Chat Was Us | Romantic Love

Chat Was Us | Romantic Love

July 7, 2026 · 1h 16m

About this episode

The hosts discuss the evolution of their understanding of romantic love, reflecting on personal experiences and cultural influences.

This week on That Was Us…we’re back with another Chat Was Us! Inspired by the many love stories that have defined This Is Us, from Jack and Rebecca to Beth and Randall, the hosts gather for another Group Chat episode centered around one big theme: romantic love. From first crushes and first heartbreaks to soulmates, red flags, and the realities of long-term partnership, Mandy, Sterling, and Chris reflect on how their understanding of love has evolved over the years. In this episode, the hosts chat about: * How their definitions of romantic love have changed from their teens to middle age * Their first experiences with romantic love and the awkward, unforgettable stories that came with them * Whether soulmates really exist or if lasting love is a choice you make every day * How movies, rom-coms, and pop culture shaped unrealistic expectations about relationships * The impact of films like The Notebook, Say Anything, and Love Actually on how we think about romance * Why kindness, intelligence, and emotional availability become more important with age * The allure of ""bad boys,"" the friend zone, and how dating priorities shift over time * First heartbreaks, devastating breakups…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mandy Moore, Chris Sullivan, Sterling K. Brown

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: This Is Us, The Notebook, Say Anything, Love Actually

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