Dear Damona: Beyoncé & The 35 Year Old Virgin

Giving you a little extra LOVE this week!

Today we’re back with another BONUS Dear Damona episode! Last week, I received a few questions from people who are feeling a little extra unlucky in dating, so I dedicated an entire episode to giving the Dates & Mates community a little extra love. 

If you’re a 35 Year Old Virgin, will men think there’s something wrong with you? (1:00)

If you’re openly dating a girl and she sees you on another date, is it awkward? (6:30)

If your man doesn’t like Beyoncé, should you drop him or educate him? (9:50)

How do I start dating when people don’t even give me a chance? (13:15)

Let me know if you like this “Dear Damona” Q & A style episode in the reviews!

 

Self Love & Vulnerability

Love Yourself First

Have you ever heard the phrase, “You have to love yourself before you can love someone else”?

If you remember a few episodes ago titled “Marriage Boot Camp & Bad Advice,” Dr. V’s opinion was that you can’t love yourself in the same way that your partner would love you. Which is true.

BUT it got us thinking: there is some value in being able to understand yourself and take care of yourself in order to be more prepared for a healthier relationship. We dedicated this episode to understanding self love as it relates to dating with Jonathon Aslay. Here’s the rundown:

 

D’S DATING DISH

Wendy Williams is dating after filing for divorce

The divorce has finally happened! Should Wendy be dating already after her divorce? Damona and Jonathon have thoughts.

A new way to teach millennials how to date

CNN reports that South Korea is teaching university students how to date through a “Gender and Culture” class. Is this the most effective way to teach dating? Damona breaks it down.

Match announces a new service, a one-on-one phone call with an expert dating coach

Match is personalizing the world of online dating! What does this mean for you?

GO LOVE YOURSELF

Jonathon is America’s leading Midlife relationships expert and he has just published a fantastic guide to self love as it relates to dating called, “What the Heck is Self Love Anyway?”

Self love is an antidote to potential chaos,” Jonathon explains.

Chaos in your life is going to come in a variety of forms – whether it’s a relationship transition, job stress, family stress, etc.

“You have to learn to take care of yourself before you take care of anyone else,” Jonathon explains. A good self love and personal development practice will help you be ready for your next relationship.

In this episode, Jonathon explains:

  • How to allow yourself to feel your feelings
  • How to begin a daily personal development practice
  • How to “Shift away from the mundane and fill your own cup with love.”

Get Jonathon’s book today!

TECHNICALLY DATING

Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:

  • How to be vulnerable again in a relationship?
  • Why not talk about politics, religion, and money on a first date?
  • How do you get motivated to date again?

GETTING GLAMMED UP FOR A DATE?

Have a hot date this weekend or another event that you want to glam it up for? Let Glamsquad help you out with Damona’s code! If you’re new to Glamsquad you can get $20 off your first service with my special code Damona20.

Tough Conversations & Relationship Transitions

LOVE IN A TIME OF CRISIS

This week on Dates & Mates, we go deeper into communicating what you need in a partner during tough transitions in your life. Many of us have been in a situation where there’s something you want to communicate but it’s a scary conversation. We dedicated this to making these scary conversations a little less daunting with married dating and relationship coaches Laurie Davis Edwards and Thomas Edwards. Here’s the rundown:

D’S DATING DISH (3:11)

Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx’s red carpet relationship debut (Finally!!)

The two have been rumored to be dating since 2013. Why did they wait until now to debut their relationship publically? Laurie, Thomas, and Damona have thoughts.

What do you do if you see a co-worker on a dating app?

Business Insider explains what to do if you find a co-worker on a dating app. Damona breaks it down.

Do you believe in soulmates?

According to a 2013 poll by Marist college, 73% of Americans believe soul mates exist. Are you one of them? Interestingly enough, Laurie and Thomas have conflicting viewpoints on this.

TOUGH TRANSITIONS (14:00)

Have you ever had to have a tough conversation with a partner, but didn’t know how? Enter Thomas Edwards and Laurie Davis Edwards, who have recently had this same problem. Last year, they underwent a tough transition in their marriage. You may know them individually as successful dating, relationship, and lifestyle coaches.

Thomas helps professional men find the life they are meant to live in four key areas – Love, Lifestyle, Leadership and Legacy. His wife, Laurie Davis Edwards is the founder of The Worthy One, a coaching company that empowers women to fall in love with themselves and their soulmate.

Right after the birth of their daughter, Thomas and Laurie experienced intense personal transitions. From experience, I can tell you that a newborn baby is a HUGE transition. On top of this, Thomas and Laurie were already going through personal and professional transitions that put strains on their relationship.

“I was going through an identity crisis,” he explains. “I suffered a lot of trauma from the realization that I’m going to be a father. What I experienced was actually grief around the death of my identity.”

At the same time, Laurie was dealing with trauma of her own. “My transition was more about being the one who has to hold it all together,” she says. As she dealt with the pressures of being a new mom, she also tried to keep her relationship from falling apart.

Laurie opens up about reaching a breaking point and gathering up the courage to be honest with Thomas about how their relationship wasn’t working.

They open up about things like:

  • Meeting through Twitter
  • Long Distance Relationships
  • Moving across country together
  • How a baby changes your relationship
  • Where did problems arrive
  • How to have tough conversations with your partner
  • And so much more!

Be prepared because this conversation gets DEEP!

TECHNICALLY DATING (44:15)

Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:

  • how to be confident while dating outside your race
  • How relevant do you think astrology is to compatibility?
  • What do modern women want?

GETTING GLAMMED UP FOR A DATE?

Have a hot date this weekend or another event that you want to glam it up for? Let Glamsquad help you out with Damona’s code! If you’re new to Glamsquad you can get $20 off your first service with my special code Damona20.

Marriage Boot Camp & Bad Advice

FIND LOVE IN THE AGE OF BAD ADVICE

Dating culture is changing rapidly. A lot of the advice our parents gave us starting out no longer applies in the dating climate today. So how do you know what dating tips still apply to you now?

Enter Dr. V. You may know her as the host of WeTV’s Marriage Boot Camp, but she’s also a PhD in Clinical Psychology, a renowned media personality, and now the bestselling author of “Bad Advice: How to Survive and Thrive in an Age of Bullshit”. She literally wrote the book on sorting through good and bad advice, people!

Here’s the rundown:

D’S DATING DISH (2:45)

Facebook wants to know your secret crushes

Facebook dating is coming to the US! Is this the future of dating? Damona thinks so. 

The scientific way to get a first date

A Princeton study reveals the conversation topic that is guaranteed to get you a first date. Damona and Dr. V break it down.

Charlize is single and ready to mingle

Charlize Theron is a hot, single mom ready to find love. What can you learn from Charlize’s love journey? Damona and Dr. V have thoughts.

BAD ADVICE (18:03)

Dr. V and Damona go through all of the most popular dating advice out there today. First up: If you want to get a man, you need to play hard to get.

This is the WORST advice!

“We have deceived ourselves into believing that the person who cares less wins,” she says. “I’m here to tell you that the person who cares less gets less.”

Dr V is so right! Both women and men are conditioned to make it seem like they aren’t trying to make an impression. We don’t want others to judge us for trying too hard.

Bottom Line: There’s a difference between trying and trying too hard. But if you don’t try at all, you won’t get the outcome in love that you are looking for.

“Lean into love! Because if you care more, you get more,” says Dr. V.

Today’s dating culture is trending toward authenticity and honesty. Lead with your real, authentic self and you are sure to find the love you’re looking for.

Dr. V sets us straight on common advice like:

  • NEVER Text First
  • You can’t love anyone until you love yourself
  • Be upfront about what you want on a first date
  • And so much more!

This is essentially the Dates & Mates version of Dating Bootcamp. As Dr. V always says –

TECHNICALLY DATING (36:00)

Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:

  • Is he interested or is he bad at texting?
  • Should you wait for him to text back?
  • What do modern women want?
  • How long should you be with someone before they introduce you to their family?

GETTING GLAMMED UP FOR A DATE?

Have a hot date this weekend or another event that you want to glam it up for? Let Glamsquad help you out with Damona’s code! If you’re new to Glamsquad you can get $20 off your first service with my special code Damona20.

Dr. Jenn’s Relationship Fix & The Communication Crisis

COMMUNICATE BETTER IN YOUR NEXT RELATIONSHIP

In all of Damona’s years as a dating coach, she has learned all the different ways people navigate modern love. One issue keeps coming up as challenging for all our listeners: Communication.

We are in a communication crisis right now, people! With an overload of information and an undervaluing of the person on the other end of the phone or computer, it is clear that we are having trouble forming real connections. This week we talk about how to form better relationships through communication and connection. Here’s the rundown:

D’S DATING DISH (2:25)

Is society done with Slut Shaming once and for all?

This week, some VERY personal pictures of Amanda Seyfried were leaked on the internet. We are happy to report that most fans supported Amanda instead of slut shaming. Damona and Dr. Jenn have thoughts.

Create Healthier Texting Habits

At the beginning of a relationship, it can be hard to establish healthy texting habits with your new boo. Damona and Dr. Jenn have your solution.

The Four Major Predictors of Divorce

According to the Gottman study, there are four major predictors of divorce within the first five years of marriage and three more relationship conflicts that will make you fall out of love ASAP. Damona and Dr. Jenn break it down.

DR. JENN’S RELATIONSHIP FIX (18:00)

Damona brought in the creme de la creme of experts to enlighten us about communication and connection in relationships –  VH1’s Dr. Jenn Mann. You may know her from the hit show Couple’s Therapy with Dr. Jenn or her many best selling books on improving relationships, but she is also a licensed LMFT who has been practicing for almost three decades.

Dr. Jenn and Damona talk about her newest book, The Relationship Fix. This interview isn’t just for couples who want to fix their relationships, Dr. Jenn says her communication advice is for singles who “want to do it right next time.”

We talked about A LOT:

  • Using conflicts to strengthen your relationship
  • Connection is the greatest vaccination against infidelity
  • Dealing with criticism
  • Recognizing and knowing when unresolved issues can ruin a relationship
  • How to make an effective apology
  • Will he actually change this time?
  • Concrete Action is key
  • Getting over infidelity
  • Living in fear hurts your relationship
  • Attachment styles
  • And so much more!

TECHNICALLY DATING (33:27)

Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:

  • If a girl brings a friend to a first date, it’s over right?
  • I’m dating someone with an STD. How screwed am I?
  • Some tips on how to make my IG profile a dating profile?
  • I think I’m dating someone in another relationship. How can I investigate/ not be creepy.
  • At the start of a relationship, how much time do you give before you have the talk?

GETTING GLAMMED UP FOR A DATE?

Have a hot date this weekend or another event that you want to glam it up for? Let Glamsquad help you out with Damona’s code! If you’re new to Glamsquad you can get $20 off your first service with my special code Damona20.

Wendy Williams Woes & Romance Marketing Plan

BUILD YOUR ROMANCE MARKETING PLAN TODAY!

This week, Damona sits down with legendary matchmaker and dating coach, Julie Ferman to explain how to apply marketing principles to find the love of your life. Here’s the rundown:

D’S DATING DISH

Wendy Williams Woes

What the HECK is going on in Wendy Williams’ marriage? Damona and Julie break it down.

Are you dating a social media addict?

A new article from AskMen details exactly what it’s like to date a social media addict. Damona and Julie discuss.

Should you live together before marriage?

A new study explores if living together before marriage is good for your relationship. Damona and Julie have thoughts.

ROMANCE MARKETING

Romance Marketing? Those are two words you probably didn’t think go together. Romance Marketing – or marketing yourself to find the love of your life – is something that is at the very center of Damona’s coaching practice. As many of you may know, Damona’s dating advice draws from her experience in marketing as a TV Executive at NBC. She noticed that a lot of personal marketing principles apply to dating and thus began her career as a dating coach.

Romance Marketing is also at the center of Julie’s business! Julie has A LOT of knowledge to offer lovers looking for their forever match. We talked about A LOT:

  • What is romance marketing?
  • Romance marketing first steps
  • Marketing yourself, your product
  • Intro to matchmaking
  • And so much more!

Become the Don Draper of your love life today!

TECHNICALLY DATING

Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:

  • How quickly can you tell if it’s love?
  • Should you ask a girl out over text?
  • If you made a “If we’re still single at 40” pact with someone, should you take them up on it?

HATE GYMS?

Damona always says that working out has greatly improved her relationship with her body. Begin a program with BeachBody on demand! Just go to DatesandMates.com and click the Beach Body Banner to get started.

Women’s History Month & Refridgerdating

IT’S #WOMENSHISTORYMONTH!

As a dating coach for 13 years, Damona has seen shifts in dating trends and watched as women become more empowered in their dating lives. How do these things impact women’s dating destiny? Internationally renowned matchmaker and TV personality Carmelia Ray returns to co-host this episode with lots of insight on how women and men relate to each other in 2019. Here’s the rundown:

D’S DATING DISH (2:45)

The surprising reason ARod’s relationship with JLO is a lot of pressure

HUGE Congrats to JLO and AROD who announced this month that they are engaged! Shortly after the engagement, ARod revealed why a relationship with JLo is a lot of pressure for him. Damona and Carmelia break it down.

New Trend Alert: Honeymoon Edition

This just in! Ditch your new spouse and go on the honeymoon of your dreams BY YOURSELF! Damona and Carmelia are not here for this new trend and they explain why.

Meet Your New Matchmaker: Your Fridge

Predicted right here on Dates & Mates! Refridgerdating has just launched allowing you to see into your match’s fridge before you decide to make a move. Damona and Carmelia have thoughts.

NOW IS THE BEST TIME IN HISTORY FOR WOMEN TO DATE (11:30)

In honor of Women’s History Month, Damona sits down with Robert Kandell, interpersonal communication expert who helps women and men relate to each other better in the #MeToo Era. We talked about A LOT:

  • Shifts in acceptable dating behavior for women & men
  • Dating Patterns
  • Dating in big cities vs dating elsewhere
  • Do women need men anymore?
  • FOMO and Investing in relationships
  • Women have a higher earning potential and don’t have to settle!
  • “Men are acting more like boys, and women are acting more like men.” – Robert Kandell
  • And so much more!

If you liked this interview Damona has some supplemental material for you! Don’t miss Damona’s Communication Master Class and her interview with The Angry Therapist on Male EQ

TECHNICALLY DATING (46:03)

Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:

  • Why are women choosing to stay single for longer?
  • What is the best way to date if you have decided to ditch dating apps?

HATE GYMS?

Damona always says that working out has greatly improved her relationship with her body. Begin a program with Beach Body on demand! Just go to DatesandMates.com and click the Beach Body Banner to get started.

Best of Dates & Mates

THE GANG IS BACK TOGETHER!

This week, the Dates & Mates gang gets back together for a trip down memory lane. Ray Christian, Producer J, and Producer Natasha join Damona in studio to talk about their favorite past show moments.

They talk Bad Kissers, Good Exes, what your fridge says about you, and why hook up culture isn’t biologically viable for women.

DAMONA’S FAVS (1:00)

Damona shares some of her favorite show moments with guests Bridget Marquart, Torrei Hart, eHarmony CEO Grant Langston, Aarti Sequera, and Hinge CEO Justin McLeod.

235 in iTunes – Playboy Playmate Bridget Marquart

149 in iTunes – eHarmony CEO Grant Langston

229 in iTunes – Aarti Sequeira

Hinge CEO Justin McLeod on YouTube

THE BEST OF DATES & MATES (6:41)

(6:43) Natasha’s Dating Habits have changed A LOT. Do you date the same way you did 6 years ago?

199 in iTunes – Natasha’s dating habits & Tariq Nasheed

(13:08) Producer J brings back Body Language for Men

163 in iTunes – Hootie & Body Language for Men

(17:23) Ray’s Rant

Bad Kissers on YouTube

(22:08) Get Your Barf Bags Ready! Producer J remembers the ickiest Romance Rollback we’ve ever had on the show

131 in iTunes – The Apple of My Armpit

(24:22) Can you tell how dateable a person is by what’s in their fridge?

223 in iTunes- Check Your Fridge

(32:00) Why hook up culture is not evolutionarily viable for women

165 in iTunes – Dr. Duana Welch & The Biology of Hookup Culture

TECHNICALLY DATING

Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:

  • When do you share important information about your lifestyle with the women you’re dating?
  • Is it controlling if your boyfriend has a lot of comments about your outfits?

RAY’S LAST RANT

Ray closes the show with one final Ray’s Rant about not taking everything so seriously. You ALL know that Producer J had a rebuttal.

HATE GYMS?

Damona always says that working out has greatly improved her relationship with her body. Begin a program with Beach Body on demand! Just go to DatesandMates.com and click the Beach Body Banner to get started.

 

Follow Ray on Instagram. Producers J and Natasha don’t have social media but you can show them love in the Dates & Mates reviews!

Body Positivity & BDE

HOW MUCH WEIGHT SHOULD YOU LOSE BEFORE DATING? NONE!

Absolutely none. You are perfect the way you are! If you have ever felt insecure about your body, you are not alone. This week, Damona invited Marquis Olison to co-host and welcomed a guest panel of singles to talk about their experiences with body image and dating. Here’s the rundown:

D’S DATING DISH

How is Pete Davidson pulling all the hot chicks?

This week, Kate Beckinsale and Pete Davidson were immortalized via meme for their EXTREME PDA at a hockey game over the weekend. So how is Pete pulling the hot chicks? Damona and Marquis have THOUGHTS.

Should you actually trust a dating coach?

The dating experts on Married at First Sight Australia are in hot water after after some VERY disastrous matches. Do dating coaches actually know what they’re doing? Damona breaks it down.

Financial red flags in a new relationship

Damona and Marquis discuss a few financial red flags you should watch out for.

BODY POSITIVITY & DATING AT ANY SIZE

Body image has a huge impact on the way we present ourselves in dating and relationships. Damona is joined by a panel of singles who talk about their experiences dating at any size. Erica Faye Washington, Chicago comedian and body positivity activist, talks dating confidence for plus size women. CeCe Chic, yoga coach and actress, encourages daters to find self acceptance. The multitalented Marquis Olison returns to co-host this episode and talk about his experience with dating before and after weight loss. We talked about A LOT:

  • Relationships with health, mind, and body
  • Dating before and after weight loss
  • Dealing with shallow friends and dates
  • Transforming your mentality
  • How our relationships with ourselves affect the younger generation
  • And so much more!

TECHNICALLY DATING (36:02)

Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:

  • How do you find dates with similar values and interests?

HATE GYMS?

Damona always says that working out has greatly improved her relationship with her body. Begin a program with Beach Body on demand! Just go to DatesandMates.com and click the Beach Body Banner to get started.

The Angry Therapist & Male EQ

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MAN?

Damona sits down with John Kim, The Angry Therapist, to talk about his do’s and don’ts for men plus his tips on how to bulletproof your relationship. Here’s the rundown:

D’S DATING DISH (1:34)

Did Lady Gaga break the girl code?

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper made headlines last week after their steamy Oscars performance. Did Lady Gaga break the girl code by being so close to Bradley right in front of his girlfriend?

How Uber and Lyft have changed dating

It’s no secret that ride share apps make going out easier and safer, but how have they changed dating? Damona breaks it down.

Calling all expecting fathers!

Dove is offering to pay paternity leave grants for fathers who will not get time off after their baby arrives! Damona gives us the deets.

ATTENTION MEN: (11:45)

This week John Kim joined us in studio. You may know him as the Angry Therapist, but he is also an entrepreneur, published author, public speaker, life coach, and so much more. John’s approach is personal and honest and draws from his past relationship experiences. He has helped thousands of men find more happiness in their relationships and more purpose in their lives, now shares his insights with men everywhere in this powerful book, “I used to be a Miserable F*ck”. We talked about A LOT:

  • The Foundations of a healthy relationship
  • Bulletproof Relationships
  • Living Separate lives, together
  • Should you pee in the shower?
  • Honesty in relationships
  • John’s Do’s and Don’ts for men
  • And so much more!

TECHNICALLY DATING (36:02)

Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:

  • How you should act around your ex when you have to see them at work?
  • Can you find love on Instagram?
  • Should you just flat out ask someone out?
  • Dating advice for someone who has moved to a new city and doesn’t know anyone
  • How to rebuild after infidelity while long distance
  • How can you tell if he’s being honest?
  • And tips for long distance relationships!

DAMONA’S DIATRIBE

Studies show that singles feel the most “single shame” from those closest to them. Damona closes out the show with a Diatribe on single shame.

ARE YOU MISSING ALL THE GOOD MATCHES ONLINE?

There are millions of people on dating apps worldwide. If you’re not finding love there, your profile may be the problem. Use Damona’s FREE guide to creating the ultimate MAGNETIC online dating profile. Get the Profile Starter Kit at profilestarterkit.com

Body Language & Boundaries

ARE YOU SENDING THE RIGHT MESSAGE?

There is a lot more to communication than just the words you say. Damona sits down with Kim Seltzer, certified style, confidence, and dating coach, who has helped thousands of people find lasting love and connection using her unique “confidence makeover” process returns this week to talk body language. Here’s the rundown:

D’S DATING DISH

The hidden secrets of Miranda Lambert’s new hot cop husband

Miranda’s new husband makes scandalous headlines this week when his ex-fiance’s mother makes a HUGE announcement. Damona and Kim break it down.

The new and extreme way couples are making sure all their needs are met

Couples are now writing and signing contracts that detail everything from sex goals to off-limits fighting strategies to non-negotiable personal quirks. Is this too much?

Is this the end of dating apps as we know it?

Dating app registrations have dropped 485% since last year? What does this mean? Damona explains.

Body Language & Boundaries

If 93% of communication is nonverbal, are you sending the right message? Damona and Kim are joined by Silvy Khoucasian, marriage and family therapist known for her work with attachment styles and cross cultural communication. We talked about A LOT:

  • Attachment Styles
  • Creating Boundaries
  • Boundaries are the lifeline for a thriving relationship
  • Only giving out information when it’s earned
  • Damona and Kim’s tips for the BEST first impression
  • How culture plays a part in relationship roles
  • How knowing your attachment style now can prepare you to meet your perfect match
  • And so much more!

TECHNICALLY DATING

Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:

  • Should you keep dating someone if you don’t feel chemistry by the fourth date?
  • Should you just flat out ask someone out?

 

ARE YOU MISSING ALL THE GOOD MATCHES ONLINE?

There are millions of people on dating apps worldwide. If you’re not finding love there, your profile may be the problem. Use Damona’s FREE guide to creating the ultimate MAGNETIC online dating profile. Get the Profile Starter Kit at profilestarterkit.com

Black Love & American Intimacy

LOVE IS LOVE

To celebrate Black History Month, we talked about #blacklove on this week’s episode. This is a BIG discussion so Damona sat down with two couples who are living the principles of black love and what it means to them. Here’s the rundown:

D’S DATING DISH (2:39)

Should you pay to have your dating profile to be featured on Bumble or Tinder?

Bumble has just announced its new profile boost feature, Spotlight. Damona tells you why this feature is not worth your money.

A Star is Born IRL (kind of)

Offset made headlines this week at the Grammy’s for being obviously insecure in his relationship. Is it okay for Offset to be acting this way? Damona has thoughts.

Intimacy in America

Thank you to NonFiction Research for sending us their new study on intimacy in America? Did you know that 44% of Americans report dreaming of a deep connection in their sleep, then wake up to no such connection in their real life? Damona and Dr. Ryeal break it down.

#BlackLove

What exactly does Black Love mean and to whom does it apply? Enter Dr. Ryeal Simms, Monice Mitchell Simms, Ollie Gabriel, and Quené Forée to talk about their love stories and what we can learn from their relationships. For a long time, the concept of black love has been confined to such a small definition. We love that our guests this week were able to expand and explore new definitions and meanings with the Dates & Mates Community.

“It’s about self love first, and then family love, and then romantic love, and then overall community world love,” said Monice.

We talked about this and so much more:

  • Amazing Love Stories
  • Do you agree on the story of how you met?
  • Is your partner who you imagined they would be?
  • Who did you imagine you would end up with growing up?
  • What were your dating patterns growing up?
  • How traveling brings you closer together as a couple

We can all learn from the main principle of black love: Love as you are. Be yourself and let that attract your highest love to you. Don’t be afraid to fall in love if it doesn’t fit into the box you think your love should fit into.

“Love is Love,” said Quené. “Black love has its specific category, but of course you can always be an advocate for any type of love.”

ROMANCE ROLLBACK

Damona and Dr. Ryeal close the show with a look back at famous couples who have shaped the meaning of #BlackLove. Read more about Ray and Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King, and Barack and Michelle Obama.

TAKE THE TRIP OF YOUR LIFE WITH THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE

Enter to with the iLove Love Giveaway HERE. This could be you:

ARE YOU MISSING ALL THE GOOD MATCHES ONLINE?

There are millions of people on dating apps worldwide. If you’re not finding love there, your profile may be the problem. Use Damona’s FREE guide to creating the ultimate MAGNETIC online dating profile. Get the Profile Starter Kit at profilestarterkit.com