Ask a Matchmaker

Matchmaker Maria and Louie Felix tackle dating after divorce, including how a single mom with two young kids can find a serious relationship and why the six-date rule can help. They also get into the ultimate couple fight: dirty dishes, different cleaning habits, and what those little conflicts can reveal before marriage. Plus, they break down what to do when someone's actions don't match their words and how much lifestyle compatibility really matters.

Nina Kharoufeh, matchmaker, comedian, and former Match Me Abroad host, joins Matchmaker Maria to talk about what really happened when Americans went to Morocco looking for love. It didn't end in finding a "trophy wife" like one man thought! They then discuss why daters are rejecting second dates over tiny things, and why height, weight, and other physical preferences can keep you from meeting someone great. They get into hotline questions, answering a listener whose friend is hiding a former sugar baby arrangement from her fiancé, and give advice to a woman dating while working in a male dominated industry.

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Suzy Welch joins Matchmaker Maria to break down VALUES and what your core values can reveal about dating, compatibility, marriage, and the life you actually want. They get into why values (not personality) can make or break a relationship, the "divorce values" to watch for, why place and "belovedness" can be major dealbreakers, and whether couples really need to share the same top values. Also, Suzie shares what happened when her daughter and her fiance took the Values Bridge and discovered their top six values were exactly the same! Check out the The Values Bridge code MATCHMAKER today and comment your top 5 in the comments!

Comedian, Lauren Davis joins Matchmaker Maria for a fun conversation about red flags, marathon first dates, dating app lies, and why a 2 hr date might be better than spending 10hrs together! They discuss the best first date activities, from walking and museums to bowling, and answer a listener question about dating in Spain at 62. It's a fun episode you don't want to miss!

Check out Lauren's travel themed digital show 👉 That's a Trip

Ready to date with intention?

💌 Visit Maria's website or submit your own dating question: 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/askaquestion

Make new friends. Travel the world. ☀️ Check out upcoming trips: https://agapeescapes.com/

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast ⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

Everything: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria Agape Match IG: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

Agape Match: https://agapematch.com/

Producer: Venetia Geras https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home

Could your smartphone be affecting your dating life and even the birth rate? Matchmaker Maria talks to writer and cultural critic Christine Emba about research linking smartphones to declining fertility and how scrolling may be replacing the time people once spent meeting, flirting, and connecting. They also get into porn, AI, dating apps, and algorithms that are changing how men and women see relationships. Follow Christine's work in The New York Times and subscribe to her Substack for more of her writing and ideas.

Ready to date with intention?

💌 Join Maria's Roundtable community or submit your own dating question: 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/askaquestion Use promo code ROUNDTABLE50 for $50 off

Make new friends. Travel the world. ☀️ Check out upcoming trips: https://agapeescapes.com/ Use code ESCAPES150 for $150 off early bird pricing.

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast ⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

Everything: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria Agape Match IG: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

Agape Match: https://agapematch.com/

Producer: Venetia Geras https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home

Comedian Gus Constantellis joins Matchmaker Maria to talk about turning his late mother's recipes into a cookbook that became a heartfelt memoir about grief, family, and finding joy again. They dive into how losing a parent changed the way Gus looked at love, why his mom's advice to "come up for air" ended a five year relationship, and what it was like watching his dad start dating again just weeks after her passing. Plus, they answer whether it's a red flag if your date can't cook, debate a fourth date that skips dinner, and reveal the Greek meal that might just make someone fall in love!

Check out his book here 👉https://geni.us/GreekMomCookbook

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors!

Get 40% off select Lola Blankets products at http://Lolablankets.com by using code MATCHMAKER at checkout. Experience the world's #1 blanket with Lola Blankets

Matchmaker Maria breaks down what compatibility really means and why finding the right partner has nothing to do with shared hobbies or a Myers-Briggs label. She explains the four dating personalities, why your lifestyle is really about how you value your time and money, and the questions every good dater should be asking. Plus, hear the surprising story of the woman who thought she wanted an adventurous partner until one personality test changed everything and led her to her husband. If you've ever wondered why your relationships keep missing the mark, this episode is your roadmap. Check out this test today! 👉https://theanatomyoflove.com/relationship-quizzes/helen-fishers-personality-test/personality-test-1/

Ready to date with intention?

💌 Join Maria's Roundtable community or submit your own dating question: 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/askaquestion Use promo code ROUNDTABLE50 for $50 off

Make new friends. Travel the world. ☀️ Check out upcoming trips: https://agapeescapes.com/ Use code ESCAPES150 for $150 off early bird pricing.

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast ⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

Everything: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria Agape Match IG: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

Agape Match: https://agapematch.com/

Producer: Venetia Geras https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home

Comedian and author Alison Leiby joins Matchmaker Maria to talk about her new essay collection I'm a Lot and why every version of ourselves deserves a seat at the table. They discuss different identities, only-child life, surviving a near death experience, chronic back pain, stand up comedy, and how those experiences shape dating and relationships. Plus, the two answer a listener who feels like she's lost herself after ignoring red flags in a relationship and wants to learn how to trust herself again. If you've ever wondered who you are outside of dating, this episode is for you!

Ready to date with intention?

💌 Join Maria's Roundtable community or submit your own dating question: 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/askaquestion Use promo code ROUNDTABLE50 for $50 off

Make new friends. Travel the world. ☀️ Check out upcoming trips: https://agapeescapes.com/ Use code ESCAPES150 for $150 off early bird pricing.

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast ⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

Everything: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria Agape Match IG: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

Agape Match: https://agapematch.com/

Producer: Venetia Geras https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home

Comedian Jourdain Fisher joins Matchmaker Maria for a hilarious hotline episode about dating, love, and learning when not to "fix" your partner's problems. Go check out his comedy special, Bits and Pieces, today!!

They break down whether weed is a real deal breaker, if one bad joke should end a relationship, and what it really means when someone says they're "going through something." Plus, Jordan shares how Bumble led him to love, why he used to fear commitment, and the relationship lesson every boyfriend needs to hear: sometimes "Wow, that sucks" is enough.

Ready to date with intention?

💌 Join Maria's Roundtable community or submit your own dating question: 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/askaquestion Use promo code ROUNDTABLE50 for $50 off

Make new friends. Travel the world. ☀️ Check out upcoming trips: https://agapeescapes.com/ Use code ESCAPES150 for $150 off early bird pricing.

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast ⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

Everything: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria Agape Match IG: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

Agape Match: https://agapematch.com/

Producer: Venetia Geras https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home

Psychiatrist and couples therapist Dr. Sue Varma joins Matchmaker Maria to explain why optimism isn't something you're born with, it's a skill you can build. They break down the difference between healthy realism and catastrophizing, why overthinking keeps people single, and how "maximizers" sabotage dating by chasing endless options. Plus, they answer a listener question about a boyfriend who's afraid to take the next step toward marriage and whether it's your job to fix your partner's fears. If dating has started to feel hopeless, this episode shares practical ways to change your mindset without falling into toxic positivity.

Ready to date with intention?

💌 Join Maria's Roundtable community or submit your own dating question: 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/askaquestion Use promo code ROUNDTABLE50 for $50 off

Make new friends. Travel the world. ☀️ Check out upcoming trips: https://agapeescapes.com/ Use code ESCAPES150 for $150 off early bird pricing.

✨ Order Maria's book 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/book 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast ⭐ Leave a 5-star review if you're feeling lovable and likable

Everything: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria Agape Match IG: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch

Agape Match: https://agapematch.com/

Producer: Venetia Geras https://www.venetiageras.com/

Studio: WTF Media Studios https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home