Listen as I coach Heather live on the podcast. She wants to know how she can figure out early on when to stay and when to go. — Heather wrote in to the podcast: “I’ve been separated and divorced for 6 years. I’ve been in therapy and have been working on myself (listening to your […]

Listen as I coach Heather live on the podcast. She wants to know how she can figure out early on when to stay and when to go.

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Heather wrote in to the podcast: “I’ve been separated and divorced for 6 years. I’ve been in therapy and have been working on myself (listening to your podcasts and being a woman of value) but still spent the last two years in a relationship that was on and off again. How do you quickly find out if someone is a match? Instead of spending a few years trying to figure it out.”

Listen as I coach Heather live on air on how to know…should I stay or should I go (and so much more)!

When to Stay and When to Go?

Heather has been separated for three years and divorced three years after a 13-year marriage. She discusses what she learned from her marriage that she’s bringing to the next relationship.

She began by listing all of HER faults in the marriage; she felt she was harsh and controlling and had to always be right. I noticed that she put the blame on herself, but as we continued the coaching conversation, much more was revealed.

She knew on the day of her wedding that he was the wrong man for her. But, she married him anyway. She’s not alone. This is more common than you may think.

I ask Heather why she did not trust her intuition about her ex-husband. She felt he wasn’t the right man, and she felt trapped in the relationship. Life just happened to her instead of making conscious choices in her life. Can you relate?

She saw the red flags and ignored them. We compare her marriage red flags with the red flags in her more current relationship.

Red flags in the marriage included detachment and living parallel lives. Turns out he was gay, even though he had said he was bisexual when they got married. She was his first relationship with a woman.

Both were not true to themselves and were living a lie during the marriage.

I ask Heather, “Who does your ex-husband remind you of from your family of origin?”

She says it was not her dad. Or…was it? As Heather describes their relationship, she discovers some surprising truths about the connection between her father and why she chose her husband.

Our downloaded family blueprint directly influences our choices in romantic partners.

We often pick a partner who has similar qualities to our most difficult parent. We keep hoping we can somehow ‘fix’ the relationship with that parent by fixing it in a partner who has those traits. It doesn’t work. I share with Heather what DOES work.

I show her how she puts herself down and makes excuses for bad behavior in men. I point out the difference between having compassion for others and making excuses for bad behavior. This really resonates with her. She then draws the connection between her father and the last man she dated.

How can you tell if a man has the qualities you’re looking for, and whether you should stay or go?

Heather is fuzzy about this, and I clarify the difference between an annoying behavior and a character flaw.

I walk her through an exercise to find her must-haves.

As we conclude our session, I tell Heather how she needs to guard herself from giving away too much too soon. She needs to be careful not to choose partners who have the red flags she identified.

Heather’s Homework

Notice where she’s giving parts of herself away before someone shows her they deserve her stories and her love. Lean back and observe behaviors. See if a guy steps up. Tell men what she needs to be happy in the relationship, and see if a man can provide that for her.

Can you relate to Heather’s story? How did you feel about the coaching session? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast here.

Apply to get FREE coaching on the podcast: https://bit.ly/LFDradiocoaching 

If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to finally find love, sign up for a complimentary 45-minute love breakthrough session with Sandy https://lastfirstdate.com/application

Join Your Last First Date on Facebook https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate

Get a copy of Sandy’s books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love and Choice Points in Dating; Empowering Women to Make Healthier Decisions in Love and Love at Last: True Stories of Falling in Love Later in Life

How do you become more emotionally available in dating? In this episode, we discuss some simple steps you can take today. — How do you become more emotionally available in dating? My podcast guest, Brooke Bralove, has the answers! She is a Psychotherapist, Certified Sex Therapist, and Master Accelerated Resolution Therapy Practitioner. She helps women […]

How do you become more emotionally available in dating? In this episode, we discuss some simple steps you can take today.

—

How do you become more emotionally available in dating? My podcast guest, Brooke Bralove, has the answers! She is a Psychotherapist, Certified Sex Therapist, and Master Accelerated Resolution Therapy Practitioner. She helps women and men let go of perfectionism and move toward greater authenticity, joy, pleasure, and connection. She has been in private practice in Bethesda, MD for over 20 years.

In this episode:

• What is ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) and how does it work in relationships?
• What are some common emotional blocks people carry into dating, and how do they show up?
• How can past experiences or trauma impact someone’s ability to connect emotionally with a partner?
• What are practical steps or exercises listeners can try to become more emotionally available?

EP 696: Brooke Bralove – How to Become More Emotionally Available in Dating

Can you explain what ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) is and how it works in relationships?

ART is a treatment modality created in 2008 to take distressing images or feeling states and change how the brain stores them. It’s through bilateral eye movements, gestalt therapies, and image replacement.

What are some common emotional blocks people carry into dating, and how do they show up?

The three most common blocks are betrayal, feelings of not good enough, and rejection. I learned about ART after a terrible breakup. I did so many different therapies, and I was completely stuck. Someone told me about ART, and after two sessions, I felt neutral about the breakup instead of stuck. 

It works by taking the incident (learning your partner had an affair) that is playing over and over, you process it in your mind instead of talking about it, and you work through it like a scene in a movie. Paired with eye movements, you replace those images with positive images. Your body moves from having negative sensations to positive ones.

How can past experiences or trauma impact someone’s ability to connect emotionally with a partner?

We become emotionally dysregulated when we feel unsafe due to past trauma. You can’t form connections when you’re dysregulated. We have many tools for emotional regulation, such as self-run eye movements and EFT tapping. There are youtube videos with vagus nerve exercises to reset your system. We heal in safe connection. 

What are practical steps or exercises listeners can try to become more emotionally available?

Learn how to tell when your body is regulated. We need to teach ourselves what safe love feels like. Challenge your relationship to vulnerability. It’s a skill we can learn by practicing it, because we need it for deep connection, to be seen and known for who we are and be loved for our authentic selves.

What are your final words of advice for anyone who wants to go on their last first date?

Don’t dim your light or contort yourself to be liked. Find your inner spark and shine it. Learn how to regulate your nervous system. Be vulnerable. Stop following the same old patterns, and begin to feel good in your body. 

Watch this episode on YouTube

Connect With Brooke

• Website: www.brookebralove.com 
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/brookebralovepsychotherapy/ 
• IG, TikTok, Threads:: @brookebralovepsychotherapy   
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookebralovepsychotherapy/

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Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast here.

Apply to get FREE coaching on the podcast: https://bit.ly/LFDradiocoaching 

FREE download: “The Green Light Guide to Dating After 50: How to Show Interest Without Chasing” https://lastfirstdate.com/green-light-guide/

If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to finally find love, sign up for a complimentary 45-minute love breakthrough session with Sandy https://lastfirstdate.com/application

Join Your Last First Date on Facebook https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate

Get a copy of Sandy’s books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love and Choice Points in Dating; Empowering Women to Make Healthier Decisions in Love and Love at Last: True Stories of Falling in Love Later in Life

How do you become more emotionally available in dating? In this episode, we discuss some simple steps you can take today. — Listen to the story of Kat and Shawn, a couple who met in their mid-50s. I worked with Kat before, during, and after she met Shawn, and they are a living example of […]

How do you become more emotionally available in dating? In this episode, we discuss some simple steps you can take today.

—

Listen to the story of Kat and Shawn, a couple who met in their mid-50s. I worked with Kat before, during, and after she met Shawn, and they are a living example of how to find love after 50 and make the relationship work. They are engaged, living together, and navigating every up and down that comes with relationships later in life.

In this episode:

• What makes a relationship after 50 work well
• How to design healthy partnership
• Obstacles that come up in relationships and how to work through them
• How to know if they’re the right one for you

EP 697: Kat and Shawn – Falling in Love After 50, The Journey From First Date to Engagement

From Kat and Shawn

“We met online in our mid-50s, and the chemistry and compatibility were amazing from the start. We both value good communication and personal and relational growth. When we find ourselves at a crossroads, it’s extremely helpful to work with Sandy. She’s able to hear and understand BOTH our perspectives and helps us consider alternative ways of seeing our challenges. She gives us the tools to continue to build a healthier relationship.

We return to these new insights frequently and appreciate how much better our relationship is with the addition of an expert. She recently helped us overcome a big issue that was keeping us stuck. Later that day, on August 5th we got engaged! We’re grateful for a relationship that feels secure, loving, and supportive.”

Kat and Shawn

Highlights from the podcast

Tell us a little about your past relationships before you two met.

Kat: Divorced twice, running a business, raising two kids. Took a long time off of dating until kids were in college. Used to date guys who shared common interests. Hired me to be more intentional

Shawn: Divorced seven years, dated on and off. Stopped dating a bit before meeting Katherine. Didn’t have a high level of self-awareness or a partner with similar values before meeting Kat.

How did you meet?

Kat: I reached out to Shawn on Match and met for coffee. We were together for ten minutes, then met for a walk the next day. There was chemistry right away, and I had to intentionally slow things down. 

Shawn: We had communicated for about a week before meeting, and there was instant chemistry when we met. I loved her humor. So I asked her out again for the next day.

How have you designed your partnership?

We have calendars and schedules. We are our favorite people to be with, but we also make sure to have time outside of the house on our own. We have a travel calendar for travel together and apart. We try to balance all of that. We talk about finances and long range goals.

What are some of the obstacles you’ve faced, and how have you overcome them?

Kat: Slowing down has helped us create a strong foundation to overcome obstacles.

The first disharmony was when I was in Africa for three weeks. It brought up insecure feelings in Shawn. Our insecurities are at the heart of every roadblock.

Shawn: Saying you have insecurity is much different from feeling it. We prioritize honesty above all things. And we agree that omissions are dishonesty. We own our insecurities. We first look at ourselves and ask if it’s something from our past or our triggers.

How has your relationship evolved over the past two years?

Kat: We repair quickly. We try to talk things out as soon as possible. We pray together daily. One of us is always showing up for the other. We have a white couch that we call our therapy couch where we talk everything out. We even created a breakup plan so we have guardrails on our relationship and will seek out three therapy sessions before making a decision to break up. 

Blending our finances was challenging. I come from fear/scarcity and Shawn comes from an abundance mindset. I had to challenge childhood beliefs and communicate my fears to Shawn. We both have our teams for support which sometimes is more helpful than speaking to each other.

Shawn: I speak to other men who are committed to their partners, men who will call me out on my BS and be very honest with me.

What are your final words of advice for anyone who wants to go on their last first date?

Kat: What worked great for us was to take things really slow physically. I had a schedule about what was and wasn’t allowed, so the chemistry wouldn’t cloud my judgment. 

Shawn: Early on, rigorous and deliberate honesty. Share things that you’re not proud of about yourself. Find a reason to be as honest as possible. It’s one of the most important things you can do. I learned so much about her when I was brave and shared with her.

Watch this episode on YouTube

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Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast here.

Apply to get FREE coaching on the podcast: https://bit.ly/LFDradiocoaching 

FREE download: “The Green Light Guide to Dating After 50: How to Show Interest Without Chasing” https://lastfirstdate.com/green-light-guide/

If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to finally find love, sign up for a complimentary 45-minute love breakthrough session with Sandy https://lastfirstdate.com/application

Join Your Last First Date on Facebook https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate

Get a copy of Sandy’s books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love and Choice Points in Dating; Empowering Women to Make Healthier Decisions in Love and Love at Last: True Stories of Falling in Love Later in Life

Without clarity, how do you know what you want in dating? In this episode, learn how to clarify your dating wants and needs. — What if you could get clear about what you want in dating? My podcast guest, Tracey Gee, is the author of The Magic of Knowing What You Want. She’s a certified […]

Without clarity, how do you know what you want in dating? In this episode, learn how to clarify your dating wants and needs.

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What if you could get clear about what you want in dating? My podcast guest, Tracey Gee, is the author of The Magic of Knowing What You Want. She’s a certified leadership coach and consultant and a sought-after speaker and facilitator nationwide. She helps people learn more about themselves and their unique sense of meaning and purpose. She feels honored to have worked with a breadth of incredible individuals and organizations, including UC Berkeley, the Miami Heat, and Coca-Cola, but her great ambition in life remains to pet as many dogs as possible.

In this episode of Last First Date Radio:

• How to discover what you want in dating
• A practical exercise on uncovering your authentic desires in dating
• After you have clarity about what you want, what actions to take

EP 647: Tracey Gee – Getting Clear About What You Want in Dating

What inspired you to write a book on helping others discover what they really want?

I’m trained as a leadership coach and consultant, and the tools I was trained in are wonderful for building self-awareness, but they didn’t cover the next step, which is what you really want. People were confused or ashamed or scared that they didn’t know the answer to that question. Women often struggle with this, as they are always tuned into what other people want.

What are some steps to help you uncover what you want in dating?

1. Give yourself permission to want what you want. Don’t judge yourself. If you’re a ‘good girl’, you’re not selfish, you focus on others. Don’t wait for permission to be given.
2. Notice the types of questions that come up when you ask yourself what you want. We can stay in a ‘desire fog’ because we don’t make space to have what we want.
3. Create room to explore. Try things out. 

What is one practical exercise we can use today to help uncover our authentic desires when it comes to dating?

Look back on your life and experiences for how you’re uniquely wired. What worked, and what didn’t work? This will help you understand what you want and need to find the right fit for you. Calibrate to your own inner compass.

When people have clarity in dating, what actions can they take that will lead to what they truly desire?

Do an ‘experiment map’. Explore what dating could look like by meeting people in different ways. Map it out like a mind map. It’s a clear and flexible way to meet someone. Map potential paths, and what you’d need to do to execute that plan. What feels most exciting? Try it!

What are your final words of advice for anyone who wants to go on their last first date?

Ask yourself “How do I want dating to feel when I’m dating?” Be an explorer. Be lighter and more playful. Find your unique joyful way to date.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Connect With Tracey

• Website https://traceygee.me/ 
• IG https://www.instagram.com/traceygee.me/ 
• Free Gift: New Year Planning Guide & Template https://traceygee.me/template

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Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast here.

Apply to get FREE coaching on the podcast: https://bit.ly/LFDradiocoaching 

If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to finally find love, sign up for a complimentary 45-minute love breakthrough session with Sandy https://lastfirstdate.com/application

Join Your Last First Date on Facebook https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate

Get a copy of Sandy’s books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love and Choice Points in Dating; Empowering Women to Make Healthier Decisions in Love and Love at Last: True Stories of Falling in Love Later in Life

If you’re in a relationship and asking yourself, “Should I stay or should I go?”, this episode is for you! — The age old question: should I stay or should I go. Well, you’re in luck, because my podcast guest, Sharon Pope, wrote the book on this subject! She’s a certified Master Life Coach and […]

If you’re in a relationship and asking yourself, “Should I stay or should I go?”, this episode is for you!

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The age old question: should I stay or should I go. Well, you’re in luck, because my podcast guest, Sharon Pope, wrote the book on this subject! She’s a certified Master Life Coach and Relationship Expert helping people get the tools they need to improve, heal, or release their struggling marriages. She’s a seven-time international best-selling author on love and relationships, including Stay or Go: How to Find the Confidence & Clarity You Need to Either Fix the Struggles in Your Marriage or Move Forward without Regret, which has sold more than 300,000 copies. She is host of the podcast, “The Loving Truth,” and her work has appeared in numerous media outlets and online publications, including the “Modern Love” column of The New York Times.

In this episode of Last First Date Radio:

• The Five Words Killing Our Marriages Today
• How to Tell if Your Relationship Is Past Saving
• How to argue well
• Ways to Build Intimacy in Your Relationship
• Why Divorce Should Always Be an Option

EP 635: Sharon Pope – Should I Stay or Should I Go?

What are the five words that are killing marriages today?

“’Til death do us part”. When you’re married, there can be a big change as to how you treat your partner. Most people don’t continue dating and prioritizing relationships like they did before marriage. If you rest on your laurels and think you don’t have to nourish your relationship once you’re married, your marriage will probably fall apart.

How can you tell if your marriage or relationship is worth saving?

We’re taught love is easy. When it gets hard, that’s when your relationship begins. What makes it worthwhile are qualities like self awareness and personal responsibility for actions and words. Do you both have a growth mindset? Do you trust each other? How do you communicate? How well do you argue? Those are the qualities you should be looking at in your relationship.

How can people learn to argue well?

Begin with listening well. We can all get better at it. Use feeling words, and be willing to hear the other person. Get curious about what the other person would like from you. Own your triggers. Don’t make others responsible for tiptoeing around your triggers.

How can you build more intimacy in your relationship?

To create more intimacy in your relationship, you need trust and vulnerability. Be yourself and feel safe to do that. There should be a weekly meeting where you’re talking about your relationship. What’s working, what’s not, and where can we reach for a little more in our relationships. Make it a ritual. That’s a bond that you do together.

To create more spiciness, we need to tap into the part of ourselves that is desire – unpredictability and spontaneity. We need security/predictability and spontaneity to have a sexier relationship. Pay attention to that part of your relationship.

When asking yourself, “should I stay or should I go?”, why should divorce always be an option?

The goal is to be happy, but not picture perfect. If the relationship really isn’t working, there’s always the option to leave. There are going to be attributes in every partnership that are not loveable. And that’s okay. When one of you is no longer to take responsibility, it’s over. 

What are your final words of advice for anyone who wants to go on their last first date?

The most important thing anyone can do is equip yourself with relationship tools. You can’t be successful at anything in life without training. 

Connect with Sharon

• Website – https://www.sharonpope.com  
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SharonPopeCoach 
• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sharonpopecoach/ 
• The Loving Truth Podcast  https://sharonpope.com/podcast/ 
• FREE Video Coursesharonpopefreetraining.com/

Watch this episode on YouTube

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Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast here.

Apply to get FREE coaching on the podcast: https://bit.ly/LFDradiocoaching 

If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to finally find love, sign up for a complimentary 45-minute love breakthrough session with Sandy https://lastfirstdate.com/application

Join Your Last First Date on Facebook https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate

Get a copy of Sandy’s books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love and Choice Points in Dating; Empowering Women to Make Healthier Decisions in Love and Love at Last: True Stories of Falling in Love Later in Life

How do you have deeper conversations on a first date? These 5 questions will open up lively, informative, and connecting conversations. — Early dating doesn’t have to feel like an interview or a performance. The most meaningful connections grow when conversations move beyond small talk and into curiosity, values, and things you have in common. […]

How do you have deeper conversations on a first date? These 5 questions will open up lively, informative, and connecting conversations.

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Early dating doesn’t have to feel like an interview or a performance. The most meaningful connections grow when conversations move beyond small talk and into curiosity, values, and things you have in common.

If you’re dating and craving something real, these five questions can gently open the door to deeper conversations. They’re not about pushing intimacy too fast or interrogating your date to see if there are red or green flags. They’re about listening, noticing, and seeing whether there’s room to grow together.

1. What feels fulfilling to you right now?

This question reveals priorities. Some people light up talking about family, creativity, travel, volunteering, or even slowing down. Pay attention not just to the answer, but to the energy behind it. If you want to learn if their vision aligns with where you are in your life today, this is a great question.

2. What’s something you’re really enjoying or excited about these days?

This keeps the focus in the present and invites enthusiasm. It might be a hobby, a project, a class, a new routine, or even a simple pleasure. Notice what brings them joy, whether they’re stagnant or excited about life, and whether they’re open to sharing their interests with you. If you’re looking for someone who continues to engage in life no matter their age, this question is a good one.

3. Is there something you’re curious about or learning right now?

This question gently reveals mindset. Curiosity often signals openness and growth. It can lead to conversations about books, travel, creativity, or new experiences they want to explore. If you’re looking for a lifetime learner, this question is for you.

4. What do you value most in a close partnership?

Whether they mention trust, laughter, loyalty, growth, or they give you a blank stare, you’re learning what they consider essential in a relationship. If you want to learn if their values around partnership and relationships feel compatible with your own needs and desires, ask this question.

5. What helps you feel most connected to someone?

This question touches on emotional intimacy without being too heavy or intrusive. Some people feel connected through conversation, shared experiences, affection, or quality time. If you want to know how someone bonds, this can offer insight into whether your connection styles complement each other.

You certainly don’t need to ask all of these questions on one date. Let them unfold naturally. Depth isn’t created by the questions alone, but by listening and following up with curiosity.

The right conversations don’t rush the relationship or feel pushy. They help you get to know the most important qualities of the person you’re dating. And that’s where real connection begins.

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FREE download: “The Green Light Guide to Dating After 50: How to Show Interest Without Chasing” https://lastfirstdate.com/green-light-guide/

If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to finally find love, sign up for a complimentary 45-minute love breakthrough session with me and explore how private coaching can help! https://lastfirstdate.com/application

Join my free Facebook group, Your Last First Date https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate

Get my books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love and Choice Points in Dating: Empowering Women to Make Healthier Decisions in Love.

Learn the keys to lasting love in this podcast episode with Nick Brancato. Whether you’re single or partnered, this is for you! — Are you interested in unlocking the keys to lasting love? My podcast guest, Nick Brancato, is a personal development coach and educator with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and couples […]

Learn the keys to lasting love in this podcast episode with Nick Brancato. Whether you’re single or partnered, this is for you!

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Are you interested in unlocking the keys to lasting love? My podcast guest, Nick Brancato, is a personal development coach and educator with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and couples connect, communicate, and thrive. With a master’s degree in education and a background as a Microsoft systems engineer, Nick blends practical tools with data-driven frameworks to guide people through life’s challenges, including career shifts, financial pressures, and personal growth. He’s also the author of Prioritize Us: Unlock Lasting Love with One Simple, Proven Test. 

In this episode of Last First Date Radio:

• Why so many couples experience a “priority drift” and how they can they prevent it
• Some simple, actionable steps couples can start applying right away to realign priorities
• Why individual self-awareness is such a critical component of alignment in relationships
• How aligning priorities within a partnership ripples out to positively impact families and communities
• The Total Difference Score (TDS) framework and its practical applications

EP 669: Nick Brancato – How to Unlock Lasting Love with One Simple, Proven Test

Why do so many couples experience what you refer to as “priority drift,” and how can they prevent it?

The “priority drift” is when two people have similar priorities at the beginning of a relationship, they begin to drift apart, and they don’t discuss their priorities until there’s a crisis. Discussing your shared priorities on an ongoing basis with check ins is key to a lasting loving relationship.

What are some simple, actionable steps couples can start applying right away to realign priorities?

Check in on your individual priorities. In the book there are ten core priorities in life. Rank them in terms of importance. Doing the assessment helps us focus on the top priorities and how we spend our time focused on our priorities. To avoid priority drift, check with your partner – small, medium, and large check ins. The rules are – No screens and no talking about other people. A small check in might be over coffee in the morning. Discuss decisions that you’re making. Ask each other what are your top three priorities on a regular basis. Be curious and open to understand each other.

Why is individual self-awareness such a critical component of alignment in relationships?

If you don’t know yourself, it’s impossible to know other people. You may think you know them, but you don’t. Know your priorities. List them, rank them, and ask yourself how satisfied you are with each priority. How am I using my time, energy and money in alignment with your values. In your relationship, that will be so impactful.

How does aligning priorities within a partnership ripple out to positively impact families and communities?

As you become more aligned with yourself and your relationship, you start to ask better questions of others. You become more curious and empathetic. You understand people’s motives. You communicate better.

Can you explain the Total Difference Score (TDS) framework and its practical applications?

The TDS score is the result of the Prioritize Us test. It measures the strength of your relationship and how aligned you are. It helps you learn to communicate better by ranking your 10 core  priorities, and your partner ranks theirs, and then comparing them. The TDS is your compared score. Once you know where you differ, you can communicate about them and improve your relationship.

What are your final words of advice for anyone who wants to go on their last first date?

Relationships take work, but you don’t have to have perfect alignment. You need small meaningful adjustments. Work on yourself and who you want to be in order to attract your last first date!

Watch this episode here on YouTube

Connect with Nick

• IG https://www.instagram.com/personaldevcoach/ 
• Website https://nickbrancato.com/ 
• Get an ebook of Prioritize Us for FREE at https://www.nickbrancato.com/prioritize-us
• Buy the paperback or hardcover book, Prioritize Us: Unlock Lasting Love with One Simple, Proven Test  https://amzn.to/45XJ460

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Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast here.

Apply to get FREE coaching on the podcast: https://bit.ly/LFDradiocoaching 

If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to finally find love, sign up for a complimentary 45-minute love breakthrough session with Sandy https://lastfirstdate.com/application

Join Your Last First Date on Facebook https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate

Get a copy of Sandy’s books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love and Choice Points in Dating; Empowering Women to Make Healthier Decisions in Love and Love at Last: True Stories of Falling in Love Later in Life

How do you trust again after betrayal? Listen to this episode of Last First Date Radio and hear me coach a woman after a breakup. — Karen is a fifty-nine year old divorced woman who wants to know how to trust again after betrayal. She was in a four-year passionate relationship that recently ended when […]

How do you trust again after betrayal? Listen to this episode of Last First Date Radio and hear me coach a woman after a breakup.

—

Karen is a fifty-nine year old divorced woman who wants to know how to trust again after betrayal. She was in a four-year passionate relationship that recently ended when he decided he wanted to work away six months of the year. They got back together briefly earlier this year, but the feelings were gone.  He also revealed that he slept with an ex and had lied about it, so the trust was also broken.

Six months have passed, and she feels ready to date again. She’s on a few apps and finding there are very few men she finds attractive in her age range. She wants to know where to find her last first date. Listen to the podcast to find out…

EP 638: Coaching Session with Karen – How to Trust Again After Betrayal

Highlights of this episode of Last First Date Radio:

• Why she took her boyfriend back after breaking up
• Why she ended things in the first place
• Some red flags she ignored from the start (he was married twice and cheated both times, he left because his wife didn’t want to go on a sailing adventure, he lied about having herpes)
• She ignored the red flags because she was in a highly emotional state when she met him and needed the connection and attention
• He reminds her of her birth mother who gave birth at 21 and was married to someone who wasn’t her father and was in prison at the time, so she gave her up for adoption. The similarities between the two of them are the ability to leave her and putting her needs first.
• Both of her marriages ended because she ignored the red flags from the beginning.

• Homework I gave Karen:
  • Ask a lot of questions upfront when you’re dating to assess if someone has your must haves and no deal breakers
  • Don’t excuse the inexcusable 
  • Assess availability right away by asking the right questions
  • Know that you can’t change people
  • Open your preferences to date people who live further away so you have more options of English speaking men who share your language and culture
  • Delay sex so you can think clearly when you’re dating

Watch this episode on YouTube

Have you ever felt betrayed by someone you dated? How did you learn to trust again? Please leave a comment and let me know!

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Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast here.

Apply to get FREE coaching on the podcast: https://bit.ly/LFDradiocoaching 

If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to finally find love, sign up for a complimentary 45-minute love breakthrough session with Sandy https://lastfirstdate.com/application

Join Your Last First Date on Facebook https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate

Get a copy of Sandy’s books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love and Choice Points in Dating; Empowering Women to Make Healthier Decisions in Love and Love at Last: True Stories of Falling in Love Later in Life

Waiting for him to ask you out? How long should you wait? 5-step guide to knowing when to follow up—or move on. — You’ve had a great phone call, the conversation flowed easily, and you both agreed you’d like to meet in person. Now comes the tricky part—waiting for him to actually set up that […]

Waiting for him to ask you out? How long should you wait? 5-step guide to knowing when to follow up—or move on.

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You’ve had a great phone call, the conversation flowed easily, and you both agreed you’d like to meet in person. Now comes the tricky part—waiting for him to actually set up that first date. How long should you wait before following up? And what do you do if you don’t hear from him?

Here are five smart tips to help you navigate this stage without overthinking or losing your cool.

How Long Should You Wait for Him to Ask You Out? (5 Helpful Tips)

1. Don’t Overthink It

The silence between “I’ll set something up” and the actual invite can feel endless, but try not to obsess. If he says he’ll set up a date this week, give him the benefit of the doubt. Rule him in until he rules himself out! Let a full week play out before jumping to conclusions. Remember: you’re looking for someone who communicates clearly, not someone who keeps you guessing.

2. At the End of the Week, Follow Up

If you haven’t heard from him by the end of the week, it’s perfectly reasonable to send a light, friendly message. Something like:
“Hey, just checking in to see if you’ve had a chance to pick a time to meet this week.”
This keeps things polite, low-pressure, and shows that you value your own time.

3. Pay Attention to His Response

If he responds and suggests a specific day or time—great! You’re moving in the right direction. But if he’s vague, non-committal, or doesn’t reply at all, that’s a red flag. His actions (or lack thereof) are telling you everything you need to know.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Move On

If he doesn’t follow through, don’t stick around hoping he’ll change. You deserve someone who’s as excited to meet you as you are to meet them. Politely exit and refocus your energy on people who are genuinely interested. Instead of asking yourself what you might have done wrong that turned him off, ask yourself, “Why would I want to date someone who doesn’t follow through and keeps me waiting for a response?”

5. Stay Authentic

No games. No manipulation. Be genuine about your intentions, and expect the same in return. If someone is truly interested, they’ll make an effort to plan the date. Real interest is obvious—it doesn’t leave you refreshing your inbox or wondering where you stand.

Bottom line: Give him the week, follow up if necessary, and move on if the effort isn’t there. The right person will be thrilled to set up that first date—and you won’t have to chase them down to make it happen. Keep moving forward until you find someone who doesn’t keep you guessing and makes you feel confident and secure.

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If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to finally find your person, sign up for a complimentary 45-minute love breakthrough session with Sandy https://lastfirstdate.com/application

Join Your Last First Date on Facebook https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate

Get Sandy’s books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love and Choice Points in Dating; Empowering Women to Make Healthier Decisions in Love and Love at Last: True Stories of Falling in Love Later in Life

If you want to stop losing yourself in relationships, listen to this episode with couples therapists, Robin Temple & Michael Moore. — Stop losing yourself in relationships! Married for over thirty years, Robin Temple and Michael Moore can help you have healthier relationships. They have led workshops and retreats for more than 1,500 couples and […]

If you want to stop losing yourself in relationships, listen to this episode with couples therapists, Robin Temple & Michael Moore.

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Stop losing yourself in relationships! Married for over thirty years, Robin Temple and Michael Moore can help you have healthier relationships. They have led workshops and retreats for more than 1,500 couples and have trained dozens of leaders in couples work. They provide retreats and coaching that delivers positive change quickly and predictably, providing couples with surprisingly rapid improvements in understanding and happiness.

In this episode of Last First Date Radio:

• What couples need to know to be happy together
• Why gratitude is so powerful for couples and a simple, effective way to practice it every day
• What it takes for real listening to occur
• How to encourage someone to speak up with confidence that their message will get through… without resistance or blow-back
• What is the “Art of the Apology,” and how can it repair hurts or long standing issues that might otherwise seem impossible to overcome?
• Some effective first steps for resolving an issue that feels “unresolvable”—like money differences or intimacy problems

EP 655: Robin Temple & Michael Moore – How to Stop Losing Yourself in Relationships

What inspired you to do the work you do, and what has helped you make it through the challenges of a thirty-year marriage? 

Robin: We both have been through divorce, and I was left with many questions about my divorce. I didn’t have a lot of self-awareness about why it happened. It left me wondering about how long-term relationships can endure. I had been a therapist, but I went back to grad school to learn about marriages. We teach what we need to learn. Michael and I had a strong connection, but I wasn’t sure how we could blend lives. We took our time.

Michael: We moved in for a summer as a trial. I thought it would be amazing, and it was difficult from the start. We weren’t hopeful. The hardest part was our differences around parenting. I thought it was most important to teach self-reliance. Robin was more about nourishing and encouraging creativity. We didn’t think we could figure out how to blend our lives. Eventually, Robin went on 24 days of training. The Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills program helped her learn what she could. I became intrigued by the program, and I joined her in the program. I was the only non-therapist there. For the first time, I felt Robin really heard and respected my point of view and that it was coming from a loving place. That was huge for us! We both became master teachers.

What do couples need to know to get along and be happy together without losing themselves?

Michael: You need other relationships in your life. Don’t only depend on your partner for every aspect of your life. Have other communities that your partner is not a part of. We have a quiz on our website which tests for key areas in your relationship. Respect is essential. Over time, learn what matters most.

Robin: We have a model called a ‘powergram’ to help them map out areas of responsibility and power. Where are you autonomous and where do you decide things together?

How do you encourage someone to speak up with confidence that their message will get through… without resistance or blow-back?

Robin: If the conversation is not going well, stop and take a break. Within an hour, suggest a time to get together within twenty four hours for a do-over.  Take turns talking and listening. Be empathic, even if you don’t agree. It’s not fair to just complain without making a request. 

Michael: Do simple mundane things that evoke positivity. Have a regular daily practice of gratitude. The more specific the better. So, when there’s a problem, there’s credit in your emotional bank. It’s also important to take turns. Both can’t be understood at the same time. The person listening only listens and offers validation at the end. Learn to ask for what matters. Own your part of the story.

What are your final words of advice for anyone who wants to go on their last first date?

Robin: While relationships seem mysterious and difficult territory, because our least mature and developed selves show up, know there are simple and powerful tools. With the right support, you can navigate change.

Michael: About seven years into our relationship, I developed an emotional infatuation with someone else, and I asked Robin to end the relationship and go on a provisional marriage for a while. It took a long time for us to not have long term grievances. We’ve been going on our first date for a long time. We don’t take each other for granted. Keep it fresh.

Connect with Michael and Robin

• IG https://www.instagram.com/couples.solutions_/ 
• FB https://www.facebook.com/couples.solutions 
• Website https://couples.solutions/ 

Watch this episode on Youtube

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Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast here.

Apply to get FREE coaching on the podcast: https://bit.ly/LFDradiocoaching 

If you’re feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to finally find love, sign up for a complimentary 45-minute love breakthrough session with Sandy https://lastfirstdate.com/application

Join Your Last First Date on Facebook https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate

Get a copy of Sandy’s books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love and Choice Points in Dating; Empowering Women to Make Healthier Decisions in Love and Love at Last: True Stories of Falling in Love Later in Life