Women Are Leaving Dating Apps — And Men Should Panic [Ep 124]

Women Are Leaving Dating Apps — and Men Should PanicDating apps are driving women away in record numbers, and the 2026 Bumble report confirms it — women are ditching the swipe culture for matchmakers, real-life romance, and yes, Bridgerton. John and Echo break down exactly why this is happening, why men should care, and what it actually takes to make a woman feel chosen in a world full of low-effort guys.They dig into why hookup culture has ruined dating for everyone, what women actually mean when they say "make men yearn again," and how the romance of fictional characters like those in Bridgerton isn't fantasy — it's just a standard men used to meet. Plus, John shares his counterintuitive secret for making a woman obsessed with you (hint: it involves pumping the brakes), and Echo opens up about keeping her own standards high even when everyone told her to lower them. They close out the episode with a raw, real conversation about a fight they had — and what John realized he was missing when Echo came to him vulnerable and he went full "fix it" mode.In This EpisodeWomen aren't abandoning men — they're abandoning low-effort men and the apps that enable them"Make men yearn again" isn't about wealth or looks — it's about pursuit, intention, and making her feel chosenThe slow burn is your superpower: getting a woman to the point she'd sleep with you and then pulling back creates genuine obsessionInvestment creates value — the less effort you put in, the less you'll value what you getWomen need to hold the standard from a place of self-respect, not contempt — there's a huge differenceMen who treat women poorly can't separate that from their own relationship — it bleeds overIn conflict, validate first, educate last — jumping to logic before she feels seen derails everythingThe BRAVE framework: Breathe, Resist defending, Assess the situation, Validate emotions, Educate — in that orderTimestamps0:00 — Women Are Choosing Fictional Romance Over Dating Apps2:48 — Why Women's High Standards Aren't Unrealistic4:48 — What Women Actually Want: Make Men Yearn Again8:41 — The Dating App Experience From a Woman's Perspective12:42 — Men Should Be Upset — But Not For The Reason They Think16:11 — Why Low-Effort Dating Makes Women Feel Worthless To Men20:15 — The Hypocrisy of Slut-Shaming While Resisting Courtship27:18 — The Secret to Making a Woman Obsessed With You36:00 — Building Anticipation: The Key to Romance and Attraction45:55 — Why Bars and Clubs Are the Worst Place to Find Love53:08 — Good Standards vs. Toxic Standards for Both Genders1:01:00 — Our Real Disagreement: When Logic Replaces EmpathyConnect🎙 Full show notes & resources📺 YouTube📷 Instagram: @betterthanperfectpodcast📧 Subscribe for weekly relationship adviceAbout the ShowBetter Than Perfect is a relationship podcast that helps you navigate modern dating, marriage, and everything in between — with real talk and practical advice that actually works. New episodes every Friday.