loader from loading.io

ERP 463: How to Make Love Last (From a Biological Perspective) — An Interview with Dr. Liat Yakir

Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

Release Date: 02/11/2025

ERP 480: Understanding Pathological Partners: How to Break Free from Toxic Relationships — An Interview with Dr. Nadine Macaluso show art ERP 480: Understanding Pathological Partners: How to Break Free from Toxic Relationships — An Interview with Dr. Nadine Macaluso

Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

About this Episode When love turns toxic, it can be almost impossible to see clearly through the confusion, self-doubt, and emotional chaos that follow. If you've ever found yourself trapped in a cycle of hope, heartbreak, and uncertainty within a relationship, you’re not alone—and there’s a reason why breaking free can feel so overwhelming. The hidden dynamics of pathological partnerships and trauma bonds often keep people stuck, questioning their worth, and struggling to understand why things never seem to get better. In this episode, listeners are offered insight and validation as the...

info_outline
ERP 479: Super Psyched About Love: Applying the Science of Connection to Couplehood — An Interview with Dr. Adam Dorsay show art ERP 479: Super Psyched About Love: Applying the Science of Connection to Couplehood — An Interview with Dr. Adam Dorsay

Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

About this Episode Are you truly alive in your relationships, or just going through the motions? In a world overflowing with distractions, many of us drift into autopilot—checking boxes, chasing benchmarks, and hoping real connection will fall into place. But without genuine presence and intention, lasting intimacy becomes elusive, leaving us depleted, disconnected, and wondering why meaningful fulfillment always seems out of reach. In this episode, discover how the science of connection can transform the way you approach your closest bonds. Through a blend of psychological insight and...

info_outline
ERP 478: When The Future Feels Uncertain: Tools for Couples Considering Divorce — An Interview with Dr. Becky Whetstone show art ERP 478: When The Future Feels Uncertain: Tools for Couples Considering Divorce — An Interview with Dr. Becky Whetstone

Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

About this Episode Is your relationship quietly unraveling, and you’re not sure what to do next? Facing the possibility of divorce can feel like your world has been turned upside down, leaving you trapped between fear, uncertainty, and the heartbreak of not knowing what comes next. Too often, couples get lost in a whirlwind of painful emotions, making rushed decisions that can have long-term consequences for themselves, their children, and their extended families. In this episode, you’ll discover practical tools and compassionate insights designed to support couples sitting at the...

info_outline
ERP 477: Redefining Intimacy & Sexuality: Breaking Myths and Embracing Your Truth — An Interview with Dr. Erika Schwartz show art ERP 477: Redefining Intimacy & Sexuality: Breaking Myths and Embracing Your Truth — An Interview with Dr. Erika Schwartz

Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

About this Episode Do you ever feel like intimacy and sexuality come with a set of rules no one can quite explain, and yet everyone expects you to follow? So many of us find ourselves struggling to meet society’s expectations around relationships, sex, and what it means to be fulfilled, only to discover that the realities of our experiences rarely match the myths we’ve been told. From changing hormones to evolving desires and the pressure to fit into cultural norms, finding authentic connection while honoring our true selves can feel overwhelming and, at times, isolating. In this episode,...

info_outline
ERP 476: Radical Acceptance & Real Connection: Navigating Differences in Relationship — An Interview With Carolyn Sharp show art ERP 476: Radical Acceptance & Real Connection: Navigating Differences in Relationship — An Interview With Carolyn Sharp

Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

About this Episode Conflict in relationships isn’t just inevitable—it’s normal, healthy, and, perhaps most importantly, an opportunity. Yet, the tension between wanting deep connection and authentic acceptance, while also holding onto individuality, can feel like a tightrope walk. How do couples move beyond judgment and misunderstanding to experience radical acceptance and true intimacy, especially when old patterns, unresolved hurts, and competing needs seem to pull them apart? In this episode, listeners are guided through the complex terrain of navigating differences in long-term...

info_outline
ERP 475: How to Balance Career Ambition with Love & Relationship — An Interview with Katarina Polonska show art ERP 475: How to Balance Career Ambition with Love & Relationship — An Interview with Katarina Polonska

Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

About this Episode Can you really have it all—an ambitious, thriving career while also nurturing a deeply satisfying romantic relationship? Or does chasing professional success mean sacrificing love and connection at home? For many high achievers, pursuing career goals brings unexpected loneliness, relationship strain, and an exhausting sense of self-abandonment. The pressure to perform at work often leaves little time or energy for building intimacy, leading countless professionals to quietly wonder: Why does succeeding at work come so much easier than succeeding at love? In this episode,...

info_outline
ERP 474: How to Build More Emotional Health & Resilience — An Interview with Rachel Kaplan show art ERP 474: How to Build More Emotional Health & Resilience — An Interview with Rachel Kaplan

Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

About this Episode Ever feel like you’re going through life with an invisible weight holding you back—old hurts, unspoken fears, or emotional “constipation” clogging your sense of connection with yourself and others? Many of us are conditioned to avoid our discomfort, stuff down our feelings, or simply muscle through, only to discover that real joy and closeness remain just out of reach. The struggle to feel truly seen, cared for, and emotionally vibrant isn’t just personal—it’s a modern epidemic. In this episode, you’ll discover how to build emotional health and resilience by...

info_outline
ERP 473: How to Experience More Embodied Pleasure Sexually – An Interview with Susan Taylor show art ERP 473: How to Experience More Embodied Pleasure Sexually – An Interview with Susan Taylor

Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

About this Episode Are you feeling disconnected from your own pleasure, physically present but emotionally absent during intimate moments? For many, the path to sexual fulfillment can feel blocked by a haze of stress, routine, numbness, or the pressure to reach a specific end goal. In a world where busyness and performance often take center stage, it’s all too easy to lose touch with the authentic, embodied experiences that deepen intimacy and bring lasting joy to our relationships. In this episode, listeners are guided through the steps to rediscover and reclaim embodied pleasure in their...

info_outline
ERP 472: Four Essential Pillars to Positively Transform Your Relationship (From a Psycho-Spiritual Perspective) An Interview with Dr. Rachel Glik show art ERP 472: Four Essential Pillars to Positively Transform Your Relationship (From a Psycho-Spiritual Perspective) An Interview with Dr. Rachel Glik

Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

About this Episode In many relationships, there's an ongoing struggle to balance personal growth with relational harmony, often leaving couples feeling stuck and disconnected. The issue at hand is not just about communication or compatibility—it's about understanding and nurturing the deeper psycho-spiritual connection that binds two individuals. In this episode, we dive into the essential pillars that can positively transform your relationship from a psycho-spiritual perspective. We'll explore how being responsible for your own happiness sets the stage for healthier dynamics, the importance...

info_outline
ERP 471: How the Pelvic Floor Is Related to Many Aspects of Health, Even the Domain of Relationship Health — An Interview with Patricia Siegel show art ERP 471: How the Pelvic Floor Is Related to Many Aspects of Health, Even the Domain of Relationship Health — An Interview with Patricia Siegel

Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

About this Episode Pelvic floor health is a topic that's often shrouded in mystery and silence, yet it is fundamentally linked to our overall well-being, affecting everything from incontinence to intimacy. Many individuals, particularly those with female bodies, face the challenges of pelvic floor dysfunction post-pregnancy, during menopause, or even as athletes, without realizing that it is common but not normal and certainly not something they have to live with. Ignoring pelvic floor care can lead not only to physical discomfort but also strain in relationships due to issues like pain during...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Why do some relationships fizzle out while others seem to stand the test of time? We've all heard about the honeymoon phase—those butterflies in the belly, the excitement, and the dopamine rush—but what happens when that stage inevitably wanes? Relationships often hit a crossroads where familiarity sets in, and the novelty fades, posing a significant challenge for couples striving to maintain passion and deep connection. How can we make love last when our biology seems to be working against us?

In this episode, we delve into the profound insights shared by a renowned biologist who explores the complexities of love from a biological standpoint. From understanding the chemicals that drive our attraction and attachment phases to practical strategies for reigniting excitement and intimacy, this conversation offers invaluable advice. Learn how to navigate the intricacies of your own love life by leveraging scientific knowledge to foster long-lasting, healthy relationships. Whether you're in a new relationship or have been with your partner for years, these insights can help you strengthen your bond and keep the spark alive.

Dr. Liat Yakir is a distinguished biologist, writer, and lecturer specializing in the biology of emotions and human behavior. She advises organizations on neuro-management (also known as neuro-leadership), leveraging cutting-edge insights from brain research to cultivate exceptional leadership skills and practices.

Dr. Yakir earned her Ph.D. and completed postdoctoral studies in molecular genetics. She also holds a master’s degree in hormone research. With years of experience in science education and communication, she has made significant contributions at the Davidson Institute for Science Education, the educational arm of the Weizmann Institute

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

In this episode

06:40 Understand love through a biological lens.

09:00 The three stages of love.

13:03 Attachment styles and their impact on relationships.

19:15 Why initial attractions can be misleading.

22:28 The conflict between stability and novelty in love.

30:08 The genetics of monogamy and polyamory.

32:53 Increasing dopamine levels to enhance relationships.

36:03 The role of jealousy and status in attraction.

38:11 Maintaining passion and intimacy in long-term relationships.

44:28 Overcoming sexual scripts and routine through play.

46:06 The importance of communication and appreciation in relationships.

Mentioned

A Brief History of Love (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book)

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find--and Keep--Love

ERP 287: How To Engage In The Art Of Giving And Receiving: Using The Wheel Of Consent – An Interview With Dr. Betty Martin

Evolve in Love (link) (program)

Connect with Dr. Liat Yakir

Websites: en.liatyakir.com

Facebook: facebook.com/liatyakir5976

Instagram: instagram.com/dr_liatya

Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins

Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship 

Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins 

Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/

Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins 

Twitter: @DrJessHiggins 

Website: drjessicahiggins.com  

Email: [email protected]

If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the “Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins” button here. 

Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. 

Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here

Thank you!  

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