

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 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 - Why it's SO HARD 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.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating 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

Jul 30, 2024 • 1h 14min
Ep. 40 - The Truth About Italian Relationships (Gender Dynamics, Non-Monogamy, Cheating, LGBTQ+)
This week I talk to Donatella, who is a clinical psychologist and sex therapist from Rome, Italy and who has lived and worked in the Netherlands and Spain. We dive into Italian gender dynamics, non-monogamous and LGBTQ+ relationships, discuss cheating in Italy and lots more.
Get in touch with Donatella: https://www.donatellafiacchino.com/
Disclaimer: The opinions, facts, examples, stories and hypotheses shared by Donatella Fiacchino in this episode come from personal observations on society, from the scientific literature and her psychological knowledge, from data collected via surveys, and from social media content. Examples when talking about people, relationship dynamics and any psychological construct only have explanatory functions and they do not come from the stories of current or past clients of Donatella Fiacchino. There’s never specific reference to current or past clients of hers. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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

Jul 16, 2024 • 1h 17min
Ep. 39 -The Brazilian Shock: Why Dating in Canada Feels IMPOSSIBLE
In this enlightening discussion, Alan, a São Paulo native who’s called Canada home for over a decade, shares his fascinating insights into the cultural shock of dating in North America. He highlights the emotional complexities and differing expectations around romance, underscoring the challenges Brazilians face in adapting. The conversation also touches on the socio-economic divide impacting dating practices and the contrasting social interactions post-pandemic. Alan's anecdotes provide a deep dive into the warmth and affection embedded in Brazilian culture, illuminating the balancing act between love and independence.

Jul 9, 2024 • 53min
Ep 38 - The Truth About Dating in Korea: Birthrates, Jealousy, Gender Dynamics (Feat. David Kim/Korean Pizza Club)
This week, I interview David Kim from the podcast channel Korean Pizza Club. We delve into the Korean dating scene, discussing why Korea now has the lowest birthrate in the world, the differences between K-dramas and real-life dating, why you should be prepared to be love bombed, the meaning of "skinship," and finally, the one quality about Koreans in relationships that might frustrate you.
Check out David's Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/ @koreanpizzaclub 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

Jun 25, 2024 • 11min
(Mini Pod) What I Miss about the US after living in the Netherlands (Feat. David Wen)
David, an American living in the Netherlands for 6 years shares some of the things he now misses about the American culture. Are the Americans more friendly and optimistic? How does the customer service compare between the US and the Netherlands? How does the hospitality compare?David's contact: https://www.youtube.com/ @hidavidwen 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 18, 2024 • 1h 5min
Ep. 37 - Is Dating in Sweden IMPOSSIBLE? The Hard Truth from a Swedish Woman
This week I talk to Cecilia, a Swedish-Finnish woman who has resigned on dating in Sweden. She shares her own, very personal experiences with dating in Sweden. Are Swedish men as passive as they say? Why is gender equality not always positive? What does she miss in Swedish relationships?... And more much more!Cecilia's Contact: https://www.instagram.com/missgelinder/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 11, 2024 • 1h 11min
Ep. 36 - Biggest Culture Shock of a UKRAINIAN in NORWAY
I talk to Irena, a Ukrainian living in Norway about her experience in moving to Scandinavia. What has been the one thing she still can't get used about living in Norway? How is the communication between Eastern Europeans and Scandinavians different? What has the Norwegian dating scene been like?Irena's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashforbates/Podcast: @breakfast.together.podcastEach 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


