

Smart Dating Academy - The Podcast
The Smart Dating Academy Podcast
Smart Dating Academy helps busy, successful professionals to jump start their dating lives. We have a results-oriented, fun 8 step process - which transforms you into a better dater - helping you find "the one".
This podcast is meant to help you put more love in to your life, and more life in to your love
This podcast is meant to help you put more love in to your life, and more life in to your love
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 6, 2022 • 54min
21: Weight Gain - Why it Happens and How to Get Rid of It!
Weight gain is something most of us have struggled with, or will struggle with at some point in our lives - whether we are male or female. Is it just me, or does it seems harder with each year to keep it off? In this episode, I chat with one of the most renowned physicians in the US, Dr. Lauren Streicher about why we gain weight (especially in mid-life & menopause), and HOW to get rid of it in a healthy way.
We are all beautiful as we are, and it is NOT necessary to have six pack abs or be a size 2 to find love. What this episode will tell you is how to get to the BEST and healthiest version of you, because how you feel impacts everything relationship you're in (especially if you're dating or in a romantic one). Here are just some of the topics we covered:
1) How does metabolism change throughout life? This answer blew my mind, btw!
2) Why sleep is MORE important than ever in the 'battle of the bulge.'
3) Where the "muffin top" comes from, and why...
4) What men REALLY think about our thighs, butts, and cellulite (it's hilarious)...
5) What's the WORST type of fat to gain and why?
6) A great substitute for a date that keeps you healthy and happy!
7) How you can manage 'drinking' calories in a better way (I have started to do this, and it's magical)!
8) What you should offer to bring to a party and WHY it benefits you
9) Lauren's FAVORITE book for weight loss (listen to find out)
If you loved this episode, please give it a review - we LOVE LOVE LOVE reading them, and if we can figure out who you are, we will send you a personal note back (you can email us through our website about your review at www.smartdatingacademy.com)
If you're READY to find LOVE, schedule a consultation with us at www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact
If you want more FREE tips, follow us on Instagram @smartdatingacademy
Bio: Dr. Lauren Streicher is a top gynecologist, professor at Northwestern University, author of multiple books about women's health, and the host of the podcast "Dr. Streicher's Insider Info - The Menopause Podcast."
Subscribe and Follow Dr. Streicher on
DrStreicher.com
Instagram@DrStreich
Twitter@DrStreicher
Facebook @DrStreicher
YouTube DrStreicherTV
Books by Lauren Streicher, MD
Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat
Sex Rx- Hormones , Health, and Your Best Sex Ever
The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy

May 30, 2022 • 43min
20: What is Love Bombing vs. Love Seeking, and How Can You Take Control?
What is Love Bombing vs. Love Seeking, and How Can You Take Control?
In this amazingly informative episode, Bela and Dr. Katherine Helm discuss the VAST differences between a Love Bomber (bad) and a Love Seeker (good). They address the following questions in depth:
1) What is love bombing?
2) Why is love bombing harmful?
3) What is the difference between a love bomber and someone who is romantic (a love seeker)?
4) What's the KEY step to know the difference between the two types?
5) What do love bombers want from you?
6) How do you know if you’ve been love bombed?
7) What should you do if you are in a relationship with a love bomber? What signs existed in Netflix's Tinder Swindler?
8) What should healthy boundaries look like regarding romantic gestures early in a relationship?
You will not be confused anymore after you hear this episode between a bomber and a seeker, and you'll know EXACTLY how to TAKE CONTROL of the situation!
BIO:
Katherine Helm, PhD is a Professor of Psychology and Director of Graduate Programs in Counseling at Lewis University, Romeoville, IL. She is also a practicing psychologist in part-time private where she sees individuals and couples. Katherine has authored several publications about racial and cultural issues in mental health, couples’ issues, and pedagogy in multicultural courses and has an extensive background facilitating counselor trainings. Katherine has had several media appearances on radio and video and is a TEDx speaker. She is a sought-after author, presenter, public speaker, professional trainer, and clinical supervisor.
If you love this episode, please rate, review and SHARE!!
If you are INSPIRED to seek help with you love life, sign up for our newsletter at www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact
If you are REALLY INSPIRED to make changes, schedule a 1 hour consultation with Bela! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

May 23, 2022 • 25min
19: 7 Things you NEED For Summer Love!
This is a WONDERFUL episode where you will hear Bela FIREHOSE you with the 7 things you NEED to do this summer to find love! This episode will educate you and INSPIRE the heck out of you - you'll want to RACE onto the dating scene armed with these 7 things!!
7 Things you NEED For Summer Love!!
1) Get Psychotically Optimistic about Love and that you WILL Find Love!! Get rid of the cobwebs and monkey mindsets that keep you stuck (and Bela will explain an easy trick on how to do this)!
2) Deep Dive into Yourself – Fix Your Picker! Oof - this is a biggie. Look at your relationship history, and know that the common denominator is YOU. Are you chronically picking the wrong people that ghost, cheat, or bore you?
3) Build Your Dating Funnel – Think of your dating life as you would a "horse race" where you are the PRIZE!!! She explains how and why to do this!
4) Start Online Dating the Right Way
5) Have a Daily Dating Routine – Doing something daily is great, and Bela explains her tried and true way that clients master this!!
6) Don’t Skip Video Dates! She gives you compelling reasons why you should NEVER skip video!
7) Plan Fun Dates that are side to side! Spoiler alert - you will have more interesting conversations AND build ATTRACTION!!
If you love this episode, please rate, review and SHARE!!
If you are INSPIRED to seek help with you love life, sign up for our newsletter at www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact
If you are REALLY INSPIRED to make changes, schedule a 1 hour consultation with Bela! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

May 15, 2022 • 53min
18: The Soulmate Secret with Arielle Ford
Arielle Ford is a love and relationship expert, and a leading personality in the personal growth space - she's been a pal of Bela's for many years. This episode is FILLED with answers to questions that have been wrestled with for centuries, and they break it down for you step by step:
1) What is LOVE? (Spoiler Alert - Bela and Arielle are in 100% agreement about the definition)! And, Bela discloses the book that made her understand love back in college....Curious? :)
2) What is the unknown secret to relationship success everyone needs to know?
3) Why you should wear "rose colored" glasses when it comes to seeing each other (or, use Dr. Laura's "defense attorney" trick we talk about in detail)!
4) Why we must learn to be personally responsible for our own happiness in life and especially in relationships....
5) The universal law that can be sued to find your soulmate
6) How Arielle met her soulmate (an amazing story that started with a dream)!
7) Does everyone have a soulmate and how many can you have in a lifetime?
You will LOVE the gems in here -- and if you do, and you're READY to find love, we are here for you!
Click www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact
Follow us on Instagram - www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy

May 9, 2022 • 42min
17: The 15 Date RULE That Helped Silvia Find Love!
Silvia Foti is an amazing woman, author, high-school English teacher, and a client of Smart Dating Academy who found love. Silvia was willing to share her inspiring story with all of YOU to show you that love is possible under even the toughest of circumstances.
Silvia was married for 35 years. Her mother died when Silvia was 38 years old, and her last wish on her deathbed was that Silvia finish her book, documenting her grandfather’s heroic military career in Lithuania. What Silvia discovered is that her ‘heroic’ grandfather was anything but that – he was helping Hitler exterminate thousands of Lithuanian Jews. It took Silvia ten years to process the grief of this – and another ten to write the book (which has brought death threats from around the world). Her daughter overdosed and passed away at the age of 21 in 2016. In 2019, her husband blindsided her with a divorce. Listen to this story of amazing perseverance, cleverness, and heart of how Silvia found her “federal agent” love – how they waited 15 dates for….you know….and how in LOVE they are today. He travels with her supporting HER career and book, and went at HER pace, showing her that a man that wants to be with you will move MOUNTAINS to be with you.
Here are some gems you'll hear!
· What is the Smart Dating Academy 15 date rule??
· How she felt when she got online (and got new pictures/profile)?
· What happened when she ‘launched’ her profile on November 3rd?
· How Ilene helped her get out of the ‘pen-pal’ phase…
· What he brought her on the first date…
· What he brought her on the SECOND date, and what she sprung on HIM!
· Why the way he held her hand almost caused her to end it
· What he said when she said she wanted to wait “15 dates” (one of the BEST moments of the show)!
· How they've now spent over 1,000 hours together, and how in love they are….
Here is a link to book your consultation with Smart Dating Academy if you are READY to find love in 2022! https://bit.ly/3vIWY9n
Here is a link to buy Silvia’s AMAZING book: https://amzn.to/3N8CT2r

May 2, 2022 • 46min
16: The Secrets to Flirting & Charisma!
This episode is something you have ASKED FOR! Flirting, building charisma & confidence is something we ALL want to get better at - whether we are single or coupled! I brought on one of my favorite experts, Kimmy Seltzer, who is a confidence therapist, flirting wingwoman and personal stylist. There is something for EVERYONE in this episode - woman or man!
What is the magic formula, The Charisma Quotient and how do you use it to build a sexy confidence?
What is the 'outside-in' approach?
Why does everyone (including men!) need a red dress moment? What was Kimmy's (and it has to do with Birkenstock's and nursing bras)....
What is the biggest style mistake men make? And women? What are the 3 Cs for style makeovers?
Why is flirting such an important part of dating and being irresistible?
HOW can you flirt, especially if you're shy?
What is a flirting move you can start TODAY?
How do you take the fear out of flirting & rejection?
How did Bela's client who went to Harvard change her approach -- which led to her marriage? :)
What are the best conversation starters to make a chat feel FUN?
What are the common mistakes women make when it comes to flirting and being in their feminine? Men?
You'll love this episode -- I certainly did! If you did, rate it, write us a love note, and SHARE with your networks! We LOVE that, and will do a coaching giveaway for people who write reviews!
If you want to hear more from us, click here to join our free newsletter database! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact
If you're ready to find love and schedule a session with us, click here to invest in a session that will change your life! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela
If you want Kimmy's free gift, click www.kimmyseltzer.com
Kimmy's Bio: Kimmy Seltzer is a Confidence Therapist and Image Expert. With a vat of knowledge and experience as a therapist, certified style coach, dating coach, and matchmaker, she has helped people find lasting love and connection, attract success and build valuable relationships using her unique “confidence makeover” process. Using an outside-in approach, Kimmy implements targeted style, emotional and social intelligence in people’s lives using her signature formula, “The Charisma Quotient,” working on body language, first impressions, image/wardrobe and flirting and how it impacts attraction. This Los Angeles-based expert travels the country helping people discover confidence, charisma and connection as a speaker at National Matchmaking Conferences, eHarmony, Neutrogena, The Guild at Universal, UCLA and iDate. Kimmy is also a regular contributor to the Huffington Post with appearances in Cosmopolitan, Oprah Magazine, Redbook, Reader’s Digest, AskMen, Fox News Magazine, Yahoo and the Washington Examiner, among a myriad of other publications. Kimmy has been the leading love expert on the traveling live dating show The Great Love Debate, a show on Amazon Live with SwayTv, Kimmy’s Love Hub and the cable reality series, The Romance. You can also listen to her on her podcast, The Charisma Quotient and regular Ask Kimmy segments on the Chaz and AJ Morning Show on 99.1 PLR and 95.9 The Fox.

Apr 25, 2022 • 60min
15: How to Talk to Men & The Secret to Happiness!
This conversation covers AMAZING gems, including:
--3 Myths About Men (these are awesome, and have to do with 'the chase', sex, and feelings)
--The differences between men's & women's brains (I about passed out when I learned this - it makes COMPLETE sense)
--The AWESOME four communication archetypes (are you a lioness, puppy, koala bear or scorpion)?
--How to get men to HEAR you (and it doesn't have to do with raising your voice)!
--What are some quick communication tips that women can use in challenging situations with men?
--How to get men or anyone to help you (it's called the 'appreciation' sandwich)
--The ONE simple daily practice to stay in balance
--How we can tell if our lives are OUT of alignment (and how that affects our dating lives)--Why 'going hard' is BAD for a relationship
--What 'coming from a place of love' can do to blossom your love for EVERYONE in your life.
Sandy Weiner, Bela's guest, is the founder of Last First Date, is a TEDx speaker, relationship coach, author and podcast host.
Sandy's communication archetype quiz is here: https://lastfirstdate.com/4-communication-archetypes/#sthash.HVO24czW.dpbs
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/

Apr 18, 2022 • 53min
14: SEX and DATING - Everything You Need to KNOW!
This episode is AMAZING with Rachel Zar, renowned sex and relationship therapist.
We discussed ALL of the things you need to know - and make sure you don't have little ears around you while listening to this!
1) WHEN is the right time to have sex?
2) If you've had sex with someone, is it advisable / necessary to have sex every time?
3) What's the thing that causes the BEST sex, always?
4) What is the right thing to do with "hair down there"??
5) How do you get to know your own body?
6) If the sex isn't good the first time, what should you do?
7) We don't want men to be inexperienced, but don't want them to have 'hooked up' with too many women? What gives?
8) When to talk about STI's?
9) What we should be focusing on during sex (hint - it's not just orgasm)!
Listen to this episode, and if you love it (you WILL), please please write a review (it's worth it's weight in gold)! Share with friends as well!
If this episode has inspired you to get back into the dating world, and your profile & photos need an overhaul, join our "Online Dating Love Lab" Zoom workshop on April 24th, from 1pm-4pm CST! Go to:
www.smartdatingacademy.com/the-online-dating-love-lab to JOIN!
Spots are LIMITED!
If you want to watch Bela's TEDx talk about the "Secret to Finding Lasting Love", click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIyvhq3zWLg&t=48s
Rachel Zar, LMFT, CST is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist who specializes in relationship and sex therapy. Rachel sees clients at Spark Chicago Therapy and at The Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause at Northwestern Hospital.

Apr 11, 2022 • 1h 19min
13: What Men REALLY Want - Secrets from an A-List Hollywood Actor!
Colin Egglesfield is an AMAZING actor who has walked the red carpets of Hollywood, starring in "Something Borrowed" with the beautiful Kate Hudson. He's also been on All My Children and Melrose Place, just to name a few. Colin is a VERY eligible bachelor, and came on the podcast to talk about what men like him are REALLY looking for in women (he's dated both actresses as well as us 'normal' girls too)! We shared:
How a kid from Michigan ended up being a Versace model (entered a contest)
How he ended up in Hollywood
What Colin is MOST attracted to
Why he hasn't been married yet (it's not for lack of opportunity)
His favorite quality in women
What his BIGGEST turnoff is (oof!)
Why dating is like auditions
How to REJECTION proof your dating mindset (brilliant tip here)!
Listen to the whole thing, because it's full of juice and nuggets you'll want to share with ALL of your friends!
ONLINE DATING LOVE LAB - April 24!
To get your TOTALLY date ready for the summer, we have opened the doors to our small group, April 24th "Online Dating Love Lab!!" You'll know how to take AMAZING photos, which are your best photos, and you'll write 2 amazing profiles by getting our private workbook to do it! Seats are VERY limited, and get yours now! Bela will be hosting this with the SDA team on April 24th (1-4pm CST) via Zoom, and you can register/get a spot by putting this link into your browser!
https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/the-online-dating-love-lab
Colin is hosting an Inspire Summit in Chicago, where Bela will be speaking on 4/23 -- and you can grab your tickets here (put this link in your browser)! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inspire-summit-2022-with-colin-egglesfield-tickets-302182224167
Don't forget to review the podcast, and share it on your social media feeds! We love the love!
And, sign up for the Smart Dating Academy newsletter (free) by filling out the form here: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact
Follow us on Instagram to get DAILY wisdom, laughs, and inspiration: @smartdatingacademy

Apr 4, 2022 • 45min
12: TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS & FRIENDSHIPS - HOW TO AVOID THEM AND STAY OUT OF THE RED ZONE!
In this episode, I discuss TOXIC friendships/relationships and staying out of the "RED Zone" with therapist Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo who is Shaquille O'Neal's "Head Coach for Happiness", author of "Get Out of the Red Zone", and mental health expert on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America and the New York Times.
We covered a TON, and you're going to love it all, especially:
What are the signs of a toxic relationship?
HOW to check our own internal dialogue before declaring a relationship toxic
What are some steps to take if you are in a toxic relationship?
Do toxic people REALIZE they're toxic?
What is the Red Zone?
What happens in the Red Zone?
How do we know if we are in the Red Zone?
How does being in the Red Zone impact our relationships?
How can we get out of the Red Zone?
I hope you LOVE the episode, because I loved doing it! If you do, PLEASE give it 5 stars and a great review - it means the world to us! Sending you a cyberhug for it! :)
Dr. E's Bio:
In her first week of psychology school, Elizabeth was madly taking notes as her professor spoke, and something hit her. “Why do I have to get a Ph.D. to learn this information? We would all benefit from better understanding how our mind works and how to make it work for and not against us.” And this became her life mission: to share research-supported techniques to optimize your mindset and thrive in life.
Dr. E, as her clients affectionately call her, has personally helped numerous high-profile individuals achieve success. Her newest book entitled “Get Out of the Red Zone: Transform Stress and Optimize True Success” helps individuals and organizations better cope with stress to enhance engagement, productivity and profitability. Having worked with many Fortune 500 companies, including Coca-Cola, Deloitte, UBS and Westinghouse, Dr. E is considered one of America’s most-trusted celebrity psychologists. Dr. E is passionate about helping people transform their personal and professional lives through proven methods.
Watch: TED Talk - The Secret to Lasting Love! (link is here if you need it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIyvhq3zWLg&t=128s)
Buy Dr. E's Red Zone book: https://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Red-Zone-Transform/dp/1953445071/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=get+out+of+the+red+zone+book&qid=1647637436&sprefix=get+out+of+the+red+%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1
Book a session with us! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela


