RomConned and Red Flags: How to Date Smart and Stay Safe

When betrayal shatters your trust in others and in yourself, how do you ever feel safe dating again? In this episode, we unpack romance cons, toxic relationships, and the subtle red flags your nervous system notices long before your mind does—so you can date smarter, not scared.Today on Uncoupled & Unfiltered, I’m honored to be joined by Laurel House — Dating, Relationship, and Behavioral Dynamics Expert, and the creator and co-host of RomConned, a YouTube and podcast series she hosts with criminologist Dr. Alex del Carmen that explores the psychology of romance scams, relational deception, and the path to recovery when trust has been broken.In this episode, we dive into relationships, divorces, dating, and the red flags we often miss — and why. Laurel also shares how to use your love life experiences as a form of data collection, teaching you to read your body’s signals so you can build healthier, more authentic relationships.Key Topics Covered:What RomConned is and why romance scams are more common than most people realizeThe differences between toxic relationships, abusive relationships, and romance consWhy we often miss the “obvious” warning signs — and why it’s important not to judge yourself when you doHow your body sends signals to alert you when something feels offStaying safe while datingFour key criteria to recognize a healthy relationshipWhy we end up in unhealthy dynamics — often following the heart and hormones instead of the head — and how to change that patternDating and building relationships from a place of emotional healthAbout Our Guest: Laurel HouseLaurel House is an internationally recognized dating, relationship, and behavioral dynamics expert with over 15 years of experience helping people build authentic, healthy connections. She is a relationship expert for eharmony and has appeared on major media outlets, including Good Morning America, The Today Show, Nightline, and E! News, as well as serving as a dating coach on E!’s Famously Single. Laurel is the creator and co-host of RomConned, a series that explores romance scams, relational deception, and recovery, and she’s a 5× published author known for her practical, no‑games approach to dating and relationships. Her work focuses on helping people recognize unhealthy patterns, communicate with clarity, and cultivate connections grounded in mutual respect and self‑awareness.Who This Episode Is For:Anyone navigating dating, breakups, or relationships, and wanting to recognize red flags earlyPeople who want to understand the differences between toxic, abusive, and manipulative dynamicsSurvivors of romance scams or relational deception looking to rebuild trust and confidenceListeners are curious about how to read their body’s signals and make empowered relationship choicesAnyone who wants practical, expert strategies for building healthy, authentic, and mutually respectful connectionsThose ready to break unhealthy patterns and date from a place of emotional clarity and strength“Attachment without emotional safety is where you're in danger. That is commitment without regulation. It's presence without psychological availability, and it can create major psychological harm.” - Laurel HouseConnect with Laurel House:Website:  https://www.romconned.com/ Connect with Ksenia Muench:Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/ Website: https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/ Substack: https://substack.com/@thriveagaindc Email: [email protected] 🎧 Listen, Subscribe & ShareFollow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.Want to work with Ksenia? The next cohort is forming now- https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/