Dive into this heart-to-heart episode where my friend Ezra from NYU takes us through his new beginning in NYC after a crushing rejection. Imagine this: you’re stepping into a whole new world, kind of like being the main character in your favorite video game or anime, except the setting is the bustling streets of Manhattan. Ezra finds parallels between his experiences in NYC in the game “Persona 5”, a story of self-realization and personal growth, and the anime “A Place Further than the Universe” a story of coping with grief through a journey to the cold and desolate Antarctica. For him, his story is about navigating the unforgiving climate of NYC and his own negative emotions to find his true self.

His story isn’t just about moving on; it’s about how media can be our silent therapists, guiding us through tough times. It’s about those stories that end up fueling us, pushing us just enough until we’re ready to stand tall again. So, gear up for a ride through Ezra’s journey and how virtual and fictional worlds mirrored his real-life saga of self-discovery and moving forward.

She lived two lives -- one with a man and three children, the other with a community of lesbian feminists. Not necessarily better, but "I was definitely happier" she said. Elizabeth Heard, a professor of gender theories joined us in the episode and told us her coming out story and what the 2nd wave feminism was like. Let's celebrate it.

A hot girl's summer turned into a traumatized girl's summer. College romance ruined by a narcissistic serial dater. Why is it always man, they asked.

In this episode, our guests Anastasiia and Daniella shared their stories about being gaslighted, and hope that doesn't sound relatable to you.

Soundtrack: "Mosquito" by Julian Harper

Covid, international travel ban, surfing, summer fling, queer... What kind of love puzzle did those create?

In this episode, your host Selina shared a story of her own, a story that inspired East Village Love Stories.

If you know a relationship would come to an end one day, are you still willing to fall in love? How is it like to be soulmates rather than lovers? This episode might make you reconsider the labels that we use to define romance. Our host Selina sat down with Susan Zhang, director of a short film titled "Love in New York, but not only in New York", and discussed her story-crafting journey in an encounter with two lovers-- Maria and Ken. Love is powerful in and of itself, and as witnesses of which we are empowered as well.

In this episode of East Village Love Stories, Aria Young shared the story of her recent breakup: My ex-boyfriend and I were in a long-distance relationship for one and a half years. Despite the distance, our love was passionate and intense. As an international student in New York, I don’t have family in the states to rely on. So his family became mine. I stayed with his family on holidays and weekends, and he visited me in the city often as well. I was so confident in our partnership and in our future together — until I was proved wrong. What I thought were “healthy disagreements” turned into outbursts of anger from both of us. My insecurities in the relationship clashed with his lack of determination for the future. Questions about my legal status came into play, childhood traumas and personality flaws weighed on our shoulders… While I held the relationship hostage and demanded the security that I wasn’t able to find anywhere else, he pulled away in fear. Towards the end of our relationship, we still loved each other intensely, but he was too exhausted to try again. For me, losing him was more than a breakup, it felt like losing my home. Being young and alone in this country, I am constantly struggling to feel safe and secure. Without a partner to call home, I am now finally learning to find comfort in myself, to love life through my creativity, and to heal my inner child, the child that has been hurt and abandoned before and still feels that way. Bell Hooks said, “Love saves us only if we want to be saved.” Reflecting on my failed relationship, I was not ready for redemption no matter how redeeming love felt. While the loss of a lover still follows me like a shadow, I feel this new journey beginning — a journey of growth and discoveries, a journey I can only go on by myself.

Welcome back! Have you ever wondered what guys' intake of crushes, red and green flags, relationships in highschool vs college, and so much more? In this episode, our host Parker and guests JJ, Felix, and Kayla discuss these topics, as well as give their opinions and personal experiences table-talk style. So sit back, get some popcorn, soda, or whatever. Relax and enjoy!

"I want to be able to call myself a responsible slut," she said. In this episode, Shreya brought to us a story about her love for sex, and her personal journey to destigmatize her casual relationships. Sex positivity is important, so is practicing safe sex.

Is Long Distance easy? Of course not! In this episode, our host Parker will dive deep with guests Sienna and Kayla on the good, the bad, and the ugly in long distance relationships. Thinking back on their own long distance relationships, Sienna and Kayla give us a taste on what to not only expect but also advice to others who are in or planning to commit to this type of relationship. Sit down, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy this relaxing discussion!

Why do we choose not to get into a serious relationship even though we long for true sincere connection? In this episode, we applied the Game Theory and Freudian psychoanalysis concepts to love, and we broke down the rational and emotional aspects of a casual relationship. How can the Prisoner's Dilemma be used to explain romantic relationships? What does Freud mean by the "Oceanic feeling"? The answer is in the podcast.