Dating in 2025 feels like a maze — apps, mixed signals, ghosting, and the pressure to “just know” who’s right for you. In this episode of UpLift Women’s Wellness, LMFT and relationship specialist Emily Kirkbride joins Bethany and Auria for a grounded, honest conversation about what it actually takes to build connection that feels steady, safe, and sustainable.

Together, they explore how attachment styles show up in modern dating, why early interactions matter more than the apps want you to believe, and how to recognize the difference between genuine compatibility and the kind of chemistry that burns out fast. Emily shares practical insights on emotional intimacy, validation, and repair — the real foundations of long‑term partnership — while Bethany and Auria talk about the realities women face when navigating dating culture, from premature intimacy to the exhaustion of trying to read between the lines.

If you’re rebuilding trust in yourself after past relationships, or learning how to date in a way that honors your energy and capacity, our values‑aligned performance coaching at Head 2 Toe Strength supports clarity, confidence, and decision‑making that actually fits your life. And if you’re exploring the emotional patterns that shape how you connect, communicate, or choose partners, Auria’s relational and emotional work at Therapy with Auria offers grounded support without judgment. For women navigating the physical side of stress, fatigue, or re‑entry into movement while dating or in partnership, our inclusive strength coaching meets you where you are at Strength Coaching.

This episode is for anyone trying to date with intention, build relationships that nourish instead of deplete, and choose connection that feels steady, reciprocal, and real.

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