

Dating Beyond Borders
Marina Iakovleva
Welcome to the Dating Beyond Borders Podcast!
I’m Marina, the creator behind the Dating Beyond Borders YouTube channel, where I’ve spent the past 10 years exploring how culture shapes love and connection. Now, I’m bringing that same passion to the podcast world!
Each week, I sit down with guests from around the globe to dive into the ways culture influences relationships, identity, and the way we connect. From dating norms to cross-cultural misunderstandings, no topic is off-limits.
Let’s break down barriers. One culture at a time.
I’m Marina, the creator behind the Dating Beyond Borders YouTube channel, where I’ve spent the past 10 years exploring how culture shapes love and connection. Now, I’m bringing that same passion to the podcast world!
Each week, I sit down with guests from around the globe to dive into the ways culture influences relationships, identity, and the way we connect. From dating norms to cross-cultural misunderstandings, no topic is off-limits.
Let’s break down barriers. One culture at a time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 1min
Ep. 79 - Dating as a Gay American in Belgium: Love, Grindr & Stereotypes
This week I sit down with Colby, an American journalist living in Belgium, to talk about what it’s really like dating European men, especially Belgians and the Dutch. We dive into the realities of gay identity in Europe vs the US, covering everything from Pride parades and stereotypes to the challenges of Grindr culture, and why finding love beyond hookups can be so difficult.Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Say hi to Colby: / colbypgrey Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: / datingbeyondborders Dating Beyond Borders channel: / datingbeyondborders

Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 7min
Ep. 78 - From the US to Norway: Why Moving Abroad Has Changed My Life
This week I sit down with Hendo, from the channel Hendo in Norway, to chat about her experience leaving LA for Oslo. We talk about her biggest reasons for leaving the US, what has been the biggest struggle of life in Norway, and how her life has changed since the move to Scandinavia.Say hi to Hendo: https://www.instagram.com/hendoinnorway/Why she moved from the US: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rVwlDYk6l8Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders

Aug 21, 2025 • 1h 21min
Ep. 77 - Truth About Brazilian Sexuality: Pick-Me Culture, Youth Obsession & Double Standards
This week, I talk to Fernanda, a Brazilian sexologist, about how dating, relationships, and sexuality play out in Brazilian culture. Is Brazil really a highly sexualized society—and how does that impact women and men? What are the expectations around desirability? Are Brazilians truly “great in bed,” and where does that stereotype come from? We also dive into PDA, infidelity, and much more.Say hi to Fernanda: https://www.instagram.com/fe_alv/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders

Jul 9, 2025 • 11min
No Sex Before Marriage? Why Korean Relationships are Shockingly Different! (Feat. Kaheva )
I chat to Kaheva, a content creator from South Korea about the Korean dating scene: what does it mean "to cause an accident", "Gold Miss" and why there are so many "old virgins" in Korea. Say hi to Kaheva: https://www.instagram.com/kaheva_official/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders

Jul 3, 2025 • 11min
This Is Normal in the States... and Weird in Denmark (Feat. Robe Trotting)
Curious about the culture shock Americans face in Denmark? In this episode, I talk to Derek from the Robe Trotting Podcast about the biggest U.S. vs Danish cultural differences — from openness vs silence to convenience, partying, and hospitality.Say hi to Derek: https://www.instagram.com/robetrotting/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders

Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 6min
Ep. 76 - Hate Where You Live? Here’s How to Find the Place You Truly Belong
If you're curious about moving abroad and want more support, Leah created Fearless Abroad — a step-by-step path with structure, clarity, and real guidance to help you make it happen. You can check it out here: https://theculturepreneur.co/fearless-abroad-courseThis week I chat with Leah, an American who’s lived in over five countries and created a course all about moving abroad. We talk about the emotional side of finding “home,” why the digital nomad lifestyle isn’t always ideal—especially if you’re looking for love—and the real reason so many people stay stuck in a life they don’t love. Leah also shares the best first steps to take if you’re serious about changing your life and finally making that move abroad.Your responses: https://shorturl.at/L0tWZEach week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders

Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 9min
Ep. 75 - Why Berlin is The Hardest City to Find Love I EXPLICIT (Feat. Lulu Johnson)
This week on the podcast, I sit down with Lulu Johnson — author of Dating in Berlin: Tales of Modern Love and Relationships and host of the podcast Dating, Laughter and Disasters. We dive into the realities of dating in Berlin: Why is it so hard to find a serious, monogamous relationship in a city known for its endless options, vibrant party scene, and strong resistance to settling down? From ghosting and polyamory to the challenges of emotional connection, we explore what modern love really looks like in Germany’s most transient and hedonistic city.Say hi to Lulu: https://www.instagram.com/datinginberlin_/Her site: https://datinginberlin.com/Podcast: https://shorturl.at/GpJRPEach week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders

Jun 11, 2025 • 56min
Ep. 74 - From the US to Italy: What It’s Really Like to Date an Italian Man (Feat. Ingles With Annie)
This week, I chat with Annie from the page Ingles With Annie about her journey moving to Europe—first to Spain, then Italy—and her experience dating an Italian man. We dive into cultural differences, covering everything from communication to digestion and everything in between.Say hi to Annie: https://www.instagram.com/ingles_with_annie/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders

Jun 3, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 73 - From US to Poland: How Moving To Europe Transformed His Dating Life (Feat. Where's Wes)
This week, I chat with Wes from the YouTube channel Where's Wes about why he left the U.S. to start a new life in Poland. We dive into the differences between dating in the U.S. vs. Poland, and why the American dating scene can be so frustrating—especially for men. Wes shares his experience dating around the world as an Asian man, which countries felt more open or difficult, what different cultures find attractive, and what it's really like to date abroad as a man.Say hi to Wes: https://www.instagram.com/wesleezy/His Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WheresWesEach week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders

May 28, 2025 • 1h 25min
Ep. 72 - Denmark Unfiltered: Social Codes, Friendship Struggles & Dating Scene (Feat. Derek Hartman)
This week, I chat with Derek — an American who moved to Denmark eight years ago and now hosts a podcast where he interviews foreigners and expats about all things Danish. We dive into Danish culture: from communication and hospitality to the American perspective on convenience culture. We also explore why Denmark is one of the hardest places to make friends — and how Danish relationships stand apart from the rest.Say hi to Derek: https://www.instagram.com/robetrotting/Check out his Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/waydidpod/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders