Barbie Does Dating

Barbie and Steve revisit the idea and topic of Independent Women. What does it mean, what did Barbie mean? How is it hard for independent women to date.

Kissing Stories #2

Dealing with dating burnout

The 30-day Dating Challenge illuminated a number of challenges that people are having in the current dating scene. One of the most consistent issues we observed was this prevalent sense that people were “blaming” a lot of things, giving lots of reasons that things weren’t going the way they wanted. Few people if any truly took accountability for their dating circumstances. That is a bitter pill and may not help you feel great. But there is a second part to being accountable in dating: Knowing that things can get better.

Once you learn what you are doing that can be done better, great! Every time you learn something, that means your dating will be better every time you learn something new. In the end, even if you don’t get married, you will be a better person for trying, and being accountable for your actions in dating.

But the idea of accountability in dating is not often a way that we look at the challenges of dating life. So, here are some questions to ask when considering your attitude towards accountability in dating include:

What is the role of dating apps in my dating pursuits? Do I blame apps for my dating success?

Are you treating others the way you hate being treated?

Are you projecting expectations on others, only to see them not live up to those expectations?

Do you blame others for your success and failures in dating?

Do you see finding your “mate” as your mate’s responsibility?

Finding answers to these questions and learning to be more accountable in your dating efforts can be scary, but empowering. This and so many more questions are addressed in this episode of the Barbie Does Dating Podcast.

[Disclaimer: We realize that this episode may be a little humbling for some of our listeners. Our hope is that you GET OVER IT!! (just kidding) The information in this episode is designed to help the listener be empowered, to find strength in each individuals ability to find happiness in dating and (hopefully) marriage. Before you send your hate mail to us, just ask yourself if doing so is an attempt to make us responsible for your discomfort with this information.

Dating as or with a Returned Missionary can be an awkward, funny, and rewarding experience. Whether you have served a mission and have recently returned home from that service, or if you are not a return missionary and find yourself dating one, there are some unique circumstances that can have an impact on the success of your dating.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fall into an interesting situation around the time of their early 20’s, a prime dating and courting age, to go through a romantic sabbatical of two years to 18 months. While missionary service is often very rewarding and can be a powerful aid in having a successful marriage and professional life following that time in service, that sacrifice doesn’t come without some, well…sacrifices.

Dating a Returned Missionary, especially a recently Returned Missionary involves seeing someone adjust, in real-time, to contact and communication that was previously and expressly counter to the daily life and focus of a missionary. With nothing but a handshake to be offered to members of the opposite sex, physical contact is one of the most apparent points of adjustment. There are even some great examples of where missionaries in the mission field faced some interesting collisions of mission rules with romantic feelings. (Lock your hearts!)

But the individual that has not yet served a mission, or perhaps even served many years previous to dating a returned missionary, may find these behaviors comical, perhaps even personally offensive at times.

So what are the best ways to navigate this unique phenomenon? Barbie, Steve, and Nick have some advice as well as some funny stories on the subject of Dating as or with a Returned Missionary. This is also a special crossover episode with the Latter-day Saint MissionCast; a podcast hosted and produced by Nick. This podcast features advice and inspiration to be a better missionary, specializing in topics from preparing to serve as well as coming home and maintaining a solid life after returning home from missionary service.

The Barbie Does Dating Podcast 30 Day Dating Challenge is a way a select group of people are choosing to up their dating game. Learn about what the challenge is, and how it's going!

Are strong, independent women too intimidating to date? Some strong independent women think so.

Follow-up episode within our 30-day dating challenge. We discuss the idea and role of being accountable for dating. How to have courage in the dating process where you learn to not give up, but owning what you are doing–good and bad.

Dating Coaches Lauren Hardenbrook and Kristin Sokol share some thoughts on common mistakes people make in dating.

Dating during the holidays can be a time of great rejoicing, romantic expectations being met, or it can be depressing, lonely, and sad. In this episode, Barbie, Steve, and Nick talk about dating during the holidays, as well as ways to avoid feeling that single-time blues.