What are the odds of finding the love of your life in one of the most remote places in America? For our first episode of Desolate Dating, we’re heading to Jordan, Montana, where the dating pool is small, the distances are big, and Kyle and JoAnna Fitch somehow found their way back to each other. Their story started on Tinder, fizzled out, and then got a second chance years later with a well-timed slide into the DMs. We talk about dating when your nearest options may be hours away, making long distance work, deciding who moves when two lives collide, and why finding your person may have less to do with checking boxes and more to do with finding someone you genuinely enjoy doing life with. We also get into ranch life, dinosaurs, a vegan moving to a cattle ranch, pregnancy three hours from the hospital, trash TV, cows with personality, and why sometimes you have to actually step into someone else’s world before deciding whether you belong there. Find Kyle & JoAnna Follow Kyle Fitch Findings on Instagram to see what Kyle and JoAnna are uncovering on the family ranch, including fossils from Montana’s Hell Creek Formation: Kyle Fitch Findings on Instagram Kyle and JoAnna also sell some of their fossil finds through DinoJo / Kyle Fitch Findings LLC on Whatnot. They’re currently taking a break from live shows, but you can follow their page for when they get going again. DinoJo on Whatnot What Are Cattle Earmarks? When JoAnna talks about her first branding experience, the conversation turns to cattle earmarks. For listeners who didn't grow up around livestock, earmarks are permanent identification marks made by cutting specific patterns into an animal’s ears. They can complement a livestock brand and can also be useful for identification and herd management. Want to see what terms like a crop, split, under bit or swallow fork actually look like? How to Read Cattle Earmarks: A Visual Guide Join the Desolate Dating Conversation Desolate Dating is about what it really means to look for love and connection when you live somewhere the dating pool is more of a puddle. We’ll share rural success stories like Kyle and JoAnna’s, but we’ll also talk with singles and specialists, hear from listeners, explore loneliness and isolation, laugh about the absurd parts of dating, and have honest conversations about what happens when finding your person really is a numbers game. Visit TinyURL.com/DesolateDating to submit your story or topic ideas, sign up for the Population: Single newsletter, and find links to our social media pages. © 2026 Ranchy Media LLC. All rights reserved. Desolate Dating is created, owned, and hosted by Haylie Shipp and produced by Ranchy Media LLC. Desolate Dating explores topics including loneliness, relationships, and emotional well-being. While we hope these conversations help listeners feel seen and connected, this podcast is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you are struggling, please consider reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, your healthcare provider, or a licensed mental health professional. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you are in the United States or Canada. If you are outside the United States or Canada, please contact your country's local crisis services or emergency resources. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services. To sign up for the newsletter, give topic suggestions, or submit your own Desolate Dating story, head to www.tinyurl.com/DesolateDating.
