Love in Dating Shows

I think we've all seen the statistics as to how successful The Golden Bachelor was in capturing the interest and hearts of the nation. The show was exactly what we all needed in so many ways, and it broke crucial barriers with respect to representation in the reality dating world. It was an honor to have the show's Leslie Fhima on Love in Dating Shows to discuss what she learned from the e...

After binging Peacock's Couple to Throuple, I was fortunate enough to literally run into one of my favorite people on the show, Rehman Bhatti. I had so many questions for him after watching him explore ethical non-monogamy on screen. He did a fantastic job shedding light on the experience, what he learned, and how it will impact his future thoughts on compatibility. This conversation was truly...

We Met At Acme founder Lindsey Metselaar joined me to talk all things compatibility, courtship, and of course, dating shows. We discussed which dating shows simulate the closest-to-ideal dating scenarios, which Rules should be followed when getting to know someone, and how feminism is at the heart of some of her hottest takes. You can find her at any one of her fabulous accounts @wemetatacme @weme...

After watching my mom date in her 60s and observing her journey as more endearing than heartbreaking, I was excited to see the Bachelor franchise come out with the Golden Bachelor. It only made sense then to bring my mom on to discuss how she's perceived this season.

Stuart Chaseman captured the hearts of many with his honesty and vulnerability on Netflix's Jewish Matchmaking. In this interview, he was just as sweet and open as he was on the show, and we also talked more about the influence of his love life on his songwriting. You can find Stuart and more about his music at @stuartchaseman on Instagram and Stuartchaseman.com.

In this episode, I get to sit down with Jewish Matchmaking's Pam. Pam shares how working with Aleeza came to be, how her journey with Tourette's has impacted the timing of her seeking love, and how her life as a comedian informs what she needs in a partner. It was a joy to laugh and learn with Pam while hearing about her experience on the show. You can find Pam @pamelacomedy on Social Medi...

In this episode, I got to sit down with Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaking’s Harmonie to hear about her experience working with Aleeza, the motivations behind who Aleeza set her up with, her wellness work, her new podcast, and the role self-love has played in her path to finding romantic love. You can find Harmonie and her upcoming podcast at @harmoniekrieger and @lifewithharmonie on Social Media!

This is truly a pinch-me moment. I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Aleeza Ben Shalom, THE Jewish Matchmaker on Netflix. We discuss her realistic, yet optimistic approach to matching individuals, how she quantifies compatibility (yes! quantifies!), her beautiful definition of love and so much more.

Is it true that if you love someone you'll let them go? Could you date yourself? Does anyone go on a dating show for "the right reasons?" My incredibly insightful guest, Gianna Leonard, RN and I discuss the answers to these questions and so many others. Gianna is a boundary-setting and self-care queen who's great at giving empowering advice and delivering the hard truths we could all benefit from...

When it comes to exposing the truth behind the pop culture we're consuming, Dana's skills are unmatched. Creator of the popular instagram account @igfamousbydana and host of the Serial Fillers podcast, Dana is well-known for pulling the curtain back on which cosmetic procedures your celebrity favorites have had done. Dana's critical eye and affection for dating shows made her a super fun guest to...

Mindfulness and unintentional relationship expert Case Kenny sat down to discuss why loneliness is actually a good thing, how perfect love does in fact require some work, the importance of empathy, and the power of mutual understanding. This episode will bring you peace of mind, while simultaneously helping you think differently about love and dating. If you haven't already come across Case's vira...

I finally sat down with close friend and pre-licensed family & couples therapist, Louise Helferty to discuss the recent media attention on lusty celebrity couples, how you can tell whether a relationship is set up for success, and so much more. Is a hot and heavy connection sustainable over time? Does your soulmate have to be your romantic partner? Can unconditional love exist in a healthy way? Ar...

If you aren't willing to sacrifice for your partner, do you really love them? Does upbringing matter as much as culture when it comes to compatibility? Does your soulmate have to be the person you end up with? In my first episode with a married couple, I'm joined by Amanda and Chris to unpack these questions, and many others!

How long does it take to fall in love with someone? Would you date yourself? Is it realistic to never fight? These are just a few of the topics Tal and I cover while we analyze the Australian Married At First Sight

In the one year anniversary episode, Mere and I chat Netflix's "Dating Around." A few questions we cover: Is it beneficial to know much about the person before a date? What defines compatibility? Can you embrace 'the one' if you're not ready for them? So grateful to be able to celebrate this milestone with my best friend. Enjoy and thank you for a year of listenership!

If you've watched Netflix's "Love on the Spectrum," or if you've just ever wondered how you could be a better human/dater/partner, this episode is worth a listen. Join Holly Lechniak, Outreach Director at Autism Assessment, Research, Treatment, and Services (AARTS) Center at Rush and myself as we discuss dating, relationships, and sexuality for those with Autism. There is so much to learn from in...

How long does it take to fall in love? What topics should still be off limits on a second date? Does chasing validation make you emotionally unavailable for true love? These are just a few of the questions we deep dive while unpacking Modern Love episode, "At the Hospital, an Interlude of Clarity." Josh and Andrea are two of my closest friends, with whom I'm always discussing dating culture a...

If you haven't been living under a quarantine rock, you likely got hooked on the Netflix sensation, Indian Matchmaking. In this episode, my dear friend Aashay walks me through how reflective the show is of dating culture in urban India. Aashay is a product management professional based in Bangalore, India. He loves to learn about cultures, people, and food. He has been a part of the match making p...

Abby Pierce is a Director, Artist, Teacher, Actor, and Writer, whom I discovered by way of her submission to the Midwest Film Festival's Female Filmmaking night. Abby's film, "Go Ahead, Grab Time by the Throat" grabbed my attention with its uniquely moving story line about an "engagement break-up." I couldn't believe she responded to my DM slide after the festival, let alone agreed to be on the po...

Should one person love the other person more in a relationship? Can attraction grow? Is love blind? These are just a few of the questions Zoe and I address in the context of the viral sensation "Love is Blind."

Is sex distracting from personal growth? What's the difference between romance, emotional connection and physical connection? How do you define "genuine connection?" Shivani Banfal is back for another unpacking session. This time, of the viral sensation "Too Hot to Handle."

We break down Christiane Amanpour's "Sex and Love Around the World."  Some of the questions we tackle: How impactful are your parents' expression of love to you as a child on your love life? How pivotal is women's decreasing financial reliance on men in the dating world? How important do you consider the physical aspect of a relationship? Is it a crucial part of how we define and experience love?

What's the difference between validation and visibility? Is it a sacrifice if it's for the one you love? Was MTV's "Next" our first look at dating app culture? Two years ago, I had the opportunity to guest on Ilyssa Meraki's "Weirdly Specific Podcast." Now, I'm honored to have her guest on mine...and she somehow convinced me that timing actually matters when it comes to love. 

Is the best model for a dating show the one where it isn't meant to be a dating show? How does love differ in Japanese culture vs US culture? What are the pros and cons of having cast members isolated from society vs fully integrated while filming? Do the five love languages exist for Japanese daters? This episode compares and contrasts American relationship norms with Japanese relationship norms.

If an algorithm can tell you who your perfect match is, should you abide by it? How might an entirely sexually fluid cast change the dating show dynamics? At what point do you lose the chance at being more than friends? These are just a few topics Suzie and I explore in the context of MTV's Season 8 of "Are You the One?"