In this episode of Last Date, I sit down with Joel Cochran — a 41-year-old man on a mission to find his wife.

For the past year, Joel has been part of a podcast/dating experiment called Wife or Bust, where he worked with dating coach Chris Bates to intentionally refine his approach to dating on Hinge. Instead of maximizing options, Joel explains why he does the opposite — narrowing his focus so he can date with clarity and intention.

We discuss:

• ​Why having too many dating options can actually be counterproductive
• ​His strategy of pausing Hinge after matching with three women
• ​The importance of clearly defined dealbreakers (e.g. faith, health, and wanting kids)
• ​Why you actually don’t want to attract everyone when dating
• ​How being your authentic self helps attract the right partner faster
• ​The role of vulnerability in quickly determining alignment
• ​The tricky balance between men being vulnerable and avoiding “the ick”
• ​The concept of “closing the loop” in dating and relationships
• ​Pressure testing compatibility early on

Joel’s approach challenges the idea that more options lead to better outcomes, and instead highlights the power of intentionality, authenticity, and emotional growth when dating with the goal of long-term partnership.

This conversation is about dating with purpose — and what it looks like when someone is truly serious about finding their person.

Follow this podcast for future conversations about modern dating and relationships.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lastdatepodcast

Follow Danny on Instagram for clips and insights: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lastdatepodcast

https://www.instagram.com/cruxcompatible

Follow Joel: https://www.instagram.com/joelcochran_

In this episode of Last Date, I sit down with Laura Cannon, who was widowed at 27. Eight years later, she’s navigating modern dating — while still carrying the love, grief, and growth shaped by that experience.

Laura shares what her relationship with her husband meant to her, including the conversations they had near the end of his life about her finding love again and being taken care of after he was gone.

We talk about how she approaches dating today, including when — and how — she tells someone she’s a widow, and why she doesn’t include it in her dating profile.

We also explore:

• The advice she would give herself at 27 about grief and dating again

• The difference between pity and true emotional support

• Taking care of others as a way to protect ourselves from vulnerability

• The idea that loving someone new doesn’t diminish love for someone who passed

• Why she doesn’t need someone to fix her — just someone who can meet her where she is

Laura also reflects on how losing her husband shaped who she is today, and how anyone who falls in love with her is ultimately falling in love with someone formed by both love and loss.

This conversation is about grief, resilience, and loving again — without letting go of the past.

Follow this podcast for future conversations about modern dating and relationships.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lastdatepodcast

Follow Danny on Instagram for clips and insights: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lastdatepodcast

https://www.instagram.com/cruxcompatible

Follow Laura: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/_lauracannon

In this episode of Last Date, I sit down with Jessica Lopez to talk about modern dating — and why it increasingly feels like a vetting process.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Jessica shares her experience dating in Miami, why she found the culture there too superficial and casual, and why she ultimately moved to Austin in search of something different — only to find its own set of challenges.

We get into how she approaches dating today, including the systems and standards she uses to filter for the right partner.

We discuss:

• Why she now FaceTimes every match before agreeing to a first date

• The five questions she asks to quickly assess compatibility

• Why she refuses low-effort dates like coffee or walks

• The role of trust — and why men share their location with her early on

• Using Instagram, the Tea app, and other methods to vet potential partners

• Red flags, green flags, and the fine line between standards and over-filtering

• Whether it’s a good idea to date within your own community

Jessica also shares stories that highlight just how unpredictable modern dating can be — from tracking a guy’s location over an entire weekend to navigating blurred boundaries with exes.

This conversation is about standards, trust, and how people are adapting their dating strategies in a world where connection feels harder — but expectations are higher than ever.

Follow this podcast for future conversations about modern dating and relationships.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lastdatepodcast

Follow Danny on Instagram for clips and insights: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lastdatepodcast

https://www.instagram.com/cruxcompatible

Follow Jessica Lopez: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jessicashlopez

Jessica is a 29-year-old entrepreneur and content creator who has navigated the dating scene across the Dominican Republic, Miami, Austin, and now California looking for love. She’s known as the go-to person for relationship advice among her friends, and she has also done extensive personal work understanding and healing her anxious attachment style. After nearly a decade of intentionally using dating apps on and off, she jokingly considers herself a bit of a professional when it comes to navigating them. Her dating journey has been filled with both valuable insights and plenty of hilarious stories about modern love.