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Dates & Mates with Damona Hoffman

Dates & Mates with Damona Hoffman

By: Damona Hoffman - Dates and Mates Media
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About this listen

From navigating dating apps to overcoming the friendzone to seeking a soulmate, this ain’t your momma’s love advice! Hosted by the Official Love Expert of The Drew Barrymore Show and LA Times advice columnist, Damona Hoffman, Dates & Mates is jam-packed with interviews from your favorites celebs, authors, and experts. Dates & Mates is the 2022 Winner of The Best Podcast of the Year at The Black Podcasting Awards, #1 ranked love and relationship podcast by Cosmopolitan Magazine and a Top 10 Pick by HuffPost in the love category.Dear Mrs D, Inc. Personal Development Personal Success Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Master Class: First Dates Decoded
    Jul 8 2025
    Damona Hoffman breaks down one of the most important moments in dating—the first date—and how to make it count. Whether you’re getting back out there or swiping with new optimism, this episode shares how to set yourself up for success so that first date leads to a second. Damona covers everything from whether to Google your date to how long a first date should really last, what to wear, where to go, and how to follow up. She even shares seven fun, low-pressure first date ideas that help build real connection. What you’ll learn: How long a first date should actually last Why dinner dates don’t set you up for success The value of a pre-date phone call (and when to do video) What to wear to make the best first impression How to choose a first date location that creates connection Seven easy, fun, and affordable first date ideas If you have a relationship or communicationquestion you’d like answered on a future episode, send Damona a DM on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok @damonahoffman or leave a voicemail at 424-246-6255. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Dear Damona Mix Tape: Never Been Kissed & OnlyFans Girlfriend
    Jul 1 2025
    REWIND: Dear Damona – Besties’ Bro & Never Been Kissed In this standout Dates & Mates Rewind episode, Damona tackles your real dating dilemmas with her signature no-nonsense advice. From navigating awkward crushes to handling tricky conversations about intimacy, this episode is packed with guidance to help you date with clarity and confidence. If you’ve ever wondered what to do when your boyfriend avoids sex, how to approach dating when you’ve never been kissed, or whether it’s okay to filter for men with degrees, this episode has you covered. You’ll also hear Damona’s take on modern challenges like dating someone with an OnlyFans account, dealing with phones on dates, and whether fudging your age on apps is ever worth it. What you’ll learn: How to stop hiding behind dating app filters and set meaningful standards What to say when intimacy is missing in your relationship When it’s time to stay or go in a relationship that feels stuck The truth about age on dating apps — and whether honesty is really the best policy How to navigate dating when you feel inexperienced Setting boundaries when your partner has an OnlyFans or a highly public life If you have your own dating question, Damona wants to hear from you. Send a voice memo on Instagram @damonahoffman or leave a voicemail at 424-246-6255 for a chance to have your question answered in an upcoming Dear Damona segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Dr. Drew & Loveline Legacy: Rewind
    Jun 24 2025
    This week on Dates & Mates, Damona Hoffman rewinds to her 400th episode featuring a guest who helped inspire the show from the start: the legendary Dr. Drew Pinsky. Dr. Drew has spent decades giving love, sex, and mental health advice on Loveline, Celebrity Rehab, and now on his podcast Ask Dr. Drew, which he co-hosts with his wife of over 30 years. In this vulnerable and heartfelt episode, Dr. Drew shares his personal journey through a seven-year on-and-off courtship, what finally made him ready for commitment, and how he and his wife maintain a strong marriage after decades together. Plus, he joins Damona to answer your dating questions in a special extended Dear Damona segment. What you’ll learn: Why emotional readiness matters more than "the one" How to navigate on-again/off-again dynamics with clarity When to disclose a medical condition or disability to a new partner Why gratitude and daily check-ins are key to long-term love What makes someone feel "unapproachable" in dating and how to shift it How to know when you're ready to date after trauma or burnout This episode is part of our Rewind Series, where we revisit some of the most timeless and transformative conversations from the Dates & Mates archive. Subscribe now to catch every Rewind drop and our Spring bonus episodes the moment they go live. Listen to more of Dr. Drew on the Ask Dr. Drew podcast and follow him @drdrewpinsky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 mins
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