Ask a Matchmaker

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...

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...