Smart Dating Academy - The Podcast

What makes love last?I sit down with Zach Brittle, certified Gottman therapist and host of Marriage Therapy Radio, to talk about the relationship habits that help couples thrive.We discuss self-awareness, emotional availability, commitment, and why you can't fix someone who isn't ready to change. Plus, learn how to recognize unhealthy patterns, date with intention, and build a relationship rooted in mutual growth.Whether you're dating after divorce or hoping to find love again, this conversation will help you approach relationships with greater clarity and confidence.👉 Apply to work with our dating coaches: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contactWebsite: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com

What if you stopped trying to give everyone a chance and started getting better at recognizing who is actually right for you?In this episode of the Smart Dating Academy Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jennie Young, creator of the Burned Haystack Dating Method, to talk about dating apps, red flags, compatibility, boundaries, and finding healthy love.After returning to dating around age 50, Jennie began noticing patterns in the profiles and messages she encountered. That experience led her to develop a method for filtering potential matches more effectively.We discuss: Why dating is a process of elimination Why trying to appeal to everyone can work against you How dating profiles reveal information through language and tone Jennie's 33 red flag rhetorical patterns How to ask questions that reveal someone's values Why Jennie doesn't assume positive intent on dating apps When being too strict with dating filters can become a risk How video dates can protect your time Why respecting boundaries is an important green flag What emotional regulation looks like in dating How Jennie met her partner on Hinge Why instant chemistry isn't always necessary Why you don't have to feel optimistic every day to find love Jennie's own love story is a reminder that you can feel frustrated with dating, question the process, and still find someone wonderful.If you're dating after divorce, dating in midlife, or ready to stop wasting time on people who aren't right for you, this episode is for you.Ready to Find Lasting Love? Join Bela for a Free Webinar!Join Bela Gandhi on October 27 from 7:00–8:30 PM for How to Find Lasting Love and STOP Wasting Precious Time! Discover how to break unhelpful dating patterns, recognize true compatibility, and date with more confidence so you can find the lasting love you deserve.Save your spot here: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/webinars-indexLearn more about Smart Dating Academy: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/👉 Apply to work with our dating coaches: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact

What if the biggest relationship you need to repair is the one you have with yourself?On this episode of the Smart Dating Academy Podcast, Bela Gandhi sits down with relationship coach Trevor Hanson to unpack anxious attachment, fear of abandonment, self-abandonment, trust issues, and what it really takes to create secure, healthy relationships.Trevor shares his personal journey from working at Tesla and staying in a toxic relationship to becoming a coach who helps people move from anxious attachment toward security.You’ll learn:• Why knowing your patterns intellectually isn't always enough to change them• What "emotionally corrective experiences" are and why they matter• How fear of abandonment can cause you to abandon yourself• Why people-pleasing, over-giving, and putting up walls can all keep you stuck• How to build self-trust after heartbreak or betrayal• Why boundaries begin with the boundaries you have with yourself• A simple daily question that can help you show up for yourself• Bela's memorable "Swiss cheese vs. American cheese" metaphor for dating confidenceIf you're dating after divorce, trying to find love again, struggling with emotional availability, or simply ready to build healthier relationships, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on where real change begins.👉 Apply to work with our dating coaches: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contactLearn more about Smart Dating Academy: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com

What if the biggest obstacle to finding love isn't your dating app, your age, or your relationship history, but your nervous system?In this fascinating conversation, Bela Gandhi sits down with nervous system educator and physiotherapist Jessica Maguire to uncover how your body's stress response influences attraction, dating anxiety, emotional availability, and relationship success.If you've ever overthought a text message, felt instant chemistry with the wrong person, or struggled to trust your instincts while dating, this episode will help you understand why.You'll learn why emotional safety is the foundation of healthy relationships, how to recognize when your nervous system is driving your decisions, and practical ways to become calmer, more confident, and more intentional in love.Whether you're dating after divorce, getting back out there, or simply ready to build a healthier relationship, this episode is full of practical insights that can change the way you date.In this episode you'll learn:• Why dating anxiety starts in the nervous system• The difference between chemistry and emotional safety• How childhood experiences shape adult relationships• Why emotional regulation leads to better dating decisions• How to stop asking, "Do they like me?" and start asking, "Do I like them?"Ready to create the healthy relationship you deserve?Apply to work with the Smart Dating Academy coaching team:https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contactLearn more:https://www.smartdatingacademy.comJessica's Website: www.jessicamaguire.com

You know what to do in dating.So why is it still so hard to do it?In this powerful conversation, Bela Gandhi sits down with nervous system coach Masha Kay to explore why so many successful people stay stuck in familiar dating patterns, even when they know better.If you've ever wondered why you keep attracting emotionally unavailable partners, struggle with dating anxiety, or can't seem to find healthy relationships despite doing all the "right" things, this episode is for you.You'll learn:• Why your nervous system influences every dating decision• Why awareness alone doesn't create lasting change• How emotional safety changes who you're attracted to• Practical ways to stop repeating unhealthy relationship patternsWhether you're dating after divorce, looking to find love again, or simply ready for healthier relationships, this conversation offers hope, clarity, and actionable insights.Apply to work with Smart Dating Academy:https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contactLearn more:https://www.smartdatingacademy.com

Chemistry feels exciting. Compatibility creates lasting love.Have you ever met someone who gave you instant butterflies, only to discover later that the relationship left you anxious, exhausted, or questioning yourself?In this episode, Bela Gandhi sits down with bestselling author and relationship coach Sabrina Bendory to explore why so many smart, successful people mistake chemistry for compatibility. Together, they unpack the hidden patterns that keep us chasing emotionally unavailable partners and explain why healthy love often feels very different than what we've been taught to expect.Whether you're dating after divorce, healing from heartbreak, or simply ready to build a healthier relationship, this conversation offers practical tools to help you date with more confidence, clarity, and self-worth.In this episode you'll learn:• The real difference between chemistry and compatibility• Why emotionally unavailable partners can feel so attractive• How childhood conditioning shapes adult relationships• Why healthy love can feel unfamiliar at first• How to recognize emotional availability• Practical ways to break old dating patterns and find lasting loveIf you're ready to stop chasing the spark and start building a relationship that actually lasts, this episode is for you.👉 Apply to work with Smart Dating Academy's dating coaches:https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contactLearn more:https://www.smartdatingacademy.com

What if the secret to finding love isn’t becoming more impressive, but becoming more you?In this episode, I sit down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer of VaynerX, to talk about authenticity, emotional intelligence, and self-worth in dating.We explore how the way you show up at work mirrors how you show up in love, and why being your real self is the key to finding a healthy, lasting relationship.If you’re dating after divorce, rebuilding confidence, or ready to find love again without settling, this episode is for you.Apply to work with our dating coaches: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact https://www.smartdatingacademy.com

How Your Mind Shapes Your Love Life and It’s Bigger Than You ThinkWhat if your dating struggles aren’t about timing or luck but your thoughts?In this eye-opening episode, Bela Gandhi sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf to reveal how your mind is driving your relationship patterns.If you’re dating after divorce, feeling stuck, or ready to find love again, this conversation will change how you see everything.You’ll learn how to break unhealthy cycles, build emotional availability, and date with clarity and confidence.👉 Apply to work with our dating coaches: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact🌐 https://www.smartdatingacademy.comDr. Caroline Leaf's website: https://drleaf.com/

What if the key to better dating was simple curiosity?In this episode, Bela Gandhi talks with Alison Armstrong about understanding men, improving communication, and finding love again without frustration.If you are dating after divorce or feeling stuck, this conversation will change how you approach relationships.Apply to work with us:https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contactWebsite:https://www.smartdatingacademy.comAlison's website: AlisonArmstrong.com

Michelle is a therapist who helped others heal from toxic relationships, but wasn’t sure love was possible for herself.In this episode, she shares how she found love overseas on Instagram and what finally shifted her mindset from doubt to belief.If you’re navigating dating after divorce, struggling with emotional availability, or wondering if love will happen for you, this story will inspire you.In this episode:Dating after heartbreak and divorceFinding love in unexpected placesEmotional availability and mindset shiftsHigh-value dating advice for professionals👉 Apply to work with our dating coaches: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact🌐 https://www.smartdatingacademy.com