Ask a Matchmaker – Details, episodes & analysis

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!

This week, Maria talks with author and speaker Emily Goodson about her new book Dating Disability: 15 Stories of Dealing with the BS and Building Confidence. Emily shares her experiences dating with a disability and how working with an intimacy coach helped her break patterns of shame and self-protection. They discuss visible and invisible disabilities, the social barriers disabled people face, and why representation in dating and media matters. This conversation is full of insight for anyone looking to date with confidence, empathy, and self-awareness. Pick up Dating Disability wherever books are sold and follow Emily for more stories about love and identity!

 

Dating Disability, Emily Goodson's debut book, invites readers into fifteen intimate stories from her life, exploring love, confidence, and what it means to embrace difference in a world that often asks us to hide it. It's available online and in bookstores today! 👉 https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/biographies-and-memoirs/general/dating-disability/ 

☀️ 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!

In dating, rejection is part of the process, but when 'no' isn't acknowledged, it can lead to heartbreak, harm, and even tragedy. In this solo episode, Matchmaker Maria addresses two recent cases in New Jersey that underscore the real-world consequences of ignoring boundaries and consent. She outlines the stories of Maria Notis, Isabella Salas, Dr. Lauren Semanchik, and Tyler Webb to highlight patterns of stalking, harassment, and institutional inaction. The episode examines how systems and communities fail to respond when warnings are raised. Maria shares practical steps individuals and policymakers can take to improve safety and accountability. This episode calls for greater awareness, stronger protections, and meaningful policy change.

Letter to State Representatives:

Dear [Representative's Name],

I am writing to you as a constituent who is deeply concerned about the safety of women and families in our community. Recent tragedies in New Jersey, including the murders of Maria Notis, Isabella Salas, Dr. Lauren Semanchik, and Tyler Webb, highlight the urgent need for stronger protections against stalking, harassment, and domestic violence.

I am asking you to prioritize funding for domestic violence shelters, victim advocacy services, and mental health programs. I am asking you to ensure that reports of harassment and stalking are taken seriously and acted upon immediately.

No family should have to bury their child or loved one because boundaries were ignored, reports were dismissed, or resources were underfunded. Please take action now to protect your constituents.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

 

_________________________________________________________________________________

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!

Cara Alwill is a New York City based creative entrepreneur who encourages women to live their most effervescent lives, celebrate themselves every day, and make their happiness a priority. She is a best selling personal development author, mentor to women entrepreneurs, and creator of The Champagne Diet blog. Over 10 million listeners worldwide tune in to Cara's podcast Style Your Mind each week for powerful conversations and a mega dose of inspiration. Cara is the author of 9 best selling books, including the worldwide sensation Girl Code, that have inspired women around the world to step into their power and fulfill their potential. Cara's books have been translated into multiple languages like Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Mongolian, and Vietnamese. Her message continues to transcend cultures and break barriers for women across the globe.  

  https://www.thechampagnediet.com/ Follow Cara on Instagram at @thechampagnediet 

NEW STUDIO!!! Of course, I had to get my work husband and fellow matchmaker, Louie Felix to kick off my first episode in studio. We take your hotline questions, discuss why men are constantly thinking about the Roman Empire, chat GPT, dating advice, and more! INDULGE!

Want to book a sess with Louie? https://calendly.com/felix-louie and follow him on IG @louiefelix # Make sure to subscribe and sign up for notifications for fantastic dating and relationship advice brought to you by Maria Avgitidis!     Check out My Websites and Socials!   Ask a Question HERE: https://www.askamatchmaker.com/ Learn more about Agape Match (and join!): https://agapematch.com/ Matchmaker Maria TikTok: @realmatchmakermaria Matchmaker Maria Instagram: @matchmakermaria Ask a Matchmaker on TikTok: @askamatchmakerpod Ask a Matchmaker on IG: @askamatchmaker   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! #matchmakermaria #askamatchmaker #datingadvice #datingprofilereview #podcast

It's the end of the season and Maria wraps it up with a chat with her husband, George! They talk about the latest Agape Retreat in Greece and the future of upcoming events as well as the importance of dating each other even when you're married.

Plus, Maria has some homework for you before the final season... it's the Five Fives Challenge!

-Contact five friends — not your core friend group, but in your periphery or acquaintances, and ask them to set you up once before Labor Day.

-Download Tinder (Stop grumbling.. just trust me) and go out with five guys before Labor Day.

-Find Five events on Eventbrite to attend before Labor Day. (It's okay if it's a cooking class or a tech event or a lecture… just five five events!)

-If you don't attend church/temple/synagog, invite yourself to your friends Shabbat or go to your local soup kitchen or community center and volunteer five times before Labor Day. (If you do attend church/synagog/temple.. there ya go. go five times before Labor Day.)

-Go up to five guys and just say hello and start talking.

Follow George on Instagram at http://instagram.com/nerdmeetsfood

Follow George on TikTok at http://tiktok.com@nerdmeetsfood 

Follow Maria on Instagram at http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria

*****Let's work together!*****

Book your dating assessment: https://calendly.com/felix-louie/dating-assessment?back=1&month=2023-07

Enroll in an upcoming Agape Intensive: http://agapeintensive.com 

Pre-Register for Greece 2024 Retreat http://agapeescapes.com 

Maria is joined once again by Melanie Cooke to take your questions on the hotline. If you want to ask Maria question on a future episode, follow her on Instagram to know when the hotline will open up again: http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria 

Melanie Cooke is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and private practice owner. She works with high performers who are outwardly successful, but struggle with feelings of dissatisfaction, emptiness, and confusion--who feel that something is missing and who want to feel whole, but don't know how to. She helps them better understand their emotions, establish boundaries, balance control with acceptance, and work through conflict in order to have more fulfilling relationships. She practices trauma-informed Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Gestalt therapies, along with body based mindfulness because our emotions, fears, and wounds are as much in our bodies as they are in our minds. So is healing.

Learn more about Melanie at https://www.melaniecookelmhc.com/

*****Let's work together!*****

Let's work together! https://calendly.com/felix-louie 

Register for our Tulum retreat! http://agapeescapes.com (a few spots left!)

or join an upcoming virtual  Intensive! https://agapematch.com/agape-group-coaching-intensive/  

Follow Maria on instagram at http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria 

A new documentary on Amazon Prime "Shiny Happy People"  about the Duggar family has been sparking up conversations about the Institute in Basic Life Principles, or IBLP. 

Today, Maria talks to an anonymous guest who grew up in IBLP and how it affected her life. She talks about her cheating husband, what it was like when she had to have an abortion and what she's doing now moving forward.

WaPo article referenced in episode: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/interactive/2023/christian-home-schoolers-revolt/

*****Let's work together!*****

Let's work together! https://calendly.com/felix-louie 

Register for our Tulum retreat! http://agapeescapes.com (a few spots left!)

or join an upcoming virtual  Intensive! https://agapematch.com/agape-group-coaching-intensive/  

Follow Maria on instagram at http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria 

Drinking culture is prevalent in society and especially dating. Sarah Levy decided she wanted to take control of her life and stopped drinking. She wrote a book about it and joins Maria to tell her story! Plus she talks about having a long distance relationship with a guy she met on the other side of the country, who is now her husband! 

Sarah Levy is a writer and the author of Drinking Games, a memoir in essays that explores the role alcohol has in our formative years and what it means to opt out of a culture completely enmeshed in drinking. Drinking Games was named a most anticipated book by Good Morning America, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, BuzzFeed, Apple Books, and Pure Wow and has been featured on "Best Of" lists by Glamour, Goodreads, and more.

Sarah's writing explores sobriety, relationships, culture, and identity and has been published by The New York Times, The Cut, Cosmopolitan, Cup of Jo, Vogue, and TIME, among other outlets. She is a graduate of Brown University, where she studied English and Creative Writing.

Get a copy of "Drinking Games: A Memoir" at https://amzn.to/3N0NON3 

Follow Sarah on…

Instagram: http://instagram.com/sarahllevy 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahliliane 

Learn more about Sarah at www.sarahllevy.com 

*****Let's work together!*****

Let's work together! https://calendly.com/felix-louie 

Register for our Tulum retreat! http://agapeescapes.com (a few spots left!)

or join an upcoming virtual  Intensive! https://agapematch.com/agape-group-coaching-intensive/  

Follow Maria on instagram at http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria 

You have questions, Maria has answers! It's another hotline edition! If you want to chat with Maria on an upcoming episode, follow her on Instagram so you know when the hotline opens next: http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria 

This week on the hotline…

• The mindset to have if you're dating while living with your parents. (it's okay!)
• They were supposed to have a mini golf date this weekend, but he never finished planning it! Maria tells our caller what to say and texts him live on the show!
• She's in her 40s and having a hard time finding men on the apps.
• It's their anniversary and she's upset that he hasn't made a grand gesture about it.

*****Let's work together!*****

Let's work together! https://calendly.com/felix-louie 

Register for our Tulum retreat! http://agapeescapes.com (a few spots left!)

or join an upcoming virtual  Intensive! https://agapematch.com/agape-group-coaching-intensive/  

Follow Maria on instagram at http://instagram.com/matchmakermaria