If you want to transform love, healing and human connection, this episode is for you! Cynthia Marks is the host of And Now Love, a podcast inspired by the psychoanalytic teachings of her late husband, Dr. Bernard Bail. Through intimate conversations and dream exploration, she helps listeners uncover unconscious emotional imprints and transform their understanding of love, healing, and human connection. In this episode of Last First Date Radio: What inspired Cynthia to start her podcast, And Now ...
Jul 22, 2025•46 min•Season 12Ep. 670
To begin to break your toxic dating patterns, you need to make the unconscious conscious. Learn to observe yourself in a new way. And start to shift those patterns — not with shame, but with curiosity. I'm sharing 5 steps to breaking your toxic dating patterns so you can find lasting love. ►Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts http://bit.ly/lastfirstdateradio ►If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to find your last first date, sign up for a ...
Jul 20, 2025•5 min
Are you interested in unlocking the keys to lasting love? My podcast guest, Nick Brancato, is a personal development coach and educator with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and couples connect, communicate, and thrive. With a master’s degree in education and a background as a Microsoft systems engineer, Nick blends practical tools with data-driven frameworks to guide people through life’s challenges, including career shifts, financial pressures, and personal growth. He’s also the...
Jul 15, 2025•42 min•Season 12Ep. 669
One of the kindest, smartest things you can do in a relationship is create a breakup plan — while you’re still happy together. Why would you plan for things to end? Making a breakup plan — or even a conflict plan — is like relationship insurance. You hope you never need it. But if you do? You’ll be so grateful it’s there. Here’s how to do it… ►Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts http://bit.ly/lastfirstdateradio ►If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and w...
Jul 13, 2025•5 min
Why do men pull away after early connection? My podcast guest, Johnny Fernandez, has the answer to this and many other dating and relationship challenges. He is a seasoned relationship coach with over 20 years of experience helping women attract lasting love. As co-founder of the Feminine Radiance and Courage Institute, he guides clients to deepen confidence, heal emotional patterns, and build meaningful connections through heart-centered support and proven strategies. In this episode of Last Fi...
Jul 08, 2025•59 min•Season 12Ep. 666
Did you know if you don't feel an initial spark on a first date, you can actually build chemistry? Let's say you've been messaging someone on a dating app—you’ve been playful, curious, confident—and now you’ve got the first date locked in. That's exciting! But now the nerves kick in. What do you wear? What do you say? How do you actually connect in person without feeling like you're stuck in a job interview or awkwardly oversharing? Let’s break it down. Because a great first date isn’t about bei...
Jul 06, 2025•8 min
Did you know that love and compatibility can be measured and calculated? My podcast guest, Zoey Charif, isn’t just redefining how we think about love — she’s giving us a blueprint for it. As the author of Love Can, In Fact, Be Calculated, Zoey spent nearly two decades decoding the patterns of human attraction, pulling from her background in criminology, data analytics, and a relentless drive to challenge everything we’ve been taught about relationships. In this episode of Last First Date Radio: ...
Jul 01, 2025•48 min•Season 12Ep. 667
Let’s talk about that part of online dating no one trains us for: the texting. You match, you smile, maybe you even do a little happy dance… and then the real question hits: What do I say now? You want to be charming, confident, interested—but not desperate. You want to move things forward—but not force anything. And most of all, you don’t want to end up in a two-week text-a-thon that goes absolutely nowhere. Here’s how to navigate the texting stage like a high-value, confident person who knows ...
Jun 29, 2025•6 min
Are you hunting for red flags in relationships and dating? My podcast guest, Dr. Isabelle Morley, says we need to stop diagnosing others with psychological disorders. She is a clinical psychologist, EFT-certified couples therapist, and author. She writes a blog for Psychology Today and has been featured in The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, Vox, and more. Dr. Morley also serves on the founding board of the UCAN Foundation and provides couples therapy in the Boston area. We’re talking today about ...
Jun 24, 2025•35 min•Season 12Ep. 666
Dating after 50 can feel like a whole new world—and not always in the best way. You may have heard (or thought), “All the good ones are taken,” or “Men my age just want younger women.” But here’s the truth: emotionally available, mature men do exist. And attracting them has more to do with your mindset, boundaries, and clarity than luck. If you’re ready for your last first date—with someone who shows up, communicates clearly, and wants real connection—this is for you. Join Love Mastery, my exclu...
Jun 22, 2025•6 min
Pelvic floor issues are common but not normal. Help is available so women can take back their bodies, says board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Sara Reardon in her new book, FLOORED: A Woman’s Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage (pub date June 10, 2025). Dr. Sara has built a robust community online as “The Vagina Whisperer” (664K Instagram followers; 13 Million TikTok Views) teaching women how to prevent as well as overcome pelvic floor issues at every stage of lif...
Jun 17, 2025•34 min•Season 12Ep. 665
You’re on a first date and everything seems to be going well, until your date says something "funny" that you find hurtful. What do you do? Do you say something? Do you stay quiet? Is this a dealbreaker? I’m sharing a breakdown of humor in dating and relationships, and what to do when someone’s joke hurts or offends you. ►Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts http://bit.ly/lastfirstdateradio ►If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to find your...
Jun 15, 2025•6 min
What are the secrets to emotional and physical intimacy? Dr. Berman has the answers in her newest book, Sex Magic. She’s a columnist for USA Today and a New York Times bestselling author who has written ten books. She currently hosts the popular love and sex advice podcast, The Language of Love. In addition to her regular appearances in daytime and news media, Dr. Berman was also the sex, love, and relationship expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show and has starred in four television series, including...
Jun 10, 2025•48 min•Season 12Ep. 664
Falling in love quickly can feel exciting, like you’ve finally found your match. And then, when you become physically intimate, your brain begins to release feel-good chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins. You become infatuated and begin to obsess over this new person in your life. Combine that with your romantic ideas about love, and you’re head over heels in love. But are you really in love? If you tend to fall in love quickly, it’s probably affecting your ability to enter into hea...
Jun 08, 2025•8 min
How can couples navigate power dynamics and control in relationships? Bonnie Comfort has been a practicing psychologist for 30 years. She has an MSW from the University of Manitoba and a PhD in psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology Los Angeles. As an expert on marital therapy, she has been a guest multiple times on podcasts about marriage and has taken extensive workshops with marital and sex experts. In this episode: How to recognize the shift in power dynamics and contr...
Jun 03, 2025•47 min•Season 12Ep. 663
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom” – Viktor Frankl This is one of my favorite quotes, because it describes the importance of pausing when something triggers us. We don’t react – we respond. In our Western hustle culture, pausing is not encouraged, but it’s one of the most important things we can do to help us have better lives. How can we practice the power of the pause in dating and...
Jun 01, 2025•6 min
Is modern dating broken? My podcast guest, Emma Smith, is a licensed therapist who specializes in trauma, sex therapy, and LGBTQ+ healthcare. A former military consultant, she has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and sexual assault survivors. She writes The Intimate Philosopher on Substack, and in her free time loves reading, running, crafting, and all things sparkly. In this episode of Last First Date Radio: The biggest myths about attraction and intimacy The outdated dating advice people sho...
May 27, 2025•50 min•Season 12Ep. 662
Being more present on dates will help you enjoy dating much more. It will help with first date anxiety. It will help you focus less on trying to predict whether or not you might have a future with this person, because how could you know that on a first date? In short, being present when you date helps you relax and enjoy every date. Here are five ways to be more present on dates! ►Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts http://bit.ly/lastfirstdateradio ►If you’re feeling s...
May 25, 2025•6 min
Ever struggle with writing a wedding speech? Dubbed "The Humorist" by the New York Times, Brian Franklin is the Co-Founder of Vows & Speeches, which he founded in mid-2021 with his wife and business partner, Nicole Franklin. Prior to 2023, Brian was the founder and President of an award-winning political consulting firm, where he oversaw messaging, communications (including speechwriting), and advertising for state and federal campaigns nationwide. In this episode: Why start a business writi...
May 20, 2025•44 min•Season 12Ep. 661
Did you know that clutter can negatively impact your dating life? It can cause stress, anxiety, and discourage romantic connections for many reasons. People who have a lot of clutter might be embarrassed to bring a date to their home. Clutter can also make it difficult to enjoy quality time together with your romantic partner. Here are five ways clutter might negatively impact your dating life and how to begin to heal. ►Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts http://bit.ly...
May 18, 2025•5 min
Did you know that seven words can change your life? Jerry Giordano is an award-winning advertising copywriter/Creative Director working and living in NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin and Dallas. He is a co-producer of TEDx events, penned four screenplays, studied comedy at Chicago’s Second City, and performed sketch comedy in NYC and LA. He collects old cameras, photographs manhole covers, is a JFK assassination nut, meditates, and lives in the moment. He’s also the author of Your 7 Words to a ...
May 13, 2025•37 min•Season 12Ep. 660
When you have more money than your boyfriend, it can potentially lead to uncomfortable situations. Should you contribute a larger portion to shared expenses? What about travel? Do you have concerns about power dynamics, his feelings of insecurity, or either one of you becoming resentful of the other? This is a topic that comes up a lot in my coaching practice, which is why I’m sharing some of the key challenges and strategies for when you have more money than your boyfriend. ►Please subscribe/ra...
May 11, 2025•4 min
Do you want to know how to increase intimacy in your life? Danielle Harel, Ph.D., and Celeste Hirschman, M.A., are co-founders of the Somatica® Institute. They revolutionized intimacy and relationship coaching with their experiential Somatica Method. They have trained over 1,000 coaches, authored three books, and inspired countless people to embrace vulnerability and rediscover desire. In this episode: How to start practicing intimacy in your daily life Why it’s essential to start with non-roman...
May 06, 2025•47 min•Season 12Ep. 659
Why do we repeat toxic patterns in dating and relationships? Why do we choose unavailable or abusive partners? The short answer is we seek what’s familiar to us. We’re drawn to people who remind us of our most unhealthy relationship with one or both of our caretakers growing up. It’s an unconscious attempt to heal our childhood wounds. Our rational mind doesn’t choose our toxic partners. That’s why it’s important to get support to rewire our brains for healthy relationships. In this episode, I s...
May 04, 2025•6 min
How do you heal anxious attachment? Trevor Hanson is an internationally recognized coach and therapist specializing in transforming anxious attachment into secure relationships. After overcoming his own struggles, he left Tesla to pursue his passion for healing. With a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, he’s helped thousands globally through The Art of Healing and his signature method, "The Secure-Self Journey." In this episode: The 4 essential elements to healing anxious attachment that m...
Apr 29, 2025•51 min•Season 12Ep. 658
What’s the best timing for introducing a partner to your friend group? This is an important step in a new relationship, and the timing can vary depending on many factors. Here are five things to consider before deciding when the time is right and three potential downsides to introducing too early. ►Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts http://bit.ly/lastfirstdateradio ►If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to find your last first date, sign u...
Apr 27, 2025•5 min
How do you become sexually empowered? My podcast guest, Lauren Elise Rogers, is a Certified Holistic Sexuality Educator and Embodied Intimacy & Relationship Coach Her holistic and embodied approach is deeply rooted in her own pain-to-purpose journey. Lauren brings an empathetic and non-judgmental approach, offering practical tools that empower her clients to take ownership of their pleasure and grow in confidence and connection. She invites individuals and couples to navigate complex topics ...
Apr 22, 2025•47 min•Season 12Ep. 657
So many of us miss red flags in relationships. We minimize them, excuse them, and ignore behaviors that are warning signs early on. Why do we make excuses for bad behaviors? Why do we have red flag blindness? I’m sharing six reasons why we miss red flags, and four things we can do if we ignored these signs in the past. ►Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts http://bit.ly/lastfirstdateradio ►If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to find your l...
Apr 20, 2025•6 min
Do you want to learn how to break barriers in neurodiverse relationships? Dr. Matt Zakreski, PsyD, is a professional speaker and clinical psychologist who specializes in working with neurodivergent folks. He has spoken more than 400 times on stages and podcasts about supporting neurodivergent people in all walks of life. Dr. Matt specializes in taking knowledge of the brain, human behavior, and clinical psychology and making that accessible and practical for people to improve their lives. In thi...
Apr 15, 2025•53 min•Season 12Ep. 656
Texting on dating apps can be quite challenging. How do you begin communicating with a total stranger? How do you keep the conversations interesting and engaging without sharing too much too soon? How do you get off text and onto a date? Even if your photos are fabulous and your bio is great, you may still be struggling to get a good conversation going on the dating apps so you can see if your match is actually a good match. I'm sharing five proven tips to help you improve texting on dating apps...
Apr 13, 2025•9 min
