Dating While Gray™

Coach Amy Schoen returns for do’s, don’ts, and dishing with host Laura Stassi and Paulina, who can’t figure out if dating is different because she’s older, or because she’s dating Americans. What is a date, anyway? Then there’s Glyn, who offers cautionary tales about manners, and menu choices. Finally, we hear from Paula, who recounts that time she fielded a highly personal question.

Gray dater Karen shares a dilemma that’s all too common: She’s getting attention online, but not necessarily the kind she wants. Maybe it’s her online profile? For help, Laura taps photographer Ann Maas, and dating and relationship coach Amy Schoen. They critique Karen’s photos and write-up while offering advice for all of us on the love-seeking journey. Plus, listeners – and Laura! – weigh in on...

On this episode, Laura talks with science journalist Florence Williams , author of “Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey.” Florence shares how the end of her long marriage sparked a health crisis and details her journey to healing – including turning to Mother Nature. We also hear from listeners who have rely on the great outdoors for help feeling better.

On this episode, Laura talks with entrepreneur Rob. He’s taken a kind of  statistician approach to recoupling and in the process has gathered some data dating points that may lead to a new business venture. Then Laura chats with journalist Vicki Larson, who uncovers a surprising statistic or two in her latest book, Not Too Old For That: How Women Are Changing the Story of Aging. Finally, Laura tal...

On this episode, Laura talks with Carson, whose change in relationship status sparked a cross-country move. Then, Laura hears from unlucky-in-love Albert, who wonders if it makes sense to re-establish himself somewhere other than his longtime hometown to find what he’s looking for, relationship-wise. For advice, Laura taps Bill Chopik, associate psychology professor and director of Michigan State...

In this episode, Laura talks with Carrie, who found a “hunkering down buddy” during lockdown. As quarantine lifted, though, their personality differences emerged. Then Laura chats with Betty, from Season 2, who out of the blue fell madly in love and changed her entire life. That was in February 2020. Did Betty’s new relationship withstand the challenges? Finally,  two listeners weigh in with their...

Welcome to a new season of Dating While Gray! Laura is back with a fresh collection of experiences, conversations and reflections on romance and relationships after 50. We’ll hear about couples whose partnership revealed a new side over the course of the pandemic (for better or worse), and we’ll enjoy words of wisdom from millennial sages! All that and more coming soon to your podcast feed – stay...

Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray . This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Want more Dating While Gray? Sign up for Laura’s e-newsletter and get access to bonus content and special messages at datingwhilegray.com !

Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray . This episode was produced by Lindsay Foster Thomas. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Season 4 of Dating While Gray starts soon! Laura would love to hear your questions and stories about seeking, finding and keeping love after age 50. Email datingwhilegray@wunc.org or visit datingwhilegray.com to le...

Unhappily married couples no doubt have heard the sentiment about staying together for the sake of their kids, or waiting for little ones to launch before splitting. But is either tactic ideal? In this episode, therapist Carol Hughes offers advice. She’s the author of “Home Will Never Be The Same Again: A Guide for Adult Children of Gray Divorce.”    Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn mor...

Patricia and Joe are one of the most memorable couples in Dating While Gray history. We first met them in Season 2 just after they developed romantic feelings for each other through virtual communications. (You may recall Patricia initially was reluctant to get involved with Joe.) They join Laura again to share the magical coincidence that was the foundation for Patricia deciding to give Joe anoth...

In the “Hashtag Love” episode from Season 3, we met Lewis, who used a social media platform to make a romantic connection. He joins Laura again to explain how he prepared from a religious point of view to start dating again after divorce. Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray . This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mas...

In the “Money and Romance ” episode from Season 2, we met Ginny, who discovered financial infidelity in her marriage. She joins Laura again with an update on her love life and how she’s applied lessons learned from that experience. Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray . This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Matt Horton and Sean Roux mastered the aud...

Sexuality educator, researcher and writer Jane Fleishman talks more about her mission to promote sexual wellness in older people. Jane says it’s never too late to achieve pleasure. Thanks to our sponsor SilverSingles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray . This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Matt Horton and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Discover more episodes at datingwhilegray.com an...

Meet Ann, who’s taking courses in MBSR, mindfulness based stress reduction. It helped her so much after her divorce that she wants to teach others how to use it to feel better in bad times. Thanks to our sponsor SilverSingles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray . This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Matt Horton mastered the audio. Discover more episodes at datingwhilegray.com . Suppo...

After discovering that her professional skills don’t translate to her search for a romantic partner, career coach Melissa barters services with a matchmaker. Thanks to our sponsor SilverSingles . Learn more at  silversingles.com/datingwhilegray . This episode was produced by Lindsay Foster Thomas. Sean Roux mastered the audio. Discover more episodes at datingwhilegray.com . Support this podcast wi...

In the first episode of our new microcast, Speed Dating While Gray, a matchmaker makes a provocative, off-topic comment about Laura’s gray hair. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Transcript available at datingwhilegray.com . See Laura’s hair (then and now) on Twitter @datingwhilegray . Support the podcast with a donation to WUNC at wunc.org/give .

Laura has a very special announcement for podcast listeners about what to expect over the summer. | Learn more at www.datingwhilegray.com .

On the Season 3 finale, Laura turns the mic over to DWG listeners. They share details from their personal, yet highly relatable, gray dating journeys. And they ask Laura to tap experts to address their questions related to sex, grown kids, and money. (Guess which topic makes Laura really squirm!) | Thanks to our sponsor SilverSingles. More at: silversingles.com/datingwhilegray

Are you starting to fret that despite all of your efforts, you’ll never find The One? Here’s a little inspiration to relax and just let it be: three stories of not seeking love, but magically finding it. | Thanks to our sponsor SilverSingles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray.

An entire generation grew up with songs on the radio that basically were cautionary tales about being single. 1968 brought us “One is the Loneliest Number.” 1972 gave us “Alone Again (Naturally).” And "All By Myself” charted in 1975. No wonder some of us are fearful of being on our own! So is it still popular opinion that being uncoupled is to be avoided at all costs? | Thanks to our sponsor S...

Sugar daddies. Cougars. Cradle robbers. When it comes to couples with age differences, there are so many silly labels. It's true that May-December romances make some people uncomfortable, but after we reach a certain age, how much should an age gap even matter? | Thanks to our sponsor SilverSingles. More at www.silversingles.com/datingwhilegray .

Laura doesn’t have trouble asking anyone about anything....for the podcast. But when it comes to her personal life, she needs help making conversation with new people without feeling awkward. How do you go from small talk to a real connection? | Thanks to our sponsor SilverSingles. More at www.silversingles.com/datingwhilegray .

Laura introduces listeners to Great Grief, a podcast about love and loss hosted by Grammy-nominated singer Nnenna Freelon who experienced a shift in every aspect of her life following the death of her husband Phil. | Learn more at www.greatgrief.com .

No matter which path we take to find love, the journey can be more difficult if we’re bringing too much baggage along with us. How do we leave the unnecessary heavy stuff behind for a fresh start at romance? | Thanks to our sponsor SilverSingles. More at: www.silversingles.com/datingwhilegray .