In this edition of BRAZEN Recommends, Maria Popova of Brain Pickings explores the book Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence by Esther Perel to better understand the antiparallel relationship between love and desire, and the importance + beauty of cultivating space in your relationships in order to keep the fire burning.

Shalina May Kumar breaks down the concepts of mimetic desire; the difference between desires of nature and desires of opinion; and the Stoic approach to living a more content, satisfied life.

Cover illustration by Shanita Lyn Kumar.