This week we’re unpacking that Vogue article asking if having a boyfriend is embarrassing now. Spoiler: it’s not — but staying with someone who embarrasses you definitely is. We talk about why people are soft-launching their relationships, the difference between privacy and denial, and why settling for less isn’t the flex you think it is. Growth is uncomfortable, but it’s a lot less embarrassing than pretending your situationship is love.

This week we’re joined by Gracey, the creator of Denver’s live dating show Dating in the Dark, where singles wear blindfolds and date each other on stage in front of a live audience. We talk about dating sight unseen — from blindfolded dates to Love Is Blind — and how the real fear might be what happens after the blindfold comes off. Plus, Gracey shares how her own dating life went from Hinge to moving in with her current boyfriend.

It’s officially that time of year!! Dating Horror Stories is back for round two! 👻 This week on Unprotected Ex, we’re reading your scariest, cringiest, and most unhinged dating stories submitted by listeners and followers on social media. From cheating confessions to first-date kink reveals, and even having to babysit a second date after they got way too drunk — nothing is off limits. It’s the perfect way to get in the Halloween spirit (and maybe feel a little better about your own love life).

Spooky season is here, and the scares are coming from all angles. From Katie hearing footsteps in her house to Quinn’s dating life taking a truly terrifying turn. What started as a promising “not my type but maybe that’s the point” situation quickly spiraled into a week-long emotional rollercoaster full of mixed signals, pressure, and déjà vu conversations. Quinn opens up about trying to do things differently, only to realize that healing isn’t a straight line, sometimes we re-learn the same lessons until they finally stick. Meanwhile, Katie’s living her best life with B, and yes, having a hot boyfriend on social media does have its perks.

This week on Unprotected Ex, we’re diving into Love Is Blind: Denver — and let’s just say, it’s not doing Denver any favors. But is Denver really the issue, or are emotionally detached daters just everywhere right now? 👀 Somewhere between talking about the show, a very big update from Katie and B (!!!), and our own “I love you” timelines, we unpack how our definitions of love have evolved over time. From realizing that love isn’t always enough to remembering that you have to date someone who actually likes and respects you — this one’s all about what love really means once you’ve done the growing up part.

This week on Unprotected Ex, Quinn reflects on a recent date with a guy who wasn’t her “type”… and that’s exactly what made her question what type even means. After realizing that “not her type” might actually mean “emotionally available,” Quinn unpacks why so many of us are drawn to people who make us chase instead of simply choosing us. From the toxic thrill of being the exception to someone’s rule to the discomfort that comes with being genuinely pursued, this episode explores why healthy attention can feel so unfamiliar and why maybe, it’s time to give the nice guy a real shot.

This week on Unprotected Ex we sit down with Danielle from PlotTwist, the app turning dating culture on its head. Instead of swiping for love, PlotTwist encourages singles to connect through real-world experiences—no pressure, no forced romance, just genuine community. We dive into how men and women approach dating differently, why loneliness is hitting everyone from Gen Z to millennials, and how tech might actually bring us closer instead of pushing us further apart. From the idea that “it’s better to be known than to be chosen” to finding yourself through shared experiences, we unpack what it means to truly connect in today’s dating landscape.

B has officially entered the chat!! He’s finally catching up on the episodes about him from when he and Katie first started dating. We also get into what it’s like navigating adult relationships with family, from fighting with our parents (and realizing we’re the rational ones now) to asking for respect and teaching them how to fight fair. Quinn has an epiphany about why our parents’ generation seems to be learning the same lessons alongside us, and we reflect on how each generation raises the next a little differently.

Quinn turns 30! We talk about her epic Survivor-themed birthday party, reflecting on gratitude, and how life can feel both amazing and messy at the same time. Of course, dating drama makes its way in, like the guy who couldn’t even say happy birthday (bye), the long-distance guy who actually makes an effort, and whether Quinn should finally have “the talk” with Pilot Man. Plus, why we’re done with one-sided conversations with others and ourselves.

This week on Unprotected Ex, we’re back with our shorter segment Why Aren’t We Mic’d?—and let’s just say we did things a little differently before hitting record 😉. Expect lots of giggles as we dive into Quinn’s Notes app, where she keeps a special note titled “Remember” filled with one-liners and random gems she saves for when she needs a laugh or a pick-me-up. It’s light, chaotic, and exactly why we ask ourselves: why aren’t we mic’d all the time?