

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

Nov 12, 2024 • 1h 9min
Ep. 50 - From US to Argentina: I Moved Abroad for Love (Did I Regret it?)
This week, I sit down with Sarah, an American who moved to Argentina for love. Now, seven years later, she reflects on her experience living in Argentina, sharing the challenges of adapting to a new culture and the life-changing lessons she’s learned along the way.
Say hi to Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/ba.noma/
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 be a guest on the Podcast? https://forms.gle/J7CjyY1s7jKkLDEa9Support the Podcast (money will be used for operational budget/equipment) https://tr.ee/0SzhdgntdC
Make your Podcast with Streamyard and get $10 in credit: https://shorturl.at/knzA2
Youtube Channel: @DatingBeyondBorders/ datingbeyondborders/ datingbeyondborders

Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 16min
Ep. 49 - Why Switzerland Can be a Tough Place to Settle Down & The Struggle for Belonging
This week, I sit down with Elza, a Ukrainian-born woman now living in Switzerland. We dive into her experience of assimilating into Swiss culture, the unique aspects of the Swiss mentality, and some surprising cultural shocks she encountered. We also explore how frequent travel and relocation can affect happiness, and more!
Say hi to Elza: / letitgo.elza
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 be a guest on the Podcast? https://forms.gle/J7CjyY1s7jKkLDEa9
Support the Podcast (money will be used for operational budget/equipment) https://tr.ee/0SzhdgntdC
Make your Podcast with Streamyard and get $10 in credit: https://shorturl.at/knzA2
Youtube Channel: @DatingBeyondBorders
/ datingbeyondborders
/ datingbeyondborders

Oct 29, 2024 • 1h 17min
Ep. 48 - Biggest Culture Shocks of a Slavic Girl in the Netherlands
This week, I sit down with Alisa, a Ukrainian-born, Kyrgyzstan-raised creator who shares content about Dutch culture. We dive into what it means to assimilate into Dutch society, making friends with Dutch people, and the unique aspects of Dutch dating and relationships, plus so much more!
Say hi to Alisa: https://www.instagram.com/alisa_law
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 be a guest on the Podcast? https://forms.gle/J7CjyY1s7jKkLDEa9
Support the Podcast (money will be used for operational budget/equipment)
https://tr.ee/0SzhdgntdCMake your Podcast with Streamyard and get $10 in credit: https://shorturl.at/knzA2
Main Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DatingBeyondBorders
Editing by Ivan Popovic: https://shorturl.at/rOsC5Instagram: @i__popi__

Oct 22, 2024 • 1h 12min
Ep. 47 - Why Icelandic People are Shockingly Different (Feat. Speak Viking)
Try Icelandic classes here: https://www.speakvikingcourses.com/Store-Marina
I sit down with Oskar from Iceland, to talk about Icelandic culture. Is it true that Icelanders are all practically cousins? Is being too polite rude in Iceland and how does Icelandic communication differs in general? What does Oskar think of traditional gender roles and more.
Get in touch with Oskar: https://www.instagram.com/speakviking/
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 be a guest on the Podcast? https://forms.gle/J7CjyY1s7jKkLDEa9
Support the Podcast (money will be used for operational budget/equipment) https://tr.ee/0SzhdgntdC
Make your Podcast with Streamyard and get $10 in credit: https://shorturl.at/knzA2
Youtube Channel: @DatingBeyondBorders
/ datingbeyondborders
/ datingbeyondborders
Editing by Ivan Popovic: https://shorturl.at/rOsC5
Instagram: @i__popi__

Oct 15, 2024 • 1h 7min
Ep. 46 - "I ditched my comfortable life in Europe for Cuba..."
I sit down with Alissa, a German creator living in Havana Cuba since 2018. We talk about the hardest challenges that come with moving to Cuba, from lack of basic necessities to internet, and what should you expect if looking for a relationship with a Cuban as a foreigner.
Get in touch with Alissa: www.instagram.com/ @absolutelyalissa
Please support the Podcast (money will be used for operational budget and equipment) https://tr.ee/0SzhdgntdC
Make your Podcast with Streamyard and get $10 in credit: https://shorturl.at/knzA2Main
Youtube Channel: /datingbeyondborders
Connect on Instagram: www.instagram.com/datingbeyondborders
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.

Oct 8, 2024 • 56min
Ep. 45 - Unfiltered Truth About Living & Dating in Croatia (Expectations, Gender Roles, Family Values)
This week I sit down with a stand up comedian and content creator Damjana Ellis to talk about the reverse culture shocks she has experienced since coming back to Croatia after living in Canada for years. We discuss the Croatian lifestyle, mentality and dating scene.
Check her out: https://www.tiktok.com/ @damjanaellis
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.com
Say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondborders
Dating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders

Sep 2, 2024 • 1h 3min
Ep. 44 - Why Eastern European Women Travel to Turkey for Love
In this insightful conversation, Anastasia, a Belarusian-born, Polish-raised blogger living in Istanbul, unpacks the allure of Turkish men for Eastern European women. She shares anecdotes about unexpected love stories that span cultures, revealing how relationships differ culturally. Anastasia also discusses the essential role of deep friendship and communication in sustaining connections and navigates the nuances of dating and gender dynamics in Turkey. Her personal experiences at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar highlight the rich tapestry of cross-cultural interactions.

Aug 27, 2024 • 1h 4min
Ep. 43 - Biggest Culture Shocks of a Brit in Brazil (Feat. Parada Inglesa)
I sit down with Freddy, a Brit living in Brazil with his Brazilian wife, Gabi (who appeared in a previous episode), to discuss his experience. We explore the culture shocks he's encountered, the key differences between British and Brazilian communication, how Brazilians approach things differently, and how living in Brazil has changed him.
Freddy's IG: https://www.instagram.com/parada1nglesa/
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/knzA2My Youtube Channel: / datingbeyondborders
Connect on Instagram: www.instagram.com/datingbeyondborders

Aug 20, 2024 • 1h 6min
Ep. 42 - The Difficulty of Dating as a French-Japanese Man (Feat. Big Bong)
In this episode, I interview Bong from the YouTube channel Big Bong about the challenges of growing up French-Japanese. We dive into Bong's childhood and his experiences trying to assimilate into French society. How were Asian guys perceived by girls back then, and has that perception changed? We also explore the difficulties of dating as an Asian man and the culture shocks Bong encountered after moving to Montreal.
Bong's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bigbong.officialBong's
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigbong.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.com
Say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondborders
Dating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders

Aug 6, 2024 • 1h 4min
Ep. 41 - The Hard Reality of Not Belonging Anywhere (British Polyglot Shares)
This week I talk to Alex Rawlings, Britain's most multilingual student about what it's like speaking 11+ languages, the feeling of never belonging anywhere, how different countries can spark different energy in you and why he didn't feel at home in Spain.Check out Alex here: https://www.instagram.com/alex__rawlings/
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.com
Say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondborders
Dating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders