378. Your guide to surviving the dating apps in your 20s

Dating apps are the central focus, with the discussion addressing how to navigate them effectively. The apps are designed to be addictive, offering the illusion of a perfect match while gamifying the dating process through intermittent rewards and social validation. This design often leads to dating burnout, as users assess potential partners superficially and struggle with choice overload. To counter these effects, the podcast suggests setting clear personal rules, such as responding to matches within 24 hours or meeting in person within a week, to avoid emotional investment in superficial connections. The host also emphasizes the importance of clear, honest profiles and encourages listeners to meet people in real life, rather than relying solely on apps. Ultimately, listeners should not take the apps too seriously, and periodically take breaks to avoid burnout.