Buzz
The start of a new year offers a great chance to focus on self-improvement: organizing your finances, staying physically active, and enhancing your mental health. While many are preoccupied with budgeting, exercising, or maintaining gratitude journals, you might be contemplating how to start a new romantic connection or deepen your current one. These ten podcasts are here to assist you in achieving that goal.
Dates & Mates
Hosted by Damona Hoffman, a renowned dating coach, bestselling author of F the Fairy Tale, and the Official Love Expert on The Drew Barrymore Show, Dates & Mates stands out as one of the most authentic podcasts on modern dating. Listening to it will undoubtedly sharpen your dating app skills. Damona features diverse perspectives from dating coaches and experts, offering not only practical tips but also motivation. Whether you're single and exploring or in a committed relationship, her straightforward, insightful, and timely advice covers everything from online and offline partner searches to understanding attachment styles.
Multiamory
Multiamory is a podcast that provides guidance and insights into modern relationships, covering everything from monogamy and polyamory to casual dating and beyond. The show stands out due to its three hosts—Dedeker Winston, Emily Matlack, and Jase Lindgren—each of whom brings expertise and a distinct perspective on relationships. Their collective experiences create engaging, relatable discussions that combine personal anecdotes with practical advice. If you're seeking unconventional wisdom that challenges traditional norms, this podcast is a must-listen. I’ve found their insights invaluable not just for romantic relationships, but also for friendships and family dynamics.
Savage Lovecast
Dan Savage, a renowned author, journalist, and LGBTQ+ rights advocate, is best known for co-founding the It Gets Better Project in 2010. However, his most enduring legacy might be his podcast, Savage Lovecast. Launched in 2006, the show has addressed countless intimate dilemmas, from pegging to navigating fair threesomes. If you’ve ever had a burning question about sex, Dan has likely tackled it at some point. (And if he hasn’t, I’d love to know what it is!)
Modern Love
For over two decades, the New York Times’ Modern Love column has offered readers a glimpse into the intimate and often chaotic love lives of real people. The podcast, Modern Love, hosted by Anna Martin, breathes new life into these stories. Each episode delves into the raw, complex realities of relationships worldwide, offering profound insights into human connections. The essays are exceptional, and the podcast frequently features notable guests like Joel Kim Booster, Emrata, and Gillian Anderson, sparking endless conversations and reflections.
Where Should We Begin?
In Where Should We Begin?, acclaimed psychotherapist Esther Perel invites listeners to observe real couples’ therapy sessions, offering an unfiltered look into their personal struggles. Esther’s guidance is a blend of deep reflection, practical solutions, and empathetic yet firm advice. She tackles issues like infidelity, intimacy, and even amicable divorces, helping couples navigate conflicts, rebuild trust, and rediscover connection. Her approach is both thought-provoking and action-driven, making each episode a masterclass in relationship dynamics.
Just Break Up
Sam and Sierra, the hosts of Just Break Up, may not be therapists, but they offer insightful, empathetic advice on everything from toxic relationships to those that just need a little nurturing. Their guidance is thoughtful, kind, and often so profound that you’ll find yourself taking notes. Their warm, supportive dynamic creates a comforting space, making even the toughest days feel less isolating. Their deep dives into listeners’ letters are not only helpful for the sender but often resonate with you, too. While they’re not professionals, pairing their podcast with therapy? That’s a winning combination.
Two Dykes And A Mic
Every week on Two Dykes And A Mic, Rachel Scanlon and McKenzie Goodwin, two best friends, deliver laughs and insights through segments like “Gay News,” “Ask a Dyke,” and “Bumble Fumbles,” alongside plenty of queer dating advice. The podcast is a riot, with Rachel and McKenzie’s humor shining through, but their personal relationship stories also offer valuable lessons for your own love life. If you can, catching one of their live shows is a must.
We Can Do Hard Things
On We Can Do Hard Things, Glennon Doyle (author of Untamed), Abby Wambach (the soccer legend), and Amanda Doyle dive into raw, honest conversations about life’s toughest challenges—people-pleasing, setting boundaries, depression, bulimia, and more. While it’s not a dating advice podcast, it’s perfect for anyone looking to strengthen the foundation of all their relationships. Glennon, Abby, and Amanda share their personal experiences openly, offering profound insights that have sparked epiphanies for listeners, including myself, helping me navigate relationships with my husband, mom, and entire family.
Lovers and Friends with Shan Boodram
Shan Boodram, a certified intimacy educator and relationship expert, shares her wealth of knowledge on her podcast Lovers and Friends. Known for her honest, inclusive, and thoughtful approach, Shan explores love, relationships, dating, sex, and self-discovery with a mix of expertise and relatability. She engages guests in deep conversations while openly sharing her own experiences, creating a safe space for listeners to explore and embrace new perspectives in their personal lives.
We Met at Acme
We Met at Acme is a pioneering dating podcast where host Lindsey Metselaar, now married and a parent, continues to deliver invaluable advice on topics like boundary-setting and enhancing communication in relationships. Her engaging discussions with dating experts, therapists, celebrities, and influencers, combined with her own experiences, provide listeners with practical tools to navigate the complexities of modern dating.
