Dates & Mates with Damona Hoffman

In this special minisode, Damona breaks down the "tech trap" and why the tools that were supposed to connect us (dating apps, social media, and now AI) are quietly training us to stop trusting our own judgment. After a summer away from the weekly show, she's back with a wake-up call: the babysitter has left the building, and it's on us to manage our own relationship with technology. This minisode includes an overview of what social scientists are calling “algorithmic entrapment” and 3 simple questions that can help you escape the cycle. What You'll Hear In This Episode: Why the "texting trap" Damona coined a decade ago has grown into something much bigger What a recent multibillion dollar settlement against Meta reveals about how these platforms are built The one word Damona wants us to bring into our relationship with tech instead of fear Why having access to dating apps and social media means nothing without personal accountability The danger of asking AI to tell you what your partner "really meant" or what you should do next Damona's three questions to ask yourself before you swipe, scroll, or respond What's next for the show and how you can help shape it Resources & Links: Take the two-minute survey at damonahoffman.com/survey and let us know how Damona can continue to support you! Now taking calls and questions for the Dear Damona social media series: 424-246-6255. Follow @DamonaHoffman on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook and submit questions via DM or voice memo anytime. Interested in booking Damona to speak to your group or company? Find out more at DamonaHoffman.com/speaking

In this minisode, Damona breaks down what manifestation actually is and why most of us have been doing it wrong. After leading her Love Lab residency at Civana Wellness Resort, she came away with one very clear truth: most of us are already on the edge of a major shift. What's missing isn't the dream. It's the plan to get there. What You'll Hear In This Episode: Why manifestation isn’t really magic, and what it actually requires from you The samskara pattern that keeps you circling the same frustrations in love, work, and life The moment Damona walked away from her dream job without a plan, and what happened next The 51% rule of manifestation The one simple question from Damona’s life coach that changed everything What a Breakthrough Boost is and who it’s designed for Resources & Links: Learn more about working with Damona one-on-one at damonahoffman.com/breakthrough Get F the Fairytale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever you get your books Join Damona in Arizona for her Love Lab workshops at Civana at DamonaHoffman.com/lovelab Mentioned in this episode: Book Your Breakthrough Boost today DamonaHoffman.com/breakthrough

In this special masterclass finale, Damona leads you through Fairy Tale Therapy, a guided experience to help you identify the unconscious dating myths quietly running your dating life, define the relationship pillars that will hold up your real love story, and step into your future through a powerful guided visualization. What You'll Hear In This Episode: How to identify the dating myth that's been quietly running your love life The three questions that reveal exactly what you believe about love and where that belief came from How to tell when a belief is protecting you versus holding you back The difference between preferences and pillars and why your real non-negotiables go deeper A guided visualization to invite in new love Resources & Links: Download your free episode companion worksheet and take the next steps at damonahoffman.com/next Get F the Fairytale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever you get your books Call or text your question to: 424-246-6255. Join Damona in Arizona in her Love Lab workshops at Civana at DamonaHoffman.com/lovelab Follow @DamonaHoffman on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook and submit questions or inquire about Damona’s keynotes or workshops Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: Book Your Breakthrough Boost today DamonaHoffman.com/breakthrough

In this Dear Damona episode, we tackle what to do when someone keeps canceling last minute before you've even had a first date, and how to tell the difference between giving someone a fair chance and letting them waste your time. This week, a listener named Jenna shares: "I matched with a guy on a dating app and followed your advice. After a week of messaging, I asked him for a brief phone call. He was so fun to talk to, and we seemed aligned. We agreed to meet for drinks after work. The day of the date came, and at lunchtime he texted and apologized that a work emergency came up and he had to cancel. He asked to reschedule and we found a day the following week, and he canceled again with a similar work situation." What You'll Hear In This Episode: Why that gut feeling of resistance before rescheduling is actually your bodily wisdom talking The real difference between the benefit of the doubt and gullibility The must-do screening steps that reduce ghosting and flakiness What two last-minute cancels actually reveal about someone's priorities The hidden cost of rescheduling for someone who keeps flaking Resources & Links: Unlock the secret to successful dating with our Date Tracker at ⁠Damonahoffman.com/datetracker ⁠ Call or text your question to: 424-246-6255. Follow @DamonaHoffman on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, or ⁠Facebook⁠ and submit questions via DM or voice memo anytime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: Book Your Breakthrough Boost today DamonaHoffman.com/breakthrough

In this Dear Damona episode, we discuss how to navigate multiple long-distance connections, when to book that first in-person meeting, and how to handle the money talk before you pack your bag. If you've matched with someone across the country (or the ocean) and you're not sure what to do next, this is your guide! This week, a listener named Maryanne shares: "I'm 71 and looking for a long-term partner. I went on two niche sites and matched with a few good options, but they all live elsewhere. One lives in Hawaii and he invited me over for a week. The other guy lives in LA and both seem serious about me. There is even a guy in Mexico who has come on the scene just after the other two. What's the best way to meet out of town dates? How do I know who pays for what? When do I tell them I am also meeting other men?" What You'll Hear In This Episode: Why expanding your dating pool across time zones can actually work in your favor The one-day-to-one-week rule every long distance dater needs to know How to build real connection before you ever book a flight The eight-week milestone that changes everything Why staying at his place for a first meeting is a hard no (and what to do instead) How to handle the money conversation without making it awkward When you actually need to tell someone you're seeing other people Resources and Links: Unlock the secret to successful dating with our Date Tracker at Damonahoffman.com/datetracker Call or text your question to: 424-246-6255. Follow @DamonaHoffman on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook and submit questions via DM or voice memo anytime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices