Modern Love

In this week’s essay, Lilian Oben writes about how essential it is to be seen in relationships — to be able to take up space, without being asked to change who we are. Her essay is read by Zawe Ashton ("Betrayal").

Do you tell your friends you love them? And do you say it like that, using those words? Is it easy for you to say? Is it fraught?

Ricardo Jaramillo takes those questions on in this week’s essay. It’s read by Ncuti Gatwa, who stars in “Sex Education” on Netflix.

Lorraine Toussaint ("The Glorias") reads an essay by Kim McLarin. Then, we catch up with Kim to hear how she is doing in this moment.

Hasan Minhaj ("Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj") reads Brian Goedde's essay about a man investigating his own breakup.

Saoirse Ronan ("Little Women") reads an essay about how a language barrier impacts the relationship between a young woman and an Iraqi doctor. This is an encore presentation.

"Lolita," Vladimir Nabokov’s novel about a man’s sexual obsession with a young girl, is famously controversial. But when Bindu Bansinath started to read it, it unexpectedly became a kind of road map for her, showing her a way out of the situation she was in.

Jameela Jamil ("I Weigh") reads her piece.

Living alone can be liberating, maddening, joyful ... lonely.  It also might feel very different today than it did several months ago.

This episode features stories from people who live alone, telling us how they are doing right now.

If you're running out of things to do at home — or if you just need a break from stress and worry — we have a suggestion. Listen to this week's episode featuring Gillian Jacobs and Mandy Len Catron, and then try the 36 questions that (may) lead to love.

You can find the 36 questions here: https://nyti.ms/2SFbICi

Daisy Edgar-Jones (Hulu's "Normal People") reads Kyleigh Leddy's essay, about the online presence people leave behind.

What if all the conventional wisdom about why you are single is wrong? Laura Prepon ("You And I, As Mothers") reads Sara Eckel's essay.

We hear more of your stories about how the COVID-19 outbreak has changed your relationships with one another.

Modern Love presents an excerpt of the first episode of “Sugar Calling." Hear Cheryl Strayed in conversation with the author George Saunders, her old friend and mentor from graduate school.

When you’re in a new relationship, you’re always trying to present your best self. But anyone who’s been in a relationship for awhile knows that you can’t keep the act up forever. 

David Finch writes about that in his essay, which is read by Daniel Radcliffe. Daniel stars in the upcoming "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" interactive special on Netflix. 

Listeners share stories of how their relationships have changed during the coronavirus outbreak.

There's something wonderful about sharing your favorite books with the person you're falling in love with. And Karla Derus was a longtime book lover, dating a man who was also a big reader. But Karla also had a secret.

Emmy-winning actress Uzo Aduba ("Mrs. America") reads Karla's essay.

Ali Fazal ("Victoria and Abul") tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a man and his elderly neighbor. This is an encore presentation.

Could you use a little extra comfort and love from afar right now? We thought so. We're sharing an episode of another WBUR podcast, "Endless Thread." This is a story about processing grief, and where we turn when the people closest to us don't seem to know what to do or say to help us move forward.

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to "Endless Thread" wherever you get your podcasts. More info here: https://smarturl.it/endlessthread

Gugu Mbatha-Raw ("The Morning Show," "Misbehaviour") reads an essay about a friendship between two people who meet in a pub in Notting Hill.

Lesley Manville ("Ordinary Love") reads an essay by Sally Hoskins about finding an unexpected support group in a hospital waiting room.

Brian Cox (HBO's "Succession") reads an essay about a father grappling with how to protect his child, but also let her live her life.

What if you had to pretend your partner was a stranger for a day? Would you fall in love again? Nick Kroll ("Olympic Dreams") reads Tim Kreider's essay.

This Valentine's Day, we're bringing you an episode made up of Tiny Love Stories — stories told in no more than 100 words.

Susan Kelechi Watson (NBC's "This Is Us," "A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood") reads Deborah Copaken's essay about how a lost love leads to an unexpected connection years later.

Terry Crews ("Brooklyn Nine-Nine") reads an essay by Brendan Halpin, about trying to find love again after loss.

Tan France ("Queer Eye," "Next in Fashion") reads an essay by Evan James, about a man finding his role within his family.

Love is about trust. But have you ever been tempted to breach that trust? To read someone's diary, check their text messages, or read their emails? Jessalyn Gilsig reads an essay by Joyce Maynard about facing that temptation.

Rebecca Hall who stars in the upcoming movie "The Night House," reads a story about dating -- while manic. This is an encore presentation.

Jenny Slate ("Stage Fright," "Little Weirds") reads an essay by Catherine Down about the family you find when living far from home.

Director Judd Apatow reads an essay about a date that goes very wrong. This is an encore presentation.

Singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter reads a story by Eve Pell, about finding new love later in life. This is an encore presentation.

Jake Gyllenhaal ("Stronger") tells the story of a man recovering from heartbreak in a pediatrics wing.

Renée Elise Goldsberry ("Waves") reads an essay about a woman and her husband navigating the aftermath of his traumatic brain injury.

"Never tell our business to strangers." That's what Jennifer Mascia was told growing up. But it wasn't until she was an adult that she learned the reason why.

Ruth Wilson (HBO's "His Dark Materials") reads Jennifer's essay about discovering a dark family secret.

"I’ve noticed that there is a strange hierarchy of handholding that dictates who gets to express physical affection without repercussions," Nicole Dennis-Benn writes in this week's Modern Love story. It's read by 15-time Grammy Award winning artist Alicia Keys, whose new single is called "Show Me Love."

Greta Gerwig ("Little Women") reads Julia Anne Miller's essay, about sharing an unusual cab ride in New York City. This is an encore presentation.

We want to introduce you to another podcast we think you might love, called Kind World. It features stories of life-changing acts of kindness. And this week's story features a story from the US/ Mexico border.

Kelly McCreary ("Grey's Anatomy") reads an essay about a chance meeting on a bus that leads to a decades-long relationship.

We make decisions every day that shape our lives in small ways. But it's rare to face a real crossroads — a choice between living one life, and living another that's entirely different.

Zawe Ashton ("Betrayal") reads an essay by Ingrid Maitland, who writes about making a choice like that.

Regina King (HBO's "Watchmen") reads an essay by a woman who thinks she's met the right person for her — several years too early.

When he was working in Nevada, Justin Race met a woman he thought was perfect for him. The only problem? They had only ever talked to each other through Words With Friends.

Justin's essay is read by Tony-winning actor Ben Platt, who stars in the new show "The Politician" on Netflix.

Marisa Tomei ("The Rose Tattoo") reads an essay by Judith Newman about a woman fulfilling her husband's unusual dying wish.

In 2013, Ann Leary wrote an essay about a rough patch in her marriage. We turned it into an episode of the Modern Love Podcast. And now, Ann's story been adapted for television.

In this episode, we revisit actress Connie Nielsen's performance of Ann's essay. Then, we'll hear a live conversation between Ann, Modern Love editor Daniel Jones, and podcast producer Caitlin O'Keefe. They talk about what happened next for Ann and her husband, and what it was like for Ann to have her essay adapted for the Modern Love television show.

Peter Sarsgaard ("The Sound of Silence") reads an essay about the relationship between a man with spinal muscular atrophy and his wife of more than 30 years.

When Aaron Long donated sperm twenty-five years ago, he didn't realize that one day he would discover that he had ten biological children. But that's what happened when he signed up for 23andMe.

Kal Penn stars in the NBC comedy "Sunnyside". He reads Aaron's essay.

Issa Rae reads an essay about the intimacy and distance synonymous with online dating.

Andrew Rannells has been nominated for two Tony Awards. He starred in HBO's "Girls." But before any of that, he was just like a lot of 20-somethings — trying to make his career happen, and dreaming about his perfect boyfriend.

"Don't Let Go" star David Oyelowo reads an essay about a blind man navigating his marriage. This is an encore presentation.

This week's essay is about a deep, enduring friendship that starts in an unlikely place. Jeannie Vanasco writes about her relationship with a woman named Anita in her essay, "My Platonic Romance on the Psych Ward."

It's read by actress and director Miriam Shor, who stars in TV Land’s “Younger" and the upcoming Netflix film "Lost Girls."

When people first come into our lives, it's impossible to know how important they'll become. Leah Keith writes about a man who came to matter a great deal to her in her essay, which is read by Marsha Stephanie Blake ("When They See Us")

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau ("Game of Thrones") reads an essay about a man's long relationship with his wife — before and after a car accident that changed their lives.

A lot of things can get in the way of love -- distance, money issues, being in different places in your life. But this week's essayist, Amanda Gefter, writes about facing a very different kind of challenge.

It's read by Logan Browning (Netflix's "Dear White People").

If Meredith Hall had to point to the year that her life changed, she would probably say that it was 1965. She was sixteen that year, and pregnant with a son.

But more than two decades later, in 1987, her life changed again -- and that's the year she writes about in her essay. It's read by Marcia Cross ("Desperate Housewives," "Quantico").

High school love is awkward, nervous -- and often unforgettable. It doesn't usually last. But in this week's essay, Mariclare Lawson writes about a high school love that broke all the rules.

It's read by Amanda Seyfried ("The Art of Racing in the Rain.")

Jessica Walter ("Archer," "Arrested Development") reads an essay by Sophy Burnham about how an unexpected encounter makes her consider how love and desire change with age.

Alana Dakin writes about two different tattoos in her essay "A Tattoo for the Living", which is read by Zosia Mamet ("Tales of the City.")

Zoe Lister-Jones (CBS's "Life in Pieces," "Band-Aid") reads renowned novelist Lily King's story about the silver lining of heartbreak.

Can a tiny dog change the dynamics of a marriage? Zachary Quinto ("NOS4A2") reads Bob Morris's essay.

What do you do when you're struggling to find a romantic relationship as deep as the relationship you have with your best friend? John Cameron Mitchell ("Anthem: Homunculus") reads Ephi Stempler's essay about a man considering a platonic life partnership.

Saturday Night Live's Cecily Strong reads a story about a woman's friendship with her doorman. This is an encore presentation.

How have you gotten through your worst breakups? Tinder? New hobbies? Cheap alcohol? Wallowing in Taylor Swift albums?

William Jackson Harper ("The Good Place," "Midsommar") is back to read Mark McDevitt's piece about two breakup buddies.

What does luck mean to you? And how does that change depending on your circumstances? That's what Joyce Maynard writes about in this week's essay. It's read by two-time Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver ("Perpetual Grace, LTD").

When you're dealing with a tragedy, it can feel like you would do anything for an ordinary day. But those ordinary days can come with their own complications. Ginnifer Goodwin ("The Twilight Zone") reads Monica Wesolowska's essay.

When we take stock of the people who matter most to us, there are the spouses, the family members, the best friends, the partners. And then there are the people who aren’t any of those things, but who change our lives anyway.

Emily Raboteau's essay is about one of those people. It's read by Lake Bell ("Bless this Mess.")

Under normal circumstances, trying to find love can be challenging -- and stressful. And for Elizabeth Koster, the pressure was even more intense. Sarah Goldberg (HBO's "Barry") reads Elizabeth's essay.

Love thrives on good communication. It can take many forms -- but what happens when you suddenly lose what was once your primary means of communication? Pedro Pascal ("King Lear," "Game of Thrones") reads Jamison's essay.

What happens when you know you want to marry someone, but you are also are falling in love with someone else? Is there a way for you to have everything?

Sophie Lucido Johnson's essay is read by DeWanda Wise ("She's Gotta Have It").

Interracial relationships come with their own complexities, and there are a lot of questions that come up. Questions like: How does your partner think about race? How do you talk about it? What works, and what doesn't?

Kim McLarin writes about race and dating in her piece, which is read by Lorraine Toussaint ("The Village").

Anna Chlumsky ("Veep") reads Brooks Rinehart's essay, on 90 days that changed the entire course of one family's life.

When it comes to dating, Amy Cohen says this: "We all need to be reincarnated as an older Jewish man with an apartment on the Upper East Side.” Natasha Lyonne ("Russian Doll") reads Amy's essay about the difference between her 76-year-old father's dating life and her own.

How much can you give of yourself before it’s too much? And what do you do when you reach your limit? Nazanin Boniadi ("Hotel Mumbai") reads Tara Ebrahimi's essay.

Catherine O'Hara ("Schitt's Creek") reads Patricia Morrisroe's essay, about a piece of technology that complicates a marriage.

Dementia can alter someone's personality and change how how they interact with the world. But sometimes, it can also lead to moments of profound connection.

Jenny McPhee writes about one of those moments in her piece, which is read by Zoe Saldana.

Therapists' offices are supposed to be places where you can be both vulnerable and safe. But what happens when your therapist crosses a line? That happened to Julianna Baggott -- and she writes about it an an essay that's read by Isabelle Huppert ("Greta").

You know the phase. The one when you're going back and forth between your place and your partner's, and you have to bring all your stuff with you. 

But when is it time to make a change? Deanna Clevesy's essay is read by Christina Hendricks ("Good Girls").

Have you ever dated someone living in a studio apartment with a pet? If so, how did you handle the logistics around sex?

Ryan Pfeffer writes about how he dealt with that situation in his essay, which was performed by William Jackson Harper ("The Good Place") in front of a live audience at the Huntington Avenue Theatre in Boston.

Last week, you heard an essay by Amy Krouse Rosenthal -- "You May Want to Marry my Husband." It was published just days before she died of ovarian cancer.

Today, André Holland of "High Flying Bird" reads the essay her husband Jason wrote in response last summer, and we hear from Jason himself about how he's doing today.

Debra Winger reads the late Amy Krouse Rosenthal's essay about her fairytale love story, which was cut short by cancer. This is an encore presentation.

We're celebrating the 91st Academy Awards by revisiting two of our favorite episodes featuring nominated actors. We'll hear pieces read by Rachel Weisz of "The Favourite," and Willem Dafoe, of "At Eternity's Gate."

It's easy to single out the biggest decisions in a life. But this week's essay by Ann Leary is about little choices, that you might not think about very much in the moment, that end up slowly changing everything. It's read by Connie Nielsen ("I Am the Night").

Nikolina Kulidzan was twelve years old when she fell in love for the first time. Not long after, the Bosnian War changed her life forever. Her essay is read by Joanna Kulig ("Cold War").

How do you talk to your children about loss? What secrets do you keep, and for how long? And when do you decide to tell them everything? Emily Listfield faces those questions in her essay, read by Carmen Ejogo ("True Detective.")

When you think back to sex ed class, it's not hard to come up with a couple of memories that might have scarred you for life. But actor Gillian Anderson reads an essay that shows it can be equally scarring for the parents.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Modern Love! We will be back with brand new episodes in 2019, but today, we're bringing you a playlist of our favorite holiday episodes from the past two years. 

When people ask for advice, do they really want to hear what you have to say? Sometimes it's hardest to find a friend who can give just a simple, sympathetic ear.

Actor Laura Dern takes us deep into a friendship that experienced a unique evolution. This is an encore presentation.

Getting undressed in front of your partner can be really hard. And for Jameson Rich, is was even more complicated. He writes about it in his piece, which is read by Finn Wittrock ("Write When You Get Work").

When Rand Richards Cooper was in his 40s, he was faced with a question: How late is too late to first become a dad? He writes about it in his essay, which is read by Stanley Tucci ("A Private War").

How do we choose what to hold onto from loved ones after they've died? Doris Iarovici asks that question in her essay, which is read by Michelle Rodriguez ("Widows").

When Charlotte Bacon went to a temple in Bhutan, the place unlocked feelings in her that she hadn't truly realized were there. Her essay is read by Mira Sorvino ("StartUp").

Jennifer Finney Boylan -- an accomplished writer, academic and activist -- reads her own essay about coming out as transgender to her two young sons. This is an encore episode.

We cross paths with so many people in our lives -- but only a few of them truly change the direction we thought we were headed in. Busy Philipps ("Busy Tonight") reads Laurie Sandell's piece, about the little girl who changed her path.

After a divorce, it can feel like the last thing you want to do is revisit the past. But a ritual forced Cindy Chupack to do just that, in an essay read by actor Amy Landecker.

Lance Reddick, best known as Lt. Cedric Daniels on HBO's "The Wire," reads a story about infidelity and healing.

Tim Elhajj was a divorced dad who was desperate to connect with his son -- and went about it in an unconventional way. His essay is read by John C. Reilly (The Sisters Brothers).

Would you buy a sex chair? Well, Lori Jakiela did -- and she writes about the chair, and the misadventures involved in trying to use it, in an essay that's read by Kristen Bell ("The Good Place.")

Would you start online dating just to make your best friend feel better? Author Victoria Redel did that, and she writes about in her piece, which is read by actor and singer Rita Wilson ("Bigger Picture").

Some crushes are brief: the guy at the gym, the girl on Twitter, your barista. But others are epic -- and take on a life of their own. Olivia Munn ("The Predator") reads Marina Shifrin's essay.

We’re back in your feed to share a project we think you’ll love. It’s a new podcast called “Last Seen,” about the largest unsolved art heist in history -- the theft of thirteen irreplaceable pieces of art from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner museum.

On a normal day in 2004, Lloyd Zimmerman got the chance to fulfill a man's dying wish. Giancarlo Esposito ("Better Call Saul") reads his piece, about the complications of a last request.

Ethan Hawke ("Blaze") reads an essay about how lonely it can be at rock bottom -- and how sometimes, taking care of someone else is the only way out.

This playlist episode features stories about people whose relationships were challenged by illness -- and where the promise to stand by each other "in sickness and in health" was tested. It features stories read by Michael Shannon, Sarah Silverman, Chris Messina, Rebecca Hall, and Patina Miller.

It can feel easier to leave things unspoken than to find the right words to explain ourselves. But sooner or later, the things we keep from each other can come to define our relationships. This edition of Modern Love features a playlist of three of our favorite episodes about secrets, read by Danielle Brooks, Cynthia Nixon, and Uma Thurman.

Communication. Respect. Intimacy. Doing the dishes. Those are all things that have been called the secret to marriage. But Gabrielle Zevin has a different idea. Sandra Oh ("Killing Eve") reads her piece.

We know you appreciate a good love story ... so we're bringing you two stories of relationships that have stood the test of time, from another podcast from WBUR, called "Endless Thread." Hear the story of the couple featured in an iconic photo from Woodstock, and one about a relationship that started with a note sent in second grade.

Let's face it. With the ghosting, inappropriate comments, and awkward small talk ... dating can be so bad it's hilarious. Awkwafina ("Crazy Rich Asians," "Oceans Eight") reads Sarah Moses's essay.

The emotions of parenting can feel completely out of control sometimes. Whether it's love, joy ... or, occasionally, rage. Susan Perabo writes about them in her essay, which is read by Ellie Kemper ("Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt").

Sometimes, our deepest loves aren't people at all -- they're the places that make us feel most like ourselves. Laura Dave tells a story about one of those places in her essay, which is read by Diane Guerrero ("Orange is the New Black").

Peter Goodman thought that he could fix any problem by sweeping his wife off her feet. But when his daughter was born, that strategy failed him. His essay is read by Mike Colter ("Luke Cage.")

Aspen Matis decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail because she was looking for solitude, safety, and escape. She writes about what she found there in her essay, read by actor and comic Cameron Esposito.

As a teenager in Finland, Kalle Oskari Mattila was trying to figure out who he was. For help, he turned to Pamela Anderson. Cory Michael Smith ("1985," "Gotham") performed his story live at the Provincetown Film Festival.

"What did it mean that the most romantic thing I’d ever been a part of hadn’t even happened to me?" Chloë Grace Moretz ("The Miseducation of Cameron Post") reads Rachel Monroe's essay about watching a love story unfold from the sidelines.

Joshua Jackson ("The Affair") reads a story about life and love after 26 months in Iran's Evin Prison. This is an encore presentation.

The challenge of finding the perfect partner is matched only by the challenge of finding the perfect parking space in New York City. Jason Alexander ("Seinfeld") reads Andy Raskin's essay, about the search for love and parking in Chinatown.

Mandy Moore ("This Is Us") reads Anna March's essay about disability, ability, and the misconceptions surrounding both.

When she was growing up, Susan Sajadi thought that her mother was fearless. It wasn't until years later that she realized the truth was much more complicated. Her piece is read by Sarah Shahi, who stars in NBC's "Reverie."

For the 13th anniversary of the Modern Love column, readers sent in their love stories, told in just 13 words. More than 9,000 were submitted. We put together an episode featuring some of our favorites.

Constance Wu of the ABC comedy "Fresh Off The Boat" reads a story about a wife, a mother-in-law and the unlikely story that brought them together.

Saoirse Ronan ("On Chesil Beach") reads an essay about how a language barrier impacts the relationship between a young woman and an Iraqi doctor.

Sometimes it's the things that go unspoken in a relationship that are the most important. Andrea Jarrell found that out not long after moving to Maine with her husband -- and she writes about it in her piece, read by Kim Dickens ("Fear the Walking Dead").

Kristen Scharold was an evangelical Christian who was starting to look for a husband. Then, a new relationship caused a crisis of faith. Rachel Weisz ("Disobedience") reads Kristen's essay.

After Stephanie Saldaña moved to an ancient monastery in Syria, she thought she'd found her calling. But when she met a novice monk there, she had to rethink everything. Linda Cardellini ("Bloodline") reads Stephanie's essay.

Abbi Jacobson ("6 Balloons," "Broad City") reads an essay about a carboholic who falls for a baker -- and his bread.

When you're at a bar and someone starts paying more attention to you than you expect -- how do you react? Mel Rodriguez ("Overboard," "The Last Man on Earth") reads Andy Christie's essay, about trying to navigate an unexpected flirtation.

Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman ("UnREAL") tells the story of the deep friendship between an older and younger brother.

What happens to relationships when they play out entirely over text? Krysten Ritter ("Jessica Jones") reads Sandra Barron's essay, about the miscommunications that can come with text message flirtation.

In this encore, Mykelti Williamson ("Chicago P.D.") reads an essay about a father's complicated love for his son.

When does it work to date younger? Rosie Perez, of NBC's "Rise," reads Robin Grearson's essay, about negotiating a relationship with a big age gap.

Kate Winslet reads Nina Riggs's essay, about an overwhelming diagnosis -- and a search for the perfect living room couch.

Bobby Cannavale ("Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," "Mr. Robot") reads Dominick Zarrillo's essay about a father's unconditional love for his son.

Jennifer Beals ("Taken") reads Laurie Frankel's essay, about facing a challenging parenting dilemma.

Uma Thurman ("The Parisian Woman") reads Jessica Ciencin Henriquez's essay, about the silence that grew in the aftermath of a terrible accident.

Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon ("The Big Sick") tell the story of how a mother's cooking comes between a husband and wife.

Willem Dafoe ("The Florida Project") reads Bruce Eric Kaplan's essay, about waiting for a hilarious secret to be revealed.

We celebrate the 100th episode of Modern Love: The Podcast by listening to your stories, and the moments from our first 99 episodes that meant the most to you.

Andrea Martin ("Great News") reads Randi Davenport's essay, about a relationship that she says saved her life.

Richard Jenkins ("The Shape of Water") reads John Gfroerer's essay about going to the gym to cope with loss.

Lois Smith ("Marjorie Prime," "Lady Bird") reads an essay about passion in the golden years.

Margarita Levieva ("The Deuce") reads Kristine Lloyd's essay, about making a New Year's resolution to attend a cuddle party.

Greta Gerwig ("Lady Bird") reads Julia Anne Miller's essay, about sharing an unusual cab ride in New York City.

Kristin Scott Thomas ("Darkest Hour") reads an essay about a woman worried that she and her husband might have nothing left to talk about.

Julie Klausner tells the story of dating an "indie rock dreamboat" -- who she sees as a bit of a man-child. Sasheer Zamata ("United States of Music," "Pizza Mind") reads Julie's essay.

Caitriona Balfe ("Outlander") reads Deenie Hartzog-Mislock's essay, about an imaginary man who helps a family cope with Alzheimer's.

In this encore, Ruth Negga ("Preacher," "Loving") reads a story about the deep bond between a woman and her unusual pet.

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee ("Kim's Convenience") reads a story about a man improvising a birth plan.

Andrew Rannells ("Girls") reads his own essay, about ignoring a string of urgent phone calls during a casual hookup.

Julia Stiles ("Riviera") tells the story of a woman who has a perfect New York City apartment ... and a crush on her roommate.

Kirsten Vangsness ("Criminal Minds") reads an essay about a relationship where the perfect images posted online don't match the reality.

Cleopatra Coleman ("The Last Man On Earth," "White Famous") reads an essay about a woman claiming ownership over her own body.

Kimberly Hébert Gregory ("Kevin (Probably) Saves the World," "Vice Principals") reads an essay about an attempt at dirty talk gone awry.

Ann Dowd ("The Handmaid's Tale") reads Diane Daniel's essay about a woman coming to terms with her spouse's gender transition.

Jake Gyllenhaal ("Stronger") tells the story of a man recovering from heartbreak in a pediatrics wing.