The Algorithm of Attraction | App Dating Chronicles with Matchmaker Erika Ettin

Listen to this episode from HelloPrenup on Spotify. We all love to hate dating apps-but are they really the problem, or are we?In this week’s episode, Julia sits down with Erika Ettin, one of the country’s most sought-after matchmakers and online dating experts, to dissect what it really means to date in 2025. From ghosting to "situationships" to the ever-elusive “talking stage,” Erika doesn’t just decode modern dating...she calls out where we’ve gone off the rails and how to get back on track.As the founder of A Little Nudge, Erika has helped thousands of people find love online (and offline), and she’s seen it all...the self-sabotage, the missed red flags, the way we overanalyze text messages and underinvest in real connection. In her conversation with Julia, she unpacks the biggest mistakes people make on dating apps (spoiler: your profile might be working against you), what ghosting says about the ghoster and the ghosted, and why Gen Z’s hyper-casual approach to dating might be making intimacy harder to find.They dive deep into the psychology behind avoidance-why so many people are afraid to define the relationship-and how to navigate the messy gray zone of “talking but not dating.” Erika shares her honest take on whether labels still matter, what to look for when chemistry clouds your judgment, and the subtle signs of emotional unavailability that we tend to romanticize instead of recognize.Julia and Erika also tackle one of the most debated questions in modern dating: Can you “win” at love on the apps, or is the game rigged? Erika argues that success online is all about strategy, self-awareness, and knowing when to stop scrolling and start showing up authentically. She shares her tried-and-true formula for optimizing your profile, opening messages that actually get replies, and filtering through endless options without burning out.But this isn’t just another dating advice episode. It’s a wake-up call for anyone who’s lost hope in modern love. Erika challenges the idea that “the apps are broken” and reframes dating as a skill...one that can be learned, improved, and ultimately mastered with the right mindset.Whether you’re swiping in circles, stuck in the talking stage, or ready to take love more seriously, this episode will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about dating in 2025.Tune in for: 💬 Erika’s unfiltered thoughts on ghosting and the emotional maturity gap it reveals. 💔 Why Gen Z’s love philosophies might be holding us back. 💡 Practical tips to spot (and stop) red flags before they escalate. 🔥 How to write a profile that gets real matches, not just likes. 💞 Why defining the relationship isn’t “cringe” - it’s clarityLove might look different in 2025 - but as Erika reminds us, the fundamentals haven’t changed: communication, confidence, and connection still win every time.Erika's website & InstagramWhether you're single, engaged, married, or divorced, the HelloPrenup Podcast is committed to presenting you the best-in-class thought leaders in the love, wedding, marriage, and life planning space. Connect with HelloPrenup: Website Instagram TikTok YouTube