Tag Archive for: dating

nbc news daily and damona hoffman talk about unique valentine's day gifts and AI in writing break up letters.

NBC News Now: Unique Valentine’s Day Gifts and AI Romance

Unique Valentine’s Day Gifts and AI Romance.

Getting Real About Romance: On NBC News Now, relationship expert Damona Hoffman explored the quirky intersection of AI and modern romance from crafting dating profiles to helping with breakup texts, discussing how technology is changing the way we date and connect.

When it came to Valentine’s Day gifts, she encouraged ditching the standard flowers and chocolates for more personal touches – from thoughtful DIY projects to splurging on concert tickets. After all, nothing says “I love you” quite like Beyoncé!

nbc news daily valentine's day swiping on dating apps and intentional dating

NBC News Daily: To Swipe or Not…

To Swipe or Not: Taking a Closer Look at the Current State of Dating Apps

NBC News Daily explored the $4 billion dating app industry with the help of relationship expert Damona Hoffman. Damona share’s her take on modern matchmaking.

While acknowledging the challenges of online dating, Damona highlighted the current trend of “intentional dating” and “loud looking,” encouraging singles to embrace the reality that dating apps are now a legitimate path to finding love.

access daily with mario lopez and kit hoover dating with damona segment with Damona hoffman for valentine's day and world dump day

Access Daily: Valentine’s Day & World Dump Day

Dating with Damona: Access Daily hosts Mario and Kit got the scoop on Valentine’s Day and World Dump Day (yes, that’s a real thing!) with Damona.

From discussing the art of the perfect breakup to exploring new dating terms like “pebbling” and “fine whining,” the conversation covered both the sweet and sour sides of modern romance.

Damona shared practical tips for singles considering a friend’s matchmaking offer, encouraging daters to know their “must-haves” before saying yes to a setup.

Romances & Practicalities

Love, Dating, and the 250 Questions That Could Transform Your Love Life…

It’s 2025, and if there’s one thing many of us crave, it’s a roadmap to romance – a way to navigate the complex journey from that first spark to a lasting flame. While we can’t promise you a yellow brick road to love, this week’s episode offers something more valuable: a practical system for determining if your connection has true staying power.

Join us as we explore a revolutionary approach to modern dating that combines authentic communication with strategic timing. Plus, we’ll tackle a compelling “Dear Damona” segment that hits close to home, addressing the delicate balance of vulnerability and defining the relationship in our digital age.

(1:03) From Emmy-Nominated Producer to Love Story Architect

Meet Lindsay Jill Roth, the award-winning television producer behind Emmy-nominated shows and global events for NBC, ESPN, and the Grammys. 

Now she’s turned her storytelling expertise to decode the narrative of lasting love, bringing a fresh perspective to how we approach relationships. 

Fun fact: her college bestie and maid of honor is none other than the Duchess of Sussex!

When Google Becomes Your Dating Coach (2:06)

After one pivotal FaceTime call threatened to derail her budding romance, Lindsay took an unexpected deep dive into relationship research. 

Discover how her late-night Google search for “how to know someone better” evolved into a groundbreaking system that’s helping couples worldwide determine their compatibility. 

Through conversations with top relationship experts and real-world testing, she uncovered the power of asking the right questions at the right moment.

The Two-Sense Connection (15:38)

What happens when you strip away touch, taste, and smell from early dating? 

Lindsay’s transatlantic love story reveals how limiting yourself to just sight and sound might actually deepen your connection. Learn why traditional dating rules could be sabotaging your chance at authentic love, and how strategic communication can bridge any distance – even an ocean. 

Plus, uncover the unexpected advantage of being forced to truly talk before getting physical.

Beyond “What’s Your Favorite Movie?” (30:36)

Forget surface-level chit-chat – it’s time to dive deep into the questions that actually predict relationship success. 

From financial philosophies to family dynamics, Lindsay breaks down why discussing your future in-laws’ sleeping arrangements might matter more than your shared Netflix preferences. 

Learn the art of timing these conversations for maximum impact, and why some couples find these discussions so intimate they can’t help but put the book down mid-chapter.

The Truth About Vulnerability in Modern Dating (42:49)

Ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about playing it cool? 

Lindsay shares two controversial perspectives that might make you rethink your entire approach to relationships. 

Discover why being authentically yourself from the start could be your secret weapon in finding lasting love, and how dropping “The Rules” might actually lead you to the right person.

Connect with Lindsay:

(43:21)Dear Damona: When Your Match Is Still Swiping

When a listener spots their promising match still updating their dating app profile, Damona shares her own journey through this exact situation with her now-husband. 

Get candid advice about when to have that defining conversation, how to approach it with confidence, and why this seemingly uncomfortable moment might be the perfect opportunity to deepen your connection.

💌 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!

Access Daily: The Year of the Woman

Dating with Damona: Access Daily hosts Kit Hoover and Zuri Hall chatted with Damona about the wild world of modern dating.

After sharing a jaw-dropping story about a Brad Pitt catfishing scheme, she declared 2025 “the year of the woman” and discussed the growing influence of Korea’s “4B movement” on modern dating culture.

The segment wrapped with a fun round of Dating Dictionary, where Damona taught everyone new terms like “loud looking” and “flying monkey.” You can find the segment HERE .

The Drew Barrymore Show: Damona On Dating

What’s Love Got to Do with it?

Damona helps answer audience questions about love and dating on this episode of The Drew Barrymore show with Drew Barrymore, Valerie Bertinelli, Oliver Hudson, Taye Diggs.

From how to do a  better job of trusting your gut while getting into and out of relationships to ignite the passion in a relationship when family comes first.

Access Daily: Holla-Dating with Damona

Holla-Dating with Damona on Access Daily with Karamo and Kit. 

On a special holiday dating episode of Access Daily Damona shares advice as we head into peak dating season. Karamo and Kit ask Damona if there are “rules” about getting engaged over the holidays and introducing your partner to the family at the holiday dinner. They end with a fun round of “dating dictionary,” where Karamo and Kit are tested on their dating term knowledge.

Check out the full episode to learn more about terms like “snow-mancing” and Carouseling! You can find the episode HERE .

Tinder Trivia and Getting Ghosted

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Whether you’re feeling the love or dodging Cupid’s arrow, we’ve got something special for you.

In this episode, we’re celebrating all things love and dating with a fun twist – testing our knowledge with Tinder Trivia! Professional matchmaker and Tinder’s resident relationship expert Devyn Simone steps into the hot seat to challenge conventional dating wisdom and reveal surprising truths about finding love in the digital age.

Plus, we’ve got a special “Dear Damona & Dear Devyn” segment with two burning questions from our listeners about ghosting and dating app dynamics.

(41:04) Tinder’s Go-TO Guru Who Found Love on an App (Twice)

For anyone wondering whether dating apps actually work, Devyn Simone brings proof positive – complete with a ring! 

This powerhouse matchmaker and dating expert has gone from sharing wisdom on Good Morning America and The Today Show to co-hosting “Love at First Swipe” on TLC with Clinton Kelly.

Now, as Tinder’s resident relationship expert, she’s pulling back the curtain on what really works in modern dating. Her own success story was so compelling it earned a spotlight in Damona’s book “F the Fairy Tale”!

Game On: Tinder Trivia Reveals Surprising Dating Truths (9:08) 

The game kicks off with a challenge that catches everyone off guard: Which day sees the most activity on dating apps? 

As Devyn puts the question to the test, the conversation explores how timing can make all the difference in your dating app success. From peak usage hours to the psychology behind why certain days lead to more matches, this segment uncovers data-driven insights that most users never consider.

Myth-Busting: What Singles Really Want (15:38)

Think most people on dating apps are just looking for casual connections? Think again. 

The trivia continues with shocking statistics about what men and women are actually seeking on Tinder. The numbers tell a completely different story than what most people assume, leading to an eye-opening discussion about how these misconceptions affect dating behavior. 

Devyn shares real stories from her years of matchmaking experience that challenge everything singles think they know about dating app culture, while revealing how these insights can lead to more authentic connections.

The Profile Photo Strategy No One Talks About (30:36)

The next round of trivia dives into the science of profile photos, revealing exactly how long successful daters spend selecting their images. 

This sparks a fascinating conversation about the psychology behind profile photos and how Tinder’s new AI-powered tools are changing the game. The discussion explores common photo mistakes that might be sabotaging potential matches, along with practical strategies for showcasing authenticity in a digital world.

The Dating Feature That Can Expand Your Matches (42:49) 

The final trivia round unveils Tinder’s most powerful yet underutilized feature for expanding dating possibilities. 

This revelation leads to an in-depth exploration of how geography affects dating success and why thinking outside your zip code might be the key to finding meaningful connections. We challenge traditional assumptions about distance and dating, offering fresh perspectives on how to expand your dating pool without compromising on what matters most.

Connect with Devyn:

(41:04) Dear Damona & Dear Devyn

  • When “Let’s Meet Up” Comes Too Soon

Siggy asks: “How do you suggest handling men on apps who seem to just want to set up a date from the onset before even exchanging any texts? Video chat requests seem to make them disappear.” 

Our experts break down why this behavior is actually a gift in disguise and share strategies for maintaining your standards while efficiently screening potential matches.

  • Why Do the “Good Ones” Keep Disappearing?

B writes: “Why is it that when I feel like I meet a quality guy and we connect, they ghost me or it doesn’t lead anywhere? Could I be coming on too strong with my excitement?” 

Devyn and Damona explore the psychology behind this common pattern, offering insights on attachment styles, emotional availability, and how to maintain enthusiasm while protecting your energy.

💌 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!

Dear Damona: Dating Groove & Twin Flame’s Twin

It’s February, and love is in the air! But before you start stress-scrolling past all those heart-shaped decorations and candy displays, take a deep breath. Around here, we celebrate love in all its beautiful forms, whether that’s self-love, family bonds, friendship, or yes, even romance.

This week’s Dear Damona episode covers everything from finding love after a 30-year marriage (hello, hot Tinder date in Vienna!) to navigating workplace crushes when there are two potential connections. 

We’re tackling real questions about handling singles mixer dynamics, balancing dating with single parenthood, and even exploring what happens when twin bonds impact romantic relationships. 

So grab your favorite chocolate (because let’s face it, it’s way better than those chalky candy hearts), and settle in for some authentic conversation about finding connection in today’s dating landscape.

(00:25) Dear Damona

Got dating dilemmas? Relationship riddles? 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!

Finding Your Groove After Thirty Years of “I Do” (02:18) 

After three decades of marriage, one listener is rediscovering herself through dating apps – and finding unexpected joy in a Viennese romance. 

As she puts it, “I’m not sure who or what was on my side, but I met a smoking hot 40-year-old guy on Tinder and two days with him made up for everything.” But now she’s wondering: how can she date authentically when she’s not even sure what she’s looking for?

When Two Workplace Connections Make Your Heart Race (09:40)

One listener’s dating groove hit an unexpected twist with two potential connections at work: one her age, one ten years younger.

After a playful arcade date with the younger colleague, she’s questioning if she should explore either connection. As Damona notes, “Dating people at work can be messy. If this is not a career job for you, I say go for it.”

When “Hi” Gets You Goodbye (16:28)

After relocating to a new city, one singles mixer attendee discovers that real-life dating might be taking cues from dating apps – and not in a good way. 

“It’s like people are swiping in real life now,” he shares. “No one takes the time to get to know me before judging what they see.” Is there still hope for those seeking deeper connections in our snap-judgment world?

Making Space for Love While Juggling Life (23:55)

When well-meaning friends suggest putting dating on hold during a busy season of life, one listener pushes back: “That advice makes me cry. I don’t want to stop trying. I’m ready to not be alone.” 

Can you pursue partnership while balancing the demands of single parenthood and family caregiving?

When Twin Bonds Test Relationship Boundaries (34:08)

After investing four years in her relationship, one woman faces a difficult reality about her twin partner. 

Despite owning a house with his brother and living together for decades, he kept promising “if it was the right woman” things would change. “It was one of the most heartbreaking situations I’ve been in,” she shares, discovering that some bonds – especially between twins – might be unbreakable.

How To Be Dateable & Rarely Into Anyone

Dating can be tough these days, even for our regular Dates & Mates listeners who are putting in the work to date with intention. 

Many of us grew up in the Disney Prince and Princess era, absorbing these fairy tales about love at first sight and happily ever after. But as adults, we have had to unlearn those stories and redefine what love looks like in the real world. 

The good news? Today’s singles are stepping onto a new path, one of authenticity and intentionality in dating.

This week, we’re talking with Julie Krafchick and Yue Xu about their brand new book “How to Be Dateable: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Person and Falling in Love.” They share practical strategies that help us date smarter and connect deeper.

(2:03) From First Date Horror Stories to Dating’s Dynamic Duo

When Julie Krafchick and Yue Xu met in San Francisco, neither had figured dating out. 

Together, Yue, a former dating coach who specialized in helping clients “trick” people into liking them, and Julie, with her background in human-centered design, realized none of the old rules worked anymore.

Now, after a decade of hosting the Dateable podcast and launching their dating experiment show Exit Interview, they’ve interviewed thousands of daters and uncovered the truth about modern love. 

In their new book “How to Be Dateable: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Person and Falling in Love,” they share what really works (and what definitely doesn’t) in today’s dating landscape.

The Hidden Reason Modern Dating Feels Impossible (4:05) 

“Back in the day, people dated within their network. They formed organic connections. 

They didn’t have to win people over because they saw these people over and over again,” Yue revealed, highlighting why today’s expanded dating pools create unique challenges.

The conversation explored how dating has evolved from organic community connections to convincing strangers of our worth. While dating apps have expanded our options, they’ve also created new hurdles in our search for authentic connection – and understanding these dynamics is the first step to mastering them.

The Dating Personality Test That Changes Everything (15:38) 

Julie opened up about her own dating patterns as a Dreamer-Achiever type, sharing how it kept her in a two-year situationship: “I would give people the sixth chance… I would think something was more than it was because I was in a fantasy of what I wanted from someone.”

Their five archetypes – the Achiever, Dreamer, Energizer, Maverick, and Thinker – reveal the hidden patterns in our dating lives. 

Through personal stories and real examples, Julie and Yue demonstrate how understanding your type helps you leverage your strengths while spotting potential pitfalls.

The Sunday Dating Rule That Will Save Your Sanity (30:36) 

Though she is partnered now, Julie’s dating app strategy sparked an “aha” moment in the studio – she only logged in on Sundays, the highest traffic day, with notifications turned off. This simple shift transformed her experience from exhausting to energizing.

The conversation dove into why treating dating apps like a full-time job backfires and how setting clear boundaries around your dating energy creates space for genuine connection. 

The Million Dollar Dating Question No One’s Asking (42:49) 

When Julie and Yue introduced their Dating North Star concept, it completely shifted how we think about dating goals. 

Instead of generic aims like “finding a relationship” or “not being lonely,” they dig deeper into what actually drives our desire for partnership.

Through fascinating examples from their research and podcast interviews, they reveal how getting crystal clear on your true dating motivation changes everything about how you approach finding love.

Connect with Julie & Yue:

(41:04) Dear Damona: When the Spark Feels Lost

A listener struggles to find attraction after breaking free from emotionally unavailable partners. Damona shares insights on rewiring attraction patterns and why taking it slow might be the key to finding lasting chemistry.

💌 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!

When You Get Dumped & Matches on Mute

January may be known as “divorce month,” but let’s be honest – no matter how common breakups are, they never feel common. They’re confusing, painful, and can feel downright debilitating. 

This week’s guests, mother-daughter duo, Suzy Hopkins and Hallie Bateman, take on heartbreak in a refreshing and real way, sharing the insights within their newly published graphic novel “What to Do When You Get Dumped”. Together they share their raw and relatable guide to navigating one of life’s toughest transitions.

Join us for their journey from heartbreak to healing, exploring everything from giving yourself permission to feel your feelings to finally letting go of what’s holding you back. If you’re navigating the end of a relationship (or know someone who is), this episode is your roadmap and reminder that healing is possible – and happiness is waiting on the other side.

Plus, stay tuned for this week’s Dear Damona, where we tackle a common dating app frustration: why do matches like your profile but never write?

(1:06) “My Husband Left Me During Our Book Tour” 

Suzy Hopkins is a former newspaper reporter and magazine publisher and co-author of “What to Do When I’m Gone.” Her daughter, Hallie Bateman, is a writer and illustrator whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Owl, and many others. 

Together, they’ve created “What to Do When You Get Dumped,” a graphic novel guide to navigating one of life’s toughest transitions. The inspiration? Suzy’s own experience of having her husband of 30 years leave her for an old flame just as Suzy and Hallie were about to begin a book tour for their previous work.

When Your Ex Becomes a Stranger (34:07) 

The moment everything changes isn’t just about losing a partner; it’s about losing a language. 

After 30 years of marriage, Suzy found herself unable to speak to her husband as the person she’d known for three decades. “The minute he told me…I could no longer talk to him as my husband. There was a third person in the room at all times, even though she wasn’t physically there.” 

She reveals how this presence transformed their relationship overnight, and shares her unexpected method for maintaining sanity.

Skip the Forgiveness, Find Your Peace (21:03) 

Think you need to forgive to move forward? Think again. 

While wrestling with the end of her marriage, Suzy discovered that the common advice about forgiveness wasn’t serving her healing. Through tears and rewrites, mother and daughter unpack why the pressure to forgive can sometimes do more harm than good. 

They offer a revolutionary perspective on moving forward that doesn’t require you to make peace with what happened – just peace with yourself.

That Restaurant Doesn’t Belong to Your Ex (28:14) 

Your favorite places don’t have to be casualties of your breakup. When Hallie spotted her mom staring up at a meaningful Berkeley hotel, she sparked a conversation about reclaiming spaces from painful memories.

 “That old memory becomes a lot smaller,” Hallie explains, “and I think the story of that place…hopefully becomes the memory that’s in the foreground.” 

Together, they explore why avoiding these places only gives more power to the past and share their creative strategy for transforming old haunts into new havens.

The Two-Hour Healing Plan (38:50) 

Forget about “getting back out there” – sometimes victory is just making it through the next 120 minutes. Through counseling and small acts of survival, Suzy discovered that healing doesn’t happen on Instagram’s timeline. 

She shares how accepting the glacial pace of recovery actually helped her heal faster and why counting the days (all 1,582 of them) became an unexpected source of strength. 

The mother-daughter duo offers a refreshing take on moving forward that doesn’t require you to have it all figured out – just the next tiny step.

Connect with Suzy & Hallie:

(41:04) Dear Damona

“Hi Damona, my question is – how come guys on Hinge like my profile but never send a message? It’s happening more than usual lately and feels like it’s becoming the new Bumble.”

💌 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!

Getting It Right This Time & Paying For Premium

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:

(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!