Heartbreak as Loss of a Self

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This episode is a deeply personal one for me because I know exactly how it feels to have your sense of self completely dismantled by a loss. I wanted to bring together the voices that helped me navigate the wreckage of my own heart, moving away from the clichés and toward a real, compassionate understanding of what it means to truly heal.

I’m joined by some of the world’s leading minds on philosophy, psychology, and human connection, including:

- Alain de Botton, a world renowned philosopher and the founder of The School of Life who has spent his career making the complexities of the human heart accessible, helping us find meaning in the most painful parts of our existence.

- Mo Gawdat, the former Chief Business Officer at Google [X] and author of Solve for Happy who combines a logical mind with a deeply soulful perspective to help us navigate grief and find a path back to peace.

- Paul Brunson, a global relationship expert and master matchmaker who understands the intricate dynamics of connection and the vital importance of self-respect when choosing to walk away.

- Guy Winch, a clinical psychologist and celebrated TED speaker who is a leading voice on emotional health, providing us with the practical "emotional first aid" tools we need to fix a broken heart.

- Dr. Emilia Vuorisalmi, a brilliant medical doctor and expert in the science of love who bridges the gap between our emotions and our biology, explaining how our hormones and nervous system respond to loss.

Love,

Sarah Ann 💛

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If You Enjoyed This Episode, You Might Also Like:

Why Compatibility is Overrated: Alain de Botton’s Guide to Relationships That Last | Alain De Botton

https://youtu.be/eTbA81qNYt4

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Highlights

00:00:00 Intro: My personal journey through heartbreak

00:04:15 Alain de Botton on losing the version of ourselves

00:12:30 Mo Gawdat: Why heartbreak is lived and not just academic

00:18:45 The definition of true love and how to audit your relationship

00:26:10 Paul Brunson on the power of choosing to walk away

00:34:20 Why keeping your heart open is your greatest strength

00:42:05 Guy Winch: How to fix a broken heart and reclaim control

00:55:12 Dr. Emilia Vuorisalmi: The science of love hormones and the brain

01:05:30 Final reflections: Finding your way back to yourself