About this Episode

What if everything you know about love is a myth—built on luck, chance, and hope? The truth is, many of us walk into relationships with big dreams of "happily ever after," only to find that real connection can feel overwhelming, elusive, or even impossible to sustain. We use words like "respect," "trust," and "compassion," but rarely stop to define what they truly mean for ourselves and our partners. Without a roadmap, couples often end up lost in confusion, miscommunication, and heartbreak.

In this episode, you'll discover a fresh, research-backed framework for designing love that actually lasts. You'll learn about the six key ingredients necessary for truly thriving relationships and uncover why love can't survive on feelings alone. By diving into practical strategies, real-world examples, and self-reflection tools, this conversation offers a powerful guide to recognizing what really matters in your connection and how to nurture it, every single day.

Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh, Ph.D., is a renowned author, speaker, and thought leader in relationship dynamics. With experience in 41 countries, she has advised hundreds of couples, governments, UN agencies, and corporations. Her book, Love by Design: 6 Ingredients to Build a Lifetime of Love, explores six key principles for thriving relationships. Dr. Nasserzadeh's work has been featured in leading media outlets, including NPR, The New York Times, BBC, CNN, and more.

Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. Episode Highlights 

05:45 Dr. Sara's unique approach to relationship dynamics and global work.

09:43 Unpacking the emergent love research model and its origins.

10:58 Grounded theory research: Analyzing couples and identifying relationship patterns.

15:52 Defining core relationship concepts and the search for universal ingredients.

19:19 Emergent model findings: Moving beyond "love comes first".

21:01 Three phases of research and development of a relationship assessment tool.

24:42 The six key ingredients for lasting love.

29:11 The power of loving behaviors and nonverbal communication in relationships.

32:20 Cultural and physical factors that influence emotional connection.

34:32 The importance of everyday gestures and their impact on intimacy.

38:07 Small actions and social etiquette: Nurturing connection in daily life.

44:49 Understanding your "love blueprint" and core sensitivities.

45:56 Knowing yourself: Quirks, pet peeves, and vulnerabilities in relationships.

49:24 Dr. Sara's resources, final thoughts, and where to connect.

Mentioned

Love by Design: 6 Ingredients to Build a Lifetime of Love (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book)

Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love

Connect with Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh

Websites: sara-nasserzadeh.com

Facebook: facebook.com/Dr.SaraNasserzadeh

YouTube: youtube.com/user/DrSaraNasserzadeh

Instagram: instagram.com/dr.saranasserzadeh

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LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins 

Twitter: @DrJessHiggins 

Website: drjessicahiggins.com  

Email: [email protected]

If you have a topic you would like it to be discussed, please contact us by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. 

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*With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.