In this episode, Dr. Neil Clark Warren—co-founder and CEO of eHarmony.com and author of Falling in Love for All the Right Reasons: How to Find Your Soul Mate—discusses the key to a strong and lasting marriage: compatibility. Through eHarmony.com, Dr. Warren has helped foster nearly two million marriages, among which the divorce rate is only 3.86%, well below the national average of 40%. After years of research and countless case studies of real-life married couples, he has identified 29 areas of compatibility, of which the following are vitally important: (1) emotional health, (2) intelligence level, (3) shared values, (4) sense of humor, (5) energy level, (6) level of industry, and (7) shared interests.

For the single person, the most important thing to do is find someone who is similar to you in the most basic areas, such as the way you were raised, your values, your interests, and your spiritual life. Also, look for someone to whom you are deeply attracted. Attraction is not the most important factor in a healthy relationship, but it is crucial nonetheless. Do not despair in finding a good match; be patient and hold out for the person you know in your heart is right for you. As Dr. Warren states, “It is hard to find the love of your life, but it is worth the wait.”