Ask a Matchmaker

On this episode of Ask a Matchmaker , Maria is joined by writer Allison Raskin and her husband, former CIA agent turned screenwriter John Blakeslee. They talk about their new podcast Starter Marriage , diving into the realities of modern relationships, communication, and therapy. From Allison's book I Do to John's past in the CIA, the couple shares how their backgrounds shape their approach to mar...

In this special live episode recorded at the legendary 92nd Street Y in New York City, Matchmaker Maria is joined by her dear friend and style expert Chrissy Rutherford for a fun, honest, and wide-ranging conversation about modern love. The two dive into Maria's new book, Ask A Matchmaker , and how it blends human behavior, communication theory, and decades of matchmaking experience to cut through...

This week, Maria shares the highs, surprises, and deep conversations from her Ask a Matchmaker book tour. From readers finding clarity in their relationships to full-blown divorces sparked by missing pillars (yes, really), the impact has been powerful—and personal. Even her husband had thoughts after reading it! Plus, Maria gives her full (spoiler-filled!) recap of The Materialists  movie. Buckle...

On this week's episode of  Ask a Matchmaker ,  Matchmaker Maria  is joined by co-host  Joyelle Nicole Johnson are on a hotline ep, answering your toughest dating dilemmas. First, a 42-year-old single woman from Jersey City is looking for love, but struggles to find men who match her lifestyle and ambition. Maria offers advice on expanding her dating pool beyond NYC, embracing men with kids, and no...

How do you open the conversation about polyamory with your partner, without blowing things up? On this week's episode of  Ask a Matchmaker , Matchmaker Maria is joined by co-host Joyelle Nicole Johnson and NYC-based relationship therapist and professor Melissa Fulgieri to explore the nuances of ethical non-monogamy. From setting ground rules to navigating emotional triggers, Melissa shares expert...

On this week's Ask a Matchmaker, Matchmaker Maria sits down with the fearless and unfiltered Weezy WTF co-host of the Decisions Decisions podcast and co-author of the brand-new book No Holes Barred: A Dual Manifesto of Sexual Exploration and Power . From sugar baby adventures to navigating the emotional rollercoaster of dating in NYC, Weezy shares jaw-dropping stories that are equal parts hilariou...

This week, Matchmaker Maria is joined by her hilarious and heartfelt co-host for the month, comedian Joyelle Nicole Johnson ! They dive deep into what it really means to love someone, and how therapy, timelines, and choosing your own adventure can all be ways to say "I love you." Joyelle shares the origin story of her relationship, from getting set up by none other than Ilana Glazer (yes, that Ila...

This week, Maria is joined by her sister, Matchmaker Chrisoula! before we get into it, Maria's new book,  Matchmaker Maria's No-Nonsense Guide to Finding Love , is out! Go buy it! Now tune in for a special Hotline Episode of the podcast! The two take calls from listeners looking for real-time dating advice, from situationships to second date confusion. Also we dive into a callers life sharing abou...

In Matchmaker Maria's No-Nonsense Guide to Finding Love , celebrity matchmaker Maria Avgitidis blends heartfelt storytelling with decades of experience to offer a refreshingly honest guide to modern dating. Written as a "prescriptive memoir," this isn't just a dating manual it's a candid, deeply personal conversation over coffee with a trusted friend. From her upbringing straddling Greek and Ameri...

Matchmaker Maria is just one week away from the release of her new book Ask a Matchmaker , and she's calling on all her listeners to support it! Whether you're a page-turner or an audiobook addict, now's the time to preorder and get ready to transform your dating life. Then it's time to open the hotline! Maria is joined by her sister and fellow matchmaker, Ursula, as they dive into listener questi...

This week on Ask a Matchmaker , Matchmaker Maria is joined by a fellow matchmaker, her sister and May's   cohost, Chrisoula! The two are diving   into the matchmaking world! W hat it takes, how it works, and why it's not all candlelit dinners and perfect matches. From surprising client obstacles to touching success stories, Maria and Chrisoula pull back the curtain on their day- to- day process, i...

This week on Ask a Matchmaker , Maria is joined by the wildly entertaining Jesse, who brings her playful energy and real talk to your biggest dating dilemmas! 💌 First up, Brianna is overthinking a recent date with a man she felt went too well. Maria breaks it down with practical advice about pacing new relationships and managing expectations. 💥 Then, we hear from a listener whose recent first da...

This week, Matchmaker Maria is joined by the insightful and hilarious  Jessie to break down what's happening in the wild world of dating right now. From the rise of kittenfishing—yes, that sneaky cousin of catfishing where people add just a little too much sparkle to their online personas to the U.S. government literally banning romantic relationships with Chinese nationals (wait...doesn't banning...

This is part 2 of a powerful two-part episode of Ask a Matchmaker. This week, Matchmaker Maria sits down with journalist Vera Papisova , who went undercover on conservative dating apps during the 2024 election cycle. Her goal? To investigate the rise of red pill culture, Christian nationalism, and the growing appeal of traditional gender roles among men in far-right dating spaces. From secret neo-...

What happens when modern dating meets far-right ideology? This week, Matchmaker Maria sits down with journalist and award-winning editor Vera Papisova , who went undercover on conservative dating apps during the 2024 election cycle. Her mission? To understand the rise of red pill culture, Christian nationalism, and the growing appeal of traditional gender roles in far-right dating spaces. From pro...

This week, Matchmaker Maria is joined by comedian Jessie Lee, known for her hilarious character comedy and spot-on impressions of emotionally unavailable men. Jessie shares why she's taking a break from dating—after one too many weird encounters, including a post-hookup serenade from a naked guy with a guitar (yes, really). Maria and Jessie also dive into Jessie's viral Instagram and TikTok sketch...

This week, Matchmaker Maria is back with her March cohost, comedian Kaneez, for a special live hotline episode! 📞💘 They're taking real-time calls from listeners looking for love advice, covering everything from dating while on weight-loss medication to when to disclose a vasectomy and how to navigate romance when you're constantly on the move. Maria also shares a personal weight loss journey and...

Attachment coach and author Chris Rackliffe returns to the podcast to discuss his new book, Needy No More: The Journey from Anxious to Secure Attachment. In this insightful conversation, Chris breaks down the six origins of anxious attachment, the connection between attachment and addiction, and how trauma influences our relationships. Plus, cohost Kaneez shares her personal experiences with attac...

In this week's episode of Ask a Matchmaker, Maria and her March co-host Kaneez dive into some wild and thought-provoking headlines that are shaking up conversations about love and relationships. Maria kicks things off with a jaw-dropping New York Times article about a Chinese company pressuring employees to marry and start families by September 30th — or face termination. The discussion unpacks th...

This March, Matchmaker Maria is joined by comedian Kaneez Surka as her cohost! Kaneez, originally from South Africa and having lived in India, opens up about her journey through marriage, divorce, and self-discovery. She shares how realizing she and her ex-husband were too young and had different values led to their split — and how reading Calling in The One helped her break free from patterns of...

It's hotline time! In this episode of Ask A Matchmaker, Maria and Erika take live calls and dive into your dating dilemmas. One caller wonders if she should disclose her ADHD to new dates — is honesty the best policy, or should she wait? Another caller grapples with dating in today's political climate: she prefers liberals, but should she open her heart to people with different views? We also hear...

This week on Ask a Matchmaker , comedian Jared Freid joins dating expert Erika Ettin for a deep dive into modern dating strategies! From the art of sliding into DMs to structuring an online dating profile that actually gets responses, they're breaking it all down. Plus, Erika shares tips on how to confidently approach men in DMs without the cringe. If you're ready to level up your dating game, thi...

Is Valentine's Day worth the hype? This week, Matchmaker Maria is joined by dating coach and relationship expert Erika Ettin to dive into the origins and modern-day debates surrounding this love-it-or-leave-it holiday. 💘 Highlights: The ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia and its connection to modern Valentine's Day How a martyred Saint Valentine became the symbol of love The influence of Hallma...

This week on Ask a Matchmaker, Matchmaker Maria is joined by Erika Ettin , a renowned dating coach who specializes in navigating the world of online dating. Together, they break down essential advice for making meaningful connections in 2025. Erika shares creative tips on rethinking your dating profile title—why calling yourself an "RN" or "hospitality professional" might spark more interest than...

It's a bittersweet episode as Matchmaker Maria is joined one last time by her favorite guest co-host, comedian @tarajokes  ! Together, they dive into one of Maria's signature hotline episodes, packed with laughs, wisdom, and a little tough love❤️ This week, Maria and Tara tackle a Matchmaker Mail 💌 from someone struggling to voice her wants in a relationship. How do you express your needs without...