The Real Thing

The Real Thing

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The Real Thing episodes

  • What Do You Look For In A Partner? Spotting Green Flags and Dodging Gaslighters | EP23

    In this episode of The Real Thing, Daniel and Natalie-Tasha sit down with Lexi, Braden, and Carlos for an honest conversation about dating dynamics, where friend groups complicate things, green flags get overlooked, and emotional maturity is more rare than it should be. They unpack the pressure to self-improve before committing, the tension between privacy and outside opinions, and the red flags we often excuse in the name of chemistry.

    Be on the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://realthingpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us on IG:

    @realthingpodcast @marriage

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    1 hr 35 min
  • What's the Logic Behind Ghosting?? And Biggest Dating Risks | EP22

    In this episode of The Real Thing, Daniel and Natalie-Tasha sit down with Presley, Deven, and Justin to talk about the chaos of dating in Dallas/Fort Worth. From dating app fatigue, friend zone frustrations, and why ghosting feels easier than honesty, they explore what’s holding people back, and what might finally push them forward. Plus: meet-cute tips for the Katy Trail and a theory on why big friend groups might be keeping you single.

    Be on the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://realthingpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us on IG:

    @realthingpodcast @marriage

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    1 hr 20 min
  • Love After Divorce, Dating With Kids, and Learning to Trust Again | EP21

    In this episode of The Real Thing, Daniel and Natalie-Tasha sit down with Ashley, Sophia, and Nate for a candid conversation about love, parenting, and second chances. They unpack what it means to date after divorce, navigate emotional affairs, and balance leadership roles in relationships, especially when kids are involved. From sarcasm gone wrong and first dates in the potato aisle, to the pressure of dating apps, this episode captures the awkward, funny, and vulnerable moments that come with starting over. If you’ve ever questioned whether you're too picky, too wounded, or just too tired to try again, this one reminds you that healing and connection are still possible.

    Be on the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://realthingpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast @marriage

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 21 min
  • Breakups, Love Languages, and Old-School Dating | EP20

    In this episode of The Real Thing, Daniel and Natalie-Tasha sit down with Josh, Haley, and Cami for an unfiltered conversation about breakups without closure, dating while raising kids, and the awkward reality of being “kind of” single. They talk about what it’s like to date with intention, why love languages actually matter, and how dating apps have turned romance into a game no one’s winning. This episode explores the tension between wanting something old-school and navigating the chaos of dating in the DFW area.

    Be on the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://realthingpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast @marriage

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 22 min
  • Attachment Styles, Bare Minimums, and the Cycle of Mixed Signals | EP19

    In this episode of The Real Thing, Daniel and Natalie-Tasha sit down with Joshua, Kathleen, and Nathan for a brutally honest conversation about dating in the wild, where attachment styles clash, emotional needs get lost in translation, and bare-minimum behavior is somehow still the norm. From breadcrumbing and ghosting to the awkward dance of “Do they actually like me?” they unpack the patterns that keep people stuck. It’s honest, funny, and uncomfortably relatable.

    Be on the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://realthingpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast @marriage

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 16 min
  • From Talking Stages to Growing Pains and Engagements (Spoiler Alert: They Got Engaged!) | EP18

    In this episode of The Real Thing, Executive Producer Daniel Van sits down with usual co-host Natalie-Tasha, who's on the other side of the mic this time with her boyfriend, Christian. They're joined by returning guests, Kyla and Riley—who may or may not have gone on a date after their episodes dropped!

    The group dives into awkward first dates, FaceTime breakups, balancing careers and personal life, and what actually makes someone “marriage material.” Natalie-Tasha and Christian open up about their on-again, off-again relationship and big questions around getting engaged. It's funny, messy, and painfully real. If you’ve ever wrestled with timing, growth, or figuring out what you really want, this one's for you.

    Be on the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://realthingpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast @marriage

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    1 hr 27 min
  • Irish Goodbyes, Life Disruptions, and the Art of Starting Over | EP17

    In this episode of The Real Thing, Brent, Natalie-Tasha, and Dan sit down with guests Colin, Lauren, and Zach to talk about everything from toxic breakups to grief, addiction, and spiritual experiences. They share stories of moving cities mid-argument, recovering from temporary physical disability, and grieving the loss of a sibling. Through it all, they search for meaning, healing, and connection. This episode is a reminder that even in the aftermath of pain and disruption, it’s still possible to choose love and begin again.


    Panel Icebreaker Questions (tell us your answers in the comments!):  

    ~What’s the dumbest reason you’ve said no to a second date?

    ~Describe your ideal type.

    ~What is your biggest ick? 


    Be on the show: ⁠⁠⁠https://realthingpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠

    Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast @marriage

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 35 min
  • Proposal Pressure, Healthy Conflict, and What Marriage is Really Like | EP16

    In this episode of The Real Thing, Brent and Natalie-Tasha sit down with Madison and newlyweds Faith and Elisha McCall to talk about what builds a lasting marriage. From pre-marital doubts to married couple arguments and spiritual intimacy, they explore why healthy communication matters more than the Pinterest-perfect wedding. Whether you're dating, engaged, or deep into marriage, this one’s a reminder that love is less about the moment and more about the foundation.

    Join the conversation! If you're in the DFW area, fill out our form: https://realthingpodcast.com/
    Panel:
    Brenton Evans | https://www.instagram.com/marriage
    Natalie-Tasha Thompson | https://www.instagram.com/natalietasha
    Elisha McCall | https://www.instagram.com/elishamccall111
    Faith McCall | https://www.instagram.com/faithkmccall_
    Madison Jones | https://www.instagram.com/madis0njones

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    1 hr 44 min
  • Hope After Heartbreak, Compatibility, and Dating with Baggage | EP15

    No one enters a relationship empty-handed. We carry our past, our fears, and our hopes. In this episode of The Real Thing, Brent and Natalie-Tasha sit down with guests Mary Lynn, Natalie, and Kevin to talk about the aftermath of heartbreak, what real compatibility looks like, and why we keep falling for people who aren’t good for us. From gut-punch breakups to delayed grief, they unpack the patterns we repeat, the faith we hold onto, and the hope that—somehow—love might still be worth the risk.

    Be on the show: ⁠⁠https://realthingpodcast.com⁠⁠

    Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast @marriage

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 41 min
  • We Didn’t See That Coming… Red Flags, Rejection & Hard Launch Her New Man | EP14

    We did not see that coming… In this episode of The Real Thing Podcast, one of the girls hard launches her new relationship mid-convo, and the reactions are priceless. But that’s just the beginning. The crew dives deep into dating red flags, the sting of rejection, and why it’s so important to know your worth. From awkward first dates to navigating emotional boundaries, this episode is full of surprises, honest moments, and a whole lot of laughter.


    Be on the show: ⁠https://realthingpodcast.com⁠

    Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast @marriage

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 45 min

About The Real Thing

From the publisher's feed

Modern love has everyone searching for the real thing—but what does that even mean? Hosts Natalie-Tasha Thompson and Libby Engelland cut through the noise of dating trends and relationship buzzwords to explore what authentic connection looks like in today's world. No filters, no gimmicks—just real stories about finding and keeping the real thing.