Shot At Love

This episode follows a winding road from mantras and angel numbers to a surprising Tinder reunion that reopens old memories and reveals hard truths about trust, red flags, and values. Trust—not trying harder—becomes the real compass in dating, and 222 serves as a reminder to slow down and practice patient awareness. Nostalgia collides with present-day realities as Boston’s social energy masks a poor fit, and Jonathan’s candid warning becomes a pivotal values check. A serendipitous moment with Fishman’s mom reassures me that when we’re paying attention, the universe delivers the clarity we need. Through caregiving challenges, ghosting, and even street harassment, resilience rises — leading to a powerful promise: Listen sooner. Set boundaries. Choose self-respect. If you’re rebuilding after heartbreak, this chapter reminds you that every sign points you forward. Connect with Kerry Brett Instagram:@kerry_brett — https://www.instagram.com/kerry_brett @shotatlovepodcast — https://www.instagram.com/shotatlovepodcast                                    Facebook: Kerry Brett — https://www.facebook.com/kerrybrettphotography.                             LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrybrett                                                                                Substack – Shot@Love Newsletter: https://shotatlove.substack.com Website:https://www.shotatlovethebook.com If this episode resonated with you — please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. It helps more people find their Shot@Love (Shot at Love)! And share this episode with a friend who needs hope and a little nudge forward.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tune into Chapter 11, I Surrender; Finding a Path Forward to Love, a favorite for those having a hard time. Heartbreak can feel like quicksand, but there’s a way to stop sinking. I share how surrender—real acceptance, not resignation—becomes a daily practice that steadies the mind, restores self-respect, and turns pain into a teacher. From the serenity prayer to the mantra sarvesham svastir bhavatu, I unpack simple rituals that anchor your nervous system when grief and rumination try to take over. I walk through the five stages of grief in the context of narcissistic dynamics, making space for the messy parts—denial that kept you safe, anger that needs clean outlets, bargaining that blurs reality, depression that asks for gentle structure, and acceptance that finally loosens the knot. With insights from Kute Blackson’s The Magic of Surrender, I flip the script: a relationship can end and still be a success if it helped you grow into a truer version of yourself. That reframe moves you from searching with scarcity to meeting love with grounded presence. Stories power change, so we spotlight courage in action. Tina Turner’s night of escape and reinvention shows how one decisive step can reset a life. Dolly Parton’s publishing stand models boundaries, patience, and long-view faith. These examples prove that small steps compound—blocking a number, archiving old photos, taking a quiet walk instead of doom-scrolling—until momentum returns. We close with practical guidance to drop the bag of bricks, set clear boundaries, and trust that peace is possible when you stop pushing and start showing up as yourself. If this conversation helped you breathe a little easier, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs strength today, and leave a quick review so others can find it. Your story might be the spark someone else is waiting for. Start with this Description Instagram: @kerry_brett | @shotatlovepodcastFacebook: Shot@Love PodcastLinkedIn: Kerry Brett️Join the mailing list: www.shotatlovethebook.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tune into "No One is Coming" and "No Days Off": Chapter 10. Sometimes the hardest truth can be the start of real momentum: no one is coming, and there are no days off. We open with mantras that sharpen courage and then walk straight into the messy middle—an on-again, off-again relationship, a high-stakes photography assignment with Bill Belichick on Nantucket, and a gutting discovery left open in an email. What follows isn’t a collapse; it’s a choice. With a deadline looming and another shoot with Julian Edelman on deck, we turn heartbreak into horsepower, swap rumination for execution, and let anger refine our focus instead of wrecking it. You’ll hear how patterns take root, why sunk-cost thinking keeps the wrong door open, and how to close it with conviction. We unpack “no days off” as more than a sports slogan—it’s a personal operating system for resilience, discipline, and self-respect. Edelman’s legendary catch becomes a playbook for staying locked in when you’re inches from the ground: eyes on the ball, hands steady, outcome earned. The story moves from betrayal to boundary-setting, from tolerating less to choosing more, and from being benched by pain to calling your own plays. There’s a twist of joy at the end—a right swipe and a match with former Patriots lineman Max Lane—arriving not as a rescue, but as the natural result of raising your standards. Along the way, we share the practical habits that keep you in motion: clear self-talk, tight routines, creative flow under pressure, and the courage to shut a door that keeps hurting you. If you’re navigating dating, rebuilding after a breakup, or pushing for excellence in your craft, this chapter offers tools and a real story to anchor them. If this resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs the reminder, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway. Your support helps more people find the mindset and momentum to win the inches between head and heart. For more details, go to www.shotatlovebook.com Start with this Description Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tune into Chapter 9 Love's Lunacy: A Journey of Crazy and Stupid Devotion from my book Shot At Love, A Celebrity Photographer's Unfiltered Lens on Dating and Finding Love. What if the moment that saves you starts with a mantra and a punchline? We open on a small-town shoot with Steve Carell and land in the center of a bruising love story—one built on mixed signals, breadcrumbing, and the slow erosion of self. Along the way, a pinwheel, a dance number, and a stubborn fight to keep a scene in a film become unlikely teachers about boundaries, authorship, and choosing what matters when the pressure is on. From there, the curtain lifts on commitment-phobia and the anxious–avoidant dance: the push–pull of intimacy that keeps one partner chasing and the other fleeing. We dig into Mr. Unavailable’s patterns, attachment science, and why intermittent reinforcement is so addictive. The stakes spike when family drama explodes into gaslighting and an uninvited wedding, forcing a reckoning with reality, proof, and the heavy cost of keeping the peace. In the wreckage, a manifesto takes shape—part evidence, part prayer—marking the pivot from explaining to exiting. What follows is a clear, compassionate path out: consequences over speeches, boundaries that hold, and the No Contact Rule as a lifeline back to self-trust. We talk practical recovery—retraining your nervous system, rebuilding routines, and finding meaning in art, music, and community. If you’ve ever felt “crazy” for wanting love to feel safe, this story offers language, tools, and a way through. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to tell us the one boundary you won’t bend again. We trace a wild arc from a Steve Carell photoshoot and an Aquarius mantra to the hard end of a toxic relationship, unpacking commitment-phobia, gaslighting, and the cost of staying. Boundaries, no-contact, and self-respect turn chaos into clarity. Join the mailing list and find out more about Shot At Love Live events at www.shotatlovebook.com. Follow, rate, and subscribe. Please follow me on social media – Instagram, @Kerry_Brett, and on Facebook under Kerry Brett. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tune into Homeless on a Harley, Chapter 8, one of my favorite chapters from Shot At Love, A Celebrity Photographer's Unfiltered Lens on Dating and Finding Love. Dating shouldn’t feel like a jailbreak, but sometimes the heart clings to a locked door. We open with a grounding mantra to the divine feminine and roll straight into Randy “Moose” Gomez’s field notes—thirty years as a PI and bail bondsman distilled into one essential truth: listen like a detective and love like a leader. From pandemic-era scams to everyday mixed signals, we unpack how small details reveal big realities, and why your questions are not drama—they’re data. The story winds through a raw Thanksgiving heartbreak, a copper-topped bar in South Boston, and a high school spark named Coyote Cameron who skates in hot and exits even hotter. It’s romantic, funny, and a little brutal: the secret workplace, the “lost phone,” the slow fade that says more than words. Along the way, we map practical checkpoints for modern dating—consistency over charm, transparency over mystery, alignment over adrenaline. You’ll hear how nostalgia can blur judgment, how self-talk can free or trap you, and how to spot the moment when grace becomes self-abandonment. We don’t shame the chemistry; we translate it. When behavior and words don’t match, confusion wins. When someone guards context, believe them. And when your standards rise, your peace follows. If you’ve stayed too long, waited on a text that never came, or ignored a red flag because the weekend felt perfect, this conversation will hand you a steadier compass—rooted in self-respect, active listening, and a PI’s calm eye for patterns. Press play, take what helps, and set your own checkpoints. If this episode gave you clarity or courage, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs the nudge, and leave a quick review so more people can raise their standards with us. We explore how a cowboy PI’s listening skills and a hard left turn in South Boston taught us to trust patterns over promises and choose self-respect over heat. The heart goes fast, but the truth arrives on time when you ask better questions and believe what you hear. When people tell you who they are believe them. Please subscribe, rate, and review. Keep up to date with Shot At Love Live events and join the mailing list at www.shotatlovebook.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost, Chapter 7 of Shot At Love, A Celebrity Photographer's Unfiltered Lens on Dating and Finding Love. A breakup can make even bright rooms feel dim, and mine turned everything gray—right down to the paint on my walls. I gave 50 shades of gray new meaning. I tried to muscle through with grit and lonely heart playlists, but it took an unexpected intervention from Red Sox legend Tim Wakefield to cut through the noise. Tim’s straight talk about self-respect, resilience, and moving on landed like a perfectly thrown knuckleball: unpredictable, undeniable, and exactly what I needed to hear. The over-under was that this was a very loud wake-up call from Wake, and I had to find self-love at bat. From there, the path bent toward a different kind of ballgame—one of mantras, lineage, and sacred sound. I share how a puja led by a guru's wife reopened the door to Sanskrit practice, and how a medium delivered a message I couldn’t ignore: aham prema doesn’t just invite romantic love; it insists on self-love first. That reminder connected me back to my teacher, Namadeva, and to a daily practice of the —Gayatri before the mic, breath before reaction, compassion before compromise—that steadied the ground beneath my feet. Daily practice of chanting and the discipline of rebuilding standards after heartbreak. Along the way, we honor two legacies that shaped this story—Tim Wakefield’s generosity and caring, and Namadeva’s mastery of mantras—whose dates now echo in my calendar like a quiet blessing. If you’ve ever felt stuck between surrender and survival, this chapter offers tools and testimony: boundaries that hold, mantras that heal, and a practical path to liking yourself enough to choose better. Listen, reflect, and if it resonates, share it with someone who could use a sign. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell me: what’s the one line you needed to hear today? If you want to find out more about the Shot At Love movement and community, join the mailing list to learn about upcoming Shot At Love Live events at www.shotatlovebook.com Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Oscar-winner Chris Cooper and his wife Marianne Leone called asking me to photograph him for Cowboys and Indians Magazine, I never imagined this assignment would become my emotional salvation. With a broken foot and an even more broken heart, I dragged myself to Plymouth Plantation, determined to deliver exceptional work despite my personal life crumbling around me.The contrast couldn't have been starker – professionally capturing one of Hollywood's most respected actors while privately enduring the discovery of my boyfriend's infidelity. As I lay on the ground, boot-clad broken foot raised awkwardly in the air, shooting Chris in various Western-inspired poses, I was simultaneously living two realities. One where I was a sought-after photographer whose work would grace newsstands nationwide, and another where I questioned my fundamental worth after betrayal.It was Chris himself who offered unexpected wisdom that day. When I confessed my relationship troubles, lamenting that perhaps I was "too much" – too creative, too successful – for my boyfriend, Chris responded with words that would become my mantra: "Did you ever think the things that make you too much are the things that make you great? Smart men like smart women." This simple truth from a man whose 40-year marriage to brilliant writer Marianne Leone Cooper showed he practiced what he preached became my north star during the darkest period of my life.The universe has a poetic way of delivering messages when we need them most. Standing in an Arizona airport, sobbing after learning my boyfriend at the time had emptied our home while I was away, I looked up to see my Cowboys and Indians cover prominently displayed. It was as if the universe whispered: your work matters, you matter, regardless of who fails to see it. A decade later, Chris, Marianne, and I would collaborate again, winning a 2023 Communicator Award for a podcast episode aptly titled "Staying Together" – proof that sometimes we must endure disappointments to find our way to the collaborations and connections that truly honor our worth.Ready to transform your perspective on love and relationships? Grab a copy of my new book "Shot at Love" on Amazon today and join our community at shotatlovebook.com for exclusive updates on live events and more insights into finding love that celebrates rather than diminishes you. Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when you swipe right on a contractor who builds homes and hearts with the same dedication? Built to Last: When Love Meets Construction, that's what! Meet Rory Remington, a 47-year-old professional builder from Scituate, Massachusetts—a man as solid as the foundations he lays.During the harshest winter Massachusetts had seen in a century, with record-breaking snowfall burying my world both literally and figuratively, Rory appeared like a beacon of warmth. After plowing Scituate's streets all day, he'd show up at my driveway, engine running, ready to shovel my roof without ever asking to come inside—because he wanted to meet my daughter "when we were official." Here was a man who had given his dream home to his ex-wife so his children wouldn't suffer, while he lived in homes he was rebuilding. A man who, when my card was declined buying painting supplies, arrived early the next morning with everything I needed and painted my entire first floor in a day.Rory checked every box on my "top ten list" of qualities I wanted in a partner. He remembered I disliked roses on my birthday because it fell near Valentine's Day, sending unique flowers with a card saying, "You're all seven on my list." Yet I made the devastating mistake of leaving him when my ex returned, begging for reconciliation—only to discover more lies and deception waiting for me.The painful irony? When pipes burst in my studio and I had nowhere to turn, Rory still showed up, created detailed documentation overnight, secured me exactly the insurance money I needed, and disappeared without even saying goodbye. He didn't need to help, but that's who he was—a man of honor who never let people down.Through heartbreak and regret, I learned that relationships, like houses, require solid foundations. Sometimes the best partners aren't the flashiest or most familiar—they're the ones who show up consistently, tools in hand, ready to build something lasting. Don't wait to recognize quality when you see it; great men don't stay available for long.Ready to transform your perspective on love? Grab my new book "Shot at Love" on Amazon and join the community at ShopLoveBook.com for exclusive updates on upcoming events.Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when your world crumbles beneath you? When a broken foot, a broken relationship, and a broken bank account converge at the worst possible moment? This raw, unflinching episode explores the pivotal moment when crisis became a catalyst for profound transformation. After discovering troubling messages on Kerry's boyfriend, Giovanny's phone, a confrontation led to a painful accident—breaking her foot in three places. Rather than support, Giovanny cruelly accused her of deliberately injuring herself to manipulate him, revealing the narcissistic dynamic that had been present all along. Left immobilized during her busiest photography season, with no health insurance and dwindling finances, she reached a devastating crossroads. Drawing strength from unexpected sources—Tina Turner's resilient spirit and financial advisor John Spooner's contrarian wisdom—she discovered that the principles governing smart investing apply equally to recovery from toxic relationships. "In crucial decisions, use your brain first, heart second," became her mantra as she dragged herself on crutches to convert saved coins to cash when her debit card declined for a simple pizza order. This episode beautifully illustrates how rock bottom became the foundation for rebuilding. By approaching her personal crisis with the same strategic thinking Spooner applied to market crashes, she transformed her circumstances—booking $4,000 in photography sessions despite her injury, finding her voice, and eventually creating the award-winning "Shot At Love" podcast to help others escape unhealthy relationships. The most valuable lesson? No matter how broke you are financially or emotionally, you can always bank on yourself. This powerful story reminds us that sometimes the best investment we can make is in our own healing and growth. Have you experienced a moment when hitting bottom became the catalyst for your greatest comeback? Join our community and share your story of resilience and renewal. Find out more at www.shotatlovebook.com Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A camera captures moments, but sometimes it captures more than you bargained for. When Giovanny Gonzalez strutted into my photography studio in his wing-tip boots and form-fitting t-shirt, I had no idea this headshot session would launch an eight-year romance that mirrored the tumultuous relationship between Johnny Cash and June Carter.The chemistry was immediate and electric. After breaking my own professional rules by agreeing to review his photographs at his place, I found myself mesmerized as Giovanny picked up his guitar and serenaded me with Damien Rice's "The Blower's Daughter, from the movie Closer, where Julia Roberts played a photographer and Jude Law was her subject turned love interest." From that moment, we became inseparable – a creative force feeding off each other's talents and energy. We took Boston by storm, becoming fixtures at upscale restaurants like Stella and The Beehive, training together, and critiquing cuisine like unpaid food critics with insatiable appetites for culture and creativity.When Giovanny confessed he'd given up on his musical dreams, I transformed into his biggest supporter. I became the ringmaster behind the Giovanny Gonzalez Band's branding, handled publicity, arranged photography shoots, and documented every performance. We achieved incredible things together – he sang the national anthem at Fenway Park, performed with the Dropkick Murphys, and accompanied me as I photographed Hollywood's biggest names. But like Jennifer Aniston's character in "Rockstar," I watched as the music industry's temptations began pulling him away. Despite many wonderful years together, I learned firsthand why Johnny Cash's "Walk the Line" resonates with so many – not everyone can maintain that balance when fame, groupies, and late nights beckon. Sometimes love isn't enough, and sometimes the final notes must fade.Have you ever loved someone who couldn't walk the line? Share your story of loving a creative spirit and the bittersweet melody it left behind. Purchase Shot At Love on Amazon and find out more about Shot At Love Live events at www.shotatlovebook.comSend us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it truly mean to find your worth in the midst of life's most challenging moments? Two divorced women with young children—one a Harvard graduate with a penchant for designer clothes, the other a photographer with a dry wit—forge an unlikely friendship that becomes their lifeline while navigating the treacherous waters of rebuilding and dating.Kelley Doyle bursts into Kerry Brett's life like a fashion-forward hurricane, armed with persistent optimism and dating wisdom that initially makes Kerry's "blood boil." With phrases like "enjoy the dance" and "be easy breezy," Kelley teaches her friend that confidence and self-worth matter more than perfect photographs or clever bios when looking for love. Through Sunday ritual dinners at their favorite Mexican restaurant and late-night adventures in Boston's dating scene, they create their own version of family while supporting each other's journey to find love again.The story reveals Kelley's courageous escape from a deteriorating marriage—arriving at her parents' doorstep with three children, a dog, and only forty-two dollars in her checking account. Her father's advice to "make a decision not to make a decision" gives her space to breathe before crafting a new life. Meanwhile, Kerry struggles with her own divorce, feeling like "the aftermath of a failed art project." Together, they discover that fashion can be armor, friendship can be salvation, and sometimes the most powerful act is remembering your own value. From Kelley's battery-operated blinking earrings to bracelets engraved with "If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it," they find ways to become their own heroines. When Kelley finally reconnects with Walter Whalen at a local bar, her methodical approach to dating pays off in a beautiful wedding and blended family, proving that sometimes, after the storm, you really can see clearly.Ready to transform your approach to finding love? Grab your copy of "Shot At Love" on Amazon today and join our community at shotatlovebook.com for exclusive updates and information about upcoming live events.Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The path from devastation to rebirth rarely follows a straight line. When my world exploded seventeen years ago, I found myself in the basement of Rock Bottom – fighting a three-year custody battle for my daughter Morgan after a traumatic pregnancy and birth that nearly claimed both our lives. What followed was a financial nightmare of $130,000 in debt, sleeping with the lights on, and making the classic mistake of jumping from one toxic relationship straight into another.With raw vulnerability and unexpected humor, I share how I transformed from a woman with zero self-worth into someone who refused to settle for anything less than authentic love. My journey led me to spiritual practices that became my lifeline – chanting Sanskrit mantras 108 times with a desperation that "gave new meaning to squeezing the beads." When my astrologer taught me "aham prema" (divine love), I finally began finding my way back to myself.As a professional photographer with impaired eyesight, the irony isn't lost on me that my biggest challenge wasn't my vision – it was my inability to see red flags in relationships. I've learned to trust my gut, refuse to stress over inconsistent people, and embrace the Ted Lasso philosophy of believing even when the odds seem impossible. The most powerful revelation? How you perceive yourself directly influences how others treat you.Whether you're struggling through divorce, dating disasters, or simply searching for connection, remember that beauty is an inside job. You don't have to be perfect to be amazing. When someone tells you that you can't do something, do it twice and take pictures! Join me in putting yourself out there with courage and watch how the universe responds. Your shot at love begins with believing you deserve it.Ready to transform your own love story? Visit shotatlovebook.com and take the first step toward writing your happy ending.Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever wondered what happens when your greatest pain becomes your deepest purpose? As a professional photographer who's spent decades making others look their best, I've lived a life that many find fascinating—capturing celebrities for magazine covers, attending red carpet events, and building a dream studio in a picturesque town. But behind my lens and successes lay a story of heartbreak so profound that I never imagined sharing it publicly.My journey from heartbreak to healing wasn't straightforward. There were nights spent crying at my computer, trying to find the courage to document experiences I'd hidden for nearly twenty years. Writing this memoir pushed me to my limits, forcing me to confront memories that felt impossible to face. Yet something powerful emerged from this process—a mission larger than myself. What began as personal catharsis evolved into Shot At Love, a podcast and now book dedicated to helping others navigate their own paths to love.The transformation from being a "damsel in distress" to becoming "someone who doesn't need saving" changed everything. I learned that "desperation paves a path to the devil," while self-compassion and small daily steps forward can completely transform your life. Through my darkest moments, I discovered that asking for help is often the hardest part of healing, not the overcoming itself. Now I'm passionate about sharing this message: you're not prey, you need to get "preyed up" so you don't get played. The world remains full of opportunities and love, waiting for you to shift your perspective and embrace them. My book "Shot At Love" is available now on Amazon—don't miss your chance to see love and yourself differently. Join our community at shotatlovebook.com for exclusive updates and information about upcoming live events.Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever wondered if everything you thought about finding love might be wrong? Kerry Brett's new book "Shot At Love" challenges conventional dating wisdom and offers a fresh perspective based on years of hard-won experience. From growing up in a working-class Boston family where the Brady Bunch and Mr. Rogers shaped her worldview to becoming a dating expert who's made every mistake so you don't have to, Kerry's journey is both entertaining and enlightening.What started as a desperate search for connection through books, movies, and music evolved into something much more powerful. In 2018, amid social upheaval and personal darkness, Kerry found her calling - helping others avoid the heartbreak she'd experienced. This led to her creating the "Swiping Soiree," a unique blend of education and entertainment she jokingly called her "Tinder Tour." Complete with interpretive dance to Christina Perri's "Jar of Hearts" and entering rooms to the sounds of Aretha Franklin while banging a cowbell, these seminars transformed how middle-aged women approached online dating.When the pandemic hit in 2020, what many had dismissed as "career suicide" - a podcast about online dating - became Kerry's greatest achievement. Through trial, error, and relentless effort, she emerged as a respected dating coach committed to dismantling the stigma around digital connections. The book reveals how fear becomes our biggest enemy in finding love, causing self-sabotage and missed opportunities. But Kerry's message remains hopeful: love can be found anywhere, from Whole Foods to Tinder, and every misstep offers profound lessons that are part of the journey toward meaningful connection.This isn't just Kerry's story - it's an invitation to rewrite your own. Whether you're struggling with online dating, recovering from heartbreak, or simply ready for a new approach to finding love, "Shot At Love" offers both practical guidance and emotional support. Grab your copy today on Amazon and join the mailing list at shotatlovebook.com for exclusive updates and information about live singles events. Your next chapter will be amazing - just remember to bring a helmet and enjoy the ride.Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Tina Zhu Xi Caruso and Pari Kim met on Love on the Spectrum Season 3, viewers worldwide fell in love with their authentic connection. Their story isn't just about finding romance on reality TV—it's about embracing who you truly are, regardless of what others might think. The magic of Tina and Pari's relationship stems from their fearless self-expression. As Pari puts it, "I literally go on the train in a ball gown. I don't care. People could stare and say whatever they want, but it makes me happy." This unapologetic authenticity—Pari with her passion for trains and Tina with her photography and disability advocacy—creates a foundation for genuine connection that many neurotypical daters struggle to achieve. What makes their bond particularly special is their shared understanding of profound loss. Both having experienced the death of a parent, they connect through empathy that might not have existed with other cast members. This shared grief, combined with their neurodivergent perspectives, allows them to relate on a deeper level. As Tina explains, "I feel like, for me at least, and Pari were a perfect match because we understood parent loss." Their remarkable optimism stands out as a defining characteristic. Rather than letting disabilities or challenges define them, they embrace life with enthusiasm and determination. "If we are constantly negative, we'll never get anything done," Pari explains. "I gotta get out there and live my life and do what makes me happy." This resilience—whether it's Pari singing at Harvard Square or Tina advocating for the disability community—teaches us all about finding joy despite obstacles. Want to find your shot at love? Take inspiration from Tina and Pari: be fearless about putting yourself out there, prioritize kindness in all interactions, and focus on the little, meaningful moments that build connection. As Pari wisely notes, "If you spend your whole life worrying about others, you're never going to be happy." This episode was recorded at Kimpton Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge, MA. To find out more about Shot At Love or purchase Kerry Brett's new book Shot@Love, A Celebrity Photographer's Unfiltered Lens on Dating and Finding Love, go to www.shotatlovebook.com Send us a text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.