How Can You Fall In Love With Your AI Companion? ft Vasant Dhar, Ph.D
Release Date: 11/18/2025
Are You in Love or Just Addicted to the Chase? ft Amanda McCracken
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Limerence, obsessive dating thoughts, and why you can’t stop checking your phone? Matchmaker Maria sits down with journalist and author , whose writing on relationships has been published in the New York Times, Guardian, and Vogue, to break down the psychology of intense romantic infatuation. Amanda shares how she dated over 100 men, struggled with “anchormen” from her past, and realized she was addicted to longing, not love. They unpack dopamine hits from texting, why intermittent responses keep you hooked, and how purity culture and hookup culture can wire you for obsession. Plus, what...
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How Do I Work With an Ex Who Cheated on Me? ft Chloe Radcliffe
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Comedian joins Matchmaker Maria for a dating advice hotline episode about modern dating, relationships, dating apps, and finding a serious partner. They help a listener figure out how to work with an ex-boyfriend who betrayed her but still wants the breakup kept secret at their workplace. Another caller asks how to balance casual dating and having fun at 29 while still wanting to find a husband before her aging parents pass away. Maria and Chloe also talk about how to improve a Hinge profile to attract men who want marriage and family, and why you may need to swipe on the “6s and 7s”...
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What JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette’s Proposal Taught Us And MORE Dating News
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JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s relationship, the viral “Alpine Divorce” dating trend, religious values in modern matchmaking, and the viral Hinge baker experiment are all part of today’s dating conversation. In this solo episode, Matchmaker Maria reacts to the TikTok trend where partners abandon each other on hikes and explains why selfish behavior in relationships is often a pattern. She also breaks down American Love Story and the relationship lesson behind Carolyn Bessette not immediately saying yes to John F. Kennedy Jr.’s proposal. Plus, Maria shares surprising trends she’s...
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How Jeffrey Epstein Impacted Modern Dating ft Ileana Justine
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Did millennial women grow up inside a system designed by powerful men? In this episode, Maria is joined by journalist to unpack how mall culture, Victoria’s Secret, JUICY sweatpants, low-rise jeans, and dress code “fingertip rules” shaped millennial body image, and how the Jeffrey Epstein era exposed who held the power behind those brands. They break down the male gaze vs. the female gaze, trad wife influencers, the “provider” debate in modern dating, GLP-1 skinny culture, and how shows like Grey’s Anatomy changed women’s dating standards. Plus, a listener asks how to date...
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How to Have Hard Conversations Early in Dating ft. Colette Fehr
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Hard conversations in relationships, attachment styles, anxious vs avoidant dynamics, and emotional disconnection are at the center of this week’s Ask A Matchmaker. Matchmaker Maria sits down with therapist and author to explain why couples fight about small things like Duolingo, texting back, or Valentine’s Day flowers when the real issue is feeling unheard or unimportant. They break down how to stop people pleasing, how to say “that hurt me” clearly, and why serious conversations should never happen over text. Colette shares tools from her book , including her emotional Mad...
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Immigrant Parents vs Your Relationship ft Dr. Rosette Elghossain
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Dating across cultures, first-generation identity, and family pressure in relationships take center stage on this episode with Matchmaker Maria and licensed clinical psychologist to unpack how immigrant upbringing, enmeshment, and early family dynamics shape adult dating choices. They dive into navigating parental expectations, setting emotional boundaries, dating outside your culture, and what to do when your family doesn’t approve of your partner. You’ll also hear practical advice on values-based dating, dealing with guilt, and how to advocate for your relationship without abandoning...
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Can AI Replace Matchmakers?
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Dating apps, AI matchmaking, modern love, Valentine’s Day dating, and real relationship tips collide in this solo episode as breaks down the rise of AI matchmakers and what they actually get wrong about human connection. From chatbot dating coaches to algorithm-driven matches, Maria explores why faster swiping doesn’t equal better relationships, and why real matchmaking has always been about community, accountability, and growth. She shares behind-the-scenes insight from the dating industry, explains how AI can help (and hurt) your love life, and calls out the difference between...
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Can Long Distance Dating Work When You Don't Really Know him? ft Anna Roisman
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It's a fun hotline episode with Sex and the City impressions, dating long distance advice, and knowing that marriage isn't for you! Matchmaker Maria is joined by hilarious stand up comedian for a hotline episode packed with dating advice, love, and real-life dilemmas. Maria even gets to hear Anna’s spot-on Steve from Sex and the City impersonation as they break down relationships, commitment, and modern dating expectations. Callers ask tough, emotional questions, including whether long-distance dating can work when you barely know someone, how to rebuild confidence and flirt...
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Are You in Perimenopause and Don’t Know It Yet? ft Lauren Tetenbaum
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Women menopause and perimenopause take center stage as Matchmaker Maria sits down with therapist and women’s health advocate , author of Millennial Menopause, to talk about what’s really happening in the body and why most of us were never taught this. They break down the truth that menopause is technically one day, while perimenopause can last years and affect mood, sleep, libido, brain fog, and vaginal health. Lauren explains why medical education around menopause is still limited, what treatment options actually exist, and why pain, rage, or exhaustion should never be brushed off. The...
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Divorce Is Not a Failure, It's a Transition ft Oona Metz
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Divorce, emotional healing, lonliness in divorce, and dating after divorce are explored as therapist joins Matchmaker Maria for an honest conversation about why divorce is not a bad word. This episode covers the 5 top reasons for divorce, why the opposite of love is not hate, why you are not alone in your divorce, and how divorce can be a powerful life transition instead of a failure. Oona shares insights from her bestselling book and explains the emotional stages of divorce, including heartbreak, grief, letting go, and moving forward. Maria and Oona discuss finding the strength to...
info_outlineMaria sits down with NYU professor and AI pioneer Vasant Dhar for a grounded, eye-opening conversation about how artificial intelligence is reshaping our lives! They break down the rise of AI companions, the risks of sharing personal information with chatbots, and why these systems can feel human while still lacking empathy. Maria and Professor Dhar explore how modern AI “knows a little about everything” and what that means for dating, decision-making, and emotional attachment in 2025. They also dive into how kids and adults alike should be learning to “think with machines,” not rely on them as a crutch. It’s a fascinating, practical guide to navigating love, relationships, and identity in the age of AI.
Be sure to pick up Professor Vasant's book today! Thinking With Machines: The Brave New World of AI
Vasant Dhar, Ph.D. — NYU Stern Professor, AI Researcher, TEDx Speaker, and Host of the "Brave New World” podcast. His forthcoming book, “Thinking With Machines: The Brave New World of AI” releases on Nov. 18th!
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ABOUT THIS PODCAST 🔗
Ask a Matchmaker is your weekly go-to podcast for all things love and relationships. Hosted by fourth generation matchmaker and founder of Agape Match, Maria Avgitidis, Ask a Matchmaker gives you no-nonsense insight into dating, relationships, compatibility, and love. Maria and her weekly special guest answer questions to help you venture through the jungle that is modern love. Whether you're looking for someone or you're happily taken, Maria will keep you inspired to keep going down the path of love every week, and hopefully, gain a great tip or two to ignite the spark or keep the sparks flying!