

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

Oct 29, 2023 • 60min
Ep. 9 - Dating in Spain is Shockingly Different to American (+ Is Barcelona Worth Moving to?)
Irina, a Barcelona native, discusses the cultural differences between Spanish and Canadian mentalities, including dating and connection differences. They explore why living in Barcelona may be exciting but leave you feeling empty in the long run. They also discuss the rise in crime rates targeting tourists in Barcelona and the experience of being a foreigner in the city.

Oct 10, 2023 • 1h 42min
Ep. 7 - Acting "Alpha" Won't Score you Points in Norway (& Norwegian Mentality: Unfiltered)
The podcast explores Norwegian culture and how it influences connections and dating. Topics discussed include the 'tall poppy syndrome' and its impact on society, changing teenage confidence, friendship and loneliness in Scandinavia, unexpected connections through disagreement, dating culture and expectations in Norway, attitudes towards sex and dating, and communication styles and values in relationships.

Sep 26, 2023 • 49min
Ep. 5 - This the Toxic Side of the Irish Mentality (& The Truth About Dating in Ireland)
This week I sit down with my friend and co-writer Clara White to chat about the Irish mentality and the Irish dating scene. We talk about growing up in the drinking & party culture and how it really hinder self growth and expression. How does the Irish dating scene play out, and what are the differences between dating in Ireland and North America?
Clara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c1arawhite/
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.
Make your Podcast with Streamyard and get $10 in credit: https://shorturl.at/knzA2
My Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
Connect on Instagram: www.instagram.com/datingbeyondborders

Sep 19, 2023 • 58min
Ep. 4 - The Japanese Fetish Culture (& Loneliness in Japan) Feat. That Yuta
Yuta, a Japanese communication and dating expert, joins the podcast to discuss Japanese communication, love languages, and the unique aspect of Japanese fetish culture. They explore topics such as indirect communication in dating, positive aspects of Japanese culture, the preference for being alone among career-oriented Japanese friends, and the popularity of cuddle and conversation cafes for emotional support.

Sep 5, 2023 • 50min
Ep. 2 - There is no "Situationship" in Poland: How Polish People Date
Elena, from Polish with Elena, shares insights into the dating scene in Poland, discussing Polish values, stereotypes, and cultural differences. They explore misconceptions about Slavic women, the importance of being handy, and the lack of commitment in modern dating culture. They also critique a Polish movie and reflect on the hope for traditional values in dating.

Aug 1, 2023 • 38min
Ep. 1 - How I got started with my channel: Failures, Life Lessons & Top Advice to Creators
The podcast discusses the host's journey and lessons learned as a YouTube creator for 8 years. They touch on topics such as exploring dating customs across cultures, the challenges of maintaining a brand, and the joy of creating content. The hosts also express their passion for understanding different communication styles and announce their plans to explore deeper topics in future episodes.


