Esther Perel on social atrophy and the connection recession

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

June 12, 2025

Duration

1h 28m

Channel

The Diary of a CEO

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Swipe left, feel empty, and wonder why? Esther Perel reveals the hidden truths behind the dating crisis, loneliness, and the shocking decline in sex and intimacy. Esther Perel is a world-renowned psychotherapist and relationship expert, widely recognised as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. She is the bestselling author of books such as, ‘The State of Affairs’. She explains: ◽️ Why MEN Over 30 Aren’t Having Sex Anymore. ◽️ The SEX GAME that could Save Your Relationship. ◽️ How CHILDHOOD TRAUMA is Secretly Sabotaging Your Marriage. ◽️ Why Investing in AUTHENTIC CONNECTION is the key to a Fulfilling Life. ◽️ The ONE RED FLAG that Predicts Divorce. 00:00 Intro 02:14 Esther’s Main Concern About Human Connection 03:07 What’s the Consequence of Losing Social Skills? 04:04 Is Online Dating the Only Choice Nowadays? 06:58 The Value of Rejection 07:36 Rejection from the Apps 08:33 What to Do If Dating Apps Don’t Work for You 11:11 Is Too Much Choice Making Dating Harder? 12:46 How to Cope with Online Dating Burnout 14:15 The Changing Role of Masculinity and Its Impact on Society 15:42 Loneliness Today 17:02 Why Do People Have Less Sex Nowadays? 20:02 Importance of Deep Connection in Relationships 21:35 How Phone Use Affects Connection and Sexual Attraction 27:52 Questions from Steven’s Friends 28:38 Is It Always a Good Idea to Admit to Infidelity? 31:01 Attraction with a Partner 33:20 Is Long-Term Faithfulness in a Relationship Possible? 36:51 Importance of Taking Accountability 39:06 How People Are Energizing Their Relationships 42:44 How to Revive Intimacy When Gone for So Long 44:37 Ads 45:40 Do People Enjoy Sex Less Than Before? 48:00 Do I Have to Work on Myself Before I Can Have a Good Relationship? 49:34 Has the Culture of Self-Love Gone Too Far? 51:04 Are Men Emasculated by the Success of Women? 58:53 What Is Social Confidence? 1:02:41 What Gives a Traumatic Experience Meaning? 1:13:54 Would You Delete Mobile Phones to Help Connection? 1:16:53 Can Social Connection Principles Apply to a Workplace? 1:21:51 How Are You Going to Adapt to a World of AI and Robots? Follow Esther: Facebook - https://bit.ly/3Tl5AOt LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/400GUyx YouTube - https://bit.ly/44d5sa6 Instagram - https://bit.ly/4l2Et6S Website - https://bit.ly/4kTR8ca Podcast - https://bit.ly/3HCfnNv You can purchase Esther’s new 100 question game, ‘Where Should We Begin? At Work’, here: https://bit.ly/4kF0F7h You can purchase Esther’s book ‘The State of Affairs’, here: https://amzn.to/4l0KaSv The Diary Of A CEO: Join DOAC circle here -https://doaccircle.com/ Get email updates: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb Get your hands on the Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards here: https://bit.ly/conversationcards-youtube Research document: https://stevenbartlett.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DOAC-Esther-Perel-Independent-Research-further-reading.pdf Sponsors: Stan Store - Visit https://link.stan.store/joinstanchallenge to join the challenge! Ekster - http://partner.ekster.com/DOAC with code STEVEN Linkedin Ads - https://www.linkedin.com/DIARY #EstherPerel #DatingCrisis #ModernLove #RelationshipAdvice

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Steven Bartlett

  host

• Esther Perel

  guest

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Diary of a CEO, featuring Steven Bartlett and Esther Perel, Esther Perel on social atrophy and the connection recession explores social Atrophy, Sexual Recession: Esther Perel Redefines Modern Intimacy Crisis Esther Perel argues that today’s sex and dating problems are rooted less in libido and more in a profound loss of social and relational skills she calls “social atrophy.” People are spending hours on screens, porn, and dating apps while neglecting real-world connection, rejection tolerance, flirting, and presence with partners.

🔗 RELATED EPISODES

Pulitzer Prize Historian: You Won't Notice Until It’s Too Late

Professor Jiang: World War 3 Has Already Begun, Let Me Explain!

Stanford Neuroscientist: Can’t Remember Your Dreams? Your Brain May Be Warning You!

The Divorce Expert: 86% Of People Who Divorce Remarry! Why Sex Is Causing Divorces!

The Exercise Neuroscientist: NEW RESEARCH, The Shocking Link Between Exercise And Dementia!

Charlamagne tha God Opens Up About His Depression & Childhood Trauma!