Love in Dating Shows

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

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!

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.

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!

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!

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?"

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! 

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