Dates & Mates with Damona Hoffman

Dating today isn’t always smooth sailing. There’s ghosting, bad first dates, texting traps... and if you’re feeling stuck in the same old dating loops, you’re not alone. In this Dates & Mates Master Class, Damona Hoffman breaks down the eight most common dating mistakes she sees after 15+ years of coaching singles, and shares actionable fixes to help you date smarter, not harder. Whether you’re tired of swiping, struggling to make real connections, or caught in negative self-talk, this episode gives you the clarity and tools to reset your dating approach. What you’ll learn: * How to stop ghosting, and stop getting ghosted * The danger of “obliga-swiping” and how to date with intention * Why texting too much before a date kills chemistry * The power of refreshing your dating profile regularly * How to overcome negative self-talk and fear of starting over * Why having a dating plan beats waiting for a fairy tale If you have questions about your love life, Damona wants to hear from you. DM her on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook @damonahoffman or leave a voicemail at 424-246-6255 for a chance to have your question answered in an upcoming Dear Damona segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Damona Hoffman breaks down one of the most important moments in dating—the first date—and how to make it count. Whether you’re getting back out there or swiping with new optimism, this episode shares how to set yourself up for success so that first date leads to a second. Damona covers everything from whether to Google your date to how long a first date should really last, what to wear, where to go, and how to follow up. She even shares seven fun, low-pressure first date ideas that help build real connection. What you’ll learn: * How long a first date should actually last * Why dinner dates don’t set you up for success * The value of a pre-date phone call (and when to do video) * What to wear to make the best first impression * How to choose a first date location that creates connection * Seven easy, fun, and affordable first date ideas If you have a relationship or communicationquestion you’d like answered on a future episode, send Damona a DM on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok @damonahoffman or leave a voicemail at 424-246-6255. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

REWIND: Dear Damona – Besties’ Bro & Never Been Kissed In this standout Dates & Mates Rewind episode, Damona tackles your real dating dilemmas with her signature no-nonsense advice. From navigating awkward crushes to handling tricky conversations about intimacy, this episode is packed with guidance to help you date with clarity and confidence. If you’ve ever wondered what to do when your boyfriend avoids sex, how to approach dating when you’ve never been kissed, or whether it’s okay to filter for men with degrees, this episode has you covered. You’ll also hear Damona’s take on modern challenges like dating someone with an OnlyFans account, dealing with phones on dates, and whether fudging your age on apps is ever worth it. What you’ll learn: * How to stop hiding behind dating app filters and set meaningful standards * What to say when intimacy is missing in your relationship * When it’s time to stay or go in a relationship that feels stuck * The truth about age on dating apps — and whether honesty is really the best policy * How to navigate dating when you feel inexperienced * Setting boundaries when your partner has an OnlyFans or a highly public life If you have your own dating question, Damona wants to hear from you. Send a voice memo on Instagram @damonahoffman [https://www.instagram.com/damonahoffman/] or leave a voicemail at 424-246-6255 for a chance to have your question answered in an upcoming Dear Damona segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

This week on Dates & Mates, Damona Hoffman rewinds to her 400th episode featuring a guest who helped inspire the show from the start: the legendary Dr. Drew Pinsky. Dr. Drew has spent decades giving love, sex, and mental health advice on Loveline, Celebrity Rehab, and now on his podcast Ask Dr. Drew, which he co-hosts with his wife of over 30 years. In this vulnerable and heartfelt episode, Dr. Drew shares his personal journey through a seven-year on-and-off courtship, what finally made him ready for commitment, and how he and his wife maintain a strong marriage after decades together. Plus, he joins Damona to answer your dating questions in a special extended Dear Damona segment. What you’ll learn: * Why emotional readiness matters more than "the one" * How to navigate on-again/off-again dynamics with clarity * When to disclose a medical condition or disability to a new partner * Why gratitude and daily check-ins are key to long-term love * What makes someone feel "unapproachable" in dating and how to shift it * How to know when you're ready to date after trauma or burnout This episode is part of our Rewind Series, where we revisit some of the most timeless and transformative conversations from the Dates & Mates archive. Subscribe now to catch every Rewind drop and our Spring bonus episodes the moment they go live. Listen to more of Dr. Drew on the Ask Dr. Drew [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-drew-podcast/id592284993]podcast and follow him @drdrewpinsky [https://www.instagram.com/drdrewpinsky/]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

This week on Dates & Mates, Damona Hoffman rewinds to one of her favorite conversations with love coach and viral content creator Shaun Galanos. Shaun is the host of The Love Drive podcast and has become a rising voice in game-free, radically honest dating advice—and this episode shows you exactly why. In this raw and radically honest episode, Shaun and Damona go head-to-head on the dating games that hold us back, how to ask for what you want in bed, and what to do when someone won’t give you a straight answer. From emotional stonewalling to the pressure of dating app perfectionism, they unpack it all. What you’ll learn: * Why radical honesty is the only dating strategy worth mastering * How to bring up uncomfortable topics without pushing people away * What stonewalling actually says—and how to respond to it * How to explore kink, sexual compatibility, and deeper intimacy with confidence * Why optimizing for the “perfect” person might leave you lonely * How to hold your power as a strong woman without dimming your light This episode is part of our Rewind Series, where we revisit some of the most powerful and timeless conversations from the Dates & Mates vault. Subscribe to get every rewind episode and our Spring special bonus episodes the minute they are available. Listen to Sean on The Love Drive [https://www.shaungalanos.com/podcast/]podcast and follow him @thelovedrive [https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/]on Instagram and TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]