Therapist Laura Caruso joins us to share her perspective on why so many people feel like the dating pool is worse than ever, the biggest mistakes people make, and how to break free from unhealthy patterns. Laura discusses the pressure of finding a partner, why women should consider dating outside their age bracket, and when to have the tough conversations about commitment. We dive into emotional attachment, self-sabotage, why waiting for someone to “come around” might be keeping you stuck, and h...
Mar 18, 2025•51 min
Erica Borsak opens up about the realities of living alone, dating with a food allergy, and why she decided to freeze her eggs. She shares her experiences navigating dating apps, the pressure of singlehood, and how focusing on herself changed her perspective. We discuss independence, setting personal milestones, and the challenges of modern dating. Plus, Erica reflects on health struggles, societal expectations, and what she’s looking for in a partner. Being single doesn’t have to suck. Check out...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Greg Grippo opens up about life after The Bachelorette, his journey through grief, and finding happiness on his own. He shares why he took a year off from dating, the pressure of finding “the one,” and how therapy reshaped his mindset. We discuss emotional independence, slowing down in relationships, and the lessons he’s learned about love. Plus, Greg reflects on anxiety, personal growth, and what he’s looking for in his next partner. Book a 1:1 dating coaching session or profile revamp with me ...
Mar 11, 2025•54 min
Your best friend, sibling, or coworker is pregnant or just had a baby—now what?! If you’ve ever wondered how to support a friend through pregnancy, postpartum, and the transition into parenthood (without being annoying), this episode is for you. I sit down with my friend Jamie, a new mom, to get the unfiltered scoop on what to say, what NOT to say, and how to actually show up for your friends in this life stage—even if you have zero experience with babies. We talk about the biggest mistakes peop...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Diego Perez aka Yung Pueblo shares his journey from personal struggles and substance abuse to becoming a celebrated author and meditation advocate. He dives into his new book, How to Love Better, and explores how emotional maturity and relationship dynamics shape our connections. We discuss the balance of privacy and openness in relationships, the transformative power of meditation, and how personal growth plays a role in fostering healthier, deeper love. Yung Pueblo opens up ab...
Mar 04, 2025•56 min
Stephanie Pavone joins us today to talk about her journey through heartbreak, growth, and self-discovery. She gets real about everything from crying in the Equinox locker room in 2017 to finding happiness and learning to love herself. Stephanie shares her story of getting married young at 22, making the tough decision to part ways, and how she rebuilt her life. She also dives into her book Clarity Through Chaos, her solo travels, dealing with anxiety, and meeting her now-husband, Kevin. Along th...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Tired of dating apps? Elle Wilson, founder of Met Through Friends shares how bringing a friend to a singles event can change your dating luck. We dive into why speed dating actually works, the biggest mistakes people make at in-person events, and how Elle met her fiancé just before lockdown. We also chat about the mindset shift that makes dating easier, why meeting through friends feels more natural, and how to put yourself in the right places to find a great match. Come to Met Through Friends x...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Allie Mazur, founder of Beyond Herpes discusses the importance of normalizing conversations about genital herpes, to overcome the associated shame and stigma. She shares her personal journey, contracting herpes at age 23, and the emotional impact it had on her. Allie delves into how herpes reshaped her dating life, leading her to pursue higher-quality relationships and adopt a healthier lifestyle. She emphasizes the significance of open communication in relationships, offering advice for both th...
Feb 20, 2025•56 min
Devyn Simone, matchmaker, dating expert, and Tinder's in-house relationship expert, joins us to dive into the world of online dating. We discuss the biggest mistakes dating app users make—from swiping and messaging to crafting the perfect profile—and share expert tips for improving communication, emotional availability, and taking a more holistic approach to dating. Devyn also opens up about her relationship with her husband, Adam, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries and fostering ...
Feb 18, 2025•57 min
Today we welcome Dr. Victoria Grinman, a therapist and trauma-informed practitioner, to discuss her professional insights and personal journey through marriage and divorce. Dr. Grinman shares what motivated her to become a therapist and how her own divorce reshaped her approach to therapy and relationships. We explore the complexities of pursuing authentic connections, managing the fear of uncertainty, and the importance of doing inner work. Dr. Grinman reveals the personal dilemmas she faced re...
Feb 13, 2025•57 min
My husband Jake is back on the show to discuss our journey thus far as a married couple. We reflect on our four-years together and discuss how we've changed individually throughout our relationship. We discuss surviving Valentine's Day single and we answer listener questions about navigating friendships when you dislike a friend's partner, handling being a +1 at weddings, and identifying red flags versus personal insecurities in early dating stages. Get $10 off your Nutrafol subscription at nutr...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 2 min
We sit down with Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, a sexologist and professor, and her husband Brent Estabrook, an artist, to explore their unique love story. The couple recounts their initial meeting on a flight in 2019, their evolving relationship during COVID, and how they navigated their way from friends with benefits to a committed relationship. They discuss important themes such as the significance of open communication, embracing change, sexual exploration, and balancing individual passions. D...
Feb 06, 2025•49 min
Ricky Liorti joins us to discuss how he's made his single years some of the best years of his life, even while navigating the emotional impacts of a breakup. Ricky shares how he turned his rollercoaster of love and heartbreak into art through his book Heartbreak Love. He opens up about therapy, the importance of prioritizing oneself, and the critical role emotional support plays in relationships. We discuss why you should be picky when dating, what women get wrong about men, what makes a perfect...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr
Vanessa Gordon, CEO of East End Taste Magazine, shares her journey of reentering the dating world after her divorce. From being married for 17 years to discovering casual dating in Europe, Vanessa opens up about her personal growth, challenges, and the newfound freedom of being Vanessa 2.0. She discusses the significant impact of her past relationships on her identity and offers advice for others contemplating major life changes, emphasizing the importance of self-care and being open to new expe...
Jan 30, 2025•54 min
On today's episode, Julie Krafcik and Yue Xu of the Dateable Podcast return to discuss their new book, 'How to Be Dateable.' They delve into the importance of vulnerability, self-knowledge, and authenticity in modern dating, addressing the traps of contemporary dating culture such as the 'settling paradox' and 'relationship chicken.' They emphasize the significance of showing up and being intentional with one's energy in dating, and how true connection can be achieved by leading with curiosity a...
Jan 28, 2025•58 min
I'm joined by a woman in her thirties living in a small mountain town, who opens up about her experiences navigating singlehood, repeated heartbreaks, and the complexities of dating in a small town close-knit community. She delves into the impact of infidelity, unrequited love, and emotionally unavailable partners, as well as the challenges of moving on while constantly encountering exes. Despite the struggles, she offers insights on establishing boundaries and pursuing personal growth, advocati...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Renee Reina, founder of 'The Mom Room' and host of 'The Mom Room Podcast,' joins the show to discuss the expectations versus reality of marriage and the dynamic shifts in relationships after having children. Drawing from her background in psychology and her experiences as a mother and content creator, Renee offers insights into balancing personal goals with relationship responsibilities, the evolving stages of love, the importance of effective communication and teamwork in partnerships. She shar...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr
A former anonymous Unfiltered guest is back to share her experiences with the importance of self-validation, solo traveling, and the nuances of modern friendships. The guest, who recently lost her job, shares insightful anecdotes on maintaining self-esteem and navigating life amidst singlehood and uncertainty of what lies ahead. We emphasize the significance of meaningful relationships and how to balance personal highs and lows within them. Book a 1:1 with me at calendly.com/ilanadunn/30min Get ...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr
In this episode, we sit down with Thais Gibson, an attachment style expert and founder of The Personal Development School. Thais shares her background and how her chaotic childhood inspired her to delve into the world of relationships and attachment styles. She explains the four major attachment styles—secure, anxious, dismissive avoidant, and fearful avoidant—and their origins and effects on adult relationships. Thais also provides actionable advice on dating, communication, and building trust....
Jan 14, 2025•55 min
Carli, a former Unfiltered guest, is back to share her recent experience dealing with "the shift" AKA a sudden communication change in the early stages of dating someone new. She shares how she's approached the shift by managing her anxiety, being upfront, and communicating her needs. We share advice on how to approach dating when things start to feel off, and we answer listener questions about making dates feel less like interviews, what to do when they say they need space, and how much someone...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 12 min
In today's episode, we welcome Nicole Pellegrino and Caroline Crawford Patterson, co-hosts of the podcast Honey, We're Home. The conversation covers everything from the unexpected depths of friendships formed in adulthood to the evolving dynamics of long-term relationships. Caroline and Nicole share personal anecdotes about meeting their partners in college, dealing with life's unexpected challenges, and the reality versus expectations of marriage. They also discuss the importance of maintaining...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 12 min
We welcome back Erika Ettin to get her best dating coaching tips. Erika takes us through her journey from tracking her own online dating experiences to becoming a top dating coach and building her thriving business 'A Little Nudge'. We delve into her approach of giving hard truths with kindness, managing dating app messages, and offering effective online dating strategies. We'll explore modern dating challenges, including communication, mindset, and handling rejection. Listener questions guide u...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 1 min
We're getting deep for our annual EOY episode. Camila Vola (my fabulous editor and associate producer) interviews me as I reflect on one hell of a year. I open up about what I've struggled with, the challenges I face with my job, and what I wish I could do differently. We talk about the highs and lows of wedding planning, how I've grown and what I've added to my life in 2024 that I'm bringing into next year, and what my goals are moving forward. I share what I would tell my single self and advic...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Jenn and Robbie are here to inspire you with their incredible journey of long-distance love. They share how they met through an app across state lines, navigated the complexities of a relationship between New York and Austin, and overcame the odds to build a life together. They also offer practical dating advice, emphasizing the importance of following your gut and the right timing in relationships. Say goodbye to your anxiety and say hello to relaxation with Sunset Lake CBD. Head to https://sun...
Dec 26, 2024•59 min
In this episode, relationship therapist Mackinzie Rummell returns to discuss crucial topics in dating and relationships. Mackenzie shares insights on dating intentionally for marriage, managing vulnerability and anxiety in relationships, and handling conflicts both early and in long-term dating. We also answered listener questions, including dealing with snooping on a partner's internet history, balancing social anxiety with dating, and coping with rejection. And then, Mackinzie provides guidanc...
Dec 23, 2024•51 min
I welcome Mackinzie Rummell, a relationship therapist based in California, to the podcast. Mackinzie shares her journey into therapy, spurred by personal relationship crises during college. She delves into her background, her passion for helping couples, and her transition from chaos to clarity. Mackinzie discusses her previous engagement and the difficult decision to break it off before meeting her now-husband. She highlights the importance of safety, communication, and mutual respect in relati...
Dec 19, 2024•58 min
Today I'm joined by Max Davidson, an award-winning magician. Max shares his captivating journey into magic, inspired by a childhood experience, and discusses the unique human connections and surprises that magic facilitates. We dive into Max's hit New York-based show 'Stand Up Magic,' which merges comedy and magic for an affordable, high-quality experience (perfect for date night). Max also reveals the challenges and rewards of dating as a magician and surprises me with incredible tricks that le...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 6 min
I'm joined by Paige Crutcher, host of Adultish Wines, to discuss modern relationships, dating apps, and personal growth. We kick the episode off with one of Paige's hilariously wild dating stories, and then dive deeper into a discussion about people-pleasing, relationship statuses, coping mechanisms, handling rejection, and maintaining a positive mindset in the dating scene. Haven’t been in a relationship before or feel like you’re lacking experience? This playlist is filled with episodes from t...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Today I'm joined by Wren Woodson and Mabel Kabani, hosts of NEWSGIRLS. We discuss their journey from meeting at 60 Minutes to creating their own news podcast aimed at young audiences. We explore the decline of dating apps, the rise of in-person events, friends in different life stages, the art of being a wingwoman, and more, Want more dating advice? Check out this playlist filled with episodes and guests covering the dating advice you need to hear. Say goodbye to your anxiety and say hello to re...
Dec 10, 2024•57 min
I'm joined by Lizzie, a 28 year old who opens up about falling for a narcissistic sociopath and finding out he married someone else while they were dating. She shares how he isolated her from her family, how they planned to move in together, and the warning signs she missed along the way. We hear what led her to think he might be hiding something and how she went about finding proof before confronting him. Finally, she shares how she connected with other women he was doing the same thing to and ...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 28 min
