Dating can be equal parts excitement and angst—and no one knows that better than the hosts of these podcasts! Whether you're new to the dating scene, seeking some clarity in a long-term relationship, or just eager for a bit of commiseration (and a few laughs!) on the dating scene, there's a podcast perfect for you. We've rounded up a list of the best dating podcasts for listeners of all sorts—straight and queer, monogamous and polyamorous, people searching for their soul mate and those not ready to settle down who simply enjoy dating. No matter where you're at in your love life, these podcasts will offer insight, humor, and inspiration on romance and all of the wonderful messy parts that come with it!
Hosted by author and dating expert Gabi Conti, this Audible Original Podcast offers a down-to-earth take on dating strangers and red flags to take seriously when getting to know a potential romantic partner. In each episode, Conti features a guest with a real-life dating disaster story, and then analyzes what went wrong, with attention to the clear warning signs of danger that were either misread or dismissed. Is that sweet, goofy guy just socially awkward or a sociopath? Is that striking woman a narcissist or simply confident? Could you be a victim of catfishing, "dogfishing," or something far worse? This is a great podcast if you want to learn from other people's dating horror stories and feel comforted and empowered embarking on your own first dates.
On this funny and soul-searching podcast, host Nicole Byer, a comedian and actress who is smart and funny and objectively fabulous, explores why she is perpetually single. In each episode, she sits down with a fellow comedian (usually a friend but occasionally a former love interest) to talk about her dating life, missteps, and disappointments. Along with the banter and while sharing lots of laughter, Why Won't You Date Me? digs deep into widely relatable issues, from the perils of posting relationship deets on social media to the advantages of set-ups and hiring a professional matchmaker.
Although it's not exclusively devoted to dating, Dear Sugars is a fantastic podcast welcoming listeners to write in for empathetic advice on love, romance, and relationships. The hosts, bestselling Wild author Cheryl Strayed and writer Steve Almond, are often joined by expert guests as they answer sensitive questions, such as "Where can a transgender man find love and acceptance?" and "Is it foolish to reunite with an abusive ex?" Launched in 2015, this podcast is an iteration of Strayed's beloved advice column Dear Sugar, which began on The Rumpus. For more great Dear Sugar content, check out Tiny Beautiful Things, narrated by Strayed with introduction from Almond.
Esther Perel is a popular psychotherapist with decades of experience in counseling partners and families. In this podcast, which contains two seasons, she invites us to listen in on counseling sessions with anonymous couples, one per episode. If you've ever wondered what good relationship counseling sounds like and how a professional therapist can help guide couples to a healthier understanding of each other, Where Should We Begin? is the podcast is for you! Couples dealing with everything from an unsatisfactory sex life to infidelity to feeling neglecting by their partner's priority on parenting turn to Perel for guidance on how to connect.
Dr. Laurie Watson, a certified sex therapist, and George Faller, a couples counselor, team up to host Foreplay. This podcast explores healthy sexual relationships, covering everything from getting comfortable with different types of touch, developing emotional intimacy, and dealing with feelings of jealousy to how to address sexual challenges and rebound from setbacks. If you want honest, practical advice on sex and how it factors into a romantic relationship, this podcast has over 300 episodes to help you, with lots of great resources.
What happens when a young educated (and sometimes ratchet) Black couple from Detroit decides to start fresh in the white suburbs of New England? Niram and Niambi tell you, straight up, on Black Love Matters. This podcast delivers hilarious and raw conversations about the reality of love and life as a transplanted young Black couple, from finding your inner Barack and Michelle (or Jay-z and Beyonce) to building a better life without losing your roots to keeping your cool when your spouse eats the last of the ice cream.
Comedian Ashley Gavin hosts this podcast that, in part, shares her adventures in dating and sleeping around after 10 years of monogamy, and, in part, opens a window into other people's sex lives. Despite its name, We're Having Gay Sex features interviews with folks of all genders and orientations about dating and sex, so there really is something for everyone in this funny (and sometimes raunchy) podcast. You might even learn a few things about dating and sex from conversations with people whose preferences are wildly different from your own.
While most dating podcasts are geared towards couples, Multiamory branches out to explore alternative relationship styles and goals. Host Rachel and her guests offer support and advice on relationships for listeners who are monogamous, polyamorous, into swinging, or casually dating, as well as anyone who just does relationships differently. Deftly navigating the tricky dynamics that can arise in all types of relationships, episodes cover everything from successful online dating practices to separating a healthy appetite for sex from a destructive addiction, from balancing romance with platonic relationships to gaining self-worth and breaking the comparison habit.
On Disability After Dark, host Andrew Gurza shines a light on the reality of dating and sex for people with disabilities, from being confined to a wheelchair to living with a chronic illness. This podcast offers honest, intimate conversations about the unique challenges disabled folks have in the dating world as well as shares stories filled with the joys and triumphs of finding love. Gurza and his guests also discuss political and social issues that affect the disability community. The tone is fun and a little irreverent, with a focus on overcoming stigmas, raising awareness, and connecting with diverse listeners on a human level.
A sex therapist and author, Dr. Emily Morse is open to answering all kinds of questions about sex and relationships, no matter how sensitive, silly, or weird. On Sex with Emily, she responds to listeners' hotline calls and regularly invites expert guests to talk about a wide range of topics relating to sex and, yes, dating. Recent episodes offer tips on planning creative, playful dates and share research insights from an anthropologist and evolutionary biologist to help you date smarter. Dr. Morse has been producing this podcast for a decade, so there are more than 1,000 episodes for you to explore.
Dan Savage rose to national prominence for his advice column Savage Love, and Savage Lovecast is an extension of his popular format and signature style. On this podcast, Savage answers questions about dating, sex, romance, and mating quandaries from all types of people—single and couples, straight and queer, monogamous and not—covering a wide spectrum of gender, orientation, and relationship types. Peppered with Savage's political and social commentary, episodes are often surprising and never boring, and there's an extensive archive full of great content.
