Strangers on the Internet

It is a tale as old as time: someone enters into a romantic relationship, and they let their friendships drift away or even suddenly cut them off. Irina and Michelle discuss why this keeps happening to people and what to do about it. What are reasonable expectations regarding one's own friendships and those of one's partner? What roles do jealousy, narcissism, and co-dependence play in making demands in this area? Join the chat as the Dating Professors share their experiences and explore how to make it all work! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lot of women are angry today. As the United States inaugurates Trump as president (again), women feel like equality is slipping away in the personal, professional, and political arenas. Why is female anger so reviled and denied? Come hear how Michelle and Irina have dealt with men commenting on their clothes and eating habits, plus what they think underlies statements about women needing to calm down or being hormonal. They also discuss why old-fashioned value systems have not necessarily helped men thrive and why psychologists often refer to anger as a secondary emotion. Check out an explosive conversation!SOTI ep. 71: Return Interview with VulgaDrawings Cartoonist Lily O'FarrellSOTI ep. 35: Evolving out of the Man Box with John SchinnererDr. Nicole LePera (The Holistic Psychologist) on anger Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Viral cartoonist and writer of VulgaDrawings fame Lily O'Farrell returns to kick off our fourth season of the podcast! With Irina and Michelle, she dissects the international political landscape in the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Where do Europe versus the United States stand on women's rights? What has been the response to the story of Gisele Pelicot, whose husband enabled her being sexually assaulted by dozens of men? We discuss all that, the South Korean 4B movement, the Taliban's prohibition on windows in spaces containing women, and much more in this explosive start to 2025 - come and join the conversation!Lily O’Farrell websiteLily’s IG: @vulgadrawingsLily’s book “Kyle Theory”Lily-illustrated book “I Love Romcoms and I am a Feminist”Lily’s cartoon “Wifey Material Complex”Lily’s cartoon on 10 years of dating appsThe “not all men” IG controversyDeepfake porn UK legislation petitionThe Gisele Pelicot storyGerman investigation on 70K men in Telegram rape chatPost-election U.S. interest in South Korean 4B movementTaliban ban on windows for women Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the day before the U.S. presidential election of 2024, Irina and Michelle examine the impact of this event on relationships. First and foremost, what happens if two romantic partners disagree on their choice of presidential candidate? The Dating Professors also discuss questions such as what if a partner neglects household duties to engage in political news consumption or wants to put up a political sign that may raise safety issues. This episode takes on election anxiety and disappointment during one of the most charged times in American history. Join the conversation! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Irina and Michelle dissect the new Netflix hit show "Nobody Wants This," a tale of a non-religious woman who falls in love with a rabbi and of the mayhem that ensues. The Dating Professors then go on to discuss interfaith dating generally. What are the things to watch out for? In what ways are religious beliefs likely to affect romantic relationships and child-rearing much beyond debates over what services to attend or holidays to celebrate? Hypothetically, would Michelle and Irina date much outside their beliefs again (and why does only one of them say yes to that)? Come listen to two products of interfaith marriage share their views!Warning: the episode contains spoilers about "Nobody Wants This"!Time Magazine article critiquing the depiction of Jewish women in “Nobody Wants This” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irina speaks with dispute resolution specialist Steven Wolhandler, who uses his dual background in law and psychology to help people handle emotional predators. The author of "Protecting Yourself from Emotional Predators: Neutralize the Users, Abusers, and Manipulators Hidden Among Us," Steven dispenses practical advice on how to recognize, avoid, and if need be defuse personality-disordered individuals at work and in the private sphere. Whether you have to raise a child with an emotional predator or are trying not to date such individuals in the first place, this episode will guide you through recognizing destructive pathologies and throwing off predators so they can no longer rule your life. You are not going to want to miss the info in this episode!SOTI ep. 63 "Fighting Coercive Controllers with Dr. Christine Cocchiola and Amy Polacko"SOTI ep. 67 "Recovering from Narcissists with Justena Kavanagh"Steven Wolhandler’s websiteSteven’s book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Irina speaks with psychologist Justena Kavanagh who specializes in helping people to overcome coercive control and other narcissistic abuse. Justena talks about the different insidious forms that narcissism can take, including relational narcissism. She explains why these behavior types are so difficult to uncover and combat. Justena and Irina discuss what people need to understand about narcissists and their victims, and how both therapists and legal professionals need to catch up in their conceptions. As someone who has treated both narcissists and those they have hurt, Justena provides a unique perspective on this major societal problem. Take the time to learn about what may affect you or someone you love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irina's special guest on this episode is no other than her husband (and "Strangers on the Internet" sound editor) Carlos Farini. They discuss the beginning of their relationship, from Bumble to exclusivity in three dates. Carlos also explains what he would say to men who do not value relationships and/or do not wish to date smart women. Come find out how things almost fell apart after their second meeting due to the vagaries of NYC dating, and why you should resist the temptation of the paradox of choice! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Irina discusses all things interracial dating with Prof. Solangel Maldonado of the Seton Hall University School of Law. Solangel introduces listeners to her new book "The Architecture of Desire: How the Law Shapes Interracial Intimacy and Perpetuates Inequality." How have not only anti-miscegenation laws but also laws related to property and other matters, including zoning-related regulations, led to lower levels of interracial coupling to this day? Have racial filters on dating apps exacerbated the state of things? And how can we have conversations with individuals about their dating preferences without their getting defensive? For all that and more, tune in!Solangel Maldonado’s faculty profileSolangel’s book “The Architecture of Desire: How the Law Shapes Interracial Intimacy and Perpetuates Inequality” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Rebecca Davis, the Miller Family Early Career professor at the University of Delaware, recently completed the first major account of the history of sex and sexuality in America in three decades. She talks with Irina and Michelle about her new book "Fierce Desires," which complicates our understanding of how issues such as gender identity and sexual orientation have evolved between the early colonial period and today. From the societal treatment of nonconforming individuals to recent Supreme Court decisions on reproductive choice and to the upcoming presidential election, Rebecca covers it all in this fascinating episode filled with surprising historical twists and turns!Rebecca Davis's faculty profileRebecca's book "Fierce Desires"Rebecca's podcast "This Is Probably a Really Weird Question..." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.