PODCAST
How to Date
with Elizabeth Day & Mel Schilling
How To Date is your ultimate guide to navigating the highs, lows and everything in between of modern dating.
Hosted by broadcaster and author Elizabeth Day and the ever-insightful relationship expert Mel Schilling, this podclass (podcast masterclass) unpacks the complexities of finding connection in todayâs world. From building confidence and breaking old patterns to decoding dating apps and finding love that is worthy of you, Elizabeth and Mel tackle it all with humour, honesty, and expert advice. Featuring candid discussions with fascinating guests, we explore red flags, communication pitfalls and coping with rejection, as well as offering practical exercises to help you step into the world of dating.âŻ
How to Date offers the tools, tips and laughs you need to navigate modern romance with confidence and self-worth. After all, the most important relationship you can ever have is the one you have with yourself.âŻ
EPISODE 1
Am I ready to date?
Elizabeth and Mel look at one of the most important yet daunting questions: âAm I ready to date?â
Whether youâre returning to the dating world after divorce, heartbreak, loss or simply wondering if itâs the right time to put yourself out there, this episode explores what it really means to be âdate readyâ.
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EPISODE 2
How to meet someone
Our guest this week is the brilliant Sharmaine Lovegrove, whom many of you might already know as one of the hosts of our previous podclass, How To Write A Book. Sharmaine went through a marital separation in her early 40s and threw herself into the apps.
She joins us to share her many anecdotes and first-hand accounts of dating/meeting people post-break-up.Â
EPISODE 3
The first date
Our guest is the fabulous Ryan Lanji, cultural producer, winner of Netflixâs Big Flower Fight and all-round icon. Ryan joins us to break down everything from the lead-up to the date, how to navigate the date itself and the immediate aftermath, as well as dating in the queer community.
He also shares his own first-date stories, tips, and lessons learned - with hilarious results.Â
EPISODE 4
Communication - dating dos and donâts
Psychotherapist, author and podcaster Emma Reed-Turrell joins Elizabeth and Mel this week to break down how to communicate with clarity and kindness, without ever losing our power.
We explore why self-esteem plays a crucial role in shaping the way we communicate, the pitfalls of people-pleasing and how blind spots in our own behaviour often spill into our connections with others.
EPISODE 5
Red and Green Flags
Mel and Elizabeth look at the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs that can help us understand whether a potential partner is right for us. Thatâs right, weâre exploring the red flags that should have us running for the hills, the green flags that signpost a healthy relationship and the amber or pink ones that lie somewhere in-between.
We are joined by an expert in the field - social worker and bestselling author, LalalaLetMeExplain.
EPISODE 6
Taking it to the next level
Things are going well⌠So Elizabeth and Mel are taking it to the next level where they are getting just that little bit more serious. In this episode, Mel and Elizabeth look at exclusivity and commitment and what it takes to build a strong foundation for a lasting relationship.
Plus: how a partnerâs past plays into your future together.
EPISODE 7
Communication - dating dos and donâts
Elizabeth and Mel face one of the most challenging parts of dating: heartbreak and rejection. We are joined by life coach and author Michelle Elman who went through a devastating, public break-up after being notified via an Instagram DM that her fiance of 24-hours had been cheating on her. Michelle, Mel and Elizabeth explore the impact an experience like this can have and how best to cope with it.
We discuss surviving rejection and the lessons that heartbreak can teach us, in time. Plus: how to feel hopeful again and embrace the âwhat next?â stage of self-discovery.
EPISODE 8
The most important relationship youâll ever have
For the final episode of How To Date (sob!) Mel and Elizabeth look at the most important relationships any of us can have in our lives: the one with ourselves.
We unpack what this means in practical terms. How do we nurture a healthy sense of self-respect - and why can this sometimes feel so challenging? How can we ensure interdependence rather than co-dependence? We explore why being clear about your own worth is a fundamental building block in any sustainable relationship with another person.Â
