Ask a Matchmaker

This week, Matchmaker Maria and comedian Tara Cannistraci ,  @tarajokes  , are joined by special guest Monica, a founder of Conceivable Reproductive , a concierge service helping women navigate fertility options abroad  In this heartfelt episode, Tara shares her personal story of freezing her eggs at 33—a decision she made during a time of uncertainty about wanting kids and focusing on dating. Mon...

This week, Matchmaker Maria and comedian  Tara Cannistraci , AKA Tara Jokes are joined by Ricky Liorti , the man behind the viral "boyfriend application" that took the internet by storm! Despite receiving thousands of DMs from potential matches, Ricky never went on a single date—but now he's here to talk all things dating in 2025.   In this episode, Ricky shares his love for marathon first dates,...

Kick off 2025 with Matchmaker Maria as she sits down with comedian Tara Cannistraci , host of the Coffee Talk podcast, for an inspiring conversation about love, dating, and embracing new opportunities. Tara shares her journey of singlehood, celebrating her Bronx roots, and finding love in her late 30s during her transformative "Year of Yes." Maria and Tara explore the ups and downs of dating, the...

Happy New Year! On this special episode of Ask a Matchmaker , Matchmaker Maria is joined by the dynamic duo behind the Dateable podcast , Julie Krafchick and Yue Xu ! They're here to talk about their brand-new book, How to Be Dateable ,  and officially hitting shelves on January 28th 🎉 In this fun and insightful conversation, Maria dives into the origins of Julie and Yue's decade-long podcasting...

Happy Holidays!! Matchmaker Maria is joined by returning co-host  Edson ,and special guest Chris for a festive and heartfelt Christmas Eve hotline episode! The trio spreads holiday cheer with hilarious banter about relationships, family traditions, and even personal Santa sightings! While the holiday spirit is in full swing, the episode dives into some of the more serious listener dilemmas, includ...

Let's 👏 learn👏 This week, Maria is joined by comedian and guest co-host Edson , who brought along their best friend, Chris . Both Edson and Chris are non-binary, gay individuals who use they/them pronouns, and they're here to share their personal experiences, perspectives, and humor on what it means to exist outside the gender binary. From lighthearted anecdotes about childhood moments to naviga...

Matchmaker Maria is joined by her cohost Edson and special guest Aaron Karo to explore the fascinating world of friendships—what they mean, how they evolve, and why they matter.  Aaron shares the story of his viral college newsletter Ruminations, how it shaped his early career, and how he and Maria turned a parasocial connection into a real-life friendship. They also dive into Aaron's annual "Man...

It's a special episode as Matchmaker Maria celebrates her milestone 40th birthday with this month's new co-host, comedian Edson! Between birthday hats, balloons, and confetti-free festivities, Maria and Edson dive into a lively conversation about love, connection, and the dynamics of open relationships.   Edson shares his personal journey of being in an open relationship with his long-term partner...

Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for this year? This week Maria is joined by special guest co-host Sam Santos for a heartfelt and hilarious Thanksgiving-themed hotline episode! Together, they tackle your burning relationship questions with Maria's signature wisdom and Sam's delightful humor, offering compassionate advice to help you navigate tricky situations during the holiday season! Fr...

In this week's episode, Matchmaker Maria is joined by co-host Sam Santos and returning guest Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, a financial expert known as the Fiscal Femme , to discuss the crucial topic of finances in relationships   Sam shares her personal experience of moving in with her boyfriend—how they navigate shared expenses, their approach to financial planning, and what it's like transitioning...

Matchmaker Maria hosts from Mexico! where she's attending the 12th Annual Matchmakers Alliance Conference. Joining her is guest co-host Louis Felix, a seasoned matchmaker with over 20 years in the industry. Together, they reminisce about the early days of the conference and its mission to bring matchmakers together in a collaborative, supportive community—something Maria co-founded with fellow mat...

In this timely episode, Matchmaker Maria welcomes back co-host  Samantha Santos for a candid discussion on how politics shape our closest relationships and dating choices. EARLY EPISODE DROP ALERT! 🚨 🗳 As Election Day approaches, Matchmaker Maria and Sam delve into how political beliefs influence compatibility, friendships, and even the matchmaking process, bringing to light the personal stakes i...

Trusting after heartbreak! In this episode of Ask a Matchmaker , host Maria invites comedian and podcast host Samantha Santos to share her raw, heartfelt journey of rediscovering trust after a deeply painful betrayal. Together, they dive into Sam's shocking story of catching her ex-fiancé cheating and how that revelation shattered her perception of love and commitment. Maria and Samantha unpack th...

We're delving into a poignant topic that touches many hearts—dating after loss. They're joined by grief and trauma therapist, Gina Martha, who brings over 20 years of expertise in helping individuals navigate life transitions, including breakups, divorce, and the devastating impact of death. Today's discussion takes a more sensitive turn as they talk about the challenges of finding love after losi...

New episode with  Matchmaker Maria  and comedian  @jennyzigrino ! Maria has some big news—she's got a book coming out , and the cover reveal is happening right on air! Check it out out on YouTube !  Maria and Jenny chat about the book, manifesting success, and the importance of preorders. Jenny's been busy with her comedy tour, sharing funny stories from Alaska. The conversation shifts to Jenny's...

New episode with Matchmaker Maria and comedian @jennyzigrino  who have the amazing Intimacy with Leandra on!  Jenny adds her signature humor, while Leandra offers expert guidance on s3x, intimacy, and relationships. Leandra explains her role as a somatic s3x and relationship coach, helping people and couples explore and improve their intimate connections without crossing physical boundaries. She s...

In this episode of Ask a Matchmaker, Matchmaker Maria teams up with comedian  Jenny Zigrino to talk all things dating apps and relationship deal breakers. They explore how to navigate the world of dating apps, why it's sometimes better to swap swipes for real-life experiences like pottery classes, and what it's really like to date… a puppeteer. Next, Maria dives into Jenny's Hinge profile, uncover...

Ask A Matchmaker is Coming Back!  In this gripping and deeply emotional episode, Matchmaker Maria brings you the extraordinary story of Lolita Jackson, a woman who not only witnessed history but survived its darkest days. Lolita's journey is not just one of survival; it's a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the power of resilience, and the courage it takes to rebuild a life after unim...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the "Ask a Matchmaker" podcast, Matchmaker Maria sits down with Amalia Kalogridakis, the newly appointed CEO of Agape Escapes, to delve into the profound impact of finding and connecting with like-minded individuals. Broadcasting from a cozy setting in Greece, they explore Amalia's personal journey of navigating major life transitions, including her separ...

Join Matchmaker Maria in this engaging episode of the "Ask the Matchmaker Hotline," recorded from the comfort of her home. Maria shares the whirlwind of her current life, from finalizing her book manuscript to preparing for an extended stay in Greece. Alongside special guest and fellow matchmaker, Louie Felix, they dive into the intricacies of dating assessments and the art of matchmaking. Louie,...

In this episode of the "Ask a Matchmaker" podcast, Matchmaker Maria is joined by dating coach and author Lily Womble to celebrate the release of her new book, "Thank You, More Please." They dive into the core principles of feminist dating, discussing how traditional dating advice often fails women by perpetuating patriarchal norms. Lily shares insights on her 12-Date Rule method, designed to shift...

In this heartfelt episode of the Ask a Matchmaker podcast, host Matchmaker Maria sits down with Katie Brandt, a dedicated caregiving advocate. Katie shares her deeply personal journey of balancing marriage, motherhood, and the immense responsibilities of caregiving for her husband diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia at 29 and later her father with Alzheimer's. Together, they discuss the emotion...

In this week's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome my good friend Chrissy Rutherford to the show! Together, we dive deep into the ever-evolving world of dating and relationships. We'll kick things off with a lively debate on a classic dating dilemma: who should foot the bill on a date? From there, we'll unpack the dos and don'ts of bridesmaid etiquette, offering our insights on how to handle the comm...

🎙️ In this week's episode of Ask A Matchmaker, join me and my sister, Matchmaker Chrisoula, as we dive into some thrilling personal news—I've just bought my first home! 🏡 We're excited to share all the details about the journey and what this new chapter means for me. Plus, we're taking your Hotline questions live! Don't miss out on this heartfelt and celebratory episode!   *******Stay Connected!*...

On this Hotline episode, we are joined by comedian, Caitlin Peluffo where we answer your questions about the world of weddings, marriage, and relationships! 🎉💍❤️ Join us as we take your live calls, offering personal advice, sharing experiences, and discussing everything from the magic of wedding planning to the complexities of long-term relationships. Originally hailing from San Francisco, Caitl...