Love Letters

Meredith talks to former Love Letters guest Margaret H. Willison about “Adult Braces,” a new memoir by feminist writer Lindy West that has sparked big debate about West’s polyamorous relationship.
West – who also wrote “Shrill” (which became a Hulu show) – says in this new book that she didn’t want to be in a non-monogamous relationship … but is now happy being one of three. But some readers/fans of West have found this happiness hard to believe.
The book reminded Meredith of Margaret’s episode, which was about a complicated non-monogamous relationship that did not work out for Margaret.
If you haven’t read the book, that’s OK. Meredith and Margaret will explain the conversation, and how critiques of the book have revealed what we expect of other people’s love stories.
Margaret also gives an update on her love life, which is more calm than it used to be.

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We get a big update from Nicole, a guest who once explained an era of her life when she took a zillion classes – and signed up for countless activities (dragon boat racing, included) – to try to meet a boyfriend. 

Where is Nicole now? She tells us all about life after those classes, and why she wishes she could take more of them now. Join Meredith and Nicole for a sweet update about getting what you want – and what it means to keep learning and participating.

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Yowei Shaw, host of the podcast “Proxy” – and former host of NPR’s “Invisibilia” – joins Love Letters to tell a story about the time she was embarrassed of her partner … because he’s a man.
This is Part 2 of our two-part series inspired by a viral Vogue essay that suggested women are now embarrassed about having male partners.
Yowei’s story is a nuanced one. From the outside it might have seemed like Yowei was embarrassed by the wonderful man in her life, but in reality she was just trying to figure out who she was … and how to fit in.
Laugh along as Yowei confesses how she hid a significant other, and how it changed her.
To learn more about Love Letters and this episode (fun photos, etc.), sign up for Meredith’s newsletter at boston.com/Meredith.
Love Letters is also an advice column. You can send any questions about friendship, love, dating, breakups, starting over, building community, etc. to [email protected].

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Last fall, Chanté Joseph wrote an essay with the headline: “Is it embarrassing to have a boyfriend now?” The piece – about the politics of showing off heterosexual relationships – went viral; people debated it all over TikTok and beyond. (Even New York City’s mayor weighed in.)
Months later, Meredith and Chanté sit down to discuss why the essay hit so many nerves at once. Some readers hated Chanté's essay and what it suggested about the evolving values of women.
Others – namely single straight women – loved that Chanté’s essay highlighted women who are choosing to post pictures of friends instead of significant others.
It’s a complicated discussion – and Part 1 in a two-part exploration of why the concept of a boyfriend can be a bit … cringey.
This episode features a montage of creators who were inspired by Chanté’s essay.

They are, in order of appearance: @thanahit @maryarchived @jedidahbila @JeffHarryPlays @melvinoyx @rollotomassi @boyproblemsshow

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Meredith has long been interested in the Kinsey Institute, a place were researchers focus their work on sex and relationships.
In this episode, Meredith interviews Kinsey Executive Director Justin Garcia about his new book, “The Intimate Animal: The Science of Sex, Fidelity, and Why We Live and Die for Love.”
Meredith read the book in one sitting.
Her conversation with Justin covers many topics including monogamy, emotional intimacy, and how to keep long relationships working.
They also discuss the concept of “slow love,” and why younger people think of marriage as the end of a road, as opposed to the beginning.
Remember, Love Letters is also an advice column. When you ask a question, you help others wondering the same thing. Email your question to [email protected].
Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter at Boston.com/meredith.

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Third wheeling has long had a bad reputation. If you’re a single person, you may have heard that hanging out with a couple makes you the odd person out.

But Meredith doesn’t believe that. She LOVES third wheels – and has third wheeled with plenty of couples.

In this episode, Meredith’s sister, Brette, explains how her social life, as a newly divorced person, involves hanging out with a bunch of wonderful couples. Brette says that being a third wheel has broadened her community and enriched her soul.

Meredith also interviews Brad and Marco, one of the couples for whom Brette third wheels. They explain why having a shared friend makes their relationship stronger.

Consider this episode a guide to being a platonic third, and a love letter to third wheels and the couples who truly believe “the more the merrier.”

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