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© Marina Iakovleva
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Welcome to the Dating Beyond Borders Podcast!
I’m Marina, the creator behind the Dating Beyond Borders YouTube channel, where I’ve spent the past 10 years exploring how culture shapes love and connection. Now, I’m bringing that same passion to the podcast world!
Each week, I sit down with guests from around the globe to dive into the ways culture influences relationships, identity, and the way we connect. From dating norms to cross-cultural misunderstandings, no topic is off-limits.
Let’s break down barriers. One culture at a time.
I’m Marina, the creator behind the Dating Beyond Borders YouTube channel, where I’ve spent the past 10 years exploring how culture shapes love and connection. Now, I’m bringing that same passion to the podcast world!
Each week, I sit down with guests from around the globe to dive into the ways culture influences relationships, identity, and the way we connect. From dating norms to cross-cultural misunderstandings, no topic is off-limits.
Let’s break down barriers. One culture at a time.
114 Episodes
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In this special episode, I speak with Eunhee Park, a North Korean defector, about her escape from North Korea and her journey to South Korea.We explore the questions many people have about life inside North Korea: did she ever question the Supreme Leader? What does being “well off” actually mean in North Korea? Do North Koreans fall in love and have romantic relationships? Eunhee shares the unexpected hardships she faced after arriving in South Korea: from discrimination and intense culture shock to overwhelming freedom, endless choices, and the pressure of adapting to a highly competitive society. She opens up about the difficulty of starting over from zero, rebuilding identity, and facing loneliness in an entirely new world.Why do so many North Korean defectors struggle to feel like they belong in South Korea? What hurts the most when you leave your country behind? And what do we, living with freedom and choice, take for granted every day?Read "The Courage to Die": https://shorturl.at/edYGBSay hi to Eunhee: https://www.instagram.com/northkorea_eunhee/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
In this podcast snippet, I speak with Derek, an American who has lived in the Netherlands for many years, about the differences between American and Dutch humor, self-presentation, and communication styles.Say hi to Derek: https://www.instagram.com/letsdoubledutch/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
1This week I’m joined by Lauren, an English-Italian content creator who left Derby to start over in Puglia. We talk about the reality of life in Southern Italy, beyond the dream, including bureaucracy, lifestyle differences, micro-connections, and the challenge of building new friendships. We also dive into a deeper question: can moving abroad improve your mental health, or do you take yourself with you?Say hi to Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/laurenquacquarelli/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
This week, I chat with Penelope, a French-American woman living and dating in Paris. We dive into the truth behind “the city of love”—the reality of dating in a city defined by nonchalance, where excitement often comes before commitment, and marriage and family can take a backseat to more transient encounters. We compare France and the U.S. on nuance, dating labels, and end goals, and tackle age-old questions like: Are French men great lovers? Do they cheat more? And are French women really intimidating?Say hi to Penelope: https://www.instagram.com/penelope_brg/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
In this podcast snippet, I speak with men from Sweden, Mexico, and South Korea about what makes them feel emasculated in relationships. We also talk about vulnerability — whether men feel safe opening up today, and what actually makes them feel “less than a man.”Say hi to Max: / _maxem_ Say hi to Carlos: / charliealbarrancomedy Say hi to KT: / ktpark_striking Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: / datingbeyondborders Dating Beyond Borders channel: / datingbeyondborders
In my first-ever in-studio podcast, I sit down with three men from Sweden, Mexico, and South Korea to unpack one of the most talked-about topics today: masculinity. We explore how masculinity is defined in their cultures, what they were taught about being a man, how they view a man’s role in relationships, and which qualities they value most in a partner.Say hi to Max: https://www.instagram.com/_maxem_/Say hi to Carlos: https://www.instagram.com/charliealbarrancomedy/Say hi to KT: https://www.instagram.com/ktpark_striking/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
In this episode, I speak with Derek, an American living in the Netherlands with his Dutch husband, about the cultural nuances that often get overlooked—how Americans and Dutch people express enthusiasm differently, what humor works (and doesn’t), and why these differences are often misunderstood online.Say hi to Derek: https://www.instagram.com/letsdoubledutch/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
I talk to Alisa, an American who has lived in French is married to a French man about the differences in American and French mentality: from parenting, to the perfection culture so present in France, the slow living vs hustle and why Americans tend to leave parties earlier.Say hi to Alisa: https://www.instagram.com/multilingual_nest/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
This week I sit down with Ifunanya, a Nigerian-American podcast host, and her Nigerian husband, Ugo. We unpack Nigerian relationship dynamics — from their biggest cultural miscommunications, to what Ugo did before they were even dating that most American men wouldn’t think twice about, expectations for men and women in Nigeria, and the cultural nuances that shape relationships there. Say hi to Infunanya: https://www.instagram.com/igbopodcast/Check out Igbo and Yoruba classes (FREE trial): https://shorturl.at/5PBSFEach week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
In this snippet, I talk with Ana, a Brazilian woman who, tired of the dating scene in Brazil, changed her Tinder location to Sweden to meet someone more aligned with her values. She is now in a relationship with a Swedish man and lives in Sweden. Ana shares what it’s really like dating a Swedish man, the cultural differences she noticed, and her advice for anyone who feels stuck dating in a place that doesn’t match their energy, values, or long-term goals.Say hi to Ana: https://www.instagram.com/ana.marcal/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
This week I’m chatting with Jülide, a Turkish content creator who now lives in Belgium and is in a relationship with a Belgian partner. We dive into Turkish relationships — how space and individuality are viewed (and why “me time” basically doesn’t exist), what makes Turkish women different in relationships, and why family approval can make or break everything.https://www.instagram.com/turkishonboard/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
I chat with Alisa, an American content creator married to a French man who also teaches French pronunciation. We dive into the key differences between French and American relationships, the mentality gap between the two cultures, and even how parenting styles compare.Say hi to Alisa: https://www.instagram.com/multilingual_nest/Her course: https://soundfrench.learnworlds.com/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the DBB newsletter? https://datingbeyondborders.eo.page/newsletterSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and psychotherapist Alex Limanówka to break down the best and worst cities to find love in 2025. We go through each “worst” city on the list, talk about what the dating scene is actually like there, debate whether it deserves its spot, and even add a few of our own. Got thoughts or experiences to share? We’d love to hear what you think!Say hi to Alex: https://www.instagram.com/therapy.by.alex/List here: https://www.timeout.com/news/the-best-and-worst-cities-for-dating-and-finding-love-according-to-locals-020525Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Sign up for a weekly newsletter: https://datingbeyondborders.eo.page/newsletterSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
In this episode, I chat with Robin, a Swiss guy who grew tired of Switzerland’s predictable, perfection-driven routine and decided to move to Latin America. We dive into the passport bro movement, explore gender dynamics across both cultures, talk about how compatible Swiss and Latin people really are, and share insights on dating abroad you won’t want to miss.Say hi to Robin: https://www.instagram.com/robinkellerofficial/Join his program: https://thefithighperformer.com/systemEach week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
I chat to Freddy, a Brit from London who has been living in São Paulo, Brazil for many years with his Brazilian wife Gabi. We get into lifestyle differences, how Brits vs Brazilians different in communication styles, and what surprised Freddy the most about Brazil.Say hi to Freddy: https://www.instagram.com/parada1nglesa/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://datingbeyondborders.eo.page/newsletterSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
This week I chat with Rosie, a Nigerian-British travel journalist raised in the Netherlands. We dive into what it’s like to grow up with a complicated identity, travel for a living, and navigate the messy, unpredictable world of finding love on the road.Rosie Bell is a travel journalist who has written for over 30 publications, including BBC Travel, Forbes, WIRED, and Condé Nast Traveler. She has taught more than 1,500 aspiring travel journalists via her online courses, and she is the founder of Press Trip Pros, a matchmaking platform connecting travel journalists and travel content creators with organizers of press trips. Register here: https://presstrippros.com/Say hi to Rosie: https://www.instagram.com/thebeachbell/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Say hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
This week I chat with Mike, a Swiss-Italian stand-up comedian, about life in Switzerland: the good, the bad, and the perfectly organized. We dive into the Swiss mentality, what it’s like trying to make friends and date in such a reserved culture, the country’s love of rules (and when it goes too far), and whether Switzerland is a place he truly loves… or one that sometimes feels a bit too confining. We also get into how Swiss-Italian culture differs from the rest of the country.Say hi to Mike: https://www.instagram.com/mikecasacomedy/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
In this episode, I chat with Galina, a Russian content creator who moved to Portugal seven years ago — from Bragança to Lisbon. We dive into what it was like growing up and dating in Russia, how the Russian and Portuguese mentalities differ, and whether Lisbon is still worth living in as prices continue to rise.Say hi to Galina: https://www.instagram.com/gala__daily/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
Get our FREE guide to dating in 6 European countries HERE: https://tinyurl.com/2rp2tt6uI talk to Cecilia, a Swedish-Finnish woman who has had enough of the Swedish dating scene. We dive into the Swedish approach. Why Swedish men are famously passive in their approach, why Swedes expect to hook up sooner rather than later, and the laziness that has ensued from this.Say hi to Cecilia: / missgelinder Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Say hi on Instagram: / datingbeyondborders Dating Beyond Borders channel: / datingbeyondborders
I chat with Alina, a Ukrainian-Canadian travel creator, who recently made a bold move: relocating from Canada to Bulgaria. A few years ago, she told me she wanted to move to Sofia, and now she’s done it! We talk about what it’s really like to start over abroad, whether moving to Bulgaria was worth it, the biggest challenges of expat life, and if she misses Canada.🎙️ Tune in for an honest look at life in Bulgaria as a foreigner, cultural adjustments, and what it takes to build a new home from scratch.Say hi to Alina: https://www.instagram.com/alinamcleod/Each week I will interview guests from all around the world on the topics of culture, connection and of course, dating. The goal is to go as deep as possible and to really understand where we all come from and how much culture influences our life.Want to join the mailing list? https://www.dating-beyond-borders.comSay hi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datingbeyondbordersDating Beyond Borders channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/datingbeyondborders
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