What if you don’t love being single, but you still want to love your life? In this episode of Talk With Tara, Tara sits down with Dr. Karen Gail Lewis (relationship, marriage, and family therapist; author of With or Without a Man) to talk about the real emotional challenge many women face: living in the uncertainty of whether you’ll meet the right partner—and building a fulfilling life anyway.

You’ll hear practical, therapist-backed advice on dating after divorce, the pressure of a “married society,” and why being single can feel like an ambiguous loss. Dr. Lewis shares how to stop the spiral of “what’s wrong with me?”, rethink your dating “list,” and focus on what you actually need in a healthy relationship. Tara and Dr. Lewis also dive into why weekends can feel lonely, how to plan a rich social life, and the underrated importance of friendship, community, and physical touch for mental health and well-being.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What “ambiguous loss” means for single women and how to live with uncertainty

• How to stop self-blame and boost confidence, self-worth, and emotional resilience

• A smarter way to evaluate dating criteria (and the real reason “tall” or “wealthy” ends up on lists)

• The question to ask on a first or second date to spot emotional availability

• How to handle online dating realities without losing hope—or yourself

• Why strong female friendships can be the foundation for healthier romantic relationships

• Tips for weekends, loneliness, and building a full life with or without a partner

If you’re navigating midlife dating, single again after divorce, or simply trying to feel more empowered in your relationship choices, this episode is for you.

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In this episode I sit down with certified wellness coach and professional matchmaker Erica Botoff to talk about what really works in midlife dating. We get honest about how to rebuild confidence after divorce why feminine energy matters more than a perfect body and how successful women can stop leading with their masculine on dates and still keep their power.

I ask Ericka what men actually look for beyond looks how to prepare for a first date so you feel like a ten the biggest mistakes women make on dates and why kindness and self respect are non negotiable. We talk about anxious attachment what to do when he does not call back when to talk about commitment and sex and how to be clear about what you want without scaring someone off.

If you are a woman in midlife who wants a real partner not just another situationship this episode will help you get honest about your standards your style and your self worth so you can attract a man who is truly ready to love you.

To learn more about working with Ericka Bothof as a matchmaking client or as a free confidential candidate you can connect with her on Facebook under the name and send her a direct message.

Follow me on Instagram at @TalkwithTarapodcast. You can also reach me directly at talkwithtarapodcast@gmail.com. Let's Talk!

Before we dive in I have a quick favor to ask. Please follow Talk With Tara wherever you listen, leave a review, and follow me on social. It truly helps this show grow and keeps it possible for me to keep creating these conversations for you.

In this episode I am bringing back one of my favorite formats, the Dear Tara segment. I answer real questions from women just like you about holidays, loneliness, dating, and finding love in midlife.

I talk about what to do when your kids are with your ex for the holidays and you are home alone, how to tell if you are lonely for a partner or simply missing your old life, and how to enjoy the holidays without a romantic partner without feeling like the whole season is incomplete. We get into the big one too, whether it is too late to find real love in your fifties, and why you can sometimes feel even lonelier after a party or a date than you did before you went.

I also share a bit of my own story. I went to film school, earned an MFA in screenwriting, optioned a screenplay, and then walked through a very painful time in Los Angeles that led to years of writer block. Now I am writing again and working on a very juicy fiction book on my new Substack, and I would love for you to read the first chapters and tell me what you think.

If you want to send in your own Dear Tara question or be part of the online group I am planning for women in transition you can get in touch with me here

Instagram @talkwithtarapodcast

Email talkwithtarapodcast@gmail.com

Substack My writing and book chapters are on my Substack, just look for Talk With Tara or follow the link in my Instagram bio.

Thank you for listening and for supporting the show by following, reviewing, and sharing it with a friend.