Relationship Lab: Modern Dating, Marriage, Attachment Styles

Dating + Long-term Relationships (LTRs)
How to know: When to keep trying — and when to call it.

Most people don’t leave the moment a relationship stops working.

They stay. They question themselves. They try harder. They lower their expectations. They have the same conversation again.

And in dating, the question can be just as confusing.

Is this person wrong for me, or am I pulling away because closeness feels uncomfortable? Am I being too picky, or ignoring something important? Should I give this more time, or stop trying to force it?

This event is for anyone asking:
- Am I expecting too much — or accepting too little?
- Can attraction come back?
- Can resentment actually be repaired?
- How many times should I have to explain what I need?
- Am I staying because I love them, or because leaving feels terrifying?

In this hour, we’ll cover:

• Why people stay long after they’re unhappy
• The difference between a difficult relationship and a fundamentally wrong one
• When "trust your gut" is good advice—and when your nervous system is lying to you.
• How the relationships you watched growing up still shapes what feels normal, safe, and even attractive today.
• Why today's dating culture and apps may be increasing the prevalence of anxious and avoidant attachment styles
• Why chemistry, compatibility, attachment, and commitment are not the same thing
• How to tell the difference between genuine incompatibility and attachment activation.
• How resentment, unequal effort, sex, emotional disconnection, and repeated conflict affect the decision
• How fear of regret keeps people trapped in indecision
• What couples therapy tricks you can try on your own

Send your questions ahead of time and we’ll answer them live and anonymously — so ask the real one.

Led by a PhD psychologist, relationship expert, and board-certified sexologist.

Hosted by Spark Theory.

Perimenopause. Starts as early as the late 30s. By the time you notice it - it's already been disrupting relationships for a LONG time.

Menopause. Just when you expect life to finally start settling down, your hormones throw you a curveball.

And, with more attitude than adolescence ever managed.

Except now, you may also be dealing with your own teenager’s adolescence. And aging parents. And work uncertainty.

And the fact that you are suddenly awake at 4:00 a.m.—not because you joined the 5 AM Club, not because you are finally writing that novel, but because your body has decided sleep is now optional.

Then there is the rage no one warned you about. The brain fog. The herculean effort it takes just to focus. The night sweats. The sudden inability to tolerate sounds, clutter, questions, or even the way your partner breathes.

And, the final insult – the weight gain.

And if you are the partner of the person going through it? Yikes.

Perimenopause and menopause do not just affect the body. They can change patience, desire, attraction, emotional regulation, memory, sleep. And, stress tolerance -- it’s hard to even tolerate yourself – much less those around you.

And, sex? desire? That's hit with a double whammy - the hormones themselves + finding desire while dealing with ALL the other symptoms. Let's face it, (fatigue + irritability) are not exactly aphrodisiacs.

This event is for anyone asking:

• Why am I suddenly so irritated by everyone?
• Is it hormones, trauma, burnout, attachment—or the entire cursed group project?
• Why are old wounds and past relationship injuries coming back now?
• Why do the arguments suddenly escalate so quickly?
• Am I finally seeing my relationship clearly—or seeing it through three hours of sleep?
• How do I support my partner without becoming their doctor, therapist, or emotional punching bag?
• Are these changes temporary, or are they exposing problems we have ignored for years?
• How do we know whether we will get through this—or grow apart?

In this hour, we will cover:

• What hormonal changes can affect—and what they cannot explain away
• Why rage, anxiety, resentment, and emotional reactivity may increase
• How sleep disruption and brain fog affect communication, empathy, and conflict
• The connection between hormonal shifts, trauma, attachment, and old emotional wounds
• How menopause affects both partners, including the partner who is confused, rejected, worried, or walking on eggshells
• What helps couples reconnect, repair trust, and stop treating each other like the enemy

Hormones do not create every relationship problem.

But they can sure magnify existing ones.

Whether you are experiencing perimenopause or menopause yourself—or love someone who is—you will leave with a clearer understanding of what is happening and how to keep a major biological transition from becoming a full relationship demolition project.

Led by Dr. Britt, a PhD psychologist, relationship expert, and board-certified sexologist.

Hosted by: Spark Theory.

Dating burnout is real.

Because it is tough out there.

Your dating strategy needs an upgrade.

Modern dating asks your brain to do things humans were never designed for: evaluate hundreds of strangers, make split-second judgments, tolerate constant rejection, and stay optimistic after disappointment after disappointment.

So, yeah—it's no surprise that smart, successful people end up completely exhausted by dating.

But burnout doesn't mean love isn't possible (yay!!).

Ready to date more effectively without becoming cynical?

We'll combine relationship science, psychology, and real-world dating experience.

No toxic positivity. No social media clichés. Just what actually works.

This event is for anyone asking:

• Why does dating feel so much harder than it used to?
• How do I deal with the feeling of abandonment when people disappear?
• Am I being *too picky*—or ignoring obvious problems?
• Why do I keep ending up with the same type of person?
• What actually makes someone attractive as a long-term partner—not just on a first date?
• How do I stand out when everyone feels interchangeable on dating apps?
• How do I present the best version of myself without feeling fake?
• Can I still find my person if I'm in my 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond?

In this hour, we'll cover:

• Why modern dating creates anxiety, indecision, and emotional exhaustion—and how to work with your brain instead of against it
• The psychology behind dating apps and how to stop letting them destroy your confidence
• How to recognize genuine compatibility instead of chasing chemistry alone
• The difference between healthy flaws, yellow flags, and true relationship deal-breakers
• The attachment patterns that influence who you're attracted to
• How to avoid eliminating great people over tiny imperfections—or overlooking major incompatibilities
• How to create a profile that attracts better matches instead of just more matches

Finding a life partner isn't about luck.

It's about understanding people, understanding yourself, and making better decisions consistently.

If you're excited to make this fall the season you finally meet someone worth keeping—or you're so cynical you barely believe love is possible anymore—welcome.

Warning: This will be blunt. It will also be helpful.

You'll leave with practical tools, a clearer strategy, and a healthier way to approach modern dating.

Led by Dr. Britt, PhD psychologist, relationship expert, and board-certified sexologist.

Hosted by Spark Theory.