First Date Stories

It's common for women who date longer, or later-in-life, to use a "must have" checklist when deciding whether to date a new man. In this episode, Casey, 47, talks about her date with Colin. Hear what happened when she tossed out some of her long-held dating rules and went out with a guy who wasn't entirely her type.

First dates can be surprisingly awesome or unexpectedly bizarre. This one is of the strange kind. Jazine, a divorcee in her 40's with little online dating experience, was shocked at several turns her first date took. You might be too.

If your approach to dating isn't working for you, why not change things up? That's what Donna did in her late 30s. Donna talks about how her new approach led to her date with Joe and what happened next.

Olivia is in her late 30s. She wasn't excited about dating apps, but her girlfriends convinced her to give them a try. Hear what happens when Olivia lets go of expectations and opens the door to new possibilities.

Cheryle was in her 50s, when she showed up to a sold-out speed dating event. She didn't expect to meet a man that night, but she did. What happened between the two of them could have had her questioning herself. Hear about the healthy approach she took when dealing with the unexpected.

Should you always trust your first impression? Vanessa, 60, was certain about how she felt about her date Tony, until suddenly she wasn't. Find out what happened on her memorable Match.com date.

What's the best frame of mind to be in when going out on a date? Juliana, 51, talks about a New Year's Eve date she went on with a man who said one thing, but did another and how she handled it all.

First dates are about exploring whether there's compatibility and chemistry between two people. Find out how Laurie, 47, handled things when she showed up for her date with Peter and discovered it was a threesome.

Zoe was in her late 40s when she first considered dating apps. A private person, she was uncomfortable posting personal information online. Learn how she overcame her concerns and what happened on her memorable Match.com date with Mitch.

Jeanette was in an unhappy long-term relationship when she met Randy. Hear how that encounter in her 50s, and the first date that followed, changed the trajectory of her life and all that she learned in her pursuit of hope and self-renewal.

Connie, a 53 year old divorcee, thought she had found the perfect match in Chris. But, when his actions on their first date suddenly took a sharp turn, she wondered whether she should trust her heart, or her gut. Listen as Connie shares her story about connection and intimacy, and how they don't always match up.

Everyone's time is valuable. How much of it should you spend texting and emailing with a prospective date before meeting him for the first time? A seasoned dater, Rachel invested more upfront time getting to know Matt than she usually did with her blind dates. As it turned out, Matt's actions spoke louder than his words.

In this special episode, Jodi and her guest, Dr. Marisa Cohen, delve into the science behind relationships, love and dating. Discover what studies have revealed about love at first sight, online dating, male and female attraction signals and more. Marisa, a relationship researcher and Associate Professor of Psychology, is the author of From First Kiss to Forever: A Scientific Approach to Love.

Tracy is an experienced dater. When she connected with Craig online, she liked what she saw and read. But as their first date approached, she got cold feet and wanted to cancel. Tracy met him anyway. Did they turn out to be a good match? Listen and find out.

In the world of dating, no matter your age, signals get crossed and actions are misinterpreted. This was true for Vanessa, who returns to the podcast to talk about her first date with Liam. She was interested in him, but did he feel the same way about her? Discover why there was so much confusion and what Vanessa learned from her experience.

For the season two premiere, we explore dating and heavy drinking. Maxine used to get drunk on dates to deal with her nervousness and ended up in relationships with the wrong men. Hear about her date with Brian, how she awoke to her unhealthy dating pattern, and what she did about it.

After decades of dating, Leah switched it up and hired a matchmaker. Hear her recount what happened when she took an "old school" approach to finding her Mr. Right.

Monica was devastated when her physician husband of 21 years left her for his nurse. A bitter divorce followed. A friend eventually convinced her to start dating again. Monica shares how she found bravery within and went on a memorable first post-divorce date with Scott.

In this special episode, Jodi and her guest, relationship coach Sarika Jain, discuss the roadblocks and fears that women often face while dating in midlife. Sarika shares the five keys to enjoying the dating process and becoming a joyful dater.

Sometimes people turn out to be very different than they seemed on a first date. That's what Tabatha discovered after a well-intentioned friend set her up with Richard. The date went great. What happened afterwards wasn't.

Denise became a widow in her early 40s. After years of grieving her tragic loss, she emerged armed with humor and a positive attitude and started dating online. Friends told her she'd hate it, but she didn't. Hear how Denise moved forward and about her first date with Brad.

When Laura reached her 40s, and realized she wanted a life partner, she took a project-like approach to finding love. Hear what happened when Laura and Ivan connected first through OKCupid, and then again, unintentionally, through Match.com one year later.

Tara's husband was an alcoholic. Their marriage fell apart. She started dating online to help her heal from the devastating divorce. Tara wanted to find a fun companion, not another husband. Hear how she met Lee and about their spontaneous first date.

Have you been picked up by a guy at a bar before? Isabel has. She had fun flirting with Todd and was excited when he asked her out. Their first date took a turn she never saw coming.

Natasha didn't know what to make of Ed's oversharing and under-listening on their first date. She also wasn't sure what he'd think of her new dating rule. Find out what happened.

Cindy returned to dating a few years after her husband died. A young widow, she was wary of dating separated men. Find out what happened when she did.

Can your intuition steer you wrong? In our Season 3 premiere, Jessica discloses what happened after she took a chance and asked a guy out on a date. Sean and she seemed compatible at first. Then she made a shocking discovery. Read the transcript for this episode here. You can connect with First Date Stories at FirstDateStories.com or catch up with us on Instagram and Twitter using @1st_DateStories, Facebook using @1stDates and Pinterest using @firstdatestories.

Some women know exactly what they want in a life partner. Lexi spent years running her successful company. With the little free time she had to date, she never wavered from the list of qualities she wanted in a soulmate. Was Sam the man she was seeking? Read the transcript for this episode here. You can connect with First Date Stories at FirstDateStories.com or catch up with us on Instagram and Twitter using @1st_DateStories, Facebook using @1stDates and Pinterest using @firstdatestories.

In this special episode, Jodi and her guest, online dating coach Erika Ettin, delve into the truth of what it’s like for women in midlife to date online. Do you want to boost your digital dating skills and confidence? Learn how to get started, the best mindset to have, successful strategies for you to use, how men online think, and much more. Read the transcript for this episode here. You can connect with First Date Stories at FirstDateStories.com or catch up with us on Instagram and Twitter using @1st_DateStories, Facebook using @1stDates and Pinterest using @firstdatestories.

Is it possible to find love when you least expect it? Penny is a teacher in her 40s who'd given up on online dating. When the pandemic hit, she got creative and used her passion for cosplay to uplift her students. She never imagined where this act of kindness would lead her.

Should you give a guy a second chance? That’s a question Anne asked herself when she and Mike reconnected five years after their work romance ended. Tune in to find out what happened when she decided to give their long-distance relationship a try again.

Dating has slowed down because of the coronavirus. People are spending weeks or months connecting remotely before saying “hello” face-to-face. Jamie, who’s in her late 50s and hadn’t dated in years, chose to start again as Covid-19 was spreading. Barb and she chatted regularly for six weeks before making plans to meet. Jamie reveals what it’s like to return to dating during the pandemic and the silver lining she discovered. Read the transcript for this episode here. You can connect with First Date Stories at FirstDateStories.com or catch with us on Instagram and Twitter using @1st_DateStories, Facebook using @1stDates, and Pinterest using @firstdatestories.

Blind dates can be a great way to meet men. But when a friend set Ruth up with Mark, she made a lot of assumptions about him that turned out to be wrong. Read the transcript for this episode here. You can connect with First Date Stories at FirstDateStories.com or catch up with us on Instagram and Twitter using @1st_DateStories, Facebook using @1stDates and Pinterest using @firstdatestories.

When there’s not a pandemic going on, New Year’s Eve is all about celebrating with others. Juliana had a New Year’s Eve date with a man who talked a good game, but did he follow through? Listen to find out how she handled what happened. Read the transcript for this episode here. You can connect with First Date Stories at FirstDateStories.com or catch up with us on Instagram and Twitter using @1st_DateStories, Facebook using @1stDates and Pinterest using @firstdatestories.

Can you sense true chemistry and connection from texts, calls, and virtual dates? Or does that really only happen in person? Lexi returns to talk about her date with Jerome. After lots of phone conversations, she had already imagined a future with him. And then they met. Was she right? Find out.   Read the transcript for this episode here. You can connect with First Date Stories at FirstDateStories.com or catch up with us on Instagram and Twitter using @1st_DateStories, Facebook using @1stDates and Pinterest using @firstdatestories.

“Can I trust him?” is a question that most every woman asks herself after starting to date a new man. If the answer is “No,” the relationship is doomed to fail. That’s why it’s important that you look for “trust clues” early on. In this special episode, Jodi’s guest, relationship coach Gail Weiner, LMFT, identifies critical trust clues for you to detect in dating profiles, early communications and on first dates so you are better able to answer that question straight away. Read the transcript for this episode. Check out Gail Weiner’s article Why Does He Only Talk About Himself? Schedule a complimentary one-hour consult on the biggest romantic challenge that you’re facing right now with Gail Weiner, LMFT and founder of Datewise, at www.datewisenow.com. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, The Weekender, and receive helpful dating tips, inspiration, and info about this podcast. Got a story to share? Tell us about it. Newsletter sign up First Date Stories Facebook Instagram Pinterest

It’s said that you need to know yourself before you can know who the right partner is for you. Isabel returns to the podcast to talk about how the unexpected happened when she embraced her vulnerabilities and focused on her own personal growth. Read the transcript for this episode here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, The Weekender, and receive helpful dating tips, inspiration, and info about this podcast. Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. You can connect with First Date Stories at FirstDateStories.com or catch up with us on Instagram and Twitter using @1st_DateStories, Facebook using @1stDates and Pinterest using @firstdatestories.

After her 24-year marriage ended, Chloe was unsure of her identity and purpose. With her kids now adults, she found the courage to move across the country and start her life anew. In our Season 3 finale, Chloe shares how she reinvented herself in her early 50s. She met David soon after the pandemic began, learned about herself as she got to know him, and ultimately recognized that she’s a badass. Read the transcript for this episode here. You can connect with First Date Stories at FirstDateStories.com or catch up with us on Instagram and Twitter using @1st_DateStories, Facebook using @1stDates and Pinterest using @firstdatestories. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, The Weekender, and receive helpful dating tips, inspiration, and info about this podcast. Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share.

Do you have a long-standing rule that you'll never break? Siobhan's was to only go on first dates in public places. When Carl asked her to his house for dinner for their debut date, the invite came after they'd talked almost nightly for over a month. She'd done her online sleuthing. She felt she knew a lot about him. She said “yes!” On our Season 4 premiere, we find out whether Siobhan was right to break her rule and all that took place after she did.  Read the transcript for this episode. Pre-order First Date Stories: Women's Romantic and Ridiculous Midlife Adventures from Bookshop.org, Amazon, or your local bookstore and receive it as soon as it's published on September 14. Learn more about the book here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, “The Weekender,” and get the mini Modern Day Dating Dictionary for free. Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Connect with us at FirstDateStories.com First Date Stories on Facebook First Date Stories on Instagram First Date Stories on Pinterest

“Why am I not married yet?” is a question Leelah asked herself. She'd expected to be married long before she reached her late 40s. Leelah knew what she wanted and needed from a healthy loving relationship, but hadn't found it with any of her ex-boyfriends. One night, not long after a breakup, she showed up at a potluck dinner with a rotisserie chicken. So did Jack. Was that a sign that they had something, in addition to a fondness for poultry, in common? Find out. Read the transcript for this episode. Pre-order First Date Stories: Women's Romantic and Ridiculous Midlife Adventures from Bookshop.org, Amazon, or your local bookstore and receive it as soon as it's published on September 14. Learn more about the book here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, “The Weekender,” and get the mini Modern Day Dating Dictionary for free. Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Connect with us at FirstDateStories.com First Date Stories on Facebook First Date Stories on Instagram First Date Stories on Pinterest

Is your approach to dating working as you'd like it to? Ready to try something new? In this special episode, Jodi and her guest, Mindful Dating Coach Dr. Marie Thouin, explore what it means to date mindfully. Don't miss this conversation about how to effectively overcome rejection and incorporate enchantment, self-care, self-love and fun into your dating life.

Olivia returns to the podcast to talk about a dating app match that was made in the US and led to a first date in Europe. Olivia and Robert texted regularly for three weeks before they met. She was sensing strong chemistry and a connection with him as their conversation progressed. Was Olivia right? Discover what happened when they had their debut date in London. Read the transcript for this episode. First Date Stories: Women's Romantic and Ridiculous Midlife Adventures is now available from Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore. Learn more about the book here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, “The Weekender,” and get the Mini Modern Day Dating Dictionary for free! Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Connect with us at FirstDateStories.com First Date Stories on Facebook First Date Stories on Instagram First Date Stories on Pinterest 

The saying “timing is everything” definitely applies to dating. Comedian Erin Foley's three year relationship had just ended when she and Sara went out on their first date. The evening went hilariously sideways. Hear what happened next and whether time was on their side. Enjoy more of Erin Foley's comedy and find out where she'll be performing next. Read the transcript for this episode. First Date Stories: Women's Romantic and Ridiculous Midlife Adventures is now available from Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore. Learn more about the book here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, “The Weekender,” and get the Mini Modern Day Dating Dictionary for free! Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Connect with us at FirstDateStories.com First Date Stories on Facebook First Date Stories on Instagram First Date Stories on Pinterest 

In this Special Episode, Relationship and Marriage Expert Marcia Naomi Berger talks all about dating with marriage in mind. You will hear her advice on dealing with wounds from previous relationships, learn about repetition compulsion (and how to avoid it), and discover marriage minded dating techniques for you to use. You can find out more about Marcia Naomi Berger and get in touch with her at www.marriagemeetings.com. Her new book, "Marriage Minded: And A to Z Dating Guide for Lasting Love" can be purchased on Amazon or at your local bookstore. Read the transcript for this episode. First Date Stories: Women's Romantic and Ridiculous Midlife Adventures is now available from Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore. Learn more about the book here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, “The Weekender,” and get the Mini Modern Day Dating Dictionary for free! Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Connect with us at FirstDateStories.com First Date Stories on Facebook First Date Stories on Instagram First Date Stories on Pinterest 

Bob had the background and accomplishments that Cindy thought she wanted in her next partner. He was well educated. He owned a ranch. He was financially successful. He also had a lot of drama going on in his life. Cindy, who was on the podcast in Season 2, has come back to delve into her first date with Bob and all that transpired afterwards.  Read the transcript for this episode. First Date Stories: Women's Romantic and Ridiculous Midlife Adventures is now available from Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore. Learn more about the book here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, “The Weekender,” and get the Mini Modern Day Dating Dictionary for free! Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Connect with us at FirstDateStories.com First Date Stories on Facebook First Date Stories on Instagram First Date Stories on Pinterest 

Do you want to silence your inner critics? Would you like to date in a way that helps you hone in on the right loving partner for you and filter out the wrong ones? In this Special Episode, Love and Relationship Expert Macy Matarazzo discusses her Five Star System and her No Rules Dating Approach. She's created these dating techniques to help people develop healthy relationships and be super loved. Learn more about the SuperLoved System and sign up for a free consultation with Macy Matarazzo.  Take the Love Vibe Quiz and find out what's blocking you from love. Read the transcript for this episode. First Date Stories: Women's Romantic and Ridiculous Midlife Adventures is now available from Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore. Learn more about the book here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, “The Weekender,” and get the Mini Modern Day Dating Dictionary for free! Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Connect with us at FirstDateStories.com First Date Stories on Facebook First Date Stories on Instagram First Date Stories on Pinterest   

It's not unusual to date the same kind of person again and again, but Carolyn didn't want to do that. Following a breakup, she decided to date a wide variety of types of men so that she could identify the qualities she wanted in a long-term partner. She named her adventure the “Fifty First Dates Project.” Find out what happened, what she learned during her two and a half year dating odyssey, and whether it led her to her Mr. Yes. Carolyn Lee Arnold's new book "Fifty First Dates After Fifty: A Memoir" can be purchased on Amazon or at your local bookstore. You can learn more about Carolyn on her website and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.   Read the transcript for this episode. First Date Stories: Women's Romantic and Ridiculous Midlife Adventures is now available from Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore. Learn more about the book here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, “The Weekender,” and get the Mini Modern Day Dating Dictionary for free! Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Connect with us at FirstDateStories.com First Date Stories on Facebook First Date Stories on Instagram First Date Stories on Pinterest 

How do you handle things when a date you're excited to go on leads to the ultimate dating disappointment? Sandy knows the answer. She and the Liverpool Dude had matched on Bumble. They talked for hours on the phone and texted multiple times. There was a palpable connection. She said “yes” to a first date. Listen to discover what happened next. Read the transcript for this episode. To learn more about Sandy Weiner and her dating and relationship coaching for women over 40, visit LastFirstDateRadio.com  Listen to the Last First Date Radio Podcast Join the “Your Last First Date” Facebook Group Get a copy of Sandy's book, Becoming a Woman of Value: How to Thrive in Life and Love here. Visit TheWomenofValue.com Join the Woman of Value Club First Date Stories: Women's Romantic and Ridiculous Midlife Adventures is now available from Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore. Learn more about the book here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, “The Weekender,” and get the Mini Modern Day Dating Dictionary for free! Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Connect with us at FirstDateStories.com First Date Stories on Facebook First Date Stories on Instagram First Date Stories on Pinterest 

Do you wonder whether you'll ever meet a man who is the right partner for the woman you've become? Janine did. She'd left her quarter-of-a-century marriage. When the pandemic began eight years later, she had a successful career and the wisdom that comes from decades of self-development. On our Season 4 finale, Janine shares how she approached dating as an adventure, came close to giving up on her search, and took a series of remarkable risks that led her to the love she was seeking. Read the transcript for this episode. First Date Stories: Women's Romantic and Ridiculous Midlife Adventures is now available from Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore. Learn more about the book here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, “The Weekender,” and get the Mini Modern Day Dating Dictionary for free! Got a story to share? Tell us about it at https://firstdatestories.com/share. Connect with us at FirstDateStories.com First Date Stories on Facebook First Date Stories on Instagram First Date Stories on Pinterest