Love Letters

She directed and co-stars in “The Invite,” a film about two couples who have a fairly monumental, impromptu dinner. It’s a comedy that turns into a drama … and then back to a comedy. It also stars Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton. Meredith saw “The Invite” and thought, "Oh, this should be part of a Love Letters Film Festival, if we ever had one." Today Meredith is joined by Olivia for a discussion about many things, including: why we like to see couples be awkward, Gen Z and technology, polyamory in Massachusetts, the meaning of marriage in 2026, how to stay optimistic about love, and, most importantly, their experiences with psychotherapist and podcast Esther Perel. Meredith and Olivia both have personal connections to Perel, who served as an adviser on the film. Enjoy a lively conversation about love and the stories we tell about it.Also, an event reminder! You can also sign up to attend Meredith’s free June 30th phone booth event – a 6 p.m. celebration of the Tell-A-Booth (featured on the pod) – by visiting bpl.org. Remember, Love Letters is also an advice column. Feel free to tell us your anonymous questions about your relationship life my emailing loveletters@globe.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nexan Asencio Corado was 20 when he left Guatemala and crossed into the U.S. illegally. He wound up settling in Massachusetts and built a life there. Within a decade, he was working in construction and framing. He fell in love with Christina Toledo and married her. They had two twin sons. In May, Nexan – who had started the process of seeking lawful permanent residency in the U.S. – was arrested by ICE agents and brought to a Federal Correctional Institution. From that moment, Nexan and Christina faced important choices about how to stay together, care for each other, and protect their family. In this episode, Boston Globe immigration reporter Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio tells the story of Nexan and Christina, using recordings from their life and phone calls, with their permission. We love feedback and questions at Love Letters – and with this episode, there’s a lot to talk about. After listening, please send your thoughts to loveletters@globe.com. You can always email us a voice memo. We’re also a relationship advice column. You can send your anonymous questions to loveletters@globe.com. To learn more about this story and Love Letters, in general, sign up for the Love Letters newsletter at Boston.com/Meredith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Situationships. Are they all bad? Can you have a meaningful, hopeful, life-changing … situationship? In this episode, Meredith talks to Nicole, a woman who has come full circle on situationships after many years of resenting them. She’s wanted a permanent partner, but maybe situationships aren’t so bad in the meantime. Meredith also has a conversation with word expert Amanda Montell, of the podcasts “Sounds Like a Cult” and “Magical Overthinkers,” who explains how the word “situationship” has evolved, and why it’s one of the best slang portmanteaus around. ___ Love Letters is also an advice column. Send an anonymous relationship question to loveletters@boston.com. Sign up for the Love Letters newsletter at boston.com/meredith . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Akela Cooper knows dating can be scary. Cooper, a screenwriter known for “M3GAN,” sits down with Meredith to talk about the horror of vulnerability – and opening yourself up to love. Enjoy this episode filled with pop culture references, advice, and thoughts about how sometimes it’s difficult to know whether you’re in a horror story … or just a bad romantic comedy. ___ Do you have a story? Send questions about your relationships to loveletters@boston.com. Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter – with behind-the-scenes pics, giveaways, and other extras – at boston.com/meredith . Episode art courtesy of Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moving is STRESSFUL and movers... are sometimes de facto relationship experts. They help people through their most stressful moments! In this new episode, Meredith talks to a professional mover who has seen it ALL - from makeups to breakups and even a mover fantasy? She also gets real with author Adam Sass who has moved (with his husband) 12 times in 10 years! Is feeling “settled” is ever really possible? ___ Love Letters is also an advice column. Send questions about your relationships (romance, friendship, family, etc.) to ⁠loveletters@boston.com⁠. Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter – with behind-the-scenes pics, giveaways, and other extras – at ⁠boston.com/meredith⁠ (all lowercase). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Hiller, a 2025 Emmy nominee for “Somebody Somewhere” – is a very funny man. A dramatic man. A theater man. A man with many feelings. What do thoughtful performers do when they get dumped? They make a screen-worthy speech. A proclamation. Like Julia Roberts saying “Choose me!” in “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” Or Conrad saying “I still love you” on “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” In this new episode, Jeff shares a hilarious and intimate story about a breakup in his 20s – and the short speech that followed. He and Meredith discuss the pros and cons of making big proclamations, especially if you’re talking to someone who doesn’t even reciprocate. Expect laughter, lessons, and DRAMA. Love Letters is also an advice column. Send your question about your relationships (romance, friendship, family, etc.) to loveletters@boston.com. You can also tell Meredith about a speech you made – and how it was received! Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter – with behind-the-scenes pics, giveaways, and other extras – at boston.com/meredith . Episode art courtesy of AP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices