Fan Mail, First Dates & What Do I Do Now

Harley is back on the podcast, and we’re celebrating by sharing our top 20 places to take a date out to eat in Utah County for under $20. We talk about affordable favorites, the meals that keep us coming back, and the spots that make a date feel special without stretching your budget. From quick bites to relaxed sit-down dinners, we’ll share what makes each place worth a visit and offer ideas for your next dinner date. Join us for tasty recommendations, fun conversation, and inspiration for planning a memorable date night on a budget.

In this episode, we open the fan mail and tackle the datingquestions you’ve been wondering about. What should you do when a first date feels awkward? How soon should you text afterward? We share honest advice, funny stories, and lessons while exploring the moments that make dating exciting, confusing, and occasionally cringe-worthy. Whether you’re getting ready for your first date, replaying a conversation, or trying to decide what comes next, join us for a conversation with practical ideas and zero judgment. Send in your questions, and let’s work through dating together.

Join Tom, Bob, and Harley as they share hilarious and cringe-worthy bad date stories that reveal some of the biggest dating red flags. From the unforgettable “Shart Shorts” disaster to an overzealous first-date sermon, these stories are equal parts shocking and entertaining. Along the way, the gang breaks down what went wrong and offers practical insights on respecting boundaries, reading social cues, and keeping things light. Whether you’re navigating modern dating or just love a good laugh, this episode delivers humor, hard-earned wisdom, and plenty of “what not to do” moments you won’t forget.#BadDates #DatingFails #DatingRedFlags #ItsJustDinner #DatingAdvice #ModernDating #AwkwardMoments #FunnyDateStories #DatingHumor #FirstDateFails #FirstDates

In this episode of the Dating Made Simple podcast, we sit down with BYU professor Brad Wilcox to talk all things modern dating. From young adult dating and college dating to LDS dating, this conversation is packed with real dating advice, practical dating tips, and honest relationship advice. We cover dating etiquette, dating confidence, overcoming dating anxiety, and building healthy relationships that actually last. Brad also debunks myths about love and dating and challenges young men to step it up. Plus, hear the story behind changes to For the Strength of Youth—and why Tom thinks he deserves some credit. #Dating advice #DatingTips #OnlineDating #DatingPodcast #RelationshipAdvice #YoungAdultDating #LDSdating #CollegeDating #FirstDateTips #DatingConfidence #DatingEtiquette

In this episode, Diana Holcher shares fresh, fun ideas tomake dating way less awkward and way more enjoyable. She breaks down mixer dates as a chill, low-pressure way to meet people and build real connections. The conversation dives into why communication and social skills actually matter, how cultural differences shape dating, and what good etiquette looks like today. Diana also tackles the LDS dating struggle and offers practical, realistic ways to make it better. If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure in dating, this episode gives you simple, doable ways to show up with more confidence andactually have fun.Find out more about Diana on her Instagram page @dianaglenhoelscher or listen to her on her own podcast - The Influence for Good Podcasts#DatingAdvice #ModernDating #DatingTips #ConfidenceInDating #MixerDates #DatingCoach #LDSDating #DatingConfidence #DatingCulture #NoMoreAwkward

Join Tom, Bob, and Harley on this episode as they dive intothe colorful and sometimes confusing world of modern dating terminology. From breadcrumbing and zombieing to lovebombing, sliding in, and red flags, they unpack the language shaping today’s relationships. They explore what these terms really mean, why they’ve become so common, and how social media and dating apps have influenced the way people connect. Along the way, they once again discuss “shrecking” and other behaviors that can make dating exciting—or frustrating. With humor, real-life insights, and practical advice, Tom, Bob, and Harley will help you better understand the signals, patterns, and pitfalls of modern dating culture.#DatingMadeSimple #ModernDating #DatingTerms #DatingAdvice #LoveBombing #RedFlags #DatingCulture #DMs #DatingTips #YoungAdultDating #DatingTrends #RelationshipAdvice

This week on Dating Made Simple, Tom, Bob, and Harley answer questions from their listeners about some of the biggest dating dilemmas. They talk about how to start a conversation without overthinking it, whether first dates should be casual or formal, and why respect and etiquette still matter. The group discusses online dating safety, compares dating apps with traditional ways of meeting people,and explores how technology shapes today’s social culture. They also unpack ghosting, casual dating trends, and why honest communication is still the key to making relationships work today. Be sure to listen in.#datingtips #datingadvice #onlinedating #conversationstarters #first dates #datingetiquette #ghosting #datingsafety #dating

In this episode of Dating Made Simple, Tom, Bob, and Harley dive into real talk about dating, engagement, and relationships with two BYU Cougars football players and their batter halves. The couples talk about how they met, what their first dates were like, how they got engaged, and the extra pressures that come with dating a student-athlete. Along the way, they open up about expectations, dealing withloneliness, and trends like “throning,” while giving us an honest, relatable look at modern relationships. You don’t want to miss this episode. #dating #relationships #BYU #studentathletes #lovestories #firstdates #datingexpectations #loneliness #throning #datingadvice #datingtips

In this episode of Dating Made Simple, hosts Tom andBob are joined by guest host Harley to break down “Hot Take Dating” and why being real about your opinions—especially controversial ones—can save you a lot of future drama. They mention that differing opinions can be a deal breaker,but why understanding someone’s core values matters even more than winning a debate. The crew also unpacks dating trends like throning (dating for status) and shrekking (dating for better treatment, not attraction), and what they reveal about modern dating. Plus, they explore whether attraction can grow over time, why chemistry still matters, and how shared values, goals, and honest communication set relationships up for the long haul.#dating, #relationships, #hottakedating, #datingandpolitical views, #datingandreligion, #datingandsexual values, #throning, #shrekking, #datingtrends, #communicationindating #datingadvice #datingtips

In this episode, hosts Tom and Bob break down Robert Walz’s article “3 Keys to a Lifelong Loving Relationship” in a way that actually makes sense for Gen Z dating and relationships. Drawing from years of counseling experience, they unpack the three non-negotiables for lasting love: selflessness, owning your mistakes and asking for forgiveness, and real communication (not just texting “k”). The conversation dives into why gratitude and validation matter, how small everyday choices build trust, and what healthy conflict really looks like. If you want better relationships—not just more situationships—this episode offers practical, real-world advice you can use right now.#DatingAdvice #HealthyRelationships #RelationshipGoals #LoveThatLasts #CommunicationIsKey #ForgivenessMatters #Selfless #ModernDating #DatingPodcast #DatingCoach