First Date Stories

Welcome to First Date Stories the podcast! Are you a woman dating later in life? Are you considering a comeback? Maybe you feel like you've seen it all and are ready to take a break, or give up on dating entirely? You're in the right place! In Season 1, you will hear women in their 30's, 40's, 50's and beyond talk candidly about their first dates and what they learned along the way. In Episode 1, host Jodi Klein reveals the story behind this podcast how and why it came to be. 

First dates can be surprisingly awesome or unexpectedly bizarre. This one is of the strange kind. Jazine, a divorcee in her 40's with little online dating experience, was shocked at several turns her first date took. You might be too.

It's common for women who date longer, or later-in-life, to use a "must have" checklist when deciding whether to date a new man. In this episode, Casey, 47, talks about her date with Colin. Hear what happened when she tossed out some of her long-held dating rules and went out with a guy who wasn't entirely her type.

If your approach to dating isn't working for you, why not change things up? That's what Donna did in her late 30s. Donna talks about how her new approach led to her date with Joe and what happened next.

Olivia is in her late 30s. She wasn't excited about dating apps, but her girlfriends convinced her to give them a try. Hear what happens when Olivia lets go of expectations and opens the door to new possibilities.

Cheryle was in her 50s, when she showed up to a sold-out speed dating event. She didn't expect to meet a man that night, but she did. What happened between the two of them could have had her questioning herself. Hear about the healthy approach she took when dealing with the unexpected.

Should you always trust your first impression? Vanessa, 60, was certain about how she felt about her date Tony, until suddenly she wasn't. Find out what happened on her memorable Match.com date.

What's the best frame of mind to be in when going out on a date? Juliana, 51, talks about a New Year's Eve date she went on with a man who said one thing, but did another and how she handled it all.

We all have baggage, but how much is too much? Theresa, 58, shares her story about going on a first date with a man who had a complicated backstory. She also imparts dating insights she's gained and talks about how her approach to dating has evolved. 

First dates are about exploring whether there's compatibility and chemistry between two people. Find out how Laurie, 47, handled things when she showed up for her date with Peter and discovered it was a threesome.

Zoe was in her late 40s when she first considered dating apps. A private person, she was uncomfortable posting personal information online. Learn how she overcame her concerns and what happened on her memorable Match.com date with Mitch.

Jeanette was in an unhappy long-term relationship when she met Randy. Hear how that encounter in her 50s, and the first date that followed, changed the trajectory of her life and all that she learned in her pursuit of hope and self-renewal.

Connie, a 53 year old divorcee, thought she had found the perfect match in Chris. But, when his actions on their first date suddenly took a sharp turn, she wondered whether she should trust her heart, or her gut. Listen as Connie shares her story about connection and intimacy, and how they don't always match up.

What do you do when your biological clock is ticking and you want to be a mom, but there is no man in your life? Elizabeth decided to go it alone. With the help of a sperm bank, she got pregnant and was on her way to becoming a single mom. Then Tom, a childhood crush who had gotten married, asked her to dinner. The story of their evening out, and what happened next, should be heard by every woman who's in a similar place in life as Elizabeth was. Take a listen!

Everyone's time is valuable. How much of it should you spend texting and emailing with a prospective date before meeting him for the first time? A seasoned dater, Rachel invested more upfront time getting to know Matt than she usually did with her blind dates. As it turned out, Matt's actions spoke louder than his words.

In this high tech era, with social media, online dating and dating apps, some women wonder if it's still possible to meet a man the old fashioned way, in person. Cheryle returns to the podcast to share how she met Ray and what happened on their first date.

In this special episode, Jodi and her guest, Dr. Marisa Cohen, delve into the science behind relationships, love and dating. Discover what studies have revealed about love at first sight, online dating, male and female attraction signals and more. Marisa, a relationship researcher and Associate Professor of Psychology, is the author of From First Kiss to Forever: A Scientific Approach to Love.

Tracy is an experienced dater. When she connected with Craig online, she liked what she saw and read. But as their first date approached, she got cold feet and wanted to cancel. Tracy met him anyway. Did they turn out to be a good match? Listen and find out.

In the world of dating, no matter your age, signals get crossed and actions are misinterpreted. This was true for Vanessa, who returns to the podcast to talk about her first date with Liam. She was interested in him, but did he feel the same way about her? Discover why there was so much confusion and what Vanessa learned from her experience.

"Epic" is the best way to describe Rose's first date with Jared. For our season ending episode, we bring you a magical tale about self-love, immediate attraction, taking risks and living in the moment. It's not to be missed!