In a time before Tinder, Desiree takes the plunge into online dating. She catches the eye of Smitty, a seemingly handsome stranger whose Polaroid profile snapshots obscure his hidden reality.

listen with caution | 00:00

next on lovelustfear | 00:16

about desiree | 00:58

desiree’s story | 02:19

questions & answers | 15:41

closing thoughts | 24:28

charity & organizations | 25:30

submit your story | 26:00

disclaimer | 26:11

“So I block him. Even when I would block him, there would be other accounts that I would have to block later. He was all over the place. I mean, I couldn't avoid him.” - Desiree

“So my best friend says, give the guy a chance. I don't necessarily trust her instincts, but this time I'm like, maybe I'm wrong.” - Desiree

“Now, at this point, we've had a date, we haven't talked about a second date, but in his conversation that we're having, he's already talking like we're a couple.  Oh, I can't wait till you see my home. You're just gonna, you're totally gonna love it. You're gonna make it, it needs a woman's touch and I think you're the woman to do it.” - Desiree

“Even if it feels funny, even if you're not sure, even if your friends are going, Oh, why don't you try it? The one thing I've learned in my life is that more times than not, nine times out of ten, when I trust my gut, I'm right every time.” - Desiree

Music (CC BY 4.0):

The Question Is (Quizpackage)  and Just Deep 1 by Sascha Ende

Very Low Note by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Other Music and Sound Effects by Jan Hill, Pixabay, Samuel F. Johanns, UNIVERSFIELD, Geoff Harvey, Yevhenii Kovalenko, and teddy williams from Pixabay

National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7/365)

Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)

Text: START to 88788 

https://www.thehotline.org/

https://www.facebook.com/NationalDomesticViolenceHotline

https://www.instagram.com/NDVHofficial/

If you would like to consider being a guest on lovelustfear or would like your story featured anonymously, please contact us below.

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E-mail | [email protected]

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Chartable

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Amazon Music

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b06d0ea8-cb29-4c3a-98e6-0249d84df748/lovelustfear

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0e3ndcf5u8lZ5lhN1lvWec

Apple

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RSS feed

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Thank you for your support! 

After finding herself the only single one left among her girlfriends, Alona decides to give relationships another try, leading her into one of the most isolating, depressing, and dangerous chapters of her life.

(00:00) listen with caution

(00:16) next on lovelustfear

(00:58) about alona

(02:08) alona’s story

(18:04) questions & answers

(24:31) closing thoughts

(25:36) charity & organizations

(26:05) submit your story

(26:16) disclaimer

“You know, he was charming in the beginning. He really was. All the things he was saying, it was charming. He was moving really fast. I let him in so early because I wanted it so bad.” - Alona

“I’m depressed. I'm lonely and this man is cheating on me. I had no one to talk to because everybody was angry that I wasn't listening to them. I was embarrassed because they, they all warned me and they were right.” - Alona

“I prayed and prayed to get out of this situation, but I didn't know how because he would find me. He knew where my house, you know, if I went back to my house, he knew where I lived. If I go to my mom's house, he knew where she lived.” - Alona

“You can't explain it. All you know is that you were caught in this web and you were lured in and you were like preyed on. One day was too long. Three years was way too long. Don't feel embarrassed. Talk to somebody, get empowered. You're not alone.” - Alona

Music by Leigh Robinson from Pixabay

Music by UNIVERSFIELD from Pixabay

Sound Effect by AlesiaDavina from Pixabay

Music by Samuel F. Johanns from Pixabay

Music by Jan Hill from Pixabay

Music (CC BY 4.0): Imagefilm 033 and Lost Place Atmospheres 001 by Sascha Ende

"Very Low Note" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7/365)

Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)

Text: START to 88788 

https://www.thehotline.org/

https://www.facebook.com/NationalDomesticViolenceHotline

https://www.instagram.com/NDVHofficial/

If you would like to consider being a guest on lovelustfear or would like your story featured anonymously, please contact us below.

submission link | https://lovelustfear.aidaform.com/lovelustfear

E-mail | [email protected]

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lovelustfearpod/

Chartable

https://link.chtbl.com/lovelustfear

Amazon Music

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b06d0ea8-cb29-4c3a-98e6-0249d84df748/lovelustfear

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0e3ndcf5u8lZ5lhN1lvWec

Apple

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lovelustfear/id1735876283

RSS feed

https://audioboom.com/channels/5125912.rss

Want to hear more? Whatever app you’re listening on, just rate us and/or leave us a comment or review.

Thank you for your support! 

lovelustfear is a new podcast series exposing the darker side of dating and relationships. Every episode is an exploration into true dating and relationship stories — from the awkward and uncomfortable to the shocking and bizarre to the disturbing and downright dangerous. Host Jake Deptula welcomes storytellers into candid conversations, revealing the decisions they made and dilemmas they faced when better judgment got lost in a haze of desire. lovelustfear is a compelling, terrifying, but always insightful exploration into toxic dating and relationships that will have you abandoning courtesy and listening with caution.

If you would like to consider being a guest on lovelustfear or would like your story featured anonymously, please contact us below.

submission link | https://lovelustfear.aidaform.com/lovelustfear

e-mail | [email protected]

instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lovelustfearpod/