Debbie, A 57-year-old Radio Host, Navigates The Modern Dating Scene, Sharing Her Challenges And Launching A Podcast With Her Producer To Discuss Dating Experiences And Advice.
I’m Debbie, a 57-year-old single woman, radio talk show host, and mother of three adult kids. My interests include hiking, traveling, long walks, fishing, and paddleboarding. Despite my active lifestyle and fulfilling career, finding a long-term, monogamous relationship has proven to be an arduous task.
For six and a half years, I have ventured into the world of dating apps with a simple profile and a few selfies. My journey has led me to experiences of being ghosted, stood up, broken up with, and even encountering convicted felons. After my divorce in 2016, I was initially hesitant to try dating apps, but with some convincing from friends, I found myself on Bumble, then Hinge, and eventually on Tinder.
What I quickly discovered, and continue to realize, is that dating at my age presents unique challenges. The dating pool seems to be filled with married men posing as single, men with criminal records, and those unable to commit to something as simple as a 45-minute coffee date. It’s disheartening, but this is the reality many single women face today.
Reflecting on my dating disasters, I am reminded of my younger years when meeting strangers was almost unthinkable without mutual friends. Now, dating in my 50s feels like an endless cycle of frustration, pushing me to seek therapy to process these experiences. Am I unlucky? Too picky? Should I abandon the pursuit of love for the companionship of a new pet?
The effort and resources spent on unsuccessful dates are exhausting. Dressing up for a date with someone you’ve chatted with for weeks, only to be stood up, or footing the bill for a lunch date with someone who ghosts you the next day, is disheartening. And who wants to sit through hours of listening to a man rant about his multiple ex-wives?
After sharing my dating woes with my producer, Caitlyn Johnston, who also had her share of dating struggles at 29, we decided to create a podcast—"Dating at Her Age." With the support of our bosses at KSL, we embarked on this journey, listing enough topics to fuel our discussions for years.
Our podcast aims to share and laugh about our experiences, offering insights and advice. For instance, I’ve learned not to date men my age with young children, or those who need financial rescuing. Caitlyn’s wisdom on recognizing relationship red flags, what her generation calls "situationships," has been invaluable.
One of our favorite segments, "Dater Hater," invites listeners to share their dating disasters through voicemail, which we might play on air. This engagement underscores a shared struggle—navigating a dating pool with limited good options.
Join us on this journey as we explore the highs and lows of dating, learn from our mistakes, and hopefully, find a little humor along the way.