Dating While Gray™

Sparks fly when Hunter and John meet at a Christmas party, though patience is needed for their love journey. An unexpected realization forces Susan and her spouse to make a relationship pivot. After happily never-married Nancy takes up tango dancing, she learns that romantic love has no limits of time, language, or distance.

John and Jane click from the get-go after meeting on the dance floor, happily agreeing that being “just” friends is more than enough. When Lindsey’s seemingly perfect marriage shatters, she survives and thrives by starting a new tradition: breaking bread with her true companions. Suzanne promises Tom she’ll be by his side in sickness and in health. Their legal union unravels, but Suzanne’s commitment never wavers.

Security analyst Kim Key offers advice and tips on avoiding online romance scams, based on her research and reporting for PCMag. Then, Laura hears about conducting background checks on potential dating partners from listeners including Paula, who says it’s her new M-O after her experience with a suspiciously eager love interest. Finally, journalist and “Duped” author Abby Ellin shares about uncloaking her former fiance. She wonders if he’s simply larger than life; turns out he’s a lying liar.

Just in time for the breakup season, aka Turkey Drop, Laura shares an encore episode from WUNC’s podcast Embodied. Host Anita Rao is joined by “Love Letters” advice columnist Meredith Goldstein and Slate advice columnist Stacia Brown. They dish out advice on topics including navigating social media after a romance ends, and what to do with physical reminders. (Ask Laura, who burned her wedding dress after splitting, for her hot take on this.)

After two divorces, Gia’s on the fence about getting back out there. Daughter Lauryn aims to help by sharing ideas and resources, including this podcast! Then there’s gray dater Laura, whose partner seems less than enthusiastic about moving their relationship along. Are his grown kids the reason, or an excuse? Finally, DWG host Laura Stassi and her daughter compare notes on living together while exploring individual romantic pursuits. (How did that no-sleepovers pact turn out?)

Coach Amy Schoen returns for do’s, don’ts, and dishing with host Laura Stassi and Paulina, who can’t figure out if dating is different because she’s older, or because she’s dating Americans. What is a date, anyway? Then there’s Glyn, who offers cautionary tales about manners, and menu choices. Finally, we hear from Paula, who recounts that time she fielded a highly personal question.

Gray dater Karen shares a dilemma that’s all too common: She’s getting attention online, but not necessarily the kind she wants. Maybe it’s her online profile? For help, Laura taps photographer Ann Maas, and dating and relationship coach Amy Schoen. They critique Karen’s photos and write-up while offering advice for all of us on the love-seeking journey. Plus, listeners – and Laura! – weigh in on profiles that have won them over, or turned them off.

On this episode, Laura talks with science journalist Florence Williams, author of “Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey.” Florence shares how the end of her long marriage sparked a health crisis and details her journey to healing – including turning to Mother Nature. We also hear from listeners who have rely on the great outdoors for help feeling better.

On this episode, Laura talks with entrepreneur Rob. He’s taken a kind of statistician approach to recoupling and in the process has gathered some data dating points that may lead to a new business venture. Then Laura chats with journalist Vicki Larson, who uncovers a surprising statistic or two in her latest book, Not Too Old For That: How Women Are Changing the Story of Aging. Finally, Laura talks with Tim, who was startled to discover that his expectations changed once he’d settled into single life.

On this episode, Laura talks with Carson, whose change in relationship status sparked a cross-country move. Then, Laura hears from unlucky-in-love Albert, who wonders if it makes sense to re-establish himself somewhere other than his longtime hometown to find what he’s looking for, relationship-wise. For advice, Laura taps Bill Chopik, associate psychology professor and director of Michigan State University's Close Relationships Lab. Finally, Laura meets up with Margo, who lives in the big rig she drives cross-country for her career. Margo loves her life behind the wheel but is starting to think that for her personal life as well as dog Xander’s well-being, it might be time to come off the road. Don't forget to like the show on Facebook and follow Laura @datingwhilegray on Twitter. We always want to hear from you! Send your stories and questions to datingwhilegray@wunc.org or leave us a message below.

In this episode, Laura talks with Carrie, who found a “hunkering down buddy” during lockdown. As quarantine lifted, though, their personality differences emerged. Then Laura chats with Betty, from Season 2, who out of the blue fell madly in love and changed her entire life. That was in February 2020. Did Betty’s new relationship withstand the challenges? Finally, two listeners weigh in with their experiences. Neither was looking for romance, necessarily. They found it anyway. Don't forget to like the show on Facebook and follow Laura @datingwhilegray on Twitter. We always want to hear from you! Send your stories and questions to datingwhilegray@wunc.org or leave us a message below.

Welcome to a new season of Dating While Gray! Laura is back with a fresh collection of experiences, conversations and reflections on romance and relationships after 50. We’ll hear about couples whose partnership revealed a new side over the course of the pandemic (for better or worse), and we’ll enjoy words of wisdom from millennial sages! All that and more coming soon to your podcast feed – stay tuned for all the upcoming episodes.

Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Want more Dating While Gray? Sign up for Laura’s e-newsletter and get access to bonus content and special messages at datingwhilegray.com!

Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Lindsay Foster Thomas. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Season 4 of Dating While Gray starts soon! Laura would love to hear your questions and stories about seeking, finding and keeping love after age 50. Email datingwhilegray@wunc.org or visit datingwhilegray.com to leave a voicemail.

Unhappily married couples no doubt have heard the sentiment about staying together for the sake of their kids, or waiting for little ones to launch before splitting. But is either tactic ideal? In this episode, therapist Carol Hughes offers advice. She’s the author of “Home Will Never Be The Same Again: A Guide for Adult Children of Gray Divorce.” Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Want more Dating While Gray? Sign up for Laura’s e-newsletter and get access to bonus content and special messages at datingwhilegray.com!

Patricia and Joe are one of the most memorable couples in Dating While Gray history. We first met them in Season 2 just after they developed romantic feelings for each other through virtual communications. (You may recall Patricia initially was reluctant to get involved with Joe.) They join Laura again to share the magical coincidence that was the foundation for Patricia deciding to give Joe another chance. Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Catch up on more Dating While Gray episodes at datingwhilegray.com.

In the “Hashtag Love” episode from Season 3, we met Lewis, who used a social media platform to make a romantic connection. He joins Laura again to explain how he prepared from a religious point of view to start dating again after divorce. Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. Learn more at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Eric Magnus and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Check out more episodes and leave a voicemail for Laura about your gray dating experiences at datingwhilegray.com.

In the “Money and Romance” episode from Season 2, we met Ginny, who discovered financial infidelity in her marriage. She joins Laura again with an update on her love life and how she’s applied lessons learned from that experience. Thanks to our sponsor Silver Singles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Matt Horton and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Discover more episodes at datingwhilegray.com and sign up for Laura’s e-newsletter to get bonus content in your inbox!

Sexuality educator, researcher and writer Jane Fleishman talks more about her mission to promote sexual wellness in older people. Jane says it’s never too late to achieve pleasure. Thanks to our sponsor SilverSingles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Matt Horton and Sean Roux mastered the audio. Discover more episodes at datingwhilegray.com and sign up for Laura’s e-newsletter to get bonus content in your inbox!

Meet Ann, who’s taking courses in MBSR, mindfulness based stress reduction. It helped her so much after her divorce that she wants to teach others how to use it to feel better in bad times. Thanks to our sponsor SilverSingles. More at silversingles.com/datingwhilegray. This episode was produced by Anisa Khalifa. Matt Horton mastered the audio. Discover more episodes at datingwhilegray.com. Support this podcast with a donation to WUNC at wunc.org/give.