What It Takes to Build a Healthy, Lasting Relationship with Dr. Alexandra Solomon (Encore)

How do you know if your romantic relationship consists of real, healthy love versus just chemistry, anxiety, or the excitement of something new? I’m talking all things love and relationships with renowned relationship psychologist Dr. Alexandra Solomon in one of my favorite conversations from the archive.

You will learn…

What actually makes a healthy relationship work long-term

Why you shouldn’t necessarily trust the butterflies as much as you think

How to become more self-aware in your relationships without overanalyzing everything

What to do when you feel like you’re carrying more of the emotional burden

How relationships, attraction, and desire naturally change over time

This conversation is full of the kind of relationship advice I wish we all got before getting into serious relationships. We talk about green flags, communication, emotional labor, self-awareness, sex, marriage, and what it really looks like to build a healthy relationship with another person. And what makes a partnership last long-term.

One of my favorite parts of this conversation is how much permission Alexandra gives us to stop trying to perfect our relationships. A healthy relationship doesn't mean you never get annoyed with your partner, never disagree, or never wonder if you're doing it “right.” It's about learning how to be curious about yourself and each other, communicate what you actually need, and keep growing together.

Whether you're single, dating, married, or somewhere in between, there's so much relationship advice here to take with you. And if you're anything like me, you'll probably walk away thinking about your own relationship in a slightly different way.

Remember: a healthy relationship isn't something you find and then magically get to keep forever. It's something you build, revisit, and grow into together.

Dr. Alexandra H. Solomon, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, professor, author, and relationship expert. She is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University, a licensed clinical psychologist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, and the creator and host of the Reimagining Love podcast.