Dates & Mates with Damona Hoffman

Whether you’re navigating cuffing season, gearing up to meet someone's family for the holidays, or figuring out how to take your dating game to the next level— Damona dedicates this week’s episode to YOU! She’s answering your toughest Dear Damona questions, like: I struggle to find matches in my area and while I am willing to travel, many men aren’t. So what now? My matches keep removing their profiles once we exchange numbers. What’s going on here? When should daters consider sleeping together? Are gender roles changing or do men still have to be the initiator? Find Damona and submit your questions on any of the socials @DamonaHoffman or by visiting her website DamonaHoffman.com/contact Bad news…we filled our last spot for the year.  Good news!! We opened ONE BONUS for VIP coaching this fall. Last chance to get one on one coaching with Damona and her team. Want to snag our lucky last spot? Register for an intro call at DamonaHoffman.com/introcall asap! TIMESTAMPS Intro (00:00:00) Does This Mean He Likes Me? (00:00:01) Am I Ever Gonna Meet Someone? (00:00:04) I'm Tired of Swiping (00:00:06) Cuffing Season and Relationship Dynamics (00:00:08) Adrian's Dating App Dilemma (00:01:43) Changing Location Filters in Dating (00:04:25) The Importance of Compatibility (00:05:39) Long-Distance Relationship Insights (00:06:53) Dating Apps and Long-Distance Features (00:09:24) Caution Against Exchanging Phone Numbers (00:11:28) Identifying Catfish and Scammers (00:12:38) Maintaining Momentum in Communication (00:13:38) Sue's Experience with Catfish (00:14:41) Navigating Online Dating Safely (00:15:54) Introduction to Possible Soulmates (00:17:59) Guidelines for Intimacy (00:19:01) Understanding Sexual Health (00:20:22) Pacing Your Relationship (00:24:23) Women Initiating Dates (00:25:28) Mutual Interest in Dating (00:26:46) Being True to Yourself (00:29:04) Closing Remarks and Engagement (00:30:19) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Esther Lee, Deputy Editor of The Knot, breaks down the stats released in the website’s Relationship & Intimacy Study, and spills the tea on where singles are finding love, what they’re actually looking for, how they’re spending their time on dates, and those dating dealbreakers we just can’t shake. And, this week’s Dear Damona question is: Is a bra an appropriate gift for a young couple? Ready to break free of your dating loops? Get Damona’s signature online program, The Dating Accelerator at 10% off (for limited time only) using the code PODCAST10: DamonaHoffman.com/program LAST CALL - Just 1 spot remains for the VIP one-on-one coaching program this year. Serious applicants should book an assessment call ASAP with our head of coaching programs: DamonaHoffman.com/introcall Submit your questions for Dear Damona on any of the socials @DamonaHoffman or by visiting DamonaHoffman.com Timestamps Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00) Damona's Welcome (00:00:13) Introducing Esther Lee (00:01:04) Damona's Personal Wedding Experience (00:02:11) Evolution of Wedding Planning (00:02:49) The Knot's 2024 Study Overview (00:03:46) Key Findings of the Study (00:05:01) Dating Apps vs. Real-Life Connections (00:05:54) Generational Perspectives on Dating (00:06:41) Changing Standards in Attraction (00:07:56) Being Easy to Talk To (00:09:14) Fostering Connection and Communication (00:09:47) Listening as a Key Element (00:11:40) The Chemistry Myth (00:12:10) Importance of Sexual Attraction (00:12:59) Married Couples and Sexual Chemistry (00:14:00) Comfort and Chemistry in Relationships (00:15:54) Commitment After Marriage (00:16:51) Importance of Attraction (00:18:05) Subjective Sense of Humor (00:19:29) Humor as Relationship Tool (00:21:01) Video Game Dates (00:21:48) Meeting Through Gaming (00:24:00) Creative and Affordable Dates (00:26:06) Deal Breakers in Relationships (00:29:59) Chemistry vs. Values (00:31:00) Long Distance Relationships (00:32:48) Communication in Long-Distance Relationships (00:33:14) Intentionality in Relationships (00:34:05) Finding Love Beyond Geography (00:35:36) Unpopular Opinion on First Dates (00:37:17) Navigating Intimate Gift Missteps (00:39:20) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benjamin Camras, The Flirt Coach & host of the Flirtations Flirtcast, joins Damona for our annual Halloween Dating Horror Stories Special. You’ll laugh, you’ll scream, and you’ll get useful advice to survive your next bad date. Stories include: Blindsided by a Blind Date The Vegetarian Variation The Creepy Car Concert The Deskside Date The Freudian Movie Man Ready to break free of your dating loops? Get Damona’s signature online program, The Dating Accelerator at 10% off (for limited time only) using the code PODCAST10: DamonaHoffman.com/program Only 1 spot remains for the VIP one-on-one coaching program this year. Serious applicants should book an assessment call ASAP with our head of coaching programs: DamonaHoffman.com/introcall Submit your questions for Dear Damona on any of the socials @DamonaHoffman or by visiting DamonaHoffman.com TIMESTAMPS Introduction to Halloween Horror Stories (00:00:00) Listener Engagement (00:00:07) Benjamin the Flirt Coach Introduction (00:02:18) Costume Reveal (00:02:30) Personal Dating Horror Stories (00:04:10) Listener Story from Amanda (00:07:07) Discussion on Movie Dates (00:11:40) Activity Date Preferences (00:12:40) Candy Smuggling at the Movies (00:14:31) Vegetarian Red Flag Story (00:15:47) Flirty Late Night Snack Decisions (00:16:31) Libras and Perspective (00:17:09) Boundaries and Alcohol-Induced Choices (00:19:20) Dating an Older Guy (00:20:01) Red Flags in Dating (00:21:11) Avoiding Generalizations in Dating (00:22:13) First Date Conversations (00:24:49) Exploring Physical Intimacy (00:26:11) Flirtation as Foreplay (00:27:28) Listener Horror Story Introduction (00:28:44) Zoom Date Disaster (00:30:24) Multitasking on Dates (00:31:57) Check-in Date Tips (00:33:04) Pre-Date Communication (00:33:50) Slow Dating Trend (00:34:13) In-App Calling Features (00:37:13) Age and Dating Preferences (00:38:28) Horror Story Introduction (00:39:55) Uncomfortable Date Behavior (00:41:32) Lying About Height (00:43:01) Closing Remarks (00:46:18) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erika Wasserman, Your Financial Therapist, is shifting the narrative around money and using those sometimes-tough conversations to build deeper trust and better communication with your partner and tackling the tricky financial situations singles often find themselves in while dating. Our Dear Damona question this week is: I have social anxiety. Do I need to focus on making more friends before pursuing a romantic relationship? Ready to break free of your dating loops? Get Damona’s signature online program, The Dating Accelerator at 10% off (for limited time only) using the code PODCAST10: DamonaHoffman.com/program Only 2 spots remain for the VIP one-on-one coaching program this year. Serious applicants should book an assessment call ASAP with our head of coaching programs: DamonaHoffman.com/introcall Submit your questions on any of the socials @DamonaHoffman or by visiting DamonaHoffman.com TIMESTAMPS Introduction to Relationship Stress (00:00:00) Host's Opening Remarks (00:00:14) Introduction of Erika Wasserman (00:02:26) Erika's Journey to Financial Therapy (00:03:19) Dating and Financial Transparency (00:04:08) Challenges of Financial Conversations (00:09:15) Gamifying Financial Discussions (00:10:01) Reality of Debt in Dating (00:12:04) Understanding Debt and Relationships (00:14:46) Understanding Debt and Readiness to Date (00:15:46) Differentiating Rich and Wealthy (00:17:32) Wealth Beyond Money (00:19:51) Influence of Family Background on Money Beliefs (00:21:20) Communication About Money (00:22:40) Fear of Financial Loss in Relationships (00:23:25) Pricing Themselves Out of the Dating Pool (00:24:12) Contributions in Relationships (00:25:35) Navigating Different Financial Backgrounds (00:28:00) Frugality vs. Spending Comfort (00:32:01) Coupon Encounter (00:33:03) Financial Conversations (00:34:06) Creating Financial Intimacy (00:35:38) Side-by-Side Conversations (00:36:27) Vulnerability in Conversations (00:37:08) Joyful Spending (00:38:38) Unpopular Opinions (00:39:50) Divorce Edition Cards (00:40:24) Impact of Financial Relationships (00:40:55) Listener Question on Social Anxiety (00:42:00) Building Connections (00:44:38) Taking Baby Steps (00:47:39) Engaging with the Audience (00:48:42) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take a sneak peak into a private coaching session with our listener, Michelle, as Damona identifies the dating loops and myths that are keeping this Dates & Mates Method graduate from finding the relationship she desires. Listen in as Michelle comes to a realization about the men she’s been dating and why it hasn’t worked out. And help yourself along the way as Damona shares quick tips and takeaways that you can apply right away to your own dating dilemmas. Ready to break free of your dating loops? Get Damona’s signature online program, The Dating Accelerator at 10% off (for limited time only) using the code PODCAST10: DamonaHoffman.com/program Only 2 spots remain for the VIP one-on-one coaching program this year. Serious applicants should book an assessment call: DamonaHoffman.com/introcall Submit your questions on any of the socials @DamonaHoffman or by visiting DamonaHoffman.com TIMESTAMPS Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00) Coaching Insights (00:00:59) Michelle's Experience (00:02:47) Appreciation for Coaching (00:04:41) Transformational Skills (00:05:50) Dating While Pregnant (00:06:05) Desire for Partnership (00:06:53) Impact of Solo Parenting on Dating (00:08:47) Understanding High Standards (00:10:15) Trusting Oneself (00:11:00) Freeing Yourself from Pressure (00:11:32) Encouragement to Freeze Eggs (00:12:11) Embracing Options in Dating (00:14:39) Current Dating Life (00:15:26) Effective Screening Process (00:16:15) Invitation to Continue Conversation (00:17:13) The Importance of Boundaries (00:18:11) Mindset for Successful Conversations (00:18:27) Challenges with Dating Separated Individuals (00:19:14) Physical Attraction and Curiosity (00:20:23) Recognizing Anxiety in Dating (00:21:20) Discovering Availability Issues (00:21:40) Misleading Profiles and Aliases (00:23:32) Learning to Say No (00:24:38) Exploring the Other Camp (00:25:07) Signs of Attraction and Availability (00:26:05) Disappointment in Dating Dynamics (00:27:17) The Complexity of Attraction (00:28:19) Nurturing vs. Romantic Dynamics (00:31:01) Finding the Right Words (00:32:08) Navigating Emotional Intensity (00:33:57) Testing Attraction in Early Dates (00:35:12) Belief and Self-Responsibility (00:37:02) Inheriting Stories (00:37:50) Rewriting Personal Narratives (00:39:14) Mindset Shifts and Mantras (00:41:10) Attraction Dynamics (00:43:10) Navigating Dating While Parenting (00:46:07) Reflection on Progress (00:48:21) Encouragement and Support (00:51:07) Coaching Transformation Invitation (00:52:14) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices