5 Counterintuitive Ways to Transform Your Life in 2026 | Matt Monday

In the first Love Life podcast of 2026, Matthew and Audrey are back for an honest conversation about simplifying your life and being more intentional about what—and who—you let in. They also talk about reducing chronic stress, protecting your mental health, and why the relationships you choose have an outsized impact on how happy and grounded you feel.They also answer questions about things you may be carrying into the new year: the people you can’t quite release, the stories your mind keeps replaying, and the moments you feel put on the spot about your love life. This episode will help you start 2026 lighter and far more intentional.---►► Make finding love in 2026 inevitable—without making dating your whole life. Join Matthew’s free live Year of Love event on January 20 or 22 at MHYearOfLove.com►► Give the gift of comfort that lasts beyond the holidays and into a truly cozy New Year. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code LOVELIFE for up to 20% off. ►► Have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected] and you may just see it featured in the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the fastest way to meet someone this year isn’t trying harder—but stepping back? In this week’s episode, Matthew breaks down a counterintuitive idea that could completely change how you think about dating in 2026. It’s not about forcing chemistry, endlessly swiping on apps, or summoning more confidence than you actually feel.Instead, he shows how small, everyday shifts can quietly create the conditions where connection happens naturally. If you’ve been doing “all the right things” but still feel stuck, this video may explain why . . . and what you can do differently starting now.---►► Set Yourself Up to Attract Real Love This Year. Sign Up to Attend my Free Event on January 20th at MHYearOfLove.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we meet someone we feel excited about, “love bombing” can feel like everything we’ve ever wanted. Someone we’re attracted to showering us with intensity and attention who is also happy to introduce us to their close friends and family . . . let’s be honest, it feels really good. Life suddenly transforms into our very own romantic movie. Sure, the pace of it might feel a little rushed and intense . . . but isn’t that what happens when you meet “the One”? But then, like clockwork, it happens. The texts stop coming in fast like they used to and we feel them pulling away until eventually, as quickly as they came, they’re gone. The harsh contrast between the avalanche of attention they gave us in the beginning and the cold one-line texts we’re now receiving can leave us in a state of withdrawal, wondering whether any of it was even real. This might sound familiar to you . . . it’s certainly a story I’ve heard over and over. But why do people do this? This episode will help you automatically sift out the love bombers so you can just focus on enjoying the process of dating people who share a healthy mindset and an open mind to finding a real relationship.---►► Every Friday, Matthew Hussey writes a personal letter to help you strengthen the three most important relationships in your life—with others, with yourself, and with life itself. Sign up for free at TheThreeRelationships.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation on the Know Thyself podcast with André Duqum, Matthew explores why we so often mistake familiar patterns for healthy ones—and how our “normal” can quietly keep us stuck. From gravitating toward emotionally unavailable people to operating from scarcity and self-protection, he breaks down how our past shapes what we tolerate, even when it hurts.This episode is a reminder that your past doesn’t get to dictate your future . . . and that real change begins when you stop staring at the wall you’ve mistaken for the world.---►► Try Matthew AI for 24/7 coaching and advice anytime at AskMH.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’ve carefully designed these steps to address the stages you’ll go through. And while we all know this process can take an enormous amount of time to put into action, I hope these steps will serve as a compass that will keep you pointed toward your strength (in spite of any distractions the narcissist may try to throw your way). I also hope this episode provides you with strength, acceptance, peace, and progress as you finally move on with your life and remember what it feels like to be free from the coercive control of the narcissist in your life.P.S. Even if you’re not in this situation, learning these principles in advance may save you a lot of time and grief down the road. And if you are going through this right now? Please know you’re not alone. I’m right here with you.---►► Looking for love, clarity, or a fresh perspective? Matthew’s weekly newsletter dives into insights that transform not just your relationships, but your entire life. Sign up for free at TheThreeRelationships.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December can be a strangely emotional time—even when everything looks festive on the outside. In this podcast, Matthew revisits “Complicated Christmas,” a message created for anyone whose holiday doesn’t match the picture-perfect version we so often see online.If you’ve ever felt the weight of loneliness, grief, anxiety, or that uneasy mix of emotions that tends to surface as the year winds down, this podcast is a reminder that you’re far from alone—and that what you’re feeling is more common than you think.---►► If this season feels especially heavy and you don’t have someone you can talk to right now, Matthew AI is here for you. It’s a private, judgment-free space to sort through what you’re feeling, get grounded, and feel a little less alone—anytime you need it. You can try it now for free at AskMH.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Early dating has a sneaky way of turning us into versions of ourselves we don’t even like. You start off calm, confident, grounded . . . and suddenly you’re overthinking texts or pulling back in ways that don’t feel true to who you are. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t like who I am with this person,” there’s a reason for that, and it’s not because you’re broken.In this week’s episode, Matthew breaks down how early dating so often goes wrong without anyone meaning for it to. More importantly, he explains how to lead instead of react, and how that shift can turn dating from exhausting into something that actually brings out the best in you.---►► FREE Video Training: “Dating With Results” at DatingWithResults.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know the feeling. We start speaking to or dating someone and we begin to get excited about them . . . but then as soon as we show interest, they start to pull away. This can be painful and demoralizing. But why does this happen? Is it them, or is it us? In this episode, Stephen and I break down a number of “them” and “us” scenarios. For instance: • Some people loathe themselves so much that they devalue anyone who starts to see value in them. • Others might have an obsession with attainment, and once they “get” you, they just move on to their next quest. Thankfully, in these examples, you want to scare off a person like that. But sometimes our actions may inadvertently scare them off. For example: when they see us valuing them more than we should, especially given the stage of the relationship we’re currently in.---►► Matthew Hussey’s free Three Relationships newsletter isn’t just about dating—it’s about creating a life you love. Get practical advice and heartfelt wisdom delivered to your inbox every Friday. Sign up for free at TheThreeRelationships.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Long distance relationships can feel intoxicating. The late-night calls. The fantasy. The sense that if it weren’t for geography, this could really be something. But when does distance deepen connection—and when does it quietly keep us stuck in something that can’t truly grow? In this episode of the Love Life Podcast, we go deeper than ever on long distance love. We talk about why these connections can feel so powerful, how fantasy can sneak in and blur reality, and the often-overlooked skill of restraint (knowing when not to let yourself fall, even when attraction is there). This episode is about discernment, self-respect, and learning how to protect your heart without closing it off . . . whether the person you’re talking to lives across the world or just across town. -----►► Tired of relationships that go nowhere? Watch my free masterclass, From Casual to Committed, and learn how to stop wasting time on people who aren’t serious: GetCommitment.com ►► For Love Life listeners, Cure is offering 20% off your first order! Stay hydrated and feel your best by visiting curehydration.com/LOVELIFE and using promo code LOVELIFE at checkout. ►► Have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected] and you may just see it featured in the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Breakups can flip your whole world upside down, and in this week’s video, Matthew and Jay Shetty get real about what those moments actually feel like. They discuss why healing doesn’t follow a timeline, and why some seasons of pain simply have to be lived through at their own pace.They also talk about how heartbreak can shape you in unexpected ways and why “right person, wrong time” doesn’t exist. Don’t miss this honest conversation between two friends about finding strength in the very moments you wish you could fast-forward.---►► Never Face Your Love Life Alone Again Try Matthew AI for FREE: AskMH.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.