Ditch the Ick with Katie Carson: Dating Tips, Single Life, Career Advice, and more for Millennials and Gen X

Disney movies taught us to dream big about love—but did those dreamy storylines secretly mess us up? This week, Ditch the Ick dives into how Disney’s fairytales may have warped our expectations for real-life relationships. AND we have a special guest back on the mic: my bestie, Jersey! Together, we’re peeling back the layers of “happily ever after” to figure out what Disney got wrong (and maybe what it got a little right).

Highlights:

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

If you’ve ever found yourself disappointed that love doesn’t look like it does in movies, this one’s for you! Jersey and I are here to ditch the ick and help you reclaim a healthier, more realistic view on love.

Follow me on instagram @dithctheick and Join our facebook community

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Just because Halloween was yesterday doesn't mean spooky season is over. Today’s episode is loaded with dating horror stories—from pancake fails to soulmate wins! Think your dating life’s a circus? Trust me, you’re not alone! Get a sneak peek at upcoming episodes, including an interview with a romance author! And next Friday, Jersey’s back for a Disney-style dating disaster special you won’t wanna miss! 

Want more? Join our https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchtheick for community, support, and all things love and life! Plus, don’t miss out on our Feral Girl Fall Book Club, where we're diving into romance reads that’ll keep you turning pages all season long.

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This week, I sat down with sexuality educator Dakota Ramppen to talk about all things relationships, empowerment, and sexuality. Dakota opens up about her journey from teaching sex-ed to pre-teens to working with adults, and why she believes that empowering parents can create a lasting, positive generational impact. We dive deep into the awkward but crucial world of sex education, discussing why communication, mutual understanding, and self-discovery are at the heart of any strong relationship.

Dakota also sheds light on the importance of exploring fantasies and desires with your partner—no shame, no fear.

Key Takeaways:

CTA:

Join us in the Ditch the Ick Facebook Group for more real talk and community support! Plus, don’t miss out on our Feral Fall Girl Book Club—we’re reading Flawless by Elsie Silver. Tune in on October 31 at 7:45 PM EDT for our next discussion. Let’s dive into these swoon-worthy fall reads together!<Link to FB Group>

<Dakota's link>

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Dive into some smut with the Ditch the Ick Community! Head to www.ditchtheick.com to stay up to date.

I’m joined by returning guest and fearless adventurer, Paige Mitchell, as we dive into ‘feral girl fall’ and explore the realities of dating while traveling. We candidly discuss embracing our sexuality, navigating short-term relationships, and finding balance between fun and lasting connections while on the move.

Ready to embrace your own ‘feral girl fall’ and explore the world of dating abroad? Tune in to this episode and follow @ditchtheickpod on Instagram for more tips, stories, and advice on dating, relationships, and self-discovery.

Don’t forget to keep up with Paige Mitchell and her adventures by following her on Instagram @beachbabepaige

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Welcome to the one-year anniversary special of Ditch the Ick! I’m taking a bit of a back seat in this episode as my best friend, Jersey, hijacks the show to put me in the hot seat. She’s ready to embarrass me while we celebrate a wild, unforgettable year. From navigating the ups and downs of podcasting to creating this incredible community, it’s been a feral, fun ride, and I can’t wait to reflect on it with all of you.

Jersey and I go way back—we’ve had plenty of adventures together, You know this episode is going to be full of laughs, some cringey memories, and maybe even a few heartfelt moments. Whether you've been with me from the start or you’re a new listener, this is an inside look at how Ditch the Ick has grown and what’s coming next! 

Key Takeaways:

CTA:

Catch the full story by listening to this special episode! I’d love for you to join me in celebrating this milestone—listen now and share your favorite Ditch the Ick memories with me instagram @ditchtheickpod

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In this episode of Ditch the Ick, I’m joined by Cortney Griffy, host of the podcast What the Smut are You Talking About, for a fun and insightful deep dive into the world of smutty romance novels. If you’ve ever been curious about the world of romance sub-genres or unsure where to start, this is your crash course! From cowboys to dark romance, we’re breaking it all down.

What We Covered:

How Cortney Got Into Smut: We kicked things off with Cortney’s story of how she fell into the world of smutty books, starting from her days as an avid reader of Harry Potter and Twilight, to discovering Fifty Shades of Grey, and now diving into dark romance and beyond.

Navigating Romance Sub-Genres: Cortney and I explored the various sub-genres of romance, including:

We also clarified some key tropes like "grumpy-sunshine," "fake dating," and "age gap" relationships.

Curious about diving into the smutty romance world? Tune in to this episode for a full Smut 101! Be sure to follow @ditchtheickpod on Instagram for more tips and discussions. Also, don’t forget to check out Cortney Griffy’s podcast What the Smut are You Talking About @whatthesmutpodcast for more juicy book recs and conversations.

Ready to start your smutty reading journey? Join our Feral Girl Fall Book Club!

Feral Girl Fall IG Lives to discuss each book on the below dates:

Join FB Group now! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/HNNkwsiDqZzzotkd/

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I’m getting real and sharing my personal journey from what I call "Sad B*tch Island" to living out my own rom-com fantasy. From navigating ADHD and financial crises to running a business and dating in this wild world, I’m laying it all out there.

What We Covered: 

• Financial Crises and Risk-Taking: Last year, I faced some serious financial struggles, but I’m sharing how learning how to ask for help changed everything. It’s hard being a single b*tch in this economy. 

• Embracing the Delulu: Looking back, if someone had told me how things would unfold, I would've thought they were out of their mind!

• Dating Adventures and the Future: Of course, I had to dish out some personal dating stories and share my plans for what’s next. The biggest takeaway? Keep putting yourself out there and trust that amazing things can happen, even if they seem out of reach right now. 

Reach out and don’t be afraid to take those risks—sometimes being delulu really is the solulu! 

If you’re ready to lean into a little delulu and start making the impossible a reality, this episode is for you! Make sure to follow @ditchtheickpod on Instagram for all the updates, and stay connected for more episodes where we talk about the highs, lows, and everything in between of this crazy thing called life. Feral Fall Girl Book Club will be rolling real soon! Join the free Patreon or our Facebook group to get in on the action!

Links:

Patreon - 

https://www.patreon.com/ditchtheick

Instagram - 

https://www.instagram.com/ditchtheickpod?igsh=NG1lbzhnaHk5MGJk&utm_source=qr

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In this episode of Ditch the Ick, we’re joined by a special guest — The Scotsman! Together, we dive into a hilarious adventure, exploring the wild culture differences between the U.S. and the U.K. Expect stories of epic culture shocks, bizarre encounters with "nutters" and "maniacs", and the legendary devotion to Bucc-ees. With plenty of laughs, witty banter, and unfiltered takes, this episode is a whirlwind of transatlantic chaos you won’t want to miss!

Bonus content on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/DitchtheIck

Connect with Katie:

https://www.instagram.com/ditchtheickpod/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchtheick/

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My guest this week is Denise Holler. Denise is a Clinical Sexologist and Certified Sex Coach with a passion for enhancing the intimate lives of her clients. She believes in breaking the taboo around sex and providing education in this essential area. Specializing in working with women and couples, Denise addresses various aspects of sex and intimacy, including uneven desire, low libido, body image issues, and enhanced pleasure, all through a holistic approach known as the MEBES model. By evaluating the Mind, Emotions, Body, Energy, and Spirit, she helps individuals and couples unblock areas of concern and achieve alignment for a more fulfilling sexual experience. Denise's mission is to help people rediscover pleasure, gain confidence, and find happiness in the bedroom. Alongside her professional work, she is also an advocate for the Neurodivergent community, as she herself has ADHD and has been working with ADHD coaches for several years.

In this episode, we cover topics ranging from masturbation and body image to communication in the bedroom. It is fascinating to learn about Denise's work helping people overcome issues and fully embrace pleasure.

Connect with Denise:

Email: [email protected]

FB Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/denisehollercoachingllc

Private FB group community https://www.facebook.com/groups/dhcoachingempowered

Denise also works with The Original ADHD Coach https://www.theoriginaladhdcoach.com/

Connect with Katie:

https://www.instagram.com/ditchtheickpod/

Join the Patreon Party!

https://www.patreon.com/DitchtheIck

Join the Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchtheick/

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In this episode of Ditch the Ick, I sat down with the incredibly talented Maria Pendolino, a voice actor and TV personality who was even on an episode of one of my favorite shows 'House Hunters'. We dove deep into Maria's unique approach to online dating, and how she finally found her happily ever after—after 97 first dates!

Key Takeaways:

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @ditchtheickpod for more updates and behind-the-scenes content! And be sure to check out Maria Pendolino’s work by following her on social media @mariapendo and exploring her voice acting projects.

Like this episode? Rate it and leave us a review!

Follow Maria:

https://www.voicebymaria.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mariapendo

https://www.tiktok.com/@mariapendo

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