Dating While Gray

Sparks fly when Hunter and John meet at a Christmas party, though patience is needed for their love journey. An unexpected realization forces Susan and her spouse to make a relationship pivot. After happily never-married Nancy takes up tango dancing, she learns that romantic love has no limits of time, language, or distance.  

John and Jane click from the get-go after meeting on the dance floor, happily agreeing that being “just” friends is more than enough. When Lindsey's seemingly perfect marriage shatters, she survives and thrives by starting a new tradition: breaking bread with her true companions. Suzanne promises Tom she'll be by his side in sickness and in health. Their legal union unravels, but Suzanne's commitment never wavers.

Security analyst Kim Key offers advice and tips on avoiding online romance scams, based on her research and reporting for PCMag. Then, Laura hears about conducting background checks on potential dating partners from listeners including Paula, who says it's her new M-O after her experience with a suspiciously eager love interest. Finally, journalist and “Duped” author Abby Ellin shares about uncloaking her former fiance. She wonders if he's simply larger than life; turns out he's a lying liar.

After two divorces, Gia's on the fence about getting back out there. Daughter Lauryn aims to help by sharing ideas and resources, including this podcast! Then there's gray dater Laura, whose partner seems less than enthusiastic about moving their relationship along. Are his grown kids the reason, or an excuse? Finally, DWG host Laura Stassi and her daughter compare notes on living together while exploring individual romantic pursuits. (How did that no-sleepovers pact turn out?)   

Coach Amy Schoen returns for do's, don'ts, and dishing with host Laura Stassi and Paulina, who can't figure out if dating is different because she's older, or because she's dating Americans. What is a date, anyway? Then there's Glyn, who offers cautionary tales about manners, and menu choices. Finally, we hear from Paula, who recounts that time she fielded a highly personal question.

Gray dater Karen shares a dilemma that's all too common: She's getting attention online, but not necessarily the kind she wants. Maybe it's her online profile? For help, Laura taps photographer Ann Maas, and dating and relationship coach Amy Schoen. They critique Karen's photos and write-up while offering advice for all of us on the love-seeking journey. Plus, listeners – and Laura! – weigh in on profiles that have won them over, or turned them off. 

On this episode, Laura talks with science journalist Florence Williams, author of “Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey.” Florence shares how the end of her long marriage sparked a health crisis and details her journey to healing – including turning to Mother Nature. We also hear from listeners who have rely on the great outdoors for help feeling better.

On this episode, Laura talks with entrepreneur Rob. He's taken a kind of  statistician approach to recoupling and in the process has gathered some data dating points that may lead to a new business venture. Then Laura chats with journalist Vicki Larson, who uncovers a surprising statistic or two in her latest book, Not Too Old For That: How Women Are Changing the Story of Aging. Finally, Laura talks with Tim, who was startled to discover that his expectations changed once he'd settled into single life.

On this episode, Laura talks with Carson, whose change in relationship status sparked a cross-country move. Then, Laura hears from unlucky-in-love Albert, who wonders if it makes sense to re-establish himself somewhere other than his longtime hometown to find what he's looking for, relationship-wise. For advice, Laura taps Bill Chopik, associate psychology professor and director of Michigan State University's Close Relationships Lab.  Finally, Laura meets up with Margo, who lives in the big rig she drives cross-country for her career. Margo loves her life behind the wheel but is starting to think that for her personal life as well as dog Xander's well-being, it might be time to come off the road.   Don't forget to like the show on Facebook and follow Laura @datingwhilegray on Twitter. We always want to hear from you! Send your stories and questions to datingwhilegray@wunc.org or leave us a message below.

In this episode, Laura talks with Carrie, who found a “hunkering down buddy” during lockdown. As quarantine lifted, though, their personality differences emerged. Then Laura chats with Betty, from Season 2, who out of the blue fell madly in love and changed her entire life. That was in February 2020. Did Betty's new relationship withstand the challenges? Finally,  two listeners weigh in with their experiences. Neither was looking for romance, necessarily. They found it anyway.           Don't forget to like the show on Facebook and follow Laura @datingwhilegray on Twitter. We always want to hear from you! Send your stories and questions to datingwhilegray@wunc.org or leave us a message below.

Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Want more Dating While Gray? Sign up for Laura's e-newsletter and get access to bonus content and special messages at datingwhilegray.com!

Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Lindsay Foster Thomas. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Season 4 of Dating While Gray starts soon! Laura would love to hear your questions and stories about seeking, finding and keeping love after age 50. Email datingwhilegray@wunc.org or visit datingwhilegray.com to leave a voicemail.

Unhappily married couples no doubt have heard the sentiment about staying together for the sake of their kids, or waiting for little ones to launch before splitting. But is either tactic ideal? In this episode, therapist Carol Hughes offers advice. She's the author of “Home Will Never Be The Same Again: A Guide for Adult Children of Gray Divorce.”    Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Want more Dating While Gray? Sign up for Laura's e-newsletter and get access to bonus content and special messages at datingwhilegray.com!

Patricia and Joe are one of the most memorable couples in Dating While Gray history. We first met them in Season 2 just after they developed romantic feelings for each other through virtual communications. (You may recall Patricia initially was reluctant to get involved with Joe.) They join Laura again to share the magical coincidence that was the foundation for Patricia deciding to give Joe another chance. Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Catch up on more Dating While Gray episodes at datingwhilegray.com.

In the “Hashtag Love” episode from Season 3, we met Lewis, who used a social media platform to make a romantic connection. He joins Laura again to explain how he prepared from a religious point of view to start dating again after divorce. Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Check out more episodes and leave a voicemail for Laura about your gray dating experiences at datingwhilegray.com.

In the “Money and Romance” episode from Season 2, we met Ginny, who discovered financial infidelity in her marriage. She joins Laura again with an update on her love life and how she's applied lessons learned from that experience. Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Matt Horton and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Discover more episodes at datingwhilegray.com and sign up for Laura's e-newsletter to get bonus content in your inbox!

Sexuality educator, researcher and writer Jane Fleishman talks more about her mission to promote sexual wellness in older people. Jane says it's never too late to achieve pleasure. Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Matt Horton and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Discover more episodes at datingwhilegray.com and sign up for Laura's e-newsletter to get bonus content in your inbox!

Meet Ann, who's taking courses in MBSR, mindfulness based stress reduction. It helped her so much after her divorce that she wants to teach others how to use it to feel better in bad times. Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Matt Horton mastered the audio. Discover more episodes at datingwhilegray.com. Support this podcast with a donation to WUNC at wunc.org/give.

After discovering that her professional skills don't translate to her search for a romantic partner, career coach Melissa barters services with a matchmaker. Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Lindsay Foster Thomas. Sean Roux mastered the audio. Discover more episodes at datingwhilegray.com. Support this podcast with a donation to WUNC at wunc.org/give.

In the first episode of our new microcast, Speed Dating While Gray, a matchmaker makes a provocative, off-topic comment about Laura's gray hair. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Transcript available at datingwhilegray.com. See Laura's hair (then and now) on Twitter @datingwhilegray. Support the podcast with a donation to WUNC at wunc.org/give.

Laura has a very special announcement for podcast listeners about what to expect over the summer. | Learn more at www.datingwhilegray.com.

On the Season 3 finale, Laura turns the mic over to DWG listeners. They share details from their personal, yet highly relatable, gray dating journeys. And they ask Laura to tap experts to address their questions related to sex, grown kids, and money. (Guess which topic makes Laura really squirm!) | Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at: silversingles.com/datingwhilegray

Are you starting to fret that despite all of your efforts, you'll never find The One? Here's a little inspiration to relax and just let it be: three stories of not seeking love, but magically finding it. | Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray.

An entire generation grew up with songs on the radio that basically were cautionary tales about being single. 1968 brought us “One is the Loneliest Number.” 1972 gave us “Alone Again (Naturally).” And "All By Myself” charted in 1975. No wonder some of us are fearful of being on our own! So is it still popular opinion that being uncoupled is to be avoided at all costs? | Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at: silversingles.com/datingwhilegray.

Sugar daddies. Cougars. Cradle robbers. When it comes to couples with age differences, there are so many silly labels. It's true that May-December romances make some people uncomfortable, but after we reach a certain age, how much should an age gap even matter? | Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at www.silversingles.com/datingwhilegray.

Laura doesn't have trouble asking anyone about anything....for the podcast. But when it comes to her personal life, she needs help making conversation with new people without feeling awkward. How do you go from small talk to a real connection? | Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at www.silversingles.com/datingwhilegray.

Laura introduces listeners to Great Grief, a podcast about love and loss hosted by Grammy-nominated singer Nnenna Freelon who experienced a shift in every aspect of her life following the death of her husband Phil. | Learn more at www.greatgrief.com.

No matter which path we take to find love, the journey can be more difficult if we're bringing too much baggage along with us. How do we leave the unnecessary heavy stuff behind for a fresh start at romance? | Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at: www.silversingles.com/datingwhilegray.

With millions of people spending a chunk of time on social media sites daily, it seemed inevitable one of these platforms would elbow its way into the love business. How about using social media —officially and unofficially — to make love connections? | Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at www.silversingles.com/datingwhilegray.

When dating seems too complicated of a project to D-I-Y, love pros are eager to help. For a price. But are dating coaches and matchmakers worth the financial investment? | Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at: www.silversingles.com/datingwhilegray.

Since the first modern dating website was created in the mid-1990s, millions of people have spent a lot of time, energy and dollars dating online. So why is the jury still out on if technology actually leads to lasting love connections? | Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at: silversingles.com/datingwhilegray.

We're still contending with COVID-19 two years after the contagious virus entered our lives. In a world where vaccines and mask wearing are about the only tools we have to help make us safer, is getting out to find love worth taking some risks?

Laura reflects on a favorite memory since last season: a post-vaccine, pre-variant moment in time when she picked up a new skill and a long-awaited opportunity to socialize. Welcome to Season 3 of Dating While Gray!

Remember the PSA that aired on TV for years, with the egg and the frying pan: This is your brain, this is drugs, this is your brain on drugs? It seems like love can be a lot like that, too, even when we're older. But why? For answers, we turn to perhaps the premier expert on the brain and love: Helen Fisher. | Share your stories and questions at datingwhilegray@wunc.org.

Sex. As we get older, it seems like there's a lot more to think about, and talk about, before actually...doin' it. And it can be nerve-wracking, especially if we haven't had a new partner – or any partner – in a very long time. For advice on sexual intimacy and aging, we turn to two experts. | Share your gray dating stories and questions with Laura at datingwhilegray@wunc.org.

Laura's a Scorpio, and she reads her horoscope every morning for fun. But is there more to astrology than sun signs, and can it help us make romantic connections? | Support this show with a donation to wunc.org/give. Share your gray dating stories and questions with Laura at datingwhilegray@wunc.org.

Who hasn't done a little digging to find a flame from our younger years? But Laura discovers that it's taking the next step to reach out when things can get a little complicated. | Support this show with a donation at wunc.org/give. Share your gray dating stories and questions with Laura at datingwhilegray@wunc.org.

After meeting a widower who seems anxious to jump from first date to happily ever after, Laura wonders how losing a partner to death impacts the search for new love. | Support this show at wunc.org/give. Share your stories and questions at datingwhilegray@wunc.org.

Laura has a special treat for listeners: an introduction to a podcast she thinks you'll really enjoy. It's called Embodied. In this episode, host Anita Rao examines her own anxiety about how intimacy changes as the body ages. | Support these shows at wunc.org/give.

Parenting and dating are two words we may not be comfortable hearing in the same sentence, even if “little ones” are all grown up. Laura explores how gray daters are juggling personal needs and desires with parental obligations.