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Listen "Ladies, This One’s for You (Guys, Pay Attention Too)"
Episode Synopsis
Is Hinge helping people find love—or just giving us pen pals and validation? In this episode of The Real Thing Podcast, Natalie-Tasha and Libby sit down with Christy, Griffin, and Alanna to swap honest stories about the messy middle ground between companionship and commitment.
They open up about love bombing, why pet names on Hinge can feel like an instant ick, and how some goodbyes aren’t ghosting but the dreaded “you’ll make someone happy—it’s just not me.” From the pressure of first dates and “playing the dude” to recognizing red flags we often ignore, the panel dives into the drama, the humor we cling to, and the heartbreak that follows. The conversation also explores friendship-first relationships, why consistency often beats grand gestures, and how hard it can be to separate caring for someone from actually being in love with them. And as Hinge shifts from dating apps to social experiments, they ask the bigger question: are we searching for real connection or just a distraction?
Join the conversation! If you're in the DFW area, fill out our form: https://realthingpodcast.com/
Panel:
Natalie-Tasha Thompson | https://www.instagram.com/natalietasha
Libby | https://www.instagram.com/libbyengelland
Kristy | https://www.instagram.com/kristyyyy_4_
Griffin | https://www.instagram.com/griffinkibens
Alana | https://www.instagram.com/alagwepi
Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more honest conversations about love, dating, and everything in between.
TimeStamps ⏰:
00:00—Introduction to Real Love and Relationships
01:50—Meet the Panel: Diverse Perspectives on Dating
06:30—Navigating the Single Life: Empowerment and Challenges
11:11—The Complexity of Modern Dating: Sparks and Connections
17:36—Understanding Relationship Dynamics: The Role of Energy
22:53—The Importance of Communication in Dating
29:30—Friendship vs. Romance: The Plight of Platonic Dating
35:42—Navigating Complex Relationships
38:48—The Transition to Living Together
43:56—Communication Breakdowns and Misunderstandings
50:58—The Impact of Jealousy and Insecurity
54:54—The Evolution of Dating Apps
01:01:25—Unlearning Past Relationship Patterns
01:07:53—Blind Dates: Expectations vs. Reality
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
They open up about love bombing, why pet names on Hinge can feel like an instant ick, and how some goodbyes aren’t ghosting but the dreaded “you’ll make someone happy—it’s just not me.” From the pressure of first dates and “playing the dude” to recognizing red flags we often ignore, the panel dives into the drama, the humor we cling to, and the heartbreak that follows. The conversation also explores friendship-first relationships, why consistency often beats grand gestures, and how hard it can be to separate caring for someone from actually being in love with them. And as Hinge shifts from dating apps to social experiments, they ask the bigger question: are we searching for real connection or just a distraction?
Join the conversation! If you're in the DFW area, fill out our form: https://realthingpodcast.com/
Panel:
Natalie-Tasha Thompson | https://www.instagram.com/natalietasha
Libby | https://www.instagram.com/libbyengelland
Kristy | https://www.instagram.com/kristyyyy_4_
Griffin | https://www.instagram.com/griffinkibens
Alana | https://www.instagram.com/alagwepi
Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more honest conversations about love, dating, and everything in between.
TimeStamps ⏰:
00:00—Introduction to Real Love and Relationships
01:50—Meet the Panel: Diverse Perspectives on Dating
06:30—Navigating the Single Life: Empowerment and Challenges
11:11—The Complexity of Modern Dating: Sparks and Connections
17:36—Understanding Relationship Dynamics: The Role of Energy
22:53—The Importance of Communication in Dating
29:30—Friendship vs. Romance: The Plight of Platonic Dating
35:42—Navigating Complex Relationships
38:48—The Transition to Living Together
43:56—Communication Breakdowns and Misunderstandings
50:58—The Impact of Jealousy and Insecurity
54:54—The Evolution of Dating Apps
01:01:25—Unlearning Past Relationship Patterns
01:07:53—Blind Dates: Expectations vs. Reality
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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