May 12, 2025 • 30 mins
In this episode, I unpack love bombing—those intense early displays of affection that can feel amazing but often mask emotional manipulation.
I share a personal story (yes, I introduced someone to my family after one date!) to show how easy it is to confuse intensity with connection.
We explore:
- What love bombing looks like
- Why it’s so effective (especially for those with unmet emotional needs)
- Red flags like pressure, overwhelm, and mismatched words vs. actions
Healthy love respects your pace. This episode will help you spot manipulation and protect your heart.
I am so excited to share my codependency recovery workbook with you. Click on the link to be brough to Enough As I Am on Amazon.
🦋 Enough As I Am: Recovery workbook. On Amazon
Email: codependentdoctor@gmail.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Picture this you meet someone new and right away it
feels like magic.
They text you good morning andgood night.
They tell you you're different,special and the best thing
that's ever happened to them,and you've only known them for
like two weeks.
They talk about your futuretogether before you've even had
a second date.
They shower you with attention,gifts, compliments and promises
(00:23):
so big that they almost don'tfeel real.
And part of you is just glowingbecause, after all, who
wouldn't want to feel adored?
But another, quieter part ofyou wonders is this happening
too fast?
And if you've ever felt thattug, that tiny voice that
whispers, something about thisfeels too good to be true.
(00:45):
Today's episode is going to befor you.
In this conversation, we'regoing to break down what love
bombing really looks like beyondthe fairy tale sparkle, why
it's so effective and why smart,strong, amazing people often
get caught in it.
How to spot the differencebetween genuine connection and
emotional manipulation, and whybeing vulnerable to love bombing
(01:07):
is not your fault.
And how to protect your heartwithout shutting it down
completely.
At the end of this episode,you're going to have real tools
to spot the red flags earlier,to trust yourself when something
feels off and to move towardsrelationships that are healthy,
steady and real, becauseattention is not intention feels
off.
And to move towardsrelationships that are healthy,
steady and real, becauseattention is not intention.
(01:27):
Today's episode is going tochange your approach to
relationships forever.
If you've ever doubted yourself, second-guessed your gut or
wondered if you're just toosensitive, then stay with me.
You're about to get a lotclearer and a lot stronger.
Welcome to the CodependentDoctor, a weekly podcast
focusing on all thingscodependency.
Are you struggling to loveyourself, feeling burnt out or
(01:51):
having trouble forming lovingand meaningful relationships?
I can help you heal from thepast and move forward with
healthier selves, healthierrelationships and healthier,
more fulfilling lives.
Join me as we reclaim yourauthentic self.
I'm your host, a family doctorand fellow codependent, dr
Angela Downey.
We can do this together.
Here we go.
(02:11):
Hello to all my wonderfulpodcast listeners and welcome to
the 43rd episode of theCodependent Doctor.
I'm your host, dr Angela Downey, a family doctor and fellow
codependent and former expert atmistaking love, bombing for
(02:32):
true love, because who doesn'twant a soulmate before Thursday?
Before we get into today'sepisode, I just want to take a
second to think about what we'regrateful for today, because
it's important to train yourbrain to recognize the good
things that you already have inyour life.
I've been getting so many greatreplies on social media and I
(02:52):
really appreciate it.
I'm seeing everything frombeing grateful for the clean air
that we breathe to pets andloved ones in our lives.
I, for one, am grateful for mypartner, who has been so patient
with me as I finished my book.
Honey, you are a saint and Ithank you for taking care of me
when I'm buried in a cave withmy computer.
I also want to give a shout outto Johnny, who sent me a letter
(03:14):
and wrote I am so grateful formy loving and supportive partner
.
He brings calm, organizationand perspective to my otherwise
chaotic life.
Knowing he's always in mycorner gives me a deep sense of
peace and gratitude.
That's amazing and I love that.
So please let me know whatyou're grateful for.
I have a new Facebook page nowso you can reach me at the
(03:37):
Codependent Doctor on Facebook,and I've also been really active
on threads at Dr Angela Downey.
I've also been really active onthreads at Dr Angela Downey.
And now love bombing.
I had never even heard of lovebombing until a few years ago,
and it turns out that I wasbasically the queen of a kingdom
that I didn't even know existeduntil then.
I once went on a first datewith someone and it went really
(03:59):
well, like immediate butterfliesmovie montage kind of scenario.
Like immediate butterfliesmovie montage kind of scenario
when have you been all my life?
Kind of well.
So, naturally, for our seconddate I suggested that they come
to my daughter's school play,which sounds really sweet, right
.
Except at this play they didn'tjust meet me again for a second
time.
They met my kids, they met myparents, they met my extended
(04:22):
relatives and, depending on whoelse was hanging around the
auditorium probably a fewneighbors, teachers and distant
cousins too.
At the time it felt like themost normal thing in the world
and I thought, why not?
We have this great connection,so maybe I should just throw
them into the deep end of myentire life.
I wasn't just moving fast, Iwas basically hosting a
(04:43):
full-blown family reunion for aperson whose middle name I
didn't even know yet.
I was the love bomber.
When you don't know about lovebombing, or you're craving
connection or you've been livingwith codependent patterns, it
feels natural to move too fast.
It feels exciting, it feelssafe and it feels like finally,
(05:03):
I've met the one, and that's whytoday I want to unpack what
love bombing actually is, why ithappens, how to spot it early
and what you can do to protectyour heart without shutting it
down completely.
So let's start with the basics.
What exactly is love bombing?
Love bombing is when someoneoverwhelms you with attention,
(05:24):
affection, gifts or big promisesreally early on in a
relationship, not necessarilybecause they're evil masterminds
, but because they want tocreate this emotional closeness
really fast.
It's a way to pull you inquickly and to make you feel
connected, invested and bonded,often before you even have time
to step back and think wait, doI actually even really know this
(05:46):
person yet?
And there's something importantto know Not all love bombing is
intentional.
Yes, some people do it tomanipulate you or to control you
, but sometimes it's just thissurvival pattern.
It's a way that someone learnedto get love, safety or
validation.
Maybe they grew up believingthat if they could prove their
devotion really fast, thatthey'd finally be the chosen one
(06:09):
.
Or maybe they're uncomfortablewith uncertainty and rushing
intimacy feels more secure forthem.
It doesn't make it healthy, butit does make it human, and the
key point is whether it'sconscious or unconscious.
Key point is whether it'sconscious or unconscious.
Love bombing is not genuine love.
It's intensity diagnosed as aconnection.
(06:30):
Some examples of what lovebombing can look like are
constant texting and calls,these good morning texts, good
night texts, thinking of you,texts before you even had your
first disagreement.
It feels flattering until itfeels like you have this second
full-time job just trying toanswer them.
You might have big declarationsof love too soon, telling them
(06:52):
you're the one.
After just two weeks they'replanning your entire life
together, before they've evenseen how you react to minor
inconveniences like getting madin traffic or having a bad
coffee.
They might give you lavishgifts, endless compliments and
huge promises.
These spa trips, surpriseweekends away, expensive jewelry
after three dates, all wrappedup with declarations like I
(07:14):
would do anything for you.
It's intoxicating, butsometimes it can also be really
overwhelming.
They might push for commitmentsextremely fast.
Why wait when I know thatyou're the one?
Why wait when I know this isthe real thing?
Sure, sometimes lightningstrikes, but more often healthy
connection builds throughconsistency, not speed.
(07:36):
Love bombing is really tricky Inthe beginning.
It feels really really good andyou start associating that rush
with real connection.
But love bombing isn't realintimacy.
It's not rooted in trust,respect or mutual understanding.
It's really just a shortcut andit's designed to feel like real
love, without giving time forlove to actually grow.
(07:58):
Healthy love.
It unfolds really slowly.
It respects your boundaries.
It leaves space for you tostill feel like yourself.
Love bombing it doesn't leavespace, it fills every crack, and
that's exactly why it's soeffective and so dangerous.
All right, so now that we knowwhat love bombing is, let's talk
(08:19):
about why it's so dang powerful.
If you've ever fallen for it orbeen the one accidentally
launching the love bombs, you'renot crazy, you're not naive.
You're human and we all do itsometimes.
And love bombing is designed tohook into the parts of us that
crave connection the most.
And here's the thing lovebombing feels amazing at first,
(08:43):
especially if you've gonethrough your life with unmet
emotional needs, if you've beenneglected, overlooked, betrayed
or made to feel invisible.
Finally, being seen feels likea life raft in the middle of the
ocean.
It mirrors the fantasy versionof connection that we've all
been fed since we were kids.
The person who just gets youand the person who says I've
(09:06):
been waiting for someone exactlylike you for my whole life.
It's that person who shows uplike a Hallmark movie hero, only
faster, louder and with asuspicious number of rose
bouquets.
When you're love bombed, it'snot just emotional, there's a
biological reaction happening aswell.
When someone showers you withaffection, attention, gifts and
(09:27):
praise your brain, it lights up.
You get this surge of dopamine,that feel-good chemical that
makes you feel like everythingis exciting and happy and
rewarded.
You get a boost of oxytocin,which is that bonding hormone
that says, ah yes, this is asafe place, this is love let's
attach right now.
(09:48):
It's the same chemical thathelps babies bond to their
mothers right in the early daysof their lives.
It's a powerful, powerfulhormone.
It's basically your brainthrowing a party with balloons
and cupcakes before checking tosee if the guest list makes
sense, and because it feels sogood, it creates emotional
dependency.
Really, really fast you startcraving the texts, you start
(10:11):
craving the attention.
You start measuring yourself-worth by how many heart
emojis that you get before noon.
And suddenly you're not justdating a person, you're
emotionally hooked.
You find yourself doingslightly ridiculous things like
cancelling a dentist appointmentbecause they might want you to
go out that day, staying upuntil 2am texting, even though
you have a meeting at 7am.
(10:32):
Maybe you change your phonebackground to be their face.
After just three dates and nojudgment.
If you've been there, I've beenthere.
I'm just saying this issometimes what happens and the
wild part is you know it'smoving fast, you know that
there's something off about it,but it feels so good and you
don't want to slow down becauseit does feel so good.
Because who wants to questionsomething that finally feels
(10:55):
amazing after years of emotionaldrought?
Who wants to hit the brakes ona relationship that feels like
it's been sent from the universe?
Who wants to say maybe we'removing too fast when your whole
nervous system is throwing aparade?
And this is where it gets alittle confusing, because it
feels so good until it doesn't.
At first it's magical, but then, little by little, that magic
(11:21):
gets complicated.
You start feeling pressure toreciprocate their intensity.
You start feeling guilty whenyou ask for space.
You start feeling a littletrapped, like somehow you owe
them something for how amazingthey've been.
And that's when love bombingcan start to turn.
That's when what felt likedevotion can slip into guilt,
(11:43):
trips, control or resentment,and that's when you're perfect
can turn into why aren't youtrying harder for me?
And that's exactly where we'reheading next.
Because after the glitter fades,after the dopamine party quiets
down, love bombing oftendoesn't just stop, it evolves.
So at first everything feelsmagical, it's exciting, it's
(12:06):
overwhelming, but in a good way.
You're getting texts that saythings like Good morning,
beautiful angel, queen of myheart, I can't wait to spend
forever with you.
And it's only been like 11 daysor something.
But here's when things start toshift, because love bombing
isn't meant to stay magicalforever.
After that intense phase, afterthe excitement and the honeymoon
(12:29):
rush, love bombing often flipsinto something very, very
different.
And here's how that shiftusually shows up.
They start withdrawing a littleAll that attention that you got
in the beginning the endlesstexts, the goodnight phone calls
, the overwhelming adorationsuddenly it's gone, or it's
(12:49):
inconsistent, or they get busy.
But they're still active onInstagram and you're sitting
there wondering if you'veimagined the entire relationship
.
They might start criticizingyou.
That person who once said thatyou're perfect is now pointing
out your mismatched clothing orthe way you chew your food.
They say things like you're toosensitive, you're overthinking
everything.
Why can't you just trust me?
(13:10):
You go from feeling worship tofeeling like you're constantly
messing everything up.
They start trying to controlyou a little, and it's not
always obvious at first.
It sneaks in through theselittle comments and emotional
nudges, things like guilttripping you when you set a
boundary, I guess you don't loveme as much as I love you then
(13:30):
Acting jealous or possessivewhen you make plans without them
.
Why do you even need anyoneelse?
I'm here for you, emotionallypunishing you when you don't
respond the way that they expect, like giving you the silent
treatment or making youapologize for having your own
needs.
And the most painful part isthat you might start questioning
(13:52):
yourself, because you rememberthe beginning.
You remember how incredible itfelt and you think maybe I'm
just being too sensitive, maybeif I just try harder, things
will go back to the way theywere.
But they almost never do,because that original intensity
wasn't real love.
It was a tactic and it meant topull you in fast, not to build
a steady relationship.
(14:12):
And if the love bomber is trulyoperating from a toxic or
narcissistic pattern, the cycleis going to look like this or
narcissistic pattern.
The cycle is going to look likethis they idealize you, then
they devalue and they discardyou.
They build you up, they put youon a pedestal, make you feel
chosen, then they slowly chipaway at your self-esteem until
you're confused, anxious andwilling to do almost anything to
(14:34):
get that first version of themback and listen.
When you're stuck in that cycle, you can end up doing some
ridiculous things to hold on tothat connection that you thought
that you had like apologizingfor being too emotional when you
were just asking for basicrespect, writing a 12 paragraph
text explaining why you need alittle space and then deleting
(14:54):
it because you're afraid thatthey're going to leave, changing
your entire weekend plan justin case they might want to hang
out.
Leave, changing your entireweekend plan just in case they
might want to hang out.
Or maybe googling things likehow to be less needy after you
ask for one simple thing andthey make you feel like they
asked you to donate a kidney.
If you've been there, thenwelcome to the club.
You're not alone, and here's thetruth that love bombers don't
(15:16):
want you to realize.
Healthy love doesn't make youchase it.
It doesn't disappear when youhave a boundary.
It doesn't punish you forneeding time, space or clarity.
It doesn't build you up just totear you down again.
So now you might be wonderingokay, but how can I spot when
this shift is happening a littleearlier.
(15:36):
How can you catch that warningsign before you get pulled
deeper into the cycle?
Here's how you can startrecognizing those red flags.
First, you feel like things aremoving way faster than you're
comfortable with.
Like you barely finished yourappetizer on the second date and
they're already talking abouthow many kids they think you
should have together.
You haven't even discussedwho's paying for the guacamole,
(15:59):
but somehow you're discussingwedding venues.
At first it feels exciting, butunder the surface, there's this
tiny voice inside of you that'swhispering isn't this a little
fast?
You need to start listening tothat voice.
It's trying to tell yousomething really important.
Second, they don't respect yourpace, your boundaries or your
need for space.
Maybe you say something likehey, I'm enjoying this, but I
(16:22):
feel like I should be takingthings a little slower.
And instead of respecting that,they push harder.
They might laugh it off or saysomething like I just know what
I want, and what I want is you,which sounds cute, until you
realize that they want tooverride your comfort level.
Healthy love is going to honoryour boundaries and love bombing
just tries to steamroll them.
(16:45):
Third, you feel emotionallyoverwhelmed, even if it's a good
kind of overwhelm.
At first it's flattering theattention, the affection, that
feeling of being someone'sabsolute priority, but very
quickly it can tip intosomething that feels less like
romance and more like emotionalclaustrophobia.
Suddenly you're texting back sofast that you develop carpal
(17:07):
tunnel and you're cancellingyour plans, just to be available
24-7.
You start googling how tobecome a more spontaneous person
at 2am because they said theylove spontaneity and you feel
guilty for liking plans.
And when something feelsoverwhelming, even when it's
dressed up as love, that's asign to slow down, not to speed
up.
No-transcript.
(18:04):
Maybe you weren't even thinkingabout being in a serious
relationship, maybe you wantedto take it slow, but now you
feel guilty that you're notfeeling the same way or as fast
as they are.
You might find yourself doingridiculous things like saying I
love you back because you feelbad, not because you're ready,
posting cute couple photos onsocial media two weeks in
because you feel like you'resupposed to be that happy
(18:26):
already.
Or wondering if it's your faultthat you're not as all in as
they are.
Love that pressures you tohurry isn't love, it's
manipulation.
And lastly, if you ask forspace and suddenly they're
sulking, if you expresshesitation and they make you
feel like you're breaking theirheart if you set a boundary and
(18:46):
instead of respecting it, theypunish you, maybe by ghosting,
withdrawing or makingpassive-aggressive comments.
It's like the moment you stopgiving them full access to you.
They make you feel like you'rewrong, like you're selfish or
ungrateful.
Real love doesn't require youto be available 24 7 just to
feel safe.
If you're recognizing any ofthese signs right now, first of
(19:08):
all, just take a deep breath.
You're not crazy.
You're just noticing thatsomething isn't sitting right,
and that's actually a good thing.
That's your intuition kickingin.
So maybe right now you're justnoticing that something isn't
sitting right, and that'sactually a good thing.
That's your intuition kickingin.
So maybe right now you'resitting here thinking, oh, some
of this sounds a little toofamiliar.
Maybe you're noticing that yourlast relationship, or maybe
even the one that you're inright now, had a lot of
(19:29):
fireworks in the beginning, butnow there's this low-key anxiety
humming underneath it.
If you're starting to wonder ifyou might be getting love
bombed, first of all, take adeep breath.
You're not doomed.
You're just getting clearer,and clarity here is your
superpower.
So let's talk about what youcan do now if you suspect love
bombing is happening.
(19:50):
First of all, slow things down.
If the relationship is racingahead at warp speed, it's okay
to tap the brakes.
Healthy love isn't afraid oftime.
It's not going to vanish justbecause you ask it to slow down
a little.
You're allowed to say I'menjoying getting to know you,
but I'd like to take this at apace that feels good for me.
(20:12):
I need a little more timebefore I make big decisions.
Feels good for me.
I need a little more timebefore I make big decisions.
Or let's see how we feel aftera few more months of just dating
casually.
Genuine people don't mind aslower pace.
In fact, they're going torespect you even more for
honoring your own boundaries.
If someone panics the minuteyou pump the brakes, that's not
love, that's control disguisedas urgency.
(20:35):
Second, trust your gut, even ifyou can't explain it, even if
you don't have proof, even ifyou want to believe the fairy
tale version that they'reselling.
If your body feels tight,anxious, confused, listen to it.
Your nervous system often picksup on what your brain hasn't
figured out yet.
It's easy to override those gutfeelings when someone is love
(20:58):
bombing you because it all looksso good on paper.
But good love doesn't justsound good.
It feels really safe.
Third, look for consistency overtime, not intensity early on.
Consistency is the key here.
Not someone just blowing upyour phone for a week and then
disappearing.
Not someone planning yourwedding after three dates, then
(21:20):
forgetting to text you back twodays later.
Consistency looks like showingup when they say they will
following through on theirpromises, respecting your pace,
even if it's slower than theirs.
If their behavior swings wildlybetween I'm obsessed with you
and where did they go, that'snot stability.
(21:41):
Fourth, watch how they reactwhen you set a boundary or say
no, this is huge.
Boundaries are like aflashlight and they show you
who's safe and who's not.
A healthy person might bedisappointed, sure, but they're
going to respect your no,they're going to adjust and
they're going to give you space.
A love bomber, on the otherhand, might guilt trip you.
(22:02):
I guess you don't feel the sameway as I do.
I thought we had somethingspecial, but I guess you don't
feel the same way as I do.
I thought we had somethingspecial, but I guess I was wrong
.
Not everyone would put up withthis.
You know, if someone makes youfeel bad for simply asking for
time, space or clarity, run Fast.
This is not a good relationshipfor you.
Fifth, talk to trusted friends,therapists or mentors.
(22:24):
When you're in the middle of it, love bombing can feel like
being wrapped up in a giantcotton candy cloud.
It's sweet and it's easy to getlost in it.
That's why outside perspectivesare so important.
Find people that you trust, theones who aren't dazzled by
grand gestures, and say, hey,can I run something by you?
This feels a little intense andI want to make sure that I'm
(22:47):
seeing it clearly.
A good friend or therapist canoften spot the red flags that
you might be trying to decorate.
And finally, remember that trueconnection builds over time.
It doesn't need to rush, itdoesn't need to pressure you and
it doesn't bulldoze yourboundaries in the name of fate
or destiny.
True love has room forquestions.
It doesn't need to pressure youand it doesn't bulldoze your
boundaries in the name of fateor destiny.
(23:07):
True love has room forquestions.
It has room for doubt.
True love has room for you tobe a whole human being, not just
an audience for someone else'sperformance.
If you're feeling called outright now, or if you're thinking
about that one time that youstarted planning your future
children's names after datethree.
You're not alone and I'mstanding here right next to you.
(23:29):
This was me, 100%.
I used to move super quick andI think I might still do it a
little.
I don't know.
I need to think it through whenI'm dating people and I need to
physically stop myself andpause and make sure that I'm not
love bombing, because the truthis that some of us, especially
codependents, are morevulnerable to love bombing than
(23:51):
others, and it's not becausewe're weak or that we're needy
or mean or manipulative.
It's because of the way that wewere shaped in our early
experiences, our attachmentstyles and what we learned about
love and safety.
Maybe you grew up in a homewhere emotional neglect was
normal, where no one reallyasked you how you were feeling,
(24:11):
where love was something thatyou had to earn by being helpful
, quiet, perfect or the goodchild.
Maybe you learned that if youmade yourself useful, if you
made yourself easy to love, thenmaybe, just maybe.
If you made yourself easy tolove, then maybe, just maybe,
you would be the one who gotpicked.
So when someone comes along andlove bombs you, they shower you
with attention, affection andpromises.
(24:33):
It feels like you're finallybeing seen in a way that you've
always needed, how you've alwayswanted to feel.
It doesn't just feel good, itfeels healing.
At first it feels like you'recoming home.
Or maybe you experienced traumaor abandonment early in your
life.
Maybe you got used to peoplebeing hot and cold.
(24:55):
Maybe you were taught that lovecomes in these extremes.
You're either all in or all out.
Safe today, gone tomorrow.
So when someone love bombs you,it fits the emotional pattern
that you already know.
It's intense and chaotic andoverwhelming, but in a weird way
it also feels familiar to you.
And here's a big one thatdoesn't get talked about enough.
(25:22):
Maybe you were taught directlyor indirectly that your job in
relationships is to prioritizeeveryone else's emotions over
your own.
You were trained to beaccommodating, to be
understanding, to make excusesfor bad behavior.
You bend yourself into whatevershape someone else needs.
So when someone moves way toofast, they shower you with
attention and ignores yourboundaries.
(25:42):
Instead of saying, whoa, thisis too much, you might say, well
, maybe I should just be moreopen.
Maybe I'm the problem for notfeeling ready yet.
You start gaslighting yourselfbefore they even have to do it.
And look, I totally get it.
When you're craving deepvalidation and when you're
longing to finally be seen.
(26:04):
It's so easy to get swept up inlove bombing, and the point is,
being vulnerable to love bombingdoesn't mean something is wrong
with you.
It means that you're wired forconnection, it means that you
value love and it means thatyou've been waiting, maybe for a
really long time, for someoneto finally see you.
And none of that is somethingto be ashamed of.
(26:25):
But now that you know better,now that you have the words for
what's happening, you can startloving yourself differently, you
can start trusting your gut alittle faster and you can start
giving yourself the kind ofsteady, respectful love that you
deserve, even before anyoneelse gives it to you, because
you're worth that.
(26:45):
So if you take anything awayfrom today's episode, I hope
it's this.
Love bombing isn't love.
It's intensity wearing adisguise, real love.
It's not going to rush you, itdoesn't overwhelm you.
It doesn't disappear the momentyou need space or set a
boundary.
And now you have the tools, thelanguage and the awareness to
(27:08):
protect your heart movingforward.
I'm going to ask you to pleasefeel free to share this episode
with someone that you know whomight be getting love bombed, or
maybe is a love bomberunknowingly Heck.
Share it with the world.
I'm really trying to reach asmany people as I can this year,
so don't forget to click thefollow button so you don't miss
any further episodes, and pleasesend this to someone that you
(27:30):
care about.
I wish you all a great week asyou learn to foster a better
relationship with the mostimportant person in your life
yourself.
I'm going to meet you here nextweek for another episode of the
Codependent Doctor, when I'mgoing to be talking about
neglect.
Take care for now.
Thank you for joining me and Ihope today's podcast resonated
(27:52):
with you.
Click, like and subscribe soyou don't miss any future
episodes and to help others whomight benefit.
This podcast is not meant toprovide medical advice and
should not replace seeing yourdoctor for mental health
concerns.
If you're having a mentalhealth crisis, please present to
a hospital, call 911 or yourlocal crisis helpline.
I'll talk to you next week foranother episode of the
(28:13):
Codependent Doctor.
We can do this together.
Picture this you meet someone new and right away it
feels like magic.
They text you good morning andgood night.
They tell you you're different,special and the best thing
that's ever happened to them,and you've only known them for
like two weeks.
They talk about your futuretogether before you've even had
a second date.
They shower you with attention,gifts, compliments and promises
(00:23):
so big that they almost don'tfeel real.
And part of you is just glowingbecause, after all, who
wouldn't want to feel adored?
But another, quieter part ofyou wonders is this happening
too fast?
And if you've ever felt thattug, that tiny voice that
whispers, something about thisfeels too good to be true.
(00:45):
Today's episode is going to befor you.
In this conversation, we'regoing to break down what love
bombing really looks like beyondthe fairy tale sparkle, why
it's so effective and why smart,strong, amazing people often
get caught in it.
How to spot the differencebetween genuine connection and
emotional manipulation, and whybeing vulnerable to love bombing
(01:07):
is not your fault.
And how to protect your heartwithout shutting it down
completely.
At the end of this episode,you're going to have real tools
to spot the red flags earlier,to trust yourself when something
feels off and to move towardsrelationships that are healthy,
steady and real, becauseattention is not intention feels
off.
And to move towardsrelationships that are healthy,
steady and real, becauseattention is not intention.
(01:27):
Today's episode is going tochange your approach to
relationships forever.
If you've ever doubted yourself, second-guessed your gut or
wondered if you're just toosensitive, then stay with me.
You're about to get a lotclearer and a lot stronger.
Welcome to the CodependentDoctor, a weekly podcast
focusing on all thingscodependency.
Are you struggling to loveyourself, feeling burnt out or
(01:51):
having trouble forming lovingand meaningful relationships?
I can help you heal from thepast and move forward with
healthier selves, healthierrelationships and healthier,
more fulfilling lives.
Join me as we reclaim yourauthentic self.
I'm your host, a family doctorand fellow codependent, dr
Angela Downey.
We can do this together.
Here we go.
(02:11):
Hello to all my wonderfulpodcast listeners and welcome to
the 43rd episode of theCodependent Doctor.
I'm your host, dr Angela Downey, a family doctor and fellow
codependent and former expert atmistaking love, bombing for
(02:32):
true love, because who doesn'twant a soulmate before Thursday?
Before we get into today'sepisode, I just want to take a
second to think about what we'regrateful for today, because
it's important to train yourbrain to recognize the good
things that you already have inyour life.
I've been getting so many greatreplies on social media and I
(02:52):
really appreciate it.
I'm seeing everything frombeing grateful for the clean air
that we breathe to pets andloved ones in our lives.
I, for one, am grateful for mypartner, who has been so patient
with me as I finished my book.
Honey, you are a saint and Ithank you for taking care of me
when I'm buried in a cave withmy computer.
I also want to give a shout outto Johnny, who sent me a letter
(03:14):
and wrote I am so grateful formy loving and supportive partner
.
He brings calm, organizationand perspective to my otherwise
chaotic life.
Knowing he's always in mycorner gives me a deep sense of
peace and gratitude.
That's amazing and I love that.
So please let me know whatyou're grateful for.
I have a new Facebook page nowso you can reach me at the
(03:37):
Codependent Doctor on Facebook,and I've also been really active
on threads at Dr Angela Downey.
I've also been really active onthreads at Dr Angela Downey.
And now love bombing.
I had never even heard of lovebombing until a few years ago,
and it turns out that I wasbasically the queen of a kingdom
that I didn't even know existeduntil then.
I once went on a first datewith someone and it went really
(03:59):
well, like immediate butterfliesmovie montage kind of scenario.
Like immediate butterfliesmovie montage kind of scenario
when have you been all my life?
Kind of well.
So, naturally, for our seconddate I suggested that they come
to my daughter's school play,which sounds really sweet, right
.
Except at this play they didn'tjust meet me again for a second
time.
They met my kids, they met myparents, they met my extended
(04:22):
relatives and, depending on whoelse was hanging around the
auditorium probably a fewneighbors, teachers and distant
cousins too.
At the time it felt like themost normal thing in the world
and I thought, why not?
We have this great connection,so maybe I should just throw
them into the deep end of myentire life.
I wasn't just moving fast, Iwas basically hosting a
(04:43):
full-blown family reunion for aperson whose middle name I
didn't even know yet.
I was the love bomber.
When you don't know about lovebombing, or you're craving
connection or you've been livingwith codependent patterns, it
feels natural to move too fast.
It feels exciting, it feelssafe and it feels like finally,
(05:03):
I've met the one, and that's whytoday I want to unpack what
love bombing actually is, why ithappens, how to spot it early
and what you can do to protectyour heart without shutting it
down completely.
So let's start with the basics.
What exactly is love bombing?
Love bombing is when someoneoverwhelms you with attention,
(05:24):
affection, gifts or big promisesreally early on in a
relationship, not necessarilybecause they're evil masterminds
, but because they want tocreate this emotional closeness
really fast.
It's a way to pull you inquickly and to make you feel
connected, invested and bonded,often before you even have time
to step back and think wait, doI actually even really know this
(05:46):
person yet?
And there's something importantto know Not all love bombing is
intentional.
Yes, some people do it tomanipulate you or to control you
, but sometimes it's just thissurvival pattern.
It's a way that someone learnedto get love, safety or
validation.
Maybe they grew up believingthat if they could prove their
devotion really fast, thatthey'd finally be the chosen one
(06:09):
.
Or maybe they're uncomfortablewith uncertainty and rushing
intimacy feels more secure forthem.
It doesn't make it healthy, butit does make it human, and the
key point is whether it'sconscious or unconscious.
Key point is whether it'sconscious or unconscious.
Love bombing is not genuine love.
It's intensity diagnosed as aconnection.
(06:30):
Some examples of what lovebombing can look like are
constant texting and calls,these good morning texts, good
night texts, thinking of you,texts before you even had your
first disagreement.
It feels flattering until itfeels like you have this second
full-time job just trying toanswer them.
You might have big declarationsof love too soon, telling them
(06:52):
you're the one.
After just two weeks they'replanning your entire life
together, before they've evenseen how you react to minor
inconveniences like getting madin traffic or having a bad
coffee.
They might give you lavishgifts, endless compliments and
huge promises.
These spa trips, surpriseweekends away, expensive jewelry
after three dates, all wrappedup with declarations like I
(07:14):
would do anything for you.
It's intoxicating, butsometimes it can also be really
overwhelming.
They might push for commitmentsextremely fast.
Why wait when I know thatyou're the one?
Why wait when I know this isthe real thing?
Sure, sometimes lightningstrikes, but more often healthy
connection builds throughconsistency, not speed.
(07:36):
Love bombing is really tricky Inthe beginning.
It feels really really good andyou start associating that rush
with real connection.
But love bombing isn't realintimacy.
It's not rooted in trust,respect or mutual understanding.
It's really just a shortcut andit's designed to feel like real
love, without giving time forlove to actually grow.
(07:58):
Healthy love.
It unfolds really slowly.
It respects your boundaries.
It leaves space for you tostill feel like yourself.
Love bombing it doesn't leavespace, it fills every crack, and
that's exactly why it's soeffective and so dangerous.
All right, so now that we knowwhat love bombing is, let's talk
(08:19):
about why it's so dang powerful.
If you've ever fallen for it orbeen the one accidentally
launching the love bombs, you'renot crazy, you're not naive.
You're human and we all do itsometimes.
And love bombing is designed tohook into the parts of us that
crave connection the most.
And here's the thing lovebombing feels amazing at first,
(08:43):
especially if you've gonethrough your life with unmet
emotional needs, if you've beenneglected, overlooked, betrayed
or made to feel invisible.
Finally, being seen feels likea life raft in the middle of the
ocean.
It mirrors the fantasy versionof connection that we've all
been fed since we were kids.
The person who just gets youand the person who says I've
(09:06):
been waiting for someone exactlylike you for my whole life.
It's that person who shows uplike a Hallmark movie hero, only
faster, louder and with asuspicious number of rose
bouquets.
When you're love bombed, it'snot just emotional, there's a
biological reaction happening aswell.
When someone showers you withaffection, attention, gifts and
(09:27):
praise your brain, it lights up.
You get this surge of dopamine,that feel-good chemical that
makes you feel like everythingis exciting and happy and
rewarded.
You get a boost of oxytocin,which is that bonding hormone
that says, ah yes, this is asafe place, this is love let's
attach right now.
(09:48):
It's the same chemical thathelps babies bond to their
mothers right in the early daysof their lives.
It's a powerful, powerfulhormone.
It's basically your brainthrowing a party with balloons
and cupcakes before checking tosee if the guest list makes
sense, and because it feels sogood, it creates emotional
dependency.
Really, really fast you startcraving the texts, you start
(10:11):
craving the attention.
You start measuring yourself-worth by how many heart
emojis that you get before noon.
And suddenly you're not justdating a person, you're
emotionally hooked.
You find yourself doingslightly ridiculous things like
cancelling a dentist appointmentbecause they might want you to
go out that day, staying upuntil 2am texting, even though
you have a meeting at 7am.
(10:32):
Maybe you change your phonebackground to be their face.
After just three dates and nojudgment.
If you've been there, I've beenthere.
I'm just saying this issometimes what happens and the
wild part is you know it'smoving fast, you know that
there's something off about it,but it feels so good and you
don't want to slow down becauseit does feel so good.
Because who wants to questionsomething that finally feels
(10:55):
amazing after years of emotionaldrought?
Who wants to hit the brakes ona relationship that feels like
it's been sent from the universe?
Who wants to say maybe we'removing too fast when your whole
nervous system is throwing aparade?
And this is where it gets alittle confusing, because it
feels so good until it doesn't.
At first it's magical, but then, little by little, that magic
(11:21):
gets complicated.
You start feeling pressure toreciprocate their intensity.
You start feeling guilty whenyou ask for space.
You start feeling a littletrapped, like somehow you owe
them something for how amazingthey've been.
And that's when love bombingcan start to turn.
That's when what felt likedevotion can slip into guilt,
(11:43):
trips, control or resentment,and that's when you're perfect
can turn into why aren't youtrying harder for me?
And that's exactly where we'reheading next.
Because after the glitter fades,after the dopamine party quiets
down, love bombing oftendoesn't just stop, it evolves.
So at first everything feelsmagical, it's exciting, it's
(12:06):
overwhelming, but in a good way.
You're getting texts that saythings like Good morning,
beautiful angel, queen of myheart, I can't wait to spend
forever with you.
And it's only been like 11 daysor something.
But here's when things start toshift, because love bombing
isn't meant to stay magicalforever.
After that intense phase, afterthe excitement and the honeymoon
(12:29):
rush, love bombing often flipsinto something very, very
different.
And here's how that shiftusually shows up.
They start withdrawing a littleAll that attention that you got
in the beginning the endlesstexts, the goodnight phone calls
, the overwhelming adorationsuddenly it's gone, or it's
(12:49):
inconsistent, or they get busy.
But they're still active onInstagram and you're sitting
there wondering if you'veimagined the entire relationship
.
They might start criticizingyou.
That person who once said thatyou're perfect is now pointing
out your mismatched clothing orthe way you chew your food.
They say things like you're toosensitive, you're overthinking
everything.
Why can't you just trust me?
(13:10):
You go from feeling worship tofeeling like you're constantly
messing everything up.
They start trying to controlyou a little, and it's not
always obvious at first.
It sneaks in through theselittle comments and emotional
nudges, things like guilttripping you when you set a
boundary, I guess you don't loveme as much as I love you then
(13:30):
Acting jealous or possessivewhen you make plans without them
.
Why do you even need anyoneelse?
I'm here for you, emotionallypunishing you when you don't
respond the way that they expect, like giving you the silent
treatment or making youapologize for having your own
needs.
And the most painful part isthat you might start questioning
(13:52):
yourself, because you rememberthe beginning.
You remember how incredible itfelt and you think maybe I'm
just being too sensitive, maybeif I just try harder, things
will go back to the way theywere.
But they almost never do,because that original intensity
wasn't real love.
It was a tactic and it meant topull you in fast, not to build
a steady relationship.
(14:12):
And if the love bomber is trulyoperating from a toxic or
narcissistic pattern, the cycleis going to look like this or
narcissistic pattern.
The cycle is going to look likethis they idealize you, then
they devalue and they discardyou.
They build you up, they put youon a pedestal, make you feel
chosen, then they slowly chipaway at your self-esteem until
you're confused, anxious andwilling to do almost anything to
(14:34):
get that first version of themback and listen.
When you're stuck in that cycle, you can end up doing some
ridiculous things to hold on tothat connection that you thought
that you had like apologizingfor being too emotional when you
were just asking for basicrespect, writing a 12 paragraph
text explaining why you need alittle space and then deleting
(14:54):
it because you're afraid thatthey're going to leave, changing
your entire weekend plan justin case they might want to hang
out.
Leave, changing your entireweekend plan just in case they
might want to hang out.
Or maybe googling things likehow to be less needy after you
ask for one simple thing andthey make you feel like they
asked you to donate a kidney.
If you've been there, thenwelcome to the club.
You're not alone, and here's thetruth that love bombers don't
(15:16):
want you to realize.
Healthy love doesn't make youchase it.
It doesn't disappear when youhave a boundary.
It doesn't punish you forneeding time, space or clarity.
It doesn't build you up just totear you down again.
So now you might be wonderingokay, but how can I spot when
this shift is happening a littleearlier.
(15:36):
How can you catch that warningsign before you get pulled
deeper into the cycle?
Here's how you can startrecognizing those red flags.
First, you feel like things aremoving way faster than you're
comfortable with.
Like you barely finished yourappetizer on the second date and
they're already talking abouthow many kids they think you
should have together.
You haven't even discussedwho's paying for the guacamole,
(15:59):
but somehow you're discussingwedding venues.
At first it feels exciting, butunder the surface, there's this
tiny voice inside of you that'swhispering isn't this a little
fast?
You need to start listening tothat voice.
It's trying to tell yousomething really important.
Second, they don't respect yourpace, your boundaries or your
need for space.
Maybe you say something likehey, I'm enjoying this, but I
(16:22):
feel like I should be takingthings a little slower.
And instead of respecting that,they push harder.
They might laugh it off or saysomething like I just know what
I want, and what I want is you,which sounds cute, until you
realize that they want tooverride your comfort level.
Healthy love is going to honoryour boundaries and love bombing
just tries to steamroll them.
(16:45):
Third, you feel emotionallyoverwhelmed, even if it's a good
kind of overwhelm.
At first it's flattering theattention, the affection, that
feeling of being someone'sabsolute priority, but very
quickly it can tip intosomething that feels less like
romance and more like emotionalclaustrophobia.
Suddenly you're texting back sofast that you develop carpal
(17:07):
tunnel and you're cancellingyour plans, just to be available
24-7.
You start googling how tobecome a more spontaneous person
at 2am because they said theylove spontaneity and you feel
guilty for liking plans.
And when something feelsoverwhelming, even when it's
dressed up as love, that's asign to slow down, not to speed
up.
No-transcript.
(18:04):
Maybe you weren't even thinkingabout being in a serious
relationship, maybe you wantedto take it slow, but now you
feel guilty that you're notfeeling the same way or as fast
as they are.
You might find yourself doingridiculous things like saying I
love you back because you feelbad, not because you're ready,
posting cute couple photos onsocial media two weeks in
because you feel like you'resupposed to be that happy
(18:26):
already.
Or wondering if it's your faultthat you're not as all in as
they are.
Love that pressures you tohurry isn't love, it's
manipulation.
And lastly, if you ask forspace and suddenly they're
sulking, if you expresshesitation and they make you
feel like you're breaking theirheart if you set a boundary and
(18:46):
instead of respecting it, theypunish you, maybe by ghosting,
withdrawing or makingpassive-aggressive comments.
It's like the moment you stopgiving them full access to you.
They make you feel like you'rewrong, like you're selfish or
ungrateful.
Real love doesn't require youto be available 24 7 just to
feel safe.
If you're recognizing any ofthese signs right now, first of
(19:08):
all, just take a deep breath.
You're not crazy.
You're just noticing thatsomething isn't sitting right,
and that's actually a good thing.
That's your intuition kickingin.
So maybe right now you're justnoticing that something isn't
sitting right, and that'sactually a good thing.
That's your intuition kickingin.
So maybe right now you'resitting here thinking, oh, some
of this sounds a little toofamiliar.
Maybe you're noticing that yourlast relationship, or maybe
even the one that you're inright now, had a lot of
(19:29):
fireworks in the beginning, butnow there's this low-key anxiety
humming underneath it.
If you're starting to wonder ifyou might be getting love
bombed, first of all, take adeep breath.
You're not doomed.
You're just getting clearer,and clarity here is your
superpower.
So let's talk about what youcan do now if you suspect love
bombing is happening.
(19:50):
First of all, slow things down.
If the relationship is racingahead at warp speed, it's okay
to tap the brakes.
Healthy love isn't afraid oftime.
It's not going to vanish justbecause you ask it to slow down
a little.
You're allowed to say I'menjoying getting to know you,
but I'd like to take this at apace that feels good for me.
(20:12):
I need a little more timebefore I make big decisions.
Feels good for me.
I need a little more timebefore I make big decisions.
Or let's see how we feel aftera few more months of just dating
casually.
Genuine people don't mind aslower pace.
In fact, they're going torespect you even more for
honoring your own boundaries.
If someone panics the minuteyou pump the brakes, that's not
love, that's control disguisedas urgency.
(20:35):
Second, trust your gut, even ifyou can't explain it, even if
you don't have proof, even ifyou want to believe the fairy
tale version that they'reselling.
If your body feels tight,anxious, confused, listen to it.
Your nervous system often picksup on what your brain hasn't
figured out yet.
It's easy to override those gutfeelings when someone is love
(20:58):
bombing you because it all looksso good on paper.
But good love doesn't justsound good.
It feels really safe.
Third, look for consistency overtime, not intensity early on.
Consistency is the key here.
Not someone just blowing upyour phone for a week and then
disappearing.
Not someone planning yourwedding after three dates, then
(21:20):
forgetting to text you back twodays later.
Consistency looks like showingup when they say they will
following through on theirpromises, respecting your pace,
even if it's slower than theirs.
If their behavior swings wildlybetween I'm obsessed with you
and where did they go, that'snot stability.
(21:41):
Fourth, watch how they reactwhen you set a boundary or say
no, this is huge.
Boundaries are like aflashlight and they show you
who's safe and who's not.
A healthy person might bedisappointed, sure, but they're
going to respect your no,they're going to adjust and
they're going to give you space.
A love bomber, on the otherhand, might guilt trip you.
(22:02):
I guess you don't feel the sameway as I do.
I thought we had somethingspecial, but I guess you don't
feel the same way as I do.
I thought we had somethingspecial, but I guess I was wrong
.
Not everyone would put up withthis.
You know, if someone makes youfeel bad for simply asking for
time, space or clarity, run Fast.
This is not a good relationshipfor you.
Fifth, talk to trusted friends,therapists or mentors.
(22:24):
When you're in the middle of it, love bombing can feel like
being wrapped up in a giantcotton candy cloud.
It's sweet and it's easy to getlost in it.
That's why outside perspectivesare so important.
Find people that you trust, theones who aren't dazzled by
grand gestures, and say, hey,can I run something by you?
This feels a little intense andI want to make sure that I'm
(22:47):
seeing it clearly.
A good friend or therapist canoften spot the red flags that
you might be trying to decorate.
And finally, remember that trueconnection builds over time.
It doesn't need to rush, itdoesn't need to pressure you and
it doesn't bulldoze yourboundaries in the name of fate
or destiny.
True love has room forquestions.
It doesn't need to pressure youand it doesn't bulldoze your
boundaries in the name of fateor destiny.
(23:07):
True love has room forquestions.
It has room for doubt.
True love has room for you tobe a whole human being, not just
an audience for someone else'sperformance.
If you're feeling called outright now, or if you're thinking
about that one time that youstarted planning your future
children's names after datethree.
You're not alone and I'mstanding here right next to you.
(23:29):
This was me, 100%.
I used to move super quick andI think I might still do it a
little.
I don't know.
I need to think it through whenI'm dating people and I need to
physically stop myself andpause and make sure that I'm not
love bombing, because the truthis that some of us, especially
codependents, are morevulnerable to love bombing than
(23:51):
others, and it's not becausewe're weak or that we're needy
or mean or manipulative.
It's because of the way that wewere shaped in our early
experiences, our attachmentstyles and what we learned about
love and safety.
Maybe you grew up in a homewhere emotional neglect was
normal, where no one reallyasked you how you were feeling,
(24:11):
where love was something thatyou had to earn by being helpful
, quiet, perfect or the goodchild.
Maybe you learned that if youmade yourself useful, if you
made yourself easy to love, thenmaybe, just maybe.
If you made yourself easy tolove, then maybe, just maybe,
you would be the one who gotpicked.
So when someone comes along andlove bombs you, they shower you
with attention, affection andpromises.
(24:33):
It feels like you're finallybeing seen in a way that you've
always needed, how you've alwayswanted to feel.
It doesn't just feel good, itfeels healing.
At first it feels like you'recoming home.
Or maybe you experienced traumaor abandonment early in your
life.
Maybe you got used to peoplebeing hot and cold.
(24:55):
Maybe you were taught that lovecomes in these extremes.
You're either all in or all out.
Safe today, gone tomorrow.
So when someone love bombs you,it fits the emotional pattern
that you already know.
It's intense and chaotic andoverwhelming, but in a weird way
it also feels familiar to you.
And here's a big one thatdoesn't get talked about enough.
(25:22):
Maybe you were taught directlyor indirectly that your job in
relationships is to prioritizeeveryone else's emotions over
your own.
You were trained to beaccommodating, to be
understanding, to make excusesfor bad behavior.
You bend yourself into whatevershape someone else needs.
So when someone moves way toofast, they shower you with
attention and ignores yourboundaries.
(25:42):
Instead of saying, whoa, thisis too much, you might say, well
, maybe I should just be moreopen.
Maybe I'm the problem for notfeeling ready yet.
You start gaslighting yourselfbefore they even have to do it.
And look, I totally get it.
When you're craving deepvalidation and when you're
longing to finally be seen.
(26:04):
It's so easy to get swept up inlove bombing, and the point is,
being vulnerable to love bombingdoesn't mean something is wrong
with you.
It means that you're wired forconnection, it means that you
value love and it means thatyou've been waiting, maybe for a
really long time, for someoneto finally see you.
And none of that is somethingto be ashamed of.
(26:25):
But now that you know better,now that you have the words for
what's happening, you can startloving yourself differently, you
can start trusting your gut alittle faster and you can start
giving yourself the kind ofsteady, respectful love that you
deserve, even before anyoneelse gives it to you, because
you're worth that.
(26:45):
So if you take anything awayfrom today's episode, I hope
it's this.
Love bombing isn't love.
It's intensity wearing adisguise, real love.
It's not going to rush you, itdoesn't overwhelm you.
It doesn't disappear the momentyou need space or set a
boundary.
And now you have the tools, thelanguage and the awareness to
(27:08):
protect your heart movingforward.
I'm going to ask you to pleasefeel free to share this episode
with someone that you know whomight be getting love bombed, or
maybe is a love bomberunknowingly Heck.
Share it with the world.
I'm really trying to reach asmany people as I can this year,
so don't forget to click thefollow button so you don't miss
any further episodes, and pleasesend this to someone that you
(27:30):
care about.
I wish you all a great week asyou learn to foster a better
relationship with the mostimportant person in your life
yourself.
I'm going to meet you here nextweek for another episode of the
Codependent Doctor, when I'mgoing to be talking about
neglect.
Take care for now.
Thank you for joining me and Ihope today's podcast resonated
(27:52):
with you.
Click, like and subscribe soyou don't miss any future
episodes and to help others whomight benefit.
This podcast is not meant toprovide medical advice and
should not replace seeing yourdoctor for mental health
concerns.
If you're having a mentalhealth crisis, please present to
a hospital, call 911 or yourlocal crisis helpline.
I'll talk to you next week foranother episode of the
(28:13):
Codependent Doctor.
We can do this together.
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Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com