Episodes

  • 148: Uncovering the Secrets to Authentic Connection: Building Lasting Relationships

    148: Uncovering the Secrets to Authentic Connection: Building Lasting Relationships
    Nov 18 2024
    I’m thrilled to bring you a special guest this week, Coach and Conscious Relationship Teacher Veronika Amaya. Veronika is a relationship expert with a unique global perspective on dating and connection, and in this episode she will help us uncover the “missing pieces” that can keep us from forming genuine bonds. Veronika has a wealth of knowledge on the emotional nuances that make relationships thrive and offers down-to-earth tips for bridging those gaps to find and maintain meaningful connections.

    We talked about:

    • How to recognize what’s truly missing in modern relationships and why it matters
    • Simple, practical steps for building deeper connections in a fast-paced world
    • The art of vulnerability, and why it’s often the key to authentic intimacy
    • How cultural perspectives shape our connections and understanding
    • Ways to identify and shift patterns that may be keeping you from feeling seen and understood
    Veronika is a treasure trove of insights for anyone who feels that their connections could use a little more depth or clarity. She invites us to look within, encouraging a fresh perspective that feels both reassuring and actionable.

    Website: https://www.veronika-amaya.com/



    For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/
    Show more Show less
    36 mins
  • 147: Heather's Journey to Self-Love and Self Discovery - What I Learned at Smart Dating Academy

    147: Heather's Journey to Self-Love and Self Discovery - What I Learned at Smart Dating Academy
    Nov 4 2024
    Heather's Journey to Self-Love and Self Discovery - What I Learned at Smart Dating Academy

    For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/
    Show more Show less
    48 mins
  • 146: I Was Married to the "Wolf of Wall Street" - Breaking Trauma Bonds and Thriving with Dr. Nadine Macaluso

    146: I Was Married to the "Wolf of Wall Street" - Breaking Trauma Bonds and Thriving with Dr. Nadine Macaluso
    Oct 21 2024
    I’m beyond thrilled to have Dr. Nadine Macaluso (Dr. Nae, as I call her!). on today’s episode! Dr. Nae’s story is nothing short of jaw-dropping — she was married to The Wolf of Wall Street himself, Jordan Belfort. But this conversation isn’t just about her past; it’s about her incredible journey of survival, healing, and growth. Dr. Nae has taken what she’s learned from that chapter of her life and is using it to help others break free from toxic relationships and trauma bonds (she went back to school and got her doctorate as part of her journey to help herself and others).

    We had such an amazing chat, and I know you’re going to love it! Dr. Nae has been through it all, and she’s come out the other side stronger, wiser, and ready to share her insights on how to stop repeating old patterns and start thriving in healthier relationships.

    We talked about:

    Her experience with trauma bonds and why we keep picking the same type of partner
    How to break free from unhealthy patterns and build a stronger sense of self
    What it really takes to heal after trauma and thrive in love again
    Why choosing healthier partners isn’t just about avoiding red flags, but learning to trust yourself
    The power of resilience and how to bounce back from hardship
    I can’t wait for you to hear this episode! Dr. Nae’s story is powerful, and her advice is game-changing if you’ve ever struggled with toxic relationships.

    If you love the episode, please subscribe, rate, and share it so we can keep bringing you these incredible conversations!

    Website: Drnae.com

    For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/
    Show more Show less
    54 mins
  • 145: Love Story! How Attorney Tara Found True Love after Divorce

    145: Love Story! How Attorney Tara Found True Love after Divorce
    Oct 7 2024
    In this heartwarming love story episode, I sit down with our beloved client Tara, an accomplished attorney from Chicago, who shares her incredible journey of love and self-discovery. Tara's story begins in a traditional household, where arranged marriages were the norm, and she herself entered one that didn't quite work out. However, through her resilience, career-focused mindset, and our Smart Dating work together, Tara redefined what love meant for her, and found a relationship that truly aligned with her heart.

    We dive deep into the challenges she faced, the lessons learned, and how she overcame cultural expectations to create her own love story.

    We talk about:

    • The emotional and mental complexities of arranged marriages and why they may or may not work for everyone
    • The importance of being open to growth and self-awareness when navigating relationships
    • How a career-driven woman can balance love, self-worth, and ambition without compromising on any
    • Strategies Tara used to stay resilient and open to love after her marriage didn’t work out
    • How mindset and support can help you attract the right relationship
    Whether you've had an arranged marriage experience, are navigating modern dating, or just love a good love story, Tara's journey will leave you feeling inspired, hopeful, and ready to take control of your own relationship destiny.

    Ready to rewrite your love story? Tune in to this episode and learn how you can find your own version of love, no matter where you start. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review if you enjoyed Tara’s inspiring journey!



    For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • 144: Beyond Mars and Venus: Relationship Skills for TODAY with Dr. John Gray

    144: Beyond Mars and Venus: Relationship Skills for TODAY with Dr. John Gray
    Sep 23 2024

    Title: Beyond Mars and Venus: Relationship Skills for TODAY with Dr. John Gray


    I couldn't be more excited to have Dr. John Gray, who wrote one of the most well-known and trusted relationship books of all time: Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus (the #1 bestselling book of its decade). We had such a good chat that you're going to love; John lost his loving partner of decades and has found love AGAIN! We talked about love, loss, new love, and getting the BEST out of your partner - whether your relationship is brand new or decades old. He has appeared repeatedly on Oprah, as well as on The Dr. Oz Show, TODAY, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, and others. He has been profiled in Time, Forbes, USA Today, and People.
    We talked about:
    • How he got over his wife of 34 years' passing and how he found love again
    • What the biggest change in relationships is since he wrote his first book
    • What the difference is in what men need and women need in a relationship
    • Enlightened sexuality and what it means
    • Why men need to reconnect with their masculine side and women with their feminine side
    • How to have a happy relationship

    Can't wait for you to listen to and LOVE this episode! If you love it, please subscribe to our podcast, and feel free to give it the top rating so we can keep it going for you! For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • 143: How to Love Someone Without Losing Your Mind!

    143: How to Love Someone Without Losing Your Mind!
    Sep 9 2024
    I am super excited to have Todd Baratz as a guest on the podcast. Todd is a renowned psychotherapist and sex therapist whose innovative approaches to mental health and relationships have established him as a leading figure.

    We talked about:
    • His new book "How to Love Someone Without Losing Your Mind"
    • Reframing how we approach relationship issues
    • How to deal with breakups
    • The difference between cultural diagnoses and true toxic traits
    • What "hurt potential" is, how it can impact new relationships, and what we can do about it
    • How to craft a "relationship contract"
    • The first step we can all take today to improve our relationships
    This episode has so many great take-aways to build healthier and more fulfilling relationships. It all starts with developing more self-awareness and getting to know ourselves on the inside. In addition to his clinical practice, Baratz is a prolific writer and speaker. His insights are regularly featured in various media outlets, where he discusses topics ranging from romantic relationships to individual mental wellness.

    Website: https://www.toddsbaratz.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourdiagnonsense
    New Book: How to Love Someone Without Losing Your Mind

    For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • 142: Can you Find Love After a 24 Year Marriage?

    142: Can you Find Love After a 24 Year Marriage?
    Aug 26 2024
    Guest: Jill Foos, National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBHWC) with a rich background in psychology and functional medicine health coaching.

    This week, we come to you with one of your favorite things to hear because it's HOPEFUL, a Smart Dating Academy real-life love story. Jill was a coaching client who found the lid to her pod and started her own business.

    Jill met her husband at a young age and they eloped to get married and had 5 kids. Jill started seeing the red flags early on, and that they were on separate pages just a few years into the marriage, but they stuck it out for 24 years and eventually got divorced.

    Jill and Bela met in 2018 when she wasn't dating yet. She knew she needed help getting back into the dating world and decided to start working with SDA. Lindsay and I helped Jill figure out what characteristics and traits she SHOULD BE looking for in a partner to make her happy -- vs. the standard "checklist" women often use!

    After setting up her dating profile on the apps, Jill really embraced the whole process and dated for about 18 months. What was her 'last first date'? A wonderful set-up date by a friend with a man named Noah. She immediately liked Noah during their first date because he made her laugh. This was during Covid, so they kept it slow and got creative with their dates.

    After about 6 months of dating, Jill moved a block away from Noah and half a year later her lease was up and she moved in with Noah. They have been in a relationship for 4 years now and are still going strong. The relationship feels easy and their blended family, which includes both of their kids, Jill's ex-husband and his new partner, gets along well and spend holidays together. And Jill started a new career as well, as one can when they have happy love! She is now a dedicated National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBHWC) and the founder of Jill Foos Wellness. She's helping women and look better at all ages, but especially during midlife.

    I hope that you are inspired by Jill's story. She felt like her life was shattered, but she built it back up step by step and is now in a better place than ever.


    For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • 141: How to Have Better Relationships, Everywhere!

    141: How to Have Better Relationships, Everywhere!
    Aug 12 2024
    This week on the podcast, I have the absolute pleasure to interview Elizabeth Earnshaw, a renowned Gottman therapist and bestselling author (she has a new book coming out in September!) who is the owner of a thriving family and marriage therapy practice. She is known for her popular Instagram account @lizlistens and has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, and more.

    Elizabeth and I delve into various crucial topics concerning relationships and stress management.

    We talk about:
    • What a healthy relationships is and what kind of stressors are faced by couples and singles
    • How to recognize and address stress in relationships, both external (work, family) and internal (relationship dynamics)
    • What "stress spillover" is in a relationship
    • The significance of emotional regulation in conflict resolution and the importance of taking pauses during heated moments
    • The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse in relationships
    • Recommended strategies like to de-escalate conflicts and regain composure before addressing issues
    • The importance of early stress recognition to prevent conflicts from escalating
    • The need for self-awareness in maintaining healthy communication

    Elizabeth shares such valuable insights and this is a must listen if you want to focus on managing stress and fostering healthy communication in relationships.

    Website: elizabethearnshaw.com
    The Balancing Act | Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT | Substack


    For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/
    Show more Show less
    48 mins