The holidays can be a magical time of new romance and quality time spent with family… But attempting to combine the two? Now that can get stressful. So is there a way to invite the guy you’re dating over to your house for an eggnog without making things seem too serious and freaking him out? Actually, yes. It’s quite simple, and in this episode I’ll give you a word-for-word script you can use that takes all the pressure off and makes him want to meet you under the mistletoe…even if it means meeting your mom, too.

“How thoughtful of you! I love it!” There’s nothing better than hearing those words when you hand a present to someone you care about. But what makes someone a thoughtful gift giver? It’s not an innate quality; it’s a skill that can be learned. In today’s episode, I’m going to share my secret action plan to help you gather clues about the memorable (not expensive) things that will delight your loved ones. Listen up and you’ll be ready – at the holidays, and year-round – to gift them something great.

How do you keep a guy’s interest when you really like him? Do you make him wait for a kiss until after the first date? Hold off on intimacy for as long as possible to show him you’re “not that kind of girl?” Some women think so… until they have a moment of weakness (aka attraction), and break their game of “hard to get.” Then they panic – will he still want me now? In today’s LOVELife, I’ll tell you exactly what I think of playing “Hard to Get,” explain the danger of creating a rule that’s not reality, and give you a script you can use to pump the breaks and reclaim your standard for intimacy while still building attraction.

There’s been a lot of talk about who should pick up the check on a date (my video on this topic went viral recently with over 18 million views!). Many people seem to think the rules of paying in the “courtship phase” are pretty black-and-white. But what about when you’ve been seeing someone for a while and money matters get more complicated than who’s grabbing the movie popcorn? In today’s LOVELife, I go beyond the basics of “who pays for a date” to discuss how to handle it when your partner has more disposable income than you. I’ll show you how to contribute the best way you can to the activities you share, while also gracefully allowing him to treat you, so you can keep the balance of the relationship in tact. 

It’s no secret that if you want to meet Mr. Right, you have to actually get off your couch. But it can be hard to leave the comfort of home (and Netflix) when you’re uncertain about the situation (What’s the party going to be like? What if I get there and none of my friends show up? Will any guys actually talk to me?). In today’s episode, I share with you a magical, 5-word phrase my friend, famous fashion stylist, and fellow secret introvert Louise Roe told me that changed my ability to motivate myself forever. Say these words to yourself and you’ll open your world up to meeting all kinds of great new guys (starting with opening up your front door!).

Breakups would be a lot easier if feelings were black-and-white. But it’s the shades of grey – we really did love each other, maybe we could have made it work if we shared the same goals – that make them so painful. And make it so difficult for you to trust your decision. Today I take a call from a listener named Tika who just ended a serious relationship after four years and wants to know if she’s done the right thing. I help her sort through her feelings and give her an exercise to use when she’s feeling tempted to go back to the “safety” of what’s familiar. If you’re going through a breakup, this one tip is something you can use right away to instantly boost your confidence in your decision to move on to something better.