
Dating Beyond Borders
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.
Latest episodes

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

May 26, 2025 • 1h 8min
Ep. 71 - Biggest Culture Shocks of an American in Poland
This week, I sit down with Edward, an American from Tennessee, to talk about the biggest culture shocks he’s experienced since moving to Poland. From communication styles and hospitality to customer service, we dive into the key differences between American and Polish lifestyles.Say hi to Edward: https://www.instagram.com/xofyls/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

May 13, 2025 • 51min
Ep. 70 - Truth About Dating in Indonesia: Tinder, Ta'aruf and Taboos (Feat. Coach Anez)
This week, I chat with Anez from Ranum, a premarital service provider, about the complex world of dating and relationships in Indonesia.From secret dating and intense family pressures, to meeting her husband on Tinder, Anez shares her personal story alongside insight into Indonesia’s unique mix of modern and traditional dating practices.We dive into the growing popularity of Taaruf (Islamic courtship), other religious-based matchmaking methods, and the many taboo topics Indonesians often avoid talking about, from sex before marriage to interfaith dating.This episode is a deep, honest look at how young Indonesians are navigating love in a society full of unspoken rules.Say to Anez: https://www.instagram.com/ranum.co.id/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: / datingbeyondborders Dating Beyond Borders channel: / datingbeyondborders 0:00 Intro

May 6, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 69 - Truth About Living in Sicily: Monogamy, Bella Figura and the Mamma's Boy (Feat. Irene in Sicily)
In this episode, I chat with Irene, an Argentinian content creator who moved to Sicily. We dive into the Sicilian mentality around relationships, lifestyle priorities, and cultural differences—especially when it comes to dating. From mammoni (mamma’s boys) to the prevalence of cheating, why Sicilians are smoother talkers than Argentinians, and how the concept of bella figura shapes the Italian dating scene, this conversation offers an honest and eye-opening look at love in Sicily.Say hi to Irene: https://www.instagram.com/ireneinsicily/Check out Calia Farm: https://www.instagram.com/caliafarm/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

Apr 29, 2025 • 1h 15min
Ep. 68 -Brazilian Woman Exposes the Hard Truth About Dating in Sweden
In this episode I chat to Julianna, a Brazilian living in Sweden. You might remember her from a recent episode we filmed in Stockholm. Today we're dividing deeper into Swedish social culture, and the dating scene. What is it like dating as a Brazilian woman in Sweden? Stuff no one tells you about Swedish relationships and a lot more!Say hi to Julianna: https://www.instagram.com/juliannatardelli/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

Apr 22, 2025 • 51min
Ep. 67 -British-Russian Travel Couple Reveals Biggest Cultural Differences (ft. Matt & Julia)
This week I talk to Matt and Julia, a British-Russian content creator duo who have traveled the world recording videos. Today we're diving into British vs Russian culture: from communication, to culture shocks, to all the nuances you have to know when dating someone from abroad.Say hi to Matt and Julia: https://www.youtube.com/@MattandJuliaDo a tour with them: https://www.humankindexpeditions.com/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