The GDI & Social Discovery Podcast

On this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Umair Shahzad, General Manager of Dil Ka Rishta. He shares how Dil Ka Rishta has innovated and digitised Pakistan's matrimony journey, helping singles to explore new options for potential marriage partners. Shahzad also discusses the verification and safety features that have contributed to Dil Ka Rishta's reputation for authentic...

On this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Rachel Abramowitz, Founder & CEO of Keepler. She explains how the platform helps users to build better relationships, equipping with them the skills and know-how to navigate online dating in an efficient way. Abramowitz tells Senior Reporter Sean Nolan how Keepler can serve singles and couples alike, and the new features that the...

On this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Rachel Van Nortwick, CEO & Founder of Vinylly. Rachel discusses the origins of the dating app, sharing how music can be a powerful tool in bringing people together and finding compatibility. She also tells Senior Reporter Sean Nolan about the platform's recent expansion to the UK, its opportunities for partnerships, and its exciti...

On this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Azmina Dhrodia, Safety Policy Lead at Bumble. She tells Senior Reporter Sean Nolan about the recent updates to the platform's Community Guidelines, where it further enhanced its victim-centred and trauma-informed safety policy. Dhrodia also shares her advice for online dating leaders and the best approaches to creating effective s...

In this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Jennifer Lewis, CEO and Co-Founder of Lex. She outlines her priorities in her new role as CEO, discussing the product innovations and geographic expansion coming soon to the platform. Lewis also tells GDI's Senior Reporter Sean Nolan about the investment landscape for queer-led and female-led businesses, and the trends that are de...

On this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Sunil Hiranandani, Founder of Sirf Coffee. Sunil discusses how he helps bring together Indian singles around the world, and the changing trends among daters looking for meaningful relationships. He also tells GDI's Senior Reporter Sean Nolan how online dating platforms can help the industry to succeed in the long term.

On today's episode of The Social Discovery Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Ulrika Lilja & Claudia Gård, Co-Founders of gofrendly. They share how the friendship app connects women with similar interests, creating meaningful companionship. Ulrika & Claudia tell Senior Reporter Sean Nolan how their own story of becoming friends helped inspire them to create gofrendly, and how the platform is...

On this episode of The GDI Podcast, Ana Kirova, the CEO of Feeld, tells us about the platform's major rebranding and her perspective on future dating trends. Speaking with GDI's Senior Reporter, Sean Nolan, the Feeld CEO explains how the platform's philosophy and culture enable users to undergo a personal journey on the app. She also highlights what online dating industry leaders should keep in mi...

On this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Jamil Mamdani and Ziandry Peralta, Co-Founders of Grownups. Grownups is a new dating app for the 30+ demographic, moving away from the hookup & swiping culture, and towards committed and meaningful relationships. Jamil and Ziandry share how Grownups supports singles as they begin to date with more serious intentions, with the plat...

On today's episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Nicole Drew, Founder & CEO of Rater. She explains how her experience as a romance scam victim led her to create a dating app where authenticity is crucial. Nicole tells Senior Reporter Sean Nolan how the platform's user authenticity ratings and verification process helps to eliminate unpleasent surprises on the app.

On this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Natalia Sergovantseva, Co-Founder of SoulMatcher. She shares how the dating platform uses deep psychology to accurately match singles on a deeper level. She explains how SoulMatcher enables singles to learn more about themselves, and how the platform has B2B applications that are being explored.

On this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Noah & Hiob Feller, Co-Founders of PING. They share how PING enables users to find offline connections in their local area. The brothers also share their perspective as first-time founders, outlining the challenges they've faced and their priorities moving forward.

On this podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Mary Richardson and Brandon Teller, Co-Founders of Bindr. They tell Senior Reporter Sean Nolan about the startup journey they've embarked on, and what inspired them to create a dating app that is label-free. Mary and Brandon also discuss the new features they're exploring, and what the future of Bindr looks like.

In this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Laura Matter, CEO and Co-Founder of noii. She explains how the Swiss platform organises video speed dates for singles. She also shares with GDI's Senior Reporter Sean Nolan, how and why the company acquired Matter, a US-based dating app. Laura discusses consumer behaviour in Switzerland, noii's strategy with TikTok and marketing,...

In this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Rikki Dymond, Flirtini's Dating Expert and Coach, as well as Sarah Segal, Spokesperson for Flirtini. After adopting AI features, Flirtini's users saw a 15% increase in first-message replies overall. Sarah and Rikki tell Senior Reporter Sean Nolan about how the dating app implemented these tools to assist singles and spark more mea...

In this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Gillian Myhill and Phil Beesley, Co-Founders of SIZZL. They tell Senior Reporter Sean Nolan about how the dating app represents a cultural shift in online dating, encouraging users to engage with the app on their own terms. With no push notifications and matches that don't expire, SIZZL is looking to make the user experince more c...

In this podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Kate Kubriakova, Head of Content, and Katherin Navarro Brand, Head of Community, at Flure. They share how Flure's unique invitation policy helps to ensure that female users have a safe and positive experience while using the dating app. Kate and Katherin also explain why it's important to prioritise safety in online dating and the targets that Flure...

In this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Lily Primamore and Brian Yurachek, the Co-Founders of SPILT. They tell Senior Reporter Sean Nolan about how the dating platform helps foster immersive and personalised Virtual Reality spaces, where users can connect and explore their desires. Lily and Brian share how they plan to acquire users through partnership with art influenc...

In this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Katya Chernyak, Co-Founder & CEO at FFWD Dating. Katya tells Senior Reporter Sean Nolan how the platform is looking to bring more authenticity to the online dating experience, moving in the opposite direction to AI-led interactions. She also discusses how the platform harnesses the power of video profiles to give users a better se...

In this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Dr Timothy Sexton, Founder & CEO of DNA Romance. Dr Sexton tells Senior Reporter Sean Nolan how the platform uses DNA analysis to assess compatibility, setting a foundation for users to connect further. Dr Sexton also discusses the two new platforms that he's recently launched: DateMetriX and the Gene Pool Match App. He shares how...

On this episode of The Social Discovery Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Tracey Axelsson, Founder of Gatherings.social. She shares how the platform is creating offline meetups based around fun and social activities. She explains how meeting people IRL is particulary challenging in modern society, and how this new community-builder will drive change and grow.

On this episode of The GDI Podcast, we're delighted to be joined by Hart Matejczyk, CEO and Co-Founder at Auntie. He shares how the platform is enabling a single person's family and friends to become matchmakers. He explains how visiting India inspired him to create the platform, recognising that the majority of singles around the world are brought together by family matchmaking.

On this episode of The GDI Podcast we’re delighted to be joined by Connie Perl, Founder & CEO of VLVT. She joins GDI’s Senior Reporter Sean Nolan to discuss how the platform brings people together and nourishes relationship health. Connie also shares the background for understanding emotional IQ and the importance of high-quality relationships.

On this episode of The GDI Podcast we’re delighted to be joined by Bayleigh Frickey and Stephanie Hilton, Co-Founders of The Meetery. They join GDI’s Senior Reporter Sean Nolan to discuss how the platform is getting busy millenials off their phones and onto first dates in an efficient way. Stephanie and Bayleigh also discuss the experience faced by women when online dating, and how this shaped the...

On this episode of The GDI Podcast we’re delighted to be joined by Alexa Eden, Humane Technologist at AlgoAI Tech. She joins GDI’s Senior Reporter Sean Nolan to discuss AlgoAI's work in artifical intelligence and online dating, including the most valuable use cases for the technology. Eden also shares how AI can be developed with a human-first strategy, and what the future holds for innovation and...