‹‹ Colorado Matters

May 29, 2026: Longing was her lover

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Ryan Warner/CPR News
Author Amanda McCracken and her book, “When Longing Becomes Your Lover,” in Colorado Matters’ studio. March 23, 2026.

It stung to hear. Amanda McCracken’s therapist told her, “longing is your lover.” This followed decades of dates, flings, and fantasies, but no committed relationship. The Boulder journalist turned her search for a solution into a cottage industry. She has a podcast called “The Longing Lab.” She did a popular TED Talk. And her new book is “When Longing Becomes Your Lover.”