Why You Feel Unloved | 5 Research-backed Shifts That Change How Love Feels | Harry Reis
Thu Feb 05 2026
You can be deeply loved and still feel alone, even when your life is filled with people who care about you.
Many of us assume that love automatically translates into feeling loved. But research shows that isn’t how it works. In this conversation, we explore why connection can be present, yet the feeling of being loved never quite lands and what actually helps close that gap.
My guest is Harry Reis, a longtime researcher of close relationships and professor of psychology whose work has shaped how we understand intimacy, attachment, and emotional connection. He’s the co-author of How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• A powerful relational dynamic that quietly determines whether love is felt or missed
• The subtle reason giving more doesn’t always lead to feeling more connected
• A listening shift that dramatically deepens intimacy without forcing vulnerability
• Why being fully known matters more than being widely liked
• The mindset that helps love feel genuine instead of performative
If you’ve ever wondered why closeness feels harder than it should or why love doesn’t always register even when it’s present, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and practical insight. Press play to learn what actually helps love land.
You can find Harry at: Website | Harry's Bio | Episode Transcript
Next week, be sure to tune in for my conversation with Lucy Kalanithi about what still matters when certainty disappears.
Check out our offerings & partners:
Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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You can be deeply loved and still feel alone, even when your life is filled with people who care about you. Many of us assume that love automatically translates into feeling loved. But research shows that isn’t how it works. In this conversation, we explore why connection can be present, yet the feeling of being loved never quite lands and what actually helps close that gap. My guest is Harry Reis, a longtime researcher of close relationships and professor of psychology whose work has shaped how we understand intimacy, attachment, and emotional connection. He’s the co-author of How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most. In this episode, you’ll learn: • A powerful relational dynamic that quietly determines whether love is felt or missed • The subtle reason giving more doesn’t always lead to feeling more connected • A listening shift that dramatically deepens intimacy without forcing vulnerability • Why being fully known matters more than being widely liked • The mindset that helps love feel genuine instead of performative If you’ve ever wondered why closeness feels harder than it should or why love doesn’t always register even when it’s present, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and practical insight. Press play to learn what actually helps love land. You can find Harry at: Website | Harry's Bio | Episode Transcript Next week, be sure to tune in for my conversation with Lucy Kalanithi about what still matters when certainty disappears. Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.