Sometimes Lauren needs a break from Swiping School...So, when's the last time you played truth or dare? What age were you when you replaced "dare" with "drink"?! Apparently it's not something people still do in their late twenties... 

OH WELL, LET'S PLAY! This week on SYT, things are a bit more ~casual~. Join Lauren and guest host Michael (it's still up in the air which dating app they met on, but leaning towards Bumble) as they take a break from online dating to play "Truth or Tito's" - AKA they have to answer some questions about love, relationships, online dating, etc. or take a shot to the face of vodka. 

Follow Michael at mbish_ on Instagram! 

No resources this week, but sharing the beautiful song Lauren mentions that made some guy BIG MAD: https://open.spotify.com/track/3VmuRlPx5dLJEmZcIiY6LQ?si=92f06aab2e1049b5

Happy Swiping! 

Have you ever slid into someone's Instagram DMs? Often seen as a flirtatious gesture (that can easily fall flat), the DM is a modern, easy way to make new romantic connections. But, as with any form of communication or online connection, there's a right way, a wrong way, and a just plain ugly way to do it. Let's try to avoid eggplant and peach emojis...

Join Lauren and guest host/birthday girl Abby as they talk about the art of the DM. When it's worked (hint: a future relationship slid into Abby's DMs), when it hasn't, and what it is about Instagram that makes it such a ~flirty~ platform. 

Surprisingly, no resources mentioned this week! Write in about all things online dating at swipeyourtears@gmail.com or visit swipeyourtearspod.com. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ABBY and Happy Swiping! 

The idea of sending virtual roses and preparing voice memos as a form of flirting seems a bit...odd. But that's exactly what one dating app is thriving on. 

This week on Swipe Your Tears, Lauren and guest host Gracie (work friends turned real friends) dive into the good, the bad, and the interesting of popular "relationship app" Hinge. Boasting the ability to find you a soulmate, Hinge is the dating app that's designed to be deleted...either because you found your soulmate or because you're so frustrated you get rid of it. It's a choose your own adventure! 

Resources mentioned: https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7vzbm/five-reasons-you-should-delete-hinge

Happy Swiping! 

Picture this: You're on Hinge and match with a cutie. You go on dates. Everything is going great in the 'talking' phase. There's no indication that anyone wants to run away. Then, one day, your lover mysteriously turns into a ghost - watching all of your Instagram stories in 0.02 nanoseconds but never to be heard from again. 

We can all agree...There's nothing more haunting than the ghosts of dating app matches past. In this laid-back SYT Swipe Stories episode, Lauren and guest host Gracie (coworker turned friend turned fellow sister in the dating app realm) relax, unwind and talk about ghosting in the era of online dating. Hint: it happens more often than you'd think. BEWARE!

Happy Swiping! 

Have you ever felt like you just couldn't stop swiping on dating apps? Have you ever fallen victim to the addictive qualities of online dating? Do you ever feel like a plastic bag? 

Lauren is back this week with a brand new episode! Join Lauren and guest host Colin as they chat about their experiences with online dating addiction and its many forms. Learn why dating apps are so darn addictive, including five signs that you might need to take a break from swiping. And, yes, we will mention the importance of SELF-LOVE! 

Resources mentioned: https://www.bustle.com/p/am-i-addicted-to-online-dating-5-signs-its-time-to-take-a-break-from-your-apps-36341

In the very first SYT BONUS EPISODE, Lauren discusses Simon/Shimon/David/(Enter Other Identity Here), the Tinder Swindler. The documentary, released on Netflix earlier this month, details the very real story of Simon and his ploy to defraud his victims. 

But, what does this mean for people who are online dating and using dating apps? How do we avoid romance fraud? Listen in as Lauren gives updates on the situation and covers the signs and symptoms of love bombing. 

If you think you are experiencing love bombing or have additional questions about the signs, chat with advocates at www.thehotline.org.

https://www.thehotline.org/resources/signs-of-love-bombing/ 

GoFundMe for victims: https://www.gofundme.com/f/75c8gg-help-the-victims-of-the-tinder-swindler

This week on SYT, Lauren and guest host Emma (who met on Bumble BFF!) talk Bumble and various other bee-themed items. Is this dating app really safer for women? What makes it unique? How do we feel about the aggressive yellow color scheme?! 

Join us as we talk about our *reckless* histories with dating apps of all kinds and listen to us deep dive into the good, the bad, and the interesting of Bumble. 

Resources mentioned: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-01-17/for-bumble-the-future-isn-t-female-it-s-female-marketing