Joe and Christina dive headfirst into the chaos of modern dating — especially the dumpster fire that is dating apps. From the dopamine traps of endless swiping to the warped standards and ghosting culture, they unpack how these platforms are rewiring our brains and sabotaging real connection. With humor, honesty, and personal stories, they break down what attraction actually looks like in today’s algorithm-driven world — and why finding love now feels harder than ever.

🔥 Takeaways:

1. Dating apps are built for validation — not connection.
   You’re chasing dopamine, not depth.

2. The dating app industry is projected to hit $13B by 2025 — proof that loneliness is profitable.

3. Men swipe right up to 3x more than women, creating a lopsided attention economy that distorts dating expectations.

4. The ‘bigger, better deal’ mindset keeps people chasing illusions — not relationships.

5. Real attraction lives in energy, not profiles — and you can’t swipe your way to chemistry.

The Comparison Trap: Why You're Not Falling Behind, You're Just On Your Timeline

If you've ever scrolled through someone else's perfect grid and thought, "What am I even doing with my life?" — this episode is your spiritual slap and strategic wake-up call. Christina and Joe unpack the sneaky ways comparison kills creativity, zaps joy, and fuels burnout (with a few detours into aliens, sloths, and a pen15 coloring book 🤷‍♀️). From historical rabbit holes to spiritual downloads and marketing mindset shifts, we’re hitting every layer of this identity-sucking pattern and showing you how to break free — with a side of ridiculous banter and actually good advice.

Topics:

Recommendations:

📚 The River of Doubt by Teddy Roosevelt

🎙️ Diary of a CEO Podcast

🎙️ Tony Robbins on The Him & Her Show Podcast

🖍️ Pen15 Coloring Book (no, seriously) @HappyPeensColoringBook

🎤 @ModernAlchemyPodcast

💎 Joe → @joethecreator

💕 Christina → @ChristinaNikols

✨ Subscribe for new episodes every Thursdays

00:00 Introduction and Setup

03:02 The Power of Comparison

06:35 Exploring Superpowers and Relationships

09:35 Historical Perspectives and Personal Anecdotes

10:30 Exploring Alien Beauty Standards

11:20 The Thief of Joy: Comparison in Life

13:27 Reference Anxiety: The Dangers of Comparison

16:59 Social Media's Role in Comparison

17:28 The Illusion of Perfection on Social Media

34:08 Creativity Drain: The Cost of Comparison

35:27 The Importance of Originality and Timing

38:25 The Power of Vulnerability in Success

41:13 The Dangers of Comparison in the Workplace

47:36 Sales Strategies and Building Relationships

55:03 The Trap of Social Comparison

01:04:20 Redirecting Energy Towards Personal Growth

We’re back with a very personal episode where we unpack the sneaky little stories we tell ourselves (and totally believe).

From childhood insecurities and school struggles to self-worth, dating, and whether cookies count as self-care, we’re diving into it all. Christina shares how she broke free from the belief that she wasn’t smart, and Joe confesses his deep mistrust of picky eaters 😂

We talk ADHD, food culture, emotional patterns, and how to finally stop living by a script that was never meant for you.
Plus: the secret power of baby plates 🍼

Topics Covered:
• Stories we tell ourselves
• Limiting beliefs around worth and confidence
• ADHD and childhood conditioning
• Why school isn’t a great measure of intelligence
• Generational expectations and appearances
• Food, relationships, and self-love
• Journaling, intention, and energy healing
• Embracing your inner child to heal

Recommendations:
🗣️ TEDx Talk – “The Story You Tell Yourself” by John Sharp
📕 Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz
🎙️ Giggly Squad
📝 Journaling for self-awareness

If this one hit home, don’t forget to like, comment, or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Every little bit helps us spread the love (and the weird).

🎤 @ModernAlchemyPodcast
💎 Joe → @joethecreator
💕 Christina → @ChristinaNikols

✨ Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday!

Timestamps:
00:00 We're Just Stories
01:02 The Power of Limiting Beliefs
03:31 Taco Bell and Childhood Favorites
06:24 Upbringing & Food Habits
09:31 Relationships and Food Compatibility
12:26 Confidence and Job Applications
15:46 Identifying Limiting Beliefs
18:38 Self-Perception and Education
21:28 Rewiring the Narrative
24:24 Learning to Accept Compliments
27:14 Real-Life ADHD in Women
35:32 Perception vs. Reality
36:58 How to Break a Limiting Belief
39:28 Generational Baggage Around Self-Worth
44:25 Self-Love ≠ Self-Indulgence
46:15 Intentional Living as a Healing Tool
50:17 Reflection, Journaling & Daily Practice
51:28 Inner Child Work & Healing
54:38 Self-Care Through Play and Presence
59:18 Letting Go of the Old Story
01:02:09 Choosing Self-Compassion
01:04:32 Final Thoughts & Baby Plates
01:08:32 MA 20 Second Outro