

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

Jun 4, 2024 • 43min
Ep. 35 - Arranged Marriage vs Endless Search: What's Better? (True Story)
This week I talk with Kanushree, an India-American who has been arranged to be married at twenty-four years old. We talk about whether arranged marriages are worth it? How is it dating nowadays? And which is better: to have someone chosen for you or to be on dating apps in an endless search for love?
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

May 28, 2024 • 1h 6min
Ep. 34 - Living Between FRANCE & the US Made Me Realize THIS! (feat. Lucile)
This week, join us for an engaging conversation with Lucile as we dive into the biggest differences between French and American mentalities. Discover if the French are really as critical as they are often portrayed. Explore how the dating scene varies between France and the US, and uncover what the French can learn from Americans and vice versa. Lucile's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ @LucileHR 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 21, 2024 • 57min
Ep. 33 - Biggest Culture Shocks of a Slovak in America (feat. Tatiana From Landing America Podcast)
This week I chat to Tatiana from the Landing America Podcast where we talk about the struggles of moving from Europe to the US (namely Slovakia to Miami). How is the dating scene different? Is Miami the ultimate dream?
Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/landingamericapodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/@UCvIJjUQucOy99J_X4XPni8Q
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

May 15, 2024 • 11min
(Mini Pod) Foreigner Reveals Why Dating in Norway is So DIFFICULT
Lorelou, a French writer, has been living in Norway for many years and she has even published a book about her experiences living and dating in the country. She shares her personal experience dating in Norway and why it's been so difficult to navigate. Her socials: / afroginthefjord Get her book: https://afroginthefjord.com/

May 7, 2024 • 1h 37min
Ep. 32 - These Cultural Differences Will End Your Relationship (feat. Therapist Alex Limanowka)
This week I sit down with Alex Limanowka, a relationship expert who works with cross-cultural couples. We chat about the most and least compatible cultures in a relationship, the biggest struggles cross-cultural couples face, and how to deal with those struggles.
Alex's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlimanowka/
Her website: https://relationshiptherapist.com/
Materials:
Do the core values quiz: https://relationshiptherapist.com/my-core-values/
Read the book: https://www.batjamesquita.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.com
Say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondborders
Dating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders

Apr 30, 2024 • 57min
Ep. 31 - Culture Shocks of an AMERICAN Living in DENMARK (ft. Kay Xander Mellish)
This week I sit down with a professional speaker, coach, author and Podcast host Kay Xander Mellish to talk about living in Denmark, from work culture, to communication, to making friends, to dating .. and everything in between.Check out Kay's work: https://www.instagram.com/how2liveindk/https://www.howtoliveindenmark.com/https://www.youtube.com/@how2liveindenmarkEach 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 23, 2024 • 1h 11min
Ep. 30 - I've Dated Across the World and This is What I Discovered... (feat. Marina Khorosh)
This week, I interview Marina Khorosh, a Russian-born, American-raised Vogue writer. Marina has extensively chronicled her global dating adventures in her blog DBag Dating. I delve into her insights on dating across Russia, the US, France, and Scandinavia, exploring the valuable lessons she's learned from her international dating experiences.
Get in touch with Marina: https://www.instagram.com/marinakhorosh/
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

Apr 10, 2024 • 1h 6min
Ep. 29 - How is Dating in Chile vs North America Different?
Today I talk to Gabriela, a local friend who has starred in many Dating Beyond Borders episodes talking about the culture of Chile and who has also helped co-write the episode on dating a Chilean man. We have an honest conversation about toxic relationships in Latin America, the difference between dating in Chile and North America, the classist attitudes of Chileans and how they relate to the dating scene and much more.Want to get in touch with Gabriela? https://www.instagram.com/gmcortez/
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

Apr 2, 2024 • 54min
Ep. 28 - The Hard Truth About Dating in China: Social Clock, S*x Talks, Marriage Markets (Feat. Victoria Ziji Mei)
This week I talk to Victoria, a Chinese born creator who lives in the US. We dive into the social pressures of growing up in China, how s*x is taught and talked about, what makes you a marriageable girl in China and the social clock of Chinese guys and girls.
Victoria's IG: https://www.instagram.com/vc.mei/
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

Mar 27, 2024 • 1h 5min
Ep. 27 - Did Leaving US for the Netherlands Actually Make me Happier? (feat. David Wen)
This week I sit down with David Wen, an Asian-American expat who has left the US in order to explore life in the Netherlands. How his approach to life shift with the move? Did moving to one of the happiest countries actually make him happier?
David's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCq2-rDY5usuQGAxPy3Nev4A
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


