Contemplating online dating, but not sure how to begin? Tried a few sites and found the whole process unnatural or unnerving? Feeling embarrassed about using dating apps to find a partner? Host Pat Barbarito encourages listeners to banish such unhelpful mindsets and invites recurring featured guest Dr. Duana Welch to reveal the science-backed secrets of successfully finding love online. 

Highlights include:

• How to mentally prepare yourself for online dating, including clarifying your own goals and profiling your perfect partner; 
• Exactly what types of pictures your profile should include, how many to upload and in what order, and why picture perfect could backfire;
• Why Dr. Welch recommends against describing yourself in your online profile, and what she views as the best method to create the most compelling and truly personal ad;  
• How to evaluate responses, manage appropriate conversational volleys, and, ultimately, take the talk offline; 
• A few respectfully worded ‘scripts’ to help you effectively reject mismatched suitors;
• “High status” strategies to avoid becoming pen pals with charming but non-committal candidates; 
• The Sex Talk - the right time for physical intimacy, why the 'too soon' conundrum is biochemically driven, and so much more.

BONUS: Stay tuned to the very end, where Pat offers insight into a few legal consequences all relationships should consider. 

READING MATERIAL: Love Factually, 10 Steps From I Wish to I Do

Be sure to follow Heartbreak & Hope with Pat Barbarito on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, or YouTube, or bookmark the official podcast webpage to keep the entire library at your fingertips.