In this episode of 'Saying Yes Again,' Dr. Lisa and Tony explore the challenges faced by strong women in love and relationships. They discuss the concept of the 'soft life' as a counter to hustle culture, emphasizing the importance of emotional ease, vulnerability, and choosing peace. The conversation delves into practical steps for embracing a softer life, the significance of connection in modern dating, and the upcoming event aimed at fostering meaningful relationships among singles over 40.

Takeaways

• Strong women often feel the burden of carrying everything in relationships.
• The 'soft life' represents a shift from hustle culture to emotional ease.
• Choosing peace in relationships is a powerful decision.
• Peace in love means mutual effort and feeling safe.
• Conflict resolution is essential for healthy relationships.
• Women are allowed to rest and receive support from partners.
• Softness in women makes them more approachable, not less powerful.
• Emotional maturity and boundaries are crucial for a soft life.
• Real connections are built through intentional conversations.
• Dating should focus on emotional honesty and stability.

In this episode of Saying Yes Again, we explore the challenges high-achieving women face in the dating world, discussing loneliness, emotional safety, and the invisible load they carry. We delve deep into the identity conflicts that arise when transitioning from professional success to personal relationships, emphasizing the need for vulnerability and communication. Also, highlighting the importance of building supportive partnerships that allow women to thrive without compromising their accomplishments.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Success and Loneliness
03:20 The Choice of Solitude
06:19 Men's Perspectives on High Achieving Women
08:57 The Invisible Load of Professional Women
11:59 Identity Conflict in Relationships
14:37 Thriving in Love Without Shrinking
20:09 Building Safe and Supportive Relationships
26:00 Creating a Community for Love

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In episode 18 of "Saying Yes Again," Dr. Lisa and Tony record their first uncut, unscripted conversation about dating and relationships in midlife. They discuss the challenges of a small dating pool for women, ways people meet potential partners, and the importance of honesty about intentions. Sharing their own journey from divorce to love, they emphasize the importance of healing, growth, and staying open to second chances.

The episode also encouraging listeners to embrace new opportunities for connection and reminding everyone that it's never too late to say yes again.

Timestamps by PodSqueezeIntroduction and Episode Format (00:00:01)
Hosts introduce themselves, the podcast, and announce this will be an uncut, raw episode.

Episode Milestone and Uncut Decision (00:00:42)
Celebrating the 18th episode and discussing the decision to record an uncut, spontaneous session.

Topics Overview (00:02:35)
Preview of main topics: dating pool for women, reasons people avoid relationships in midlife, and why most don't remarry.

The Midlife Dating Pool (00:03:28)
Discussion about the challenges women face in the midlife dating pool and why it feels small and difficult.

Ways People Meet Partners (00:04:29)
Exploring traditional and modern ways people meet: friends, events, weddings, professional functions, clubs, and online dating.

Online Dating Experiences (00:07:14)
Personal stories about online dating, including how the hosts met and advice for not giving up on dating apps.

Commitment and Biological Clocks (00:08:22)
How age, life stage, and biological factors influence relationship decisions for men and women in midlife.

Commitment Hesitancy in Midlife (00:09:34)
Why some men in midlife are hesitant to commit, and how personal experiences and age impact their choices.

Honesty and Transparency in Dating (00:10:54)
Importance of being upfront about intentions in relationships to avoid leading others on.

Personal Growth and Readiness (00:13:29)
How healing and personal growth after divorce affect openness to new relationships and marriage.

Why Most Don't Remarry (00:14:10)
Exploring reasons people avoid a second marriage, including fear of repeating past pain and emotional bruises.

Life Partner vs. Marriage (00:16:20)
Discussion about preferring a life partner over marriage and how openness can evolve.

Advice for Men: Earning Commitment (00:17:58)
Advice for men to be consistent and show quality to move from "life partner" to "I do."

Personal Transformation and Hope (00:18:36)
How personal transformation after divorce led to a happier, more fulfilling relationship.

Are People Really Looking for Love in Midlife? (00:21:40)
Hosts discuss whether people in midlife are truly seeking love and the importance of openness and healing.

Encouragement to Try Online Dating (00:22:00)
Tony shares how encouragement from a friend led him to try online dating, resulting in meeting Lisa.

In this episode of "Saying Yes Again," Dr. Lisa and Tony, a midlife couple who found love after divorce, share five practical tips for dating on a budget during tough economic times. They discuss enjoying nature, cooking together at home, attending free or low-cost events, hosting game nights, and planning dream dates for the future. The episode is filled with personal stories, humor, and creative ideas for affordable, meaningful connections.

The hosts also announce an upcoming speed dating event for mature singles in Conyers, Georgia. Go to www.sayingyesagain.com for more information.

Introduction & Economic Downturn Context (00:00:00)
Discussing dating challenges during economic downturns and the need for affordable, creative date ideas.

Podcast Welcome & Hosts Introduction (00:00:36)
Introduction to the podcast, hosts Lisa and Tony, and the theme of second chances in love.

Episode Overview & Upcoming Event Teaser (00:01:32)
Overview of the episode's focus on budget-friendly dating and mention of an upcoming speed dating event.

Tip 1: Enjoying Nature Together (00:02:27)
Exploring affordable outdoor dates like walks, picnics, and hikes to connect and bond.

Tip 2: Cooking Together at Home (00:04:39)
Cooking as a couple, trying new recipes, and using meal kits for fun, intimate, and budget-friendly date nights.

Tip 3: Free Events & Local Outings (00:07:07)
Attending free or low-cost events, museums, parks, and exploring local spots for unique date experiences.

Tip 4: Game Night (00:11:00)
Hosting game nights with cards, board games, or trivia for fun is an inexpensive way to have quality time.

Tip 5: Planning Dream Future Dates (00:13:05)
Creating vision boards and discussing future plans or dream vacations to foster connection and shared goals.

Recap & Community Engagement (00:15:16)
Encouraging listeners to share their own budget-friendly date ideas and participate in the community.

Restaurant Recommendation & Beltline Outing (00:15:38)
Recommending "Two Urban Licks" restaurant and discussing enjoyable outings along the Beltline.

Closing Thoughts & Speed Dating Event Details (00:16:15)
Emphasizing that love doesn't have to be expensive and providing details about the upcoming speed dating event.

Farewell & Social Media Plugs (00:19:06)
Thanking listeners, encouraging subscriptions, sharing, and inviting them to follow on social media and attend the event.

In this episode of "Saying Yes Again," Dr. Lisa and her partner Tony discuss the unique challenges professional women face in dating and relationships. They debunk myths about financial expectations, emphasizing the importance of emotional support, authenticity, and understanding each other's need for space. The conversation highlights how career-driven women can balance independence with vulnerability, set healthy boundaries, and avoid treating relationships like business transactions. The episode concludes with advice for dating with purpose and an invitation to their upcoming speed dating event for singles over 40.

Introduction: The Softer Side of Professional Women (00:00:00) Dr. Lisa introduces the duality of professional women—strong at work, but also craving love and connection.

Challenging Financial Stereotypes in Relationships (00:02:26) Discussion on financial independence, emotional support, and the misconception that men's main role is financial.

The Need for Space and Decompression (00:04:22): Exploring the importance of personal space, decompression, and understanding each other's need for downtime.

Professional Habits Impacting Dating (00:05:42) How career-driven habits like organization and timeliness affect dating dynamics and relationships.

Balancing Professionalism and Emotional Availability (00:09:00) Challenges of being emotionally available, letting go of professional guard, and showing vulnerability in dating.

Advice for Professional Women in Dating (00:10:36) Tips for dating with purpose, knowing values, and being observant in early relationship stages.

Don't Overwork Love (00:11:52) Encouragement to approach love with openness, not as a project or job, and to separate work from romance.

Authenticity and Vulnerability (00:13:09) The importance of being authentic, vulnerable, and leaving the CEO persona at work.

Setting Boundaries and Protecting Energy (00:14:26) Advice on setting boundaries, protecting time and energy, and not dating from a place of exhaustion.

Embracing Both Sides: Femininity and Strength (00:16:44) Encouragement for women to show both their strong and soft sides, and for men to offer emotional security.

Upcoming Speed Dating Event Announcement (00:18:00) Details about their first speed dating event for singles over 40, including how to register and what to expect.

Closing and Social Media Reminders (00:20:48) Thanking listeners, encouraging sharing, and reminders to follow and subscribe for future episodes.

In this episode of "Saying Yes Again," hosts Dr. Lisa and Tony discuss the challenges and rewards of dating professional, powerful women. They explore why some men feel intimidated by women in leadership roles, examining issues such as ego, power dynamics, and societal expectations. Drawing from their own relationship, they emphasize the importance of support, communication, flexibility, and mutual respect. The conversation encourages both men and women to look beyond titles and income, focusing instead on partnership, authenticity, and celebrating each other's strengths. The episode concludes with practical advice and a promise to continue the discussion in a future episode.

Setting the Stage: Dating Powerful Women (00:01:50)
They introduce the main topic: why some men are intimidated by dating professional, powerful women.

Men's Perspective on Intimidation (00:02:11)
Discussion on why some men avoid dating women in leadership roles due to ego and traditional roles.

Power Dynamics and Relationship Shifts (00:04:00)
Exploring how a woman's professional status can shift relationship dynamics and challenge traditional expectations.

Seeing Beyond Titles and Income (00:05:12)
Emphasizing the importance of valuing each partner's contributions beyond job titles and salaries.

Support and Mutual Respect (00:06:14)
Tony and Lisa discuss the value of supporting each other's professional achievements and not feeling threatened.

Ego, Gender Roles, and Societal Expectations (00:07:39)
Examining how ego and societal norms influence men's attitudes toward dating professional women.

Balancing Dominant Traits at Home (00:09:03)
Conversation about bringing work personas home and the need for balance and partnership.

Tips for Dating Professional Women (00:11:07)
Tony shares practical advice: be supportive, flexible, and authentic when dating professional women.

Flexibility and Communication in Relationships (00:13:04)
Highlighting the importance of flexibility and communication due to non-traditional work schedules.

How Professional Women Feel About Apprehension (00:14:34)
Lisa shares how it feels when men are hesitant to approach professional women, emphasizing the desire to be seen beyond titles.

Personal Story and Episode Wrap-Up (00:15:45)
Tony recounts meeting Lisa without knowing her profession, and they wrap up the episode with closing thoughts.

Preview of Part Two and Farewell (00:16:47)
Announcing a future episode to further discuss challenges for professional women in dating, and encouraging listeners to subscribe.

💡 Falling in love is easy. Staying in love — that's the daily choice that makes relationships thrive.

In this episode of Saying Yes Again, Dr. Lisa and Tony dive into what it really means to "say yes again" — not just once at the altar, but every single day. With warmth, humor, and honesty, they unpack the small, practical choices that keep love alive: patience, grace, communication, and laughter (yes, even when socks are on the floor).

✨ You'll hear:

• Why lasting love is built on everyday decisions, not grand gestures.

• Simple practices for recommitting to your partner daily.

• Real stories — tender from Lisa, witty from Tony — about what choosing love looks like in real life.

Whether you're remarried, newly dating, or simply learning to love yourself again, this conversation will remind you: saying yes again is the foundation of a lasting love.

Introduction: The Choice of Love (00:00:00) Discussing how staying in love is a daily choice, especially after heartbreak or divorce.

Love Beyond the Wedding Day (00:01:16) Reflecting on the wedding day and emphasizing that love is a daily decision, not a one-time event.

Personal Story: The Cold Room Incident (00:04:31) Tony recounts a humorous story about handling discomfort in a relationship with patience and diplomacy.

What Saying Yes Again Really Means (00:06:11): Exploring how opening up after heartbreak requires showing up differently and being intentional.

Supporting Each Other Through Challenges (00:06:41) Discussing the importance of affirming and encouraging your partner during tough times.

Choosing Patience and Communication (00:07:39) Highlighting the value of patience and open communication over shutting down during disagreements.

Making Space for Fun, Romance, and Friendship (00:09:12) Emphasizing the need to intentionally nurture fun, romance, and friendship in a relationship.

Listening Without Fixing (00:10:32) Discussing the importance of listening to your partner without always trying to fix their problems.

Practical Tools: Affirmations (00:11:14) Introducing affirmations as a daily practice to strengthen connection and appreciation.

Practical Tools: Intentional Check-Ins (00:12:46) Encouraging regular check-ins, both individually and as a couple, to maintain relationship health.

Practical Tools: Choosing Grace (00:13:55) Advising listeners to give each other grace, let small things slide, and avoid keeping score.

Closing & Call to Action (00:16:32) Encouraging listeners to share, subscribe, and keep saying yes to love, life, and second chances.

After divorce, grief, or major life upheaval, it's easy to believe your heart is too broken to ever love again. But what if those very cracks are what prepare you for a deeper, more meaningful love?

In this episode of Saying Yes Again, Dr. Lisa and Tony explore how heartbreak doesn't have to be the end of your love story. They share how grief can refine us — giving us greater empathy, clearer priorities, and stronger boundaries — and how those lessons make space for real, lasting connection.

Whether you're newly divorced, grieving, or simply unsure if love is possible again, this conversation will remind you: your story isn't over. Love after loss is real — and it may be the most beautiful chapter yet.

Introduction to Heartbreak and Hope (00:00:00) Discussing the pain of loss and the idea that heartbreak can create space for deeper love.

Affirming Love After Loss (00:01:17) Emphasizing that love is possible after heartbreak, divorce, or major loss.

Personal Stories of Loss and Divorce (00:03:13) Dr. Lisa and Tony share their experiences with long-term marriage ending, family losses, and divorce.

The Role of Grief and Seeking Help (00:04:07) Tony discusses losing family members, divorce, and the importance of professional counseling in healing.

Reframing Loss as Preparation (00:07:08) Discussing how loss can prepare us for more authentic, deeper love and help us empathize with others.

Setting Boundaries and Priorities (00:09:01) How loss leads to clearer priorities, less tolerance for drama, and stronger personal boundaries.

What Healing Looks Like (00:10:14) Defining healing as a non-linear, personal process, and the importance of seeking help and self-compassion.

Practical Tools for Healing (00:15:15) Introducing practical ways to heal, including surrounding yourself with hope and positive influences.

The Science of Happiness (00:16:38) Explaining the happiness study: 50% genetics, 40% intentional activities, 10% life circumstances.

Journaling as a Healing Tool (00:19:15) Recommending journaling to process emotions, reduce stress, and reflect on lessons from loss.

Practicing Saying Yes Again (00:20:52) Encouraging small steps toward joy and connection as a way to open up to love again.

Final Encouragement and Call to Action (00:22:11) Reassuring listeners they are not broken, and inviting them to find one small way to open their heart.

Closing and Subscription Reminder (00:23:23) Thanking listeners, encouraging sharing and subscribing, and ending with a message of hope and second chances.