10, Ep. 54
•
Why do so many loving relationships lose their passion? Has technology changed the way we connect forever? And what does it really take to build a love that stays alive?
In one of the most anticipated conversations on A Life of Greatness, world-renowned psychotherapist, bestselling author and relationship expert Esther Perel returns to the podcast for a profound discussion about love, intimacy, desire and the changing landscape of modern relationships.
Twenty years after her groundbreaking book Mating in Captivity, Esther reflects on why her work feels more relevant than ever. She and Sarah explore why certainty has become one of the greatest threats to romance, why love and desire aren't always driven by the same forces, and why so many of us are unknowingly starving our relationships of the very things that keep them alive.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why the person who feels like home can be the last person you desire
- The quiet habit that kills attraction in long-term relationships
- Why great sex has less to do with compatibility than you think
- What desire actually wants, and why it isn't more closeness
- How dating apps and AI are quietly rewiring the way we love
Whether you're single, dating, married or simply curious about what makes relationships flourish, this is timeless wisdom from one of the world's leading voices on human connection.
Follow Esther Perel:
🎟️ Esther Perel's Australian Tour: Esther Perel tickets | Plenary, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre | Ticketek Australia
Instagram: @estherperelofficial
Website: estherperel.com
This episode of A Life of Greatness is proudly brought to you by Chemist Warehouse.
At A Life of Greatness, we believe living well begins with the choices we make every day. That's why we're proud to partner with Chemist Warehouse, helping Australians access trusted health and wellness products to support a healthier, fuller life.
This episode also features Revlon's Lipstick Gives Back campaign. For every Revlon Super Lustrous lip product purchased at Chemist Warehouse, Revlon will donate $2 to Look Good Feel Better—a wonderful program supporting people undergoing cancer treatment to feel more confident through practical workshops and support.
Choose a lipstick that gives back. Lipstick Gives Back is available now, exclusively at Chemist Warehouse, until August 19. Shop here
If this conversation resonated with you, please follow A Life of Greatness, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who would benefit from hearing it.
Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.
To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.
Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.
Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.
Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.
Instagram: @sarahgrynbergÂ
Website: https://sarahgrynberg.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynberg
Twitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg
More episodes
View all episodes
81. Sarah's Thoughts: Why It Hurts to Watch Your Kids Grow Up
04:43||Season 10, Ep. 81When did your child go from telling you every tiny detail of their day to having a whole world you only hear about in bits?In Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores the quiet ache of watching your kids grow up, and how to stay close as they become more independent.You’ll learn:– Why you can be proud of who they’re becoming and still miss who they were.– How to give them more space without losing touch.– What changes when you get curious about their opinions and let them teach you a thing or two.Because sometimes the best way to get closer to your kids is to give them room to surprise you.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynbergWebsite: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg
80. Ken Rideout: How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Giving Up
56:51||Season 10, Ep. 80What happens when the obsession that nearly destroys your life becomes the very thing that helps you rebuild it?On A Life Of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with Ken Rideout, a world champion marathon runner who overcame a decade-long opioid addiction to become one of the world’s fastest marathon runners over 50.From an abusive childhood to a successful Wall Street career that concealed his addiction, Ken shares how fatherhood motivated him to get sober and running gave him somewhere to redirect his intensity. He also opens up about quitting an Ironman, supporting his wife through breast cancer and the limits of chasing achievement.In this episode, you’ll discover:– Why success and money can’t resolve the pain we carry.– How Ken channelled his obsessive tendencies into discipline and purpose.– What embracing discomfort can teach us about facing difficult things.– Why chasing the next achievement can leave us overlooking what matters most.A revealing conversation about addiction, ambition and what it takes to build a life you no longer want to escape.This episode of A Life of Greatness is proudly brought to you by Chemist Warehouse.At A Life of Greatness, we believe living well begins with the choices we make every day. That's why we're proud to partner with Chemist Warehouse, helping Australians access trusted health and wellness products to support a healthier, fuller life.Connect with Sarah:Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynbergWebsite: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg
79. Sarah's Thoughts: Do You Know a Social Climber?
04:02||Season 10, Ep. 79Ever been made to feel invisible the moment someone more “important” walks into the room?In Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores social climbing, the need for approval and why chasing the right connections can leave you with very little real connection.You’ll learn:– How to spot when a friendship is more about access than affection.– Why money, status and influential friends can become substitutes for self-worth.– How to stop chasing approval from people who only value you when you’re useful.Because you can know everyone worth knowing and still have nobody you can truly talk to.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynbergWebsite: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg
78. Mark Vicente: Cults, Fallen Gurus & the Dark Side of Self-Help
01:03:24||Season 10, Ep. 78Why do we put spiritual and personal development leaders on a pedestal, and what happens when they fall?On A Life Of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with Mark Vicente, co-director of What the Bleep Do We Know!? and former senior NXIVM member, to explore cults, charismatic leaders and the darker side of the search for enlightenment.From his experience inside Keith Raniere’s NXIVM to his concerns about spiritual teacher Bentinho Massaro, Mark examines how promises of freedom and personal growth can give way to manipulation and control.In this episode, you’ll discover:– Why intelligent people can become devoted to dangerous leaders.– How to recognise control disguised as spiritual guidance.– What makes us defend someone even when the warning signs appear.– How to trust yourself again after a leader you believed in lets you down.A revealing conversation about who we follow, what we overlook and why we give others the power to tell us who we are.Narcissists Playbook is available to watch here: https://narcissistsplaybook.com/This episode of A Life of Greatness is proudly brought to you by Chemist Warehouse.At A Life of Greatness, we believe living well begins with the choices we make every day. That's why we're proud to partner with Chemist Warehouse, helping Australians access trusted health and wellness products to support a healthier, fuller life.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynbergWebsite: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg
77. Sarah’s Thoughts: How to Stop People Pleasing and Get Comfortable Being Disliked
05:17||Season 10, Ep. 77How much of your life are you giving up just to keep everyone happy?You soften the email, say yes when you want to say no, or change your decision because you’re worried about someone’s reaction. Before long, their approval matters more than what you actually want.In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores the hidden cost of people pleasing, the fear of rejection and why building self-worth means getting comfortable with being disliked.You’ll learn:Why people pleasing can be about controlling how others see you.How seeking approval keeps you stuck in decisions that don’t serve you.Why setting boundaries means accepting that someone may be disappointed.How to say no and stand by your choices without losing your kindness.You can be a good person and still disappoint someone. You can be misunderstood without spending your life trying to change their mind.What could you do with your life if everyone else’s approval stopped being a condition?Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynberg Website: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg
76. Adam Schwab: Building Luxury Escapes, Taking Risks & Why Success Is More Than Money
01:17:44||Season 10, Ep. 76What does it take to back yourself when there’s no guarantee it will work?On A Life Of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with Adam Schwab, co-founder and CEO of Luxury Escapes, to explore the risks, setbacks and unexpected opportunities behind his success, and why he believes luck deserves more credit than most entrepreneurs admit.From walking away from law to leading a travel company through COVID-19, Adam shares what helped him keep going when the stakes were high.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why he left a promising legal career to build something of his own.How persistence, luck and questioning the rules shaped his journey.How he manages pressure and protects his wellbeing.What success has taught him about happiness, family and staying grounded.An honest look at taking chances, navigating uncertainty and knowing what matters as your ambitions grow.This episode of A Life of Greatness is proudly brought to you by Chemist Warehouse.At A Life of Greatness, we believe living well begins with the choices we make every day. That's why we're proud to partner with Chemist Warehouse, helping Australians access trusted health and wellness products to support a healthier, fuller life.Connect with Sarah:Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynbergWebsite: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg
75. Sarah’s Thoughts: Why Having Everything Still Doesn’t Make You Happy
04:21||Season 10, Ep. 75You Have Everything You Wanted. Why Do You Still Feel Empty?The house, the car, the holidays. Enough money to stop worrying about money. So why doesn’t your life feel as good as it looks?In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores why success, wealth and comfort don’t always bring the happiness and fulfilment we expect, and why chasing the next milestone can keep us stuck.From hedonic adaptation, where we quickly get used to what once thrilled us, to the arrival fallacy, the belief that “once I get there, I’ll be happy”, Sarah unpacks why the satisfaction of getting what you want can fade so quickly.You’ll learn:Why achievements and purchases can lose their shine.How the pursuit of comfort can leave you craving purpose and challenge.Why connection, growth and contribution matter to lasting fulfilment.What feeling empty might be telling you about what your life needs.What if the thing missing from your life isn’t another holiday, purchase or achievement, but something worth giving yourself to?Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynberg Website: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg
74. Gavin Rossdale: Heartbreak, Starting Over & Why Fame Doesn’t Make Life Easy
01:00:02||Season 10, Ep. 74What happens when you achieve everything you ever dreamed of, yet still find yourself navigating heartbreak, loneliness and the pain of your past?On the A Life of Greatness podcast, Sarah Grynberg sits down with Gavin Rossdale, frontman of Bush, to explore childhood rejection, rock-star fame and life after his public divorce from Gwen Stefani. Gavin opens up about the experiences that shaped his understanding of love, the loneliness of touring and why letting go of people remains one of his hardest lessons.You will learn:How he kept going when record labels told him he couldn’t sing.How his mother leaving at 11 shaped his relationships and understanding of forgiveness.What divorce and co-parenting taught him about letting go.How heartbreak influenced his songwriting, including “Glycerine.”The loneliness and personal sacrifices behind life on tour.A conversation to help you feel less alone in heartbreak, find the strength to start again and stop measuring your happiness by how successful your life looks.This episode of A Life of Greatness is proudly brought to you by Chemist Warehouse.At A Life of Greatness, we believe living well begins with the choices we make every day. That's why we're proud to partner with Chemist Warehouse, helping Australians access trusted health and wellness products to support a healthier, fuller life.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynbergWebsite: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynberg
73. Sarah’s Thoughts: What Constant Complaining Reveals About Someone
04:36||Season 10, Ep. 73Why do some people find a problem with everything?The teacher, the other parents, work, the weekend plans. We all know someone who finds a problem with everything. But what if their constant complaining is about something they’re not saying?In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores the psychology behind constant complaining, from feeling overwhelmed or out of control to seeking reassurance and connection.You’ll learn:What might be underneath someone’s constant complaining.How to respond without getting pulled into their negativity.Why you don’t need to fix every problem they bring you.How to protect your energy while still showing compassion.If someone else’s bad mood keeps becoming yours, this episode will help you understand what’s happening, and stop carrying it.Purchase Sarah's book: Living A Life Of Greatness here.To purchase Living A Life of Greatness outside Australia here or here.Watch A Life of Greatness Episodes On Youtube here.Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter (Greatness Guide) here.Purchase Sarah's Meditations here.Instagram: @sarahgrynbergWebsite: https://sarahgrynberg.com/Facebook: facebook.com/sarahgrynbergTwitter: twitter.com/sarahgrynbergBecause sometimes the complaint isn’t the real conversation. It’s simply the way into it.The person who complains about everything may be carrying something much heavier than you realise. And when you can see the person underneath the behaviour, you can stop taking it so personally.