What if the idea of a soul mate is both beautiful and slightly questionable?

This episode started with a Friday night, a conversation with my brother, and — I'll be honest — a few rum and cokes. He asked me a simple question: ‘Do you believe in soul mates?’ And I gave him the most unhelpful answer possible. Which, naturally, led to one of the most interesting conversations I've had in a while.

Because, the moment you actually try to answer it, you realise it's anything but simple.

• What do we even mean by soul mate?
• Does it have to be romantic?
• Can you have more than one?
• And if you've loved deeply more than once in your life, what does that mean for each of those loves?

This episode is a little different from our usual territory. It's longer. It's more philosophical, I'll admit that. But it's also very personal and I think, for women at this stage of life, these are questions that quietly matter.

We talk about the language we use and why it shapes what we believe.

We talk about whether soul-level connection has to be romantic at all.

And we sit with the idea that perhaps those of us who have loved more than once aren't confused we're just people with large enough souls to have meant it every time.

If you've ever loved deeply, lost, loved again and wondered what all of it means, grab a rum and coke, this one is for you.