ating fatigue is something almost every single one of us has felt at some point.  Maybe you've been dating for what feels like a century -- maybe you're exhausted by the dating apps (which can feel like "Human EBay"), endless small talk, or the emotional ups and downs of trying to find “your person"; if so this episode is for you! Bela Gandhi sits down with Smart Dating Academy coach Ilene Collins to unpack one of the most common — and overlooked — challenges in modern dating: dating fatigue.

Ilene has been a powerful SDA coach for five years and has been a repeat voice on the podcast - responsible for MANY client success stories!  This episode will give you a sneak peek of how Ilene met her husband Mark (broke every SDA rule, haha!) and help you see how two people that are different religions, races and careers can build a happy life together!  And, Ilene brings both her personal experience and coaching expertise to the conversation, sharing how to spot the early signs of burnout and the mindset shifts that can make dating fun again. Together, Bela and Ilene explore what’s really behind dating fatigue — from unrealistic expectations to dating on autopilot — and how to reset your energy, focus, and optimism.

You’ll learn:

Whether you’re new to dating or you’ve been at it for a while, this episode will help you find your spark again and remember that dating can actually be exciting, fulfilling, and full of possibility.

✨ Ready to fall back in love with dating?

Reach out to Smart Dating Academy for expert coaching, personalized strategy, and support that helps you meet amazing people — without the burnout. Visit SmartDatingAcademy.com to learn more.

Dating doesn’t have to feel like the awkward lunchroom of middle school — and in this episode, we’re showing you exactly how to leave that behind. I’m joined by our very own Smart Dating Academy coach, Kathy Citera, who brings her trademark humor, wisdom, and lived experience to the table.

Kathy knows firsthand what it’s like to re-enter the dating world — she candidly shares her journey from post-divorce dating at 50 to becoming a coach who now helps others navigate dating with confidence and joy. Together, we talk about how dating can feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

Why dating feels like “middle school” for so many adults — and how to shift out of that mindset.

Post-divorce dating at 50: Kathy’s real-life lessons on rediscovering yourself and dating authentically.

How to bring fun, joy, and levity into dating without losing seriousness about your goals.

Knowing yourself first: Why self-awareness is the biggest game-changer in dating success.

Practical tips to “make dating fun again” — and why having the right mindset can change everything.

This is a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud, and refreshingly honest conversation about dating — no games, no gimmicks, just straight talk on how to enjoy the process again. Whether you’re just getting back out there or you’ve been swiping for years, you’ll walk away feeling lighter, more hopeful, and ready to see dating as an adventure rather than a test.

💌 Ready to make dating fun again in your own life? Contact Smart Dating Academy today to learn how our team of expert coaches can help you date smarter, build confidence, and finally find the love you deserve. Click here to get started!

Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs.

What if the love you’ve been waiting for isn’t about luck, but about alignment?

In this episode of the Smart Dating Academy Podcast, I’m joined by therapist Jaime Bronstein. With over 20 years of experience, Jaime has helped countless singles heal and grow!

We break down why manifesting love is not about magical thinking—it’s about shifting your mindset, trusting your intuition, and clearing out the fears that keep you stuck - Smart Dating style :)  We dive deep into the process of identifying the negative narratives you’ve been carrying and replacing them with empowering beliefs that attract the right partner—not just any partner.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

The key steps to manifesting love in an authentic, grounded way.

Why healing old wounds and limiting beliefs is non-negotiable for attracting your soulmate.

How to connect with your intuition and let it guide your dating decisions.

The fear-based “Dating Personas” Jaime sees most often—and how to break free from them.

Why fear and doubt can become a self-fulfilling prophecy in love—and how to stop it.

How to know when you’ve truly found your person.

If you’ve ever wondered why love feels so hard—or why you keep attracting the wrong people—this episode will change the game. 

Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs.

What happens when you stop putting pressure on every date and start living like “Vacation You”? For Colleen, it changed everything.

In this episode of the Smart Dating Academy Podcast, I sit down with Colleen Sarihan, whose journey is a reminder that love can show up when you least expect it—and often in the most magical ways.

Colleen first heard me speak at a women’s networking event (hosted by my good pal Anna Valencia, who is now City Clerk of Chicago). During Q & A - someone started their question by saying, "I swear, there are ZERO good men left in Chicago. Every time I leave Chicago, I meet guys everywhere!" I told her that something must be shifting inside of HER that makes her more open & receptive when she LEAVES Chicago -- that it's not a "no guys here" issue! You could hear a silence fill the room. Little did I know that a certain audience member, Colleen, was intently listening to this answer, and it shifted her mindset that DAY. Fast forward a year: Colleen had just lost her job, her landlord was selling her condo, and she had bought a one-way ticket to Rome. With no expectations and nothing to lose, she decided to fire up the dating apps—simply to enjoy good food and new company. That’s when she met Vaibhav on Hinge - and was CONSCIOUS about bringing "vacation Colleen" to the date! A year to the day after their first date, they were married—followed by a beautiful summer celebration blending Hindu and Western traditions. You need to hear the whole episode to hear how magical this whole story is!   

Today, Colleen and Vaibhav are the proud parents of two wonderful children, after navigating IVF together, and their love story is proof of what can happen when you stay open, playful, and true to yourself.

💡 Inside this episode, you’ll hear:

Colleen’s journey is a beautiful reminder that so much can change when you give yourself permission to live fully and trust the process. Who knows? Your own “Vacation You” moment might be right around the corner.

Need help with getting your mindset into 'vacation me?!" Are you ready to invest in yourself as Colleen and so many others have to find love? You have two choices:

Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs.

Ready to finally understand the cosmic blueprint of your love life? In this episode of The Smart Dating Academy Podcast, Bela sits down with celebrity Vedic astrologer and relationship coach Carol Allen to reveal how ancient astrology meets modern relationship science—helping you find (and keep) the love you deserve.  

Blending the ancient wisdom of Vedic astrology with modern relationship research, Carol reveals how understanding your astrological chart can help you find your soulmate, deepen an existing relationship, or finally break free from love patterns that have been holding you back. From compatibility and timing to the little-known astrological “red flags” to watch for, this conversation will inspire you to stop leaving love to chance—and start aligning with your romantic destiny.

Carol has been featured on E!, EXTRA, Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers, and in Chicken Soup For The Soul and Woman’s World. She’s the author of Love Is In The Stars – The Wise Woman’s Astrological Guide To Men, and her work has helped thousands discover the power they have to attract, enhance, and sustain great love.

Don’t wait for the stars to align by accident—let Carol Allen show you how to make them work for you. Click the link to book a session: https://carolallen.isrefer.com/go/wgr/bela/

Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs.

Have you ever had that gut feeling about someone—but ignored it? Or maybe you felt a deep soul pull toward someone who later broke your heart? If so, this episode is for you.

In this soulful and eye-opening conversation, Bela sits down with Nikki Novo, a bestselling author, proud Cuban-American, and master intuitive who’s known for helping people create purpose-driven lives by reconnecting with their inner knowing. Nikki is the creator of the Soul-Led Living podcast, and her work has been featured everywhere from Oprah Daily to Cosmopolitan.

Nikki’s journey from fashion editor to spiritual teacher began with a love story that didn’t go the way she planned. But through heartbreak, she found healing—and discovered that your intuition might just be the most powerful dating compass you’ll ever have.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Whether you’ve lost faith in your gut, are craving deeper connection, or are just curious about soulmates and signs, this episode will help you slow down, listen up, and lead with truth.

🎧 Hit play to find out why the best dating strategy might just be… your intuition.

Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs.

I’m so excited to share this week’s powerful story, featuring a journey of resilience, radical self-growth, and finding remarkable love later in life. In this unforgettable episode, you’ll meet our client Shari—a vibrant, creative powerhouse who, after divorce and two breakups with the same man, rewrote her love story at 64.

Yes, you read that right. Three chapters. One love. Two rounds with Smart Dating Academy.  And a lot of healing in between.

Shari’s story is full of heart, humor, and deep wisdom about what it takes to truly attract the right partner—and how to recognize your person even when life throws curveballs (and maybe even a little divine intervention).

We talked about:

💔 Life After Divorce & Starting Over:

After 24 years of marriage and being the first in her friend group to divorce, Shari felt completely untethered. Can you relate to that “lost at sea” feeling? She shares how she built a new life piece by piece, starting with getting back to work and rediscovering who she was outside of being a mom and wife.

🛠️ Doing the Work—For Real:

Two breakups with Dave were the wake-up call she didn’t know she needed. Shari went all-in on self-growth: Smart Dating Academy, therapy/EMDR, dating with intention, and more!  She dove into creativity and travel, realizing that independence is a muscle that needs to be exercised.

🔁 When He Came Back (Twice!):

Every chapter with Dave came with its own set of lessons. The first time was magical but emotionally stuck. The second was deep but still misaligned. The third? That’s where the transformation happened. For both of them. Dave realized his issues, and was now doing his work too.

❤️ What Made the Third Time Different:

The universe got involved (seriously—wait until you hear about all the serendipitous sightings), and this time, it was different. With honesty, clarity, and deep commitment to each other’s growth, they reunited—this time forever. No games. No guesswork. Just mutual respect, love, and a whole lot of laughter.

🎯 Relationship Lessons You’ll Take Away:

Shari’s story is a story for anyone who thinks it might be too late, or too hard, or that they’re too much. Her journey reminds us that healing is nonlinear, love can evolve, and when two people are truly growth-minded, the possibilities are… well, remarkable.

Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs.

We’ve all been there—betrayed, blindsided, or just broken open by love gone wrong. But what if your biggest heartbreak could lead you to your biggest breakthrough?

In this rich, soul-stirring conversation, Bela sits down with Arielle Ford—bestselling author, spiritual teacher, and modern-day love alchemist—to talk about her first novel, The Love Thief. Part spiritual romance, part thriller, this story takes readers on a wild emotional ride through heartbreak, karma, and ultimately, deep healing.

With her signature wisdom and warmth, Arielle opens up about the real-life inspiration behind the book (yes, some of it really happened), how her own journeys through India shaped the mystical elements of the story, and why she believes healing our hearts is the ultimate act of self-love.

Whether you’re recovering from a relationship that shook you to your core—or you’re simply craving a juicy, wise read that blends love with spiritual insight—this episode will crack your heart wide open in the best way.

💥 In this episode, you’ll hear:

🫶 How The Love Thief was born from experiences with heartbreak

🧠 The psychology behind why smart women fall for narcissists and sociopaths

🚩 Red flags to watch out for in love—and how to stop ignoring them

🌍 What Arielle discovered on her spiritual journeys through India

🔮 Why Arielle says "you should ALWAYS listen to Bela!"

🎭 Why happiness might be the wrong goal—and what to aim for instead

🎶 What love actually is - and isn't!   

✨ Plus: how you can rewrite your love story, one conscious choice at a time.

Whether you’ve been burned by love or you’re finally ready to turn the page on a painful chapter, this conversation is your reminder that you can rebuild—and you don’t have to do it alone. Arielle shows us that heartbreak isn’t the end of your story…it might just be the beginning of your most powerful transformation yet - and that you should enlist the help of Smart Dating Academy to help you along the way!

Here is a link to the pre-sale of Arielle's book so you can redeem the bonuses! https://www.arielleford.com/the-love-thief/

Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs.

💌 Ghosting, Modern Dating & Advice You Actually Need with Meredith Goldstein

Let’s face it—dating in the digital age is a wild ride. One minute you’re vibing in the DMs, the next… they vanish into thin air. If you’ve ever wished for a wise older sister (with a killer sense of humor) to decode modern love for you, this episode is it.

In this honest, hilarious, and totally validating convo, I sit down with Meredith Goldstein—beloved Boston Globe advice columnist and author of the “Love Letters” column and podcast—to unpack the messy, magical, and maddening ways we fall for each other in today’s world.

Meredith has been answering love and relationship questions for over 15 years, offering grounded, compassionate advice that makes you feel seen. Her memoir, Can’t Help Myself, and YA novel Chemistry Lessons prove she knows a thing or two about both heartache and humor.

In this episode, you’ll hear us dive into:

👻 What ghosting really says (and how to stop blaming yourself)

📝 The behind-the-scenes of writing a wildly popular advice column

💡 Why your questions—no matter how “silly” they seem—deserve to be heard

🦠 The emotional complexity of pandemic dating, and what it taught us about connection  

🤝 How empathy can be your secret weapon in dating (yes, even when you’re pissed)

Whether you're in the dating trenches, trying to figure out where it all went wrong, or just love a good love story, this episode is a balm for your heart—and a laugh-out-loud reminder that you are not alone.

🎧 Press play and get ready for some refreshingly real talk about love, loss, and everything in between.

Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs.

What if flirting wasn’t awkward, dating didn’t feel like a second job, and attracting love could be playful and powerful?

In this episode of the Smart Dating Academy Podcast, I sit down with the dazzling Lauren Frances, and let me tell you—she brings the magic. From the moment she opens her mouth, you’ll understand why she’s been dubbed The Flirt Fairy by Victoria’s Secret and The Doctor of Love by EXTRA. Lauren knows how to light up a room—and more importantly, how to help you do the same in your love life.

We get into it all: how to flirt without feeling fake, why boundaries are the ultimate aphrodisiac, and how to gracefully exit the “situationship spiral.” If you’ve ever felt like your romantic GPS was off, Lauren’s loving (and hilariously spot-on) advice will have you re-routing with a smile.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

If you’ve ever felt like dating was more stress than sparkle, this episode will remind you that love isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being playful, powerful, and totally aligned with who you are. You’re not too late. You’re not too much. You’re just getting started.

Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs.