If you've ever binged seasons of MTV's Catfish or sat with sweaty palms waiting for your Tinder date to show up at the bar, this episode of Don't Fear the Feed is for you.

Host Josh Abrams tackles the fearmongering headlines around internet dating and makes the case for looking at the actual evidence instead of the stigma. He and his wife Anna share their own internet dating success story — how they met through the Smule karaoke app, bonded over singing duets, and built a relationship that felt completely organic once they finally met face-to-face.

Josh also hits the streets for a series of thought-provoking discussions with strangers about their dating app experiences and dating success stories of their own. Cole explains how apps like Tinder serve everyone from relationship-seekers to hookup culture, and shares a friend's jaw-dropping story about a date who turned out to be a trans woman. Dan makes the case that dating apps have changed — and maybe diminished — the traditional way people build a relationship. And Josh's friend JC opens up about his own catfishing experience navigating internet dating after his 2019 divorce.

Whether you're currently swiping or just curious, this episode breaks down what makes online dating safe (or risky), why asking direct questions matters, and why honesty in your profile is non-negotiable for real dating success and a lasting relationship.

Got your own dating horror story or success story? Email it in — we're building a part two episode from your submissions.

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Want to know what Josh wants? A margarita. Also, he’d love for you to follow Don’t Fear the Feed wherever you listen to podcasts and leave us a rating and review. Thank you in advance!