Dates & Mates with Damona Hoffman
From navigating dating apps to overcoming the friendzone to seeking a soulmate, this ain’t your momma’s love advice! Hosted by the Official Love Expert of The Drew Barrymore Show and LA Times advice columnist, Damona Hoffman, Dates & Mates is jam-packed with interviews from your favorites celebs, authors, and experts. It is the 2022 Winner of The Best Podcast of the Year at The Black Podcasting Awards, #1 ranked love and relationship podcast by Cosmopolitan Magazine and a Top 10 Pick by HuffPost in the love category.
Episodes
Minisode: How to Manifest a Breakthrough
In this minisode, Damona breaks down what manifestation actually is and why most of us have been doing it wrong. After leading her Love Lab residency at Civana Wellness Resort, she came away with one very clear truth: most of us are already on the edge of a major shift. What's missing isn't the dream. It's the plan to get there.What You'll Hear In This Episode:Why manifestation isn’t really magic,
Master Class: Fairy Tale Therapy
In this special masterclass finale, Damona leads you through Fairy Tale Therapy, a guided experience to help you identify the unconscious dating myths quietly running your dating life, define the relationship pillars that will hold up your real love story, and step into your future through a powerful guided visualization.
What You'll Hear In This Episode:
How to identify the dating my
Last Minute Cancel & Screening Steps
In this Dear Damona episode, we tackle what to do when someone keeps canceling last minute before you've even had a first date, and how to tell the difference between giving someone a fair chance and letting them waste your time.
This week, a listener named Jenna shares:
"I matched with a guy on a dating app and followed your advice. After a week of messaging, I asked him for a brief phon
Long Distance Dating & Seeming Serious
In this Dear Damona episode, we discuss how to navigate multiple long-distance connections, when to book that first in-person meeting, and how to handle the money talk before you pack your bag. If you've matched with someone across the country (or the ocean) and you're not sure what to do next, this is your guide!
This week, a listener named Maryanne shares:
"I'm 71 and looking for a long
Valentine’s Wisdom & The Fairy Tale Fallacy
In this special Valentine's Day episode, Damona hears insights from John Kim (The Angry Therapist), Vedic astrologer Carol Allen, Authors of Getting it Right This Time Orna & Matthew Walters, feminist dating coach Lily Womble, and Seth Hoffman (her husband) about what they got wrong about love and what they got right.
She asks each of them two questions: What's the biggest relationshi
Revenge Reporting & Trusting Your Gut
In this Dear Damona episode, we cover revenge reporting, why dating app systems meant to protect us sometimes get weaponized, and how to handle rejection with grace while protecting yourself when things go sideways.
This week, a listener named Lisa shares:
"I just didn't think this was gonna be good. So I wrote him a respectful message. He responded respectfully. And within an hour I get
Late Bloomer & Beginner’s Mind
In this Dear Damona epsiode, we address what happens when you are late to the dating game, why dating is a skill you build through practice, and how to protect yourself without closing off to opportunity. If you're new to dating or want to approach it with a beginner's mind, this episode is a must-listen
This week, a listener named Butterfly shares:
"I am now in my late twenties and strug
Dating Anxiety & Breakup Breakthrough
Sabrina Zohar, dating expert and host of the Sabrina Zohar Show, discusses navigating breakups without self-blame, understanding dating anxiety, and finally breaking the patterns that keep you stuck. If you’re starting 2026 single or considering breaking off a relationship, this episode is a must-listen
What You'll Hear In This Episode:
Why January is officially "breakup month" and ho
Astrology of 2026 & Love Forecasting
Damona is joined by her good friend Danny Santos, shaman, healer, astrologer, and tarot reader, to look at the astrology of 2026 and how it’s setting the stage for love this year.
What You'll Hear In This Episode
Key transits and cosmic shifts to watch out for in the year ahead
Which houses in your birth chart actually matter for compatibility, and why your moon sign may reveal more
Master Class: 9 Dating Predictions for 2026
How many times have you swiped through endless options and come up empty? You've got matches, you've got conversations, but you don't have clarity. And clarity is what dating in 2026 is all about.
In this episode, we share what the data is telling us about the future of dating and relationships. Damona isn’t making vague predictions; she shares 9 clear themes that are likely to emerge thi
The Trust Test & Trauma-dump
What is the magical first date zone between oversharing and playing it too cool?
A listener named Brian shares:
"I realize I have two dating modes. Either I dump all my emotional baggage on the first date, or I stay super chill and keep everything surface level, even when I want to go deeper. I've been hurt enough times that I just don't trust people to really be there for me anymore. How
DMs from Younger Men & Fairy Tale Reset
You've been married for 29 years. You're newly separated at 52. Your inbox is suddenly full of men in their twenties and thirties. And you're sitting there wondering: what the heck is going on?
A listener we call Confused in Coatesville shares:
"I'm separated a year in the process of divorce after 29 years of marriage. I'm 52 and I'm told that I look a lot younger. On dating apps, I'm get
Paradox of Choice & The Endless Swipe
How can you have 50+ matches and still no dates? Every conversation either fizzles out or someone reschedules and disappears. And worst of all, you keep seeing the same faces on every app year after year.
A listener named S shares:
"I end up with 50-plus matches like within 48 hours, which okay, great. But then I either get too overwhelmed by so many conversations and endless swiping and
Family Secret & Holiday Pressure
Ever notice how the holidays have a way of forcing conversations you've been avoiding? When someone you're dating wants to introduce their whole life to yoursbut you've been keeping parts of that life hidden,it's not just awkward timing. It's a moment of truth.
A listener named Kayla shares:
"I've been dating this guy for 10 months and things are getting serious. He has a five-year-old so
Dating Safety & Trust but Verify
He says he wants to take things slow and get to know you organically. But when direct questions about his background get dodged, he frames your need for basic information as paranoia, and something's off.
A listener named Jada shares:
"We matched two weeks ago and the chemistry is amazing. He texts good morning and goodnight, he's enthusiastic about meeting up. But whenever I ask specific
Relationship Anarchy & Clarifying Codependence
Your best friend used to be your first call. Now you have to schedule weeks in advance just to see her, and her new boyfriend keeps calling your friendship "codependent."
A listener named Sarah shares:
"My best friend and I have been inseparable for six years. We talk every day, we're each other's emergency contacts, and honestly she feels more like family than my actual family. But latel
Touchy Subject & Three Dates In
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Ever meet someone you really like, but there's this invisible wall a
Financial Foibles & Man With a Plan
Ever meet someone who feels right on every emotional level, but the finance math ain’t mathin’?
A listener named Ray shares:
"I met a wonderful man online. We went on two amazing dates. He's attentive, attractive, and dare I say we had a magical connection. Here's the thing: it seems he's going through a major life transition. He quit his tech job nine months ago and has been figuring it
T.M.I. & Boundary Building
Ever feel stuck managing someone else's emotional chaos when you're just trying to get through the day?
This week we're tackling a different kind of relationship: the one between you and your boss. What happens when someone in a professional setting starts treating you like their therapist, and you can't just hit mute, unsubscribe, block and delete and walk away?
This week, a listener sha
Feed Drop: CNN's Laura Coates on The Second Opinion
We are sharing a special episode this week, from Dr. Sharon Malone's new podcast, The Second Opinion.
On this show, women take back the conversation on health with straight talk, real experience, and the care we all deserve. You’ll hear prominent female advocates, experts and patients just like you sharing how they confronted gaps in our healthcare system and got second opinions that sa
Text Me Maybe & Two-Person Problem
Ever feel like you're speaking different languages with your partner, literally? When one of you wants deep conversations over text and the other needs to actually hear a voice, it's not just frustrating. It's creating real distance.
This week, a listener shares:
"I'm seeing this guy and we have totally different ways of communicating and it's starting to become a problem. He's all about
The Best Friend Fantasy & Safest Situation
Help Dates & Mates win a Signal Award! Vote by October 9th at damonahoffman.com/award
Loving someone who can't love you back the same way is one of the most tender, complicated situations in relationships. Sometimes the safest relationship in your life becomes the hardest one to navigate, and the person who knows you best is also the one you want most.
This week, a listener shares:
The Efficiency Trap & The Loneliness Gap
Do you believe that Love Wins? Dates & Mates is a finalist for our first-ever Signal Award, and we need every single listener to make their voice heard. We are the ONLY relationship-focused and independently produced podcast nominated in the How To & Advice category.
If you have ever been helped, inspired, or changed by listening to this podcast, this is the moment to let me know
Good on Paper & Sixth Sense of Humor
What happens if you get to the third date and it still feels awkward? Grin and bear it? Or keep waiting for chemistry? And how can you trust that your gut is telling you the right thing?
This week, a listener shares: "I met a man who checks every box on paper. He’s kind, reliable, matches my values… but I feel absolutely nothing. No spark. No butterflies. Is something wrong with me?"
In t
The 12 Date Rule & Matchmaker Maria
This week, Damona is joined by her longtime friend, TV and TikTok superstarMatchmaker Maria, a fourth-generation matchmaker with no time for fairy tale fluff.
They get real about why dating feels so lonely now,, the truth about relationship timelines, and why your deep texting doesn’t count as actual connection.
Whether you're stuck on the apps or spiraling in dating burnout, Maria share
I Miss You Taboo & The Bro Barrier
We often talk about romance, but this week, we’re taking a closer look at the quiet epidemic affecting millions: the erosion of deep friendships and emotional openness, especially among men.
What happens when someone says “I miss you”... and it feels too risky to say it back? How do cultural norms shape our ability to express care, and how can we start to rebuild emotional intimacy, not j
The Big Confession & Texting Gremlins
We’ve all had that one date…the one that felt like lightning. Everything clicks, and before you know it, you're imagining forever. But when you act on that high too quickly, reality can come crashing down hard.
This week, a listener shares: “Late at night, I had to get these thoughts off my mind. I told her I felt like I think I'd found my wife. She expressed that she was disappointed th
Love After Loss & The Vulnerability Gap
Grief changes us, and sometimes, it’s also what brings us together.
This week, a listener shares: “My partner and I both lost our spouses, and we bonded over that. Now, three months in, I’m the only one opening up and being vulnerable. Am I asking too much? Or moving too fast?”
In this episode, Damona explores what it really means to show up emotionally after loss, and why vulnerability o
The Friendship Drift & Support Squads
Friendships can be some of our most important relationships, but they don’t always stay the same.
Careers, relationships, moves, and life stages can all shift the way we connect, sometimes leaving us wondering if the closeness we once had is gone for good.
This week, a listener shares:
“My best friend and I used to share everything. Lately, it’s just work updates and weekend plans. When
Boundaries, Moms, & The Post-Date Spiral
A long-time listener sent in a heartfelt question:
“My Mom constantly has opinions about who I should date, what kind of guy is right for me, even how I should look or act to attract the right person… one comment from her has me spiraling.”
In this episode, Damona explores how well-meaning love advice can actually sabotage your future relationships and offers step-by-step strategies for g
Feminine Energy Fatigue & The Myth of Being Chosen
A longtime listener sent in a question that speaks to something many women have wondered:
“How does one become a woman who builds up a man and always makes them more confident and stronger? How do I get into my feminine state and energy around a guy on a date?”
In this episode, Damona shares what it really means to be “in your feminine,” explores the gender polarity debate, and offers a n
The Nice Guy 9 & The Materialists Myth
After watching The Materialists, a long-time listener sent in a question that struck a chord:
“What’s it going to take for us to kill the curve and stop dating by height, BMI, salary, or things that don’t speak to true character?”
In this episode, Damona unpacks the real-life impact of checklist dating, explores the illusions behind modern matchmaking, and responds with practical advice
Leaning Left but Swiping Right: Politics & Dating
This week, Damona takes on a question from longtime listener Vernee, who’s back in the dating scene after a hiatus… and hitting a wall when it comes to finding someone who shares her political and social justice values.
Vernee asks: "I'm politically progressive, very values-driven, and living in a purple state. I've tried everything — hints in my profile, direct chats — but nothing’s wor
Master Class Mini: The 8 Biggest Dating Mistakes
Dating today isn’t always smooth sailing. There’s ghosting, bad first dates, texting traps... and if you’re feeling stuck in the same old dating loops, you’re not alone.
In this Dates & Mates Master Class, Damona Hoffman breaks down the eight most common dating mistakes she sees after 15+ years of coaching singles, and shares actionable fixes to help you date smarter, not harder.
Whet
Master Class: First Dates Decoded
Damona Hoffman breaks down one of the most important moments in dating—the first date—and how to make it count. Whether you’re getting back out there or swiping with new optimism, this episode shares how to set yourself up for success so that first date leads to a second.
Damona covers everything from whether to Google your date to how long a first date should really last, what to wear, w
Dear Damona Mix Tape: Never Been Kissed & OnlyFans Girlfriend
REWIND: Dear Damona – Besties’ Bro & Never Been Kissed
In this standout Dates & Mates Rewind episode, Damona tackles your real dating dilemmas with her signature no-nonsense advice.
From navigating awkward crushes to handling tricky conversations about intimacy, this episode is packed with guidance to help you date with clarity and confidence.
If you’ve ever wondered what to do w
Dr. Drew & Loveline Legacy: Rewind
This week on Dates & Mates, Damona Hoffman rewinds to her 400th episode featuring a guest who helped inspire the show from the start: the legendary Dr. Drew Pinsky. Dr. Drew has spent decades giving love, sex, and mental health advice on Loveline, Celebrity Rehab, and now on his podcast Ask Dr. Drew, which he co-hosts with his wife of over 30 years.
In this vulnerable and heartfelt ep
Shaun Galanos & Stonewalling Signs: Rewind
This week on Dates & Mates, Damona Hoffman rewinds to one of her favorite conversations with love coach and viral content creator Shaun Galanos. Shaun is the host of The Love Drive podcast and has become a rising voice in game-free, radically honest dating advice—and this episode shows you exactly why.
In this raw and radically honest episode, Shaun and Damona go head-to-head on the d
Best of Dear Damona: Ghosting Games & Mixed Signal Mayhem
We are back with a no-holds-barred Best of Dear Damona episode—because when it comes to texting mishaps, mixed signals, and dating curveballs, this one hits home every time.
In this candid conversation, Damona answers some of your juiciest dating dilemmas—from the accidental text that lands in the wrong inbox to what it really means when someone texts you “hey you” at 11:30 PM. She shares
Dating Loops & the Swipe-Burnout Cycle: Rewind
Damona breaks down the 5 core dating “loops” that keep singles stuck and the step-by-step strategies that lead to lasting love.
With over 15 years of experience coaching thousands of daters, Damona shares how clarity, mindset, and follow-through can radically shift your dating outcomes. If you’ve been swiping without success, burning out on first dates, or unsure where to even begin, th
Couples Therapy & Dr. Orna Guralnik: Rewind
Fan favorite, Dr. Orna Guralnik, renowned psychoanalyst and host of the hit Showtime series Couples Therapy, shares what decades of clinical work have taught her about love, connection, and unconscious patterns in relationships. In this conversation, Dr. Orna also opens up about the societal shifts reshaping modern intimacy, the difference between psychoanalysis and surface-level self-hel
Nick Viall & The Bachelor Beginnings: Rewind
Nick Viall, TV personality and host of the hit podcast The Viall Files, gets real about modern dating—from DM slides to ghosting games—and why the story we tell ourselves about love might be holding us back. In this candid conversation, Nick reflects on his years in the Bachelor franchise, what finally made love stick, and the overlooked ways women can help men feel safe, seen, and emotio
Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson Communication Q&A Minisode
Former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson, co-hosts of the IMO Podcast, join Damona for a compelling conversation on navigating connection in the digital age. Together, they share insights into how they maintain strong family bonds across long distances and the role of technology in bridging that gap.
What You’ll Learn:
How Michelle and Craig keep connected with
Love on the Spectrum & Sensory Overload: Rewind
Fan favorite, Jennifer Cook, bestselling author, and autism advocate shares her experience as the on-camera expert from the hit Netflix series Love on the Spectrum. In this conversation, Jennifer also opens up about her late-in-life autism diagnosis, the challenges of dating with a neurodivergent brain, and the surprising tools that can help anyone date with more clarity and compassion.
Master Class: The Texting Trap
In this special Master Class episode, Damona explains the effect that text-based communication has had on dating today. But rather than thinking of it as us losing the art of communication, she proposes that we consider it as gaining another language and expanding our skills. Prepare to develop a communication code of conduct that will hopefully lead you to a deeper, more meaningful conne
The Prism & Too Picky
Laura Day, New York Times bestselling author, shares the insights within her upcoming book, “The Prism: Seven Steps to Heal Your Past and Transform Your Future”. Her transformational tools will put you back in the driver's seat of your life and lead you to healthier relationships with others and yourself. Our Dear Damona question of the week:Where do you draw the line between being too pi
Coaching Session: Love Intuitive
Damona shares a rare peek behind the curtain of one of her private coaching sessions, with the client’s permission of course! Hear firsthand how she teaches her clients to use their own intuition in dating and beyond. Plus you’ll get to see exactly how Damona uses her own intuition while coaching singles in love from how to tune in, what to look and listen for, and exercises to get starte
How To Find True Love & IRL Real Deal
Francesca Hogi, TED speaker and host of the Dear Franny podcast, introduces her new book, “How To Find True Love: Unlock Your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships.” Plus, she will break down her new definition of true love, dive deeper into the Fairy Tale Industrial Complex, explore her meet-cute mindset and so much more! Our Dear Damona question of the week:Dating apps keep fee
Jay Shetty on Pursuing What You Love, from IMO
Sharing a new show from our friends at Higher Ground, hosted by Michelle Obama, called IMO. On IMO, Michelle and her big brother Craig Robinson bring candid perspectives to the everyday questions shaping our lives, relationships and the world around us. Each week, they’re joined by a guest to tackle real questions from real folks just like you offering practical advice, personal storytell
Dear Damona & Seth: Porcelain Anniversary
In honor of their 18th wedding anniversary, Damona’s partner-in-life-and-love, Seth Hoffman, is joining her on the mic to do something they’ve never done before—answer your burning dating and relationship questions together! From first dates to commitment, conflict to chemistry, they’re bringing you the raw, unfiltered truth straight from the front lines of a long-term partnership with q
The Singles Tax & New LDR
Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's Home Trends expert, examines whether shacking up with a partner actually saves you money—or if the emotional costs outweigh the benefits. Plus, we’ll explore how to decide when—or if—it’s the right time to merge your spaces and your finances. And later we answer this Dear Damona question of the week:How can you set up a new long-distance relationship for success
Dysregulated Dating & Beginning Again
Beatriz Victoria Albina, Master Certified Somatic Life Coach, breaks down the ways a dysregulated nervous system might be getting in your way romantically, how to tune into the cues your body is sending you and how to heal ourselves for happier, healthier relationships. Then the Dear Damona question this week is: 15 years later, I find myself back in the dating pool. Where do I begin?Read
Dear Damona: Waiting for Love & Inner Work
Mercury may be retrograde but we are moving forward on a new path to love with an All-Dear-Damona episode. This week’s questions came in from all over the globe:
I’ve been told that men should do the chasing. Do I really have to sit around and wait?
How do I keep my cool when matches ask questions that I’ve already answered in my dating profile?
I’ve done a lot of inner work. How much can
Master Class: Beyond Dating Burnout
In this jam-packed Master Class you’ll learn why apathy may be the reason you’re feeling burned out in dating and how empathy is the antidote. Damona shares why empathy makes you more attractive, how to cultivate it, and exercises to strengthen both self-empathy and relational empathy. Plus, our Dear Damona questions for the week include:
Why are so many people less emotionally available
Is Dating Harder Today & Coming On Strong
Johnny Fernandez, life and love coach, joins Damona to answer the question: is dating really harder today? This is a hot debate and it continues as Johnny and Damona put their four decades of collective experience to work. Whether you're feeling like dating is impossible, or just wondering if you’re doing it all wrong, if you’re intrigued by masculine/feminine dynamics or not, this episod
Romances & Practicalities
Lindsay Jill Roth, award winning television producer, shares her new book, “Romances & Practicalities: A Love Story (Maybe Yours) In 250 Questions”, how these questions and ultimately the communication they foster can determine the trajectory of a relationship. Then our Dear Damona question this week is:Is it time for a talk? My man keeps updating his online profile.Get the book: “Rom
Tinder Trivia & Getting Ghosted
Devyn Simone, Tinder’s Resident Relationship Expert, joins Damona in celebration of Valentine’s Day to test Damona’s online dating knowledge in a Tinder Trivia showdown! Whether you’re feeling the love or dodging Cupid’s arrow this year, we’ve got something for you. Then in a special Dear Damona and Dear Devyn, our questions this week are:
My matches want to skip getting to know each othe
Dear Damona: Dating Groove & Twin Flame’s Twin
Valentine’s Day is around the corner and Damona dedicates this week’s episode to YOU! Whether you're navigating dating apps, dealing with relationship questions, or just trying to avoid all those pink hearts in the grocery store…February can be a tricky time! Set the record straight in this all Dear Damona episode with your top questions like:
A hot new match has convinced me the dating a
How To Be Dateable & Rarely Into Anyone
Julie Krafchick and Yue Xu, hosts of the Dateable Podcast, share the knowledge and insights from their brand-new book, “How To Be Dateable: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Person and Falling in Love.” Whether you're stuck in the dating rut or just looking for that spark of clarity, they’ve got the tools to help you date smarter and connect deeper. Then our Dear Damona question this we
When You Get Dumped & Matches on Mute
“What To Do When You Get Dumped” author-illustrator, mother-daughter duo, Suzy Hopkins and Hallie Bateman take on heartbreak in a refreshing way in their new graphic novel. Discover tips on healing from a breakup, moving on, and leaning into love again. Plus, we have this week’s Dear Damona question: Why do my Hinge matches like my profile but then never write to me?Grab your copy of Suzy
Getting It Right This Time & Paying For Premium
Orna & Matthew Walters, founders of Love On Purpose, share the knowledge and insights from their new book, “Getting It Right This Time: Break Free From Your Hidden Blocks To Finding Lasting Love”. You’ll learn how you might be standing in your own way when it comes to love and what you can do to get yourself back on track. And our Dear Damona question this week is:I want to pay for Pr
2025 Love Astrology & Lovebombing Bombshell
Carol Allen, Vedic astrologer, returns to kick off 2025 with her annual love forecast in an episode packed with guidance and revelations. Whether you’re single and searching, navigating a partnership, or simply curious about how the stars align for you, this episode will illuminate your path to love by highlighting the times you should lean into love, when you should play it cool and when
New Year Love Meditation & Cultivate Grace
Damona offers a visualization to guide you through the ups and downs of this year and plant seeds for a 2025 full of love in this special minisode. Then, she shares her word of the year along with an exercise that you can try today to begin transforming your love journey.Craving another soothing meditation, transformational tools, and a sense of community? For the first time ever, Damona
2025 Love Predictions & Year In Swipe
Damona shares reflections on the swiping stats from 2024 based on Tinder and Bumble trends from their year-end reports. Then she looks forward to the future to predict what you can expect in the world of dating and relationships in 2025. Are you feeling burned out on dating—like you’re giving so much but getting nothing back? Then join Damona on February 1st for a one-day virtual retreat
Dating While Gray & The Later Daters
Laura Stassi, author and host of the Dating While Gray podcast, reveals how many of our dating challenges and solutions remain the same, regardless of age, gender, or sexuality. And Laura joins Damona for a special Dear Damona segment to answer your questions, like:
I’d like to move to Tennessee and meet a Southern gentleman. Should I start dating long distance in the meantime?
I have a m
Matchmaker, Matchmaker & Signs of Interest
Aleeza Ben Shalom, celebrity matchmaker of Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaking, shares actionable advice to help you find your path on this dating journey with wisdom from her new book “Matchmaker, Matchmaker: Find Me a Love That Lasts”. And the Dear Damona question this week is: What are the signs that someone is interested in you?Pre-order your copy of Aleeza's new book, “Matchmaker, Matchmake
Dear Damona: Got Ghosted & Romance Reimbursement
This week’s episode is dedicated to YOU! The holidays are here, bringing all the cozy vibes, family gatherings, and… yep, those inevitable relationship questions. Damona answers all your pressing holiday love questions, from family expectations to finding romance under the mistletoe.She will answer your top questions like:
I have been dating a wonderful man for 7 months now and STILL don’
First Date Debate & Commitment Phobe
Lauren Frances, Love and Relationships Expert, talks all about first dates from when they start (it’s not when you think) to how to graciously end one that’s just not working for you. And our Dear Damona question of the week is, “My match is great, not a single dealbreaker, and I STILL can’t wrap my head around commitment. What now?”Want to join Lauren’s incredible Love Magnet Makeover? J
Attachment Styles Revisited & Married Too Young
Dr. Alfiee, psychologist, host of the Couched in Color podcast and founder of the AAKOMA Project, dives into attachment styles, how depression can impact a partnership, and the ways our traumas and triggers can become unearthed in new relationships. Then this week’s Dear Damona question is: I married too young and stayed too long. Can you please help me get back into the dating game?Ready
Dear Damona: Have Match, Won’t Travel & Disappearing Profiles
Whether you’re navigating cuffing season, gearing up to meet someone's family for the holidays, or figuring out how to take your dating game to the next level— Damona dedicates this week’s episode to YOU! She’s answering your toughest Dear Damona questions, like:
I struggle to find matches in my area and while I am willing to travel, many men aren’t. So what now?
My matches keep removing
The Knot’s News & Gift Glitch
Esther Lee, Deputy Editor of The Knot, breaks down the stats released in the website’s Relationship & Intimacy Study, and spills the tea on where singles are finding love, what they’re actually looking for, how they’re spending their time on dates, and those dating dealbreakers we just can’t shake. And, this week’s Dear Damona question is: Is a bra an appropriate gift for a young coup
Dating Horror Stories & The Flirt Coach
Benjamin Camras, The Flirt Coach & host of the Flirtations Flirtcast, joins Damona for our annual Halloween Dating Horror Stories Special. You’ll laugh, you’ll scream, and you’ll get useful advice to survive your next bad date. Stories include:
Blindsided by a Blind Date
The Vegetarian Variation
The Creepy Car Concert
The Deskside Date
The Freudian Movie Man
Ready to break free of you
Dating Anxiety & Financial Therapy
Erika Wasserman, Your Financial Therapist, is shifting the narrative around money and using those sometimes-tough conversations to build deeper trust and better communication with your partner and tackling the tricky financial situations singles often find themselves in while dating. Our Dear Damona question this week is: I have social anxiety. Do I need to focus on making more friends be
Coaching Session: Light Bulb Moment
Take a sneak peak into a private coaching session with our listener, Michelle, as Damona identifies the dating loops and myths that are keeping this Dates & Mates Method graduate from finding the relationship she desires. Listen in as Michelle comes to a realization about the men she’s been dating and why it hasn’t worked out. And help yourself along the way as Damona shares quick tip
Party Of One & Longtime Crush
Meghan Keane, the founder of NPR’s Life Kit, shares her new book, “Party of One: Be Your Own Best Partner”. Listen in as she peels back the layers of our complicated feelings about being single and dissects the ways that singlism could be dealt with in your own life. It’s time to embrace your single life or the singles in your life so that we can all thrive together regardless of our rela
Dear Damona: Friends with Exes & Chemistry Cooler
Damona dedicates this week’s episode to YOU! Whether you’re in a relationship or looking for love, she is answering your toughest Dear Damona questions, like:
I feel like my partner isn’t matching my efforts. How can I get him to be more of a caretaker?
I want to stay friends with my exes but I find it incredibly painful. Am I self sabotaging?
I thought we had fun but they said they didn’
Therapy-Speak & Is it The Apps
Kiaundra Jackson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, unpacks how therapy language is influencing our dating lives and shares why it’s essential to move beyond labels to truly thrive in our relationships. She also shares the telltale signs of toxic relationships. Our dear Damona question this week is: I've used them all, but none seem to be a good fit. Is it me or the apps?Ready to br
Coaching Session: Secret Affirmations
Take a sneak peak into a private coaching session with our listener, Staci, as Damona identifies the dating loops and myths that are keeping this single mom from experiencing the relationship she desires. Along the way, Damona shares quick tips and takeaways that you can apply right away to your own dating dilemmas.Ready to break free of your dating loops? Get Damona’s signature online pr
Master Class: Overcoming Dating Burnout
Mayday! It’s a dating burnout crisis! Damona gives a master class about the causes, the current stats, and THE FIX for the apathy and frustration that many daters are feeling today. In this episode, you will learn:
The #1 secret weapon for building connection
How to reclaim your power and replenish after burnout
Top tips for avoiding burnout on dating apps
Insider secrets or offline dati
Dear Damona: Soberish & First Date Rut
Damona dedicates this week’s episode to YOU! Whether you’ve listened to 12 seasons or 12 episodes, she is answering your toughest Dear Damona questions, like:
I’m stuck in a first date rut. How do I turn things around to find lasting love?
How do I delicately tell my match that family is important, but relationships need to be a priority too?
There’s a big drinking culture where I live. H
