Love in Dating Shows

I think we've all seen the statistics as to how successful The Golden Bachelor was in capturing the interest and hearts of the nation. The show was exactly what we all needed in so many ways, and it broke crucial barriers with respect to representation in the reality dating world. It was an honor to have the show's Leslie Fhima on Love in Dating Shows to discuss what she learned from the experience and what she's looking for moving forward. She was every bit as sparkly in the interview as she was on our screens.

After binging Peacock's Couple to Throuple, I was fortunate enough to literally run into one of my favorite people on the show, Rehman Bhatti. I had so many questions for him after watching him explore ethical non-monogamy on screen. He did a fantastic job shedding light on the experience, what he learned, and how it will impact his future thoughts on compatibility. This conversation was truly such a gift- enjoy!! You can find Rehman on Instagram at @detroitmillennial

We Met At Acme founder Lindsey Metselaar joined me to talk all things compatibility, courtship, and of course, dating shows. We discussed which dating shows simulate the closest-to-ideal dating scenarios, which Rules should be followed when getting to know someone, and how feminism is at the heart of some of her hottest takes. You can find her at any one of her fabulous accounts @wemetatacme @wemetatbaby @dontexpectsalads @lindzmetz

After watching my mom date in her 60s and observing her journey as more endearing than heartbreaking, I was excited to see the Bachelor franchise come out with the Golden Bachelor. It only made sense then to bring my mom on to discuss how she's perceived this season.

Stuart Chaseman captured the hearts of many with his honesty and vulnerability on Netflix's Jewish Matchmaking. In this interview, he was just as sweet and open as he was on the show, and we also talked more about the influence of his love life on his songwriting. You can find Stuart and more about his music at @stuartchaseman on Instagram and Stuartchaseman.com.

In this episode, I get to sit down with Jewish Matchmaking's Pam. Pam shares how working with Aleeza came to be, how her journey with Tourette's has impacted the timing of her seeking love, and how her life as a comedian informs what she needs in a partner. It was a joy to laugh and learn with Pam while hearing about her experience on the show. You can find Pam @pamelacomedy on Social Media!

In this episode, I got to sit down with Netflix's Jewish Matchmaking's Harmonie to hear about her experience working with Aleeza, the motivations behind who Aleeza set her up with, her wellness work, her new podcast, and the role self-love has played in her path to finding romantic love. You can find Harmonie and her upcoming podcast at @harmoniekrieger and @lifewithharmonie on Social Media!

This is truly a pinch-me moment. I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Aleeza Ben Shalom, THE Jewish Matchmaker on Netflix. We discuss her realistic, yet optimistic approach to matching individuals, how she quantifies compatibility (yes! quantifies!), her beautiful definition of love and so much more.

Is it true that if you love someone you'll let them go? Could you date yourself? Does anyone go on a dating show for "the right reasons?" My incredibly insightful guest, Gianna Leonard, RN and I discuss the answers to these questions and so many others. Gianna is a boundary-setting and self-care queen who's great at giving empowering advice and delivering the hard truths we could all benefit from hearing when it comes to dating and relationships. I took so much away from this conversation, and I know you will too xoxo

When it comes to exposing the truth behind the pop culture we're consuming, Dana's skills are unmatched. Creator of the popular instagram account @igfamousbydana and host of the Serial Fillers podcast, Dana is well-known for pulling the curtain back on which cosmetic procedures your celebrity favorites have had done. Dana's critical eye and affection for dating shows made her a super fun guest to have on the show. We discuss her takes on Hollywood's most famous couples, F***boy Island, Love is Blind, Love Island, and more.

Mindfulness and unintentional relationship expert Case Kenny sat down to discuss why loneliness is actually a good thing, how perfect love does in fact require some work, the importance of empathy, and the power of mutual understanding. This episode will bring you peace of mind, while simultaneously helping you think differently about love and dating. If you haven't already come across Case's viral wisdom on Instagram, you can find him @Case.Kenny, check out his thought-provoking journals at https://newmindsetwhodis.com/, or listen to his podcast "New Mindset, Who Dis?" 

I finally sat down with close friend and pre-licensed family & couples therapist, Louise Helferty to discuss the recent media attention on lusty celebrity couples, how you can tell whether a relationship is set up for success, and so much more. Is a hot and heavy connection sustainable over time? Does your soulmate have to be your romantic partner? Can unconditional love exist in a healthy way? Are crushes Kosher in a monogomous relationship? This is a super full episode...It will definitely change your thinking

If you aren't willing to sacrifice for your partner, do you really love them? Does upbringing matter as much as culture when it comes to compatibility? Does your soulmate have to be the person you end up with? In my first episode with a married couple, I'm joined by Amanda and Chris to unpack these questions, and many others!

How long does it take to fall in love with someone? Would you date yourself? Is it realistic to never fight? These are just a few of the topics Tal and I cover while we analyze the Australian Married At First Sight

In the one year anniversary episode, Mere and I chat Netflix's "Dating Around." A few questions we cover: Is it beneficial to know much about the person before a date? What defines compatibility? Can you embrace 'the one' if you're not ready for them? So grateful to be able to celebrate this milestone with my best friend. Enjoy and thank you for a year of listenership!

If you've watched Netflix's "Love on the Spectrum," or if you've just ever wondered how you could be a better human/dater/partner, this episode is worth a listen. Join Holly Lechniak, Outreach Director at Autism Assessment, Research, Treatment, and Services (AARTS) Center at Rush and myself as we discuss dating, relationships, and sexuality for those with Autism. There is so much to learn from in these 40 minutes- I truly believe listening to this conversation would make anyone a better significant other.

How long does it take to fall in love? What topics should still be off limits on a second date? Does chasing validation make you emotionally unavailable for true love? These are just a few of the questions we deep dive while unpacking Modern Love episode, "At the Hospital, an Interlude of Clarity." Josh and Andrea are two of my closest friends, with whom I'm always discussing dating culture and relationship dynamics, so naturally we had a lot to say on this one.

If you haven't been living under a quarantine rock, you likely got hooked on the Netflix sensation, Indian Matchmaking. In this episode, my dear friend Aashay walks me through how reflective the show is of dating culture in urban India. Aashay is a product management professional based in Bangalore, India. He loves to learn about cultures, people, and food. He has been a part of the match making process for ~2 years now and was happy to share his views on the topic. I guarantee he answers just about every question you may have had while watching the show!

Abby Pierce is a Director, Artist, Teacher, Actor, and Writer, whom I discovered by way of her submission to the Midwest Film Festival's Female Filmmaking night. Abby's film, "Go Ahead, Grab Time by the Throat" grabbed my attention with its uniquely moving story line about an "engagement break-up." I couldn't believe she responded to my DM slide after the festival, let alone agreed to be on the podcast to talk about love, time, and the pursuit of a good story. You can find her @plainoldabby on Instagram or connect with her via her website abbyisinhere.com. But, do you yourself a favor, and watch her movie first!

And that's a wrap on Season 1! Join me for a reflective fireside solo chat to recap this wild ride. I'm so grateful for you, and I can't wait for Season 2 ❤️ Fantastic Black Podcasts to Listen to: Still Processing, Hoodrat to Headwrap, The Read, 2 Dope Queens Museum of Broken Relationships: https://brokenships.com/ A great article on how the beginning of defunding the police could happen: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/unbundle-police/612913/

Should one person love the other person more in a relationship? Can attraction grow? Is love blind? These are just a few of the questions Zoe and I address in the context of the viral sensation "Love is Blind."

Is sex distracting from personal growth? What's the difference between romance, emotional connection and physical connection? How do you define "genuine connection?" Shivani Banfal is back for another unpacking session. This time, of the viral sensation "Too Hot to Handle."

Is love different with each partner? How rational is falling for someone? Does having a type hurt you more than help you? These are just a few of the questions Noah and I address as superfans of Love Island.

We break down Christiane Amanpour's "Sex and Love Around the World."  Some of the questions we tackle: How impactful are your parents' expression of love to you as a child on your love life? How pivotal is women's decreasing financial reliance on men in the dating world? How important do you consider the physical aspect of a relationship? Is it a crucial part of how we define and experience love?

What's the difference between validation and visibility? Is it a sacrifice if it's for the one you love? Was MTV's "Next" our first look at dating app culture? Two years ago, I had the opportunity to guest on Ilyssa Meraki's "Weirdly Specific Podcast." Now, I'm honored to have her guest on mine...and she somehow convinced me that timing actually matters when it comes to love. 

Is the best model for a dating show the one where it isn't meant to be a dating show? How does love differ in Japanese culture vs US culture? What are the pros and cons of having cast members isolated from society vs fully integrated while filming? Do the five love languages exist for Japanese daters? This episode compares and contrasts American relationship norms with Japanese relationship norms.

If an algorithm can tell you who your perfect match is, should you abide by it? How might an entirely sexually fluid cast change the dating show dynamics? At what point do you lose the chance at being more than friends? These are just a few topics Suzie and I explore in the context of MTV's Season 8 of "Are You the One?"

In this episode, I rave on about Love Island and the questions it poses with respect to how we think about love. I highlight similarities and differences between the show and other shows as far as the various assertions each are essentially making about love. There will be more Love Island-dedicated episodes with guests in the future, but I felt that given my obsession with the show, it was only right that I start the conversation solo, first.

How are love and marriage different? Why do marriages fail? How have relationship dynamics changed over the years? These are just a few of the questions Divorce Lawyer Debra DiMaggio and I tackle in this week's episode. Debra has been a practicing Divorce Lawyer for over 30 years, and she has even represented some dating show participants!

Does age matter? Is timing everything? Are soulmates a thing? Which dating shows have the best formula for finding true love? These are just some of the questions we address in today's episode of LIDS with relationship therapist, founder of relationship counseling practice, Relationship Reality 312 and author of "First Comes Us: The Busy Couple's Guide to Lasting Love," Anita Chlipala. If you've ever wanted a peek into what relationship therapy could look like, as a single person or a partnered person, this conversation is a gold mine of answers. Anita can be found on instagram @Anitaonlove, on Twitter @Anitaonlove or via her website, www.relationshipreality312

Which is worse- emotional or physical cheating? How does your upbringing and culture influence your approach to love? What are the similarities and differences in fan culture surrounding sports vs dating shows? These are just a few questions I tackle with special guests and Temptation Island stans, Barflaan Tedoe and Meredith Minkow

How can we search for something we can’t define? Does the language we speak limit our ability to find love by providing finite ways of defining it? Are different cultures looking for different types of love? Which country's dating show is getting it right? Dr. Jason Riggle is an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago, the director of the Chicago Language Modeling Lab, and the Resident Dean of The Max Palevsky Residential Commons. In this episode, Jason takes me on a tour of the language surrounding love and how that informs the way we express our feels. Let's just say my world was rocked during this interview.

In this very first episode, I explain why I’m even doing this and what you can expect from future episodes ❤️

A super short synopsis explaining what this podcast is about