Dating Intentionally

Why does dating feel so hard and can it be fun again? Dating feels messy right now, but I think it’s because it’s evolving. This week, I talk with love coach and author Francesca Hogi about the skills we need to thrive in modern dating, unlearning outdated norms, and rediscovering the fun side of flirting. Watch Francesca's TED Talk: True Love and the Myth of Happily Ever After Find Francesca on I...

Everyone says communication is key, but what does good communication actually look like? I’m sharing the five most impactful communication tools I’ve learned so you can build trust, repair faster, and stay on the same team when things get hard. Thanks to our partners: AG1:  Go to drinkag1.com/dating and get a FREE Welcome Kit with an AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3 plus K2 when...

Are you overthinking your relationship? Do you ever wonder if it’s love or just anxiety? In this episode, I share my journey from relationship anxiety to building true inner safety and self-trust. I'm joined by Sarah Yudkin , creator of You Love and You Learn , to explore releasing fear, healing old patterns, and meeting your own emotional needs while staying open to love. If you’ve ever questione...

If your biological clock is ticking and dating feels stressful, this episode’s for you! I share real-life dating advice and relationship tips for managing timelines, trusting the process, and a reminder that love doesn’t need to follow a timeline. Episodes mentioned: Episode 94 – An episode about egg freezing , featuring a doctor who explains the process and what it involves. Episode 99 – Focused...

In this episode, I sit down with my younger brother and podcast regular, Alex Koren, to discuss dating in real life versus using apps. We share our experiences, offer tips for meeting people confidently, and discuss his fun project, Random Acts of Dating , which helps spark genuine connections offline. Cozy Earth - get 20% off with code DATING Try Quince Bedding! Get FREE shipping CONNECT WITH ME:...

When should you have sex with someone new, and is there such a thing as "too soon?" In this episode, I’m breaking down the most common questions about timing, boundaries, and emotional pacing when it comes to sex in early dating. You’ll learn how to know when you’re ready, how to avoid confusing chemistry for connection, and what to do if you want to slow things down after moving too fast. Are you...

In this episode, I sit down with author and relationship coach Jillian Turecki to talk about the hard truths of love, why it really begins with you, and what changes when you stop outsourcing certainty and start meeting your own needs. We get into the “six human needs” as a simple audit for what’s missing, the seductive pull of victim-mode, and how building a secure base in yourself makes dating e...

You don’t have to love dating apps to make them work, but you do need a grounded strategy so you don't lose your mind! In this episode, I’m breaking down how to use dating apps without swearing off them for good every few months (only to come back again). You’ll learn the mindset shifts that make apps less frustrating, how to write a profile that actually gets attention, and what to do when the fl...

She called off her wedding, then married the same man. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Molly Burrets , a clinical psychologist and couples therapist, about what it really looks like to date while healing . We unpack how to know when you’re ready after a breakup, why you don’t have to be fully “healed” to find love, and how new relationships can actually support your growth. From there, we dive in...

Are they bad at communicating, or just not that into you? Let’s unpack texting habits, mixed signals, and what’s really going on. If you’ve ever found yourself analyzing every message or wondering if a mismatch in communication means they’re not interested, this one’s for you. I’m breaking down the gray area between different communication styles, real incompatibility, and a genuine lack of effort...

The one-year mark in a relationship is a major milestone! It comes with new challenges, changes, and conversations. In this final episode of Comparing Notes , Ali Jackson from Finding Mr. Height and I reflect on what the first year of a healthy relationship really looks like. We discuss moving in together, navigating family and career transitions, maintaining intimacy, and having the “what’s next”...

In this episode, you'll learn how to know when to walk away in early dating vs. long-term relationships and why it's so difficult. You’ll get a simple mindset shift that makes the breakup decision stick, plus exact scripts to end it by text, phone, or in person without reopening negotiations. I also map your next steps to take care of yourself and avoid making mistakes after it's over. We close wi...

I’m celebrating three years of the podcast and 3 million downloads by sharing the 10 biggest lessons I’ve learned from 200 episodes!!! THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE 💛 When I started this show in my kitchen in Seattle, I never imagined I’d be talking to hundreds of thousands of daters all over the world. Today, I’m reflecting on the advice that comes up again and again, from “you can date however you w...

In this episode, I sit down with Shaun Galanos ( @thelovedrive ) to discuss what it truly means to bring playfulness and honesty to dating. We dive into why dating actually gets better as you get older and how to embrace the messy parts of love without losing your sense of humor. Shaun shares the advice he gives his clients (that he still needs to hear himself), and we tackle some of your trickies...

In this episode, I’m answering four of your real-life dating dilemmas! We’re talking about what to do when someone says they need to “find themselves” before committing, how to build emotional connection early on without scaring them off, and whether a partner’s pre-trip freak-out is a sign to walk away or just a moment of vulnerability. Plus, we tackle the dreaded slow fade (and what to do). Stic...

In this episode, I’m sharing all my tips for dating outside your type! You’re going to hear what it means to have a “type”, success stories from other listeners about how they dated outside their type, why dating outside your type can work, and what I personally looked for on dating apps when using this approach. (It led me to meeting my husband, just saying!) You’ll also hear why this approach is...

In this episode, I talk about one of the most frustrating parts of modern dating: mixed signals. I break down why people send mixed signals, why they can feel so addicting (even when we know better), and how to spot them early so you don’t waste your time. You’ll hear real listener examples of hot-and-cold behavior, learn the difference between mixed signals and a slow burn, and get practical stra...

Have you ever walked away from a date wondering if you should give it another shot or just move on? In this episode, I’m breaking down a simple three-part framework to help you decide whether to keep seeing someone in those crucial first few dates. I’ll share the exact questions I asked myself back when I was dating, including the ones that helped me recognize when it was worth going on a second (...

In this second installment of Comparing Notes , I sit down with Ali Jackson , host of Finding Mr. Height , to talk about what often comes up around the six-month mark in a relationship. We get into the real stuff: when to start having check-ins, how to tell if someone could be marriage material, and what it means to settle into comfort and routine without losing the spark. We also explore deal bre...

Ok, but what does ENM really mean? In this episode, I talk with Claire Perelman, a sex therapist, about what ethical non-monogamy (ENM) actually is (and isn't). We talk about different types of ENM (polyamory, swinging, open relationships, solo poly etc), “ethical” matters (consent, clarity, agreements), and how jealousy, anxiety, and attachment styles show up in real life. Claire shares her path...

In this episode, I delve into what it truly means to be “ready” to date vs ready for a relationship. There’s a big difference between, and most people confuse the two. I’ll share how to tell if you're ready to date or for a relationship (or both), what true dating readiness looks like, and why you don’t need to have every part of your life perfectly together before putting yourself out there. We’l...

In this episode, I break down the top 11 red-flag phrases to never ignore in early dating, what they really mean, how to spot them even when attraction is loud, and exactly what to say or do in the moment. If you've ever heard the classics like “I’m bad at texting,” “I don’t like labels,” “you’re too good for me,” and “I’m not looking for anything serious right now,” this one is for you. At the en...

I’m breaking down how to handle workplace crushes without risking your job or your peace of mind! I cover what the research says about how common office romances really are, why you should never date a boss or direct report, and the steps to take if you do want to pursue a crush at work, from grabbing a casual lunch to keeping it professional at the office. I also share my own story about dating a...

In this episode, I talk with writer and academic Kelly Coyne about intentional living, relationships, and what happens when traditional scripts around dating and marriage fall short. We explore women’s narratives, prenups, communication, gender norms, and the “quiet betrayals” that can erode long-term partnerships. From rethinking chivalry to building a circle of support, this conversation offers...

In this episode, I’m breaking down 10 practical, low-pressure ways to build emotional closeness that feel fun, natural, and mutual so you’re not stuck carrying all the weight of “going deep.” I’ll show you how to connect through shared experiences, create emotional safety, and build trust without forcing heavy conversations, plus why emotional intimacy is more than just talking about your feelings...