Comedian and author Alison Leiby joins Matchmaker Maria to talk about her new essay collection I'm a Lot and why every version of ourselves deserves a seat at the table. They discuss different identities, only-child life, surviving a near death experience, chronic back pain, stand up comedy, and how those experiences shape dating and relationships. Plus, the two answer a listener who feels like she's lost herself after ignoring red flags in a relationship and wants to learn how to trust herself again. If you've ever wondered who you are outside of dating, this episode is for you!

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Producer: Venetia Geras
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Studio: WTF Media Studios
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Comedian Jourdain Fisher joins Matchmaker Maria for a hilarious hotline episode about dating, love, and learning when not to "fix" your partner's problems. Go check out his comedy special, Bits and Pieces, today!!

They break down whether weed is a real deal breaker, if one bad joke should end a relationship, and what it really means when someone says they're "going through something." Plus, Jordan shares how Bumble led him to love, why he used to fear commitment, and the relationship lesson every boyfriend needs to hear: sometimes "Wow, that sucks" is enough.

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Make new friends. Travel the world.
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Use code ESCAPES150 for $150 off early bird pricing.

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book
🎧 Subscribe to the podcast
⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

Everything: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

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Producer: Venetia Geras
https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios
https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home

Psychiatrist and couples therapist Dr. Sue Varma joins Matchmaker Maria to explain why optimism isn't something you're born with, it's a skill you can build. They break down the difference between healthy realism and catastrophizing, why overthinking keeps people single, and how "maximizers" sabotage dating by chasing endless options. Plus, they answer a listener question about a boyfriend who's afraid to take the next step toward marriage and whether it's your job to fix your partner's fears. If dating has started to feel hopeless, this episode shares practical ways to change your mindset without falling into toxic positivity.

Ready to date with intention?

💌 Join Maria's Roundtable community or submit your own dating question:
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Make new friends. Travel the world.
☀️ Check out upcoming trips: https://agapeescapes.com/
Use code ESCAPES150 for $150 off early bird pricing.

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book
🎧 Subscribe to the podcast
⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

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Agape Match IG: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

Agape Match: https://agapematch.com/

Producer: Venetia Geras
https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios
https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home

Jared Freid is back on Ask a Matchmaker to talk about his new book, Walking Red Flag, and why most dating advice completely misses the average guy's perspective. Jared and Maria dive into the "types of singles," why family setups may be better than dating apps, the difference between "main street" and "alleyway" dating, and whether social media is making dating harder than it needs to be. They also debate TikTok dating rules, the taxi cab theory, Snapchat requests, Uber expectations, and why "if he wanted to, he would" might be terrible advice. Plus, Jared plays a rapid-fire round of "Walking Red Flag or Overthinking It?" and gives his take on some of the internet's favorite dating debates.

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Ready to date with intention?

💌 Join Maria's Roundtable community or submit your own dating question:
👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/askaquestion
Use promo code ROUNDTABLE50 for $50 off

Make new friends. Travel the world.
☀️ Check out upcoming trips: https://agapeescapes.com/
Use code ESCAPES150 for $150 off early bird pricing.

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book
🎧 Subscribe to the podcast
⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

Everything: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/
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Agape Match IG: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

Agape Match: https://agapematch.com/

Producer: Venetia Geras
https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios
https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home

Amy Chan, author of On Single, joins Matchmaker Maria to break down why so many people feel burned out by dating and what they're getting wrong! They discuss Amy's "dating funnel," why a lack of chemistry on a first date shouldn't always be a dealbreaker, and how doomscrolling, TikTok, and dopamine overload may be sabotaging your love life. Plus, a listener from Miami asks how to stay hopeful after disappointing dates, and Amy shares her favorite pre-date ritual to create better connections. If you're tired of dating apps, chasing sparks, or wondering why first dates never go anywhere, this episode is for you.

Ready to date with intention?

💌 Join Maria's Roundtable community or submit your own dating question:
👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/askaquestion
Use promo code ROUNDTABLE50 for $50 off

Make new friends. Travel the world.
☀️ Check out upcoming trips: https://agapeescapes.com/
Use code ESCAPES150 for $150 off early bird pricing.

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book
🎧 Subscribe to the podcast
⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

Everything: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria
Agape Match IG: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

Agape Match: https://agapematch.com/

Producer: Venetia Geras
https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios
https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home

Matchmaker Maria sits down with writer and mental health advocate Chrissy Rutherford to discuss the Summer House drama behind her essay, Ciara's Story is a Story I Know Too Well. From dating a friend's ex to the complicated realities of interracial dating, Chrissy explains why Ciara's experience struck such a nerve with so many black women. They dive into fetishization, friendship loyalty, codependent relationships, and the emotional impact of feeling desired but not chosen.

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Ready to date with intention?

💌 Join Maria's Roundtable community or submit your own dating question:
👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/askaquestion
Use promo code ROUNDTABLE50 for $50 off

Make new friends. Travel the world.
☀️ Check out upcoming trips: https://agapeescapes.com/
Use code ESCAPES150 for $150 off early bird pricing.

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book
🎧 Subscribe to the podcast
⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

Everything: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria
Agape Match IG: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

Agape Match: https://agapematch.com/

Producer: Venetia Geras
https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios
https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home

What can a steamy hockey romance teach us about attachment styles, situationships, and emotional vulnerability? This week, Matchmaker Maria is joined by her sister and fellow matchmaker, Chrisoula Mavrianos, to break down the hit series Heated Rivalry through the lens of dating psychology. They unpack why Shane and Ilya's 7 year push-pull dynamic feels so familiar, explore fearful avoidant vs. dismissive avoidant attachment styles, and compare the show's emotional tension to Normal People, Bridgerton, and classic Jane Austen romances. Plus, they dive into the art of yearning, why women LOVE slow-burn love stories, and reveal which character they'd actually choose for a healthy relationship.

Ready to date with intention?

💌 Join Maria's Roundtable community or submit your own dating question:
👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/askaquestion
Use promo code ROUNDTABLE50 for $50 off

Make new friends. Travel the world.
☀️ Check out upcoming trips: https://agapeescapes.com/
Use code ESCAPES150 for $150 off early bird pricing.

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book
🎧 Subscribe to the podcast
⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

Everything: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria
Agape Match IG: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

Agape Match: https://agapematch.com/

Producer: Venetia Geras
https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios
https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home

Comedian and author Jordan Carlos joins Matchmaker Maria to talk about the surprisingly sexy secret to saving a relationship: doing the chores without being asked! From "invisible labor" and executive function to a grabbing some milk, they get into why a clean kitchen can actually improve your sex life! This episode gets hilariously real about marriage, gender roles, and modern dating. Jordan opens up about hitting a rough patch 10 years into marriage, realizing he'd become a bit of a man child, and how learning to truly co-parent changed everything at home. Maria agrees saying women notice the missing top sheet immediately, and the small habits actually make someone more attractive. If you've ever wondered whether buying extra coffee creamer counts as romance… this episode says YES!

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