Lisa Portolan, a researcher and author specializing in intimacy, technology, and relationships, had long been interested in the idea of “slow love”—the antidote to hookup culture and rushed romantic timelines. When she decided to launch her podcast, she wanted a co-host who shared her curiosity about human connection, someone with a complementary voice and perspective, but not necessarily a romantic partner. That’s where the film event came in.
Today, Slow Love has grown into a respected platform featuring interviews with psychologists, poets, and everyday people navigating non-traditional timelines. And Lisa Portolan often begins live shows by telling this story: “We met at a film event, not on a dating app. There were no swipes, no profiles. Just two people talking about art and loneliness, and letting something real unfold at its own pace.” lisa portolan slow love podcast co-host met at film event
It’s a small, charming proof that slow love isn’t just a concept—it can be the very way partnerships, creative or otherwise, are born. Lisa Portolan, a researcher and author specializing in