Society & CultureRelationshipsEducationSelf-Improvement

Dating Intentionally

Talia Koren

What if modern dating didn't have to feel exhausting, confusing or like a second job? Dating Intentionally is the podcast for singles who are done with outdated dating rules and are ready to date with clarity, confidence and purpose.

Whether you're back in the dating pool after a breakup, using the apps for the first (or millionth) time, trying to stop attracting the wrong people, or just figuring out how to find your person in all the chaos, you're in the right place. Dating Intentionally is your how-to guide for making decisions that align with your values while finding joy in the process.

Hosted by Talia Koren, Dating Intentionally dives into practical advice to help you attract better matches, build real connections and move toward the relationship you want - no matter what season of life you're in. Talia shares realistic, grounded advice from her experience going on 150 dates with over 60 people in under a year before meeting her husband, plus helpful conversations with guest experts, therapists and authors to guide you in your early dating journey.

Tune in for new episodes on Tuesdays and Fridays!

If you've ever asked yourself any of these questions, Dating Intentionally is for you:

Why do I keep attracting the wrong people?

How can I slow down in early dating?

How do I stop going for emotionally unavailable partners?

How many dates should we have before we define the relationship?

How do I tell the difference between green flags, red flags and dealbreakers?

How do I get back out there after a breakup?

Where can I meet people who want a serious relationship?

What are the signs they're interested in me?

How do I know if we're compatible?

How do I stop wasting time on dead-end dates?

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32 episodes
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Avg 34 min
English

Episodes 32

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July 10 · 50 min
279. Dating Habits That Actually Lead to Relationships w/ Moe Ari Brown
In this episode, I sit down with Hinge's Love & Connection Expert, licensed marriage and family therapist Moe Ari Brown, to unpack what Hinge's latest LGBTQIA+ D.A.T.E. Report reveals about modern dating. We dive into why so many first dates feel like they're going nowhere, the surprising "question deficit" that's making it harder to build connection, and why clarity is becoming one of the most attractive qualities in dating today. You'll learn... Why so many people aren't asking enough questions on dates and how it's impacting attraction. The best first date habits that actually lead to stronger connections. What Hinge's latest dating research reveals about how dating is changing in 2026. Why uncertainty is making people more intentional about what they want in a partner. The difference between saying you're emotionally available and actually showing it. How to communicate your intentions without killing the vibe. Why consistency matters more than grand romantic gestures. The case for embracing a slow burn How to build attraction through curiosity, clarity, and genuine connection. A listener dating dilemma: What do you do when you have a crush on your non-binary friend and can't tell if the feelings are mutual? Whether you've been frustrated by awkward first dates, mixed signals, or conversations that never seem to go anywhere, this episode will give you practical insights—and a fresh perspective on what actually helps relationships get off the ground. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE toy or gift card! bbvibes.com/DatingIntentionally FREE STUFF Dating Guides: 90 questions, FAQ, text templates & more CONNECT WITH ME Submit a dating dilemma Slide into my DMs on IG Watch the pod on YouTube See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
July 7 · 33 min
278. Summer Dating Tips: Keep Your Momentum When Everyone's Traveling
Summer dating is the best, IMO. Vacation flings, coordinating dates when everyone's going away, dating app struggles and more - we get into it all in this guide to dating in the summer. At the end, I tackle a dating dilemma about a promising Hinge connection that fizzled out after both people traveled, and how to tell the difference between someone losing interest and your own anxiety talking. You'll learn... The conversation you need to have before you/they travel The biggest dating app mistake to avoid in the summer My tips for getting to the date quickly even when people's schedules are crazy Advice for deciding to take a break (or not) this summer How to navigate a vacation romance without the heartbreak and drama MENTIONED IN THIS EP Ep 277 with Camille Virginia about meeting people IRL Ep 249 with Eric Resnick about revamping your dating app profile Ep 186 on how (and when) to take a dating break The waitlist for Date Tracker, my new dating journaling app coming soon! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE toy or gift card! bbvibes.com/DatingIntentionally FREE STUFF Dating Guides: 90 questions, FAQ, text templates & more CONNECT WITH ME Submit a dating dilemma Slide into my DMs on IG Watch the pod on YouTube See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
July 6 · 15 min
Love Island Lessons: Bad Friend Advice, Exclusivity Tips & Broken Trust (week 5)
Movie Night brought the drama and lots of lessons to learn about dating. I’m watching Love Island USA Season 8 to draw real-life dating lessons from it. This week (Episodes 23–29), I’m breaking down why feeling stressed more often than at peace is a major red flag, why even well-meaning friends can give terrible dating advice, and why you should check in with a friend before pursuing someone they're interested in. I also get into a better way to have the exclusivity conversation, what it actually takes to rebuild trust after betrayal, and why "fixing" a relationship is never one person's job. Plus, I share my thoughts on the aftermath of Movie Night and what all the chaos can teach us about healthy relationships. MENTIONED IN THIS EP Tips for becoming exclusive in dating How to define the relationship CONNECT WITH ME: ⁠Slide into my DMs on IG @dating.intentionally MORE FREE ADVICE & CONTENT ⁠Get more dating advice from me on YouTube⁠ SUPPORT THE POD ⁠Rate on Apple See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
July 3 · 49 min
277. Get Asked Out & Become More Approachable w/ Camille Virginia
Approachability is a skill you can learn. I'm chatting with Camille Virginia, author of The Offline Dating Method and founder of Master Offline Dating, who went from a socially anxious introvert to one of the leading voices on meeting people in real life. I LOVE her book and this convo was so helpful. We get into: Where "high quality" like-minded single people are (and why you keep missing them) The limiting beliefs holding you back more than a lack of single people How to create a meaningful connection before you ever ask someone out Reading the signals that someone is open to being approached Sending signals that you're open to being approached At the end, we tackle a dating dilemma about how to safely and gracefully exit a date that's gone wrong. CONNECT WITH CAMILLE Camille's Instagram Camille's website THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS Enter to win Bellesa products! bbvibes.com/DatingIntentionally CONNECT WITH ME: ⁠Slide into my DMs on IG @dating.intentionally MORE FREE ADVICE & CONTENT Download my free dating guides (texting, reflections, FAQ) ⁠Get more dating advice from me on YouTube⁠ SUPPORT THE POD ⁠Rate on Apple See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 30 · 27 min
276. Are You Compatible? How To Tell Before You Get Too Attached
In this episode, I'm getting into how to gain more certainty in dating by figuring out if you're actually compatible with someone before you're in too deep emotionally. I'm breaking down the three tiers of compatibility (the big stuff, the important stuff, and the emotional stuff), the five things to look for in the first month of getting to know someone, and three ways to actually start building compatibility early on instead of waiting around to "discover" it. I also do a quick gut check for anyone seeing someone right now, plus why chemistry alone can never carry a relationship long-term and how Johnny and I built our own little love languages over time. At the end, I tackle a dating dilemma from a woman whose date ghosted her after they slept together on date two. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Download 90+ dating questions THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS Quince: Get 10% off and 365-day returns at quince.com/talia CONNECT WITH ME: ⁠Slide into my DMs on IG @dating.intentionally MORE FREE ADVICE & CONTENT ⁠Get more dating advice from me on YouTube⁠ SUPPORT THE POD ⁠Rate on Apple See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 27 · 17 min
Love Island Lessons: Casa Amor, Toxic Attachment & False Hope (week 4)
Casa Amor has officially arrived, and it exposed exactly why so many dating connections fall apart. I’m watching Love Island USA Season 8 to pull real-life dating lessons from the villa. This week (Week 4, Episodes 16–21), I’m breaking down why scorekeeping is a losing strategy, what having high standards actually looks like, and why asking about someone else's dating life too early can backfire. I also get into the red flag behind "I was just joking," why toxic attachments can feel stronger than healthy connections, and how hope can keep us stuck in relationships that aren't actually right for us. There's a lot to unpack after Casa Amor. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Quince: Get 10% off and 365-day returns at quince.com/talia CONNECT WITH ME: ⁠Slide into my DMs on IG @dating.intentionally MORE FREE ADVICE & CONTENT ⁠Get more dating advice from me on YouTube⁠ SUPPORT THE POD ⁠Rate on Apple See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 26 · 52 min
275. Male POV: "If he's not making plans, it doesn't mean anything." w/ Jacob Lucas
I'm chatting with Jacob Lucas, a dating coach who went from the boxing world to building a huge online following, helping people date with intention. We're discussing everything from his "love at first sight" story with his wife (and why he didn't act on those intense early feelings) to the difference between your gut instinct and your anxiety, to why some people text constantly but never actually make plans. Jacob also breaks down how to invite physical touch rather than force it, and why the right person never gets scared off by your boundaries. At the end, we tackle four listener dating dilemmas about long-distance dating with a busy partner, shooting your shot a second time, handling a too-touchy first date, and what to do when the conversation never goes below the surface. CONNECT WITH JACOB Instagram & TikTok: @jacoblucas101 YouTube: Jacob Lucas Dating Coach THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Quince: Get 10% off and 365-day returns at quince.com/talia CONNECT WITH ME: ⁠Slide into my DMs on IG @dating.intentionally MORE FREE ADVICE & CONTENT ⁠Get more dating advice from me on YouTube⁠ SUPPORT THE POD ⁠Rate on Apple See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 23 · 30 min
274. 10 Green Flags You Can Spot On The First 3 Dates
How much can you really know about someone after three dates? Not enough to know if they're your forever person, but definitely enough to spot signs that they're worth continuing to get to know. In this episode, I'm breaking down 10 green flags to look for on the first few dates that tell you to keep going! We'll talk about the difference between real green flags and behaviors that only look promising, why consistency matters more than chemistry, and how to tell whether someone's actions actually match their words. You'll learn: The #1 green flag that creates connection quickly Why initiative and follow-through are different (and why you need both) How to tell if someone is rushing the connection The role consistency plays in building trust What someone's relationship history can reveal about them Why feeling calm around someone is often a better sign than feeling a spark Green flags submitted by listeners from their own dating experiences Behaviors that seem like green flags—but aren't Plus, I answer a Dating Dilemma from a listener whose partner struggles with emotional conversations and discuss how couples can navigate different comfort levels around difficult feelings. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Quince: Get 10% off and 365-day returns at quince.com/talia CONNECT WITH ME: ⁠Slide into my DMs on IG @dating.intentionally MORE FREE ADVICE & CONTENT ⁠Get more dating advice from me on YouTube⁠ SUPPORT THE POD ⁠Rate on Apple See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 21 · 17 min
Love Island Lessons: Rushing Sex & Why It Won’t Work Out (Week 3)
Things are not looking good for the islander's connections, and we can learn a lot about dating just from spotting the early signs things won't work out. I’m watching Love Island USA Season 8 to pull real-life dating lessons from the villa. This week (Week 3, Episodes 10–15), I’m breaking down what happens when you rush physical intimacy too soon, why emotional repair breaks down in early relationships, and how defensiveness can quietly destroy a connection before it ever has a chance. I also get into the importance of multi-dating in early stages, why slow-burn connections built on friendship can actually be stronger than instant chemistry, and how extreme highs and lows are often a huge red flag. So much to unpack here. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Quince: Get 10% off and 365-day returns at quince.com/talia CONNECT WITH ME: ⁠Slide into my DMs on IG @dating.intentionally MORE FREE ADVICE & CONTENT ⁠Get more dating advice from me on YouTube⁠ SUPPORT THE POD ⁠Rate on Apple See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 19 · 50 min
273. Limerence vs Love: Why Uncertainty Makes You Want Them More w/ Amanda McCracken
I'm chatting with Amanda McCracken, author of When Longing Becomes Your Lover, about the psychology term taking over dating culture: limerence. We're discussing everything from the difference between a crush and full-blown limerence to how ADHD can fuel the dopamine chase, why distance and uncertainty make feelings burn brighter, and how Amanda finally took her real-life crushes off the pedestal. Amanda also shares how she identified as a late-in-life virgin into her forties, and how she eventually built the secure, "boring," trusting relationship she once avoided. At the end, we tackle a dating dilemma about a casual hookup that turned into real feelings, right before he moved several states away. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Book: When Longing Becomes Your Lover: Breaking from Infatuation, Rejection, and Perfectionism to Find Authentic Love Amanda's work: www.amandajmccracken.com Instagram: @AmandaJMcCracken Podcast: The Longing Lab THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS Quince: Get 10% off and 365-day returns at quince.com/talia CONNECT WITH ME: ⁠Slide into my DMs on IG @dating.intentionally MORE FREE ADVICE & CONTENT Download my free dating guides (texting, reflections, FAQ) ⁠Get more dating advice from me on YouTube⁠ SUPPORT THE POD ⁠Rate on Apple See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 16 · 26 min
272. “Am I Overreacting or Are They Just Not Interested?” (Dating Dilemmas)
We have five new dating dilemmas! I'm answering listener questions about uneven effort, intense early connections, addiction recovery, confusing endings, and relationships that move way too fast. I get into... What it means when you're always the one initiating dates How to tell the difference between interest and investment Why we ignore red flags when we're excited about someone The mistake people make after noticing a shift in someone's behavior Whether it's too risky to date someone in addiction recovery If sending a "close the loop" text is actually worth it What to do when a new relationship is moving at lightning speed Why trying to decode someone's feelings often keeps you stuck If you've ever found yourself wondering, "am I overreacting?" or spending more time analyzing someone's behavior than evaluating whether the relationship is working for you, this episode is for you. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Free dating FAQ guide: datingintentionally.com/gift Close the loop text templates on IG THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS Quince: Get 10% off and 365-day returns at quince.com/talia CONNECT WITH ME: ⁠Slide into my DMs on IG @dating.intentionally MORE FREE ADVICE & CONTENT Download my free dating guides (texting, reflections, FAQ) ⁠Get more dating advice from me on YouTube⁠ SUPPORT THE POD ⁠Rate on Apple See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 14 · 12 min
Love Island Lessons: Falling For Potential & Empty Promises (Week 2)
What can we learn about dating from Love Island? Turns out - a lot. I'm watching Love Island USA Season 8 to pull real-life dating takeaways from the villa. This week (episodes 5-9), I'm getting into early dating expectations, knowing your needs, and how important it is to let someone show you who they are. Actions speak louder than words every time. I also talk about how people pleasing can be harmful and why it's GOOD that secure relationships feel boring. So much to unpack here. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Quince: Get 10% off and 365-day returns at quince.com/talia CONNECT WITH ME: ⁠Slide into my DMs on IG @dating.intentionally MORE FREE ADVICE & CONTENT ⁠Get more dating advice from me on YouTube⁠ SUPPORT THE POD ⁠Rate on Apple See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Showing 21–32 of 32 episodes