How Monica Broke Her Dating Patterns & Found Real Love

In this inspiring episode, Bela talks with Smart Dating Academy client Monica Campbell, who shares how she moved from dating the wrong people to attracting a healthy, emotionally available partner.

You’ll hear the shifts that changed everything, from breaking old patterns to using the Dating Funnel to date with clarity, confidence, and joy.

If you’ve ever wondered whether love is still possible for you, this episode is your reminder that it absolutely is.

Apply to work with Bela and our coaching team:
https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact
Learn more: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com

Dating again after a long marriage can feel overwhelming.

In this inspiring conversation, Bela talks with Jeannette, a Smart Dating Academy client who rebuilt her life after divorce.

She shares how she healed, learned confidence, and by working with SDA, found a healthy relationship later in life.

If you want hope and practical wisdom about dating after divorce, this episode is for you.

👉 Work with our coaches:

https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact

What if the end of your marriage could be the beginning of the most confident, empowered version of you?

In this inspiring conversation, dating coach Bela Gandhi sits down with Dr. Missi Nadeau, psychologist, consultant, and Smart Dating Academy success story, to talk about rebuilding life and love after decades in a traditional marriage.

Missi shares her journey from walking on eggshells in a 31-year marriage to finding herself again through bold choices, deep healing, and smart dating.

💡 You’ll Learn:

✨ Ready to find love again without settling?

Learn more or apply to work with Bela and her team at smartdatingacademy.com/contact

What happens when you’ve tried everything to find love and decide to go big?

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, Bela Gandhi talks with Lisa Catalano, the woman who rented 12 billboards in San Francisco to find her husband. They explore what inspired her to take such a bold step, how the world reacted, and what she has already learned about confidence, courage, and connection!


✨ Whether you’re dating after divorce, in midlife, or just feeling stuck. This conversation will remind you that it’s never too late (or too bold) to find love.

🎯 Apply to work with our dating coaches: smartdatingacademy.com/contact

Let’s be real: dating in today’s swipe-right world can feel like a game you didn’t sign up for. Between ghosting, mixed signals, and second-guessing your own needs, it’s easy to wonder: Am I doing this right?

In this empowering episode, I sit down with Dr. Jeanne Michele — relationship specialist, psychologist, and author of The Infidelity Cure — to talk about what it really means to date and love authentically. Jeanne brings her signature blend of heart, wisdom, and straight talk to help us see dating not as a performance, but as a mirror — a reflection of who we are, what we want, and where we might be holding ourselves back.

Together, we dive into:

This conversation is an invitation to approach love with courage, compassion, and clarity. Whether you’re single, dating, or redefining what love means to you, Jeanne’s insights will help you stop settling, start honoring yourself, and finally create the kind of authentic connection you deserve.

🎧 Tune in now and learn how to bring more authenticity and joy into your dating journey.

  💌 And if you’re ready for personalized support to make dating feel fun, empowering, and successful, reach out to us at Smart Dating Academy. Our expert coaches can help you build the confidence, clarity, and strategy you need to find the love you deserve.  

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.

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.