Podcast Summary: Man of the Year – Champions of Friendship

Episode #164: Is Double Dating Online the Future of Friendship?
Hosts: Matt Ritter & Aaron Karo
Guest: Jordan Lubliner, CEO & Founder of Double Social
Release Date: December 23, 2025

Overview

This episode dives into the emerging world of online double dating as a way to combat the “friendship recession” among adults, especially couples. Hosts Matt and Aaron welcome Jordan Lubliner, founder of the new couples social app Double Social, to discuss how technology is reshaping the pursuit of friendship and social activities for couples. The episode explores the challenges of making couple friends, the gender dynamics of social planning, the unique features of Double Social, and practical tips for successful double dates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Idea Behind Double Social

• [01:39] Jordan describes how life changes (moving, marriage, kids) make adult friendships harder to maintain and inspire her to create an app to connect couples with similar interests and life stages more easily.
• "I'm a very social person, so...getting it on the calendar was becoming cumbersome." – Jordan
• The app is designed to reduce the logistics and awkwardness in scheduling and tracking double dates.

2. How Double Social Works

• [02:49] Each couple makes a joint profile, lists interests, and receives curated daily matches of other couples to meet based on age, interests, and location.
• The app includes:
  • Group chats for matched couples.
  • A “double date request” system with templates for smoother scheduling.
  • A tracker to organize upcoming double dates and send reminders.
  • Monthly in-person events (starting in NYC, e.g., wine & cheese tastings, tennis-themed happy hours).
• "You kind of send a digital invite...reduces the friction and awkwardness." – Jordan

3. Gender Dynamics and “Man-Keeping”

• [05:37] The hosts ask whether it’s mostly wives or husbands using the app. Jordan confirms that currently, women are more proactive, but men who get involved become enthusiastic.
• Reference is made to a New York Times article about “man-keeping”—the emotional and social labor often falling on women.
• "When the husbands do get involved...they're very into it actually." – Jordan
• "If you just let your wife drive the train, then...maybe the wife's friend's husband is not for you." – Matt [07:09]

4. Types of Double Dates and Activities

• [05:01] Traditional dinners are common for first meetings, but the app promotes creative and activity-based dates (tennis, comedy shows, etc.) to expand options and inspiration.
• "Usually, people just want to suss out the other couple with a more traditional type of double date." – Jordan

5. Inclusivity & User Experience

• [09:08] Double Social is open to same-sex couples and aims for inclusivity.
• Users can set preferences for kids, interests, etc.
• "It's a platonic app...but in a sense, it is somewhat similar [in design] to a dating app." – Jordan

6. Feedback, Matching, and Etiquette

• [07:57] Post-date surveys collect feedback (“Would you go out with this couple again?” “Were they on time?”) to ensure respectful use.
• Couples can indicate whether they want to connect with others who have (or don’t have) kids.
• "There’s no one rule...you can chart your own course." – Jordan

7. Success Stories and Networking Surprises

• [12:31] Besides friendships, professional networking has emerged as a side benefit, with users connecting through shared industries.

8. Double Dating Realities, Best Practices, and Etiquette

• Tips for making a good impression: Be courteous, open-minded, and authentic; don’t make it all about your kids if the other couple doesn’t have them.
• Performing or being “too on” can come off as inauthentic; best to show genuine interests and skills.
• "Treat others how you’d want to be treated...it could always turn into a funny story if it doesn’t go too well." – Jordan [16:47]
• Dos and don’ts for profile pictures: Show who you are, avoid confusion, highlight interests or activities.

9. Do Couple Friends Replace Singles Friends?

• The app serves both couples new to a city (those with few friends) and couples with rich social lives looking to expand or discover new activities.
• Hosts discuss the value of at-home double dates, especially for those with kids, and recommend “leaning into your strengths” as a couple to create memorable gatherings.

10. The Performative Layer

• Both online and IRL, there’s a “performance” aspect to meeting new couple friends.
• Profile guidance: Use photos that showcase hobbies; no sunglasses/blurry images; avoid group shots with unclear identities.
• "Show off your flare. Because people also don’t like to read too much...they're going to just go straight to the picture." – Jordan [26:46]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [07:09] Matt: "CPDs—Cake and Pizza Dudes—are just these guys you're around because your wife is friends with the wife and they're not really your friends."
• [18:19] Matt: "If I go like this, I put my hands together, that means get the F out of my house."
• [23:24] Matt: "That's my biggest tip. Do what you as a couple shine at and it'll be good. Like, my wife and I are cooks...She's doing her famed Caesar and I'm doing my famed chicken parm tonight."
• [24:32] Jordan: "I wholeheartedly agree with that. If you're looking for friends, do an activity you enjoy because you will light up and that energy is appealing to people."
• [28:21] Matt (on being strategic): "I think I'd be looking for: do you have a boat? If there's somebody with a picture of a boat or a summer house, will you be my friend?"
• [28:46] Jordan (on couple profiles): "I would just say show off your interest and what you like...so show off your flare."

Highlighted Timestamps

• [01:39] Origin story and motivation for Double Social
• [02:49] How the app works, features, and events
• [05:37] Gendered division of social labor in couple friendships
• [09:08] Inclusivity for LGBTQ couples and matching details
• [12:31] Networking as an unexpected benefit
• [16:47] Etiquette and best practices for making a good impression
• [23:24] Leveraging couple strengths for double dates
• [26:46] Online "performing," profile tips, and authenticity

Closing

Where to Download:

• App: Doubles Social (App Store)
• Web: doubles social
• Instagram: @doubles social

Jordan encourages all couples—regardless of how busy or socially active—to give Double Social a try and expand their social circle in meaningful, organized, and fun ways. The hosts sum up the value of being proactive and intentional in adult friendships, leaving listeners with actionable tips and laughter.

Final Words:
"Always remember, be good to yourself. Be good to your friends. Love you, buddy." – Aaron [30:03]