The Disposable Heart Podcast

The Second Date: When Attraction Meets Reality

The first date is an audition. The second date is where things get interesting.

In Episode 5 of The Disposable Heart Podcast, Joel D. Bradley explores the psychology of second dates through two contrasting experiences.

Olivia discovers that a charming first impression can conceal a troubling personality. David discovers that an ordinary first date can hide an extraordinary connection.

Along the way, Joel examines chemistry, compatibility, expectations, and the peculiar world of online dating, with a glimpse into Frank Wright's romantic adventures in the satirical novel Swipe Wright: Dating in the Age of the Disposable Heart.

Sometimes a second date reveals a red flag. Sometimes it reveals a porch light.

Discover more at EllisCountyBooks.com.

What are we really evaluating on a first date?

In Episode 4, Joel moves beyond profiles and swiping and into the actual date—where red flags, green lights, attraction, and “the spark” can distort what we see.

One woman describes a perfectly good date that left her feeling nothing. One man describes a date filled with warning signs that he calls the best he’s had in years. And Joel shares a first-date story involving a bucket of popcorn, a smuggled box of wine, and one very important popcorn-to-wine ratio.

Are we recognizing genuine compatibility—or have we become addicted to emotional stimulation?

Inspired by real people, profiles, and experiences.

The Disposable Heart Podcast is hosted by Joel D. Bradley, author of Swipe Wright: Dating in the Age of the Disposable Heart.

Everyone says they want “no drama.” But is drama the same thing as baggage?

In Episode 3, Joel looks at the baggage we carry into relationships—and how much of someone else’s we’re willing to take on. Inspired by Jerry Springer’s Baggage, we meet Cindy and Ken, two people with very different ideas about what comes with us when we date later in life.

Is baggage simply what life gives us, while drama is what we do with it? And when life gets heavy, are we still willing to help carry something for each other?

Inspired by real dating profiles and the themes behind Swipe Wright by Joel D. Bradley.

What is all this swiping actually doing to us?

We make decisions about dating profiles in seconds. A photo. A pose. A pair of sunglasses. A shirtless selfie. And suddenly, we think we know the person.

In Episode 2 of The Disposable Heart Podcast, Joel D. Bradley explores how quickly attraction, assumptions, and first impressions collide in the world of online dating.

Inspired by real dating profiles and featuring fictional voices, this episode asks a simple question: Are we actually choosing people—or are we choosing the assumptions we make about them?

The Disposable Heart Podcast is inspired by Joel D. Bradley's novel Swipe Wright: Dating in the Age of the Disposable Heart.

Lisa is 52, divorced, and navigating a dating world filled with endless choices. Daniel is 57 and discovering a very different reality—sometimes getting noticed is harder than getting a date.

They’re both in Florida. They’re both single. And they’re using the same dating technology. So why do their experiences feel like completely different worlds?

In the first episode of The Disposable Heart Podcast, Joel D. Bradley explores abundance, scarcity, rejection, invisibility—and what happens when potential partners begin to feel endlessly replaceable.

Inspired by real dating profiles and experiences, with fictionalized voices.

What is all this swiping actually doing to us?

The Disposable Heart Podcast is hosted by Joel D. Bradley, author of Swipe Wright: Dating in the Age of the Disposable Heart.