In this fun and refreshingly candid episode, Alyssa Dineen is joined by Natasha Chandel, an Indian-Canadian-American writer, actress, comedian, and the former host of the wildly popular Kinda Dating podcast. Natasha shares her personal evolution from a self-proclaimed "reformed commitment phobe" who kept partners at arm's length to a woman who happily navigated a pandemic-era romance that led to marriage.

Alyssa and Natasha dive deep into the messy realities of modern dating, leaving no topic off the table. They discuss the psychology behind "the ick" (and why it's often just an excuse to end things), the double standards of commitment phobia, and why waiting an hour to text someone back is a power play we all need to outgrow.

Natasha also opens up about her unique love story, locking down with a stranger she met on Hinge just days before the pandemic, and why she believes a prenuptial agreement is actually the most romantic thing a couple can do. This episode is packed with laugh-out-loud moments and hard truths about taking accountability, staying present, and not attaching your self-worth to early dating experiences.

• (01:50) Natasha’s journey from serial monogamist to a "reformed commitment phobe."
• (04:35) How starting the Kinda Dating podcast held Natasha accountable in her own love life.
• (08:00) Meeting her husband on Hinge and moving in together on their third date right before the COVID lockdown.
• (11:44) Why Natasha never wanted to get married, and how she ended up with the "dream Indian wedding she never wanted" in Spain.
• (15:23) The truth about "the ick": Is it a real red flag or just a convenient excuse to bail?
• (18:45) Why women are just as guilty of commitment phobia as men (and how to spot your own patterns).
• (22:29) Gender norms in early dating: Who should follow up, who should plan, and who should pay?
• (29:19) Why full transparency and a prenup can actually bring a couple closer together.
• (31:47) The one dating behavior Natasha would outlaw today: Playing the "waiting to text back" game.
• (34:22) Why getting ghosted says nothing about your self-worth.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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• Follow Natasha on Instagram and Facebook: @NatashaChandel
• Follow Natasha on TikTok: @Natasha.Chandel
• Listen: Check out the archives of the Kinda Dating podcast (300 episodes available!).

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