Romantically Challenged

Host Sami Lukis chats to 37 year old Nabil about growing up in a Bangladeshi family where arranged marriage was the expectation, and his parents' reaction when he told them he wanted to pursue a love-connection instead.  Nabil also shares his experiences as a 'negligent-dater' and a reluctant 'multi-dater' and he has a brilliant observation about why men send dick pics.

Dating Strategist and Professional Matchmaker Louanne Ward explains to host Sami Lukis why she thinks hook-ups have replaced dating and ‘recreational dating’ has replaced relationships – and where that leaves people who are still looking for a serious commitment.  Louanne also explains why she believes 90% of people using dating apps aren’t satisfied with the process and why women should think twice before saying, “I don’t need a man”.

Host Sami Lukis recently wrote an article about 56 year old single mum Robyn, who believes it’s a ‘gift’ to be single again in middle age.  Now Robyn joins Sami on the podcast to talk about why life after divorce was a great time to reinvent herself, her mid-life sexual awakening and why she despairs of men in her demographic.

Psychologist Rachel Voysey chats to host Sami Lukis about 'Divorce Month' and why so many couples decide to separate in January.  Rachel provides valuable tips about knowing when it’s time to get divorced and how to soften the blow if you know that’s where you’re heading.  They also discuss the biggest mistakes people make when they decide to separate and how to move on and stop obsessing over your Ex.  This is an episode to share with your unhappily married friends.

Divorced dad Doug speaks to host Sami Lukis about the suggestion that divorced men might make better husbands, second time 'round.  They also chat about Doug's experience as a speed-dating coach and they explore the idea that men and women are driven by and looking for very different things, when it comes to dating.  

Geoff doesn’t believe in the concept of 'The One'.  In fact, he thinks the idea of looking for another person to ‘complete’ you can make you very unhappy.  Geoff and host Sami Lukis discuss whether marriage and monogamy are unrealistic and outdated concepts and why we should consider appreciating the value of short term relationships instead.

After overcoming all kinds of challenges with singledom, fertility and marriage, Tiffany Villaluz decided to create her own dating site - "Date My Friend" - to help other singles find their match.  Tiffany chats to host Sami Lukis about her own emotional romantic journey and she shares some valuable tips for meeting genuine people and keeping yourself safe when online dating. 

We’re re-releasing some of our most popular episodes from Series 1 in an uncut format, so you'll get to hear even more from your favourite guests.

We kick off with Therapist Katie Eden Todd, who believes many people fall into toxic “cellmate” relationships because they’re trying to heal emotional wounds from their childhood. Katie shares valuable tips with host Sami Lukis about how to find a genuinely compatible "soulmate" relationship and she explains why you should always “go where you are celebrated, and not just merely tolerated”.

Host Sami Lukis chats to 54 year old Melbourne firefighter and eternal bachelor Paul, about the common perception that he’s a commitment phobe because he’s never been married or had kids - and whether or not he could ever really settle down. 

After a 17 year relationship, single dad Mark decided to jump straight back into dating, even though he knew he wasn’t emotionally available for any serious, meaningful connections.  In this episode, Mark chats to host Sami Lukis about what he calls ‘experimental dating’, where that leaves the women he meets and why he calls himself a ‘hopeful unromantic’.