Interstates & Heartbreak

Welcome to Interstates & HeartDRAKE, where I get IN MY FEELINGS about my journey from 0 TO 100 episodes. Things go from OVO to AMA as I answer listener-submitted questions about : -- How I cope when I'M UPSET-- TIMELINES as they relate to exclusivity-- What I would do if I had no MORE LIFE to live after 5 months-- BACK TO BACK questions about the biggest lessons I learned from dating my first ex and producing the podcast…and the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial, but I ran out of Drake lyrics. Jk, here's one more - listen to the end if you want to SEE WHAT'S 'BOUT TO HAPPEN NEXT for Interstates & Heartbreak, OKAY? Please don't un-follow me because of the Drake puns : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

The heartbreak podcast collab you didn't know you needed- Interstates & Heartbreak welcomes Thank You Heartbreak host Chelsea Leigh Trescott to discuss reclaiming your breakup experience to “break upward.” She discusses her evolution from serial monogamist to intentionally single, and how her standards have raised along the journey. We discuss the nuances of heartbreak, like breaking your OWN heart by staying in a relationship that doesn't serve you, or the often ignored heartbreak of being the one to end a relationship. TRIGGER WARNING: Chelsea reflects on some heavier topics like a suicidal ex (16:27) and dating while struggling with disordered eating (12:05, 22:50, 1:04:40). For the woman behind the sultry voice : @thankyouheartbreak For help transitioning from breakup to glow up : chelsea@breakupward.com To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Harrison Forman and Brandon Berman present a dating experience with all the intrigue of Love is Blind, but without the editing or gold chalices - UpDating. They recount the journey that inspired the live blindfolded reality dating show as it exists today, and the wildest on-stage connections and rejections to-date. We wrap with insights into our own dating lives, including their experience with clout chasers, their hypothesis on my type, Brandon's future UpDating proposal, and Harrison's recent date with a former Interstates & Heartbreak guest. For DM slides (platonic or otherwise) : @htforman For platonic DM slides ONLY : @bermmy16 For casting DM slides : @updatingshow (or apply at updatingshow.com) To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Interstates & Heartbreak gets personal today, as I bring my mom back for an encore interview to answer listener-submitted questions! Hear our unfiltered discussion about her thoughts on dating apps, her ideal man, which of my exes was the best, and more. To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Stevie Bowen revisits the early 20's dating stories that inspired her modern Carrie Bradshaw moment - complete with her own version of Mr. Big. She dishes on the men behind the monikers in her memoir, The City of Dating…the one who (unknowingly) took her virginity, the one who fulfilled her sk8tr boi fantasy, the one who viewed protein powder as a food group…and the Charlottes, Mirandas, and Samanthas who were there to gossip with her over brunch the morning after. For content to help you commiserate over your dating experience : @thecityofdating For dating confessions that will help you feel better about your own love life : thecityofdating.com To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Gigi Robinson provides visibility to a typically invisible condition - Ehlers-Danlos syndrome - and recounts the 10+ year journey post-diagnosis that ultimately led her to build a platform dedicated to awareness around chronic illness. She drags the men who've had (FAR) less than ideal responses to her condition in the past, from bouncing mid-makeout, to an attempted religious conversion. She also shares the secrets around confidence and body image that ultimately led her to a Sports Illustrated swim shoot. To slide into Gigi's DMs about something OTHER than her Sports Illustrated photos: @itsgigirobinson For all of the ways you can call her, beep her, if you wanna reach her : gigirobinson.com To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

What happens in Vegas…gets recapped on this week's solo podcast episode as I share a story about a married man who embodies the "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" attitude. I divulge how a night out on a chill mother-daughter Vegas trip raised broader questions around infidelity, the politics of free drinks, and rejection etiquette. To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Jenn and Julien from Ex Appeal podcast address an age old question - can straight men and women TRULY be friends? They share how their relationship evolved from hook up buddies to friends and podcast cohosts, and tackle questions like whether friendship can co-exist with sexual attraction, how much detail your partner needs to know about your past hookups, and whether accountants really need their own podcasts. For more dating takes from your new favorite exes : @exappealpodcast To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week Ryan Black pulls back the curtain on the motives of pick up artists - why they neg, casual sex (and why it's NOT a flex in this case), and their apparent nightclub obsession. He opens up about his own dating journey from prepubescence to present day and how it led him into the PUA community, and the true confidence and self-acceptance he's found since divorcing the game. TRIGGER WARNING at 1:02:20 (gun violence & suicide mention) To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Jon Birger joins me on this week's episode to discuss shooting your shot - and I'm not talking about March Madness. We discuss his latest book, Make Your Move: The New Science of Dating, to break down what women stand to gain from asking men out. We analyze the sexist "science" that informs traditional dating gender roles, and the evolution into modern philosophies of "If he wanted to, he would." Jon also critiques my own feeble attempts at shooting my shot in years prior, and explains how meeting on Hinge impacts the likelihood of long term success with my current boyfriend. To order Make Your Move or invite Jon to your book club : jonbirger.com For more of Jon's musings on modern dating dynamics : @jon_birger1 To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Today I'm here solo to discuss reality dating shows and why they have such a hold on us. I analyze how my relationship to Love is Blind and The Bachelor is analogous to and old school Playboy Magazine, and dive into how The Tinder Swindler recently rounded out my trifecta of dating content consumption. I raise all the red flags - both those that foreshadowed the swindler victims' downfall AND the ones that would be showcased in a dating documentary about my own life, raising the question - am I myself Tinder Swindlable? Oh, and Google teaches me how to correctly pronounce "schadenfreude" on air. To email me your dating show reality thoughts, or your own PERSONAL dating horror stories : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : @interstatesandheartbreak on TikTok For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Today I pull out the gold wine glasses with the ladies of Dope Shit My Therapist Says podcast return to discuss the Love is Blind season 2 finale and reunion. We dive into all of our unfiltered thoughts about the cast - from unofficial therapy diagnoses, to villain "edits," to the couples we stan (and the breakups we stanned more). Most importantly, I share why the reunion inspired me to withdraw my shade around "I'm Nick Lachey, OBVIOUSLY," and "My fiancé is hot like Beyoncé." For self care in the form of affirmations and validation for all your therapeutic indulgences : @dopeshttherapypod To hear more dope shit from the perspective of two practicing therapists : Dope Sh*t My Therapist Says podcast Or email them directly at: dopeshttherapypod@gmail.com To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week I interview Gabi Conti, author of Twenty Guys You Date In Your Twenties, and host of Am I Dating A Serial Killer podcast. Before diving into serial killers, we discuss serial dating - from lessons learned, to how going on thirty (yes, THIRTY) dates in one weekend indirectly led to meeting her husband. Gabi dives into how to avoid stranger danger on the apps, and we share our personal experiences of what NOT to do. We close with a discussion around self-proclaimed narcissist Che Diaz, and other pop culture icons with questionable personality traits. To relive Gabi's Andi Anderson-level dating escapades : @itsgabiconti To read about the Twenty Guys You Date in Your Twenties, or if you've ever asked yourself "Am I Dating A Serial Killer" : gabiconti.com To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Marla Goldstein of G-Spot Coaching joins the podcast to discuss your body's biggest sexual organ - the brain. We dive into her mission to help women find emotionally available partners, and identify the early online and IRL red flags that signal someone is emotional UNavailable. We then dissect the attachment styles and their correlation to availability, while analyzing our own attachment tendencies (along with every Love is Blind cast member's). To see Marla's personal dating app game in action : @gspotcoaching To let NPR psychoanalyze your dating style : NPR Attachment Style Quiz To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week I interview the Carrie B of Gen Z - author, actress, and influencer Carrie Berk. She candidly recaps her recent experience on the reality show Next Influencer, and how the show reinforced her decision to start dating outside of the influencer bubble. We dissect the male influencer f-boy archetype and the downsides that come with it, ranging from thirst traps to Snapchats. Carrie also pulls back the curtain on the clout chasers and love bombers that come along with so-called glamorous side of dating when you DO have a blue checkmark. To follow the modern day Carrie Bradshaw : @carrieberkk For the first scoop on Carrie's upcoming book : www.carrieberk.com To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This Valentine's Day I interview none other than my boyfriend to fully dive into the ups and downs of our relationship to date. We discuss how we got together, spanning everything from the lie I told him when we first started talking, a first date that was nearly cancelled night of, and a risque and poorly-timed DTR discussion. From there, Michael admits to sliding back in for an unintentional Valentine's Day rekindling in 2021, and what broke us up in the first place. The episode closes with Michael's answers to listener submitted questions (plus a few bonuses thrown in by me). For a rare glimpse of Michael on my Instagram : @lesliegnope To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com

This week Liana Pavane and I discuss modern breakups more realistic than Che Diaz's "two-FaceTime" story. She shares how a phone call breakup drove her to break out of toxic dating patterns and explore a "selfship" before getting back out there. We discuss why you need to create your own closure, and concrete steps towards to recovering from a breakup. On the flip side, we outline how to execute good breakup etiquette in regards to timing, location, and depth of explanation - and reflect on our past experiences that served as examples of what NOT to do. For more modern day ghost stories : @ghosts_ofdatespast For IRL connections (and to cut down on your screen time) : ttylnyc.com For all of Liana's dating insights and resources : lianapavane.com To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week I'm joined by Lindsey Metselaar of We Met At Acme podcast to discuss the harsh dating truths she learned in her 20s. She confesses to past cringe dating behaviors, like drinking too much or lingering for too long after an early sleepover. We go over the dating rules she now swears by, and how they impact gender dynamics around paying for dates, sleeping with a new partner, and making the first move. When your group chat's dating advice isn't cutting it: wemetatacme.com To join in on my poll question addiction : @wemetatacme To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Today I'm joined by Christine Loera, a Story Producer on an infamous (and for the purposes of our interview, anonymous) reality dating show to discuss dating on-screen vs. IRL. We dissect the persona and the traits that correlate to success on reality TV, and contemplate the feasibility of falling in love over the span of a few weeks. Christine opens up about how her job has impacted her own dating life for the positive (by providing an unexpected opening to come out to her parents) and the negative (through setting unrealistic expectations for relationship progress). To DM Christine and help her reconnect with Daisy Ridley : @misslatinafey To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Today's solo is about doing things solo - even when you have a partner. I discuss my attempt to make Bachelor viewing a couples activity, and broader expectations for shared interests in a relationship. I also reflect on using independence as a coping mechanism against a partner who doesn't prioritize you, and the ways I acted out in response to that feeling in the past. To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

I'm in love with TWO strippers - Danica and Riley, today's guests and the cohosts of 50 Plus a Tip podcast. They share strip club insights ranging from the cost of a lap dance (hint: it's in the title of their show), how NOT to compliment a dancer, and straight female patron faux pas that range from cringy to downright rude. We also discuss the intersection of their careers and love life - including thoughts on dating customers, the effect stripping has on confidence, and when to disclose your line of work. The only way Danica and Riley will speak to you for free : 50plusatip.com And for the visual experience : @50plusatip To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Kim Murstein and her Grandma Gail of Excuse My Grandma podcast join me to debate the pros and cons of modern dating- dissecting everything from self-proclaimed "entrepreneurs" on the dating apps, whether bad sex is a dealbreaker, and if there's any benefit to being exclusive before being bf/gf. We evaluate the merit of traditional beliefs around paying for dates, women making the first move, and co-habitating before marriage in today's dating landscape, and I tell a Venmo story that fails Grandma Gail's standard for manners. For more unfiltered grandmotherly advice : Excuse my Grandma on Apple Podcasts and Spotify For the coolest grandma content on TikTok : @excusemygrandma To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Jenna Langbaum, author of Me In Search of You, gives an honest and unfiltered view of what it's actually like to date in New York through short stories that span everything from a first date rife with overshares, Bumble profile dealbreakers, and the sinking realization you're being ghosted by someone you weren't even that into. She distinguishes the few moments in the city that DO actually make you feel like Carrie Bradshaw vs. the modern dating experiences that are notably absent from Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, Friends, and the like. For more of Me in Search of You (and some bonus stories) : @jennalangbaum To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Case Kenny of New Mindset, Who Dis? podcast joins me to discuss how reckless fuckboy / fuckgirl accusations, main character energy, and other dating buzzwords are impacting our love lives. He breaks down ways to own your standards and sniff out a legitimate fuckperson in the process without being labeled as "crazy." Finally, we explore why we're quicker to label someone a sociopath than to reflect on what we're actually bringing to the table (or as Kelis would say, "to the yard"). For daily dating inspiration : @case.kenny For journals that will spark an internal glow up : newmindsetwhodis.com To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week's solo episode touches on the respective struggles of celebrating Thanksgiving both single and coupled. I reflect on each time I've met a boyfriend's parent(s), including finding the right balance of alcohol consumption, and the meeting that was never supposed to take place at all. To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

I interview my former coworker and Queen of Staten Island, Marissa Ginsberg, about New York-specific dating woes. We compare the LA and NY male archetypes, and Marissa shares a range of dating app stories including red beard dye, psychedelics, and drenched attire that raise a broader question - Are Brooklyn men okay?? Marissa also opens up about the driving force behind getting on the apps after an extended break-up, and gives her take on whether or not exes can (and should) remain friends. To follow Marissa's comedy career, and her eventual IG rebrand : @marisssus To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Ilana Dunn from Seeing Other People podcast shares her perspectives around online dating as a former Hinge employee (pre- Roses and voice prompts). We expose ill-advised dating behaviors driven by insecurity, like FBI-level social stalking and future-tripping after one date, and contrast what it feels like to finally date someone who you don't have to consult your group chat about. Ilana also opens up about the difficulties behind cohosting her podcast with someone she previously dated, and finally puts to rest the age old question of whether or not exes can truly be friends. For more unfiltered dating conversations : @seeingotherpeople To go from Seeing Other People to seeing Ilana : @ilana.dunn To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Tinah Ogalo of In Your Twentys podcast shares her perspective on dating as a 23-year-old navigating post-college life. We discuss Tinder's reputation as a hookup app, its prominence in campus dating culture, and the situationships that have arisen from her own swiping. We close with the single piece of advice she thinks everyone in their 20s should follow, and why it essentially boils down to not giving a fuck. To watch Tinah slaying her 20s : @tinah.ogalo And to hear Tinah's advice on how you can slay your 20s : @inyourtwentys To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

I interview award-winning podcaster and investigative journalist Jordan Gass-Poore about the Texas legislation banning abortions after 6 weeks, Senate Bill 8. She shares how her perspective as a native Texan who's interviewed activists on both sides of the aisle has shaped her understanding of the legislation's supporters and its broader historical context. We discuss her personal connections to the topic, most notably her mom's admission to having abortions of her own. The episode closes with speculation around what this means for Roe V Wade and reproductive rights as a whole. To find Jordan's professional works : Chasing Life podcast and Local Switchboard NYC And to find her horror passion project : Pod of Madness To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week is a quick solo episode where I give a peek into how I rang in 31 vs. 21, why I was decidedly NOT thriving in my first few months of turning 30, and the shared lesson learned from a my torn Achilles and 2020 break-up. To support the podcast at levels ranging from champagne room to gas station coffee : Patreon.com/interstatesandheartbreak To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week Ryanne Gatti rejoins me to dissect the subject of many a group chat - the situationship. What is it? (A mess.) What are the red flags to watch out for? ("Looking for something casual" on Bumble.) How do you tell if you're already in one? (If you have to ask, you probably are). We give real answers to all of these questions and share our advice on how to get out of your entanglement and into a committed relationship. For more deep podcast discussions from two girls who are legit qualified to give life advice : Dope Shit My Therapist Says on Apple Podcasts or Spotify And for Instagrammable bites of therapy : @dopeshttherapypod To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week, Nia Ruth shares how dating in NY impacted her opinions on marriage and finding the one, and how her now-husband eventually lifted her skepticism. We discuss why he initially friendzoned himself, and how a Bachelor-style outing elevated things to the next level years after their initial meeting. For a view into Nia's enviable Instagram : @niaruthwine For custom wine recs from Napa, Paso Robles…and maaaybe Temecula : niaruth.com To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

I'm back for a solo episode to kick off Q4, and to advocate for why October undeniably marks the universal start of cuffing season. For those looking to get cuffed, I dive into why I think Hinge is the superior dating app, and tips for avoiding cringy pitfalls like bad prompts and paying to give out roses. See the full list of Hinge prompts here To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Erica Troyer shares unfiltered insights into the modern day swingers community and what REALLY happens in sex clubs -  like the etiquette around approaching another couple for sex, and why should you avoid going on single guys' night. She chronicles her most recent relationship within the lifestyle, from the introductory dick pic, to marriage and shared commitment to a girlfriend, and an eventual divorce that started a custody battle over a $1000+ sex toy.  For a behind-the-scenes view at the lifestyle from Erica's perspective : @erica_adams2917 To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Roland Toney, brother-in-law of former guest David Zeff, shares his perspective on dating apps as an elder millennial who's never used them. We analyze the dating app economics that favor fuckboy behaviors and undermine efforts to find a long-term partner, like A/B profile testing (evaluating which pictures/prompts have the highest success rate), level of investment (commitment to people you meet on an app vs. IRL), and paradox of choice (endless profiles to swipe through). To discuss DATING with Roland : @ro_tone To discuss DATA with Roland : Roland Toney III on LinkedIn To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

Katelyn Zeff, sister to my friend and former guest David Zeff, chronicles her journey of dating in NY in search of a meaningful connection. We discuss how how to remain confident and positive in the face of the ghosting, unsolicited sexts, and recurring threesome propositions that plague hot girl (AND boy) summer. To shoot your shot with Katelyn: @kzeffy . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: @interstatesandheartbreak . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: @lesliegnope .

Join me and Azaria Menezes for a discussion about porn that won't leave you wanting to immediately clear your search history. We discuss the evolution of our relationship with porn, from our first encounters to the role it's played in shaping our sexuality to-date. Topics range from Only Fans' empowerment of its creators, to porn's impact on labiaplasty's and anal bleaching. To get more intimate with Azaria : https://www.azariamenezes.com/ . And to hear more of Azaria's juicy takes on sex : https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/getting-intimate/id1527936039 . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

David Zeff opens up about dating after divorce in arguably the most vulnerable Interstates & Heartbreak episode to-date. He outlines the journey of his last relationship- from first Tinder swipe, to "I do," to eventually parting ways. We're left pondering questions around closure, and David's romantic future. For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

Mexico City local Mariana Villanueva shares international dating tales spanning her home country, Australia, Europe, Asia, and beyond. She unapologetically expresses her gripes with dating Mexican men, and the regional pros and cons of the men she's encountered during her travels. The episode concludes with a spontaneous three-week Nicaragua trip with a Tinder match, which evolved into a real life telenovela and a lesson on transparent communication. To learn how to flirt in Spanish from Mariana : https://www.italki.com/i/reft/GC6DBH/GC6DBH/spanish?hl=en . To book a tour of Mexico City with your own modern day Carmen Sandiego : https://www.instagram.com/toursamigosmx/ . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

Erotic blueprint coach Monica Jayne returns to deep dive into owning your sexual experience and breaking free from societal expectations. We dive into how media depictions of sex impact expectations around penis size, dirty talk, mischaracterized sexual "disorders," and beyond. We wrap with tangible advice around broaching challenges ranging from gauging your partners' interest in introducing a third, to navigating conflicting stances on porn. To explore embarking with your own sexual journey with Monica Jayne: https://www.instagram.com/iammonicajayne/ . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

Alex Bilski and I dive into persistent dating app woes - is there any way to send a Rose or a Super Like without coming across as desperate? How do you deal with the ego hit of getting rejected by someone you weren't even into in the first place? Is it a dealbreaker if your match (or coworker) won't stop casually mentioning masturbation? And what new challenges arise when you finally meet someone IRL? For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

I interview the host of Meet Cute Actually, Kassandra Pollard, about a genre we both love and love to hate - rom coms. We discuss the overly romanticized "meet cute" and its indirect role in stigmatizing online dating. Throughout the episode, we debate how Hollywood has shaped our collective perceptions of romance through films ranging from Crazy Rich Asians to Clueless, and roast movies that missed the mark. To hear real happily ever afters without the Prince Charming : https://www.meetcuteactually.com/ . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

Karen Aresti returns for a quickie episode! She shares a story about the unexpected ramifications of inviting your Tinder date on vacation in Mexico, including (but not limited to) the continuous peer pressure to take body shots. To slide out of the friend zone and into Karen's DMs: https://www.instagram.com/kare_sti/ . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

This week Karen Aresti and I dive into the intersection of the platonic and the romantic relationships in our lives, and explore the widespread impact of friendship dynamics on dating. We enter the dreaded friend zone, discussing how to determine if you're stuck in it, and her identity as "The Friend Zone Queen." We also unpack dynamics between friends and significant others, like when to introduce them, and how to deal if you don't like your friend's partner or vice versa - including a very unfiltered roast of my ex from Karen's perspective. To slide out of the friend zone and into Karen's DMs: https://www.instagram.com/kare_sti/ . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

On this week's episode I interview Ariel Rosen about her experience in a career field she was seemingly destined for - personal coaching and matchmaking. She reveals some of the most valuable dating philosophies she imparts on her clients, and how that impacts her own approach to relationships. We also dive into how her career impacts men's perceptions, and why her romantic rejections are often met with awkward and unsexy replies like "Can you coach me on how to get you?" To OFFICIALLY approach Ariel for her matchmaking services : mastermatchmakers.com OR linkedin.com/in/arosen817 . To connect with Ariel for all other coaching and guidance : https://www.instagram.com/riel_light/ . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

This week I'm independently recording for Independence Day to discuss involuntary independence - aka how to cope with a break-up. We're skipping past the cliches and diving into the lessons I learned from drunk dialing my exes, crying by myself in movie theaters, and adopting a drastic hairstyle change post-breakup. For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

This week dives deep into eroticism with Monica Jayne- but begins with a backstory that is anything but erotic. Monica Jayne opens up about a conservative, religious upbringing in a town that literally inspired the movie Napoleon Dynamite, and the subsequent journey she underwent to fully embrace her sexuality both personally and professionally as an erotic blueprint coach. We have an unfiltered discussion about Monica Jayne's comprehensive efforts to have her first orgasm in her late 20's, and the steps people can take to better understand their own erotic blueprints, and in turn, their sexuality. To slide into Monica Jayne's DMs for the sex convos you won't get from Cosmo : https://www.instagram.com/iammonicajayne/ . To fully journey into your own life erotic with the guidance of a professional, look into Monica Jayne's private coaching options : https://monicajayne.com/private-coaching/  . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

This week I'm joined by the extremely dateable ladies of The Undateable Podcast, Jasmine and Lauren. We dive into what it means to be fuckable but not dateable, as well as the standards society expects you to meet in order to be classified as "wifey material." Jasmine and Lauren open up about both sexual adventures and misadventures, and discuss how to own so-called "undateable" moments (like a particular anal plug mishap) and transform them into unapologetic confidence. For a peek at the personal dating stories that inspired Jasmine to start a podcast to begin with : https://www.instagram.com/thedoglord/ . For all the Instagrammable photoshoot inspiration you could ever dream of : https://www.instagram.com/lodofasho/ . For the backstory of Lauren accidentally shitting her pants on a date, and MUCH more unmissable content : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/undateable/id1503416486 . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

Interstates & Heartbreak takes a turn into the horror genre with scary ghost stories of the dating variety. Mia Piatrafesa opens up about her experience dating in Denver as a New York transplant, concluding in a particularly harrowing tale of being ghosted after "I love you." We analyze the aftermath of getting ghosted, including tangible tips for creating your own closure, and dealing with the shame of drunk texting an ex. To hear more of Mia's takes on life and dating : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-its-mi/id1540217253 . To bring Mia's vision to your own business : scotchberry.com . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

Interstates & Heartbreak has its most surprising guest yet, as I relinquish hosting duties and become the interview subject. High school friends Will Rippetoe and David Zeff unabashedly probe into my dating past, present, and preferences, covering topics like my unmatched love of female strippers, what makes someone a f***boy/girl, and a time when I myself was worthy of the f***girl title. For career and interview coaching tailored to companies ranging from Dominoes to Disney : https://www.instagram.com/will.rippetoe/ . For tongue-in-cheek interpretations of men's dating profiles as told by my inner Carrie: https://www.instagram.com/interstatesandheartbreak/ . For (slightly) deeper insights into my philosophies on dating and relationships: https://interstatesandheartbreak.com/ . To email any thoughts, questions, or business inquiries: interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com . For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating: https://www.instagram.com/lesliegnope .

Celebrate ONE YEAR of Interstates & Heartbreak with a peek into my most memorable dates since the start of the pandemic - the good, the bad, and the fugly.