Podcast Discussion Group | Nottingham Humanists

With Valentine’s season as a loose excuse, our February podcast discussion will be all about relationships — how attraction forms, how relationships evolve, and how dating norms have shifted across generations.

From wartime marriage booms to modern dating fatigue, this month’s episodes explore both the psychology of maintaining relationships and the wider social changes shaping how people meet, partner up, and stay together. Whether you're interested in relationship psychology, social history, or just keen to meet like-minded humanists, these podcasts should be a great starting point for a wide-ranging conversation.

For our February meeting we’ll be listening to:

One Year - Episode: 1942: The Year Everyone Got Married

There were 1.8 million weddings in 1942, the most that had ever been recorded in a single year in American history. But how many of them would last? This episode explores how war made marriage urgent, altered gender roles, and forced young couples to grow up fast.

The Bunker - Episode: The Relationship Recession - Why Are So Many Going It Alone

Far fewer people are getting into relationships now than the in the past, with a major rise in the amount of single people across the world. Why are we seeing this so-called "relationship recession"? And how can it impact us all?

Hidden Brain - Episode: Relationships 2.0: Keeping Love

There's no magic potion that can make someone adore you. But there are things you can do to promote a deep and enduring connection - and even feelings of passion — between yourself and your partner. Psychologist Arthur Aron shares some techniques for falling and staying in love.

What Now? With Trevor Noah - Episode: Love on a Timeline With Esther Perel

Therapist Esther Perel looks at how love changes as people change. She talks about the push and pull between closeness and independence, why modern relationships carry so much pressure, and how dating culture shapes the way we approach connection.

You can find the podcast episodes here by following this link.

Please come along to join the discussion, share perspectives, and meet others with an interest in humanism. Listening to the episodes beforehand is strongly encouraged, but don’t worry if time doesn’t allow — you’re still very welcome to come along.