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This week I interview Chris Best – the previously unnamed dating app expert referenced in episode 1 (“Interstates & Tinder Dates”). Here to reveal the science and strategy behind the wisdom he’s shared with my premiere guest Denzel Walkes (and to refute claims that he is a sex addict), Chris dives straight into the scientific, if unromantic, truths behind how dating apps actually work. Chris’ insights serve to break us out of the damaging trap of tying emotional well-being into our experience on the app, through exposure into the degree of control that the app engineers hold, and candid discussions about what we can do to break free from that control (HINT: it involves money). This discussion is perfect for anyone who’s ever wondered “where did all of the attractive people go?” while swiping, who struggle to maintain momentum when they DO get an attractive match, or who have simply experienced the feeling of disillusionment around the app experience as a whole.

for more musings, delectable cocktails to up your quarantine drinking experience, and insight into the fitness journey that resulted in an actual shoutout from fitness influencer Chloe Ting : @chr1sbest

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com

For a glimpse into my life when I’m not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

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Marriage Story highlights entertainment executive Mimi Slavin and her journey of finding love, coming to a breaking point that nearly resulted in divorce, then salvaging the relationship to come out stronger than ever. She opens up about the disheartening online dating experiences that led her to take a ten-year hiatus, and how a friend’s forced dating app sign up was the push needed to get back out there and find her now husband. Throughout the episode, Mimi imparts wisdom around the benefits of looking beyond your dating checklist, working through the process of rebuilding trust, and validating your partner for healthy communication.

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com

For a glimpse into my life when I’m not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

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This week I catch up with former coworker and dating life confidante Darice Murphy, who is currently thriving in quarantine – despite moving in with her partner ONE day before shelter in place took hold. We backtrack to reflect on the dating history that led to her present day relationship, including the guesswork around platonic vs. flirtatious interactions and the role apps play in minimizing that as a queer individual, shifting from casual to intentional dating, and learning how to stop pretending to be the “cool girl.” Our discussion rounds out with Darice’s insights into how to set yourself up for success when co-habitating, plus a game of partner Red Flag or Dealbreaker.

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com

For a glimpse into my life when I’m not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

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Today’s episode brings the perspective of a Hollywood success story in the midst of her rise to fame – Cassidi Parker of Netflix’s Dear White People and FX’s Better Things, whose career also boasts commercial acting, stage performance, and sketch comedy at UCB. Cassidi divulges all of her candid thoughts on dating within the acting community, including her choice to actively avoid dating fellow actors in her earlier stages of dating. She explains many of the misconceptions around acting, and how they can manifest in a relationship. Finally, she shares her secret for maintaining a healthy self image in a career that’s stereotypically stringent about appearance.

For a behind the scenes look at life as an actress : @classcity

For tales from the middle of an actor’s success : Before You Know My Name podcast

To answer the question “What has she been in?” : cassidiparker.com and Cassidi Parker on IMDb

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com

For a glimpse into my life when I’m not talking about dating : @lesliegnope

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Picking up where the cliffhanger of “How to Date an Introvert (Pt. 1)” left off, this week’s episode dives into my history with Nick Geilenfeldt, who undeniably knows me more…intimately than any former guest. I candidly dive into my own personal experience dating an introvert and debate whether or not it inspired me to (VERY uncharacteristically) make the first move. From there, I open up about my thoughts on the highlights and difficulties of that relationship, and the circumstances that eventually led to its demise. Finally, the episode ends with a Los Angeles-inspired game of Would You Rather, after Nick makes a passionate case against LA.

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com

For a glimpse into my life when I’m not talking about dating : lesliegnope

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On this week’s episode of Interstates & Heartbreak, Nick Geilenfeldft opens up about dating as an introvert. We debate what it means to be an introvert in the first place, from the actual definition to the ways in which it manifests itself. Nick reveals the difficulties of being an introvert within the dating landscape, like reluctance to go out and the anxiety around approaching girls when you do, and overall the overall impact it has on self-confidence. Additionally, we rehash some stories of when introversion met its match – alcohol.

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com

For a glimpse into my life when I’m not talking about dating : lesliegnope

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Get ready for some HOT takes on this week’s episode of Interstates & Heartbreak, as I speak with Tuesday English about how to hold yourself and the men you date to Rihanna-level standards. We discuss “bitchy” behaviors like refusing to cook or pay for things early in the dating process, and hypothesize why these acts may actually be beneficial to attracting quality men. This is the perfect episode for anyone who’s feeling fatigued by swiping through the seemingly endless sea of scrubs on the apps, or who wonders if they’ve ever been guilty of being or dating a scrub themselves.

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com

For a glimpse into my life when I’m not talking about dating : lesliegnope

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This week Ana Rivas and I recap the course of her six-year relationship, which nearly fell victim to a last minute first date cancellation. We talk about every facet of their relationship, beginning with the unorthodox way Chris got her number at a holiday party, through their eventual engagement. Ana divulges the difficulties they navigated along the way, like fluctuating excitement during the first few dates, recovering from a break, and ending cohabitation without ending the relationship. She then gives detailed insight into the wedding planning process and overcoming the difficulties associated with booking a venue less than five months ahead of the date, before being rudely thwarted by Coronavirus.

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com

For a glimpse into my life when I’m not talking about dating : lesliegnope

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This week’s interview takes place in the DreamWorks Animation offices with VP of Global Brand Partnerships & Marketing, David Bynder. We compare David’s Los Angeles dating exploits in the 90’s to my present day experience, and evaluate the merits of single’s dances vs. app swipes, written personal ads vs. DM slides, and dinner dates vs. cannabis cafes. He also reveals the dating routines he abandoned upon meeting his now wife, and the first date spot that led to a 20-year marriage. The generational discussion moves past X and Y to conclude with Gen Z, as we discuss his kids’ entrance into the dating world, and identify the red flags and dealbreakers that dads encounter on behalf of their children.

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com

For a glimpse into my life when I’m not talking about dating : lesliegnope

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This week Ariel Cowell and I recount 7 years of dating history that spanned our time as roommates – ranging from a first date at Chuck E. Cheese, receiving nearly identical Christmas presents from separate men, and dates with (multiple) coworkers. We deep dive into all aspects of friendships as they relate to dating. At what point do you introduce the guy you’re dating to your friends? Is it beneficial to let friends know when you’re not a fan of their partner, and what do you do if you’re on the receiving end of that feedback? And how do you successfully navigate out of the friend zone and into a successful long-term relationship and cohabitation?

To make things Instagram official : @interstatesandheartbreak

For dating commentary from my inner Carrie : interstatesandheartbreak.com

For any questions, business inquiries, or love letters : interstatesandheartbreak@gmail.com

For a glimpse into my life when I’m not talking about dating : lesliegnope