<p>In this episode, we sit down with Ariana Nathani, founder of Drinks First — a media and events company that has built one of NYC&#39;s most beloved communities around getting people out from behind their screens and into the same room.</p><p>We discuss:</p><ul><li>How COVID-19 reshaped dating culture and what it actually cost us socially</li><li>Why anonymity creates safety — and how that safety opens people up to real connection</li><li>The unique dynamics of dating in New York City and how cultural differences shape the way we show up for each other</li><li>What it&#39;s actually like to navigate your own dating life while building a platform centered on everyone else&#39;s</li></ul><p>Ariana shares how Drinks First grew from a scrappy dating podcast to a Sirius XM-signed show with over 90,000 followers, 1 million TikTok likes, and events drawing up to 2,000 people across NYC — and what she&#39;s learned along the way about creating spaces where connection can actually happen.</p><p>This conversation is for anybody who&#39;s tired of swiping, craving something more real, and wondering how to actually meet people in the world again.</p><p>Follow Ariana &amp; Drinks First for more </p><p>IG/ TikTok: @ariana.nathani / @drinks.first </p><p><br></p><p>Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes clips, reflections, and updates from <em>The Dating Diaries.</em> </p><p>Instagram: @fckthatshitpod </p><p>TikTok: @emmaglobina </p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.fckthatshitpod.com/">⁠https://www.fckthatshitpod.com/⁠</a> </p><p>Merch: <a href="https://www.fckthatshitpod.com/store">⁠https://www.fckthatshitpod.com/store⁠</a> </p><p>Substack: <a href="https://substack.com/@fckthatshitpod?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page">⁠https://substack.com/@fckthatshitpod?utm_campaign=profile&amp;utm_medium=profile-page</a></p>