What does it mean to be free? More specifically, how does freedom manifest in love? Today’s conversation with Zoë and Andrew begins with Zoë expressing her impatience with her healing process after oral surgery and her praise for Andrew for taking care of her throughout. Then, we dive into the definition of freedom and why we’ve chosen it as today’s topic before examining what freedom in a relationship looks and feels like. We also learn how to seek understanding without judgment, why curiosity matters, why Zoë and Andrew are freer now than in any of their previous relationships, and how one’s upbringing influences one’s view of freedom in a relationship. To end, we unpack the importance of being open to receiving and accepting love, and we explore self-love as the best starting point and pathway to achieving relationship freedom.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Zoë’s current state after her recent oral surgery and praise for Andrew’s attentive care.

• Defining “freedom” and why we’ve chosen it as today’s topic.

• How freedom manifests in love: what freedom in a relationship looks and feels like.

• Seeking understanding without assigning blame, looking inward, and curiosity.

• How judgment kills relationships.

• Why Zoë and Andrew feel freer in their marriage compared to previous relationships.

• Lovemaps: how upbringing influences one’s understanding of freedom in a relationship.

• Why it’s vital to be open to receiving and accepting love.

• Exploring self-love as the best preparation for freedom in a relationship.

Quotes:

“I get to enjoy the gift of giving and it’s part of my love language – and I get to see you flourish.” — Andrew [0:01:41]

“You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.” — Zoë Kors [0:02:54]

“One of the things that I really value – is curiosity. I value a partner or a friend or conversations in which somebody is curious.” — Zoë Kors [0:10:56]

“Freedom also requires a certain level of trust.” — Zoë Kors [0:20:53]

“Sometimes, [staying in abusive relationships] it’s because people don’t know what else there is out there. They don’t know how good it could be.” — Andrew [0:26:05]

“Being loved and receiving someone’s love doesn’t mean, necessarily, that they become a burden. You’re anything but a burden.” — Zoë Kors [0:32:09]

“If you don’t love yourself, how can you allow somebody to love you? If you don’t love yourself, it’s also harder to love the other person.” — Andrew [0:35:16]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Zoë’s Website

Zoë’s Book

Zoë’s Program

Zoë’s Coaching

Zoë’s Retreat

The road to partnership isn’t always linear, especially when one of you is fiercely independent and the other is ready to settle down. In this candid season opener, Radical Intimacy returns from a three-year hiatus with a deeply honest and often hilarious conversation between Zoë Kors and her husband Andrew, who joins as co-host for the first time. You’ll hear how they met, what made their three-hour first date over tea and firelight so memorable, and why Zoë almost ended things just as they were getting good. Along the way, they reflect on what it takes to move past fear, redefine independence, and build a partnership rooted in mutual respect, curiosity, and emotional growth. Join us as we relaunch the show and set the tone for a new season of radically real conversations!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Zoë’s husband, Andrew, co-host for season two.

• The unlikely story of how they met online and started dating.

• Zoë and Andrew’s first date and the factors that made it so special.

• The importance of mutual curiosity and conversation in early dating.

• How past dating patterns and power dynamics had shaped Zoë’s expectations.

• The different places Zoë and Andrew were in when they started dating.

• How a birthday almost became a breakup (and the moment that shifted everything).

• Navigating fear of commitment, independence, and self-protection.

• The moment Zoë finally chose to stay and what made Andrew almost walk away.

• How spiritual and emotional readiness created a strong foundation for their relationship.

• Redefining partnership as a conscious choice, not a loss of freedom.

Quotes:

“I [had] spent 12 years [being] intentionally single. I would date, but I wasn't dating to find a life partner. I had really just enjoyed people's company, and the whole thing was like a big laboratory.” — Zoë Kors [0:12:17]

“The conversation was so good, I felt like I should have had a cigarette afterwards.” — Andrew [0:13:56]

“I wasn't looking to fill a hole. I did that with my Zen training and my decades and decades of spiritual journey.” — Andrew [0:30:49]

“I'm always scared of losing freedom.” — Zoë Kors [0:31:30]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Zoë’s Website

Zoë’s Book

Zoë’s Program

Zoë’s Coaching

Zoë’s Retreat

In my first solo episode of The Radical Intimacy Podcast, I read the first Chapter of my upcoming book, Radical Intimacy: Cultivate the Deeply Connected Relationships You Desire and Deserve. In this first chapter, "More Than Sex," I share my perspective of intimacy by drawing two important distinctions: 1. That intimacy is much more complex and dimensional than just sex. Of course, sex is one part of intimacy, but there's more. 2. That our limited understanding of intimacy has the achievement of it dependent on someone or something outside of ourselves. In actuality, the nature of intimacy is vast and readily accessible to each and every one of us individually. I also talk about my own sexless ten year marriage in my 20s, and how that set me on a lifelong exploration and understanding of all kinds of intimacy on all levels. If you like what you hear in this episode, there are thirteen more chapters and a collection of exercises and practices which will help you create the deeply connected life you desire and deserve.

BUY THE BOOK HERE

Zoë Kors’ Links:

Zoë’s Website

The Radical Intimacy Podcast

Coral: Sexual Wellness App