Ladies, This One’s for You (Guys, Pay Attention Too)

Is Hinge helping people find love—or just giving us pen pals and validation? In this episode of The Real Thing Podcast, Natalie-Tasha and Libby sit down with Christy, Griffin, and Alanna to swap honest stories about the messy middle ground between companionship and commitment.

They open up about love bombing, why pet names on Hinge can feel like an instant ick, and how some goodbyes aren’t ghosting but the dreaded “you’ll make someone happy—it’s just not me.” From the pressure of first dates and “playing the dude” to recognizing red flags we often ignore, the panel dives into the drama, the humor we cling to, and the heartbreak that follows. The conversation also explores friendship-first relationships, why consistency often beats grand gestures, and how hard it can be to separate caring for someone from actually being in love with them. And as Hinge shifts from dating apps to social experiments, they ask the bigger question: are we searching for real connection or just a distraction?

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Panel:

Natalie-Tasha Thompson | https://www.instagram.com/natalietasha

Libby | https://www.instagram.com/libbyengelland

Kristy | https://www.instagram.com/kristyyyy_4_

Griffin | https://www.instagram.com/griffinkibens

Alana | https://www.instagram.com/alagwepi

Follow Us on IG: @realthingpodcast

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TimeStamps ⏰: 

00:00—Introduction to Real Love and Relationships

01:50—Meet the Panel: Diverse Perspectives on Dating

06:30—Navigating the Single Life: Empowerment and Challenges

11:11—The Complexity of Modern Dating: Sparks and Connections

17:36—Understanding Relationship Dynamics: The Role of Energy

22:53—The Importance of Communication in Dating

29:30—Friendship vs. Romance: The Plight of Platonic Dating

35:42—Navigating Complex Relationships

38:48—The Transition to Living Together

43:56—Communication Breakdowns and Misunderstandings

50:58—The Impact of Jealousy and Insecurity

54:54—The Evolution of Dating Apps

01:01:25—Unlearning Past Relationship Patterns

01:07:53—Blind Dates: Expectations vs. Reality

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