We all want to believe in the magic of love. We’ve seen the romcoms and fairy tales, and we crave our own meet-cute. But beyond those fairytales and meet-cutes lies a deeper understanding of connection that could forever transform anyone’s love life.

Orna and Matthew Walters joined us this week to share the knowledge and insights from their new book “Getting it Right This Time: Break Free from Your Hidden Blocks to Find Lasting Love.”

You’ll learn about your love imprint, your pre-wired programming that might be standing in your way when it comes to love, and what you can do to gain back your power and get yourself back on track.

In our Dear Damona segment we tackle choosing the right dating app premium subscription – because let’s face it, dating apps are just tools, and you need to know how to use them effectively!

(3:13) From Dating Disasters to Love Experts: Meet Orna and Matthew Walters 

The founders of Creating Love on Purpose bring their transformative approach to dating to their new book “Getting It Right This Time.” 

Featured on Bravo’s The Millionaire Matchmaker and celebrating their fifth appearance on Dates & Mates, they’ve helped thousands worldwide break free from toxic patterns and find lasting love.

Why Your Brain Keeps Choosing the Wrong Partners (14:32) 

Get ready for a mind-blowing revelation about attraction that will transform how you date forever. 

Learn why that familiar “spark” might actually be your biggest red flag, and discover how to rewire your love GPS for healthier connections.

Stop Eating Raw Relationship Turkey (19:50) 

Why rushing into commitment before really knowing someone is like serving undercooked poultry – and how to know when a relationship is actually ready for the next level.

This fresh perspective will save you from another half-baked situationship.

Childhood Stories That Shape Your Love Life (31:04) 

Think your “perfect” upbringing means you’re immune to relationship struggles? 

Matthew’s surprising journey from avoidant dater to conscious partner will make you rethink everything you believe about relationship readiness.

The Three-Part Path to Love (45:40)

A revealing look at why rushing to manifest your perfect partner without doing the inner work first is a recipe for disappointment. 

The Walters break down their proven three-step approach: awareness, transformation, and, only then, manifestation. This groundbreaking framework explains why some people stay stuck while others find lasting love.

Connect with Orna and Matthew:

• “Getting It Right This Time: Break Free From Your Hidden Blocks To Finding Lasting Love”
  • https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/759672/getting-it-right-this-time-by-orna-walters-and-matthew-walters/
• Instagram @Ornaand Matthew
• Website: https://www.loveonpurpose.com/

(51:31) Dear Damona: Finding Love in Smaller Cities

A listener from Bozeman, Montana, struggles with limited dating options in her area. 

Damona breaks down which dating apps work best for different locations and shares strategies for expanding your dating pool without compromising on distance preferences.

💌 Do you have questions? Damona has the answers!

Don’t forget you can submit your dating and relationship questions for our Dear Damona segment on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, or leave us a voicemail or text to 424-246-6255, and hear Damona’s answers live in a future episode!

Ready for a different kind of dating reset? While most shows are taking a holiday break, we’re closing out 2024 with something special – a guided visualization journey designed to help you release this year’s dating baggage and open your heart to new possibilities in 2025.

Let’s be real – between the dating app fatigue, situationships that went nowhere, and those “what are we?” conversations that left you spinning, your heart could probably use a moment to just breathe. We explore Tinder’s Year in Swipe report together!

This week’s episode offers exactly that: a peaceful pause to reflect, reset, and reimagine what love could look like in the year ahead.

(2:17) A Fresh Take on Your Dating Reset

Instead of our usual dating strategy session, we’re introducing a meditation experience that feels less like a self-help exercise and more like giving your heart a cozy place to rest and dream. Think of it as a spa day for your dating mindset.

(4:09) Beyond the Vision Board

This isn’t just another “manifest your soulmate” exercise. 

We’re diving into a powerful visualization practice that helps you release those “almost relationships” and create space for real connection. Spoiler alert: it involves a magical forest (trust us on this one).

(9:11) The Game-Changing Dating Mindset Everyone’s Sleeping On

Meet your new dating superpower: GRACE. 

Not the “say your prayers before dinner” kind, but the type that lets you date authentically without the pressure to be perfect. It’s like having a best friend who both calls you out on your stuff and holds space for you to figure it out.

(11:53) Mapping Your 2025 Love Story

Forget generic New Year’s resolutions. We’re teaching you how to create a dating snapshot that actually works – because “find the one” is not the vibe we’re bringing into 2025. 

Learn how to set tangible love goals that align with who you really are.

Ready to transform your approach to love?

Our full Meditation Collection is waiting for you!  And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @DamonaHoffman for daily doses of dating wisdom that keeps it real.

Because remember – you’re not just looking for love in 2025. You are love. Let’s make this your year to shine.

Dear Damona will be back in 2025!!

Do you have questions? Damona has the answers! Don’t forget you can submit your dating and relationship questions for our Dear Damona segment on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, or leave us a voicemail or text to 424-246-6255, and hear Damona’s answers live in a future episode!

“Is finding love different at every age?” With shows like The Golden Bachelor and Later Daters dominating our screens, there’s a new interest in seeing the dating lives of older daters explored on TV. 

But as Laura Stassi, host of Dating While Gray, reveals in this week’s episode, many of our dating challenges and solutions remain the same, regardless of age, gender, or sexuality. 

Get ready for an insightful discussion about modern dating that challenges conventional wisdom, plus stay tuned for a special Dear Damona segment where Laura joins Damona to answer listener questions about long-distance dating possibilities and navigating intimacy challenges.

(2:19) From Heartbreak to Dating Superstar: Meet Laura Stassi

You won’t believe how Laura turned her own “gray divorce” into a mission to help thousands find love again. 

After a 30-year marriage ended, she didn’t just bounce back – she revolutionized the conversation about dating after 50. 

Now her podcast Dating While Gray connects with thousands of listeners worldwide, proving it’s never too late for a fresh start in love.

Love Has No Age Limit (6:21) 

Think dating at 25 is totally different from dating at 65? 

Laura and Damona bust this myth wide open, revealing how our core desires for connection stay remarkably constant throughout our lives. 

They explore why being older actually gives you some serious advantages in the dating game and how life experience can make you a better partner than ever before.

The Secret Spots Where Love is Hiding (14:04) 

Forget swiping right – Laura shares her genius strategies for meeting potential partners in places you’d never expect. 

From high school reunions to neighborhood barbecues, she’s got the scoop on where real connections happen naturally. 

You’ll be shocked by her stories of couples who found love in the most surprising places and get actionable tips for expanding your own dating pool beyond the apps.

Dating Rules: Keep ‘Em or Trash ‘Em? (21:53) 

Should men still pay on the first date? Is it okay to text first?

What about waiting three days to call? Laura and Damona dive deep into which dating rules are ready for retirement and which timeless traditions actually help build stronger connections. (Their answers may surprise you!)

Get ready for a fresh take on modern dating etiquette that works for any age.

Connect with Laura:

Podcast: Dating While Gray

Instagram: @datingwhilegray

(30:57) Dear Damona & Laura

Ever wondered about starting a long-distance relationship before moving to a new city? Or how to date confidently when dealing with health issues? 

Question from an Anonymous Listener:

Dear Damona, I just turned 70 years old, and I’m in good health. Still working full-time. 24 years ago, the man I was married to at the time transferred us to California. 

I was originally born and raised in Louisiana, and I’m a Southern girl through and through. 12 years ago, I divorced my husband, and I long to go back to the South. I have a daughter who lives in Tennessee, and my desire is to move there and find a lovely southern gentleman and settle down. 

I did try dating sites for a while here in California, but I would prefer to be in the South. I want to go on a dating site in Tennessee, but I’m not sure how that would work. Long distance or even how to go about that? Frequent commuting, of course, is out of the question, and I’m wondering if you think it’s even a good idea to try to look into relationships long distance until the time that I can move there, perhaps in about a year.

Question from a listener named Jenny: 

I am having an awful dating self-esteem issue, and I know that this particular problem is highly common among women. 

You see, after having three kids who are now 27, 25, and 22, and after being a teacher for 30 years, my bladder has taken a huge turn for the worse. Here I sit at 55 years old, feeling like an elderly person in poise pads. The incontinence has gotten out of hand. I’ve had surgery and physical therapy to fix the problem with no luck. 

I am so sick and tired of people making jokes about others needing adult diapers because it is a real problem that keeps me from doing anything that will prevent me from being near a bathroom, as I have to go every hour. And all of these jokes make me feel like I am unsexy and that no man would ever want me. What am I supposed to do with this problem?

Do you have questions? Damona has the answers! Don’t forget you can submit your dating and relationship questions for our Dear Damona segment on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, or leave us a voicemail or text to 424-246-6255, and hear Damona’s answers live in a future episode!

The holidays are arriving, bringing cozy vibes, family gatherings, and those inevitable dating questions. 

Whether you’re bracing for Aunty Sally’s “Why are you still single?” or wondering if you should bring your new fling to the holiday party, this week’s Dear Damona episode is here to help make your season merry, bright, and drama-free.

(00:25) Dear Damona 

Do you have questions? Damona has the answers! Submit your dating and relationship questions on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, or leave a voicemail or text to 424-246-6255, and hear Damona’s answers in a future episode!

When Chemistry Goes Cold (02:01)

After reading “F the Fairy Tale,” Annie challenged her usual dating patterns and found herself in an emotionally fulfilling relationship. But despite having what she calls “the best boyfriend she’s ever had,” something crucial is missing. 

“He is a very good man and probably the best boyfriend I’ve ever had…but after seven months, I should really be feeling something physical, and there is not. We barely ever even kiss.”

The Silent Treatment Strikes at Four Months (07:58) 

When carefully planned Monday meetups suddenly turn into radio silence, one NYC dater finds himself ghosted after building what seemed like a solid connection. 

“We’ve gotten close and we’ve taken a vacation together, spent multiple nights together…I’ve texted and called twice. No response. Clearly, there’s wrongdoing on both sides, but I can’t be wrong in thinking – Ghosting? You ghosted me after four months?”

Taking the Plunge in the Triathlon Club (16:24)

The endorphins are flowing, and the singles are plentiful, but one athlete wonders if mixing romance with her training group could lead to a winning combination or a workout gone wrong. 

“There are a lot of singles in this club, but no one seems to be asking people out…If there are guys in the group I’m interested in, how can I go about breaking the ice?”

When Gender Roles Crash the Perfect Date (23:55) 

Instant connection…flowing conversation…everything seemed perfect – until a dinner reservation revealed a clash of values that had one dater questioning the whole relationship.

 “She clarified that a man should pay for the dates in the early stages of dating because that’s a man’s job. This bugged me. I like balance in any relationship…That fundamental value difference never left my head.”

Feeling like your emotional baggage is weighing down your love life? 

We’ve all got some baggage weighing us down when it comes to dating – from stylish little clutches to oversized trunks stuffed with past experiences. While some of us try to sneak our baggage through security unnoticed, the truth is: at some point in every relationship, we’ll need to open those bags and sort through what’s inside.

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with renowned psychologist Dr. Alfiee as we unpack the complexities of modern dating and mental health. Dr. Alfiee shares game-changing perspectives that will transform how you think about emotional wellness in dating. (She even had Damona tearing up – but don’t worry, the mascara stayed intact!)

Then, stay tuned for this week’s Dear Damona, where we help a listener navigate the dating scene after a marriage that started too young and lasted too long. Is it ever too late for a fresh start? (Spoiler alert: absolutely not!)

(2:10) Meet Dr. Alfiee

Meet this week’s guest: Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble, a brilliant psychologist and scientist whose work is transforming mental health care through her nonprofit, the AAKOMA Project.

You might know her voice from The Washington Post, CNN, The New York Times, or her insightful podcast “Couched in Color.”

But what makes her perfect for our conversation? She brings a genuine, clear-eyed perspective to mental health, culture, and relationships that will change how you think about your own emotional wellness journey.

Stop Looking for Your Other Half (5:13)

Dr. Alfiee challenges a common misconception in dating: the idea that two halves make a whole. 

“You don’t want half a partner,” she explains. “You want two whole partners coming together to make a whole relationship.” 

This means showing up as your complete self rather than expecting someone else to complete you.

Are You Really “Avoidant” – or Just Adapting? (17:52)

While attachment styles are trending in dating advice, Dr. Alfiee offers a fresh perspective: our patterns aren’t just shaped by our parents but by our entire community – including extended family, cultural background, and early experiences.

What might look like “avoidant” behavior could actually be a healthy adaptation to specific cultural or family dynamics.

The Mental Health Conversation: When and How? (21:20)

When it comes to dating someone managing their mental health, Dr. Alfiee emphasizes looking at the whole picture.

If someone trusts you enough to share their mental health journey, that’s often a sign of a strong foundation. 

The key isn’t the diagnosis – it’s how they manage it.

Moving Your Trauma to the Top Shelf (34:48)

Dr. Alfiee shares a powerful metaphor for healing: imagine your trauma as a book on a shelf. 

At first, it’s on the bottom shelf, easily within reach. As you heal, that book moves higher and higher. 

While the book never disappears, it becomes less accessible – you’re in control of when you take it down.

Dr. Alfiee’s Real Talk

• Dating isn’t easy, no matter what social media tells you.
• You can’t skip the self-work and expect relationship success.
• Trust your gut – but make sure you’ve done the work to understand what your gut is really telling you.

Connect with Dr. Alfiee:

• Website:DrAlfiee.com, AakomaProject.com
• IG: @dralfiee
• Podcast “Couched In Color”

(41:04) Dear Damona, Help Me!

 An email from a listener named Rebecca:

Dear Damona, 2024 has been the year of me. I want to make a purposeful decision about finding a relationship. I’m about to finish your newest book, so I’m off to a great start.

I want to include dating apps and organic meetings in my plan. However, I really have no idea where a 60-ish guy hangs out. Suggestions? I married too young and stayed too long, so I’m really out of the loop. Bars, cooking classes, the local YMCA? Thanks. Can’t wait to hear back from you.

Do you have questions? Damona has the answers! Don’t forget you can submit your dating and relationship questions for our Dear Damona segment on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, or leave us a voicemail or text to 424-246-6255, and hear Damona’s answers live in a future episode!

What Singles REALLY Want in 2024!

Ever wonder what your potential dates are really looking for? Or if your relationship expectations match up with everyone else’s?

The Knot just released their 2024 Relationship and Intimacy study, revealing fascinating insights about how singles find love, what they’re actually looking for, and those persistent deal breakers that shape our dating decisions.

Get ready to decode modern romance with Esther Lee, deputy editor of The Knot. She’s breaking down the numbers on everything from meet-cutes to marriage, and some of these findings might surprise you!

Plus, don’t miss our Dear Damona segment, where we tackle an awkward gift-giving situation. When is it too soon for intimate presents? 

(1:34) Meet Esther Lee

Esther Lee is the deputy editor of The Knot, leading content on The Knot Wellness with a focus on financial, relationship, and mental well-being. 

She oversees The Knot’s travel vertical, including honeymoons, destination weddings, and bachelorette parties, along with overarching features and trends.

The Comfort Connection (05:13)

The Knot’s 2024 study challenges everything you thought you knew about attraction and chemistry. What tops the list of desirable qualities might surprise you – and it’s not what most dating coaches are teaching!

As Esther notes, “There has to be this openness and this lightness, almost like you’re showing up as yourself and being comfortable with who you are.” Find out why authenticity might be your best dating strategy.

Love Offline (17:52)

Dating apps aren’t the only path to partnership. 

The study reveals unexpected ways couples are meeting in 2024, including some surprising new trends in the gaming world.

Plus, discover why traditional meet-cutes might be making a comeback and how Gen Z is revolutionizing the dating scene.

Married Life Myths & Reality (21:20)

Think you know how marriage changes relationships? The study’s findings about intimacy patterns before and after marriage might change your mind.

Esther shares insights from a recently married team member who discovered unexpected shifts in their relationship dynamics post-wedding. 

Learn why “putting a ring on it” might transform more than just your legal status.

The Distance Dance (34:48)

When it comes to deal breakers, distance tops many singles’ lists. 

But what exactly counts as “long-distance”? For some New Yorkers, it’s crossing boroughs; for others, it’s crossing oceans.

Plus, discover the other relationship red flags that made the list and why they might matter more than you think.

Connect with Esther and The Knot:

• Website:TheKnot.com
• Report:https://www.theknot.com/content/relationship-and-intimacy-study
• elee@theknotww.com

(39:19) Dear Damona, Help Me!

Email from a listener named Cathy:

This is a little off the beaten path, but my 17-year-old grandson is dating a lovely young woman, and she recently had a birthday for a birthday gift. 

He bought her a Victoria’s Secret bra. She interpreted this as him wanting much more out of the relationship, and she promptly slapped him in his face and stormed off.

I gotta say, I love the gal’s chutzpah since there was certainly no ambiguity in her reaction. Any ideas on how he might navigate this precarious situation? 

Do you have questions? Damona has the answers! Don’t forget you can submit your dating and relationship questions for our Dear Damona segment on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, or leave us a voicemail or text to 424-246-6255, and hear Damona’s answers live in a future episode!