The Independent kicks off new Love Lives podcast series with Curtis Sittenfeld Tom Grennan, Naoise Dolan, Poorna Bell and Lorraine Candy also among guests

The Independent announces today the launch of its new podcast series on relationships and emotional health, Love Lives.

Love Lives is hosted by The Independent’s Relationships Writer, Olivia Petter. This new video podcast from The Independent, will speak to guests about the different loves of their lives, the stories behind them and what that love has taught them about themselves and their place in the world.

The first episode of the season, which is available now, will feature New York Times Bestselling author, Curtis Sittenfeld, whose novels include Rodham, which reimagines the life of Hilary Clinton. In this episode, Curtis discusses some of the celebrity couples who have inspired her new book, Romantic Comedy, and the phenomenon of famous men “punching above their weight.”

Other upcoming guests on Love Lives include:

• British singer song-writer Tom Grennan;
• Award-winning journalist, Poorna Bell;
• Irish writer and author of Acts of Desperation, Megan Nolan;
• English film director, screenwriter and novelist, Emma Forrest;
• Caroline O’Donoghue, host of award-winning podcast Sentimental Garbage;
• Co-host of Postcards from Midlife podcast, Lorraine Candy;
• Naoise Dolan, Irish novelist and author of Exciting Times.

A new episode of the podcast will be fortnightly on Fridays, in audio format and video format on Independent TV and the newly-launched Love Lives YouTube channel, as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Acast.

The new podcast follows Olivia Petter’s work hosting The Independent’s Millennial Love podcast from 2017, guests of which included Emily Ratajkowski, Amber Gill, Will Young and Maisie Peters. She published a book based on the podcast in 2021.

Olivia Petter, host of Love Lives, said:

“Having hosted Millennial Love since 2017, I am excited to be launching this new series. Love Lives will enliven and inspire our audience while offering a range of experiences and anecdotes from some of the most fascinating names in the public eye. I can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on.”

Tom Richell, Head of Multimedia at The Independent said:

“It’s great to see the launch of the new podcast series Love Lives on Independent TV and podcast platforms. As we continue to keep expanding our TV service, Love Lives is an excellent addition to what Independent TV already offers.

“This year has seen Independent TV go from strength to strength as we look to adapt to the ways in which The Independent audience consumes news. It is the perfect platform for keeping viewers up to date on current affairs, arts, lifestyle and plenty more.”