Dating Intentionally

In this bonus episode, I'm sitting down with Jordan Dann, a couples therapist and psychoanalyst who, like me, loves to watch Love Is Blind on Netflix. This episode contains spoilers! We're talking about the moments from Season 10 (Ohio) living rent-free in our minds, including Alex & Ashley's dynamic that stays on the surface/never gets deep, Brittney and Devonta's pursuer/withdrawer dynamic, and how Bri just isn't ready for a guy like Connor. We touch on the insanity of Chris's behavior throughout the show at the end as well. Who will say yes at the altar this Wednesday? We share our predictions at the end. Check out Jordan's Substack!And here's my first ep with Jordan - all about the honeymoon stage in relationships.THANKS TO OUR PARTNERSMeundies: Get up to 50% off on underwear with code DATING! meundies.com/datingQuince: Get free shipping & 365-day returns on luxe basics, bedding, and more. quince.com/taliaPique Life: Unlock 20% off your first order! piquelife.com/datingWayfair: Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. wayfair.comCONNECT WITH ME:⁠Ask a question for me to answer on the pod⁠⁠Slide into my DMs on IG @dating.intentionallyMORE FREE ADVICE & CONTENT⁠Free texting templates & dating FAQ guide⁠⁠Get more dating advice from me on YouTube⁠SUPPORT THE POD⁠Rate on AppleSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marina Iakovleva, creator of Dating Beyond Borders who studies global dating norms, explores why Scandinavians hookup early, how Eastern European and Dutch gift cultures clash, and the layered stages of Brazilian romance. She talks digital nomad dating, passport bros, who typically pays across regions, and practical tips for navigating cultural milestones and introducing families.

They break down when chemistry isn’t enough and why long-term fit matters. Real dating dilemmas include a paused meet-cute, unclear emotional availability after months, slow-burn versus breadcrumbing, and a year-long relationship without “I love you.” Practical signs to stop waiting and prioritize alignment over vibe are explored.

Alli Goldberg, creator of the live dating show Love Isn't Blind who’s interviewed ~800 men, shares patterns from hundreds of interviews. She discusses how singles events and couple-led setups spark real connections. Conversations cover vetting via friends, positive masculinity, why women shouldn’t always be afraid of men, and practical ways to create matchmaking-friendly gatherings.

Real-life tales of awkward and intentional first declarations of love. Clear signs that you might actually be in love and a suggested three-to-six month sweet spot for saying it. How to respond if the words are not returned and whether you should say it first. Why words and actions both matter and ways to keep romance and reciprocity alive.

Rory Uphold, writer and author of The Final Girl's Guide to the Horrors of Dating, applies horror-movie tropes to modern dating. She talks rom-com conditioning that taught women to be chosen. She shares the breakup that forced her to rebuild and practical recovery tactics she used instead of therapy. She covers boundaries, intensity vs depth, and how to decide whether to revisit a past situationship.

They dig into how to decide why you want to live together before picking a time. Practical readiness checks and emotional signs are broken down. Conversation tools and red flags to avoid sliding into cohabitation get attention. Tips cover handling habits, money differences, household chores, keeping romance alive, and agreeing on future timelines before signing a lease.

Laura Danger, licensed educator and domestic equity advocate behind That Darn Chat, discusses how early dating behaviors hint at future household fairness. Short takes cover weaponized incompetence, the nag paradox, micro-signals that predict long-term care, and what real collaboration looks like day to day. Also: romantic origin story and practical habits that reveal genuine attentiveness.

They dig into jealousy over cross-gender friendships and when that feeling is a personal issue versus a real red flag. A personal story about working through unease with a long-term friend is shared. Practical steps like self-reflection, separating feelings from facts, and how to raise the topic constructively are covered. They also list warning signs and discuss a romantic dilemma about pursuing someone already taken.

Sabrina Bendory, relationship expert and author of Detached, explains detaching from outcomes while keeping self-worth intact. Short segments unpack limerence versus real connection. Practical tools include the 'opposite day' habit and a 'freak out deadline' to curb dating panic. Conversations cover situationships, asking for clarity early, pacing intimacy, and talking about money with kindness.