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Jon Stewart
Catch Jon Stewart back in action on the Daily show and in your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. From his hilarious satirical takes on today's politics and entertainment to the unique voices of correspondents and contributors, it's your perfect companion to stay on top of what's happening now. Plus, you'll get special content just for podcast listeners, like in depth interviews and a roundup of the week's top headlines. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or or wherever you get your podcasts.
Osvaldo Shin
Do you want to see into the future? Do you want to understand an invisible force that's shaping your life? Do you want to experience the frontiers of what makes us human? On tech stuff, we travel from the mines of Congo to the surface of Mars, from conversations with Nobel Prize winners to the depths of TikTok to ask burning questions about technology, from high tech to low culture and everywhere in between. Join us Listen to tech stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Tisha Allen
You are cordially invited to the hottest party in professional sports. I'm Tisha Allen, former golf professional and the host of welcome to the Party, your newest obsession about the wonderful world that is women's golf. Featuring interviews with top players on tour, tips to help improve your swing, and the craziest stories to come out of your friendly neighborhood country club. Welcome to the Party with Tisha Allen is an iHeart Women's fourth production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports Entertainment. Listen to welcome to the Party that's P A R T E e on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.
Tomer Cohen
I'm Tomer Cohen, LinkedIn's chief product officer. If you're just as curious as I am about the way things are built.
Yue
Then tune in to my podcast, Building One. I speak with some of the best product builders out there.
Tomer Cohen
I've always been inspired by frustration back.
Julie
To my own personal opinion.
Tomer Cohen
So we had to go out to.
Tisha Allen
Farmers and convince them.
Tomer Cohen
Following that, curiosity is a superpower. You have to be obsessed with the human condition. Listen to Building One on the iHeartRadio app, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.
Yue
Hello everybody. Welcome back to the show. Welcome back to the podcast. New listeners, old listeners, wherever you are in the world, it is so great to have you here back for another episode. As we of course break down some of the psychology of our 20s, I'm going to come right out and say it. The biggest questions that we have in our 20s and the questions that I Get the most of revolve around dating. Like, how exactly are we meant to do this? How do I stop getting attached so quickly? How do I know if this person likes me, if I even like them? How do I find the one and not be completely exhausted by the process? Or the biggest question of all, is this something that I should even be prioritizing during my 20s? You know, alternatively, could this be my decade to just be, like, free and uninhibited and not worry about this process? I think that I am there with you, and so many of us are. It is occasionally, you know, dating is more trouble than it's worth. But I also deeply believe that dating shouldn't be a chore. It should be something that's fun and exciting and that you don't feel any pressure towards and that there is some pretty amazing ways to go about it that bring us to this point. The question that that leaves us with, and I know I'm full of a lot of questions, is how do we get there? How do we get to that point? And to give us the expert advice on how to date, when to date, and who to date in your 20s, we have the host of the outstanding podcast, Databall, Julie and Yue. Welcome to the show.
Tomer Cohen
Thanks for having us.
Julie
Thanks for having us.
Tomer Cohen
I love your voice. I'm just so by your voice right now.
Yue
Thank you so much, guys. You know, a little bit of ASMR to Kickstarter Morning. Can you introduce yourself and introduce Datable. Who are you guys? What is the show?
Tomer Cohen
Ooh, yes. We're gonna get right into it. We've had this podcast for almost a decade. We were introduced. Julie and I were introduced by a mutual friend over a decade ago, actually. And we were just sharing, what do you call them, war stories of dating. Like, what have you survived? And we thought that was such a great way to share what's going on in modern dating, share our own experiences and not feel like we're alone in it. So we decided to do a podcast out of it. But since then, we've really evolved the way we see modern dating. We think we are at a point where people are very fed up with dating. It's. Dating is harder than ever, but also it gives us the best opportunity to date right now, and we can go into that more later. And we go into it in our book. But the two of us come from kind of like this. We straddle the old and the new. So, you know, I'm like. I'm like the first millennial, so I'm you know, I was born in 81, so I'm the first millennial. And I just remember growing up with all these rules about dating, very traditional ways of looking at gender roles. And now with modern dating, we're straddling kind of a progressive view of dating. So I was feeling lost because I only knew kind of the traditional ways of dating, like, who pays for what and who should text and who should initiate. And here I was in a world where all the rules are kind of thrown out the window, and I had to recreate a love life that worked for me, and I didn't know where to start. So that's where I was when I met Julie.
Julie
Yeah. And where I was. I don't think I ever set out to be a dating expert, so it still makes me laugh every day. But I was just as confused as probably many people that are listening are right this minute of just where to date. I got all the old books. We were kind of talking about that before we got on here. You know, why men love bitches and, you know, the rules. And I. I thought I would approach dating, like, I did, like, schoolwork or a job and really study up and learn all the ways to navigate it. And I think that's why those books were so appealing, because they gave you a framework. The problem was I was not myself at all in the process. And I just remember friends being like, you're so social. You have so many friends. Like, why does dating not stick ever? And I was just lost. And, you know, I think when I met Yue, I was actually coming out of, like, my first real serious relationship. And at that point, I was like, you know, I found someone. I did it. I made it work. And then it didn't. And it wasn't because the love wasn't there. I realized just, like, not all the time things happen the way, like, we're told they are and, like, in the movies and, you know, this simplistic view of relationships. And I think it just made us both really curious on the topic and want to dive in even more.
Yue
I love that this was, like, an accidental career for you both.
Tomer Cohen
Oh, totally.
Julie
100%. You're gravitated to things, right, that you, like, struggle with?
Yue
Oh, 100%. You know, the psychology of your 20s. I have no idea what I'm doing. That's the whole reason I'm doing this book.
Tomer Cohen
But you do.
Yue
But you do know what you're doing.
Tomer Cohen
Yeah, exactly.
Julie
And then you learn along the way. Right?
Yue
I just get to interview really smart experts, and they just give Me all the tips like yourselves. But I do think that you raised a really interesting point, which is that dating in this day and age is very different. And I think that a lot of us are bringing very outdated ideas of what that looks like. Outdated ideas of, like, what are the games that we have to play, what are the rules to follow, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Why do you think that those rules are actually, you know, I don't. Don't want to say worsening our chances, but making it so much harder for us to actually enjoy the process.
Tomer Cohen
Well, if you think about it, dating is for you. You're not dating for other people. Yet we are restrained by these rules that other people have created for us, these social constructs that are not serving us for most part and not helping us in any way. So just by virtue of saying there are these rules already puts us in a box and doesn't free us from being our most authentic selves in dating.
Julie
Yeah, I think this is kind of a weird response as to dating experts, but one of the things we've realized in our decade is you actually don't need to be good at dating. Maybe it's actually hurting you because the way dating operates today, we're not saying to not date. It's maybe to change how we date. But the way it operates today, it's all centered around disconnection, when all we really crave is connection. And the games, like, we hear, you know, people are like, well, I'm over the games. I don't do that. That we hear them say, like, oh, but you know, I'm gonna wait half an hour to text that person back, because they didn't text me back right away. That's a game. And it's, like, all so baked into dating culture that we don't always even realize when we're playing games.
Yue
I really like that point. It's like, is the biggest mistake that we're making not being authentic? Like, is it just seriously back to basics? Oh, my God, there we go. Done episode. And that was actually going to be one of my questions. I was going to be like, you guys are the dating experts. What's the biggest mistake that we're. That we're making? What's the thing we're getting wrong about dating? Is it, you know, that we're not authentic? And is it that we're trying to be someone that we're not in the first week, month, day, year of dating someone?
Tomer Cohen
I mean, you did a recent episode about dating burnout. And we truly believe that you feel Burnt out when you are not true to yourself because you're exerting more energy to be something you're not. That's how you get burnt out. But if you're authentic to who you are and your needs, then you feel energized. Like dating should feel energizing if you're doing it in a way that serves you right. So I think you're onto something there. Gemma. Maybe the biggest issue is we're all trying to be something we're not. And that's what's causing us to be burnt out, to feel overwhelmed, to feel completely failed by modern dating, when we just need to take the control back and say, I am in the driver's seat of my love life and I will make every choice, every action, every behavior is in line with what I authentically stand for, not what society or other people want for me.
Yue
I also feel like when. With what you were saying, then when you put on this, like, false Persona, right. You end up attracting people that you don't even like. And like you said, like, it. It's so draining and you're so burnt out. It's kind of like a friendship, you know, when you just know that you and a person, you really actually don't get along that well. Like, there really isn't much like, chemistry, completely platonically, of course, and you don't remain friends with those people. Like, you don't message them, you don't text them, you don't really want to hang out with them. But with dating, it's like the stakes are so high that you give these people second, third, fourth chances and then you're both exhausted during the relationship. And then afterwards you probably feel a sense of like, but I did all these things. I did everything right and it didn't work out. Like, that's the whole, like, that's the whole cycle that I think really frustrates people.
Julie
Absolutely. And we call it in our book, actually the validation trap. This is something that's getting in people's way because dating is no longer a way to just meet new people and have fun and see who the right match is. It's basically measuring our self worth. And that comes from all the pressure with dating and, you know, ua. And I really fundamentally believe we've talked to like thousands of daters. We've seen people that, you know, felt really hopeless, like, felt like, I've never had a real relationship or I just don't know how to date are now in super healthy relationships. So we really believe that, like, everyone is Dateable, that is a core message that we have. But it's modern dating norms that are getting in the way. So you asked earlier, like, what are some of the biggest mistakes? I think it's coming to modern dating culture. Like, we had one of our friends come on the podcast and she was saying how, like in every other part of life, she's a go getter. She, you know, makes plans proactively. If someone asked to meet up in a business context, she's on it. A friend asked to meet up, she does it. But in dating, she feels like, because like everyone else is putting in less and less effort, it makes her do the same. So then she ghosts. Because they ghost and it's a cycle. She drops to what she called the lowest common denominator. And art. And her thing was, well, if someone's going to give me 10%, I'll give them 9%. And our take was, why not give them 0%? Like, they're showing you what they're giving. You know what you want to give. Like, how do you rise above dating culture? Not just do the thing, because that's how dating works.
Yue
And this validation. Validation cycle or validation trap. Trap, even better, could be a cycle as well.
Julie
Yeah, yeah.
Yue
Neither. You don't want to be in either of them. Let's just avoid with the validation trap. Like, how does it keep us in those, like, same unsustaining relationships or situationships or dating the wrong people?
Tomer Cohen
Yeah, because you are constantly tying your self worth to other people's behaviors and your perceived perception of how they see you. That even me just saying that sentence is so exhausting. Right. Because you're constantly like who you are. What you're worth is a product of how someone else treats you. That's not how life should be. You know your worth and you know what you're putting out there. You know what you bring to the table. Why have other people dictate that? So the danger with a validation trap is you never fully stand strong in who you are. You're not rooted. Your branches are just tied to all these other people who are moving in every which direction. Like, imagine how weak that tree is if they have no roots but branches tied to all the other trees. You would end up just being like. We call this a dating chameleon, where you just, you know, pretend you're other people to try to fit into other people's lives.
Julie
I think one of the biggest challenges I had personally was situationships. It was like even before the term existed. I was the queen of situationships. Always in them, all through my 20s and even into my early 30s. And finally I was able to crack that, luckily. But I think the biggest piece was with Valley Validation is that one. I think I just didn't know, like, what love actually should look like and what a healthy relationship was. But also it was this cycle of wanting the approval of someone and feeling like I could win them over. And, you know, I'd already invested so much energy. The sun cost fallacy. I'm just gonna keep going. And it was so tied to my ego that, like, I wanted to win, but I was like, winning by settling for someone that didn't even really want to be with me. Like, that's not win meaning at all. And I think rejection also ties to that. When we're so tied to validation, we want to avoid rejection at all cost. And then, like, the most recent time I was dating before I met my partner now three years plus, I just lost all of that. Like, I got to the point where I was just like, I'm going to show up as myself. If someone doesn't want to be with me, then, like, I'm going to move on. And they're clearing my path to find the right person. But it took a lot of reframing to get to that point and not fall for validation trap anymore.
Yue
And I'm sure, like, even with all the knowledge you had, it's still very instinctual. Oh, yeah, it's just, you know, it's basic human psychology. Like, you want what you can't have. Like, you end up being led by attraction. Yeah, exactly. It's fomo. Everyone else has these relationships and you're like, if I can just make this work, like, I can take that off my list as well. It's so interesting because literally this morning, I've been with my, my partner for like two years now. We have the best relationship. And this morning my ex, situationship messaged me out of the blue right before come back.
Julie
Always come back.
Yue
And I was like, huh? Hi. And he sent me like, this meme about how, you know, as we're recording this, like, the US election is going on. And he sent me this meme about, like, how Kamala Harris is, like, banning all situationships and like, any, like, anyone who's in a, like, who creates a situationship, like, should go straight to jail. And it was so. I was like, where the is this coming from, mate? Like, I haven't spoken to you in like three years. You're still thinking about me. Like, I'm with this amazing person now. You know, that I'm with this person. But he messaged me. And it. I got this feeling in my stomach, like, it, like, did a flip. And I was just like, oh, my God. And I just felt all of these emotions all over again. And I remember, like. Like, you know, three months ago, I was like, why was I. You know, for a while, I've been like, why was I ever in that situation? And I was like, because he knew how to make me really anxious.
Julie
Yeah.
Yue
And he knew how to, like. I think I say this a lot. It comes down to, like, being a bit of an overachiever and a bit of a perfectionist, like everything else in my life, much like your friend. Right. You, I had to work hard for. And there was this whole sense that, like, what's easy? Like, if it was easy, everyone could have it. So the relationship that was most hard to obtain, the person's attention that was most hard to obtain, was the one that I should focus on. And I think that made me incredibly anxious. And he really knew how to leverage that. And it was just this wild feeling of being like, wow, I'm, like, straight back in this. In this time. For just that second, I feel exactly how that felt. And it gave me a sense of forgiveness, of like, yeah, no, no wonder. No wonder. Like, I was getting so wrapped up in this. When you're in those situations, everything is just playing on this, like, instinctual, anxious drive, this sense of, like, I need to find stability here. And the only way I can find stability is to, like, reach the conclusion of this relationship and make it into something more. I just think that, like, I don't know if that's been your experience, but that was the real reason I found myself in situationships for a very long time as well.
Julie
A hundred percent. I can relate to everything you just said. In our book, we actually have a quiz of, like, what type of dater you are. I'm curious if you took it, but I was an achiever, dreamer, and that combination was kind of. I may be guessing that is what you are.
Tomer Cohen
Yeah.
Yue
Yeah, it actually was.
Tomer Cohen
Thanks to that.
Julie
Okay.
Yue
But that's.
Julie
That's the exact notion that I had too, of, like, you know, I imagine this fantasy with this person and, like, for, you know, everyone can take the quiz. Even if you don't have the book, you can go to our website and take the quiz. But, like, it's so fascinating because it's all about, like, what are your strengths that you bring to dating, but then also what holds you back. And I think in that situation, it was like this getting ahead of yourself, making something, romanticizing it. And this is also natural. That's why, like, with all of this that we talk about, it's like, these are just traps that everyone's falling for because it's instinctual to how dating and modern dating work. And this need to, like, win comes from this achiever's mindset of, like, I still want to, like, get this person 100%.
Yue
And like you said, what is winning? I'm the. The winning is being with someone who doesn't even want to be with me. Like, that doesn't seem like a great prize. I'm sorry. Like, that seems pretty crap. How do you think. How do you think we can stop ourselves from really getting carried away in the early days? Because sometimes I find. Sometimes, you know, I've now been with my partner for a while, so not recently, but when I was dating and what a lot of people do ask me is, I meet this person, and suddenly I am fantasizing about the wedding that we're going to have in three years. We've been on one date. Is that just infatuation or is that a sign of something deeper? How do you stop that from getting in the way of actually getting to know each other?
Tomer Cohen
Yeah, this is such a great question because so many of us fall into that. And I would argue that it's very healthy to fantasize about a future with someone. If. If you don't do that, then maybe you don't have a heart.
Yue
Right?
Tomer Cohen
Like, it's good to. To feel like the warm and fuzzies about someone, be like, oh my gosh, maybe we could have a family together. But this sounds like typical dreamer where you get so ahead of yourself that you get wrapped and wrapped up in the story, and then you forget about the reality of what's happening. So, you know, even in the book, we always tell everybody to just like, fact check. Write down all the things that are real, all the things you are feeling, and then just know that you can observe all of this and all of this can exist at once. Don't feel bad for feeling this way. But also, it's good to do a reality check every once in a while. Okay. It's only been three dates. Okay. I don't even know their middle name. Like, okay, like, we have. We haven't had a conversation for longer than two hours. Like, it's good to. To just bring you back to reality. But it's okay if you fantasize every once in a while. Like, it's natural to do that.
Julie
And in today's dating culture too, we call it the expectation of love on demand. Another trap that gets in our way. Because in today's world, everything happens at lightning speed, right? Like you can get an Uber and you can order a meal and all the things like at the touch of your fingertips. And of course, you expect that in dating too. So with this, like, as soon as we meet someone that we like, we often get ahead of ourselves and we start imagining this future and also couple in that people are really frustrated by dating and just want to get out. So it's all this like perfect storm of, you know, maybe not giving other people that could be potentially better partners for the long haul enough time and then focusing on people that we don't really know. Like Yue said, I really had to get realistic because this was a huge problem of mine. I remember even, like when I met my partner now, though, like, I remember my best friend being like, so do you think you'll go out with him again? I'm like, you know, if I do, that would be awesome. And if I don't, that's also okay because I have no idea what's going on in his life after going out with him one time. And I think it really took conscious unlearning of those patterns.
Yue
I guess the other thing that really factors into this and listening to you, to you both talk about it, is this idea that, like, you should have this passionate, all consuming spark, you know, everybody's love stories. And there's this huge idea of, like, you should know within the first, like five minutes, like, real love won't hide. And if you have to, like, take time and be patient with it, like, obviously it's not the one for you. It is also it comes down to, like, if he wanted to, if she wanted to, they would.
Julie
Yeah.
Yue
Which I am like, yeah, okay, like, I get it. I do get it. I think it's like a nice philosophy. But sometimes, like you said, there's other things happening in their life. Maybe they do really want to, but they can't. But also it gives this expectation of, like, grand gestures and huge commitment very, very quickly. Sometimes, like the best love comes from slowing down and comes from taking your time. How do we do that? That's like the million dollar question. How do we, like, slow down, actually enjoy dating, actually enjoy the process and getting to know someone in this, like, love on demand environment, in this, like, very urgent society that we live in.
Tomer Cohen
Oh, such a beautiful observation. I will tell you. I spent my 20s being addicted to love. And my 30s, chasing that high and now being in my 40s, I realized that was all a ruse. Like that was not that, that's not what relationships are about. So I think it's, it's good to know that, you know, oh, I really chase the butterflies or I'm chasing that grand passionate feeling. Because as long as you are observing that, you know that's happening to you. But the second step to that is to say, am I feeling this passion for this person because they haven't called me back in two days and I've now written this novel about them and I'm now addicted to this story of this person or are they actually showing signs of being a partner? That's why I'm feeling love and passion for them. And in my 20s, I will tell you, I was chasing after people who were the first, how I described in the first way is they were not available. But I was so connected to the story of who they were that I began chasing, not them, these fantasy characters. So now I can look back on that and say, okay, I'm glad I went through that experience. But this is, I think this is the biggest shift for me in how I turn that around. My friend Amy told me this because I asked her like, why do you want to get married? Why do you want to have kids? Why, why do you want any of this stuff in life? And she said, it's not the achievements or the milestones, it's I want to learn how I can expand my heart to the fullest. And I thought that was such a beautiful way of putting relationships. And dating is, it's not about the end result or getting someone or chasing this milestone. It's what can you do to love the fullest at each opportunity? And even if that person doesn't stay forever, you are using that opportunity to expand your heart. And I really hope that everybody can take that expansion in mind when they're dating because it's, it makes it so, so much more of a beautiful, enjoyable and like self focused experience.
Yue
Absolutely. It's also this sense of like, what are you rushing towards? You know, what, what's the rush? And I know people are always like, well, I just want to do all these things with them. And I'm like, if you're going to be with them forever, they will happen. And you don't want to squeeze a whole relationship into like four years and then be like, wait, we actually never really like got to know each other. I always say it's like, you've got to Enjoy. Enjoy the waiting rooms. Right? There are periods in your life when you're in a waiting room and it's kind of like, oh, like, you know, I'm not. Not like coming to the destination. I'm not at my destination. I'm just kind of in the middle. And I do think that relationships have those rooms as well, where it's like, okay, this is the time when we can sit and slow down and have a chat and pick up a magazine and just really fill out some forms, really get to know each other. I really value that in my own relationship is early days. It's only been two years as it is. It really does mean that there is a trust built there. And I know that the bedrock of my relationship is not excitement. There is excitement in there, but the bedrock is true liking and knowledge. And like you said, my heart has room to expand. It's like when you blow up a balloon slowly rather than just giving one big push and it explodes everywhere. So I like that advice a lot.
Julie
I think this is easier said than done, but we need to, like, remember the long game here. Like, I don't. We've had these conversations with people that, you know, got married super early and are now divorced. And they were saying how they felt like they lacked the communication skills, the relational skills. They just didn't do it because, you know, they just. Everything just fell into place and it worked out. And of course, like, I'm not saying that everybody couple that gets married early, this is going to happen too. But I think if you are in the situation where you're like, I've been dating for a while, it's hard. Remember that it's all going to something like, you're learning at every step of the way here. And I really think that, like, dating is the perfect opportunity to, like, test out and train yourself and practice saying what you need. And we're always so afraid to in dating because we're like, we don't know this person well enough. I don't want to scare them away. But if we turn it, like, why not scare away the wrong people? Like, that's filtering people out for you. And then also, like, I mean, I know for me, a huge pivotal point was when I was like, okay, I'm going to date with my own needs at the forefront. So that involved getting clear about what those deeds even were what I wanted. Because in the past, I was like the hitchhiker along for everyone else's ride. And that's why I was in all the situationships. But then when you are able, able to turn it on yourself, then you're in control and you're making those decisions. And you can also look at it like this person isn't the right one for me. Not just I need to be saved and get done with this.
Yue
Oh my goodness. Words I had wished I heard a long time ago. Maybe like three or four years ago. Those would have been incredibly helpful, but I had to learn it the hard way. We're going to take a short break, but when we return and I'm going to talk more about how to date seriously and how to know if someone is the right one.
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is back in the host chair at the Daily show, which means he's also back in our ears on the Daily Show Ears Edition Podcast. The Daily show podcast has everything you need to stay on top of today's news and pop culture. You get hilarious satirical takes on entertainment, entertainment, politics, sports and more from John and the team of correspondents and contributors. The podcast also has content you can't get anywhere else, like extended interviews and a roundup of the weekly headlines. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Osvaldo Shin
Do you want to understand an invisible force that's shaping your life? I'm Osvaloshin, one of the new hosts of the long running podcast Tech Stuff. I'm slightly skeptical but obsessively intrigued.
Tomer Cohen
And I'm Cara Price, the other new host, and I'm ready to adopt early.
Osvaldo Shin
And often on tech Stuff. We travel all the way from the mines of Congo to the surface of Mars to the dark corners of TikTok to ask and attempt to answer burning questions about technology.
Yue
One of the kind of tricks for surviving Mars is to live there long.
Tomer Cohen
Enough so that people evolve into Martians.
Julie
Like data is a very rough proxy.
Yue
For a complex reality. How is it possible that the world's.
Julie
New energy revolution can be based in.
Yue
This place where there's no electricity at night?
Tomer Cohen
Oz and I will cut through the.
Julie
Noise to bring you the best conversations and deep dives that will help you understand how tech is changing our world and what you need to know to survive the singularity.
Osvaldo Shin
So join us, listen to tech stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Tomer Cohen
The forces shaping markets and the economy are often hiding behind a blur of numbers.
Tisha Allen
So that's why we created the Big Take from Bloomberg Podcasts to give you the context you need to make sense.
Tomer Cohen
Of it all every day in just 15 minutes. We dive into one global business story that matters.
Tisha Allen
You'll hear from Bloomberg journalists like Matt Levine.
Yue
A lot of this Meme stock stuff is, I think, embarrassing to the sec.
Tisha Allen
Amanda Mull, who writes our Business Week Buying Power column.
Yue
Very few companies who go viral are, like, totally prepared for what that means.
Tisha Allen
And Zoe Tillman, senior legal reporter. Courts are not supposed to decide elections.
Tomer Cohen
Courts are not really supposed to play.
Tisha Allen
A big role in choosing our elected leaders.
Tomer Cohen
It's for the voters to decide. But follow the Big Take podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.
Julie
Welcome. My name is Paola Pedrosa, a medium and the host of the Ghost Therapy podcast, where it's not just about connecting with deceased loved ones. It's about learning through them and their new perspective. Join me on the Ghost Therapy podcast.
Yue
Whoa. My lights in my living room just flickered.
Tomer Cohen
I'm a little nervous.
Yue
I'm excited. I'm excited nervous. You know, I'm very spiritual person, so.
Tomer Cohen
I'm like, I'm ready and open.
Julie
That was amazing. I feel so grateful right now. I got to speak to my great grandmother Abuela, and she gave me a lot of really good advice that I'm going to have to really think about.
Tomer Cohen
Wow. Okay.
Yue
That's crazy.
Tomer Cohen
Yes, that is accurate. It.
Julie
Listen to the Ghost Therapy podcast as part of the My Cultura Podcast network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Yue
I've got a more serious question. I feel like the first half of this episode we talked about getting to know someone, doing some of the work in yourself, around what kind of data you are, how you can go about going slow, say you are with someone, it's getting serious. You are having fun, you're vibing. Neither of you are seeing other people. It's exclusive. What if you have doubts? What if you still have questions lingering in the back of your mind like three, four, five months in? Is that something that you should call it quits over? Or is it worth kind of giving them the grace and gift of time to see if it works?
Tomer Cohen
Yeah, and this goes back to our expectation of love on demand, too. People feel like they need to know right away and also have no doubts in early dating. And it's so you're always going to have doubts. That's the reality of relationships, too. Relationships evolve and you're going to have moments where you're like, am I with the right person? So in our book, we actually make it very clear we have a perfect partner equation. So you can just follow that formula. And really, it's a plug and chug. But also, it grounds you into what matters in choosing a partner. And, like, we really bully down to, like, there are only seven things that matter. And, like, one of them is consistency. Like, is this person consistently showing up for you? But here's the thing, though. Like, with. We can do all the overthinker thinking, because the thinker is one of their dating archetypes as well. This person's gonna be like, every moment. Is this the right person? This is the right person. At some point, you just gotta say, this is the right person until they're not the right person. We see this with so many relationships that span years and years. They're right until they're not. And that's okay. Like, they do not need to be the right person forever. They are right for you based on your core needs, your values, et cetera. And that's all you really need to hold onto. You don't have to think, like, a hundred years down the line.
Julie
I think it's understanding why you're having the hesitation too. Like, UA was saying, is it something that's core to your values or the way you feel or your futures aren't aligned? I just gave away some of the perfect partner equation and. Or is it that, like, stuff from your past is coming up that's causing you to feel that anxiety? Because I think there's a big different difference if you're with the wrong person because you're fundamentally not aligned versus the normal anxieties that happen in relationships. And, like, I know for me, I thought, like, once I met that person, it'd be all. All easy because the anxiety and the difficult part was in the dating. Because I met someone, I'm like, oh, this is like, the type of person I was looking for. You know, everything on the outside is healthy. But what I've learned is, like, even in the healthiest relationships, we get triggered. Stuff comes up from our past, and there's a big differentiator if this person is wrong for you or it's coming from the back.
Yue
I love the way that you put that because I do think that there are so many amazing people out there for us, we will never choose just one if we constantly think that the grass is greener. And of course, there is an important distinction between, like you said, you know, you have this beautiful relationship equation. There is an important distinction between, you know, not feeling certain because of big questions and not feeling certain because you're like, oh, could I have Something more exciting, you know, could I have the butterflies again? I honestly see this a lot with people in their 20s where they're like, oh, my God. My relationship just feels so stable. And we're so used to chasing the high of early love that, you know, I had a friend who was in this gorgeous, beautiful relationship. She left it for. For similar reasons. And they are now back together because she was like, I just realized that actually this person was amazing. They were everything that I wanted. I was just looking for something that actually a past version of me wanted more, which was something exhilarating and intoxicating and addictive. Is that the relationship that's going to take me till my 30s, to my 40s, to my 50s? Is that the relationship I want to raise children within? Probably not. Probably not. But there are sometimes those situations. And you guys have this amazing episode, which I'm just gonna plug here because it's so good about whether you should leave a good relate. Whether you should leave a good, not great relationship. And if that is the case, this relationship is like, it's fine, it's okay. It's not amazing, and you do decide to leave. How do you get over the fear of never finding someone better? If this is in your stars, if this is in your path, this relationship isn't right. How do you stop yourself from staying for longer than you should?
Tomer Cohen
Yeah. So I was 42 years old when I found out my partner of 5 years had been cheating on me. We were making plans to start a family. I was. We were in the middle of trying to conceive when I found all the text messages, messages that nobody should ever read from their partner. So here's the thing. After this breakup, and it was hard, it was devastating, I realized if I can get through this on my own, then I am perfectly great. Like, this is. If this is the default of my life is to be strong and independent and be like the warrior on my own, then anybody who comes in my life is just additive. So having that kind of reset, going back into dating, it was so refreshing because I didn't feel like I needed to hold on to people. I knew that whoever was meant for me will be in my life and whoever was not meant for me will naturally filter themselves out. I did not need to force people to be in my life. I did not need to force people into. To be in relationships with me. And that allowed me to attract the right people because these were people like, oh, her life is great. I want to add to it. I want to be a better part of this life. Like, great, come on, come along. But I don't need a relationship. I don't need a partner. When we see, when we have the scarcity mindset, we feel like we need someone to save us. Like, a relationship is going to bring us to this island where everybody is safe and fed and roofed. And that's like, that's not how it works, right? Like, it just. Relationships won't save you if you can't save yourself.
Julie
I think, though, it's natural what you were saying. Like, especially, like, we tie in, like, a present bias, right? We look at what's in front of us currently as, like, having more weight than what could be in the future. And it's really hard to see that something better could be around the corner. Like, looking at UA's situation, I feel like you're at a much better relationship now and place now, but in the thick of that breakup, you could not see that. You could not know that. So it's a really hard situation that makes us often overstay things that aren't working. I think the hardest one, too, is, like, when it's a good relationship, like, nothing's wrong, but you're just like, is there something more fulfilling for me? And of course, we recommend, you know, having all the conversations, doing the work, going to couples therapy, not just throwing in the towel at one feeling. Feeling of that. But if you keep feeling that and you're like, fundamentally, I know this person isn't right for me, you also have to honor that, too. And honor that and trust that something will be out there that is better served for you. Because if you're fundamentally feeling that way, then, like, you do deserve something more. And so does the person you're with.
Yue
I was gonna say, yeah, so does the person you're with. Like, imagine if you were with a partner who was looking at.
Julie
Right.
Yue
I just don't. Like, I'm not gonna leave them because, you know, they' good, not great.
Julie
Right?
Yue
That would. That would break my heart if my boyfriend or my partner was like, yeah, she's. She's okay, but I'm too scared to leave her.
Tomer Cohen
Yeah.
Yue
And that's gonna be the rest of my life. Like, absolutely not.
Julie
You almost owe it to that person.
Yue
To, like, and to yourself. Like, you owe it to yourself as well, because that's still your reality. And I love what you always said of, like, okay, you might not find a better relationship, but you'll find yourself. And isn't that just as valuable? Because there are people who go through their entire lives who do not find that. And I say that with the most serious level of gravity, having seen it and in family members of mine, actually. Yes. Who I'm like, you know, you married, like, the first person you met, and now you're, like, 70, 80, and, like, I can just see that only now are you figuring yourself out about as, you know, as a. Someone who's older, and it's beautiful that they're getting that opportunity, but it is something that you need to take seriously. You can't, like, there's never going to be a good time to end a relationship ever. And there's never going to be, like, the final, you know, especially if you're with someone who's, like, really great and, like, kind and happy. Like, if you're waiting for them to, like, screw up as an excuse to, like, break up with them, I honestly think that's a little bit manipulative as well, because you're going to push them into those situations where they're going to have to take, like, take the reins. Like, I love the. The. I think the overarching theme of everything you guys say is, like, be in the driver's seat of your love life. And that also means having, like, if you're going to be in the driver's seat, you've also got to make some hard calls that might include, you know, leaving someone who is good, not great.
Tomer Cohen
But what you're saying actually inspired. Something that we talk, Julie and I talk about all the time is sometimes we evaluate our relationships on the wrong things. Like, oh, this person's so nice and faithful and kind. Like, I should stay with them because they are a good person. Well, you, like, just being with someone because they're a good person doesn't actually do anything for anybody. You want to be with a partner who is committed to growing with you, who's committed to expanding the relationship with you. The minute your partner shuts down or you shut down from that growth, that relationship is over. Because you can no longer evolve that relationship, no matter how kind or nice or great this person is. So instead of, like, us being like, oh, I can't leave a person who's so nice and great, I would just challenge people to say, have you set up your partner for success in terms of how we've had discussions about growing together and where can we expand more into. Where can we be better at in our relationship and see if your partner's receptive to that? Just, like, hang your hat on someone being a good person or nice. It's just not enough Simply not enough for a relationship.
Julie
So this is an interesting tidbit, but like, when we did that episode, there was a specific couple that had come to us that was in mind and they actually stayed together. And years later they are super happy and the, the doubts are gone, which is fascina because your instinct is to be like, leave, go find someone else. But I think that actually goes back to like, some of the challenges with modern dating. That's always the instinct. And that's why we're kind of in or headed towards what we're calling the love crisis, where dating is so hard that people don't want to do it anymore or the mental health aspect is getting so out of control that you wonder, like, is it even worth it? And if we're always onto the decks, we can never develop the relationship. So I that example, because it's like what you were saying ua of like, when you look at what's missing, how are you looking at it? And can you have that, like, come to conversation of like, how do we move that barrier? And then if you've done all the work and you're still not there, at least you know you did it instead of just moving on.
Yue
I love that. And I like, I really like this realistic approach of like, like look at the right things. And the older I've gotten that saying of like relationships at work. I used to be so scared of that saying. I used to be like, no, no, no, no. It should be easy. Yes. But like, you go to the gym when you want to like you, you look after your body. That's hard work, but you still enjoy everything is. Everything is work. Exactly. Anything that's good is work and is a choice. I actually think that, like, the easiest things in life aren't always worth having. You know, it's easy to like, be passive in your life. It's easy to sit on the couch and it's easy to like, eat the food that's like on your way home. And it's easy to do xyz. Is that going to put you in the best place? Probably not. Same goes for a relationship at times. Especially like, I don't know. Especially when there is just so much about them that you do really like and that is important. I know we're giving conflicting advice here, guys, but I think the basis of what we're saying is if you have an instinct that maybe this relationship isn't right for you, investigate it further. Is it for a reason that is something that you can work on or is it something fundamental about Your character and your plans and your visions. The first step is definitely to really test that out with your partner and really do the work and the interrogation if they are, are someone who is genuinely a great person for you. And then it's kind of up to you. Like, maybe the reason our advice is like this way and that way is because there is no one answer. But I love the analogy you gave of that couple. It's heartwarming.
Julie
I think the question too is like, what's hard? Because like, if you're like constantly trying to get attention from a situationship that is telling you outright that they don't want to commit to you, that's not the right relationship for you. But if it's hard because it's actually making you confront parts of your yourself and you know, feelings that are coming up or emotions that you've stuffed away, that's like the right type of hard. That's challenging you to be a better person. So again, I think it is conflicting, but we have to come back to like what the root is of like what is actually the hard.
Yue
I love that now we have to wrap up because I've just gotten completely, I've gotten completely carried away. Like I was going to ask you every single dating question I've ever had, but I think to finish the episode and I ask a lot of my guests this, what would each of you pick one thing, the best piece of advice that you would give your 20 something year old self around dating? What do you wish that you had known back then that the listeners can know now?
Julie
I think for me it's trust in your timing, especially in your 20s. There's so much pressure to, you know, meet these artificial milestones and it's so much better to take your time and be with the right person again. It goes back to the long game and, you know, getting into this mindset too, of I'm the one in control, I'm figuring this out. It's not the apps, it's not my city, it's not all the other people, like I'm the one leading is so empowering too. So if you could combine those two mindsets of like, you know, things will work out for me, especially if I make this a priority with I'm in the driver's seat, then I think that really sets you up for a lot more success.
Tomer Cohen
I think even asking the question you just asked is a really good way to think about dating. The question is if you're, let's say in your 30s or 40s, what did you learn in your 20s about dating. Ask yourself that question in your 20s. You know, ask yourself, like, in this situation I'm in right now, 10 years down the line, what would I tell that person that I learned from it? I think in the 20s, you don't need to be like, I have to figure it all out and I have to get it all right. Because you'll never get it all right or figure it all out. But it's such a great place with so much freedom to play and to experiment and discover. Just know that you are intentional about the discovery process. You're not repeating the same patterns of behavior that every moment is teaching you something so that when you do reach 30, you go, yep, in my 20s, I learned all of this. Like, I have a whole list of things I learned.
Yue
And also like your dating life, and life doesn't end at 30. There is such a pressure to be like, make sure that you've like picked up a partner along the way. Oh my God. Absolutely not.
Tomer Cohen
No.
Yue
You have so much time. You have so much time. So I want to thank you both for coming on to the show. I also really want to plug your book, how to be Dateable by the time this it comes out on January 28th. Correct?
Tomer Cohen
Yeah, yeah.
Yue
And it's incredible. It's a really good book and it's practical and it's helpful and it's modern and there's just so many nuggets of wisdom in it. So I'll leave a link to pre order the book in the description of this episode. Where can the listeners find your podcast? Where can they find you both?
Tomer Cohen
So many places.
Julie
We'Re all over the Internet, but really, wherever podcasts are, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and yeah, dateablepodcast.com or howtobedatable.com Brilliant.
Yue
Again, thank you so much for coming on and for your. Your beautiful advice for us 20 somethings. I hope that you guys, the listeners, enjoyed this episode. Everything else that you need will be in the link or in the description of this episode. Make sure that you leave a five star review on Apple Podcasts. Spotify. Wherever you are listening, give us a follow so you know when new episodes are coming up. Especially with 12 months of guests happening at the moment. We have some more amazing guests on their way. And until next time, stay safe, be kind and be gentle to yourself. We will talk soon. Soon. This year I've been really rethinking my relationship with alcohol and so I decided to commit to dry January to really kickstart 2025 and just test myself. Heineken 00 is the perfect companion for Dry January because you feel like you're still participating when you're out for dinner with friends, out for drinks, whilst you're still meeting your lifestyle goals. I'm a big beer fan, so I also love the taste of Heineken 00 alcohol free you can enjoy whenever refreshment calls. Heineken 00 is available at your local Heineken retailer or for delivery@heineken.com you must be 21+ to purchase. Enjoy Heineken responsibly and good luck with Dry January.
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Summary of Podcast Episode 260: "The BEST Dating Advice for Your 20s" Featuring Dateable Podcast
The Psychology of Your 20s, hosted by Jemma Sbeg, delves into the intricacies of modern dating in this insightful episode. Featuring Julie and Yue from the acclaimed Dateable Podcast, the discussion navigates the challenges, misconceptions, and effective strategies for dating in one’s twenties. Released on December 26, 2024, this episode offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the psychological dynamics at play during this formative decade.
The episode kicks off with Jemma acknowledging the predominant concerns among individuals in their twenties regarding dating. Common questions include managing attachment, identifying reciprocated interest, finding the right partner without exhaustion, and debating whether dating should be a priority at all during this decade.
Yue sets the stage by stating:
"I deeply believe that dating shouldn't be a chore. It should be something that's fun and exciting and that you don't feel any pressure towards" (02:16).
This perspective emphasizes the importance of approaching dating with a positive and relaxed mindset rather than viewing it as a burdensome task.
Julie and Yue introduce themselves as long-time podcast hosts who transitioned from sharing personal dating stories to offering expert advice. They highlight the evolution of dating from traditional frameworks to more progressive, fluid interactions in the digital age.
Julie shares her journey:
"I did approach dating like I did schoolwork or a job and really study up and learn all the ways to navigate it. The problem was I was not myself at all in the process."
This admission underscores the pitfalls of relying solely on prescriptive dating advice without maintaining personal authenticity.
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the necessity of authenticity in dating. Julie and Yue argue that adhering to outdated dating "rules" or playing games can hinder genuine connections.
Julie aptly notes:
"Dating is centered around disconnection, when all we really crave is connection. And the games, like waiting half an hour to text back, are so baked into dating culture that we don't always realize when we're playing them" (08:12).
The hosts advocate for stripping away these superficial tactics to foster sincere interactions that reflect one's true self.
A key concept introduced is the "validation trap," where individuals measure their self-worth based on their dating experiences and others' perceptions. This psychological pitfall can lead to persistent dating burnout and unhealthy relationship dynamics.
Julie explains:
"Validation is getting in people's way because dating is no longer a way to just meet new people and have fun... it's basically measuring our self-worth" (11:51).
The trap creates a cycle where individuals seek approval through relationships rather than seeking enriching connections, often resulting in unsatisfying or toxic partnerships.
Julie candidly discusses her struggles with situationships—relationships that lack clear boundaries or commitment. She highlights how seeking validation can cause individuals to remain in these ambiguous relationships, hoping to convert them into something more substantial.
Julie shares her experience:
"I was just the queen of situationships... I wanted to win, but I was winning by settling for someone that didn't even really want to be with me" (15:09).
This acknowledgment serves as a caution against settling for unfulfilling relationships in the pursuit of avoiding loneliness or instability.
The conversation delves into the instinctual behaviors that complicate modern dating, such as chasing unattainable ideal partners or succumbing to fear of missing out (FOMO). The hosts emphasize the importance of maintaining realistic expectations and focusing on meaningful connections rather than superficial pursuits.
Tomer Cohen advises:
"Date with your own needs at the forefront. You owe it to yourself to have clear what your needs are" (19:42).
By prioritizing personal needs and boundaries, individuals can navigate the dating landscape more effectively and avoid common traps.
As relationships progress, doubts naturally arise. The discussion addresses whether such doubts warrant ending a relationship or if they can be worked through with time and effort. The hosts encourage listeners to differentiate between transient anxieties and fundamental incompatibilities.
Tomer Cohen reflects:
"You're always going to have doubts. That's the reality of relationships... You just gotta say, this is the right person until they're not the right person" (35:04).
This perspective promotes patience and continuous assessment based on core values and compatibility rather than fleeting emotions.
Towards the end of the episode, Julie and Tomer offer actionable advice to listeners navigating their twenties:
Julie advises:
"Trust in your timing... take your time and be with the right person... you're in control and you're making those decisions" (50:00).
Tomer Cohen adds:
"Ask yourself, in this situation I'm in right now, 10 years down the line, what would I tell that person that I learned from it?" (50:47).
These recommendations emphasize self-awareness, intentionality, and long-term thinking in building healthy and fulfilling relationships.
The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the importance of self-growth and authenticity in dating. Julie and Yue encourage listeners to remain patient, prioritize personal well-being, and approach relationships as opportunities for mutual growth rather than mere validation.
Yue poignantly states:
"Relationships at work... Everything is work. Exactly. Anything that's good is work and is a choice... Is that going to put you in the best place? Probably not" (49:27).
This final insight encapsulates the episode's core message: successful dating in one's twenties requires deliberate effort, self-compassion, and a commitment to authentic connections.
Yue [02:16]: "Dating shouldn't be a chore. It should be something that's fun and exciting and that you don't feel any pressure towards."
Julie [08:12]: "Dating is centered around disconnection, when all we really crave is connection."
Julie [11:51]: "Validation is getting in people's way because dating is no longer a way to just meet new people and have fun... it's basically measuring our self-worth."
Tomer Cohen [35:04]: "You're always going to have doubts. That's the reality of relationships... You just gotta say, this is the right person until they're not the right person."
Julie [50:00]: "Trust in your timing... you are in control and you're making those decisions."
Tomer Cohen [50:47]: "Ask yourself, in this situation I'm in right now, 10 years down the line, what would I tell that person that I learned from it?"
Yue [49:27]: "Anything that's good is work and is a choice... Is that going to put you in the best place? Probably not."
This episode of The Psychology of Your 20s provides a thoughtful exploration of the challenges and strategies associated with modern dating. By featuring insights from Julie and Yue of the Dateable Podcast, listeners gain valuable perspectives on maintaining authenticity, avoiding validation traps, and fostering healthy relationships. The practical advice offered serves as a guide for navigating the complex dating landscape of the twenties with confidence and self-awareness.