Rephonic
Artwork for Love Factually
Romantic Relationships
Attachment Theory
Friendship
Relationships
Relationship Science
Brokeback Mountain
Marriage
Romantic Comedies
Love Triangles
Sexuality
Jerry Maguire
Challengers
Ambition
Romantic Films
Michelangelo Phenomenon
Romantic Love
The 40 Year-Old Virgin
Her
Compatibility
When Harry Met Sally

We're just two professors standing in front of a rom-com, asking it to be the subject of our podcast. Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel explain what your favorite romantic films get right -- and wrong -- about the science of romance. Because it's time for scientists to take Ryan Gosling as seriously as you do.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes65Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureRelationshipsSocial SciencesScience

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Artwork for Love Factually

Latest Episodes

Why do our first sexual experiences tend to be complicated? When is relationship initiation a slow and careful process? Do love and desire change as we age? Paul and Eli herald the arrival of summer with Luca Guadagnino's Call Me By Your Name, one of... more

When are people inspired to make life-altering sacrifices? How can romantic partners bring out the best in each other? Why is choosing between two partners overwhelming? To answer these questions, Paul and Eli invite Happiness Lab host Dr. Laurie San... more

How do fights get out of hand? What does intractable conflict look like? Why are truth and harmony sometimes at odds? Alarmed and distressed, Paul and Eli spend one last day with Jesse and Céline in Before Midnight, the third and final installment of... more

Paul and Eli dip into the mailbag once more to answer your questions! Is it possible to build an effective matchmaking algorithm? Why might 12th grade girls have soured on marriage since the 90s? Did Richard Reeves channel Paul correctly on Modern Wi... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Laurie Santos
Professor at Yale University; host of Happiness Lab
Yale University
Episode: Casablanca (1942) with Laurie Santos
Vanessa Bohns
Expert on social influence, author of You Have More Influence Than You Think
Cornell University
Episode: The Wedding Singer (1998) with Vanessa Bohns
Paige Harden
Professor of Clinical Psychology and author of The Genetic Lottery and Original Sin
Episode: Fatal Attraction (1987) with Paige Harden
Donovan Sherman
Chair of the English department at Seton Hall University
Episode: Romeo + Juliet (1996) with Donovan Sherman
Paul Eastwick
Professor of Psychology at the University of California Davis, runs the Attraction and Relationships Research Lab
University of California Davis
Episode: Bonus Episode: Paul and Eli on the Speaking of Psychology Podcast with Kim Mills
Eli Finkel
Social Psychologist at Northwestern University, author of The All or Nothing Marriage
Northwestern University
Episode: Bonus Episode: Paul and Eli on the Speaking of Psychology Podcast with Kim Mills
Matt Rhodes
Former naval aviator and current American Airlines pilot
American Airlines
Episode: Top Gun (1986) with Matt Rhodes
Yuthika Girme
Director of the Secure Research Lab at Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University
Episode: The Lobster (2015) with Yuthika Girme
Dan Pink
Author and television host known for his best-selling books including Drive and To Sell is Human.
Episode: Deep Dive: Grand Romantic Gestures

Hosts

Paul Eastwick
Host of Love Factually; professor of psychology; co‑host who guides the discussion.
Eli Finkel
Co‑host; professor of psychology; researcher on marriage and relationships.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 350 ratings
  • So good!

    I just discovered this podcast and I can’t get enough! As a relationship coach I find it so intriguing and helpful that Paul & Eli bring in science and research. As a human who’s always curious about human behaviour, morality, diversity, and love, their varying takes on aspects of each movie are so interesting and thought provoking. They’re funny, engaging, and I just smile and nod (mostly! lol) as they discourse. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Carla Dawes
    Canadaa month ago
  • Genius format

    Incredibly bingeable listens. I’m a sucker for good rom coms. As a hopeless romantic, it’s grounding to hear an academic perspective on the relationship dynamics in these movies. This is such a genius format because these movies enter the cultural consciousness and have a huge impact on our perspectives, hopes, and fantasies about love and romance, and it’s great to unpack that.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MichaelRunjie
    United States4 months ago
  • Geeking out about the science of love

    I love seeing a new episode of Love Factually in my feed. The format is smart, I always learn something new about relationship science, and it’s a fun ride dissecting a favorite movie, or discovering a new one. The best part of this podcast are the hosts, Paul and Eli. You can hear that they’re totally geeking out on the subject matter and it’s a real joy to listen to. Thanks for making one of my favorite podcasts!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FancyWoolCoat
    United States5 months ago
  • So good!

    I’m grateful that someone mentioned this podcast to me, it’s become one of my favorites. I could listen to these two talk about anything, I find them super likable. We are lucky to have them💛

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jode44
    United States5 months ago
  • Always a delight

    Paul and Eli’s genuine enthusiasm for romantic movies, their thoughtful (and entertaining!) analyses, and the fascinating insights they offer into research on the nature of close relationships — all make this show absolute catnip!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Up with the larks
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The format blends movie critique with rigorous relationship science, which keeps episodes insightful and entertaining.
Episodes are praised for offering practical takeaways without sacrificing intellectual depth.
Listeners value the hosts' enthusiasm and clear expertise in psychology and relationships.
Hosts are engaging, scientifically grounded, and funny, making complex research accessible.
Guests and co‑hosts are described as likable, knowledgeable, and well‑prepared to discuss nuanced topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Casablanca (1942) with Laurie Santos
Q: Is Rick ultimately romantic, given the ending?
The hosts and Laurie argue that the film's romantic core may lie more in the transformation of Rick's character and the couple's shared growth, rather than a conventional romantic ending.
Casablanca (1942) with Laurie Santos
Q: What does psychology say about Ilsa navigating the love triangle?
Laurie Santos explains hedonic versus eudaimonic happiness and suggests choosing purpose-driven happiness can prevent adaptation and maintain meaning in long-term decisions.
Casablanca (1942) with Laurie Santos
Q: What are we talking about today?
We're analyzing Casablanca through the lens of relationship science, looking at attraction, sacrifice, memory, and identity in the Rick–Ilsa–Laszlo triangle.
Romeo + Juliet (1996) with Donovan Sherman
Q: Donovan, what do you think about the balcony scene?
The balcony scene is transformed into a pool scene in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation, which captures a contemporary essence while giving Juliet agency as opposed to the traditional distance implied in the balcony setting.
The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Q: What themes do you think the film addresses about attraction and close relationships?
The film highlights the importance of genuine connection, societal expectations of masculinity, and the idea that attraction isn't solely based on superficial traits.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Love Factually

What is Love Factually about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two psychology professors break down beloved rom‑coms through the lens of relationship science, pairing movie moments with research on attraction, communication, forgiveness, and social dynamics. Episodes span classic rom‑coms and modern films, often featuring expert guests who illuminate topics like ambition, identity, non‑monogamy, and everyday relationship behavior with rigorous findings presented in accessible, entertaining discussions. A standout angle is the blend of pop culture with academic rigor, keeping conversations both scientifically grounded and highly relatable for listeners who love movies and care about how relationships actually work.

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How many listeners does Love Factually get?

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How many subscribers and views does Love Factually have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Love Factually?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Love Factually:

1. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
2. Speaking of Psychology
3. A Slight Change of Plans
4. You Are Not So Smart
5. Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

How many episodes of Love Factually are there?

Love Factually launched 2 years ago and published 65 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Love Factually?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Love Factually?

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What guests have appeared on Love Factually?

Recent guests on Love Factually include:

1. Laurie Santos
2. Vanessa Bohns
3. Paige Harden
4. Donovan Sherman
5. Paul Eastwick
6. Eli Finkel
7. Matt Rhodes
8. Yuthika Girme

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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