GOT EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE?
Has something happened in your past that is preventing you from finding love?
Today’s episode is all about finding love after loss, traumatic events, unfulfilling relationships and everything in between.
Nora McInerny is the host of the podcast “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” and the author of several books including No Happy Endings and The Hot Young Widows Club.
As she says, Nora found lightning in a bottle in a once in a lifetime love… and then lost him to stage 4 brain cancer. She had to rebuild her life in her late 20s, coping with the loss of the love of her life, all while raising a son.
And we thought we had emotional baggage.
She’s going to talk us through what it was like to find love once again after loss and what it means to date with baggage.
Hopefully yours is a cute Louis Vuitton clutch. But even if it’s a thick multi-compartment trunk or army style duffle, we’ve got you covered.
But first there’s the news:
DATING DISH (3:25)
(3:25) Famous people are invading dating apps. So how do you hook up with a celeb?
Influencers and celebs are flocking to methods of finding love online – first dating app but now mostly through Instagram.
Ben Affleck and Matthew Perry were among celebrities who were outed on dating apps. Damona has thoughts on this:
First: y’all, stop taking screenshots of celebs on dating apps. They’re just there looking for love, too.
Secondly: Dear Celebs, if you’re afraid of a publicity seeking match, then avoid the texting trap and drive towards the phone call.
via GIPHY
(9:31) A new relationship trend among the 65+ crowd that you might need to try
Living apart as an older couple may be beneficial to a relationship’s success. Older women have spent a lot of their lives inhabiting archaic gender roles and are now to avoid that in end of life care. The New York Times reports that the LAT Trend (Living Apart Together) is the solution to this problem.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re not in this age group: Let’s stop rushing into moving together. Damona is seeing a lot of couples move in together out of convenience rather than out of an actual desire to move into the next stage of the relationship.
IT’S GOING TERRIBLE, THANKS FOR ASKING (14:28)
Nora McInerny is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” and the best-selling author of the memoirs It’s Okay To Laugh, (Crying Is Cool Too) , No Happy Endings, The Hot Young Widows Club.
Her work has appeared in publications like The New York Times, Time, Slate and she has spoken on TED’s main stage.
And now, she’s here on Dates & Mates to talk to us about loving again after loss and dating with baggage.
(14:28) Question: Do you avoid dating people with kids? America is moving away from the traditional 2 adults /2.5 children household and leaning heavily into “blended family” territory.
(18:19) Coping with Loss & Tragedy: After Nora’s husband passed away from brain cancer, her life changed forever. She learned how to cope from the loss and come out stronger on the other side.
(25:28) Do you people as romantic and non-romantic? After her husband passed away, Nora viewed every guy as just a fling to keep from feeling too attached. She wanted to belong to nobody until she connected with her current love.
(39:33) The chair that changed everything: Against all odds, Nora met Matthew and found someone who could find a place in her family’s life.
(44:32) How you know he’s a good guy: He doesn’t treat you like the center of his world. Paradoxical, I know.
(51:08) Baggage & Relationships: Everyone’s been through trauma in different ways. Our baggage makes us unique and doesn’t have to impact creating meaningful relationships.
Get more Nora: www.ttfa.org
DEAR DAMONA (57:18)
Submit your questions on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:
- Instagram Message from Dahlia – I would appreciate some tips to make my profile I guess, better. The thing is that they’re messaging me and because I’m not an A Lister, I have a lot of likes, and maybe messages but because I’m not an A Lister, so I’m just thinking if I should just bite the bullet and pay to be an A Lister, maybe I’ll have a better matches or is just going to be the same. So that’s what I’m gambling with now. So if you could give me some tips, and you know, or you know, just like maybe the people that I’m trying to connect with. They’re not into me, and you know, so you know, maybe my time hasn’t come yet.
- Message from Cami – My boyfriend once said that he wouldn’t date a girl of color and it’s been bothering me. I know it isn’t necessarily my place to be upset but it rubs me the wrong way. I tried talking to him about it earlier today but every time I would ask him why he would give me an unintentionally(?) racist answer. Since we are in an open relationship, I recently broke up with my girlfriend who is a black woman. They never had issues but he seemed almost grossed out by her. I don’t want to break up with him but I cannot date a racist. Is this preference or racism?
DATES & MATES DEALS
cheapcaribbean.com/dates-mates
Get $100 OFF your next all-inclusive beach vacay with Cheap Caribbean!
hellofresh.com/dates14
It’s date night in a box! Go to hellofresh.com/dates14 and use the special code DATES14 for 14 FREE Meals + FREE Shipping
Hot Young Widow & LAT Relationships
GOT EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE?
Has something happened in your past that is preventing you from finding love?
Today’s episode is all about finding love after loss, traumatic events, unfulfilling relationships and everything in between.
Nora McInerny is the host of the podcast “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” and the author of several books including No Happy Endings and The Hot Young Widows Club.
As she says, Nora found lightning in a bottle in a once in a lifetime love… and then lost him to stage 4 brain cancer. She had to rebuild her life in her late 20s, coping with the loss of the love of her life, all while raising a son.
And we thought we had emotional baggage.
She’s going to talk us through what it was like to find love once again after loss and what it means to date with baggage.
Hopefully yours is a cute Louis Vuitton clutch. But even if it’s a thick multi-compartment trunk or army style duffle, we’ve got you covered.
But first there’s the news:
DATING DISH (3:25)
(3:25) Famous people are invading dating apps. So how do you hook up with a celeb?
Influencers and celebs are flocking to methods of finding love online – first dating app but now mostly through Instagram.
Ben Affleck and Matthew Perry were among celebrities who were outed on dating apps. Damona has thoughts on this:
First: y’all, stop taking screenshots of celebs on dating apps. They’re just there looking for love, too.
Secondly: Dear Celebs, if you’re afraid of a publicity seeking match, then avoid the texting trap and drive towards the phone call.
via GIPHY
(9:31) A new relationship trend among the 65+ crowd that you might need to try
Living apart as an older couple may be beneficial to a relationship’s success. Older women have spent a lot of their lives inhabiting archaic gender roles and are now to avoid that in end of life care. The New York Times reports that the LAT Trend (Living Apart Together) is the solution to this problem.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re not in this age group: Let’s stop rushing into moving together. Damona is seeing a lot of couples move in together out of convenience rather than out of an actual desire to move into the next stage of the relationship.
IT’S GOING TERRIBLE, THANKS FOR ASKING (14:28)
Nora McInerny is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” and the best-selling author of the memoirs It’s Okay To Laugh, (Crying Is Cool Too) , No Happy Endings, The Hot Young Widows Club.
Her work has appeared in publications like The New York Times, Time, Slate and she has spoken on TED’s main stage.
And now, she’s here on Dates & Mates to talk to us about loving again after loss and dating with baggage.
(14:28) Question: Do you avoid dating people with kids? America is moving away from the traditional 2 adults /2.5 children household and leaning heavily into “blended family” territory.
(18:19) Coping with Loss & Tragedy: After Nora’s husband passed away from brain cancer, her life changed forever. She learned how to cope from the loss and come out stronger on the other side.
(25:28) Do you people as romantic and non-romantic? After her husband passed away, Nora viewed every guy as just a fling to keep from feeling too attached. She wanted to belong to nobody until she connected with her current love.
(39:33) The chair that changed everything: Against all odds, Nora met Matthew and found someone who could find a place in her family’s life.
(44:32) How you know he’s a good guy: He doesn’t treat you like the center of his world. Paradoxical, I know.
(51:08) Baggage & Relationships: Everyone’s been through trauma in different ways. Our baggage makes us unique and doesn’t have to impact creating meaningful relationships.
Get more Nora: www.ttfa.org
DEAR DAMONA (57:18)
Submit your questions on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:
DATES & MATES DEALS
cheapcaribbean.com/dates-mates
Get $100 OFF your next all-inclusive beach vacay with Cheap Caribbean!
hellofresh.com/dates14
It’s date night in a box! Go to hellofresh.com/dates14 and use the special code DATES14 for 14 FREE Meals + FREE Shipping
Meet Cute & Friends First
HOW WILL YOU MEET THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE?
Today we’re making a case for jumping off the deep end in love.
Naomi Shah is the founder and CEO of Meet Cute, a media company that produces their super popular podcast Meet Cute – every episode is a fun bite-sized scripted rom-coms.
She’s going to tell us about the whirlwind romance that inspired it all. It involves one singular coffee date, a bouquet, and a gigantic wedding.
This is one meet cute you don’t want to miss.
via GIPHY
But first there’s the news:
DATING DISH (1:44)
(1:44) Science tells us once and for all the surest way to find long term love
Academics looked at data from around 2,000 couples of different demographics and found that the majority of couples first started out as friends. Starting as friends may be a more solid option than blind dates or dating apps
via GIPHY
(6:21) New cutest couple in hollywood alert!!
The kids of Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence are a brand new couple! While it’s unclear how long they have been dating, it’s assuming they met through their dads who starred in a few movies together.
MEET CUTE (8:24)
Naomi Shah is the founder + CEO of Meet Cute, a production company that produces original light-hearted romantic comedies in podcast form.
These stories are all about celebrating human connection and the full spectrum of love.
(9:29) Let’s talk about Meet Cute: Meet Cute is a podcast for those who love rom-coms and want to be inspired by original scripted love stories in a short episode.
(10:58) Naomi’s Own Love Story: Career-oriented Naomi reflects on what she has wanted in relationships during certain phases of her life. Plus, her parents have their very own unique meet cute involving an international romance.
(22:48) Hot Topics in the Rom-Com World: The most popular Meet Cute stories often involve first loves, struggles with sexual orientation, and rebellious love.
(27:12) Dating App FTW: Dating Apps increase your chances of serendipity.
Find Meet Cute on IG @meetcute and check them out on all your favorite podcast platforms!
DEAR DAMONA (30:11)
Submit your questions on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:
via GIPHY
THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY TEXTNOW
The app solves many major challenges that Damona’s clients face in dating today:
We are proud to collaborate with an app that empowers modern daters to feel safe and secure. If you want more information, check out Damona’s video on when to give out your number to people you meet on dating apps. Click here!
DATES & MATES DEALS
cheapcaribbean.com/dates-mates
Get $100 OFF your next all-inclusive beach vacay with Cheap Caribbean!
Romance Scams & Never Been Kissed
THE DEAL WITH ROMANCE SCAMS
Romance scams – scams that target dating app users – reached a record high over the course of the Pandemic. The Federal Trade Commission reports a record $304 million in losses due to romance scams in 2020.
It’s no coincidence that this happened during the pandemic.
While we at Dates & Mates will always maintain that you are not in danger if you know what to look for, we want to make sure we give you all the tools to keep yourself safe.
Today, Damona is joined by Mark Brooks, dating industry advisor for the dating app background check software Real Me. He is one of the OGs on the dating scene and his blog, Online Personals Watch, actually played a huge hand in Damona’s own development as a dating and relationship expert.
But first there’s news to cover:
DATING DISH (2:06)
(2:06) Bumble is bringing coffee dates back to Manhattan
Bumble is opening a restaurant-café called Bumble Brew in New York. The new restaurant is meant to be a “safe space for healthy and equitable relationships and connections.” Here’s why Damona is a fan: you need a safe public space for first dates. Above and beyond the safety concerns, Damona shares one client’s story that will definitely intrigue you.
via GIPHY
(4:10) ScarJo and CoJo make a baby – everything you need to know about their relationship
Scarlett Johansson and SNL actor Colin Jost are having a baby! For years, ScarJo has been kind of Hollywood’s Ungettable Girl. So what finally attracted her to
via GIPHY
IT’S THE REALME (9:10)
Today’s guest, Mark Brooks, is a dating safety and security expert. He is the official dating industry advisor for RealMe – a dating app integration that offers members of dating apps the ability to run background checks on potential matches.
He also runs an online dating news aggregate called Online Personal watch which reports daily on the latest goings on in the dating industry for executives – however Damona reads it regularly, too.
He is all about easy but effective safety solutions and today he’s going to tell us what you need to know to stay safe and secure in dating today:
(10:00) Trends in Online dating: The speed of dating has massively increased recently.
(13:57) The Addiction Factor: We are so addicted to notifications on our phone instead of interacting with those who are actually there with you.
(17:24) More Authenticity: There is a huge difference between social dating and using dating apps, especially when it comes to confirming identities of users. It’s crucial to be aware when using dating apps due to the recent and rapid increase in dating app scams. There are four types of dating app abusers.
(27:34) Obscenity on Dating Apps: RealMe provides software to keep things clean on dating apps along with a vast number of other dating safety features.
(34:34) Dating Apps & Felons: Should people with criminal records be allowed on dating apps?
DEAR DAMONA (39:30)
Submit your questions on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:
via GIPHY
DATES & MATES DEALS
cheapcaribbean.com/dates-mates
Get $100 OFF your next all-inclusive beach vacay with Cheap Caribbean!
via GIPHY
The Love You Want & Fighting Fear
THE SECRET SCIENTIFIC INGREDIENT TO GOOD RELATIONSHIPS
One word: Safety. Sounds like a no-brainer, right?
Wrong…ish. Communicating safety is SO much harder than you think.
That’s why we are SO excited to bring two LEGENDS who can teach us better communication to Dates & Mates this week, Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt.
These two are internationally renowned couples therapists and New York Times bestselling authors of the book Getting The Love You Want.
It’s been endorsed by Oprah, Damona has read it COUNTLESS times, and it remains the true relationship bible that so many dating coaches live by.
We’re going to take a look inside the science of communication in relationships – and get ready because we learn A LOT.
But first the news:
DATING DISH (1:43)
(1:44) Hollywood proves again that slow love is the only way to go.
Christina Haack’s ex, Ant Anstead, is reportedly dating Academy Award-winning actress Renee Zellweger. What’s important to note here is that Ant has done a lot of soul searching and self-development to find his highest love.
via GIPHY
(6:13) Need some advice on your dating profile? Reddit might be able to help with that.
When you’re single and “wildly unsuccessful” at online dating, you might attempt the same risky maneuver that others have attempted: posting your profile on Reddit so that hundreds of strangers can critique it.
via GIPHY
GET THE LOVE YOU WANT (10:31)
Get ready for a deep and thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt, two internationally renowned couples therapists and New York Times bestselling authors. They even have a 40th-anniversary edition out, and it remains the true relationship bible that so many dating coaches live by.
(11:12) Physics of the between: You are thinking of your relationships all wrong. The energy between you and another person matters.
(12:31)Talking is the most dangerous thing people do: Listening is the most infrequent thing people do. Communicating safety is the most important thing you can do.
(15:51) One word changes everything: According to Harville and Helen, there is one word that can change the game in the way you communicate.
(17:00) Honoring Boundaries: The art of honoring boundaries actually starts with “setting an appointment.”
(20:54) Hail Storm vs. Turtle: Check in with your partner at the end of the day to make sure each other is taken care of.
Get more of Harville & Helen:
https://harvilleandhelen.com/
DEAR DAMONA (29:05)
Submit your questions on 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 & Live Reconnected
HOW CONFIDENT DO YOU FEEL?
As things open up and we’re starting to have more interaction with people, the Dates & Mates team is hearing a lot of anxiety about finding the confidence to be social and also concern that the pandemic has put a lot of distance between us.
Dating coach and confidence consultant, Nick Notas is here to the rescue!
He is a dating coach who helps people strengthen life’s most important relationships and he’s going to give us some much-needed confidence.
But first we have headlines:
DATING DISH (1:34)
(1:37) The surprising way gossip helped Van Jones
The Internet has been buzzing with rumors that Kim Kardashian and CNN’s political commentator Van Jones are an item on the dating scene. Page Six reported that Jones and Kardashian’s friendship is partially linked to their work on criminal justice reform.
via GIPHY
(3:07) Tinder keeps rolling out the good stuff – another new development that will completely revolutionize dating apps
CNBC reports that Tinder is launching a brand new social feature known as “Hot Takes”. This allows users to chat with someone before they match and is similar to speed dating. Tinder is even adding an Explore section within the app allowing users to discover matches by interests, activity or content type.
via GIPHY
LIVE RECONNECTED (10:05)
Nick Notas is a dating and confidence coach for the last 13 years. He’s helped thousands of people conquer their fears, build genuine self-esteem, and develop charismatic social skills.
We’re so excited to share his very direct but compassionate method of coaching and hopefully it will challenge your way of thinking about of love and dating:
(10:49) Reconnected: How to strengthen your in-person communication with others in an age driven by social media. Get out of the texting loop!
Lead with Curiosity: Don’t try to imagine what the other person wants from you, tap into what makes you laugh and what makes you interesting
Cut your losses? I don’t think you should cut your losses before you’ve given an attempt. Always give one or two shots before you decide to walk away. Don’t be afraid of rejection.
(18:47) Insecure on the first date: Nick shares his thoughts on how to go on a first date with ease. Don’t overthink it!
(22:00) Disabilities & Natural Instinct: Pay attention to your date and if they are excited to be with you. It’s important for you both to be curious about each other.
(29:12) Feeling Confident in Yourself: Confidence means accepting who you are and who you aren’t and embracing that. It takes small steps of courage.
Get more of Nick Notas:
https://www.nicknotas.com/
https://www.livereconnected.com/
DEAR DAMONA (35:18)
Submit your questions on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:
via GIPHY
DATES & MATES DEALS
BETTERHELP.COM/DATESANDMATES
Get Better Help: real therapy, convenient and affordable. Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month. BetterHelp.com/datesandmates
DOWNLOAD OKCUPID TODAY!
OkCupid is FAMOUS for matching people on what MATTERS MOST to them, from food to the type of relationship they want…to politics. They ask you really thoughtful and provoking questions to get to the heart of who you are and what type of person you’re looking for.
Are you missing out? Download OkCupid today!
Labor of Love & Bringing Sexy Back
AN EXCLUSIVE PEEK
Today we’re getting an exclusive look into the habitat of the illusive marriage-minded man:
via GIPHY
Just kidding. In spite of what I sometimes hear from my listeners Marriage-minded partners aren’t that hard to find, you just need to know where to look. Especially as you get to the age where people are looking to settle down.
Stewart Gill, contestant on the show Labor of Love and most eligible bachelor, joins Damona on this week’s episode.
Quick primer if you haven’t seen the show: Labor of Love featured Kristy Katzmann (who you might know as a former Bachelor Contestant). She was not only searching for love, but also for a father for her future children.
Stewart laid it all on the line and was one of the finalists on Labor of Love so we’re going to deep dive into what it’s like to be 40, single, successful, and looking to settle down. I mean look at him:
We’ll talk about it all later, But first Damona covers headlines:
DATING DISH (2:27)
(1:36) Conversationalists it’s your time to shine!
Surprisingly but kind of not surprisingly, daters over 50 years old are searching for great conversations with their potential partners. According to a Silver Singles survey, over 70% of participants wanted someone they could really talk with.
via GIPHY
(4:03) Is Victoria’s Secret Bringing Sexy Back?
In a major attempt to rebrand, Victoria’s Secret has announced the retirement of the Angels. So long Adriana Lima and hello to a whole new face of the brand that reflects the current generation of society.
via GIPHY
WHYYY ARE YOU STILL SINGLE? (7:54)
Stewart Gill is a marriage-minded man who put his dream of settling down and having a family for his athletic career- No big deal he was an Olympic-level triathlete.
Now he lives in Santa Monica, he’s the CEO of Magna Carta Wealth and founder of the Evolutions financial literacy app.
Stewart’s a crazy accomplished guy and now he’s ready to find the love of his life:
(9:56) It’s goin’ down in DMs: Stewart reveals he was cast on Labor of Love through a random DM with a casting director.
(12:10) Seeking a Partner: He’s not just searching for marriage. Stewart wants a teammate for life.
(16:55) Diamonds vs. Emeralds: You may be a diamond, and someone prefers emeralds. This doesn’t mean you have any less value.
(21:09) Embrace Your Differences: You don’t have to be just like your partner. Don’t stick to a strict checklist.
(26:03) Communication is Key: Stewart reveals that communication is the most important aspect of a successful relationship.
Get more of Stewart on Instagram @stewart_e_gill. And ladies, if you slide in those DMs, make it good ;)
DEAR DAMONA (35:18)
Submit your questions on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:
THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY TEXTNOW
The app solves many major challenges that Damona’s clients face in dating today:
We are proud to collaborate with an app that empowers modern daters to feel safe and secure. If you want more information, check out Damona’s video on when to give out your number to people you meet on dating apps. Click here!
DATES & MATES DEALS
BETTERHELP.COM/DATESANDMATES
Get Better Help: real therapy, convenient and affordable. Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month. BetterHelp.com/datesandmates
DOWNLOAD OKCUPID TODAY!
OkCupid is FAMOUS for matching people on what MATTERS MOST to them, from food to the type of relationship they want…to politics. They ask you really thoughtful and provoking questions to get to the heart of who you are and what type of person you’re looking for.
Are you missing out? Download OkCupid today!
Hot Granny Summer & Tiffany Bro
HOT GIRL SUMMER OR HOT GRANNY SUMMER?
You’ve heard many sources say that this summer is going to be Hot Girl Summer or Hot Vax Summer as we are all bursting out of our bubbles and ready for the post-pandemic-vaccine-induced-season-of-love.
But before we get carried away, today Damona is talking to Anna Iovine, writer at Mashable who asks the question, “Do people even want a hot vax summer?”
via GIPHY
She’s here to report on the surprising findings from a survey she and the research team at Mashable have conducted.
But first, we have the dish:
DATING DISH (1:39)
(1:39) Scared of running into someone you know on dating apps? There’s an app for that.
Tinder now offers the helpful “Block Contacts” feature to help users avoid personal contacts, be it exes, family members or colleagues. So no more worrying about accidentally matching with your ex or boss.
via GIPHY
(4:08) Engagement rings for men: who are they for and would you wear one?
Women are no longer the only ones showing off their bling after getting engaged. Tiffany’s new engagement rings for men are becoming popular for both straight and gay couples.
via GIPHY
THE LATEST STATS ON HOT VAX SUMMER (8:14)
Today’s guest, Anna Iovine, is a culture reporter at Mashable, where she primarily covers sex and relationships. She’s particularly interested in the way tech (and now, the pandemic) has changed sex and dating.
Fun fact: She coined the dating term “orbiting” which was covered on the show and that word was shortlisted for Oxford’s 2018 Word of the Year.
(9:37) Apparently dating apps weren’t as popular pre-pandemic: Data suggests that a lot more people might have been dating without dating apps that we’d previously understood.
(11:21) Dating Hiatus: around 37% of people completely swore off dating during the pandemic.
(13:22) Tinder for the win: The bulk of dating app users during the pandemic chose Tinder and even Facebook dating as their apps of choice.
(14:28) Not in the mood for a #hotvaxsummer? Attitudes towards relationships have changed in the last year. Have that hot slutty summer or a hot granny summer – whatever meets your needs!
(18:31) Things are looking up: 48% of survey respondents are feeling both nervous and excited for their dating futures hold in a post-covid world. They are entering into the dating world more mindfully and intentionally.
(20:56) FODA still exists: As more and more people get vaccinated, people are starting to date again. But this is not without fear of dating again since we have been out of practice for so long. Don’t forget to flex your flirting muscles.
Read Anna’s full article here!
DEAR DAMONA (25:44)
Submit your questions on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:
Advice from ¡Hola Papi! & Meme Love
ARE DATING APPS FOR EVERYONE?
Happy Pride Month Lovers! Here we’re all about celebrating equality in love for everyone ALL DAY EVERY DAY but especially today we’re giving a shout-out to our queer family who live their truth on the quest for their most authentic love.
via GIPHY
Love is love. And there are a lot of universal truths in dating. For example, everyone has had an awkward conversation on a dating app. Some more than others.
What’s the deal with all of these inappropriate and awkward interactions going down in the DMs? Have you ever felt fetishized, othered, or just plain weirded out by a match?
The answer is probably yes so we 100% have to talk about it with John Paul Brammer, columnist behind “Hola Papi” – the super popular LGBT and latino advice column in The Cut. Now he has a new book by the same name.
We’re going to have a big conversation about body shaming, what to do with people’s weird fetishes and how to get excited about apps – even if you haaate using them. It’s fun – promise!!
But first we have to talk about how comedy and dating intersect:
DATING DISH (2:35)
(2:35) Are we getting a little too invested in celebrity relationships?
The TV-obsessed American public is forming “parasocial relationships,” or the “illusion of a face-to-face relationship,” with their favorite on-screen performers. Damona miiiiight be in a very incense parasocial relationship with John Mulaney.
via GIPHY
(7:18) Can you find your ideal partner based solely on a sense of humor?
The newest dating app, Schmooze, has users swipe memes to get matched with people sharing a similar sense of humor. Talk about an interesting way to meet someone that doesn’t necessarily involve looks.
HOLA PAPI (11:19)
John Paul Brammer is a content creator, columnist, and author of the new book Hola Papi: How to come out in a Walmart parking lot and other life lessons.
You’ve read his work in The Cut, The Guardian, Teen Vogue and Netflix’s the most. Damona absolutely loved her conversation with JP for NPR’s podcast Life Kit a few months ago and YOU KNOW she had to bring him on Dates & Mates:
(10:54) Hola Papi: JP is hispanic and this is an opening line he gets in his DMs all the time. Is that weird? Yes.
(17:37) Fetishization is a hard word to say, and sometimes harder to identify: Racial hang-ups can cause some strange situations on dating apps. Saying you have a strong preference for a certain race or physical trait can set you and your match up for disappointment.
(25:43) We create our own stories: Our perception influences the story we tell ourselves. What memories or moments are defining the way you look at your relationships today?
(29:37) Identity: JP gets tough questions for Hola Papi about orientation and identity. Can you have sex with a lady and still consider yourself gay? We examine identity in honor of Pride Month!
Get more JP here:
Get JP’s Book at damonahoffman.com/contentclub and make sure to follow him on all the socials @jpbrammer or at https://www.jpbrammer.com/
DEAR DAMONA (33:34)
Submit your questions on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:
DATES & MATES DEALS
BETTERHELP.COM/DATESANDMATES
Get Better Help: real therapy, convenient and affordable. Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month. BetterHelp.com/datesandmates
DOWNLOAD OKCUPID TODAY!
OkCupid is FAMOUS for matching people on what MATTERS MOST to them, from food to the type of relationship they want…to politics. They ask you really thoughtful and provoking questions to get to the heart of who you are and what type of person you’re looking for.
Are you missing out? Download OkCupid today!
Dating Profile Pics & Textiquette
IT’S TIME FOR A PROFILE REFRESH.
Mark your calendars: OkCupid predicts that 🇺🇸 July 4th 🇺🇸 will be the hottest online dating day for people who are ready to get back out there.
So it’s time to whip that dating profile in shape. The easiest way to start fresh and catch more attention on dating apps?
New profile pics!
On this week’s episode of Dates & Mates, Damona interview Saskia Nelson, online dating photographer founder of Hey Saturday – an app that connects daters with quality photographers.
This is a super special interview because both Time magazine and BBC have credited her with creating the genre of online dating photography!
Saskia is on a mission to get rid of bad dating profile photos and she’s telling us how to do it the right way:
But first, some steamy headlines:
DATING DISH (1:15)
(1:52) The real story behind Taika Waititi’s ménage à trois with Rita Ora and Tessa Thompson
Recent photos of Taika, Rita, and Tessa kissing on a balcony from May 23 have gone viral. Wait… isn’t Taika married? AND technically their boss? We have questions.
via GIPHY
(6:11) Are your texts getting left on read? Your punctuation might be the reason why.
NBC brings back a 2015 study from Bingham University: Your punctuation matters in digital communication. Damona reviews findings:
Bottom line: Throw in punctuation to convey tone
via GIPHY
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO DATING PROFILE PICS(10:54)
Damona talks to Saskia Nelson, a photographer who specializes in dating app profile pictures and the founder of Hey Saturday – an app that connects daters with online dating photographers you can trust.
She’s here to get your profile pics in shape to capture attention and matches.
(10:54) How Saskia got her groove back on dating apps: Making dating fun again and finding her now husband
(15:30) The key to good profile pics: Color, Context and Character
(19:26) Storytelling = Your dating app superpower. Show what makes you unique so users can make an instant connection
(24:00) Does it look like you’re trying too hard? A case for showing up and showing out.
(27:03) What to wear? First date outfit? Yoga pants? A bikini?
(34:14) The deal with group shots: Dogs are in. What about cats? Your mom? Your friends? Your grandma?
Check out Hey Saturday if you’re looking for a professional eye on your dating app photos: https://www.heysaturday.co/about/
DEAR DAMONA (39:43)
Submit your questions on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:
DATES & MATES DEALS
BETTERHELP.COM/DATESANDMATES
Get Better Help: real therapy, convenient and affordable. Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month. BetterHelp.com/datesandmates
DOWNLOAD OKCUPID TODAY!
OkCupid is FAMOUS for matching people on what MATTERS MOST to them, from food to the type of relationship they want…to politics. They ask you really thoughtful and provoking questions to get to the heart of who you are and what type of person you’re looking for.
Are you missing out? Download OkCupid today!
Dating App Dangers & Hard Conversations
WHAT WOULD YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE IF YOU ADDRESSED DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS HEAD-ON?
Anna Sale – the host of WYNC’s hit podcast Death Sex & Money and one of Damona’s favorite podcasts – is here to talk about how difficult conversations will bring you closer in your relationships plus how she moved on after heartbreak.
But first we have headlines:
DATING DISH (1:36)
(1:36) Why you shouldn’t believe all the negative press you read on dating apps
Nancy Jo Sales reveals the ‘corporate takeover of dating’ could mean that big corporations are taking over the dating experience and making it worse. Unfortunately, for dating app users these companies may exploit users for their personal gain.
via GIPHY
(7:03) Does Kourtney Kardashian’s new boo have 🔥 the hots 🔥 for Kim?
Kourtney – the eldest Kardashian – has been dating Travis Barker since earlier this year. Shanna Moakler, whose tumultuous divorce from the Blink-182 drummer was finalized in 2008, is publicly claiming Kim Kardashian is part of the reason her family broke up. Even in Travis’s 2015 memoir, he revealed that he couldn’t keep his eyes off of Kim. What does this mean for the future of Kourtney’s relationship with Travis?
via GIPHY
HARD CONVERSATIONS, GREAT RELATIONSHIPS (11:43)
Today’s guest, Anna Sale, is the host of Death, Sex, & Money which won a 2018 Webby for best interview show.
Before developing Death, Sex & Money, Anna covered politics for nearly a decade and has contributed to Fresh Air with Terry Gross and This American Life.
She’s written a fantastic new book, entitled LET’S TALK ABOUT HARD THINGS – an empathetic examination of the most challenging aspects of our lives and how open communication about even taboo issues can bring us closer to our loved ones.
(10:39) Anna’s new book LET’S TALK ABOUT HARD THINGS expands the lens through which we view family and identity. The way we are identified by others profoundly affects our experiences. Identity means more than just a few labels. Instead, it goes far beyond simple words.
(18:10) Now as we move into the new normal of a post-pandemic world, so many people are craving a physical interaction with others. This is creating anxiety among daters who are navigating a world where physical relationships are now allowed amongst vaccinated people after more than a year of required social distancing.
(22:56) Talking about hard things can actually involve NOT talking. This is particularly helpful when it comes to arguments or uncertainty allowing time to cool off and permission to be respectful of your partner as you work through issues. The power of pausing can really impact a situation.
(30:08) Anna talks about how the beginning of her second marriage wasn’t the smoothest start to a relationship. Not only were they in different locations, but Anna was in the early phase of being fresh out of a divorce and entering the dating scene once again.
(36:51) Even though relationships can involve pressured decisions, staying in the moment helps the path of your relationship unfold naturally. Anna and Arthur had to really dive into their choice to be together and take the leap of faith to keep their relationship going.
(45:35) Anna shares her thoughts on infidelity and the heated conversation she had with Dan Savage on her podcast. She asks the question, what does infidelity mean for a relationship?
(53:12) As the world starts dating again, Anna talks about using small talk as a way to get to know your date. Small talk can really say more meaningful things and help you become more vulnerable.
Get Anna’s Book “Let’s Talk About Hard Things” using Damona’s Amazon Link (damonahoffman.com/contentclub) or wherever you get your books!
DEAR DAMONA (58:50)
Submit your questions on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:
DATES & MATES DEALS
BETTERHELP.COM/DATESANDMATES
Get Better Help: real therapy, convenient and affordable. Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month. BetterHelp.com/datesandmates
DOWNLOAD OKCUPID TODAY!
OkCupid is FAMOUS for matching people on what MATTERS MOST to them, from food to the type of relationship they want…to politics. They ask you really thoughtful and provoking questions to get to the heart of who you are and what type of person you’re looking for.
Are you missing out? Download OkCupid today!
Great Date Ideas (that don’t break the bank)
BALLIN’ ON A BUDGET?
Looking to impress someone without spending a lot of money but don’t want to look like a cheapskate? Here are a few suggestions on how to have a cheap date without looking like one:
DINNER
There are many websites where you can get discounts if you plan ahead. On restaurant.com you can purchase gift certificates for less than their printed value. How to settle the bill without looking like a bargain-hunter? Tell your date you have to use the restroom, grab the check, and take care of it while you’re up. Then you’ll seem like someone who knows how to handle business efficiently and they will still feel taken care of, even if it cost you 15% less.
CULTURE
Many museums have “free days” where you can enter at no cost. Usually, it’s a little busier than other days but that just means your date will have to snuggle up close to you to get to see the exhibit. You don’t have to tell them that you knew about the free day just say “Hey, want to go to the modern art museum on Wednesday.” Play it off as a surprise, whatever you need to do but as long as it doesn’t seem pre-meditated. Sometimes these museums take donations instead of charging a specific amount. Even if you give a “generous” $10 donation you’ll still pay less than admission for two but you’ll look like a philanthropist…very sexy.
BARS
A lot of bars have adjusted happy hours to go later or run on the weekends. Research which places in your area have happy hour during a date-appropriate time and get yourself a reservation. If the place is busy, it’ll just seem popular and you’ll have to get closer together to hear one another.
OUTDOORS
Emphasize how into fitness and/or the outdoors you are and invite them to go on a hike with you. After the hike you can surprise your date with a pre-packed picnic basket and blanket and turn the day into a romantic outdoor retreat.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a good impression. Effort should win over dollars spent any day.
Flirting & Post-isolation Personality
Are you ready to date in person?
Do you remember what it was like to sit across the table from a stranger and act like you were having a good time?
No? Us neither.
via GIPHY
It has been so long that a lot of us don’t remember the basics of flirting and body language when meeting in person.
So today, Nicole Moore, body language expert & founder of Love Works Method, is giving us a quick but thorough refresher on the basics of flirting.
According to Nicole, it’s all about the eyes and energy.
More on that later. First we have headlines:
Dating Dish (1:37)
(1:37) Did lockdown make you a whole new person? Thousands of people say yes.
Oracle’s survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers found that the circumstances created by COVID-19 have made many people feel smarter and more open to new experiences, but also more conscientious and disconnected from their personal relationships.
via GIPHY
(6:28) Is Bennifer really back? More on the most controversial rebound of the year.
The shocking and controversial reunion of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck has us all talking about emotional rebounds.
via GIPHY
FLIRTING 101 (11:40)
Damona welcomes Nicle Moore, body language expert and founder of Love Works Method. She works with many celebrities, reality stars, influencers, CEOs, and influential women to find their ideal partner.
You’ve seen her on Forbes, AskMen, USA Today, Today Show, US Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Brides, and today she is going to help us remember how to act on dates:
(14:07) Your body language, including your eyes and smile, reveals how you truly feel about someone else. Nicole gives a breakdown of the body language between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. She even compares Donald Trump and Melania with Kamala & Doug Harris.
According to Nicole, your eyes and smile reveal how you truly feel about the person you’re with. And she tells us exactly how to bring the right energy to a date using your body language. (14:07)
(21:15) Do men tell you you’re intimidating? Nicole gives tips on harnessing your strong energy to attract others who love you for it, not in spite of it.
(29:47) How to flirt the RIGHT way
(36:45) How to show interest and desire in a social distanced world
Want More Nicole?
https://loveworksmethod.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nicolemoorelove/?hl=en
Dear Damona (42:43)
Submit your questions Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and hear our answers live on the show! Here’s what our listeners asked about this week:
This episode is brought to you by TEXTNOW
The app solves many major challenges that Damona’s clients face in dating today:
We are proud to collaborate with an app that empowers modern daters to feel safe and secure. If you want more information, check out Damona’s video on when to give out your number to people you meet on dating apps. Click here!
Dates & Mates Deals
BetterHelp.com/datesandmates
Get Better Help: real therapy, convenient and affordable. Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month. BetterHelp.com/datesandmates