Welcome to Season 5 of Heart of Dating!
Before we get into today…we need to address something. Although the conversation in this specific episode does not reference these topics , we are still grieving with the world right now. We are hurting with our world in the face of COVID-19 but moreover right now we are pained alongside our black brothers and sisters.

We are grieved, heartbroken, and sick over the injustices and acts of hatred regarding the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others within the black community...murders and injustices that have been going on not just in this last year, but for hundreds of years. Not only do we mourn, but we are committed to doing even better as a community, podcast, and ministry when it comes to talking about social injustice, racism, white privilege and white supremacy, as well as many other conversations surrounding these topics.

As for future of the podcast, we are actively looking for more diversity in our guest lineup and plan on having more episodes regarding race and ethnicity in dating. We would love to invite YOU, our amazing listeners into this dialogue as well. Please email us with any suggestion you have :) Our ears are open: info@hodpodcast.com

So for today’s episode we brought on the incredible John Van Epp to talk about How to Avoid Falling in Love with a Jerk… which also encompasses Jerkettes for all those listening ?
This is a SUPER practical episode you are not going to want to miss.

John Van Epp has a PhD in Counseling/Psychology, and is the author of How to Avoid Falling in Love with a Jerk, a book that blends in-depth research with humorous stories to provide a map for making healthy relationship choices.
Dr. Van Epp’s evidence-based relationship programs were developed from the combination of his twenty-five years of clinical counseling in his private practice, of his previous position as founding pastor of a nondenominational church, and of his extensive reviews of research in premarital, marital and family relations from teaching graduate marriage and family coursework as an adjunct professor.
Dr. Van Epp has trained and certified more than 10,000 instructors from all fifty states and ten countries who have taught these programs to more than a million people!
Some themes of today’s episode:
-Can love really be blind?
-What’s a healthy pace of a relationship?
-The 3 T’s of a relationship
-The 5 “Head” elements of Dating
-The “Heart” elements of Dating

PS. Right now more than ever we are inundated with extreme changes that could be causing levels of confusion, grief, and even fear and anxiety.

Something that has greatly helped our host, Kait, has been being able to talk with someone who can truly help her sort through and calm these elements down. For her that looks like going to therapy, specifically Faithful Counseling.

Faithful Counseling is a faith based online therapy network that incorporates Christian principles, prayer, and spiritual practices. In 24 hours you will be matched with a therapist that fits your needs. You can also easily schedule weekly video or phone sessions and do them from the comfort of your home, in your most comfy attire.

And to make it even better, you can get 10% off your first month when you join through Heart of Dating! Visit getfaithful.com/heartofdating to learn more!