Interstates & Heartbreak

This week I interview Jenna Cutter - fashion entrepreneur, business woman, and founder of Chloe Madison LA. We discuss what it looks like to hold high standards for yourself in dating - from finding happiness on your own, to refusing to put other relationships on a pedestal. Jenna shares how her standards inspired her to take dating into her own hands and sign up for Three Day Rule's matchmaking services. We also dive into her past relationship with her daughter's dad, and what that taught her about red flags and narcissistic tendencies.

For a glimpse into Jenna's life AND closet : @chloemadisonla

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : [email protected]

For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week I interview the Notorious RZB - Rustom Z. Birdie. We open with a nostalgic discussion about our friendship, during which I reveal the height of my alcohol-induced narcolepsy, and my college crush that never went further than a makeout session prior to Rustom coming out. The remainder of the episode dives into all aspects of coming to terms with your sexuality - breaking the news to traditional parents, understanding how your identity fits within the broader gay community, thoughts on performative allyship, and diving into the wilder side of the gay scene in San Francisco. We close with a game of red flag dealbreaker - Silicon Valley tech bro edition.

Don't slide into Rustom's LinkedIn DMs - but DM him on Instagram for more SF bar recs : @zebirdman

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : [email protected]

For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week I interview long time friend and enabler in shenanigans, Nandini Taneja. We reminisce on the poor life decisions made at UCLA that put both our livelihood and dignity at risk on a number of occasions, and bonded us through the process. From there, we discuss the mindset behind being perpetually single, reluctance around defining the relationship, and coping with gaslighting and deception immediately after giving into the concept of exclusivity. Finally, Nandini opens up about the unintentional impact that her approach to dating had on gender roles and power dynamics, and explains how her approach and relationship status have evolved over time.

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : [email protected]

For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week Interstates & Heartbreak features none other than my mom! She opens up with her honest thoughts about the podcast, and shares her side of some stories that I've told in previous episodes. From there, we dive into her experience teaching sex ed and the concept of healthy relationships as a high school biology teacher. We cover everything you "should" know (How do vasectomies really work? How do I calculate my ovulation cycle?) and the questions you never knew you needed the answers to (Does anyone really use dental dams? What's the scientific name for blue balls?).

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : [email protected]

For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week, Interstates & Heartbreak throws it back to episode one, with my inaugural podcast guest Denzel Walkes. We open with an update on Denzel's dating life, and how one of my former guests inspired him to revamp his strategy on the apps. From there we unpack all of the implications around women asking men out, with a discussion ranging from the games people play in dating, traditional gender roles, and whether we've fully evolved beyond them. The episode closes with an unabashed critique of the traditional dating handbook, The Rules.

For even MORE hot takes from Denzel : @thatdenzel

And to hear his theatrical takes : No Concessions Podcast

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : [email protected]

For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This Valentine's Day I practice some self love...in the form of my second solo episode! I chronicle my experience joining OKCupid during a week with added dating pressure and my polarizing approach to crafting app bios. I then outline the profile tropes I encountered - ranging from seasonal fuckboys to Shakesperean poets.

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : [email protected]

For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week I interview Alex Noble about millennial motherhood, the experience of getting pregnant with her first child in high school, and her unadulterated account of the bodily changes that result. She opens up about breaking the news to her boyfriend's Muslim parents, her mom's priceless response, and coming to terms with reactions ranging from surprise to disappointment. We discuss learning how to co-parent after splitting from your partner, and the impact that motherhood has on your approach to re-entering the dating world. Finally, Alex reflects on grieving the loss of a partner, and her approach to guiding a child through the process of losing their parent.

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : [email protected]

For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week I interview Rachel Scheer, dating coach and author of Date to Find Your Soulmate. Rachel shares some of her more memorable dating mishaps, including rodent-infested vehicles, a third-wheeling dad, and one particular noteworthy date that had a not-so-happy ending. We explore the impact that these experiences have had on her relationship philosophy to-date, and discuss lessons to be gleaned through all stages of dating, from swiping right, to defining the relationship, to cohabitation.

Order your copy of Date To Find Your Soulmate

To book time with Rachel one-on-one : lovelaughleisure.com

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : [email protected]

For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week, Laily Sharifzadeh and I look back at all of the past relationships (and non-relationships) that have shaped us into the daters we are today. We discuss leveling up from previous expectations (key word : ex), knowing your worth, and setting standards for future relationships. The episode rounds out with our online dating experiences, including Laily's almost whirlwind romance and my attempt to DTR at the worst possible moment.

For affirmations and a glimpse into the photos that allow Laily to underpromise and overdeliver on the apps : @daily_laily

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : [email protected]

For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

This week, Interstates & Heartbreak gets political with activist and congressional campaigner Patrick Malkoun. We discuss how the modern political climate has seeped into our dating lives, including renewed dating criteria around political involvement and ideals, first date discussions around formerly taboo topics, and how love languages translate to community engagement. Patrick's exposure to politically divided households on the campaign trail leads us to contemplate when and how couples with opposing views can move forward - and when ideological differences become a dealbreaker. In the midst of our heavier topics, Patrick provides a comeback for unwanted ass-grabbing, we debate the validity of chicken tenders as an entreé, and I reveal Patrick's involvement in what went down as the worst date of my life.

For more fire commentary and content : @iammalkoun

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : [email protected]

For a glimpse into my life when I'm not talking about dating : @lesliegnope