Intentional Dating: Relationship Goals for Christians

We’ve all heard that love is compromise. But is that the real solution to a successful relationship? When it comes to sacrificing for the sake of another, how do you put someone else first without compromising your own values? Notre Dame professor Tim O’Malley shares insights from the issues his students face in young love, and how those struggles translate to universal questions of sacrifice, tru...

Dating with intention includes being clear about who you are to another person. The notion of a “situationship” undermines this clarity, causing confusion about what the nature of a relationship really is. On this episode of Intentional Dating, Connor McLaughlin explains the importance of putting a label on the relationship and what question immediately clears up the uncertainty of a situationship...

Pornography has heavily impacted men and women and how we view relationships. While it is necessary to address, the shame surrounding the topic makes it hard to talk about. On this episode of Intentional Dating, therapist Michael Gasparro dives into the psychology behind porn use and how we can fight the negative consequences it has on our dating lives. Beyond labeling porn as detrimental, Michael...

An unprecedented amount of people are meeting online, meaning many first impressions are made on social media or an app. In the age of online dating, what’s the right posture to have towards this culture, and how do we make a good first impression and conduct ourselves online? Actor Sean Afable and content creator Naomi Leanage discuss their personal red flags, green flags, and what they perceive...

You’re a few dates in, and something inevitably comes up that is a non-negotiable for you. How do you avoid wasting each other’s time? Clare McCallan weighs in on the concept of “loud looking” and whether it’s a tool that can respect each other’s expectations and boundaries, or too intense of an approach for a first date. Loud looking, the practice of being upfront about your desirables and non-ne...

Jumping into a relationship can be equally exciting and daunting. What are the rules for entering the dating scene without being too forward? If you’re coming out of a hard breakup, how long should you wait before getting back out there? Rose Sweet and Tanner Kalina discuss how to send signals without being too forward, how to protect yourself against bonding with someone prematurely, and how to f...

Being single can offer so many great opportunities and freedom…but sometimes it feels like that phase of life overstays its welcome. Brendan McCauley and Matchmaker Madigan Maere dive into the frustrations they hear from people who are ready for relationship, but struggle with the question, “Why am I still single?” The “seasons of singleness” are not periods of life with any less value than times...

Standing out in a crowd can be daunting, but it might be exactly what you need to find the right person in your life. Speaker and author Jason Evert lays out the importance of being clear with your intentions. That can be scary, and may scare off others…but perhaps it’s best to scare off the ones that aren’t meant to be in your life. The topics of chastity and exclusivity might often cause eyeroll...

What does it mean to be dateable? Chris Meehan, a marriage and family therapist, talks through what it means to be the kind of person you would want to date. Psychological development can affect our behavior more than we realize, from reinforced insecurities to childhood trauma. Working through our own story and learning to live in our identity, we can learn what it means to authentically “be your...

Modern dating seems to lack any rules or script...so it's time to date differently. Emily Wilson-Hussem and her husband Daniel break down intentionality in dating, dating app hygiene, and how to claim clarity and purpose for your own life when dating seems noncommittal and messy. Emily and Daniel share their story of commitment in a long-distance relationship that has led to a beautiful family and...

Fewer people are dating. More people are meeting online. Rules seem to be nonexistent in the modern dating sphere. And if you’re trying to date with Christian values in mind, the scene can feel even more daunting. Intentional Dating: Relationship Goals for Christians is a new podcast from Family Theater Productions that unpacks the struggles of modern dating and highlights how intentionality can b...