Dates & Mates with Damona Hoffman

Latest Episodes:

Master Class: Fairy Tale Therapy Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

In this special masterclass finale, Damona leads you through Fairy Tale Therapy, a guided experience to help you identify the unconscious dating myths quietly running your dating life, define the relationship pillars that will hold up your real love story, and step into your future through a powerful guided visualization.

What You'll Hear In This Episode:

How to identify the dating myth that's been quietly running your love life
The three questions that reveal exactly what you believe about love and where that belief came from
How to tell when a belief is protecting you versus holding you back
The difference between preferences and pillars and why your real non-negotiables go deeper
A guided visualization to invite in new love

Resources & Links:

Download your free episode companion worksheet and take the next steps at damonahoffman.com/next

Get F the Fairytale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever you get your books

Call or text your question to: 424-246-6255.

Join Damona in Arizona in her Love Lab workshops at Civana at DamonaHoffman.com/lovelab

Follow @DamonaHoffman on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook and submit questions or inquire about Damona’s keynotes or workshops

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Last Minute Cancel & Screening Steps Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

In this Dear Damona episode, we tackle what to do when someone keeps canceling last minute before you've even had a first date, and how to tell the difference between giving someone a fair chance and letting them waste your time.

This week, a listener named Jenna shares:

"I matched with a guy on a dating app and followed your advice. After a week of messaging, I asked him for a brief phone call. He was so fun to talk to, and we seemed aligned. We agreed to meet for drinks after work. The day of the date came, and at lunchtime he texted and apologized that a work emergency came up and he had to cancel. He asked to reschedule and we found a day the following week, and he canceled again with a similar work situation."

What You'll Hear In This Episode:

Why that gut feeling of resistance before rescheduling is actually your bodily wisdom talking
The real difference between the benefit of the doubt and gullibility
The must-do screening steps that reduce ghosting and flakiness
What two last-minute cancels actually reveal about someone's priorities
The hidden cost of rescheduling for someone who keeps flaking

Resources & Links:

Unlock the secret to successful dating with our Date Tracker at ⁠Damonahoffman.com/datetracker ⁠

Call or text your question to: 424-246-6255. Follow @DamonaHoffman on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, or ⁠Facebook⁠ and submit questions via DM or voice memo anytime.

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Long Distance Dating & Seeming Serious Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

In this Dear Damona episode, we discuss how to navigate multiple long-distance connections, when to book that first in-person meeting, and how to handle the money talk before you pack your bag. If you've matched with someone across the country (or the ocean) and you're not sure what to do next, this is your guide!

This week, a listener named Maryanne shares:

"I'm 71 and looking for a long-term partner. I went on two niche sites and matched with a few good options, but they all live elsewhere. One lives in Hawaii and he invited me over for a week. The other guy lives in LA and both seem serious about me. There is even a guy in Mexico who has come on the scene just after the other two. What's the best way to meet out of town dates? How do I know who pays for what? When do I tell them I am also meeting other men?"

What You'll Hear In This Episode:

Why expanding your dating pool across time zones can actually work in your favor
The one-day-to-one-week rule every long distance dater needs to know
How to build real connection before you ever book a flight
The eight-week milestone that changes everything
Why staying at his place for a first meeting is a hard no (and what to do instead)
How to handle the money conversation without making it awkward
When you actually need to tell someone you're seeing other people

Resources and Links:

Unlock the secret to successful dating with our Date Tracker at Damonahoffman.com/datetracker

Call or text your question to: 424-246-6255. Follow @DamonaHoffman on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook and submit questions via DM or voice memo anytime.

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Valentine’s Wisdom & The Fairy Tale Fallacy Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

In this special Valentine's Day episode, Damona hears insights from John Kim (The Angry Therapist), Vedic astrologer Carol Allen, Authors of Getting it Right This Time Orna & Matthew Walters, feminist dating coach Lily Womble, and Seth Hoffman (her husband) about what they got wrong about love and what they got right.

She asks each of them two questions: What's the biggest relationship myth you once believed that turned out to be untrue? And what's the one pillar that actually keeps your relationship standing today?

What You'll Hear In This Episode:

Why doing "the work" on yourself isn't a one-time fix that makes love easy
Why “the spark” fizzles out
How a fixed mindset keeps you stuck
The one way out of the friend zone
How much is too much to share on a date
The secret quality that couples need to thrive
The feeling of true connection vs. chemistry
The #1 Pillar in Damona’s relationship

Guest Links:

John Kim (The Angry Therapist): theangrytherapist.com
Carol Allen: loveisinthestars.com
Orna & Matthew Walters: loveonpurpose.com / Book: Getting It Right This Time
Lily Womble: datebrazen.com / Book: Thank You More Please

Resources and Links:

Pick up F The Fairytale: Rewrite the Dating Myths and Live Your Love Story on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookseller. Find links at fthefairytalebook.com

Join Damona LIVE at Civana Wellness Resort in Carefree, Arizona on Feb. 14-15 or April 15-17th (DamonaHoffman.com/lovelab) to reserve your room and your space in Damona’s workshops

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Revenge Reporting & Trusting Your Gut Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

In this Dear Damona episode, we cover revenge reporting, why dating app systems meant to protect us sometimes get weaponized, and how to handle rejection with grace while protecting yourself when things go sideways.

This week, a listener named Lisa shares:

"I just didn't think this was gonna be good. So I wrote him a respectful message. He responded respectfully. And within an hour I get an email from match.com that my account had been canceled due to some misbehavior. I know in my gut that guy was vindictive and turned me in. Is this a thing?"

What You'll Hear In This Episode:

Why trusting your intuition early saves you time and emotional energy later
The right way to exit a match without overexplaining or giving someone ammunition
What revenge reporting is and who it disproportionately hurts
How dating app moderation works and why they block first, ask questions later
What to do if you get banned from a dating app and how to appeal

Resources and Links:

Unlock the secret to successful dating with our Date Tracker at damonahoffman.com/datetracker.

Join Damona for in person workshops at Civana Wellness resort on February 14th and 15th and April 15-17th!

Click HERE
Enter code: VWGDAMONA

Call or text your question to: 424-246-6255. Follow @DamonaHoffman on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook and submit questions via DM or voice memo anytime.

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Late Bloomer & Beginner’s Mind Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

In this Dear Damona epsiode, we address what happens when you are late to the dating game, why dating is a skill you build through practice, and how to protect yourself without closing off to opportunity. If you're new to dating or want to approach it with a beginner's mind, this episode is a must-listen

This week, a listener named Butterfly shares:

"I am now in my late twenties and struggling to find a mate. I had strict parents and wasn't allowed to date in high school or my early twenties. I never tried with relationships, and now that I'm getting older, I'm in a place where I'd like a relationship, but I can never find the first person. I feel like the men I've tried to date have taken advantage of my naivety and wasted my time with no real intentions. I don't know how to build a genuine bond with someone and don't know what to look for and what to avoid. Can you help?"

What You'll Hear In This Episode:

Why dating is a skill you build through practice, not something you're supposed to magically know
The real reason people seem to "waste your time"
Green flags to look for that signal someone is worthy of your trust and attentionThe "name and narrate" strategy
How to approach dating with a beginner's mind at any stage of life

Resources and Links:

Unlock the secret to successful dating with our Date Tracker at damonahoffman.com/datetracker.

Call or text your question to: 424-246-6255. Follow @DamonaHoffman on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook and submit questions via DM or voice memo anytime.

Join us IN PERSON at Civana Resort - book your space for February 14-15 now: https://be.synxis.com/?Hotel=7841&Chain=25041&promo=VWGDAMONA and enter code: VWGDAMONA

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Dating Anxiety & Breakup Breakthrough Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Sabrina Zohar, dating expert and host of the Sabrina Zohar Show, discusses navigating breakups without self-blame, understanding dating anxiety, and finally breaking the patterns that keep you stuck. If you’re starting 2026 single or considering breaking off a relationship, this episode is a must-listen

What You'll Hear In This Episode:

Why January is officially "breakup month" and how the holidays reveal what we've been avoiding all year
The 5-minute compassion practice that helped Sabrina move through major loss and heartbreak
How texting has turned dating into a dopamine slot machine and how to break the vicious cycle
The difference between hurting someone's feelings, harming them, and helping them
How a tickingbiological clock can lead to different dating choices
How to transform a breakup into a learning opportunity
Sabrina's plea to stop weaponizing attachment styles and treating your partner like a project

Resources and Links

Follow Sabrina Zohar on Instagram @SabrinaZohar and listen to The Sabrina Zohar Show wherever you get your podcasts.

Unlock the Secret to Successful Dating with our Date Tracker at damonahoffman.com/datetracker

Call or text your question to: 424-246-6255 Follow @DamonaHoffman on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook and submit questions via DM or voice memo anytime.

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Astrology of 2026 & Love Forecasting Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Damona is joined by her good friend Danny Santos, shaman, healer, astrologer, and tarot reader, to look at the astrology of 2026 and how it’s setting the stage for love this year.

What You'll Hear In This Episode

Key transits and cosmic shifts to watch out for in the year ahead
Which houses in your birth chart actually matter for compatibility, and why your moon sign may reveal more than your sun sign
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's astrological compatibility breakdown, plus celebrity couples Danny is watching in 2026
The Year of the Horse energy: how to use the adventurous energy of the year to propel you into love

Resources and Links

Book a session with Danny Santos at santoscrystalvisions.com and use code DATES for 10% off your first session

Follow Danny on Instagram @SantosCrystalVisions

Unlock the Secret to Successful Dating with our Date Tracker at damonahoffman.com/datetracker

Call or text your question to: 424-246-6255

Follow @DamonaHoffman on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, and submit questions via DM or voice memo anytime.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Master Class: 9 Dating Predictions for 2026 Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

How many times have you swiped through endless options and come up empty? You've got matches, you've got conversations, but you don't have clarity. And clarity is what dating in 2026 is all about.

In this episode, we share what the data is telling us about the future of dating and relationships. Damona isn’t making vague predictions; she shares 9 clear themes that are likely to emerge this year,grounded in research from major dating apps, relationship trends, and over 15 years of coaching singles through their love lives. We break down what "all or nothing" really means for your dating life, why effort is becoming the bare minimum, and how authenticity is actually your superpower.

This is the year singles stop negotiating with maybe.

Why 2026 is the year of all or nothing: clarity is replacing ambiguity
How "clear-coding" your intentions upfront is replacing ghosting and emotional labor
Why effort and consistency are becoming the bare minimum, not optional
The surprising shift around dinner dates and what it actually signals about romance
The declaration you’re likely to be making on your social media accounts
Why low-volume dating with high engagement is the new strategy that actually works
The biggest relationship buzzword of 2026

Track your patterns and move forward with clarity.

Download the free Date Tracker at damonahoffman.com/datetracker

Got a relationship question for 2026?

Follow @DamonaHoffman on ⁠TikTok⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠, and submit questions via DM or voice memo anytime.

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The Trust Test & Trauma-dump Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

What is the magical first date zone between oversharing and playing it too cool?

A listener named Brian shares:

"I realize I have two dating modes. Either I dump all my emotional baggage on the first date, or I stay super chill and keep everything surface level, even when I want to go deeper. I've been hurt enough times that I just don't trust people to really be there for me anymore. How do I communicate in a healthy way without either overwhelming someone or hiding completely?"

In this episode, we break down what's actually happening underneath both extremes. They're not opposites; they come from the same place.

We look at the difference between throwing your pain at someone and letting them discover who you really are. Plus, we share the framework that helps you build trust gradually, without becoming either the person who overshares or the person who keeps everyone at arm's length.

What You'll Hear:

Both protection modes come from the same wound, but one looks like radical honesty and the other looks like walls

Why your nervous system isn't your enemy, it's just doing what it learned to do after being hurt

The goldilocks zone: how to start small and turn up the volume as trust builds

What healthy vulnerability actually looks like in practice (it's not what you think it is)

How connection points, not trauma dumps, create real intimacy on dates

The power of follow-up questions and ping-pong conversation over one-way vulnerability dumps

Rewriting your dating story: from "I keep getting it wrong" to "I'm learning to connect"

Ready to get clarity on what's working in your dating life?

Download the free Date Tracker at damonahoffman.com/datetracker to track your patterns and see where real connection starts to happen.

Got a question about vulnerability, trust, or showing up authentically on dates?

Follow @DamonaHoffman on ⁠TikTok⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠, and submit questions via DM or voice memo anytime. Or leave a voicemail or text at 424-246-6255

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