8 episodes

Welcome to Love is Not a List, with award-winning matchmaker Gillian McCallum. Join her on a journey, meeting the best in their field, to take an alternative look at all things life: relationships, dating, parenthood, love and fertility. With the lofty aspiration of changing your life, for the better.

Love is Not a List with Gillian McCallum Gillian McCallum

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 3 Ratings

Welcome to Love is Not a List, with award-winning matchmaker Gillian McCallum. Join her on a journey, meeting the best in their field, to take an alternative look at all things life: relationships, dating, parenthood, love and fertility. With the lofty aspiration of changing your life, for the better.

    James Preece: Mens Dating Advice From an Award Winning Date Coach

    James Preece: Mens Dating Advice From an Award Winning Date Coach

    In this week's podcast, matchmaker Gillian McCallum interviews ⁠renowned British dating coach and expert James Preece, about dating, love and relationships. 



    James is well-known for his advice and coaching, working with single people to find a long term, compatible partner, in order to build long term, successful and happy romantic relationships.  James helps both men and women find meaningful long term connections in a dating world that can be a maze of confusion and uncertainty. 



    We focus today on supporting men in dating. What should men be doing to find the love of their life, in a dating landscape that has changed significantly over the past 10 years? 



    James discusses the different types of male clients he coaches, ranging from younger men struggling to connect with women due to online dating challenges, to older men seeking a fresh start in the dating world after major life changes. 



    He stresses the need to break gender stereotypes and assumptions about what men and women want in a partner, and focus on what it is that the individual is searching for. 



    The discussion covers dating tips and tricks for dating success, including the sometimes controversial advice - of men paying on the first date. Find out why James and Gillian both agree on this when you listen!



    Other advice includes being an active listener, by asking questions and focusing on the answers rather than trying to impress, show genuine interest in your date and avoid dating cliches and one liners. 



    When communicating after a date,  reach out to express interest within a reasonable time frame, without playing games or waiting too long. The three day rule of waiting is most definitely over gents!  



    He encourages men to be authentic and make their intentions clear without putting pressure on the person they have just been on a date with. 



    Throughout the podcast, James emphasises the importance of treating people with respect, making them feel special, and leaving them in a better condition than when you found them. By doing so, one can build meaningful connections and create lasting memories in the dating world. Like everything else in the world, kindness goes a long way in dating. 



    If you would like to listen to solid dating and relationship tips from the UK’s top matchmaker, and the UK’s top dating coach, make sure you tune in to this  week’s episode!

    Reach out to James and mention this podcast!



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    • 43 min
    Margi Bowden : Are you Dating a Narcissist?

    Margi Bowden : Are you Dating a Narcissist?

    Narcissism expert Margi Bowden joins me this week to expose the hidden narcissist. This revealing interview will help you to: identify the classic traits that will help you identify if your friend, lover, partner or ex, is a narcissist. Discover what you need to do in order to break free, and rebuild your life on the path to full recovery.
    In this, the sixth episode of the Love is Not a List Podcast with Gillian McCallum, she meets Margi Bowden, the well known narcissism expert, who runs the @narcissism_nab Instagram account, which gained over 50,000 followers in its first month alone.
    Together, Gillian and Margi discuss how to identify a narcissist, what drives a narcissist, how the narcissist selects and controls their victim, and ultimately, how to leave your narcissist in the dust and not only survive, but thrive.
    Narcissists have no empathy, no care for others, they survive purely on working to protect those around them from spotting and identifying just how hollow they are. They use personas, so that people believe they are the nice guy or nice girl, all the while creating victims of the person they target with their venom. Hell bent on damaging them and their reputation, or worse.
    Control is at the heart of the narcissist when they pick a victim. And who do they pick? They pick the kind person, the empath, the person most open to others and their journey through life. The narcissist seems at first to be similar, presenting themselves as having huge amounts in common with their victim. The “lovebombing” has begun.
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    • 57 min
    Lucy Beresford : Infidelity or Ethical Non-Monogamy? Why Cheating Isn’t the Only Way

    Lucy Beresford : Infidelity or Ethical Non-Monogamy? Why Cheating Isn’t the Only Way

    In this, the fifth episode of the Love is Not a List Podcast with Gillian McCallum, she meets Lucy Beresford, the well known journalist, agony aunt, radio talk show host and hugely successful TedTalk, entitled:  Infidelity… To Stay or Go? 

    Together, Gillian and Lucy explore what it means to cheat, whether or not couples can rebuild from a position of distrust, and perhaps, whether or not Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM) could be the answer for couples who still love one another, but would like to explore another option outside of their relationship or marriage. 
    Communication is at the heart of their discussion together, with the benefits of sitting down with your partner and sharing your heartfelt desires, needs, wants, hopes and aspirations in order to build a longer lasting, successful and happy relationship.

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    • 55 min
    Dr Marie Wren: When Should I have a Baby? with an Internationally Renowned Fertility Expert

    Dr Marie Wren: When Should I have a Baby? with an Internationally Renowned Fertility Expert

    Gillian McCallum sits down with the world-renowned fertility expert, Dr. Marie Wren, who has helped thousands of men and women achieve their dreams of parenthood. 🌈 With over three decades of expertise, Dr. Wren has brought joy to countless families and supported them on their fertility journeys.

    👶 The Science Behind Parenthood: Dive into the complexities of fertility and the wonders of conception. 📚 Learn about the challenges and opportunities presented by egg freezing and sperm viability. Discover how age affects fertility and the role of genetics in the process.

    🕊️ A Moral Dilemma: Explore the ethical questions surrounding parenthood at an older age. Understand the delicate balance between personal desires and the well-being of the child. 🧐


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    • 44 min
    Joe Twyman: The UK's Top Pollster Reveals Britain's Secret Sexual Fantasies

    Joe Twyman: The UK's Top Pollster Reveals Britain's Secret Sexual Fantasies

    In this week's episode, Gillian McCallum delves into the intriguing world of political pollsters and sex studies. Legendary Joe Twyman, co-founder of ⁠Deltapoll is the UK’s most trusted pollster, who you will recognise from your screens providing commentary on the political stats of the day, a man who is a master in the art of surveying the nation's opinions.

    The opinion polling doesn’t end there. Joe is responsible for the most extensive survey on sex and relationships in the UK, with the largest ever study on British sexual fantasies.  

    Listen on to find out more about the sexual fantasies that make the UK public tick. Exploring the secret desires and hidden thoughts that turn on the UK. From conventional to unusual, the revelations are eye-opening. So whether you think your sexual fantasies are run of the mill, or on the risque side, you can find out just how common your fantasy is. 


    And it does appear to be gendered. Let’s not forget the heart of our discussion - how dating and relationships look right now in the UK. Are the changes in society impacting what is considered to be the traditional family structure? And is that for the better, or for the worse? Wth marriage rates going down, and babies born much later, what does that mean for society, dating and love today? 


    Joe shares valuable insight based on his and his teams thorough data analysis. 


    We learn that when it comes to dating, relationships and love, it is not about having a checklist of physical attributes; it's about being proactive, showing kindness, maximising your attractiveness (in a natural way), and expanding your social circles.


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    • 1 hr 4 min
    Dr. Kate Devlin: Global Artificial Intelligence Expert – Is Sex With AI Robots Inevitable?

    Dr. Kate Devlin: Global Artificial Intelligence Expert – Is Sex With AI Robots Inevitable?

    Dr. Kate Devlin: Global Artificial Intelligence Expert - Is Sex With AI Robots Inevitable? 



    In this, the second episode of the Love is not a List Podcast, award-winning matchmaker Gillian McCallum, meets the top computer scientist Dr. Kate Devlin, Reader in Artificial Intelligence & Society in the Department of Digital Humanities at King's College London. 



    Dr. Devlin’s research is in the fields of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), investigating how people interact with and react to technology in order to understand how emerging and future technologies will affect us and the society in which we live. 



    She is also author of the bestselling book - Turned On, looking at the intersection between sex and technology. She is at the vanguard of AI - the harnessing of which results in changing the way we interact not only with one another, but with the technology itself.  



    In this exciting episode, Dr. Devlin discusses the way in which technology can be utilised to enhance both sex and intimacy, in order to enrich our lives. So is artificial intelligence something to be worried about? Is it really going to “steal our jobs” or worse, be a replacement for us in the bedroom too? 



    Dr. Devlin's groundbreaking work has led to her authoring the exceptional book, "Turned On: Science, Sex, and Robots," which provides insight into the world of sex tech. 



    We explore the conversation around whether the hyper-femininity of current sex robots raises the question of whether women would prefer a more diverse and inclusive representation. Or indeed, whether that is something men would prefer too. And what of the female choice in sex robot? Would we wish to have a sexual relationship with something or someone that takes a different form?  



    And what does it mean if you can pick your perfect romantic partner, even if they aren’t human? Would people prefer to date their idea of perfect? Or is it better to put up with human foibles, in order to date someone real? Has society evolved to the point where the demands of dating mean people are no longer willing to compromise on real, human people and romantic relationships?



    The interview also explores the ethical concerns surrounding AI and human-robot relationships. While technology has the potential for positive advances, it also raises questions about privacy, exploitation, and biassed decision-making.



    Regarding the future of AI, Dr. Devlin points out that we are far from creating sentient machines. However, she highlights the potential benefits of AI in fields such as medicine, agriculture, disaster rescue, and education.



    In the realm of sex tech, Dr. Devlin discusses innovative ideas from hackathons she organised, showcasing inclusive and sensual designs. She emphasises the importance of touch and sensory experiences in arousal and emotional intimacy.



    The interview concludes with a discussion about posthumous digital twins and the potential role AI can play in grief and mourning.



    To stay updated with Dr. Kate Devlin's work and insights, her book, "Turned On: Science, Sex, and Robots," is recommended for readers interested in exploring the intersection of AI and human relationships.



    Get the book 'Turned On' 



    Click to learn more about Dr. Kate Devlin





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    Interested in Matchmaking ?Drawing Down The Moon Matchmaking

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    • 41 min

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