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

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https://www.instagram.com/cruxcompatible

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