
The Later Dater Today
Between the ages of 45-59? (Give or take a few years) and dating or thinking about it? You're in the right place.
There's never been a better time to date later in life. Let us show you the advantages of dating later in life AND the places you might overlook or trip.
Lakshmi Rengarajan, host and guide of the The Later Dater podcast has spent almost 15 years trying to improve and shed an illuminating light on the culture of modern dating. She's designed one-of-a-kind events that challenged the idea of the dating profile, she worked at the world's largest dating conglomerate (Match), she studied the art of the set-up and co-hosted Season 7 of Vox Media's award-winning podcast Land of The Giants: Dating Games.
And now she's turned her attention to folks dating "later in life". Her work to change, improve and challenge modern dating culture and its tropes have been featured in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, Oprah Daily and The Guardian and she's been a guest on the Pivot Podcast with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway among others.
Later Daters are folks who came of age before the smartphone but also have the smarts to leverage and use technology. Modern dating culture has changed quite a bit since the introduction of dating apps but your dual existence might be just to thing that helps you navigate it today.
You're not late, you're right on time. More at www.TheLaterDaterToday.com
Latest episodes

Oct 13, 2023 • 12min
#22 Don't Date Someone You Like
Exploring the negative effects of evaluating potential partners based on likability. Importance of caring and understanding in modern dating. Exploring deeper questions on a first date. Emphasizing the importance of caring about someone in relationships.

Oct 6, 2023 • 11min
#21 Later Dater Labels and Stigmas
This episode discusses the role of stigmas in modern dating, empowering individuals to challenge societal assumptions. It also explores labels and stigmas in the world of later-dating, emphasizing the importance of releasing these stigmas and providing a preview of an upcoming series on later-dater parents.

Sep 29, 2023 • 11min
#20 The Shape of Your Heart vs. Your Relationship History
Explore the concept of shaping your heart instead of focusing on relationship history when dating later in life. Discover the journey of the heart through experiences and relationships, challenging conventional notions. Discuss the false assumptions of evaluating others based on external metrics and propose the heart timeline for meaningful connections.

Sep 22, 2023 • 15min
#19 The Death of The Crush: And Why Your Past Crushes Matter Today
Explore the significance of crushes in the modern dating landscape and how they challenge societal norms. Reflect on the intimacy and nostalgia of childhood crushes and the unpredictable nature of crushes compared to modern dating apps. Delve into the development and evolution of crushes in relationships, highlighting their unique nature and powerful emotions.

Sep 15, 2023 • 12min
#18 Top Traits of Later Daters Today
Discover the key traits of successful Later Daters, including horizon thinking and nurturing relationships. Explore the importance of relaxed energy, improved communication, personal stories, and genuine interactions. Learn about shaping your dating story and having supportive friends.

Sep 8, 2023 • 13min
#17 How Do I Meet Women If I Don’t Want To Use Dating Apps?: Listener Question from Graham, 56
Learn alternative ways to meet women without using dating apps by making the most out of everyday moments, increasing interactions, and starting conversations based on shared interests. The host shares specific suggestions on how to have more ordinary everyday moments with potential romantic partners and discusses strategies for meeting women in organic environments.

Sep 1, 2023 • 14min
#16 "Being Open" as a Later Dater
Explore the concept of being open-minded in dating, including expanding profile parameters and going on multiple dates. Discover the power of wonderment in reconsidering criteria for dating and embracing deeper connections. Learn how being open-minded can enhance the later dating experience and navigate the complexities of attraction in a profit-driven dating world.

Aug 24, 2023 • 11min
#15 Longer Doesn't Always Mean Stronger: Better Ways To Measure Romantic Impact
The podcast explores the misconception that the length of a relationship determines its depth and meaning. It discusses how society's perception of relationship length affects their actual strength and value. The importance of valuing meaningful experiences regardless of their duration is emphasized. It also highlights the significance of prioritizing personal growth and experiences in dating and encourages a more open mindset towards dating.

Aug 17, 2023 • 16min
#14 "I Haven't Dated Since 1999": Listener Question from Jennifer, 48
The podcast explores the influence of dating apps on self-perception, the importance of self-improvement in dating, and rethinking numbers when dating later in life.

Aug 10, 2023 • 12min
#13 "I Don't Want To Repeat The Past": Listener Question from Mark, 52
In this episode, the host addresses concerns about repeating past patterns in dating. They discuss the importance of future-focused questions and provide examples for successful dating. The significance of asking future-focused questions to create new opportunities and let go of the idea of repeating the past is also explored.