131. When J.R.R. Tolkien Met Edith Bratt *TEASER*

We wanted to cover a couple in the fantasy world…but that’s tricky to do when our podcast is only about real-life couples! Thankfully, there is a beautiful love story behind the creator of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit: the story of J.R.R. Tolkien and Edith Bratt. Tolkien and Edith’s love story began as star-crossed lovers, and their separation inspired Tolkien to write the story of Beren and Lúthien (and later Aragorn and Arwen). After years apart, they reunited, and endured Tolkien’s enlistment in World War I, which he miraculously survived.  Throughout their marriage, Tolkien scribbled away at his ‘fairy languages’ and Middle Earth tales in any free time he found. But who was Edith Tolkien? The world knows little about her, and she makes few appearances in biographies about him. But surely that doesn’t mean Tolkien cared more for elves and hanging with C.S. Lewis? ***** This is a teaser for a bonus episode— the full episode is 1 hour 49 minutes long! You can listen to it in full ⁠on Patreon⁠. About Significant LoversSignificant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at [email protected] Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for ‘fair use’ for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Stranger Things has been on for so long, Obama was president when it first aired. But it’s finally (sadly) entering its final season this November. So let’s talk about the show’s real-life couple, who have been dating for over ten years behind the scenes: Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton! Known for playing teens Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers in the 1980s, co-stars Natalia and Charlie quietly, privately dated for the first several years of their relationship, becoming slightly more open recently. As Kel learned more about Natalia and Charlie, she was struck by how different they seem from each other. Charlie’s the gregarious, silly drummer who just fell into acting. Natalia’s the shy, anxious one who’s more comfortable playing a character than talking about herself. We’ve all heard that opposites attract, but how do they make it work? Kel takes us through Charlie and Natalia’s secretive relationship (as much as we can glean as outsiders), with many mentions of Joe Keery/Djo (aka Steve Harrington). About Significant LoversSignificant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at [email protected] Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for ‘fair use’ for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Vials of blood…that’s probably your main association with Billy Bob Thorton and Angelina Jolie, right? In the spirit of spooky season, Mel tells the tale of this 2000s Gothic couple. He was a 45-year-old, late bloomer “hillbilly” from Arkansas on his fifth marriage. She was a beautiful, brooding 25-year-old Hollywood “nepo baby” on her second. All the stars aligned for these two dark and twisty social outcasts to find each other and French kiss on red carpets.  While their relationship might have evolved to be a mere footnote in the bigger Brangelina saga, this episode proves that the past IS prologue. Join us as we look back at their controversial affair featuring a scorned Laura Dern, tattoos, matching burial plots, and a flame that burned too bright for daylight.  ***** This is a teaser for a bonus episode— the full episode is 2 hours 15 minutes long! You can listen to it in full ⁠on Patreon⁠. About Significant LoversSignificant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at [email protected].

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s 50-year marriage is arguably Hollywood’s most enduring real-life love story. Regarded as the “Last Movie Stars” of the Golden Era, they worked together on 16 films and shared a combined 14 Academy Award nominations. A rarity in showbusiness, they somehow managed to maintain their deep chemistry and friendship all while raising a big family in Connecticut, chasing big dreams, and selling salad dressing. Of course, they weren’t perfect. Our story kicks off with a five-year affair, when Paul was still married to Jackie Witte with three babies at home. We can’t help but wonder: if someone cheats WITH you, will they inevitably always cheat ON you? We look back on Paul’s infamous line comparing Joanne to a juicy steak, his complicated psyche and battle with alcoholism, and Joanne’s struggle to balance stardom with motherhood. In an industry known for divorce, what was their secret to weathering the storms and making it last all those years? Listen and find out. ***** About Significant LoversSignificant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at [email protected] Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for ‘fair use’ for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

In this week’s Patreon episode, Kaitlyn's covering a couple that was once called “Mr. and Mrs. Brooklyn” by the New York Times in 2007: Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger. From falling in love on the set of Brokeback Mountain, to becoming first time parents a year later, Heath and Michelle’s fairy tale love story appeared to have all the makings of forever. But less than 3 years after meeting, they called it quits. What happened? Was it because of the Joker? Other women? Drugs? And would Heath and Michelle have gotten back together had Heath not tragically passed? All this and more we discuss, including the sweet, funny, and heartfelt moments that made their relationship so memorable, while also looking at how their bond continues to be remembered, or misremembered, today. This episode will surely make you want to smile, laugh, cry, and rewatch Brokeback Mountain (and probably also 10 Things I Hate About You). ***** This is a teaser for a bonus episode— the full episode is 1 hr 40 minutes long! You can listen to it in full ⁠on Patreon⁠. About Significant LoversSignificant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at [email protected].

In 1929, their marriage was likened to that between “an elephant and a dove.” But in the years following, their relationship would go on to prove far more complicated than their dissimilar appearances would reveal— and far more explosive. In this extra long episode of Significant Lovers, we unravel the intoxicatingly toxic relationship between Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. From first their first meeting at 16 and 36 years old, to their first marriage, to their second, their love was as vivid and as volatile as the canvases they created. This episode has it all: cannibalism, political assassinations, affairs, divorce, bisexuality, art, Communism, fashion, and much, much more. Tune in to hear why Frida once claimed Diego was one of the two greatest accidents of her life. And what was the first?About Significant LoversSignificant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at [email protected].

We were in actual tears by the end of this episode. Kel takes us back to 1960 on the remote island of Hydra, where singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen first met and fell in love with Marianne Ihlen, a young mother from Norway. Although their paths didn’t stay aligned forever, Leonard and Marianne never quite forgot each other– even in their very last days. Whether you’re unfamiliar with Leonard’s music (although everyone knows ‘Hallelujah’) or a die-hard Cohen fan, there’s a lot to learn from Leonard and Marianne’s relationship. But first, Kel makes Mel and Kaitlyn correctly differentiate Leonard Cohen, Dustin Hoffman, and Al Pacino in a lineup. Later, she has a random rant about the Boygenius song “Leonard Cohen.” And we end it with a good cry… “It’s time to laugh and cry, and cry and laugh about it all again.” Mentioned in Episode: Leonard Cohen, Dustin Hoffman, or Al Pacino? ***** This is a teaser for a bonus episode— the full episode is 2 hr 59 minutes long! You can listen to it in full ⁠on Patreon⁠. About Significant LoversSignificant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at [email protected] Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for ‘fair use’ for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton gave us the term “paparazzi.” JLo and Ben Affleck gave us combined couple names like ‘Bennifer.’ And thanks to Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow, we will always have “consciously uncoupling.” Way back in episode 11, Kell covered Gwyneth Paltrow and her long-forgotten fiancé, Brad Pitt. Now over 100 episodes later, we’re back to revisit the romance between the actress-turned-Goop CEO and Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin. Chris met Gwyneth at a very tender time in Gwyneth’s life – just a few weeks after her father’s death. Chris was there for her during her darkest hours, and famously wrote “Fix You” for her as she grieved. This week, Chris & Gwyneth inspire us to talk about dating while grieving, the myth of “mutual” breakups, and whether or not your ex can feel like a sibling?  P.S. This was recorded weeks before the “Coldplay concert couple” that’s been in the news. It’s just a bizarre coincidence!! About Significant LoversSignificant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at [email protected].

Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe were the “perfect” young Hollywood sweethearts in the late 90s. We look back on how the Cruel Intentions’ co-stars first met and their whirlwind trajectory to newlyweds and young parents. We discuss their questionable wedding venue, the Oscar love curse, gender stereotypes, Ryan’s past controversies, and more. Related and Similar Episodes: Episode 25: When Johnny Cash Met June Carter Episode 82: When Debbie Reynolds Met Eddie Fisher Episode 65: When Joaquin Phoenix Met Liv Tyler ***** This is a teaser for a bonus episode— the full episode is 1 hour 47 minutes! You can listen to it in full on Patreon. About Significant LoversSignificant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, and contact us at [email protected] Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for ‘fair use’ for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

In a special bonus episode, Kelly is joined by Nathan from the podcast Silent Generation. Nathan tells us the fascinating love story between Emma Goldman and Ben Reitman, two radical people who lived very unconventional lives together in the early twentieth century. Once called “the most dangerous woman in America,” Emma was an anarchist revolutionary, writer, and political activist. Ben Reitman was a hobo-turned-doctor (for real!), the founder of a hobo college, and a notorious ladies’ man. When Emma and Ben met in 1908, it was perhaps love at first sight. Both believed in free love—or so Emma thought. Mentioned in the episode: No Regrets: Dr. Ben Reitman and the Women Who Loved Him by Mecca Reitman CarpenterThe Damndest Radical by Roger A. BrunsEmma Goldman: Revolution as a Way of Life by Vivian GornickMarina and Ulay at MoMA (The Artist is Present)About Significant LoversSignificant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, and contact us at [email protected].