Dongs Without Diagnosis

In this episode of Dongs Without Borders, host Celina Tolbert sits down with Paris-based psychologist Nicole Ricken (https://www.instagram.com/theparispsychologist/) to unpack the real-life challenges of cross-cultural dating — especially for expats navigating relationships in France.

From awkward first impressions to deeper issues like communication styles, emotional boundaries, and mismatched expectations, they explore how cultural differences can shape love lives in unexpected ways. Nicole shares both personal anecdotes and professional insights from her work with international clients, highlighting the most common dating struggles expats face.

Topics include:

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  How cultural norms affect dating dynamics in France and beyond

  
  


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  Why communication breakdowns happen — and how to manage them

  
  


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  The role of humor, vulnerability, and therapy in building strong relationships

  
  


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  What self-awareness really looks like in an intercultural romance

  
  

Whether you’re dating abroad, swiping in a second language, or just curious about love across borders, this episode offers thoughtful, funny, and deeply relatable insights into the psychology of international relationships.



Find more about Nicole here: https://www.theparispsychologist.com/