Jackie Dorman knows what many singles are feeling but are often afraid to say out loud: modern dating can feel exhausting, disconnected, and deeply discouraging. But she also believes something just as strongly—your love story does not have to be defined by the culture around you.

Jackie is a relationship expert, bestselling author, matchmaker, and founder of The Last Year Single Movement. Through her heartwork methodology, coaching programs, and upcoming book Modern Dating Sucks, she helps marriage-minded singles break free from dating burnout, overcome self-sabotaging patterns, and build meaningful, lasting relationships.

In this candid conversation with host Jodie O’Brien, Jackie explores what has changed in modern dating, why dating apps are not designed to create lasting commitment, and how the loss of community has reshaped the way people meet, connect, and choose partners. She shares why more options often create more confusion, why self-awareness is one of the most important qualities in a future spouse, and how people can become relationally ready before entering a serious relationship.

This episode addresses the questions so many singles are asking: Why does dating feel harder than ever? Are the apps really the problem, or are they exposing something deeper? How do I know the difference between a preference and a non-negotiable? Is it too late to find love? And what does it actually take to build a relationship that lasts?

In this episode Jackie shares:

• Why modern dating may be broken, but your love story does not have to be
• How dating apps use the same psychology as slot machines
• Why more options often make it harder to choose well
• The danger of mistaking preferences for non-negotiables
• Why self-awareness is one of the most important traits in a partner
• How identity shapes behavior in dating, marriage, career, and friendship
• Why “heartwork” helps people prepare for healthy relationships
• What relational readiness actually means
• Why Gen Z and younger millennials are bringing back the value of marriage
• How to date with intention instead of distraction
• Why love, career, independence, and commitment do not have to be mutually exclusive
• What people dating in midlife need to understand before starting again
• How to build meaningful connection in a culture driven by convenience

What makes this episode different is Jackie’s direct but hopeful perspective. She is not pretending modern dating is easy, and she is not simply blaming technology. Instead, she invites listeners to look deeper—at their patterns, their expectations, their identity, their capacity to give and receive love, and the kind of relationship they are truly preparing for.

This conversation is for women navigating dating burnout, singles who want something more intentional, people rebuilding after divorce, and anyone who has wondered whether lasting love is still possible in today’s world. It is also for anyone who wants to better understand how relationships are evolving, why self-awareness matters, and what it means to pursue connection with clarity and purpose.

Because modern dating may suck—but your love story does not have to.