I never thought I’d say this — especially as someone who spent years shaping the online dating landscape — but here we are. Today, we’re asking a radical question that’s starting to feel less radical and more necessary: Are dating apps actually getting in the way of connection?

If you’ve ever felt exhausted by endless swipes, ghost-town DMs, or conversations that die faster than they start, you are not alone. In fact, even the most emotionally intelligent and intentional daters are hitting a wall. The problem isn’t the match — it’s what happens (or doesn’t) after it.

I’m joined again by my friend, happiness expert and dating coach, Robert Mack, and together we’re unpacking why so many smart, capable, emotionally available people are burning out in a landscape that was supposed to help us meet someone — not numb us, distract us, or make us feel disposable.

This episode isn’t about bashing dating apps — it’s about telling the truth, exploring what’s shifted culturally and psychologically, and deciding whether stepping away from the algorithm might be the most powerful dating move you make this year.

We’re rethinking the system, your mindset, your habits — and what it actually takes to build meaningful romantic connection in a world addicted to swiping.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What’s changed in online dating culture — and why it’s impacting even the most intentional daters.

• How choice overload and digital burnout are sabotaging real-world romance.

• The mindset shift required to date with discernment, confidence, and actual joy again

If you're feeling depleted, disillusioned, or curious about what dating could look like without apps running the show, this episode is your permission slip to rethink everything.

Xxoo Darcy

REFERENCES/RESOURCES

www.alternativescounseling.com

www.coachrobmack.com

Happiness From The Inside Out

Love From the Inside Out

CREDITS

“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Robyn Jaenchen.

DISCLAIMER

Instagram:@drdarcysterling

Facebook:Dr.Darcy Sterling

Tik Tok:@doctordarcysterling

X:@DrDarcySterling

YouTube:@DarcySterling

Threads:@drdarcysterling

Watch this episode here on YouTube.

We all know that changing a habit is hard — especially one that’s been socially accepted for generations. Alcohol is woven into how we celebrate, relax, and connect. But what if technology could help us drink more consciously, instead of forcing us into an all-or-nothing mindset?

In this episode, I sit down with Nick Allen, CEO and co-founder of Sunnyside, an app that helps people make more mindful choices about alcohol — without the shame, judgment, or labels that so often come with it. We talk about how data, psychology, and behavioral design are revolutionizing the way we think about drinking.

This isn’t a conversation about quitting. It’s a conversation about awareness — and how a little insight can lead to massive transformation.

Here’s what you’ll learn:Why traditional narratives about drinking (“you’re fine or you’re an addict”) don’t reflect most people’s reality.
How tech tools like Sunnyside use behavioral psychology and habit tracking to create lasting change.
The small, science-backed shifts that can help you drink more mindfully — starting tonight.
If this episode resonates with you, follow or subscribe to We Need To Talk with Dr. Darcy Sterling. It’s free, it takes a second, and it helps keep powerful conversations like this coming your way.

Xxoo Darcy

REFERENCES/RESOURCES

www.alternativescounseling.com

See if Sunnyside is a fit for you here: https://sunnyside.co

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362788017_Why_do_adults_drink_alcohol_Development_and_validation_of_a_Drinking_Motives_Questionnaire_for_adults?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36641592/

https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com

CREDITS

“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Robyn Jaenchen.

DISCLAIMER

Instagram:@drdarcysterling

Facebook:Dr.Darcy Sterling

Tik Tok:@doctordarcysterling

Twitter:@DrDarcySterling

YouTube:@DarcySterling

Threads:@drdarcysterling

Watch this episode here on YouTube.

We’ve all gotten pretty good at spotting red flags — emotional unavailability, inconsistent texting, the subtle (or not-so-subtle) signs that someone’s not ready for real intimacy. But what about the other side of the spectrum? The green flags — the behaviors that quietly signal emotional maturity and long-term potential.

In this episode, I’m flipping the script. I’ll walk you through the 5 green flags that predict lasting love — the therapist’s cheat sheet to recognizing when someone is actually relationship material. And here’s the twist: Most of these green flags are learnable skills. That means you can cultivate them in yourself as much as you can look for them in others.

Whether you’re single and dating or in a relationship and wanting to deepen your connection, this episode will help you recognize the traits that actually sustain love over time — not just spark it.

Here’s What You’ll Learn

• Why emotional regulation is the ultimate green flag — and how it predicts how safe you’ll feel in a relationship.

• How repair attempts after conflict reveal long-term potential (hint: it’s not about avoiding fights).

• The small, often-missed signs of empathy, accountability, and curiosity — the real markers of relational health.

• If you’ve ever wondered what actually separates relationships that last from those that don’t, this is the episode for you. Because the truth is, chemistry might get you in the door — but green flags are what keep you there.

  Xxoo Darcy

  PS: If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who could use a little hope about what healthy love really looks like.

  REFERENCES/RESOURCES

  www.alternativescounseling.com

  CREDITS

  “We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Robyn Jaenchen.

  DISCLAIMER

  Instagram:@drdarcysterling

  Facebook:Dr.Darcy Sterling

  Tik Tok:@doctordarcysterling

  X:@DrDarcySterling

  YouTube:@DarcySterling

  Threads:@drdarcysterling

  Watch this episode here on YouTube.