Ask a Matchmaker

In this episode of Ask a Matchmaker, Matchmaker Maria dives into the world of ethical non-monogamy with guests Victoria Joseph and her husband Ryan, professional ENM matchmakers who are married and also swing. Together, they break down what ENM actually means, including the differences between open relationships, swinging, and polyamory, and explain how ethical non-monogamy differs from consensual non-monogamy. Victoria and Ryan share how they entered the lifestyle, common misconceptions about the swinger community, and why communication, consent, and respect are essential. The conversation also explores jealousy, safety, dating norms, and how matchmaking works within non-monogamous communities. Victoria runs Birds of a Feather Matchmaking, an exclusive concierge-style service for individuals seeking ENM, polyamorous, and lifestyle-focused relationships, where authentic connection and transparency aren't just welcomed, they're celebrated check out more 👉birdsofafeathermatchmaking.com   ☀️ https://agapeescapes.com/   use ESCAPES150 for an early bird discount! ☀️ Be sure to use the promo code: roundtable50 to join Maria's community or submit your own dating question! 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/ ✨ Don't forget to order Maria's book,  follow us on social, and leave a review if you're feeling lovable and likable. 💕 🤩    Check out Maria's Websites and Socials!   🙌 💖Podcast Website: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/  💖Agape Match Website: https://agapematch.com/  💖Matchmaker Maria TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria  💖Matchmaker Maria Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria  💖Agape Match Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/  💖Agame Match Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch  💖Agape Match Twitter: https://www.x.com/AgapeMatch  🙋‍♀️Our Producer Venetia AKA V  Website - https://www.venetiageras.com/  Twitter - https://X.com/venetiaageras  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/venetiaageras/  🎥 by WTF Media Studios Website - https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home  ABOUT THIS PODCAST 🔗 Ask a Matchmaker is your weekly go-to podcast for all things love and relationships. Hosted by fourth generation matchmaker and founder of Agape Match, Maria Avgitidis, Ask a Matchmaker gives you no-nonsense insight into dating, relationships, compatibility, and love. Maria and her weekly special guest answer questions to help you venture through the jungle that is modern love. Whether you're looking for someone or you're happily taken, Maria will keep you inspired to keep going down the path of love every week, and hopefully, gain a great tip or two to ignite the spark or keep the sparks flying!

In this Hotline episode, Matchmaker Maria is joined by author and late-bloomer expert Allora Dannon to deliver no-nonsense dating advice rooted in clarity, confidence, and tough love! They tackle real listener dilemmas, starting with a woman struggling to finally break up and whether going no contact is the only way to heal. They revisit an update from the woman who discovered her boyfriend on a dating app. Does she break it off with him, or are they still together? A gay man calls in after successfully using the 12-date rule and asks how to move from dating to exclusivity without getting ghosted. Plus, Maria & Allora address a woman worried about meeting someone who checks every box on paper but sparks zero physical attraction, and whether "the whole package" is enough! Don't miss this juicy hotline episode!   ☀️ https://agapeescapes.com/   use ESCAPES150 for an early bird discount! ☀️ Be sure to use the promo code: roundtable50 to join Maria's community or submit your own dating question! 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/ ✨ Don't forget to order Maria's book,  follow us on social, and leave a review if you're feeling lovable and likable. 💕 🤩    Check out Maria's Websites and Socials!   🙌 💖Podcast Website: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/  💖Agape Match Website: https://agapematch.com/  💖Matchmaker Maria TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria  💖Matchmaker Maria Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria  💖Agape Match Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/  💖Agame Match Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch  💖Agape Match Twitter: https://www.x.com/AgapeMatch  🙋‍♀️Our Producer Venetia AKA V  Website - https://www.venetiageras.com/  Twitter - https://X.com/venetiaageras  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/venetiaageras/  🎥 by WTF Media Studios Website - https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home  ABOUT THIS PODCAST 🔗 Ask a Matchmaker is your weekly go-to podcast for all things love and relationships. Hosted by fourth generation matchmaker and founder of Agape Match, Maria Avgitidis, Ask a Matchmaker gives you no-nonsense insight into dating, relationships, compatibility, and love. Maria and her weekly special guest answer questions to help you venture through the jungle that is modern love. Whether you're looking for someone or you're happily taken, Maria will keep you inspired to keep going down the path of love every week, and hopefully, gain a great tip or two to ignite the spark or keep the sparks flying!

In this special year-end episode of Ask A Matchmaker, Matchmaker Maria looks back on the biggest dating lessons of 2025 and what they mean for intentional dating in 2026. Featuring standout guests like Vera Papisova, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, Weezy W.T.F, Jared Freid, Kaneez Surka, Erika Ettin, Tara Cannistraci, and more, Matchmaker Maria breaks down conversations on politics, polyamory, attachment styles, money, AI, and modern love. You'll hear honest insights on dating boundaries, emotional compatibility, first dates, and how to build real connection. Plus, Maria answers listener questions on financial dealbreakers and why some great dates don't lead to second dates. If you're single, dating, or rethinking your relationship approach, this episode gives you clarity, confidence, and practical dating advice you can actually use!

What happens to connection when we put our phones away? Matchmaker Maria sits down with Randy Ginsberg, founder of Kanso, to unpack phubbing (phone snubbing), modern dating burnout, and why being truly present has become one of the most underrated relationship skills. Together, they explore how intentional, phone-free spaces create deeper conversations, stronger chemistry, and real opportunities for both romantic and platonic connection. This is not a singles event and it's not networking. It's an evening designed to help you unplug, talk like a human again, and experience what dating and socializing feel like without doomscrolling, distractions, or performative small talk. Expect thoughtful prompts, honest dialogue, and a room full of curious, emotionally available people who are actually worth putting your phone down for. Come for the connection. Leave with clarity, community, and a reminder that presence is still the most attractive quality in the room.   ☀️get yourself a last minute holiday gift and go to https://agapeescapes.com/   use ESCAPES150 for an early bird discount! ☀️ Be sure to use the promo code: roundtable50 to join Maria's community or submit your own dating question! 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/ ✨ Don't forget to order Maria's book,  follow us on social, and leave a review if you're feeling lovable and likable. 💕 🤩    Check out My Websites and Socials!   🙌 💖Podcast Website: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/  💖Agape Match Website: https://agapematch.com/  💖Matchmaker Maria TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria  💖Matchmaker Maria Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria  💖Agape Match Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/  💖Agame Match Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch  💖Agape Match Twitter: https://www.x.com/AgapeMatch  🙋‍♀️Our Producer Venetia AKA V  Website - https://www.venetiageras.com/  Twitter - https://X.com/venetiaageras  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/venetiaageras/  🎥 by WTF Media Studios Website - https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home  ABOUT THIS PODCAST 🔗 Ask a Matchmaker is your weekly go-to podcast for all things love and relationships. Hosted by fourth generation matchmaker and founder of Agape Match, Maria Avgitidis, Ask a Matchmaker gives you no-nonsense insight into dating, relationships, compatibility, and love. Maria and her weekly special guest answer questions to help you venture through the jungle that is modern love. Whether you're looking for someone or you're happily taken, Maria will keep you inspired to keep going down the path of love every week, and hopefully, gain a great tip or two to ignite the spark or keep the sparks flying!

Comedian and writer Caitlin Peluffo returns to Ask a Matchmaker for an honest catch-up with matchmaker Maria after a major relationship shake-up. Caitlin opens up about calling off a long engagement, what it taught her about passion, independence, and settling, and why starting over in her 30s has been unexpectedly empowering! Together, they dive into dating while living alone, long-distance relationships, marriage timelines, and redefining partnership. The episode also tackles listener questions, including navigating city life versus farm life and whether staying friends with an ex-with-benefits ever really works. A candid, funny, and deeply relatable conversation about choosing yourself and dating with intention!   ☀️ https://agapeescapes.com/   use ESCAPES150 for an early bird discount! ☀️ Be sure to use the promo code: roundtable50 to join Maria's community or submit your own dating question! 👉 https://www.matchmakermaria.com/ ✨ Don't forget to order Maria's book,  follow us on social, and leave a review if you're feeling lovable and likable. 💕 🤩    Check out My Websites and Socials!   🙌 💖Podcast Website: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/  💖Agape Match Website: https://agapematch.com/  💖Matchmaker Maria TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realmatchmakermaria  💖Matchmaker Maria Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchmakermaria  💖Agape Match Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agapematch/  💖Agame Match Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeMatch  💖Agape Match Twitter: https://www.x.com/AgapeMatch  🙋‍♀️Our Producer Venetia AKA V  Website - https://www.venetiageras.com/  Twitter - https://X.com/venetiaageras  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/venetiaageras/  🎥 by WTF Media Studios Website - https://www.wtfmediastudios.com/home  ABOUT THIS PODCAST 🔗 Ask a Matchmaker is your weekly go-to podcast for all things love and relationships. Hosted by fourth generation matchmaker and founder of Agape Match, Maria Avgitidis, Ask a Matchmaker gives you no-nonsense insight into dating, relationships, compatibility, and love. Maria and her weekly special guest answer questions to help you venture through the jungle that is modern love. Whether you're looking for someone or you're happily taken, Maria will keep you inspired to keep going down the path of love every week, and hopefully, gain a great tip or two to ignite the spark or keep the sparks flying!