Best Melissa Duffy Podcasts (2024)

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81. When Sam Taylor-Wood Met Aaron Johnson TEASER 7:54

1d ago7:54

7:54

Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s 24-year age gap defies all societal and gender norms. They met and fell in love when Sam—a 42-year-old, newly divorced mother of two—made her directorial debut with the film “Nowhere Boy,” starring an up-and-coming, 18-year-old Aaron. Within a year, they were engaged and expecting, and 15 years later, still seem genui…

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80. When Ben Affleck Met Jennifer Garner 1:30:24

9d ago1:30:24

1:30:24

It was 2004, and our hometown hero, Ben Affleck, and America’s sweetheart, Jennifer Garner, were a Fever Pitch love story when they debuted their relationship at the Red Sox World Series. Fresh off breakups, these two lovebirds moved fast, getting pregnant and married within a year. Over the next decade, their domestic life was on display daily in …

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79. When Annie Oakley Met Frank Butler TEASER 7:51

15d ago7:51

7:51

We’re getting in our time machine and heading back to the Wild West this week to visit Annie Oakley! And if you’re like us, maybe you’ve heard her name before but never really knew who Annie Oakley was. Well, Annie was a world-famous “sharpshooter” known for never missing a target with her rifle. Think Katniss Everdeen, old west style. Annie Oakley…

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Alex Edmans on Confirmation Bias 19:32

17d ago19:32

19:32

How hard do we fight against information that runs counter to what we already think? While quantifying that may be difficult, Alex Edmans notes that the part of the brain that activates when something contradictory is encountered in the amygdala - “that is the fight-or-flight part of the brain, which lights up when you are attacked by a tiger. This…

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78. When Beyoncé Met Jay-Z 2:03:16

23d ago2:03:16

2:03:16

You don’t become America’s Power Couple without facing some conspiracy theories, feuds with Kanye, and of course, leaked elevator footage. Yes, we are finally covering Beyoncé and Jay-Z! This is a BIG one, and truthfully we’ve been procrastinating it because of how much there is to discuss. But it’s time, and we’re going all the way back to the beg…

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77. When Miranda Lambert Met Blake Shelton TEASER 8:11

30d ago8:11

8:11

Giddy up and mosey on down to the 2005 CMT Awards, where a hitched Blake Shelton and engaged Miranda Lambert set country fans abuzz with their undeniable chemistry. Their affair turned into a beloved country music couple, reminiscent of the iconic likes of Johnny & June and Faith & Tim. On their Oklahoma farm with seven dogs, Miranda and Blake drea…

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76. When Ben Affleck Met Jennifer Lopez: Part I 1:01:37

1M ago1:01:37

1:01:37

As the first Hollywood couple to go by a portmanteau, “Bennifer” is one of the most iconic couples of all-time. But why?! We’re revisiting the early 2000s to understand what made people obsessed with Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s love story. In Part 1, we’re exploring the young couple’s first whirlwind romance before reuniting two decades later.…

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75. When Greta Gerwig Met Noah Baumbach TEASER 7:34

1M ago7:34

7:34

Today, we know Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach as the powerhouse writer-director couple that brought us movies like ‘Frances Ha,’ ‘Lady Bird,’ ‘Marriage Story,’ ‘Little Women (2019)’, and yes, ‘Barbie.’ But when this duo first met, Greta was a little-known actress from the mumblecore indie film scene. Fourteen years her senior, Noah was married to a…

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Alison Gopnik on Care 25:11

2M ago25:11

25:11

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74. When Alex Turner Met Alexa Chung 1:14:55

2M ago1:14:55

1:14:55

“My mouth hasn’t shut up about you since you kissed it. The idea that you may kiss it again is stuck in my brain, which hasn’t stopped thinking about you since, well, before any kiss.” So begins the infamous love letter written by Alex Turner to Alexa Chung in 2008. Somehow this letter made its way online (Tumblr) and into the hearts of teenage gir…

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73. When Amy Robach Met T.J. Holmes TEASER 7:31

2M ago7:31

7:31

We’ve covered couples whose careers threatened their relationships. Today, we’re flipping the script and looking at a couple whose relationship compromised their careers. GMA co-hosts and self-proclaimed “best friends,” Amy Robach and TJ Holmes frequently double dated with their respective spouses as gossip spread at ABC studios about their chemist…

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72. When Gypsy-Rose Blanchard Met Ryan Anderson 1:10:45

2M ago1:10:45

1:10:45

In honor of Valentine’s Day, will you accept this rose? Gypsy-Rose, that is! After serving an eight-year sentence for the murder of her mother, Gypsy-Rose Blanchard was released on parole in December 2023. Upon release, she reunited with her husband, Ryan Anderson, whom she met and married while behind bars. Ryan proudly takes on the role of Gypsy’…

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71. When Elvis Presley Met Ann-Margret TEASER 7:52

2M ago7:52

7:52

This relationship didn’t happen before Priscilla—or after. No, it happened smack dab in the middle. Ann-Margret was Elvis’s “other woman” that 2021’s Elvis movie failed to mention. But she wasn’t just the other woman. Ann-Margret was the “Queen of Las Vegas,” and the “Female Elvis,” the star of acclaimed movies like Bye-Bye Birdie and Carnal Knowle…

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Tejendra Pherali on Education and Conflict 29:09

3M ago29:09

29:09

Consider some of the conflicts bubbling or boiling in the world today, and then plot where education – both schooling and less formal means of learning – fits in. Is it a victim, suffering from the conflict or perhaps a target of violence or repression? Maybe you see it as complicit in the violence, a perpetrator, so to speak. Or perhaps you see it…

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70. When Adam Brody Met Rachel Bilson 1:25:41

3M ago1:25:41

1:25:41

Californiaaaa, here we come!!! In 2003, audiences were first introduced to emo-nerd Seth Cohen and popular girl Summer Roberts on the teen show The OC. While their characters fell in love, co-stars Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson were falling for each other too, and began dating off-screen. But who were Adam and Rachel really? Rachel has described Ada…

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69. When Lea Michele Met Cory Monteith TEASER 6:44

3M ago6:44

6:44

We are headed back to the early 2010s to discuss the adorable and heartbreaking real-life romance between Glee’s Lea Michele and Cory Monteith. For almost two years, these two opposite personalities gave “Monchele” shippers so many cute moments until Cory’s tragic and shocking death in 2013. We revisit that devastating time and the tributes to Cory…

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68. When Karlie Kloss Met Joshua Kushner 1:08:21

3M ago1:08:21

1:08:21

Supermodel Karlie Kloss’ love life has long been the subject of “Gaylor” conspiracy theories about an alleged secret relationship with Taylor Swift. That’s not what this episode is about! Today, we’re exploring her 12 year-relationship with the boyishly handsome entrepreneur Joshua Kushner. Not much is known about this private relationship, apart f…

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67. When Harry Styles Met Louis Tomlinson TEASER 6:56

3M ago6:56

6:56

What? They dated? What is this about? This is a different episode for Significant Lovers–a hypothetical, conspiratorial, did-they-or-didn’t they episode—about a theorized, secret relationship between Harry Styles and fellow One Direction member Louis Tomlinson. Kel and Mel are joined by their sister/cousin Kaitlyn, a “Larry” expert, to lay down all…

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Safiya Noble on Search Engines 28:24

3M ago28:24

28:24

The work of human hands retains evidence of the humans who created the works. While this might seem obvious in the case of something like a painting, where the artist’s touch is the featured aspect, it’s much less obvious in things that aren’t supposed to betray their humanity. Take the algorithms that power search engines, which are expected to pr…

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66. Looking Back at Love in 2023 1:10:56

4M ago1:10:56

1:10:56

Today’s episode is a time capsule of love in 2023. We’re looking back at notable breakups, new relationships, weddings, and even pregnancies from the year, with yearbook superlatives like “least shocking breakup” and “saddest breakup.” And we’re launching a little contest for you all! If anyone correctly predicts a new relationship that will start …

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65. When Joaquin Phoenix Met Liv Tyler TEASER 6:57

4M ago6:57

6:57

Did you know that Joaquin Phoenix and Liv Tyler dated? That they were each other’s first loves, in fact? We didn’t know or had forgotten, too! This week we’re exploring the long-lost romance between the talented Joaquin and Liv in the mid-’90s. Both Liv and Joaquin had unusual childhoods, and their love began shortly after Joaquin tragically lost h…

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64. When Priyanka Chopra Met Shah Rukh Khan UNLOCKED 1:04:14

4M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

This was previously a Patreon-only episode that aired May 31st, 2023. Enjoy this unlocked episode for the holidays! We’re headed to India to investigate a scandalous case of “did-they-didn’t-they” between then-rising star, Priyanka Chopra, and married “King of Bollywood,” Shah Rukh Khan. After getting close filming Don and Don 2, tabloids and messa…

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63. When Ariana Grande Met Pete Davidson: Part II TEASER 7:02

5M ago7:02

7:02

Where did we leave off? Last we saw them, Ariana and Pete were madly in love, engaged, and freshly tatted after a whirlwind three months together. Now it’s August 2018 and Ariana’s Sweetener album is about to drop. The two are seemingly still smitten, but their relationship takes a turn in September after the tragic loss of Ariana’s ex, Mac Miller.…

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Dimitris Xygalatas on Ritual 24:52

5M ago24:52

24:52

Most of us recognize the presence of ritual, whether in a religious observance, an athlete’s weird pre-competition tics, or even the cadence of our own morning ablutions. In general, most of these rituals are seen as harmless and probably a little unnecessary (or even silly). But according to cognitive anthropologist Dimitris Xygalatas, ritual ofte…

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62. When Jack Antonoff Met Lena Dunham 1:23:08

5M ago1:23:08

1:23:08

It was 2012: the word “hipster” was everywhere, Fun was on the radio, and Girls was playing on HBO. And one controversial writer/director/actor, Lena Dunham, started dating the bespectacled musician/producer, Jack Antonoff. Based on Lena’s personal essays and Jack’s song lyrics, the couple appeared very in love. Both Jack and Lena talked about marr…

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61. When Ariana Grande Met Pete Davidson: Part I TEASER 7:02

5M ago7:02

7:02

We’re headed back to 2018. Summertime. Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson’s relationship accelerated faster than the earth’s rising temperatures. Initial tabloid reports of a “casual connection” between the pop star and SNL comic were met with mild amusement and surprise over their unlikely pairing. But after only a few weeks of excessive PDA and matc…

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60. When Meg Ryan Met Dennis Quaid 1:28:13

5M ago1:28:13

1:28:13

The holy trinity of Meg Ryan romantic comedies (“When Harry Met Sally,” “You’ve Got Mail,” and “Sleepless in Seattle”) are huge inspirations behind our podcast and worldviews. But is the real-life starlet as big of a hopeless romantic as her films make us feel? We’re headed to the 1990s to look back on her marriage to Dennis Quaid. This is a story …

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Whose Work Most Influenced You? Part 5: A Social Science Bites Retrospective 23:57

5M ago23:57

23:57

At the end of every interview that host David Edmonds conducts for the Social Science Bites podcast, he poses the same question: Whose work most influenced you? Those exchanges don’t appear in the regular podcast; we save them up and present them as quick-fire montages that in turn create a fascinating mosaic of the breadth and variety of the socia…

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59. When Marie Antoinette Met Louis XVI TEASER 7:02

5M ago7:02

7:02

You might think a romance from the 1700s will be stiff and boring. But this episode is so raunchy, so TMI, we’re going to need an explicit label! King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette of France had an arranged marriage and famously, uh, experienced trouble in the bedroom. Which makes us wonder: can you fall in love with anyone if you set your h…

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Deborah Small on Charitable Giving 21:06

6M ago21:06

21:06

Is giving to a charitable cause essentially equivalent to any other economic decision made by a human being, bounded by the same rational and irrational inputs as any other expenditure? Based on research by psychologist Deborah Small and others working in the area of philanthropy and altruism, the answer is a resounding no. In this Social Science B…

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58. When Elvis Presley Met Priscilla Beaulieu 1:41:10

6M ago1:41:10

1:41:10

We’re going to Graceland! You might think you know all about Elvis Presley if you saw the Austin Butler movie last year—but there’s a LOT more to Elvis and Priscilla’s relationship than we saw on screen. We knew that Priscilla first met Elvis at a party in West Germany. But how did a 14-year-old girl even end up at Elvis’s house? After he returned …

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57. When Neil Armstrong Met Janet Shearon TEASER 6:56

6M ago6:56

6:56

Today’s episode is out of this world! We’re headed back to the 1960s and listening to “Rocketman” nonstop as we talk Neil Armstrong and his first wife, Janet Shearon. Their story gives the phrase “I love you to the moon and back” a very literal meaning, but sadly sometimes the greatest distance in relationships can be felt here on earth. Both Neil …

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56. When Robert Pattinson Met Suki Waterhouse 1:41:07

6M ago1:41:07

1:41:07

Today, we’re revisiting our boy Robert Pattinson, diving into his relationship with Suki Waterhouse. The press initially dubbed this relationship a casual fling in 2018 but five years later they’re still going strong. Their shared beauty, British roots, goofiness, and disorganized habits seemingly make them the perfect match. Meanwhile, their extre…

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55. When Helena Bonham Carter Met Tim Burton TEASER 6:55

6M ago6:55

6:55

It’s spooky season, so who better to discuss than Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton? The couple is known for their dark, gothic films—from her role as Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter to his movies Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Corpse Bride, and more. Helena starred in seven Tim Burton films, but their life together off-screen is even more…

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54. When Neil Patrick Harris Met David Burtka 1:52:09

7M ago1:52:09

1:52:09

Happy October! To get into the fall spirit, we’re talking about a couple that LOVES Halloween more than anyone (so much so that it’s even gotten them into hot water.) It’s actors Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, who’ve been together for 19 years and share two adorable children. While many people know of their annual Halloween pictures, there’s…

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Hal Hershfield on How We Perceive Our Future Selves 24:34

7M ago24:34

24:34

On his institutional web homepage at the University of California-Los Angeles’s Anderson School of Management, psychologist Hal Hershfield posts one statement in big italic type: “My research asks, ‘How can we help move people from who they are now to who they’ll be in the future in a way that maximizes well-being?” In this Social Science Bites pod…

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53. When Angelina Jolie Met Brad Pitt TEASER 6:29

7M ago6:29

6:29

The images of Brad and Angelina playing with her son in Kenya left the world absolutely gobsmacked after his shocking divorce with Jennifer Aniston. Now, we’re picking up where we left off in last week’s episode (“When Brad Pitt Met Jennifer Aniston.”) The iconic Bradgelina—with their many kids, mansions, philanthropy and striking beauty—seemed unt…

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52. When Brad Pitt Met Jennifer Aniston 1:48:32

7M ago1:48:32

1:48:32

It’s arguably one of the most famous divorces of all time: Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. They were the ultimate power couple of the early 2000s, publicly sharing their engagement, home renovation updates, playful arguments and plans for a family in a way that made the masses feel close to them. But in 2004, their apparent openness only made the w…

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51. When Emma Stone Met Andrew Garfield TEASER 7:03

7M ago7:03

7:03

When Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield first met on the set of “The Amazing Spider-Man" in 2011, they were both in relationships. But only a few months into filming, the two broke it off with their significant others, and soon, it was obvious they were into each other. ‘Stonefield’ quickly became the cutest couple in Hollywood, and both Emma and Andre…

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50. When Paul McCartney Met Linda Eastman 1:37:05

8M ago1:37:05

1:37:05

In the 1960s, millions of people around the world were absolutely in love with the Beatles—and especially Paul, who was often called the “cute Beatle." So what was it about Linda Eastman that captured Paul McCartney’s heart? And how did Paul and Linda meet? For our 50th episode, Kel compiles a 30-year timeline that follows Paul and Linda’s love sto…

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Melissa Kearney on Marriage and Children 26:58

8M ago26:58

26:58

A common trope in America depicts a traditional family of a married husband and wife and their 2.5 (yes, 2.5) children as the norm, if not perhaps the ideal. Leaving aside the idea of a “traditional” coupling or what the right number of children might be, is there an advantage to growing up with married parents? Definitely, argues Melissa Kearney, …

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49. When Josh Hutcherson Met Vanessa Hudgens TEASER 6:54

8M ago6:54

6:54

The history books remember Vanessa Hudgens’ long-term relationships with Zac Efron and Austin Butler. But do you remember her alleged fling with Josh Hutcherson? Mel takes us back to their adorable chemistry that never quite blossomed. Join us as we talk rejection, rebounds, and the lack sexual gratification in The Hunger Games. ***** This is a tea…

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48. Couples That Should've/Could've Been TEASER 6:50

8M ago6:50

6:50

Sometimes we think two people would make a beautiful pairing—but for whatever reason, it wasn't meant to be. This week, Mel and Kel discuss couples that could have or should have been together. In some cases there was a real attraction and missed connection. In other scenarios, we're scheming and playing matchmakers. Who do you think could have bee…

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47. When Cara Delevingne Met Ashley Benson UNLOCKED 1:15:47

9M ago1:15:47

1:15:47

In honor of our one year anniversary, we're unlocking our very first Patreon bonus episode from last August, 2022. Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson fell in love while filming ‘Her Smell’ in 2018 and dated for two years. In our first Patreon exclusive, Mel timelines the flirty romance—complete with a sex bench, passionate displays of affection, and…

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Raffaella Sadun on Effective Management 25:12

9M ago25:12

25:12

While it seems intuitively obvious that good management is important to the success of an organization, perhaps that obvious point needs some evidence given how so many institutions seem to muddle through regardless. Enter Raffaela Sadun, the Charles E. Wilson Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and co-leader of the Digi…

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46. When Carey Mulligan Met Marcus Mumford TEASER 6:42

9M ago6:42

6:42

This is a summer bonus episode! You can listen to it in full on Patreon. Meet-cutes don’t get any cuter than this! Actress Carey Mulligan and musician Marcus Mumford (of Mumford & Sons) have been married for 11 years, but many people don’t realize the unusual way their relationship started. Here’s how they met, reunited, and everything that’s happe…

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45. Couple Updates & Reactions Part II TEASER 6:20

9M ago6:20

6:20

Sometimes there's more to say about the relationships we've covered, and that's definitely the case for these four couples! This week we're revisiting Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Mescal, Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn (and Matty Healy), John Mayer and Katy Perry, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. ♡ This is the first of our summer bonus episodes available…

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Carsten de Dreu on Why People Fight 27:06

10M ago27:06

27:06

“We have been evolving into a species that is super-cooperative: we work together with strangers, we can empathize with people, we are really an empathic flock,” begins Carsten de Dreu, a professor at Leiden University. “And at the same time, there is increasing evidence from archaeological excavations all around the world that already 10, 20 and 3…

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Summer Hiatus - We'll Be Back Every Week September 2023! 0:46

10M ago0:46

0:46

Hi everyone! Significant Lovers is going on a summer break for July and August 2023, with no public episodes until we're back in September. We will still have bonus Patreon episodes throughout the summer, so stay tuned for those! Are there any couples you love and want us to cover next season? Send us an email at significantlovers@gmail.com. ♡ We h…

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44. When Sacha Baron Cohen Met Isla Fisher TEASER 6:23

10M ago6:23

6:23

This is a teaser for a bonus episode. You can listen to it in full on Patreon! In an industry where celebrity couples rarely last, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher continue to go the distance. Could comedy hold the key to a long and happy marriage? Join us as we gush over their enduring cuteness after over 20 years together. **** Significant Lover…

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