This week on Dates & Mates, Damona Hoffman rewinds to her 400th episode featuring a guest who helped inspire the show from the start: the legendary Dr. Drew Pinsky. Dr. Drew has spent decades giving love, sex, and mental health advice on Loveline, Celebrity Rehab, and now on his podcast Ask Dr. Drew, which he co-hosts with his wife of over 30 years. In this vulnerable and heartfelt episode, Dr. Drew shares his personal journey through a seven-year on-and-off courtship, what finally made him ...
Jun 24, 2025•49 min
This week on Dates & Mates, Damona Hoffman rewinds to one of her favorite conversations with love coach and viral content creator Shaun Galanos. Shaun is the host of The Love Drive podcast and has become a rising voice in game-free, radically honest dating advice—and this episode shows you exactly why. In this raw and radically honest episode, Shaun and Damona go head-to-head on the dating games that hold us back, how to ask for what you want in bed, and what to do when someone won’t give yo...
Jun 17, 2025•25 min
We are back with a no-holds-barred Best of Dear Damona episode—because when it comes to texting mishaps, mixed signals, and dating curveballs, this one hits home every time. In this candid conversation, Damona answers some of your juiciest dating dilemmas—from the accidental text that lands in the wrong inbox to what it really means when someone texts you “hey you” at 11:30 PM. She shares smart, compassionate advice on navigating confusing signals, staying grounded, and owning your truth in the ...
Jun 10, 2025•30 min
Damona breaks down the 5 core dating “loops” that keep singles stuck and the step-by-step strategies that lead to lasting love. With over 15 years of experience coaching thousands of daters, Damona shares how clarity, mindset, and follow-through can radically shift your dating outcomes. If you’ve been swiping without success, burning out on first dates, or unsure where to even begin, this episode offers a simple and strategic path forward. What you’ll learn: The five most common dating loops and...
Jun 03, 2025•20 min
Fan favorite, Dr. Orna Guralnik, renowned psychoanalyst and host of the hit Showtime series Couples Therapy, shares what decades of clinical work have taught her about love, connection, and unconscious patterns in relationships. In this conversation, Dr. Orna also opens up about the societal shifts reshaping modern intimacy, the difference between psychoanalysis and surface-level self-help, and why listening, real, curious listening, is a radical act in partnership. What you’ll learn: How your u...
May 27, 2025•32 min
Nick Viall, TV personality and host of the hit podcast The Viall Files, gets real about modern dating—from DM slides to ghosting games—and why the story we tell ourselves about love might be holding us back. In this candid conversation, Nick reflects on his years in the Bachelor franchise, what finally made love stick, and the overlooked ways women can help men feel safe, seen, and emotionally available. Plus, in a special Dear Damona & Dear Nick segment, the two team up to answer your tough...
May 20, 2025•38 min
Former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson, co-hosts of the IMO Podcast, join Damona for a compelling conversation on navigating connection in the digital age. Together, they share insights into how they maintain strong family bonds across long distances and the role of technology in bridging that gap. What You’ll Learn: How Michelle and Craig keep connected with loved ones despite busy schedules and miles apart The surprising benefits of texting vs. phone calls in sustainin...
May 13, 2025•7 min
Fan favorite, Jennifer Cook, bestselling author, and autism advocate shares her experience as the on-camera expert from the hit Netflix series Love on the Spectrum. In this conversation, Jennifer also opens up about her late-in-life autism diagnosis, the challenges of dating with a neurodivergent brain, and the surprising tools that can help anyone date with more clarity and compassion. What you’ll learn: How neurodiverse and neurotypical daters alike can build intentional communication Practica...
May 06, 2025•36 min
In this special Master Class episode, Damona explains the effect that text-based communication has had on dating today. But rather than thinking of it as us losing the art of communication, she proposes that we consider it as gaining another language and expanding our skills. Prepare to develop a communication code of conduct that will hopefully lead you to a deeper, more meaningful connection! Submit your questions for Dear Damona on any of the socials @DamonaHoffman or by visiting DamonaHoffma...
Apr 29, 2025•58 min
Laura Day, New York Times bestselling author, shares the insights within her upcoming book, “The Prism: Seven Steps to Heal Your Past and Transform Your Future”. Her transformational tools will put you back in the driver's seat of your life and lead you to healthier relationships with others and yourself. Our Dear Damona question of the week: Where do you draw the line between being too picky and settling? Pre-order your copy of Laura’s book,“The Prism: Seven Steps to Heal Your Past and Transfor...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 12Ep. 557
Damona shares a rare peek behind the curtain of one of her private coaching sessions, with the client’s permission of course! Hear firsthand how she teaches her clients to use their own intuition in dating and beyond. Plus you’ll get to see exactly how Damona uses her own intuition while coaching singles in love from how to tune in, what to look and listen for, and exercises to get started yourself. Whether you’ve been ignoring your gut or just want to sharpen your instincts, this episode is goi...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 12Ep. 556
Francesca Hogi, TED speaker and host of the Dear Franny podcast, introduces her new book, “How To Find True Love: Unlock Your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships.” Plus, she will break down her new definition of true love, dive deeper into the Fairy Tale Industrial Complex, explore her meet-cute mindset and so much more! Our Dear Damona question of the week: Dating apps keep feeding me the same old matches, so how do I meet someone IRL? Grab your copy of Francesca’s book, “How to Find...
Apr 08, 2025•55 min•Season 12Ep. 555
Sharing a new show from our friends at Higher Ground, hosted by Michelle Obama, called IMO. On IMO, Michelle and her big brother Craig Robinson bring candid perspectives to the everyday questions shaping our lives, relationships and the world around us. Each week, they’re joined by a guest to tackle real questions from real folks just like you offering practical advice, personal storytelling, and plenty of laughs. And a lot of their questions are about dating and relationships. Michelle and Crai...
Apr 03, 2025•46 min
In honor of their 18th wedding anniversary, Damona’s partner-in-life-and-love, Seth Hoffman, is joining her on the mic to do something they’ve never done before—answer your burning dating and relationship questions together! From first dates to commitment, conflict to chemistry, they’re bringing you the raw, unfiltered truth straight from the front lines of a long-term partnership with questions like: How heavy should outside opinions weigh on my relationship decisions? How do I get over my free...
Apr 01, 2025•47 min•Season 12Ep. 554
Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's Home Trends expert, examines whether shacking up with a partner actually saves you money—or if the emotional costs outweigh the benefits. Plus, we’ll explore how to decide when—or if—it’s the right time to merge your spaces and your finances. And later we answer this Dear Damona question of the week: How can you set up a new long-distance relationship for success? VisitZillow.com for all of your home buying needs. Ready to break free of your dating loops? Get Damona’s ...
Mar 25, 2025•46 min•Season 12Ep. 553
Beatriz Victoria Albina, Master Certified Somatic Life Coach, breaks down the ways a dysregulated nervous system might be getting in your way romantically, how to tune into the cues your body is sending you and how to heal ourselves for happier, healthier relationships. Then the Dear Damona question this week is: 15 years later, I find myself back in the dating pool. Where do I begin? Ready to break free of your dating loops? Get Damona’s signature online program The Dating Accelerator, for $50 ...
Mar 18, 2025•57 min•Season 12Ep. 552
Mercury may be retrograde but we are moving forward on a new path to love with an All-Dear-Damona episode. This week’s questions came in from all over the globe: I’ve been told that men should do the chasing. Do I really have to sit around and wait? How do I keep my cool when matches ask questions that I’ve already answered in my dating profile? I’ve done a lot of inner work. How much can I reasonably expect a male match to have done? A famous singer-songwriter reached out to me on Instagram. Ho...
Mar 11, 2025•43 min•Season 12Ep. 551
In this jam-packed Master Class you’ll learn why apathy may be the reason you’re feeling burned out in dating and how empathy is the antidote. Damona shares why empathy makes you more attractive, how to cultivate it, and exercises to strengthen both self-empathy and relational empathy. Plus, our Dear Damona questions for the week include: Why are so many people less emotionally available than they say? How can we utilize roster dating for less burnout and better turnout? I used to find joy in da...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 12Ep. 350
Johnny Fernandez, life and love coach, joins Damona to answer the question: is dating really harder today? This is a hot debate and it continues as Johnny and Damona put their four decades of collective experience to work. Whether you're feeling like dating is impossible, or just wondering if you’re doing it all wrong, if you’re intrigued by masculine/feminine dynamics or not, this episode is for you! Then we have this Dear Damona question of the week: After coming on strong, communication with ...
Feb 25, 2025•52 min•Season 12Ep. 549
Lindsay Jill Roth, award winning television producer, shares her new book, “Romances & Practicalities: A Love Story (Maybe Yours) In 250 Questions”, how these questions and ultimately the communication they foster can determine the trajectory of a relationship. Then our Dear Damona question this week is: Is it time for a talk? My man keeps updating his online profile. Get the book: “Romances & Practicalities: A Love Story (Maybe Yours) In 250 Questions” and follow Lindsay on Instagram @L...
Feb 18, 2025•59 min•Season 12Ep. 548
Devyn Simone, Tinder’s Resident Relationship Expert, joins Damona in celebration of Valentine’s Day to test Damona’s online dating knowledge in a Tinder Trivia showdown! Whether you’re feeling the love or dodging Cupid’s arrow this year, we’ve got something for you. Then in a special Dear Damona and Dear Devyn, our questions this week are: My matches want to skip getting to know each other and get straight to the date. How do I deal with this? I keep getting ghosted. Am I coming on too strong? Y...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 12Ep. 547
Valentine’s Day is around the corner and Damona dedicates this week’s episode to YOU! Whether you're navigating dating apps, dealing with relationship questions, or just trying to avoid all those pink hearts in the grocery store…February can be a tricky time! Set the record straight in this all Dear Damona episode with your top questions like: A hot new match has convinced me the dating apps are worth a second go. How do I do this? My dates aren’t taking the time to get to know the real me.Where...
Feb 04, 2025•47 min•Season 12Ep. 546
Julie Krafchick and Yue Xu, hosts of the Dateable Podcast, share the knowledge and insights from their brand-new book, “How To Be Dateable: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Person and Falling in Love.” Whether you're stuck in the dating rut or just looking for that spark of clarity, they’ve got the tools to help you date smarter and connect deeper. Then our Dear Damona question this week is: Now that I’ve stopped chasing unavailable men, I can’t seem to find anyone that I am attracted to. Wha...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 12Ep. 545
“What To Do When You Get Dumped” author-illustrator, mother-daughter duo, Suzy Hopkins and Hallie Bateman take on heartbreak in a refreshing way in their new graphic novel. Discover tips on healing from a breakup, moving on, and leaning into love again. Plus, we have this week’s Dear Damona question: Why do my Hinge matches like my profile but then never write to me? Grab your copy of Suzy and Hallie’s graphic novel, “What To Do When You Get Dumped” by visiting: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/wha...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 12Ep. 544
Orna & Matthew Walters, founders of Love On Purpose, share the knowledge and insights from their new book, “Getting It Right This Time: Break Free From Your Hidden Blocks To Finding Lasting Love”. You’ll learn how you might be standing in your own way when it comes to love and what you can do to get yourself back on track. And our Dear Damona question this week is: I want to pay for Premium on one app? Should I choose Tinder, Bumble, or OKCupid? Grab a copy of “Getting It Right This Time: Br...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 12Ep. 543
Carol Allen, Vedic astrologer, returns to kick off 2025 with her annual love forecast in an episode packed with guidance and revelations. Whether you’re single and searching, navigating a partnership, or simply curious about how the stars align for you, this episode will illuminate your path to love by highlighting the times you should lean into love, when you should play it cool and when to follow up on old flames. Plus, our Dear Damona question of the week: What’s up with all this lovebombing ...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 12Ep. 542
Damona offers a visualization to guide you through the ups and downs of this year and plant seeds for a 2025 full of love in this special minisode. Then, she shares her word of the year along with an exercise that you can try today to begin transforming your love journey. Craving another soothing meditation, transformational tools, and a sense of community? For the first time ever, Damona is offering a one-day virtual retreat on February 1st. The Fairy Tale Therapy Online Retreat is available by...
Dec 31, 2024•19 min•Season 12Ep. 541
Damona shares reflections on the swiping stats from 2024 based on Tinder and Bumble trends from their year-end reports. Then she looks forward to the future to predict what you can expect in the world of dating and relationships in 2025. Are you feeling burned out on dating—like you’re giving so much but getting nothing back? Then join Damona on February 1st for a one-day virtual retreat - Fairy Tale Therapy, where you’ll reconnect with yourself and a community of hopeful daters who get it. Toge...
Dec 24, 2024•28 min•Season 12Ep. 540
Laura Stassi, author and host of the Dating While Gray podcast, reveals how many of our dating challenges and solutions remain the same, regardless of age, gender, or sexuality. And Laura joins Damona for a special Dear Damona segment to answer your questions, like: I’d like to move to Tennessee and meet a Southern gentleman. Should I start dating long distance in the meantime? I have a medical issue that is lowering my self esteem. How can I move past this and begin dating again? Listen to the ...
Dec 17, 2024•53 min•Season 12Ep. 539
Aleeza Ben Shalom, celebrity matchmaker of Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaking, shares actionable advice to help you find your path on this dating journey with wisdom from her new book “Matchmaker, Matchmaker: Find Me a Love That Lasts”. And the Dear Damona question this week is: What are the signs that someone is interested in you? Pre-order your copy of Aleeza's new book, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker: Find Me a Love That Lasts”, by visiting: https://marriagemindedmentor.com/book/ And, follow Aleeza on Ins...
Dec 10, 2024•53 min•Season 12Ep. 438
