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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 Dating Intentionally is the podcast for singles who are done with outdated dating rules and are ready to date with clarity, confidence and purpose.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!


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?

Play
  • 47 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 37 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • 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 41–47 of 47 episodes