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Welcome back to Sugar, Spice & Spirits Podcast — recorded live from Texas Hideout (North Houston) with your hosts Kelly Williams, Mindy Price, and Natalie Pilkinton. Don't forget to subscribe so we can keep bringing you the tea.

In this episode, we pour a Bandito Mojito and dive into the real-life chaos of dating again - whether you’re navigating relationships after divorce, rebuilding after losing a spouse, or trying to date with kids, blended families, and real responsibilities.

We talk about what changes when you date in your 20s vs 30s vs 40s vs 50s, why peace is the new sexy, and how to spot the difference between being alone and being lonely. Natalie shares how dating apps like Bumble actually played out in real life (yes, in a dance hall), and Kelly opens up about being thrown back into dating after losing her husband to cancer - and what it takes to find love again without losing yourself.

We also cover “yellow light” conversations (how to test where you stand without begging for clarity), why you should believe people when they tell you what they want, and the importance of communication in every relationship stage.

Keywords

dating after divorce, dating after losing a spouse, widow dating, dating in your 40s, dating in your 50s, modern dating, dating apps, Bumble dating story, Coffee Meets Bagel scammer, relationship communication, healthy relationships, relationship advice, red flags in dating, peace over chaos, blended families, single moms dating, dating boundaries, commitment issues, plus one relationship, friends with benefits vs relationship, emotional healing after divorce, grief and dating, how to date again, Christian dating advice, singles group church, Texas Hideout North Houston, Sugar Spice and Spirits podcast

Subscribe for more episodes on relationships, real life, mindset, and the conversations people actually have off-camera.

Cheers to you.

Timestamps (YouTube Chapters)

00:00 Intro — welcome back + where we are (Texas Hideout, North Houston)

00:27 The vibe at Texas Hideout + why it’s a fun venue

00:45 Sip of the Day: Bandito Mojito

01:11 Today’s topic: dating, relationships, and modern expectations

03:21 Kelly’s story: back in dating after 16-year marriage + widowhood

04:20 What people want in their 50s vs their 20s/30s

05:00 Peace over chaos (and why calm is attractive)

07:49 Companionship vs chemistry — what matters later in life?

08:47 Mindy on long-term marriage (it’s not perfect — it’s commitment)

11:59 Marriage myths: “perfect” relationships & real communication

14:26 Dating is a game — navigating intensity, loneliness, and boundaries

16:10 Alone vs lonely — learning to be okay with yourself

23:23 Natalie: dating after a long relationship + church/singles groups

24:55 Dating apps & scammers (Coffee Meets Bagel stories)

26:10 Bumble meet-cute at Big Texas (and the checklist plot twist)

28:34 Are you on the same page? Compatibility vs commitment

31:10 Divine timing + when it feels “easy” (but you’re finally ready)

31:54 Don’t let the wrong person occupy your space

32:23 Stop being someone’s option (hard truth)

33:14 The “void” relationship — necessary vs healthy

35:00 Believe what people tell you (no savior complexes)

39:10 The 12-month rule after major life trauma (death/divorce/job loss)

42:31 “Am I just a plus one?” — the commitment conversation

43:30 Matt Boggs “yellow light” questions to test the energy

46:05 Rejection, ghosting & emotional patterns

48:06 Stop overgiving + stop waiting by the phone

50:13 Set expectations clearly (plus one vs committed relationship)

51:09 Wrap-up + subscribe + cheers

Hashtags

#DatingAfterDivorce #RelationshipAdvice #ModernDating

#DatingInYour40s #DatingInYour50s #CommunicationIsKey #BlendedFamilies #Widowhood #HealingJourney #BumbleDating #SingleLife #PeaceOverChaos #SugarSpiceAndSpirits

Drop a comment:

What’s the hardest part about dating today - the apps, the baggage, or the emotional whiplash?