Smart Dating Academy - The Podcast

This week we welcome the wonderful Kendra Allen to our podcast. Kendra is a breakup coach, host of the Heal Your Heartbreak Podcast, author of The Breakup Workbook, and founder of Break Up Bestie. She shares how she saw a huge gap online for practical and healthy heartbreak advice, after going through a series of painful breakups. So, she set out to fill it in. We talk about: You will love this episode! Kendra is such a wealth of knowledge and you will learn so much about how to navigate this difficult time. 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/

This week on the podcast I chatted with the amazing Sharon Pope about the secrets to keeping a relationship healthy.Sharon Pope is a certified Master Life Coach and Relationship Expert helping women and men get the tools they need to improve, heal, or release their struggling marriages. She is a seven-time international best-selling author and has appeared in numerous media outlets and online publications, including the “Modern Love” column of The New York Times. We talked about: 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/

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/

Megan's love story with Nick is wonderful, and you will hear yourself in her story. She wasn't comfortable around boys growing up, and started dating after college (side note, Bela and Megan were college friends who had lost touch for many years). Megan knew a few things: she knew she wanted lasting love, wasn't picking the right people, and that she wasn't getting the results she wanted. A college friend told Megan about Bela's Smart Dating Academy, and Megan enlisted their professional help because she knew that she wouldn't get different results doing the same things over and over again! In this episode, Megan tells her story of dating 'life of the party' guys, and how she cast her net wider to find the 'life of the party's best friend who's an accountant' type of guy :) She put her profile on a unique app that she mentions, and was VERY dubious when she received a “you have a match”message….she saw the guy and he looked good but you’ll hear why she almost didn’t message him back……You will relate to this and it shows why taking risks can sometimes be the best decisions you’ll ever make! Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

This episode will blow your mind (no pun intended) - we are talking about using Psilocybin (mushrooms) in a regulated, facilitated environment to remove traumas! I welcome back the awesome Dr. Michelle Roberts as a guest on SDA. Michelle is a Pulitzer winning journalist, professor, and psychotherapist who specializes in working with women who have complex trauma disorders (or have experienced narcissistic abuse). In her work she helps women discover how past trauma influences their current relationships. We talked about: If you are ready to 'pick" the right person, get on our VIP coaching program waitlist (we do exceptional 1:1 work, as you can hear in the dozens of "Love Story" episodes on this show)! Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

Smart Dating Academy client love stories are YOUR favorites (and ours too) - these stories are from people just like you who started our process with a healthy dose of excitement and nervousness! I am so excited to have Ruth tell you one of the most unique, awesome, and unexpected love stories in this week's podcast. Ruth is an amazing high level executive client who is full of life. After her beloved husband passed away years ago, Ruth felt like the rug was pulled from under her and she felt lost after this unexpected loss. Once she found her footing again, she decided to date casually, because finding a new partner wasn’t a priority. Through her dating process, she realized that she now wanted someone wonderful and available. Understanding that her priorities had changed, she contacted Bela, after a friend told her about Smart Dating Academy. Ruth attended one of Bela’s workshops for C200 Professional Women, and after some back and forth decided to work with SDA to find love again. Ruth came to Chicago for her photoshoot and worked with Ilene on perfecting her profile and what characteristics Ruth is looking for in a partner by looking at the elevator people in her life. After launching on the apps, Ruth looked through the responses and talked to a few people. But one stood out. His name is Tony and the caveat was that he was traveling back to his home country of Nigeria, which threw a curveball at Ruth. Nevertheless, Tony and Ruth talked on the phone and on FaceTime every day for over 4 months, before they met for the first time in person. Tony kept splitting his time between the US and Nigeria and they kept their relationship going. Ruth loves Tony’s integrity and knows that she has found the lid to her pot. Ruth and Tony have lots of plans for the future. Ruth's story is an inspiration that no matter where you are on your journey or in your career and no matter your age, love can come to you in an unexpected package with the right guidance and love coaches! Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

I am excited to have Wendy Sloane as my guest. Wendy is a former TV producer for The Phil Donahue Show and The Geraldo Rivera Show. During her career in broadcasting, she covered some of the biggest news stories of our time, including the O.J. Simpson and JonBenet Ramsey murders. She was also the host of the popular radio show "What's Up with Wendy" and started her popular podcast "Divorce Doesn't Suck" during Covid - about new perspectives and how to move forward and focus on the future and take the chance to restart with a blank new canvas. We talked about: Listen up if you are a single man or woman dating at any time! Our conversation about Wendy's ideal man turned into a mini-coaching session about how to be a smart dater! So many great takeaways (and most things apply to women of all ages!). You don't want to miss this episode! Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

Get ready to dive deep into the world of hormones with the charismatic Dr. Anna Cabeca! She is known nationally as The Girlfriend Doctor and is host of The Girlfriend Doctor Show. Dr. Anna is triple-board certified and a fellow of gynecology and obstetrics, integrative medicine, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine. From testosterone to estrogen, progesterone to dopamine, each hormone has its own unique influence on our emotions and behaviors towards our partner. In this episode, we will dive deep into the mysterious interplay between oxytocin and cortisol, and how it affects your romantic relationships, friendships, interpersonal dynamics, and overall well-being. She explains how the 'love hormone', oxytocin, can breathe life into your relationship, and grab practical tips to boost your oxytocin levels naturally through diet. We also talk about the secret behind the ebb and flow of intimacy as she demystifies the fascinating hormonal changes over time. It's time to get intimate with your hormones, get enlightened, and spice up your life! Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

I couldn't be more excited to have a conversation with the fabulous Tamsen Fadal - I met Tamsen while doing dozens of love segments on her TV Show in NYC on PIX11. Tamsen is an award-winning journalist (she won 13 Emmy awards!), speaker, author, podcast host and menopause advocate. She is dedicated to championing women’s stories being bold in midlife and beyond and shares advice and education on menopause, relationships, divorce and career so that women do not feel alone during this stage in their lives. We talk about: Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

This week we are bringing to you your favorite kind of episode: another love story from one of our dear clients who will inspire you with her self-awareness, action, and authenticity at a young age. Bianca is a 36-year-old Chemist who lives in Ontario, Canada. Bianca describes herself as a late bloomer and an introverted, independent woman by nature. By her mid-twenties nearly everyone she knew was married and often to the only person they had ever dated. Bianca was puzzled on how this worked for them, but not for her. After several unsuccessful relationships, Bianca still couldn’t analyze what had specifically gone wrong. One day, she saw Bela on the Steve Harvey Show and on Good Morning America and got in touch with Smart Dating Academy. Through coaching and devoutly following the advice from Bela and Lindsay, she realized that she had so many false beliefs that were holding her back. Bianca soaked everything up during her sessions, got more confident in dating, AND adopted the mindset of being psychotically optimistic in her entire life. At the start of 2021, Bianca met Derek online and after their first date she thought that she would not hear back from him. But she did! They went on a second date and many more to follow. Bianca got to know him more and more and Bianca realized that he is the lid to her pot. Bianca and Derek got married last year in 2023 and couldn’t be happier to be real partners in life. She is absolutely adorable, and you will hear your own story in hers. Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

This week, Dr. Wendy Walsh joins me to talk about the science of love. Known as America's Relationship Expert, Dr. Wendy Walsh is an award-winning television journalist, a Radio Host & Podcaster, the author of three books on relationships & thousands of print and digital articles. Dr. Wendy shares with us how she got to where she is today and how she went from news anchor to relationship expert, as well as what we can do to attract the best love. We talk about: What attachment theory is and how you can change your attachment style How different attachment styles work together in a relationship The importance your "tribe" plays in picking the right partner What butterflies in your stomach really mean What to do to get over being attracted to "bad boys" (and this may take a long time) The RIGHT way to process your feelings (shame is the hardest one to process!) The role self love and positive talk plays in finding true love How to have emotional conversations and why is it important in building great relationships What boundaries really are and how to enforce them the right way This episode is a must listen! Dr. Wendy drops so many lovely gems during our conversation that you don't want to miss! Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

In this week's episode, I'm having a conversation with the lovely Dr. Sheva Assar about how we can amp up our confidence, especially in the dating world. Dr. Sheva is a clinical psychologist and she has a specific interest in the areas of self confidence, establishing and maintaining healthy, fulfilling relationships, and living authentic, value-oriented lives. Dr. Sheva believes that the relationship that we have with ourselves, particularly how we think and respond to ourselves, is the foundation for our relationships with others. Let that sink in for a moment! We talked about: How we can be more confident in a world that often makes us question ourselves Ask open-ended questions to build authentic relationships How we can express how we feel the RIGHT way during a conflict/ disagreement Ways to be more authentic throughout the dating process How investing in other areas of our world can make us a more confident dater This episode is a must listen if you want to be more authentically YOU during dates! Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

WIll dating a friend ruin the friendship? The answer to this question, as you might expect, is complicated, and there isn't a firm yes or no. It's going to depend on you, and the person. Before you get into the relationship, look at this person crucially. Listen to this amazing podcast where Bela explains the eight crucial things to consider before jumping into a relationship with a friend (and she has a LOT of experience with this with her own marriage and clients)! Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

Bela will share an amazing set of sentences that she learned serendipitously from Dan Harris that will bring you more joy, ease, and reduce anxiety. It has changed her world in the last week, and everyone she has shared it with has LOVED it. Today, she's giving it all to us in this jewel of a mini episode. Be ready for things to change for you in a very loving way. Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

Get ready to be inspired by another true "finding love story" from one of our awesome clients that found the most amazing love (and it took a longgg time)! Massive plot twist here, by the way, that you won't believe, so listen to the WHOLE thing! Courtney Bass Sherizen is a badass HR Executive with two degrees from Harvard and is also a certified yoga teacher. She just celebrated her 4 year wedding anniversary and has a 2 year old. But just a few years ago she was in your shoes looking for love. Courtney was on a long and arduous journey when it came to dating and was longing to find a lasting partner and to be a mom. Her parents saw Bela on the Steve Harvey Show and encouraged Courtney to reach out to SDA, which changed her course forever and fixed her picker. You literally will not believe how Dan won Courtney's lasting love and marriage - still blows me away (yes, men that want to be with you will move MOUNTAINS to be with you) You will hear: Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela

This week the amazing Kate Anthony, author of The D Word: Making the Ultimate Decision About Your Marriage and the creator of the groundbreaking online coaching program, Should I Stay or Should I Go? came to chat with me about all things involving the decision if we should divorce or breakup. Kate empowers women to find their strength, passion, and confidence even in the most disempowering of circumstances and helps them move forward with concrete plans. There are some of the incredible insights that Kate shares with us to help you navigate one of the toughest decisions of your life. Kate talks about: You don't want to miss this awesome episode! Even if you are not thinking about divorce, you can get so many eye-opening and great takeaways. Join our free newsletter database by signing up here: www.smartdatingacademy.com/contact Follow us on Instagram at @smartdatingacademy Schedule your consultation with us here! We are on a waiting list, and would love to help you! https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/11-coaching/coaching-call-with-bela