Smart Dating Academy - The Podcast

Heather's Journey to Self-Love and Self Discovery - What I Learned at Smart Dating Academy

I’m beyond thrilled to have Dr. Nadine Macaluso (Dr. Nae, as I call her!). on today’s episode! Dr. Nae’s story is nothing short of jaw-dropping — she was married to The Wolf of Wall Street himself, Jordan Belfort. But this conversation isn’t just about her past; it’s about her incredible journey of survival, healing, and growth. Dr. Nae has taken what she’s learned from that chapter of her life and is using it to help others break free from toxic relationships and trauma bonds (she went back to school and got her doctorate as part of her journey to help herself and others).

We had such an amazing chat, and I know you’re going to love it! Dr. Nae has been through it all, and she’s come out the other side stronger, wiser, and ready to share her insights on how to stop repeating old patterns and start thriving in healthier relationships.

We talked about:

Her experience with trauma bonds and why we keep picking the same type of partner

How to break free from unhealthy patterns and build a stronger sense of self

What it really takes to heal after trauma and thrive in love again

Why choosing healthier partners isn’t just about avoiding red flags, but learning to trust yourself

The power of resilience and how to bounce back from hardship

I can’t wait for you to hear this episode! Dr. Nae’s story is powerful, and her advice is game-changing if you’ve ever struggled with toxic relationships.

If you love the episode, please subscribe, rate, and share it so we can keep bringing you these incredible conversations!

Website: Drnae.com

In this heartwarming love story episode, I sit down with our beloved client Tara, an accomplished attorney from Chicago, who shares her incredible journey of love and self-discovery. Tara's story begins in a traditional household, where arranged marriages were the norm, and she herself entered one that didn't quite work out. However, through her resilience, career-focused mindset, and our Smart Dating work together, Tara redefined what love meant for her, and found a relationship that truly aligned with her heart.

We dive deep into the challenges she faced, the lessons learned, and how she overcame cultural expectations to create her own love story. 

We talk about:

Whether you've had an arranged marriage experience, are navigating modern dating, or just love a good love story, Tara's journey will leave you feeling inspired, hopeful, and ready to take control of your own relationship destiny.

Ready to rewrite your love story? Tune in to this episode and learn how you can find your own version of love, no matter where you start. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review if you enjoyed Tara’s inspiring journey!

Title:  Beyond Mars and Venus: Relationship Skills for TODAY with Dr. John Gray

I couldn't be more excited to have Dr. John Gray, who wrote one of the most well-known and trusted relationship books of all time: Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus (the #1 bestselling book of its decade).  We had such a good chat that you're going to love; John lost his loving partner of decades and has found love AGAIN!  We talked about love, loss, new love, and getting the BEST out of your partner - whether your relationship is brand new or decades old.  He has appeared repeatedly on Oprah, as well as on The Dr. Oz Show, TODAY, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, and others. He has been profiled in Time, Forbes, USA Today, and People.

We talked about:

Can't wait for you to listen to and LOVE this episode!   If you love it, please subscribe to our podcast, and feel free to give it the top rating so we can keep it going for you!  

I am super excited to have Todd Baratz as a guest on the podcast. Todd is a renowned psychotherapist and sex therapist whose innovative approaches to mental health and relationships have established him as a leading figure.   

We talked about:

This episode has so many great take-aways to build healthier and more fulfilling relationships. It all starts with developing more self-awareness and getting to know ourselves on the inside.   In addition to his clinical practice, Baratz is a prolific writer and speaker. His insights are regularly featured in various media outlets, where he discusses topics ranging from romantic relationships to individual mental wellness. 

Website: https://www.toddsbaratz.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourdiagnonsense

New Book: How to Love Someone Without Losing Your Mind

Guest: Jill Foos, National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBHWC) with a rich background in psychology and functional medicine health coaching.

This week, we come to you with one of your favorite things to hear because it's HOPEFUL, a Smart Dating Academy real-life love story. Jill was a coaching client who found the lid to her pod and started her own business. 

Jill met her husband at a young age and they eloped to get married and had 5 kids. Jill started seeing the red flags early on, and that they were on separate pages just a few years into the marriage, but they stuck it out for 24 years and eventually got divorced.

Jill and Bela met in 2018 when she wasn't dating yet. She knew she needed help getting back into the dating world and decided to start working with SDA. Lindsay and I helped Jill figure out what characteristics and traits she SHOULD BE looking for in a partner to make her happy -- vs. the standard "checklist" women often use!   

After setting up her dating profile on the apps, Jill really embraced the whole process and dated for about 18 months.   What was her 'last first date'?  A wonderful set-up date by a friend with a man named Noah. She immediately liked Noah during their first date because he made her laugh. This was during Covid, so they kept it slow and got creative with their dates.

After about 6 months of dating, Jill moved a block away from Noah and half a year later her lease was up and she moved in with Noah. They have been in a relationship for 4 years now and are still going strong. The relationship feels easy and their blended family, which includes both of their kids, Jill's ex-husband and his new partner, gets along well and spend holidays together.  And Jill started a new career as well, as one can when they have happy love!  She is now a dedicated National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBHWC) and the founder of Jill Foos Wellness. She's helping women and look better at all ages, but especially during midlife.

I hope that you are inspired by Jill's story. She felt like her life was shattered, but she built it back up step by step and is now in a better place than ever. 

This week on the podcast, I have the absolute pleasure to interview Elizabeth Earnshaw, a renowned Gottman therapist and bestselling author (she has a new book coming out in September!) who is the owner of a thriving family and marriage therapy practice. She is known for her popular Instagram account @lizlistens and has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, and more.

  

Elizabeth and I delve into various crucial topics concerning relationships and stress management. 

We talk about:

Elizabeth shares such valuable insights and this is a must listen if you want to focus on managing stress and fostering healthy communication in relationships.

Website: elizabethearnshaw.com

The Balancing Act | Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT | Substack

This week, I welcome Natalie Lue to the Smart Dating Academy podcast. She is a boundaries and relationship coach and the creator of one of the longest running self-help blogs in the world, BaggageReclaim.com. Natalie helps people understand how their emotional baggage is interfering with their ability to live their lives happily and authentically.

We talk about:

This episode is a must listen if you would like to establish healthy boundaries and cultivate meaningful and genuine connections in romantic relationships AND personal relationships.Blog: www.baggagereclaim.co.uk

Website: www.natalielue.com

This week, I'm so excited to introduce my friend and former client, Stacy Katz to the podcast. Stacy is a sought after mindset coach who helps women create more Relaxation and Power with her R.E.L.A.X Mindset Method. Her approach is rooted in real-world experience, making it both

relatable and actionable. She has over two decades of experience in mindset and peak performance. She has guided C-level executives and leadership teams inside some of the biggest global brands like HP, Verizon, Spotify and more. 

In this episode Stacy and I explore how you are going to get more relaxed and more powerful in dating and in your entire life.

We talk about:

Stacy is offering a special gift to the listeners of The Smart Dating Academy podcast:

An Energy Audit to help you understand how different aspects of your daily life and routine either contribute to or deplete your energy levels. This is a key first step in creating your Relaxed and Powerful Life. Go to www.stacykatz.com to get your gift!

I had the absolute pleasure to have a conversation with the amazing Vienna Pharaon about how breaking family patterns can liberate the way we live and love.

Vienna Pharaon is a licensed marriage and family therapist and one of New York City’s most sought after relationship therapists. She has practiced therapy for over fifteen years and is the founder and owner of the group practice, Mindful Marriage and Family Therapy. She has been

featured in The Economist, Netflix, Vice, and Motherly, and has led workshops for Peloton and Netflix, amongst others. Her book "The Origins of You" is a National Bestseller.

We talk about:

You will learn so much from Vienna about the impact of attachment, authenticity, and family dynamics on relationships and how origin wounds can shape our behaviors and choices in relationships. This is a must listen if you want to heal and break free from unhealthy patterns and create healthier, more fulfilling relationships. 

Website: https://viennapharaon.com

Instagram: @mindfulmft

What is Your Origin Wound? Quiz: https://1wsm6geg69z.typeform.com/to/d981R7Cl