Let’s be real—modern dating can feel like a chaotic mess of apps, mixed signals, and awkward coffee chats. In this episode, I sit down with dating coach and podcast host Yue Xu (Dateable podcast) to unpack how building a friendship first might be the most underrated—and powerful—strategy in love. We talk about why so many of us perform on dates, how to tell if you actually like the person or just the date activity, and what it means to connect with someone as a human before labeling it romantic. We also talk about the 5 Dating Archetypes - The Maverick, The Achiever, The Thinker, The Energizer, and The Dreamer - which are you? Whether you’re swiping, reconnecting with an old flame, or just trying to feel less weird on first dates, this one’s for you.

Catch part one of this conversation in Episode 42: The 30-Day Relationship Incubator: Reimagining Modern Dating with Yue Xu. Yue’s new book ⁠How to Be Dateable

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