Smart Dating Academy - The Podcast

What happens when you stop putting pressure on every date and start living like “Vacation You”? For Colleen, it changed everything. In this episode of the Smart Dating Academy Podcast, I sit down with Colleen Sarihan, whose journey is a reminder that love can show up when you least expect it—and often in the most magical ways. Colleen first heard me speak at a women’s networking event (hosted by my good pal Anna Valencia, who is now City Clerk of Chicago). During Q & A - someone started their question by saying, "I swear, there are ZERO good men left in Chicago. Every time I leave Chicago, I meet guys everywhere!" I told her that something must be shifting inside of HER that makes her more open & receptive when she LEAVES Chicago -- that it's not a "no guys here" issue! You could hear a silence fill the room. Little did I know that a certain audience member, Colleen, was intently listening to this answer, and it shifted her mindset that DAY. Fast forward a year: Colleen had just lost her job, her landlord was selling her condo, and she had bought a one-way ticket to Rome. With no expectations and nothing to lose, she decided to fire up the dating apps—simply to enjoy good food and new company. That’s when she met Vaibhav on Hinge - and was CONSCIOUS about bringing "vacation Colleen" to the date! A year to the day after their first date, they were married—followed by a beautiful summer celebration blending Hindu and Western traditions. You need to hear the whole episode to hear how magical this whole story is!    Today, Colleen and Vaibhav are the proud parents of two wonderful children, after navigating IVF together, and their love story is proof of what can happen when you stay open, playful, and true to yourself. 💡 Inside this episode, you’ll hear: How Colleen’s “Vacation You” mindset shifted everything in her dating life. The role spontaneity and curiosity played in meeting her husband. Why their love felt easy from the start—without the games or drama of the past. How embracing uncertainty led to adventure, commitment, and eventually, family. Colleen’s journey is a beautiful reminder that so much can change when you give yourself permission to live fully and trust the process. Who knows? Your own “Vacation You” moment might be right around the corner. Need help with getting your mindset into 'vacation me?!" Are you ready to invest in yourself as Colleen and so many others have to find love? You have two choices: Do nothing, and have no new results :( Join our "Dating During Midlife and Over 50 Love Lab" -- GREAT choice to dip your toe back into the water! Click HERE to get more info and get your spot -- it's ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!!  Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs. For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter!   https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/

Ready to finally understand the cosmic blueprint of your love life? In this episode of The Smart Dating Academy Podcast, Bela sits down with celebrity Vedic astrologer and relationship coach Carol Allen to reveal how ancient astrology meets modern relationship science—helping you find (and keep) the love you deserve.   Blending the ancient wisdom of Vedic astrology with modern relationship research, Carol reveals how understanding your astrological chart can help you find your soulmate, deepen an existing relationship, or finally break free from love patterns that have been holding you back. From compatibility and timing to the little-known astrological “red flags” to watch for, this conversation will inspire you to stop leaving love to chance—and start aligning with your romantic destiny. Carol has been featured on E!, EXTRA, Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers, and in Chicken Soup For The Soul and Woman’s World. She’s the author of Love Is In The Stars – The Wise Woman’s Astrological Guide To Men, and her work has helped thousands discover the power they have to attract, enhance, and sustain great love. What you’ll learn in this episode: How Vedic astrology differs from Western astrology—and why it can be a game-changer for dating The “astrological timing” secrets that can make finding love easier Compatibility factors that go beyond sun signs (and what to avoid!) How to work with your chart to heal old patterns and attract better relationships Why love isn’t just fate—it’s also about the actions you take Learn a bit about Bela and her husband Andy's love stars in this episode Don’t wait for the stars to align by accident—let Carol Allen show you how to make them work for you. Click the link to book a session: https://carolallen.isrefer.com/go/wgr/bela/ Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs. For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter!   https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/

Have you ever had that gut feeling about someone—but ignored it? Or maybe you felt a deep soul pull toward someone who later broke your heart? If so, this episode is for you. In this soulful and eye-opening conversation, Bela sits down with Nikki Novo, a bestselling author, proud Cuban-American, and master intuitive who’s known for helping people create purpose-driven lives by reconnecting with their inner knowing. Nikki is the creator of the Soul-Led Living podcast, and her work has been featured everywhere from Oprah Daily to Cosmopolitan. Nikki’s journey from fashion editor to spiritual teacher began with a love story that didn’t go the way she planned. But through heartbreak, she found healing—and discovered that your intuition might just be the most powerful dating compass you’ll ever have. In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between following your heart and intuition What “dating intuitively” really means—and how to start doing it Why heartbreak can be the beginning of your spiritual awakening How to spot the difference between fear and true intuition What a soulmate is (and what it definitely isn’t) Whether you’ve lost faith in your gut, are craving deeper connection, or are just curious about soulmates and signs, this episode will help you slow down, listen up, and lead with truth. 🎧 Hit play to find out why the best dating strategy might just be… your intuition. Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs. For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter!   https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/

I’m so excited to share this week’s powerful story, featuring a journey of resilience, radical self-growth, and finding remarkable love later in life. In this unforgettable episode, you’ll meet our client Shari—a vibrant, creative powerhouse who, after divorce and two breakups with the same man, rewrote her love story at 64. Yes, you read that right. Three chapters. One love. Two rounds with Smart Dating Academy.  And a lot of healing in between. Shari’s story is full of heart, humor, and deep wisdom about what it takes to truly attract the right partner—and how to recognize your person even when life throws curveballs (and maybe even a little divine intervention). We talked about: 💔 Life After Divorce & Starting Over: After 24 years of marriage and being the first in her friend group to divorce, Shari felt completely untethered. Can you relate to that “lost at sea” feeling? She shares how she built a new life piece by piece, starting with getting back to work and rediscovering who she was outside of being a mom and wife. 🛠️ Doing the Work—For Real: Two breakups with Dave were the wake-up call she didn’t know she needed. Shari went all-in on self-growth: Smart Dating Academy, therapy/EMDR, dating with intention, and more!  She dove into creativity and travel, realizing that independence is a muscle that needs to be exercised. 🔁 When He Came Back (Twice!): Every chapter with Dave came with its own set of lessons. The first time was magical but emotionally stuck. The second was deep but still misaligned. The third? That’s where the transformation happened. For both of them. Dave realized his issues, and was now doing his work too. ❤️ What Made the Third Time Different: The universe got involved (seriously—wait until you hear about all the serendipitous sightings), and this time, it was different. With honesty, clarity, and deep commitment to each other’s growth, they reunited—this time forever. No games. No guesswork. Just mutual respect, love, and a whole lot of laughter. 🎯 Relationship Lessons You’ll Take Away: Why “the work” matters before and during a relationship What it looks like when a man is truly ready and what he is willing to do How to have the hard conversations without blowing things up The importance of tone, timing, and knowing when to pause Why traditional therapy is powerful—and why your partner should be doing it too Shari’s story is a story for anyone who thinks it might be too late, or too hard, or that they’re too much. Her journey reminds us that healing is nonlinear, love can evolve, and when two people are truly growth-minded, the possibilities are… well, remarkable. Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs. For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter!   https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/

We’ve all been there—betrayed, blindsided, or just broken open by love gone wrong. But what if your biggest heartbreak could lead you to your biggest breakthrough? In this rich, soul-stirring conversation, Bela sits down with Arielle Ford—bestselling author, spiritual teacher, and modern-day love alchemist—to talk about her first novel, The Love Thief. Part spiritual romance, part thriller, this story takes readers on a wild emotional ride through heartbreak, karma, and ultimately, deep healing. With her signature wisdom and warmth, Arielle opens up about the real-life inspiration behind the book (yes, some of it really happened), how her own journeys through India shaped the mystical elements of the story, and why she believes healing our hearts is the ultimate act of self-love. Whether you’re recovering from a relationship that shook you to your core—or you’re simply craving a juicy, wise read that blends love with spiritual insight—this episode will crack your heart wide open in the best way. 💥 In this episode, you’ll hear: 🫶 How The Love Thief was born from experiences with heartbreak 🧠 The psychology behind why smart women fall for narcissists and sociopaths 🚩 Red flags to watch out for in love—and how to stop ignoring them 🌍 What Arielle discovered on her spiritual journeys through India 🔮 Why Arielle says "you should ALWAYS listen to Bela!" 🎭 Why happiness might be the wrong goal—and what to aim for instead 🎶 What love actually is - and isn't!    ✨ Plus: how you can rewrite your love story, one conscious choice at a time. Whether you’ve been burned by love or you’re finally ready to turn the page on a painful chapter, this conversation is your reminder that you can rebuild—and you don’t have to do it alone. Arielle shows us that heartbreak isn’t the end of your story…it might just be the beginning of your most powerful transformation yet - and that you should enlist the help of Smart Dating Academy to help you along the way! Here is a link to the pre-sale of Arielle's book so you can redeem the bonuses! https://www.arielleford.com/the-love-thief/ Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs. For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter!   https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/

💌 Ghosting, Modern Dating & Advice You Actually Need with Meredith Goldstein Let’s face it—dating in the digital age is a wild ride. One minute you’re vibing in the DMs, the next… they vanish into thin air. If you’ve ever wished for a wise older sister (with a killer sense of humor) to decode modern love for you, this episode is it. In this honest, hilarious, and totally validating convo, I sit down with Meredith Goldstein—beloved Boston Globe advice columnist and author of the “Love Letters” column and podcast—to unpack the messy, magical, and maddening ways we fall for each other in today’s world. Meredith has been answering love and relationship questions for over 15 years, offering grounded, compassionate advice that makes you feel seen. Her memoir, Can’t Help Myself, and YA novel Chemistry Lessons prove she knows a thing or two about both heartache and humor. In this episode, you’ll hear us dive into: 👻 What ghosting really says (and how to stop blaming yourself) 📝 The behind-the-scenes of writing a wildly popular advice column 💡 Why your questions—no matter how “silly” they seem—deserve to be heard 🦠 The emotional complexity of pandemic dating, and what it taught us about connection   🤝 How empathy can be your secret weapon in dating (yes, even when you’re pissed) Whether you're in the dating trenches, trying to figure out where it all went wrong, or just love a good love story, this episode is a balm for your heart—and a laugh-out-loud reminder that you are not alone. 🎧 Press play and get ready for some refreshingly real talk about love, loss, and everything in between. Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs. For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter!   https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/

What if flirting wasn’t awkward, dating didn’t feel like a second job, and attracting love could be playful and powerful? In this episode of the Smart Dating Academy Podcast, I sit down with the dazzling Lauren Frances, and let me tell you—she brings the magic. From the moment she opens her mouth, you’ll understand why she’s been dubbed The Flirt Fairy by Victoria’s Secret and The Doctor of Love by EXTRA. Lauren knows how to light up a room—and more importantly, how to help you do the same in your love life. We get into it all: how to flirt without feeling fake, why boundaries are the ultimate aphrodisiac, and how to gracefully exit the “situationship spiral.” If you’ve ever felt like your romantic GPS was off, Lauren’s loving (and hilariously spot-on) advice will have you re-routing with a smile. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to make flirting fun again (yes, it’s a skill—and yes, you can totally learn it!) Why flirting is less about seduction—and more about connection What a Love Magnet Makeover is—and how it can help you glow from the inside out   The politics of dating: how to read signals, set standards, and navigate modern romance like a pro   How to avoid relationship ruts and start attracting high-quality connections   If you’ve ever felt like dating was more stress than sparkle, this episode will remind you that love isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being playful, powerful, and totally aligned with who you are. You’re not too late. You’re not too much. You’re just getting started. Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs. For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter!   https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/

If you’re done with surface-level situationships and ready for soul-stirring, conscious connection—this one’s for you. ✨ In this episode, I sit down with internationally recognized dating and relationship coach Angela Nicole Holton for a heart-opening, no-fluff conversation about what it really takes to attract lasting, authentic love. Angela was named one of Yahoo’s Top 10 Relationship Coaches of 2020 and is the author of “Date Night Ideas for Couples” (endorsed by none other than Dr. John Gray of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus) and “The Secret Method to Conscious Love.” She teaches dating from the inside-out, helping individuals and couples tap into their authentic truth so they can love—and be loved—fully and fearlessly. This conversation will inspire you to ask better questions (of yourself and others), show up with unapologetic authenticity, and date in a way that feels good in your soul. We get into: 💫 Why being present matters more than being impressive — and how authentic energy makes you magnetic on a first date. 🧠 How curiosity and intentional questions spark real connection — and turn first dates into powerful data collection, not performance. ✨ The game-changing role of self-worth in dating — and how doing the inner work shifts what (and who) you attract.   🚩 Why honoring your truth helps you date with clarity — and how tuning into your feelings reveals whether someone truly aligns.   🧘‍♀️ How self-love transforms your dating life — and why the relationship with yourself is always the starting point. Angela's wisdom is deep, soulful, and practical—like having your most evolved, heart-centered girlfriend give you the loving truth. If you’re craving a new way to date—one that feels aligned, conscious, and truly magnetic—this episode will have you rethinking everything (in the best way possible). 🎧 Tune in now and get ready to date with more purpose, power, and pleasure. Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs. For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter!   https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/

Let’s face it—first dates can be awkward. You’re sitting across from someone new, trying to figure out if there’s a spark… while also wondering what the heck to say next. Sound familiar? In this juicy episode of the Smart Dating Academy Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Jess Carbino—often dubbed “the Dr. Ruth of the Swipe Right generation.” With a resume that includes time as the in-house sociologist at Tinder and Bumble (yes, really!), and now on her second doctorate in clinical psychology, Jess brings savvy to the world of modern dating. Together, we dig into the art of creating real conversation on first dates—the kind that moves beyond surface-level chit-chat and into connection territory. 💡 You’ll learn: Why small talk isn’t actually small (and how to make it meaningful) How to avoid the dreaded interview-date vibe Easy, go-to questions that open hearts and spark chemistry ❤️ What people really want to talk about—and how to listen with intention The surprising power of self-disclosure and emotional availability (without oversharing) Whether you're getting ready for date #1, date #100, or just starting to dip your toe back in the dating pool, this episode is your conversational compass. Trust me—after hearing this, you’ll walk into your next first date feeling confident, curious, and totally in your element. 👉 Tune in now and let’s get the convo going! Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs. For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter!   https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/

Let’s be real—dating at any phase can feel like walking a conversational tightrope. How much is too much? What’s not enough?  When should I ask?  What do I say if they ask me about something that I don't want to talk about?  And how do you strike that magical balance between showing up as your radiant, authentic self and still being curious, fun, and engaging? In Part 2 of our juicy conversation, I’m back with the brilliant Lindsay Anderson, one of Smart Dating Academy’s most beloved coaches, and we’re continuing our deep dive into how to absolutely crush it on a first date. We cover: 💥 Why “go-to” questions matter—and the one thing they must do if you want real connection 🧠 How to prepare (mentally and emotionally) so you don’t blank out or get stuck in small talk 🤔 The difference between curious and interrogating—and how to make your date feel seen, not screened 🙋 The right questions to ask to delve deeper into this person's background that are CRITICAL to know!    ✨ How to keep the vibe light, flirty, and fun, even when you’re diving into deeper topics 🚫 The “date derailers” that can unintentionally kill the spark (and what to do instead!) 💬 How to gracefully redirect a convo that’s gone off course 🧭 Why self-awareness is your dating superpower—and how to tap into it This episode is about more than just asking the right questions. It’s about showing up in a way that makes your date want to get to know you - and YOU get to know them by asking and listening for the RIGHT things. It’s about enjoying the moment, being present, and creating space for genuine connection. Because here’s the truth: The best dates don’t feel like interviews. They feel like magic. ✨ So, whether you're just getting back out there or want to elevate your dating game, press play now. You’re going to love this one. 💕 Ready to redefine your dating life or need guidance on your journey to love? Visit Smart Dating Academy to learn more about our transformative programs. For more free tips and up to date information, click here to register for the Smart Dating Academy free newsletter!   https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/