Podcast Summary: Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt
Episode: What Guys Really Want to Know About Dating Today
Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Madison Prewett Troutt
Special Guest: (Implied to be her husband, Grant)

Episode Overview

In this candid, insightful, and humorous episode, Madison Prewett Troutt and her husband continue their two-part conversation answering questions men and women have about modern Christian dating. Weaving in personal stories, faith-based wisdom, and practical advice, they tackle commonly asked questions about communication, “the ick,” handling breakups, signs of mutual interest, spiritual alignment, and how to date with integrity while honoring God and others. Authenticity and encouragement set the tone, making this a valuable episode for anyone navigating dating and longing to "stay true".

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Gives Someone “the Ick”? (03:03 - 06:53)

• Definition: The "ick" is a sudden feeling of repulsion over someone’s behavior or habits, which can be minor (overcomeable) or a dealbreaker.
• Examples:
  • For Madison: Clinginess and someone who eats loudly or with their mouth open.
    • "If you're too clingy, I'm gone. I'm out." – Madison (04:00)
  • For Grant: Someone who dominates conversation and doesn’t reciprocate with questions.
    • "If I ask you a question and I don't talk for like seven and a half minutes, it's a pretty big [ick]." – Grant (04:32)
• Advice: Good dates involve mutual curiosity, active listening, and question-asking from both sides.

2. Dating Well: Listening, Serving, and Breaking Up Kindly (05:00 - 10:28)

• Mutual Respect: Even if not interested romantically, aim to encourage and leave people better than you found them.
• Handling Disinterest:
  • Don’t reject someone at the end of date 1 in person; sleep on it and seek wise counsel before deciding how to move forward.
    • "Definitely not the same night. That feels immature to me." – Grant (09:28)

3. How Guys and Girls Process Breakups (11:53 - 16:49)

• Gender Differences:
  • Girls: More openly emotional, talk with friends right away.
  • Guys: Withdraw, hide their hurt, hurt surfaces later.
    • "Dudes go quieter and they hide their hurt and the hurt comes out later." – Grant (12:26)
• Cautions:
  • Avoid bashing exes, as it reflects immaturity and can complicate things if reconciliation occurs.
    • "Tame the tongue, and be led by the spirit." – Madison (14:27)
• Faith Perspective:
  • See breakups as opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.
    • "Breakups can be crossroads moments for people's lives." – Grant (16:18)

4. Asking for a Parent’s Blessing in Marriage (17:03 - 21:27)

• Experience:
  • Grant discusses the nerves and authenticity of asking Madison’s dad for his blessing, noting the distinction between permission and blessing.
    • "The godly way is you're asking for blessing...not necessarily going, can I—it's, will you bless this?" – Grant (18:53)
• Memorable Story:
  • In the actual moment, Madison’s father was ill, adding another layer of emotion and humor to the experience.

5. Being Equally Yoked and Navigating Differences (21:29 - 25:53)

• Definition:
  • Being equally yoked is about pursuing the same mission and being committed to spiritual growth, not necessarily being at the same “level.”
    • "You don't have to be spiritually equal...as long as they're both committed to the pursuit of growing and being perfected by Jesus." – Grant (22:06)
• Different Denominations:
  • Discuss potential challenges and the importance of sharing core gospel beliefs.

6. Sharing Your Past in Dating (25:53 - 28:52)

• When & How:
  • Not on the first date. Must come before engagement, timed based on established trust.
    • "Don't have to get graphic. Just have to be honest, vulnerable and real." – Grant (26:06)
  • Only share details that are helpful, not those that provoke insecurity or fear.

7. Recognizing True Interest vs. Kindness (29:02 - 31:53)

• How Guys Can Tell:
  • Ask her friends for insight; friends often give away the truth, even if subtly.
    • "The friends will tell you the truth." – Madison (29:31)
• Distinguishing Flirtiness from Kindness:
  • Flirtiness disregards the other person’s heart, while kindness seeks their best interest.
    • "Kindness is never going to lead someone on or break someone's heart; flirtiness is." – Madison (31:03)

8. Emotional Boundaries & Friendships with Opposite Sex (32:13 - 33:54)

• Madison recommends avoiding deep emotional or spiritual sharing in guy-girl friendships unless there’s romantic intention, to prevent confusion and hurt.

9. Subtle Signs a Girl Likes a Guy (34:50 - 36:29)

• Eye contact: Lingering looks, especially in group settings.
• Physical touch: Light touch on arm during conversation.
  • "If I'm locked in like an eye contact, that was a strong sign for me that I was really interested." – Madison (35:56)

10. Safety in Relationships—What Matters Most to Women (36:38 - 40:45)

• Top Priorities:

  • Trustworthiness.
  • A partner's love for and pursuit of Jesus.
  • Being seen for one's heart and mind, not appearance.
  • "I'm gonna feel the safest and feel the most loved when you love Jesus the most." – Madison (36:51)

• Why Girls Cross Physical Boundaries:

  • To feel seen and loved; “Girls give sex to get love, guys give love to get sex.” – Grant (39:32)

11. Holding on to Hope Without Idolizing Marriage (40:45 - 46:21)

• Key Insight:

  • Anchor hope in Jesus, not outcomes or a future spouse.
    • "If your hope is tied to a person...you're going to get into a marriage and really quickly learn, that person's going to let you down." – Madison (41:37)
  • Learn contentment in all seasons and focus on being the person worth pursuing and following.

• Advice to Men:

  • Prioritize spiritual maturity, leadership, and personal integrity before seeking a relationship.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Be a great listener and a great question asker. If at the very least you want a good date, be genuinely curious." – Grant (06:15)
• "If you're not interested, don't ask too many follow up questions in the conversation...even if they think you're a little rude, it's better than them thinking you're trying to get too deep." – Madison (31:53)
• "You are not considering the other person." – Madison, distinguishing flirtiness from kindness. (31:03)
• "Tame the tongue and be led by the spirit" – Madison on post-breakup conduct. (14:27)
• "Who am I? Who is God making me to be?" – Grant, on using breakups for personal growth. (16:49)
• "It's a really good feeling to walk up to the dad if he...knew the ins and outs of our dating experience...like, that's who I want Maddie to end up with." – Grant (18:51)
• "The friends will tell you the truth. And if they won't say it straight up, they'll give you enough hints." – Madison (29:32)
• "Am I a man worth following right now?...Be set apart in your faith and your purity in your speech and your conduct." – Madison (45:36)

Important Timestamps

• 03:03 – The “ick” and dealbreakers in dating
• 06:15 – The importance of listening and question-asking on dates
• 09:01 – How to kindly end things after a first date
• 12:26 – How men vs. women process breakups
• 14:27 – Advice on not bashing an ex
• 17:35 – Asking for a parent's blessing
• 21:29 – Being equally yoked in faith/different denominations
• 25:53 – When to share your past
• 29:14 – How to tell if a girl is interested or just being nice
• 33:49 – Boundaries in opposite-sex friendships
• 36:43 – What makes women feel safe in relationships
• 40:45 – Idolizing marriage vs. anchoring hope in Jesus
• 45:36 – Encouragement for men to be worth following

Tone & Language

The tone is honest, playful, and faith-filled. Madison and Grant candidly share both their experiences and biblical principles, speaking with warmth, vulnerability, and humor. They frequently refer to scriptural principles and stress personal growth, community, and godly wisdom.

Further Engagement

Madison encourages listeners to continue the conversation by submitting questions via Instagram (@StayTruePodcast) for future episodes.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking trustworthy, practical, and Christ-centered advice on modern dating.