Flirtations! with Benjamin, the Flirt Coach

47. Healing from a Narcissistic Relationship and Living Courageously with Dana Flaherty

On this episode of Flirtations, we welcome the incredible Dana Flaherty to share with us her story of healing from a relationship with a narcissist.
If you've ever found yourself trapped in the harmful cycle of narcissistic abuse, this episode offers hope, guidance, and inspiration for reclaiming your power and why the best is yet to come.
Today, we'll get into:
How it begins:  How does the narcissist show up in the early stages of dating? Are there early signs to look for?
The Turning Point: Dana shares what the turning point was, how to not abandon yourself even in a narcissistic relationship and why leaving is so hard.
Escaping the Narcissist: What are the complexities of leaving a narcissistic relationship? How do you get out? What do you do if/when they come back?
Healing and Recovery:  Insight and advice on the healing process, from setting boundaries and seeking support to rediscovering love and trusting again.
Living Courageously: Exploring how to rebuild your life after narcissistic abuse, continue to show up for yourself and your family, and believe that the best is yet to come.
Whether you're in the midst of a narcissistic relationship, in the early stages of recovery, or looking to support a loved one, this episode is packed with wisdom and hope to help you move forward and live courageously!
Then don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world!
Enjoying the show and want to support my work? Buy the Flirt Coach a coffee!
About our guest:  Dana Jill became a social media creator on TikTok during 2020 in addition to her full time, multifamily career.  She has a huge passion for helping women feel empowered by sharing her tips and tricks that have made her feel more confident.  She is a single mother of three and uses her platform to share how you can be "park happy" and thrive as a single parent.    
You can connect with Dana on TikTok and Instagram!
About your host:  Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!
As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections.
You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
💗 Happy flirting!

46. Vanishing Acts: Ghosting in Modern Dating with Yanni Dimitri

Coming up in this episode of Flirtations, we welcome Yanni Dimitri, the co-founder of No Ghosts Official, to the show to have a conversation with us all about ghosting!
Ghosting, the act of suddenly cutting off all communication with someone without explanation, can leave you feeling confused, hurt, and searching for answers.
Today, we hope to help you find those answers!
Some of what we'll explore inside:
Are there different types of ghosting?
Why does it happen?
What can you do if you are ghosted? Do you reach out? How can you get closure?
How can I handle rejection?
What if I did the ghosting? 
Are there times when ghosting is acceptable?
How can I tell if I think I'm being ghosted?
Communication tips and strategies for situations when you're unsure
Once a ghoster, always a ghoster?
And MORE!!
Whether you've been ghosted, have ghosted someone, or are just curious about this dating behavior, this episode provides valuable insights and practical advice for this spooky dating phenomenon!
Then don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world.
About our guest:  Yanni Dimitri, co-founder of NoGhosts, is a Harvard-educated social scientist with a worldly flair, having lived in multiple countries and speaking six languages. He’s swiped through over 100,000 profiles (and counting!), diving deep into the quirks of online dating. Yanni’s on a mission to take online daters from swipe to spark, wherever they catch that first vibe.
NoGhosts is a company with an app and a mission to make ghosting a thing of the past by helping more people who connect online meet in person. “Less WTH, More IRL” is the vibe and movement to get online daters unstuck from chats that grow stale and an endless cycle of swiping to match rather than meet. 
Find NoGhosts on Instagram and Threads @noghostsofficial or www.noghosts.io, as well as NoGhosts the app (currently in Beta) on the Google Play and App Stores. 
About your host:  Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!
As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections.
You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
💗 Happy flirting!

Flirtini #5: What is Intimacy + How to Create It in Dating and Relationships with Lisa Brateman

It's the first ever guest Flirtini!
In this Flirtini, we welcome author and psychotherapist Lisa Brateman to the show to have a conversation with us about intimacy!
Intimacy goes beyond physical connection—it's about emotional closeness, trust, and mutual understanding. So how can we create it in dating and in our relationships?
Join us as we break down what intimacy truly means, discuss practical ways to create and nurture it, and explore strategies to overcome the challenges in developing intimacy (and what to do when intimacy may fade).
We'll also delve into the importance of having meaningful conversations that foster intimacy and connection instead of leading to conflict.
Whether you're dating, in a new relationship, navigating a long-term partnership, or seeking to understand intimacy better, this episode is for you as we look to deepen our connections and create more fulfilling relationships.
Then don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world!
About our guest:  Lisa Brateman, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, relationship specialist, public speaker, and media commentator with more than two decades of experience. She offers individual, couples, and group therapy in New York City. Her areas of expertise include anxiety and depression, couples therapy—marital and premarital—and conflict resolution. She’s the author of "What Are We Really Fighting About?: How to Transform Conflicts into Conversations" [Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; September 2024] and "The Courage to Walk Away: Move On after Infidelity by Mourning What You Lost, Identifying Your Relationship Needs, and Empowering Yourself for the Future" [Ulysses Press; February 2024]. Find her online at lisabrateman.com, and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LisaBrateman) and LinkedIn.
About your host:  Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!
As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections.
You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
💗 Happy flirting!

45. Dating Shameless + How to Transcend Shame with Jessica Stahl

On the show today, we are joined by Jessica Stahl, creator of the indelible @vanillcooldance, to have an empowering conversation with us all about shame.
Indeed, shame is an incredibly strong emotion that can hold us back from fully embracing our authentic selves. Shame can keep us repeating the same patterns of beliefs and behaviors, and affect how we show up for ourselves. Shame can certainly impact our dating lives and how we form connections, too!
But what if we could date shamelessly?
Well, that's exactly what we're gonna do today!
In this episode, we explore the origins of shame, how it manifests in our dating experiences, and most importantly, how to overcome it. We'll discuss practical strategies for recognizing and addressing shame, and offer insights into building confidence and self-acceptance so you date - and connect - more authentically and fearlessly.
So, whether you're struggling with self-doubt, past relationship wounds, or societal pressures, this episode is for you.
Now let's meet Jessica and date shamelessly!
Then don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world!
Enjoying the show and want to support my work? Buy the Flirt Coach a coffee!
About our guest:  Vanillacooldance is a taboo-breaking cartoon and global community of over 72,000, founded by Jessica Stahl. Named the 2024 Sex & Relationships bCreator of the Year, Vanillacooldance sparks fearless conversations about sex, relationships, and living life unapologetically. Through bold cartoons and her newsletter SHAMELESS, Jessica tackles the topics we’re all secretly craving to discuss but too scared to say out loud, creating a space for people to reclaim their shameless selves. From viral street art to empowering workshops and brand collaborations, Vanillacooldance has evolved into a movement challenging societal norms. Jessica’s groundbreaking work was recognized by Cannes Lions, who named her one of 19 global female creative leaders in their 2024 See It Be It program, selected from over 1,400 applicants.
You can connect with Jessica on Substack, vanillacooldance.substack.com, and Instagram, instagram.com/vanillacooldance.
About your host:  Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!
As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections.
You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
💗 Happy flirting!

44. Finding Your Voice with Nick Higgs the Singer

When is the last time you witnessed the power of your own voice?
Maybe you're like Benjamin, it was today, fool!
Or maybe it's been while?
Finding my own voice and starting this Flirtcast didn't come easily. I've struggled for most of my life to even just connect to my voice and that's the inspiration for this episode today.
To hopefully help you in connect to your voice, find it if it's gone away, or perhaps discover it like you never have before.
We welcome Nick Higgs the Singer to the show to guide us through the conversation as we talk about what hold us back from radiating our true voices, what we can do to overcome these blocks, and how we can bring more confidence to our conversations!
Then we'll get into allll the flirting tips about how you can use your voice as in incredible tool to flirt. Not just with the words you say, but with tone, pitch, speed, volume, range, and more! 
Finally, we'll wrap up with some anxiety practices and vocal exercises you can do when your tongue is tied and you feel like you might not be able to get the words out.
Being able to express yourself, your needs and boundaries, and how you're feeling is wildly important in dating - and in all of your relationships.
My hope with this episode is that you feel more connected to your voice and feel confident using it to communicate, have amazing conversations, and FLIRT!
Enjoying the show and want to support my work? Buy the Flirt Coach a coffee!
Then don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world!
About our guest:  Nicholas Higgs pursued his passion for music at the University of Toronto, where he earned both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees. Under the esteemed guidance of Professor Lorna MacDonald, he honed his skills and expanded his repertoire, showcasing his versatility in roles such as Count Almaviva in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and Grigory in William Walton’s The Bear. Other roles include Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Abraham Kaplan (Street Scene), Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), and Curio (Giulio Cesare).
Praised for his “rich and agile voice,” baritone Nicholas engages listeners as a performer, content creator, and educator. He recently served as the music director, as well as performed the role of the Escapologist, in a production of Matilda the Musical with Triple Threat Theatre in Lindsay, Ontario.
Nicholas has made a significant impact as a content creator, amassing a dedicated following of over 450 thousand individuals across various social platforms. Through his online presence, he seeks to provide high-quality music education to his followers, firmly believing that everyone deserves the opportunity to sing. You can find Nicholas on social media at the username @nickhiggsthesinger.
About your host:  Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!
As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections.
You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
💗 Happy flirting!

Flirtini #4: Flirting in Long Term Relationships and Long Distance Dating

It's a Flirtini all about flirting!
I open this conversation with what flirting is and WHY flirting is so important in dating and relationships! I believe flirting creates and maintains intimacy, which you can think of as a cozy closeness centered around connection and vulnerability. And that's hot! 
So whether you're in a long term relationships and things are going well or maybe you're on the other end of the spectrum and it's gotten a little dry, the flirt is here to save the day.
Once we establish what flirting is, I then share with you several many tips for flirting in a long term relationship that are sure to cultivate intimacy, enhance connection, hold space for vulnerability, and even spice things up!
For the flirties who are long distance dating (or maybe you're in a long distance relationship!), I've definitely got tips for you, too! I've got specific ways to build and maintain intimate connections, no matter how much physical distance there may be.
So, fasten your flirt belt and let's get ready to flirt!
Enjoying the show and want to support my work? Buy the Flirt Coach a coffee!
Then don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world!
About your host:  Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!
As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections.
You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
💗 Happy flirting!

43. The Psychology of Connection and Loneliness with Jemma Sbeg

What is connection? And why is connection so important? Not just for our hearts, but for our overall health and wellbeing?
What about loneliness? In many ways the inverse of connection, how does loneliness impact our lives? Mentally? Emotionally? Physically?
In this episode of Flirtations, we welcome Jemma Sbeg to the show, creator and host of the "Psychology of Your 20's Podcast" to have a conversation with us all about connection and loneliness.
What drives our need for connection? What are some challenges we face when connecting? Why might vulnerability and opening up cause us anxiety? What can we do to overcome this?
How about loneliness? Where does loneliness come from and why can we feel it so deeply? What can we do to bring more connection into our lives and combat loneliness?
Finally, yoga teacher Flirt Coach is back with a meditation for you on connection! For the final part of the episode, I invite you to get cozy and settle into a guided meditation all about bringing more connection into our lives!
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world!
About our guest: Jemma Sbeg is the creator and voice behind the wildly popular "The Psychology of Your 20's Podcast" that has resonated with 20 somethings around the world - and those both younger and older! With over 200 episodes (and counting) streaming, you're guaranteed to find a topic that meets you exactly where you're at in life. Jemma's highly informative and entertaining podcast has captured the attention of the "podlings" all over the world, helping us understand ourselves, and each other, a little bit better!
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 
About your host:  Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!
As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections.
You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
💗 Happy flirting!

42. Healing from Past Relationships, Thriving While Single, and Decentering Dating with Emma Cole

Flirities, on the show today is Emma Cole and we're gonna be doing some healing, y'all!
Emma has turned her experiences healing from a toxic relationship into a powerful mission to help other women - and some gay men! - thrive in their single lives and prove that life doesn’t stop when you’re not in a relationship. Rather, life can be more fulfilling than ever!
We’ve got several topics coming up for you today, including decentering dating and not settling for anything less than what you truly deserve, how to not compare ourselves to others, ways to face the fear and loneliness that can come with being single, and we'll talk about how to know when it's time to walk away from a relationship.
But because you deserve even more, there are tips on making friends as an adult, what to do when FOMO comes up (fear of missing out), how to stay hopeful when you may feel like the relationship isn't gonna happen, and ultimately how to love yourself a little bit harder.
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world!
About our guest:  Emma Marie Cole is a transformative coach, content creator and founder of Soul Sisterhood. Emma has gone from hating single life to loving single life and is passionate about helping other single women do the same! Her Soul Sisterhood events and workshops bring single women together to find friendship and connection with other single women. Single life is so much easier when you're surrounded by women who raise you up.
You can find Emma on Instagram and Tik Tok!
About your host:  Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!
As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections.
You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
💗 Happy flirting!

Flirtini #3: Genuine Interest vs. Delulu in Dating

Flirty! Do you like them? Or are you delulu?!
In this Flirtini, I share how you can tell the difference!
First, we focus on delulu, shorthand for delusion, as we also bring in obsession, infatuation, and limerence for this part of the discussion! I think all of these states and experiences are cut from the same cloth and right at the top, I share exactly what it means to be delulu - and why we go there!
Then, I talk about what it means to have genuine interest for someone, what that looks like in dating, and how that interest is developed.
I also cover the different dating behaviors that are involved in delulu vs. genuine interest, or HOW each looks in dating, and what to look for from the people you date to see where they're at, too.
Finally, I don't think this Flirtini would be complete without brining anxiety into the conversation, so we'll round out this one with what to do when anxiety seems to take over.
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world!
About your host:  Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!
As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections.
You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
💗 Happy flirting!
 

41. Big Sister Dating Advice + Dating Q&A with Tisia Saffold

On this episode of Flirtations, we're joined by dating coach and entrepreneur Tisia Saffold who is going to spill the dating tea with us and share all the big sister dating advice you wish you knew, but maybe haven't heard before ... until now!
Here's what you can expect from this episode:
Why you can’t date potential (and the mindset shift you need right now if you are)
How to choose yourself vs. waiting to be “chosen” in dating
How to date with detachment, manage your emotions and anxiety, and be less reactive
What about asking "what are we," early on, is this a good idea?
How can you know if you're being lead on?
What is cheap communication currency? (and why watching your stories doesn’t mean anything)
What is the uno reverse card in dating? And how can you use it to gain your power back?
You're dating someone and they say they need space, what to do you in this situation?
Can a friends with benefits/casual physical connection become more? 
A message from Tisia for anyone dealing with heartbreak
and MORE!
What are you waiting for, let's goooo!!
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world!
About our guest:  Meet Tisia X.V. Saffold! Pronounced "Ta-see-a" and named from her late Mother's birth story of wanting "to see her" after long hours in labor, Tisia was born and raised in Chicago and relocated to the DMV area 10 years ago.
Tisia is Founder & CEO of a Tech Startup-Cleare: a compliance software for the childcare industry. In addition to her thriving Startup, Tisia is a beauty and fragrance influencer who has reached over 100M social media accounts, going viral for her unique perspective on dating and relationships. After auditioning as a single in the DMV, Tisia was casted on OWN Networks "Ready to Love" Season 5.
You can follow Tisia on Instagram and join the Secret Girls Chat + check out coaching and other offers here.
About your host:  Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!
As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections.
You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
💗 Happy flirting!