Why Long-Term Love Gets Complicated: A Scientific Approach with Dr. Justin Garcia (291)

About this episode

The episode explores the complexities of long-term love through a scientific lens, discussing monogamy, desire, and the evolution of relationships.

What does science actually say about monogamy, desire, and long-term love? Evolutionary biologist Dr. Justin Garcia joins co-host Sue Marriott to deepen our understanding of the myths and realities of modern relationships. From monogamy to consensual non-monogamy, we explore how jealousy and trust function – not as flaws – but as deeply human signals shaped by biology and attachment. Dr. Garcia breaks down how relationships shift over time, especially as we age, and why sexual satisfaction isn’t just about frequency – it’s about novelty, meaning, and connection. We dive into the neuroscience of intimacy, including the roles of dopamine and oxytocin, and revisit the Kinsey scale to better understand the fluidity of sexual orientation. This conversation is a grounded, nuanced look at how passion evolves, and how couples can intentionally cultivate desire, curiosity, and emotional safety over the long haul. “Humans, the most intimate animal, will always live and die for love. Understanding why gives us the power to find and maintain the loves worth living for.” – Dr. Justin Garcia, a quote from The Intimate Animal Time Stamps for Why Long-Term…

People in this episode

Hosts: Sue Marriott, Ann Kelley

Guest: Dr. Justin Garcia

Topics covered

• monogamy
• relationships
• jealousy
• sexuality
• intimacy
• evolutionary biology

Keywords

• monogamy
• desire
• long-term love
• jealousy
• intimacy
• dopamine
• oxytocin
• Kinsey scale

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Intimate Animal

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