Ask a Matchmaker

This week, Maria is talking about caregiving, grief and dating with Brooke James and Katie Brandt. Brooke James is a highly respected podcaster in the field of grief and loss based in New York City. She is a sought-out grief educator who consults with companies and organizations seeking to create empathetic and supportive work environments, particularly during this time of unprecedented loss. She currently works at Aidaly, a startup focused on paying family caregivers, and previously worked in management consulting. Brooke holds a B.A. in Economics from The George Washington University. Brooke is passionate about arts and public programming in New York. She serves on the Steering Committee of the Lincoln Center Young Patrons as co-chair of the Development Committee. As one of the many people that have been affected by cancer, Brooke is highly involved in fundraising for the advancement of cancer research and treatment. Brooke participates in Memorial Sloan Kettering’s fundraiser for rare cancer research and has raised over $25,000 since 2018. Follow Brook on Instagram: http://instagram.com/brookeljames http://instagram.com/the_griefcoach Learn more about Brook at http://thegriefcoach.co Katie Brandt is the Director of Caregiver Support Services and Public Relations in the Frontotemporal Disorders (FTD) Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. Katie provides leadership for research, education and community events aimed at supporting the caregiver experience for families impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease, Frontotemporal Disorders, atypical and young-onset dementias.  Katie was Co-Chair of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care and Services (2019 – 2021) where she had the opportunity to connect with experts in the field of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias and contribute to federal policy initiatives and research priorities promoting health equity and person-centered care at every stage of dementia. Katie is a passionate advocate in the rare disease and dementia community, inspired by her experience as a former FTD caregiver for her late husband, Mike. Today, Katie is an Alzheimer’s caregiver for her father, Tom. Her experiences of love and loss embolden her to keep moving forward, determined that the cure of tomorrow is not so far from the care of today. Learn more about Katie at http://KatieBrandt.org Follow Maria on Instagram to find out when the Matchmaker Hotline will be open to talk! http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria  Follow Agape Match on Instagram at http://instagram.com/agapematch Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/askamatchmaker

It’s another edition of the Matchmaker Maria Hotline! If you want to ask Maria a question on an upcoming episode, make sure you’re following her on Instagram to know when the hotline will open up next… http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria Follow Agape Match on Instagram at http://instagram.com/agapematch Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/askamatchmaker

Happy New Year! You’ve probably taken some time to ask yourself what you want to accomplish or change in 2022.  Great! This episode, we’re giving you some tips and tricks to help you achieve your goals and stay on track this year, all in a fun way! Joining Maria is Charly Lester!  Charly Lester is one of the world’s leading dating industry experts.  She is a serial entrepreneur, who currently runs a successful marketing consultancy business for dating apps and tech start-ups. Charly co-founded ‘Lumen‘ – the dating app for over 50s – the fastest growing dating app in the world in 2019.  Charly is the former Dating Editor for the Guardian, and Global Head of Dating for Time Out.  She has appeared on BBC Newsnight representing the online dating industry, and in 2015 she was an expert advisor to Lord Sugar in the final of The Apprentice.  Charly is a regular guest on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. Buy the Rebel Badge Book! US & Canada Books - Amazon https://amzn.to/3qPNrcVUK & Europe - www.rebelbadgestore.com  Join the Rebel Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/579616703393446 Get Maria’s goal planning guide for 2022 here: https://agapematch.wufoo.com/forms/z164bjal0egdssi/  Find Charly on Twitter  Find Charly on Instagram  Follow Maria on Instagram to find out when the Matchmaker Hotline will be open to talk! http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria  Follow Agape Match on Instagram at http://instagram.com/agapematch Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/askamatchmaker

It’s another edition of the Matchmaker Maria Hotline! If you want to ask Maria a question on an upcoming episode, make sure you’re following her on Instagram to know when the hotline will open up next… http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria On this week’s episode…  I’m 23 and having a hard time with online dating. What should I do? I’ve been dating a guy for two months and wants to move across the country with me. What should I do? How do I get over the self doubt that comes up when dating? How do I know if I should go on another date with them? Share your name and email and you will be notified first when details for the Agape Intensive Retreat - April 29- May 1, 2022 - are released! https://agapematch.wufoo.com/forms/z14chqhd03yfh04/ Follow Maria on Instagram to find out when the Matchmaker Hotline will be open to talk! http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria  Follow Agape Match on Instagram at http://instagram.com/agapematch Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/askamatchmaker

This week, Maria speaks with Atoosa Rubenstein. Atoosa Rubenstein is the author of Atoosa Unedited, an at-times confronting, at-times healing weekly letter on Substack where she models authenticity, self-love and acceptance for her readers. The former Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen Magazine and Founder/Editor-in-Chief of CosmoGIRL! In 1998, Rubenstein created a prototype for CosmoGIRL! within 48 hours and was offered the job on the spot making her, at 26,  the youngest Editor in Chief in the over 100 year history of Hearst Magazines. After a successful run at CosmoGIRL!, Hearst acquired Seventeen and tapped Rubenstein to turn the venerable title around. After just one year at the title, Rubenstein reversed a five year decline in Seventeen's newsstand sales and delivered a total newsstand growth of 23% within two years. She also conceived and was an Executive Producer on MTV's Miss Seventeen a series that debuted in the fall of 2005. The following year, Rubenstein left the industry altogether to undergo a grueling 13-year personal excavation and discovery mission that led to three of her own daughters and now, a twice-a-week love letter Atoosa Unedited, written for her beloved readers, now adults in their own right. Columbia University has honored her as one of the top 250 alumni through the ages. She has also been recognized by the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York as a Woman of Distinction. Rubenstein has been featured in Crain's New York Business’ "40 Under 40" and Folio's "30 Under 30." She lives in Manhattan with her three daughters.  Follow Atoosa’s substack at atoosa.substack.com  Follow Attosa on Instagram at http://instagram.com/atoosarubenstein   Follow Attosa’s TikTok at http://tiktok.com/@atoosarubenstein  Share your name and email and you will be notified first when details for the Agape Intensive Retreat - April 29- May 1, 2022 - are released! https://agapematch.wufoo.com/forms/z14chqhd03yfh04/ Follow Maria on Instagram to find out when the Matchmaker Hotline will be open to talk! http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria  Follow Agape Match on Instagram at http://instagram.com/agapematch Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/askamatchmaker

This week, we open up the Ask a Matchmaker Hotline and talk to YOU about YOUR dating questions. Care to ask Maria a question for the next one? Be sure to follow her on Instagram to find out when the hotline will be open again.  This week… I’m feeling fatigued and defeated. What should I do? I’ve been dating “by the book” and I’m not sure about a guy. I have a really tough schedule, how do I find time to meet people? How do I choose whether to connect with someone on a dating app? Should I do a video chat with someone before we meet in person? My neighbor seems cool. Should I ask him to coffee? How do you feel about dating someone who is separated but not divorced?  Share your name and email and you will be notified first when details for the Agape Intensive Retreat - April 29- May 1, 2022 - are released! https://agapematch.wufoo.com/forms/z14chqhd03yfh04/ Follow Maria on Instagram to find out when the Matchmaker Hotline will be open to talk! http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria  Follow Agape Match on Instagram at http://instagram.com/agapematch Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/askamatchmaker

This week, Maria’s husband, George, is once again on the podcast. This week, the two talk about the fun that was had during Maria’s birthday weekend, the new upcoming Agape Intensive on the road and a continuation of the conversation that’s been going on since last week’s episode: dating outside your religion and culture. Share your name and email and you will be notified first when details for the Agape Intensive Retreat - April 29- May 1, 2022 - are released! https://agapematch.wufoo.com/forms/z14chqhd03yfh04/ Follow George on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdmeetsfood? Follow Maria on Instagram to find out when the Matchmaker Hotline will be open to talk! http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria  Follow Agape Match on Instagram at http://instagram.com/agapematch Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/askamatchmaker

It’s another edition of the Matchmaker Hotline! You’ve got questions, and Maria has answers! If you want to talk to Maria on an upcoming episode, be sure to follow her on Instagram to find out when the hotline will open again! http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria In today’s hotline... He says he wants to find a way to date, but he’s seeing someone else.  Our first update from a previous caller! How do you manage different connections when they are not starting off at the same time? I’m dating a man with a different religion.  Want to join an upcoming Agape Intensive? 2022 dates just announced! http://agapeintensive.com Follow Maria on Instagram to find out when the Matchmaker Hotline will be open to talk! http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria  Follow Agape Match on Instagram at http://instagram.com/agapematch Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/askamatchmaker

This week, Maria is talking to singer and songwriter Evangelia! She grew up commuting between her grandmother’s small farm on the Greek island of Crete and her parents’ home in New Jersey. Two completely different music worlds, both of which influenced her style. Her music blends modern pop music with sounds from her Greek roots, contemporary club beats and catchy melodies by fusing American pop culture with traditional Greek elements. Follow Evangelia on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@evangeliamusic Follow Evangelia on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/evangelia/ Want to join an upcoming Agape Intensive? 2022 dates just announced! http://agapeintensive.com Follow Maria on Instagram to find out when the Matchmaker Hotline will be open to talk! http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria  Follow Agape Match on Instagram at http://instagram.com/agapematch Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/askamatchmaker

You have questions and Maria has answers!  It’s another edition of the Ask a Matchmaker Hotline, where you can directly ask Matchmaker Maria your questions. (If you want to call on a future episode, be sure to follow her on Instagram to know when the hotline will be open next) This week, we talk about... It’s the holidays! How to handle dating in your hometown when you go home. I think I’m a bad texter. How do I fix that? I’m discouraged with dating. What should I do? How do I date when I have a demanding job? How to handle the holidays with your partner's families. How do you meet people outside of your own friend circle? What if I’m dating a guy who has a voice I don’t like? Want to join an upcoming Agape Intensive? 2022 dates just announced! http://agapeintensive.com Follow Maria on Instagram to find out when the Matchmaker Hotline will be open to talk! http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria  Follow Agape Match on Instagram at http://instagram.com/agapematch Follow the podcast on Instagram at http://instagram.com/askamatchmaker