100 episodes

From navigating dating apps to overcoming the friendzone to seeking a soulmate, this ain’t your momma’s love advice! Hosted by the Official Love Expert of The Drew Barrymore Show and LA Times advice columnist, Damona Hoffman, Dates & Mates is jam-packed with interviews from your favorites celebs, authors, and experts.
Dates & Mates is the 2022 Winner of The Best Podcast of the Year at The Black Podcasting Awards, #1 ranked love and relationship podcast by Cosmopolitan Magazine and a Top 10 Pick by HuffPost in the love category.

Dates & Mates with Damona Hoffman Damona Hoffman - Dates and Mates Media

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 270 Ratings

From navigating dating apps to overcoming the friendzone to seeking a soulmate, this ain’t your momma’s love advice! Hosted by the Official Love Expert of The Drew Barrymore Show and LA Times advice columnist, Damona Hoffman, Dates & Mates is jam-packed with interviews from your favorites celebs, authors, and experts.
Dates & Mates is the 2022 Winner of The Best Podcast of the Year at The Black Podcasting Awards, #1 ranked love and relationship podcast by Cosmopolitan Magazine and a Top 10 Pick by HuffPost in the love category.

    The Big 500 & Savage Love

    The Big 500 & Savage Love

    Dan Savage, author and host of The Savage Lovecast, joins Damona in a very special 500th episode to talk about dating trends and predictions for 2024. Then he and Damona take on a spicy Dear Damona & Dan segment with questions like: 

    - My girlfriend wants to switch things up in the bedroom, but I’m feeling shy. Where do we start? 
    - And, I don’t want a relationship, but I don’t want a one-night stand. What are my options?

    Follow Dan on Instagram @DanSavage and check out The Savage Lovecast wherever you listen to Dates & Mates!

    Share the love: Get your copy of F the Fairy Tale on Amazon today and leave a review and Damona could shout you out on an upcoming episode!

    TIMESTAMPS
    The 500th episode (00:00:00) Damona Hoffman reflects on the history of the podcast and celebrates the 500th episode with special guest Dan Savage.
    Dating trends and predictions for 2024 (00:01:07) Dan Savage discusses 2024 dating trends and shares his newest dating term.
    The impact of societal developments on dating (00:02:25) Damona reads a portion of her book, "F the Fairy Tale," discussing the impact of societal developments on dating and relationships.
    The trend of ghosting and flaking (00:08:08) Damona and Dan discuss the increasing trend of ghosting and flaking in dating, and its potential reasons.
    The influence of politics on dating (00:14:45) Damona and Dan analyze the growing influence of politics on dating and relationships, particularly in the context of an election year.
    The growing political divide (00:16:07) Discussion on the increasing influence of politics on dating and relationships, particularly regarding women's rights and equality.
    Polyamory trends and definitions (00:20:32) Exploring the trends and definitions of polyamorous relationships, including statistics and Dan Savage's personal experience.
    Defining monogamy (00:29:39) Dan Savage's perspective on the definition of monogamy and how it can encompass a range of relationship dynamics, including acknowledging attraction to others.
    Challenging traditional monogamous norms (00:32:17) Discussion on the flexibility of monogamous relationships and the importance of maintaining intimacy, security, and openness within a partnership.
    Pegging and Tolley Amory (00:33:53) Dan Savage introduces the term "tolley amory" and discusses the concept of putting up with a partner's infidelity.
    Advice on Dominance in Sex (00:37:47) Dan Savage provides tips on becoming more dominant in sexual relationships and discusses the psychological aspects of dominance.
    Initiating Group Sex with Friends (00:47:29) A listener seeks advice on how to hint at the possibility of group sex with a couple they are friends with.
    The friend zone and hanging out (00:50:08) Discussion about navigating the friend zone and hanging out with someone of interest.
    Starting fresh after a long-term marriage (00:53:15) Advice for someone who wants to start dating after a 15-year marriage and is unsure about casual dating.
    Exploring casual relationships and dating apps (00:54:41) Encouragement for exploring casual relationships, using dating apps, and finding the right platform for dating.
    Getting out of the house and meeting new people (01:00:11) Encouragement to engage in activities outside the house to meet new people and potentially find romantic connections.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Cosmo’s AI Advice & Love Languages Lesson

    Cosmo’s AI Advice & Love Languages Lesson

    Madeleine Reeves, Deputy Editor of Cosmopolitan Magazine, shares key data from their AI & Dating survey, plus tips to navigate the intersection of technology and love. This week’s Dating Dish is: Debunking the Love Languages: A New Look at Romance and Science. And, our Dear Damona question this week is: I’d like to be set up by a friend, but mine say they don’t have matches for me. What should I do?

    Read the article by visiting: https://neurosciencenews.com/love-relationships-psychology-25556/

    Find Madeleine on Instagram @madeleinefrankreeves, Cosmopolitan on Instagram @Cosmopolitan and check out Cosmo & Bumble’s AI & Dating Study for yourself by visiting: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a46574186/ai-dating/

    REVIEWS WANTED: Get your copy of F the Fairy Tale on Amazon today and leave a review and Damona could shout you out on an upcoming episode!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 47 min
    Love on the Spectrum & Dating Bounty

    Love on the Spectrum & Dating Bounty

    Jennifer Cook, the autism and dating expert on Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, tells us what to expect if you’re dating someone on the spectrum or if you have a hunch that you might be on the spectrum yourself. Plus, she gives practical exercises for building the skills of dating, even if you’re neurotypical. The Dating Dish this week is: Wanted, True Love. Reward, $100,000. Then our Dear Damona question this week is: What do I do if my date keeps talking about their spouse who passed on?

    Follow Jennifer on IG @JenniferCook_Author and check out “Love On The Spectrum US” on Netflix!

    Read the full New York Times article at nytimes.com/2024/02/13/business/dating-bounty-roy-zaslavskiy.html
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 51 min
    Couple to Throuple & Dumped Over Dogs

    Couple to Throuple & Dumped Over Dogs

    Scott Evans, host of Access Hollywood & Peacock’s Couple to Throuple, shares what he’s learned after hosting this unique show and gives the hot goss on his own experiences with polyamory. The Dating Dish is: Is a dog a dealbreaker in dating. Then our Dear Damona question this week is: Should I pay for upgrades on my dating profile?

    Follow Scott on Instagram @IAmScottEvans and check out Couple To Throuple on Peacock!

    If you’re looking for help with dating apps, look out for Damona’s Profile Starter Kit at DamonaHoffman.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 43 min
    Tinder Live & Love Don’t Cost a Thing

    Tinder Live & Love Don’t Cost a Thing

    Lane Moore, bestselling author and host of the comedy event, “Tinder Live”, talks about her new book “You’re Not the Only One F*cking Up: Breaking the Endless Cycle of Dating Mistakes.” The Dating Dish is: Can talking about finances unlock successful relationships? The Dear Damona this week is: Does Healthy=Boring in a relationship?

    Show dates for Lane’s Tinder Live tour are listed at LaneMoore.com! And grab a copy of her book by visiting try.everand.com/moore/

    Read the full Dating Dish article, written by Damona herself, by visiting wise.com/us/blog/damona-hoffman-on-love-and-money

    F the Fairy Tale is an Amazon #1 Bestseller! Get your copy at FtheFairyTaleBook.com or from your favorite bookseller today in hardcover, audiobook, or ebook format and then SHARE THE LOVE - leave a review of the book on Amazon so Damona can heal more hearts!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 39 min
    2024 Dating Trends & Ending Ex Talk

    2024 Dating Trends & Ending Ex Talk

    Dr. Helen Fisher, author and Chief Science Advisor to Match Group, shares the latest insights from the annual Singles In America study just in time for Valentine’s Day. This week’s Dear Damona question is: How do I get my match to stop talking about his exes?

    Be sure to check out Helen’s work on her website at HelenFisher.com and take a look at the Match Singles In America study by visiting singlesinamerica.com

    F the Fairy Tale is an Amazon #1 Bestseller! Get your copy at FtheFairyTaleBook.com or from your favorite bookseller today in hardcover, audiobook, or ebook format.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 41 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
270 Ratings

270 Ratings

abitocd ,

Dating Reality Check

Read the book and can’t stop listening to the podcast! Love Damona’s perspective on dating. She tells it like it is and gives actionable tools you can use dating in the world today!

PRGirl47 ,

Relationship Expert

Great advice, fun podcast. Thanks Damona!

caki diehl ,

Thank you

For the hood work Damona - level headed and sound advice in what can be a crazy dating world!

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

This American Life
This American Life
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts
MeSsy with Christina Applegate & Jamie-Lynn Sigler
Wishbone Production
The Viall Files
Nick Viall
Shawn Ryan Show
Shawn Ryan | Cumulus Podcast Network
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

You Might Also Like

Ask a Matchmaker
Maria Avgitidis
Deeper Dating Podcast
Ken Page, LCSW
Dateable: Your insider's look into modern dating
Yue Xu and Julie Krafchick | Dating & Relationship Podcast hosts
Dating Intentionally
Talia Koren
The Love U Podcast with Evan Marc Katz
Evan Marc Katz
Seeing Other People
Ilana Dunn