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<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThis past week I\u2019ve been in Phoenix at the<\/span> Love Strategies Lux Event, speaking to a live audience about exactly what I write about here: the psychology of what makes relationships work (and what quietly destroys them).<\/span><\/p>\n With 20,000+ new subscribers joining over the last few months, it felt like the perfect moment to pause and make some introductions.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re new here, welcome. Below is a handpicked reading list to get you oriented. If you\u2019ve been here a while, there might be a hidden gem or two you missed.<\/p>\n 25+ years of research. 4+ years of coaching real people through real relationships. What I discovered is that the science is far more useful and accessible than most people realize. It\u2019s just that nobody ever translated it for them properly. That\u2019s what this newsletter is for.<\/p>\n I\u2019m a psychology professor and published relationship researcher at Monmouth University, recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the best 300 professors in the country. I\u2019ve published over 70 academic articles, written a book, given a TEDx talk, and together my work has reached more than 13 million people. I also coach real individuals and couples at LoveStrategies.com, which is where the research meets reality.<\/p>\n Most relationship advice online is painfully obvious or plain wrong. My work closes the gap between what the science actually says and what you can do with it today.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the deal. Here\u2019s where to start.<\/p>\n Welcome to Psychology of Relationships – The post that started it all. Who I am, why I write, and what you can expect. If you haven\u2019t read it, start here.<\/span><\/p>\n Your Brain in Love: Dopamine Daters vs. Serotonin Daters – One of my most-liked articles, and for good reason. Understanding which type you are changes how you date. Most people recognize themselves immediately. <\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n If You Keep Choosing the Wrong People<\/strong><\/p>\n You\u2019re Not Unlucky in Love\u2026Your Picker Is Just Broken – Why do smart, successful people keep picking the wrong partners? It\u2019s the right question, and I have a concrete 3-step system to fix it. One of my most actionable pieces. Sure to change your approach. <\/span>Available to paid subscribers.<\/em><\/p>\n The Intimacy Trap: When Sex Becomes a Relationship Test – How physical intimacy gets used as a proxy for emotional connection, and why that almost always backfires. My most read article.<\/span><\/p>\n If You Want to Show Up Better<\/strong><\/p>\n The Calm of True Confidence in Love and Life – A lot of people are faking it. When you understand what real confidence actually is and how to build it, dating gets noticeably easier. <\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n The Flirting Formula: Science-Backed Strategies for Connection – Flirting is a learnable skill, and almost everyone has room to improve. Science has a lot to say about what actually works. <\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n If You Want a Deeper Connection<\/strong><\/p>\n The Connection Code: 15 Keys to Unlocking a Love That Lasts – This one deserved more attention than it got. I share the 15 pieces of wisdom my clients have found most useful, distilled from years of work. Worth the read. <\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n The Science of Communication: What Builds Connection and What Breaks It – The first solution to almost every relationship problem is better communication. This piece gives you the research-backed tools to actually improve yours. <\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n If you want to go deeper, here are a few more ways to explore:<\/p>\n Before you click anything, sit with this one question: <\/span>What quality do you keep demanding in a partner that you aren\u2019t fully bringing yourself? <\/em>Be honest. (That gap is a great place to start.)<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ll be back next week with something I think you\u2019ll find genuinely uncomfortable in the best possible way: <\/span>What Casual Dating Costs You (That No One Talks About).<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n If this reading list was useful, please hit the like button or pass it along to someone who loves psychology or relationships.<\/em><\/p>\n