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Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

I Have a Crush on a Coworker

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

Esther Perel Global Media

Society & Culture, Education, Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Self-improvement

4.716.4K Ratings

🗓️ 9 February 2026

⏱️ 58 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

She has a crush on her coworker, which feels thrilling and unsettling all at once. Fresh off a divorce and shaped by earlier relationships marked by instability and self doubt, she worries she may be confusing desire with grief or slipping back into old patterns. As she sorts through the pull she feels toward her coworker, Esther helps her explore what this new spark might actually mean. Together, they look at how to trust her instincts, honor the reawakening she feels, and let something new unfold at a pace that she can savor. Esther Callings are a one time, 45-60 minute interventional phone call with Esther. They are edited for time, clarity, and anonymity. If you have a question you would like to talk through with Esther, send a voice memo to producer@estherperel.com. Producer’s Note: When our anonymous guests do a session with Esther for the podcast, it is an act of generosity for everyone who listens. These sessions are meant not only to support the people in the room with Esther, but all of us who learn from their stories. Our stories have many chapters, and what you hear is just one moment in someone’s journey. So even though the sessions are anonymous, please remember that real people are behind them and they may be reading your comments. Also, please join me on Entre Nous, my new home on Substack for anyone who wants to live, love, and work with more connection and imagination. I invite you to sign up and become a free or paid member at estherperel.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

In this following session, we discuss assault, and I want you to know this before you listen.

0:13.5

Hi, Esther. I am calling because I have a crush on someone I work with, and I'm not sure what, if anything, I should do about it.

0:25.5

The reason I'm conflicted is because, one, I'm newly divorced.

0:32.1

I've been divorced for six months, and while it was a long time coming and I made peace with it it still feels very fresh

0:43.1

and I'm not sure when is the proper amount of time I should be waiting before I start a new

0:53.7

romantic relationship.

0:56.0

And the other piece is the fact that we work together.

1:01.0

We are on the same team, so it seems that there are many ways that this could go badly,

1:08.0

and that deters me from entering a romantic relationship with this person and at the

1:17.3

same time i feel very drawn towards this person and can't help but want to pursue a romantic relationship with him.

1:30.3

So I would appreciate some guidance and insight from you.

1:36.3

Thanks.

1:41.3

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1:45.0

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1:48.0

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1:51.0

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1:54.0

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1:58.0

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2:00.0

If you're stepping into 2026 with presence, not perfection,

2:04.6

visit OLLY.com and explore their wellness lineup.

2:09.6

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

2:13.6

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

...

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