Dating in your 30s isa whole different beast—especially when you’re a single parent, emotionally unavailable, or just trying to dodge “The Talk” for as long as possible. In this episode, we unpack theawkward realities of modern dating, from the pressure of sending gifts too soon to the unspoken expectations lurking behind every dating app match. Is exclusivity inevitable? Are dating apps actually dead? And why does a simple bouquet of flowers feel like a marriage proposal? Buckle up forhilarious rants, brutally honest truths, and some serious dating therapy.

Talk points:

00:00:22 - The 'How are you?' Dilemma

00:05:10 - Favorite Age Discussion

00:07:16 - Birthday Gift Dilemma

00:10:53 - The Aftermath

00:13:18 - The Talk

00:15:28 - The Dating Dilemma

00:16:13 - The Flower Incident

00:16:31 - The U-Haul Theory

00:17:55 - Reflections on Relationships

00:18:30 - Unpacking Relationship Dynamics

00:23:14 - The Funeral Question

00:27:43 - The Emotional Investment

00:29:18 - The Pace of Relationships

00:29:54 - The Time Constraint

00:31:28 - Dating App Experiences

00:48:05 - The Role of Men in Relationships

00:49:05 - Ghosting and Dating

00:50:11 - Dating App Messaging

00:51:28 - The Problem with Dating Apps

01:00:16 - Accidental Love Confession

01:05:13 - Avoidance and Disappearance

01:06:15 - Single-Parent Dating

Don’t Miss Out

• Subscribe toThe Sauce on your favourite podcast platform.

• Leave a Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It helps us reach more listeners like you!

• Share with a Friend: If you know someone who could benefit from this episode, share it with them!

Stay Connected

For more insights, behind-the-scenes content, and updates:

• Website:⁠www.chickenandchips.com.au⁠

• Audition Academy Collective:⁠Join Here⁠

Instagram:

• Chicken & Chips Casting:⁠@chickenandchips_⁠

• Steph Pringle:⁠@itsstephaniepringle⁠

• Alison Fowler:⁠@itsalisonfowler⁠

Produced by:⁠Dreamers Media Pty Ltd⁠

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Sauce, where we serve up candid conversations and practical advice to empower you in your acting journey. Stay saucy!

This episode is about:

dating in your 30s, modern dating struggles, single parent dating, dating apps 2025, online dating disasters, dating expectations, early relationship talk, dating red flags, when to buy a gift for someone you’re dating, relationship milestones, ghosting culture, hinge vs bumble, dating apps are dead, how to survive modern dating, dating etiquette, dating mistakes, navigating dating apps, relationship pressure, dating burnout, emotional unavailability, single mom dating, dating as a single dad, dating app tips, first date expectations, gift-giving in relationships, exclusivity talk, dating confusion, dating culture shift, best dating advice, dating pet peeves, relationship communication, why modern dating is hard, dating after divorce, dating in your mid-30s, when to define the relationship, avoiding relationship labels, dating mistakes to avoid, dating rules, online dating tips, dating deal breakers, dating psychology, commitment issues, casual dating vs serious dating, dating game rules, modern romance struggles