The Real Thing

Modern Romance: Social Media, Heartbreak & Faith at the Center

Some love stories start at the driving range or even in the aisles of Home Depot. In this episode, Natalie-Tasha and Libby sit down with Katelyn and Nicoletta to talk about chance connections, mismatched timelines, and what happens when things just don’t click. They share why therapy after only a few months can feel like a hot take, how expensive and exhausting dating has become, and why respect and faith matter more than perfect timing. The group also opens up about posting relationships online, keeping private moments sacred, and learning what makes love worth pursuing in today’s world. Join the conversation! If you're in the DFW area, fill out our form: https://realthingpodcast.com/ [https://realthingpodcast.com/] Panel: Natalie-Tasha Thompson | https://www.instagram.com/natalietasha [https://www.instagram.com/natalietasha]  Libby England | https://www.instagram.com/libbyengland [https://www.instagram.com/libbyengland] Katelyn Ansari |https://www.instagram.com/katelynnansari [https://www.instagram.com/katelynnansari] Nicoletta Bradley| https://www.instagram.com/nicolettabradley [https://www.instagram.com/nicolettabradley] Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast  🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more honest conversations about love, dating, and everything in between. TimeStamps: 00:00—The Viral Moment: Dating in the Spotlight 02:46—Navigating Relationships: The Impact of Social Media 05:32—The Reality of Breakups: Handling Public Relationships 08:27—The Pressure of Social Media: Authenticity vs. Performance 11:28—Dating Dynamics: The Shift in Relationship Expectations 14:21—Finding Balance: Singleness and the Pursuit of Marriage 17:30—The Role of Community: Seeking Wisdom in Relationships 20:34—Therapy in Dating: Proactive Approaches to Relationships 23:31—The Journey of Self-Discovery: Understanding Relationship Needs 26:17—The Importance of Heart Posture in Relationships 29:22—The Future of Dating: Navigating New Norms and Expectations 38:44—Understanding Trajectory Over Potential 41:29—The Role of Social Media in Relationships 50:01—Navigating Social Media's Impact on Dating 01:02:25—The Debate: If He Wanted To, He Would 01:19:43—Faith and Relationships: The Core of Marriage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

TRTea: Bestie Banter, Plus-One Problems & AI Cheating

In this bestie-only Real Thing episode, Natalie-Tasha and Libby let their personalities shine. From funny “girl crush” moments and inside jokes, to choreographed sister dances and dreams of being neighbors, the laughter is nonstop. They also open up about wedding planning, plus-one rules, and why guest lists can be trickier than they seem. To top it off, the two react to some of Reddit’s wildest relationship stories — including an AI cheating scandal — and share their unfiltered takes on trust, boundaries, and what it really means to stay connected in love and friendship. Join the conversation! If you're in the DFW area, fill out our form: https://realthingpodcast.com/ [https://realthingpodcast.com/] Panel: Natalie-Tasha Thompson | https://www.instagram.com/natalietasha [https://www.instagram.com/natalietasha] Libby | https://www.instagram.com/libbyengelland [https://www.instagram.com/libbyengelland] Reddit Stories: All Stories are Shortened for Time.  AI Chat: https://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice/comments/17tm450/fianc%C3%A9_28m_found_my_26f_explicit_ai_chats_and/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice/comments/17tm450/fianc%C3%A9_28m_found_my_26f_explicit_ai_chats_and/] Notes:                                                                                       https://www.reddit.com/r/AskWomenOver30/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/AskWomenOver30/] Cooking: https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheAngel/comments/1m1i22s/aitah_for_not_wanting_to_cook_for_my_gf_anymore/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheAngel/comments/1m1i22s/aitah_for_not_wanting_to_cook_for_my_gf_anymore/] Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more honest conversations about love, dating, and everything in between. TimeStamps ⏰:  00:00—Introduction and Personal Connections 02:47—Musical Interests and Dance 05:41—Wedding Planning and Relationships 08:47—Game Night and Social Dynamics 11:48—Meeting Partners and Relationship Expectations 14:49—Wedding Guest List and Plus Ones 17:31—AITBG  Stories and Relationship Advice 23:39—Emotional Cheating and AI Conversations 29:33—Food Preferences and Relationship Dynamics 35:40—Conclusion and Future Plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ladies, This One’s for You (Guys, Pay Attention Too)

Is Hinge helping people find love—or just giving us pen pals and validation? In this episode of The Real Thing Podcast, Natalie-Tasha and Libby sit down with Christy, Griffin, and Alanna to swap honest stories about the messy middle ground between companionship and commitment. They open up about love bombing, why pet names on Hinge can feel like an instant ick, and how some goodbyes aren’t ghosting but the dreaded “you’ll make someone happy—it’s just not me.” From the pressure of first dates and “playing the dude” to recognizing red flags we often ignore, the panel dives into the drama, the humor we cling to, and the heartbreak that follows. The conversation also explores friendship-first relationships, why consistency often beats grand gestures, and how hard it can be to separate caring for someone from actually being in love with them. And as Hinge shifts from dating apps to social experiments, they ask the bigger question: are we searching for real connection or just a distraction? Join the conversation! If you're in the DFW area, fill out our form: https://realthingpodcast.com/ [https://realthingpodcast.com/] Panel: Natalie-Tasha Thompson | https://www.instagram.com/natalietasha [https://www.instagram.com/natalietasha] Libby | https://www.instagram.com/libbyengelland Kristy | https://www.instagram.com/kristyyyy_4_ Griffin | https://www.instagram.com/griffinkibens Alana | https://www.instagram.com/alagwepi Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more honest conversations about love, dating, and everything in between. TimeStamps ⏰:  00:00—Introduction to Real Love and Relationships 01:50—Meet the Panel: Diverse Perspectives on Dating 06:30—Navigating the Single Life: Empowerment and Challenges 11:11—The Complexity of Modern Dating: Sparks and Connections 17:36—Understanding Relationship Dynamics: The Role of Energy 22:53—The Importance of Communication in Dating 29:30—Friendship vs. Romance: The Plight of Platonic Dating 35:42—Navigating Complex Relationships 38:48—The Transition to Living Together 43:56—Communication Breakdowns and Misunderstandings 50:58—The Impact of Jealousy and Insecurity 54:54—The Evolution of Dating Apps 01:01:25—Unlearning Past Relationship Patterns 01:07:53—Blind Dates: Expectations vs. Reality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Would You Stay After Cheating? Gender Roles, and If Dating Was Just Conversation | EP30

In this episode, Natalie-Tasha and Libby sit down with Torianna, Brandon, and Kaitlyn to explore what it’s really like to date in today’s world, from the struggles of single life to the challenges of building something that actually lasts. The conversation dives into why dating checklists rarely work, what happens when we try to “build a bae,” and how vulnerability changes everything. They share raw perspectives on identity, healing, and the quiet ways social media can make us second-guess our relationships. And when it comes to love, they ask the bigger question: are we searching for a partner, or still figuring out who we are inside? Join the conversation! If you're in the DFW area, fill out our form: https://realthingpodcast.com/ [https://realthingpodcast.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Biggest Icks, Dating Stages, and Do People Think Marriage is Overrated? | EP29

Is “talking” a real stage in dating, or just a way to avoid commitment? In this episode, Natalie-Tasha and Libby sit down with John-Carter, Garrett, and Kasey to unpack the biggest icks in dating, what makes romance deeper than intimacy, and how our parents’ marriages shape the way we see commitment today. They open up about trying to fit lives together that don’t work, losing yourself in relationships, and the pressure to have everything perfectly figured out before love. From friendship-first dating and unrealistic “perfect partner” checklists to whether marriage actually solves problems—or just exposes them—this is real talk on self-work, timing, and choosing a connection that lasts. Be on the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://realthingpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://realthingpodcast.com/] Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast @marriage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]