The JTrain Podcast – “Life and Love After Reality TV with Lauren O’Brien”

Host: Jared Freid
Guest: Lauren O’Brien (Love is Blind alum)
Date: November 5, 2025
Chit Chat Wednesday

Episode Overview

This lively episode of The JTrain Podcast centers on what life is really like after being on a dating reality show, especially Netflix's Love is Blind. Host Jared Freid sits down with Lauren O’Brien—former contestant from Love is Blind’s Minneapolis season—to unpack everything from the psychology of reality TV fandom to dating in the spotlight to the realities of “soft launching” a new relationship on social media. The conversation delves into how reality TV exposure shapes your dating life, dealing with unsolicited DMs, and the very real friendships and lessons you walk away with.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[00:00–04:36] The Public Reacts to Reality TV

• Jared and Lauren agree: most reality TV viewers and online commentators speak with false confidence about people and situations they’ve never actually lived.
• Jared highlights the trend of “armchair psychologists” and the Internet mob leveling hyperbolic accusations at reality contestants.
  • Quote (Jared, 04:36): “You're seeing what type of dictators everyone would be … you're seeing how they wield their power, which is in a disgusting way.”

[05:51–08:26] After the Show: Dating, “Soft Launches” & Gossip Culture

• Lauren reveals she’s seeing someone new, but has fun with the social media “soft launch” game.
• Both discuss the pressures and weirdness of exposing (or hiding) a new partner online.
• Lauren describes the “hey, girly” DMs—strangers offering gossip or warnings about men from her season.
  • Quote (Lauren, 07:41): “Everyone wants to have a connection to something like this... People just want to feel like they have inside information about something that's public.”
• Jared is repulsed by people reaching out to share negative “info” about ex-partners. (08:26)

[09:12–14:48] Reentering the Dating Scene Post-TV & DMs Reality

• Lauren met her current boyfriend on Hinge, explaining the unique challenge of dating after being on TV—especially whether to reveal her reality show history.
• Jared shares his take on the “genie’s wish gone wrong” of getting attention in DMs; more isn’t always better.
• Lauren observed most DMs from men post-show were either generic, a little odd, or not exactly the type she’d hope for (some “I’ll treat you better” messages from strangers).
  • Notable: DMs from men who seemed “normal” and lived locally were rare.
• Both compare dating app overload to “Sweet’n Low vs. sugar in coffee”—apps provide a rush, but real-life connections feel more authentic.

[14:50–16:20] The First Date with Her Boyfriend

• The first date was slightly awkward because Lauren didn’t know whether or how to bring up Love is Blind.
• A fan approached her at a bar on the date, giving her the chance to ask her boyfriend if he knew about her TV past—he did, but waited for her to mention it herself, which she saw as respectful and a “green flag.”

[16:40–18:09] Relationship Timeline & Gender Norms in Dating

• Lauren’s new relationship is fresh (“a few months”).
• Jared observes that, ironically, men get into relationships for romantic reasons more often than credited, and women sometimes talk themselves into a relationship for practical reasons.

[18:09–21:29] Pop Culture & Reality Reflections

• Brief discussion of Nobody Wants This, representation of Judaism, and the Foster sisters in media.
• Quote (Jared, 21:29): “They don't really do a good job of being kind to Jewish women, in my opinion. … I don't know if that's an accurate thing. I don't know.”

[21:29–25:07] Love Is Blind Experience Reflections

• Lauren analyzes on-screen relationships—especially viewers’ and participants’ perspectives on compatibility (her own with Dave, specifically).
  • Quote (Lauren, 22:34): “I as a viewer and as a participant don’t think there were many people watching Dave and I’s story unfold, thinking, ‘I’m really rooting for these two.’"
• Lauren’s relationship on the show served as a relatable example of when two people’s intentions don’t match ("someone who says he’s ready but his actions don’t line up").

[25:07–27:09] Aftermath, Growth & Forgiveness

• Lauren didn’t aim for vengeance or a “get back” moment post-breakup.
• She observes exes are judged harshly by the public but believes “most people aren't evil.”
  • Quote (Jared, 25:57): “Everyone dates a Dave until you’re dating the Dave who doesn’t want to be the Dave anymore.”

[27:27–30:08] Post-Reality TV Work Life

• Lauren kept her regular 9-to-5 job in educational sales—by choice—and discusses criticism influencers get for leaving (or keeping) their jobs.
• Jared relates this to being a stand-up comic: true identity is often more mundane and less “viral” than it appears online.

[30:08–34:27] Real-World Connection & Best Dates

• Both agree in-person connections—whether fans after shows, or dates that “travel” from one venue to another—are more meaningful.
• Lauren shares her favorite recent date: a dinner at Josefina in Wayzata (Minneapolis area), followed by a 90s cover band, planned as a surprise by her boyfriend.
  • Quote (Jared, 34:27): “Nothing is hotter than, ‘I got a place. I got an idea.’ I’m just saying—it’s over.”

[35:06–46:39] “Reality or Rubbish” Game – Behind-the-Scenes of Love is Blind

Lauren answers rapid-fire questions about what’s real (or not) about Love is Blind.
Key revelations:

• Most cast members are looking for love, but intentions and behavior can change.
• Not having a phone during filming felt freeing, not stressful (Lauren: “I loved not having my phone.” 37:33).
• Would she do another reality show? Yes, maybe not dating-based, but something more “mind games” (Traders, etc.).
• The food in the pods was actually decent, with custom snacks and meals, catered to personal preferences (39:29–40:31).
• It’s not ideal to fart in the pods—you’re always miked up!
• Lauren made lasting friendships with women from her season (Taylor and Sarah especially), and men and women keep in touch in different groups.
  • Quote (Lauren, 44:11): “Not many people have obviously experienced what we went through … it was such a cool opportunity too, to meet people your age in kind of your same stage of life that live within like a 2 mile radius of each other.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Gossip is like a mosquito bite. Once you start itching on it, you’re like, ooh, that feels so good.” — Jared (08:26)
• **“My perfect DM is, ‘Hey, I’m with a bunch of my friends. We’re out in the area. Would love for you to come hang out with us.’ And now … I can feel out a vibe.”— Jared (11:45)
• “More doesn’t mean good, but more gives you the rush of a sense of good.” — Jared (13:23)
• “It’s easier for women to grow into liking someone; for men, it’s gotta be a feeling first.” — Paraphrased discussion (16:40)
• “Everyone dates a Dave until… you’re dating the Dave who doesn’t want to be the Dave anymore.” — Jared (25:57)
• “If I could do a retreat like that again where there’s not cameras in my face, but I don’t have a phone for three-plus weeks? Sign me up.” — Lauren (37:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–04:36: Reality TV armchair analysis & public opinion
• 05:51–08:26: The struggles of dating post-show and “soft launching” relationships
• 09:12–14:48: Dating apps vs. real life; DM culture
• 14:50–16:20: First date post-Love is Blind
• 18:09–21:29: Pop culture, religion & representation in reality TV
• 22:34–25:07: Assessing compatibility—on-screen, off-screen
• 35:06–46:39: “Reality or Rubbish” game: what’s real about Love is Blind?

Tone & Flow

The conversation is playful, honest, and occasionally irreverent—both Jared and Lauren poke fun at themselves and the broader culture of reality TV and dating. The episode is rich with personal anecdotes and inside baseball about reality TV, making it relatable for anyone who’s ever been single in the age of dating apps or fascinated by what’s real (or isn’t) in unscripted TV.

Takeaways

• Reality TV contestants are real people, and the effects of public scrutiny can be intense and lasting.
• Post-reality dating is complicated by fame, social media, and the desire to control what’s public.
• Most connections—romantic or platonic—formed on these shows are genuine, even if the editing doesn’t show every nuance.
• Human connection—a recurring theme—is more valuable and lasting than any amount of Instagram followers or DM attention.

Follow Lauren on Instagram: @laurenmariaobrien