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.

If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share - it helps more people discover the show.

• 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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In this insightful episode, Alyssa Dineen sits down with Leah Mazur, a certified divorce recovery coach, founder of Mindfully Ready, and co-creator of The Next Chapter membership. Drawing from her own deeply personal journey through three marriages, Leah shares how she overcame her fear of being alone and stopped using serial monogamy as a "life raft."

Leah offers a candid look at the mistakes she made jumping into relationships too quickly to numb her loneliness, and how doing the inner work completely transformed her approach to dating. She breaks down the critical difference between true compatibility and toxic chemistry, which often just mimics familiar childhood wounds, and explains why getting divorced means your dating standards should actually be higher, not lower.

Alyssa and Leah also tackle the realities of modern dating for single moms, the unspoken necessity of financial independence, and the science that proves why the "staying for the kids" narrative is harmful. This conversation is packed with actionable advice on how to build a fulfilling life so that a partner becomes an addition to your happiness, rather than the source of it.

1. (04:43) Leah’s wake-up call after her first two marriages and how she stopped making choices based on the fear of abandonment.
2. (09:25) The crucial mindset shift: Going from "Am I good enough for him?" to "Does he add value to my life?"
3. (11:12) How Leah's third marriage resulted in a peaceful uncoupling and a lifelong, stable stepdad for her daughter.
4. (16:54) Why you must build a healthy relationship with yourself before you can model one for your children.
5. (18:20) Unlearning the toxic relationship narratives fed to us by Romcoms and Disney.
6. (20:47) The biggest post-divorce dating mistake: Dating just to numb the loneliness.
7. (21:28) Chemistry vs. Compatibility: Why the "spark" might just be a familiar, toxic nervous system response.
8. (27:05) The importance of financial stability so you don't choose a partner out of survival mode.
9. (33:53) Debunking the "stay for the kids" myth and why a mother's happiness directly correlates with her children's well-being.
10. (40:45) The Next Chapter membership: A resource hub for moms navigating high-conflict divorce and co-parenting.

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

If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share - it helps more people discover the show.

1. Visit: mindfullyready.com
2. Check out: The Next Chapter Membership
3. Follow Leah on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube: @MindfullyReady

1. Visit Style My Profile
2. Follow Alyssa on Instagram
3. Follow Alyssa on TikTok