Flirtin After Forty
by Tracy Lopez
Flirtin After Forty is a podcast about dating, relationships, and starting over in midlife. Hosted by Tracy, the show explores the messy, funny, honest reality of love after 40 — from divorce and heartbreak to first dates, unexpected connections, and everything in between.Through candid conversations and real-life stories, Tracy talks with guests and shares her own experiences navigating modern dating, relationships, and the occasional chaos that comes with it. Episodes are short, honest, and usually under 30 minutes — perfect for anyone who knows that love doesn’t follow a timeline.Stay connected: Join the Flirtin’ List for podcast updates, card drops, and discounts: https://flirtinafterforty.com
Episodes
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What If Safe Is the Dream?
This episode is a little different. After two weeks away, I’ve been thinking about what I’m putting my energy into, what I’m asking for, and whether the stories we tell ourselves eventually become the lives we create. When I started Flirtin’ After Forty, I was looking for love. Somewhere along…
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I Could Coordinate Your Divorce for You
Fresh off a Costa Rica getaway, I’m questioning whether I’ve officially become a bougie traveler—and apparently, my entire understanding of dating while I’m at it. I went on a genuinely great date with a sweet, thoughtful guy… only to find out afterward that he’s still technically married. Then…
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I Just Want to Meet Someone in the Wild
Dating after 40 is weird. Like… really weird. This week I’m talking about the strange world of modern dating — meeting strangers online, hoping for that old-school “meet cute,” and figuring out what happens when people show you exactly who they are. From a Home Depot romance gone wrong to the...
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Bro, I’m Far More Than Cute
Scratch is officially off the roster—but not because anything dramatic happened. Sometimes two people simply stop reaching for each other, and that tells you everything you need to know. This week, I’m talking about chemistry, trusting that little feeling when something seems off, and realizing...
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The Last Boat Ride
This line from the episode is gorgeous. It also ties beautifully to Safe Kept Legacy without feeling like a sales pitch. When the Universe Whispers This captures the book, the movie, the boat, the house, and the feeling that something keeps nudging you forward. First-Person Episode Summary In…
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A Week Can Change Everything
Some weeks quietly pass by. Others completely change your perspective. This week reminded me how fragile life can be as I took my son in for another EEG and found myself sitting in that familiar place every parent knows—the one where you'd do absolutely anything to protect your child. It was a...
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Block the Motherfucker
In this episode, I’m talking about the aftermath of my very questionable “can we be friends with benefits?” experiment with J-Man — and yes, you were all right. Bad idea. I know. I knew it too, but apparently I needed to gather my own evidence like a little emotional scientist. After one...
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Friends, Benefits, and Bad Ideas
In this episode, I’m talking about one very strange, emotional, maybe magical day — 6/26/26 — where I somehow spent nearly seven hours on the phone, which is hilarious because I swear I don’t even like talking on the phone. The day started with a text from J-Man about anger, hurt, and everything...
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The Version of Him I Never Got
In this episode, I start with Father’s Day, teenage boys testing out pickup lines at my kitchen table, and me maybe being a questionable mom while casually giving advice on how to flee golf course security. So, parenting. Nailed it. Then I finally watch Ted Lasso after avoiding it for years…
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Cabo, Courage, and Menopause Day
In this episode, I’m catching you up after a solo trip to Cabo that I desperately needed. I went into the trip stressed, overwhelmed, and carrying way too much from work, life, summer, and the J-Man breakup — and somehow came home lighter, happier, and a little more restored. I talk about what…
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I Have a Dick So I Make the Rules
The last few weeks have been heavy. Work stress, co-parenting stress, emotional stress… just one of those seasons where it feels like everyone needs something from you while you’re quietly trying to hold it all together. And this week, I realized something about myself: I’m really good at…
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The Summer of Choosing Myself
In this episode of Flirtin’ After Forty, I’m catching you up on a heavy couple of weeks — co-parenting disappointment, the aftermath of calling out my ex-husband, and the sadness of realizing that J-Man and I are no longer together. I talk about what it feels like to advocate for your kids, stop...
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They Notice Who Shows Up
This week I’m talking about something that hit me harder than I expected: my son’s eighth grade continuation, the milestone moment, the packed gym full of families, and the empty seat where his dad should have been. I went into the day thinking it was just another school ceremony, but watching my...
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I’m Fine. My Nervous System Disagrees.
This week came in swinging. My dad ended up in the hospital, work was frantic, my son had school stuff going on, I had bizarre dreams, a snake tried to move into my house, and somehow a barking dog at a job walk almost finished me off. I realized I’m really good in the middle of a crisis — I can...
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The Bar Is Low and I’m Still Disappointed
This week, I’m talking about Mother’s Day, disappointment, mental load, and the tiny moments that make women wonder, “Why am I managing everyone’s common sense?” After a week with my mom in town, my kids home, and a very quiet house finally to myself, I realized how much I value my space — and…
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Moms Deserve More (And Men Need to Stop Comparing Us to Used Cars)
This week felt like a weird mix of everything—snow days in May, finishing a home project I’ve been avoiding for eight months, and one of the most ridiculous dating profiles I’ve ever read. But really, this episode is about moms. With Mother’s Day coming up, I’m talking about the invisible load we...
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Dating Then vs. Now: What Happened to Us
I had one of those days—running between nine projects, exhausted, getting hit with “what’s for dinner?” the second I sat down—and I almost lost it. But then I found something that completely flipped my mood… my very first dating profile. Like FULL novel-length, 20-prompts,...
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When “Good” Doesn’t Feel Like Enough
I didn’t record last week… and honestly, that kind of says it all. In this episode, I’m sharing a very real update—yes, I’m dating J-Man again. But it’s not a fairytale reunion. It’s complicated, it’s uncertain, and I’m asking myself some hard questions. He’s showing up differently. We’re...
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My Kids Are Gross, My Smoke Detector Hates Me, So I Went to Vegas
I hit my limit this week—between disgusting teenage bedrooms, a middle-of-the-night smoke detector meltdown, and just… life piling on, I needed out. So I went to Vegas. Alone. And somewhere between early morning slot machines, winning $$$ playing Keno, and meeting the kindest strangers at a bar,...
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A Special Kind of Awesome
This week started with me feeling completely unmotivated… and ended with a big win I didn’t see coming. After weeks of waiting and assuming we didn’t get it, I got the call—and it was a yes. One of those moments where you realize the feeling you had all along? It was right. From there, I went…
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Calendar Reminders, Divorce Rings & Murder Vans
This week a calendar reminder informed me it’s been 16 years since I got engaged—which is not exactly the kind of notification a divorced woman expects to wake up to. That moment sent me thinking about old engagement rings, what to do with them, and how funny it is that some things from the past...
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Lonely vs. Alone (And Why One Is Way Worse)
This week I’m feeling it — the moon, the exhaustion, the loneliness… all of it. In this episode I’m talking about the difference between being alone and feeling alone with someone, and why the second one might actually be worse. I miss J-Man, and not reaching out is harder than I’d like to admit....
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Nice vs. Kind
I really loved him. And I really wanted it to work. But wanting something isn’t the same as it being right. After a tough fight, a dark weekend, and a long therapy session, I had to listen to the quiet voice I kept trying to override — my gut. In this episode, I talk about ending it (yes, over...
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Is He My Person… Or Am I Mine?
In just one week, everything shifted. Season two launched, J-Man listened to the podcast, and somehow we’re cautiously trying again. This episode is about growth you don’t always see day-to-day — how much you’ve actually evolved, healed, and changed over time. It’s about not losing yourself in...
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Back To Me
Season two starts with me coming back to myself. In this episode, I talk openly about ending my relationship with J-Man — someone I deeply care about — and what it looks like to listen to your gut even when the decision hurts. This isn’t about blame or big drama; it’s about recognizing...
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The Weight of Paying Attention
This week’s episode is a heavier one. I talk about why I stepped back last week and how hard it’s been to process what’s happening in our world — especially when it stops feeling political and starts feeling deeply human. From ICE activity near my kids’ school to conversations with friends who...
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Life’s Not on Fire… But Everything Smells Like Smoke
This week I’m not in crisis — but everything feels a little… smoky. From cringey dating-text advice I refuse to use, to Etsy hate mail over a $9 card (free shipping included, relax), to tech failures, bank chaos, and the never-ending mental load, it’s been one of those weeks where nothing is on...
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Good Relationships Are Harder Than Bad Ones (Apparently)
I found a good guy — and realized that wasn’t the ending, it was the beginning. In this episode, I’m sharing what happens when the honeymoon phase fades and real life steps in: a first big fight, a birthday that didn’t go as planned, and the uncomfortable work of navigating a healthy relationship...
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Receive: A Grown-Woman Word for the New Year
I felt called to record one last episode before the year ended — from my bed, late at night, with a lot on my heart. This episode is about choosing my word for 2026 and why “receive” feels both right and wildly uncomfortable. We talk about letting go of force, stopping the uphill push, and…
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Love Actually, Family Chaos, and Showing Up Messy
The holidays are here, my emotions are loud, and I’m showing up exactly as I am — messy moments included. After shelving a previously recorded episode that didn’t feel right, I open up about blended-family dynamics, holiday exhaustion, hormones, and how an innocent Uno game turned into a…
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No Drama Here—So I Borrowed Some From the Internet
I’m back after an unplanned two-week break filled with jello shots, favorite-food Thanksgiving, and a whole lot of rest. Things with J-Man are going so well it’s actually making me a little uncomfortable — apparently “safe and stable” is a new relationship skill I’m learning. And because the...
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Cosmic Chaos and Men From Every Era
This week, the universe threw me into a full-on cosmic spin cycle. Between opening a life-changing navigation center for the City of Aurora and navigating the Northern Lights energy, every man from my romantic archives decided to resurface — the one-date wonder, the post-divorce...
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I'm Not Stalking, I'm Researching
I’m not stalking, I’m just researching — that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. This week I went down a LinkedIn hole, found out the lieutenant got married, and had one of those “holy sh*t” moments that makes you question everything. But don’t worry, I balance the heavy stuff with some of the…
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The I-Might-Maybe-Love-You Moment
This week, I’m getting real about the moment I accidentally told one of J-Man’s friends I might love him — and then completely spiraled. I started questioning what “I love you” really means and why my instinct was to retreat the second I felt vulnerable. It’s a story about fear, honesty, and...
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Past My Flirting Hours
You know it’s a full weekend when I meet the friends, get called by the ex’s name, and still end up fielding a drunk text from my former situationship. I’m navigating the highs of new-relationship milestones and the lows of late-night nonsense — all while reminding myself that boundaries aren’t...
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Flirting Through The Generations
From Boomers’ love letters to Gen Z’s video dates, I’m exploring how each generation finds connection — and what still matters most. Featuring a nod to Diane Keaton, a healthy relationship check-in, and a Denver edition of Love Is Blind gossip.
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I Make The Rules Now
This week, I’m talking about that weird mix of joy and panic that hits when things start to feel too good to be true. From a dream breakup in Vegas to realizing I don’t have to follow anyone else’s rules for love or life, I’m learning what it means to build something healthy—my way. Oh, and just...
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No Apology
Sam’s late-night text proves some men never learn—if you can’t say sorry, don’t say anything. But this episode isn’t just about eye-roll moments. I also finish telling the hardest story I’ve carried: my time with the Lieutenant, the choices I made, and the assault that changed everything. It’s…
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Laughter, Love, and the Prettiest Hat Ever
This week, I’m gushing (yep, full on gushing) about my weekend getaway with J-Man. From bad coffee shop vibes in Aspen to laughter that made my face hurt, it was easy, authentic, and fun—and it ended with a big milestone. Spoiler alert: I officially have a boyfriend. Oh, and the world’s most...
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Nachos, Red Flags, and Lessons in Love
This episode swings from light to heavy: I share how J-Man and I turned a not-so-great day into a fun night (hello, nachos and late-night talks) by learning how to ask the right questions. Then I dive back into the story I promised—my time with “the Lieutenant.” Think poly dating, awkward...
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The Hardest Story I’ve Shared Yet
This week I share two sides of my story: the joy of feeling truly seen in a new relationship, and the courage to finally speak about a painful chapter from my past. For the first time, I’m opening up about an abusive relationship that changed me—and how therapy, friendship, and green flags have...
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Big Leaps, Bold Moves, and Bag of Dicks Guy
From launching a business straight from my Jamaica daydreams to introducing J-Man to the kids (yeah, I did that), I’m all about bold moves this week. Spoiler: things are going really freaking well. Oh, and if you think your dating life is messy, wait until you hear the rant from a guy who’s mad...
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From Belly Flops to Mountain Tops
This week I’m spilling the tea on belly flop parties, surprise costumes, and what it feels like to finally date someone who plans the trip (and buys the Starbucks). Plus, I share why sticking your tongue out in dating pics is an automatic “nope” and laugh through the infamous “no-go” first-date...
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The ‘Unattractive’ Episode
This week I’m juggling school drop-offs, fresh starts, and the wild idea that love really is about slowing down and actually knowing someone. Plus, I share a few laughable (and cringey) confessions from men about what they find ‘unattractive’—spoiler alert: it’s ridiculous. Grab your coffee, your...
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When Your Diary Talks Back
Fan mail made my week, a coworker crush popped up on Hinge, and my brunch date ended with a dog fight (literally). Add in a matchmaker pushing a “randoms only” guy, a dating app ego the size of Texas, and the awkward reality of dating someone who listens to this podcast… let’s just say, it’s been…
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Plot Twist… Again
This week, I’m giving an update on my latest date—because of course there’s a twist. Turns out, someone my date used to see also has history with my ex... and now she’s got opinions. Not only that—she’s apparently on a mission to find me. Cool, cool, cool. Also sharing a few funny and oddly...
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Two Degrees of Separation… From My Ex
You know dating is messy when your date casually mentions his ex—who turns out to be your ex-husband’s current love interest. I cannot make this stuff up. In this episode, I break down the wildest “small world” moment I’ve had on a date—and give you an update on how things are going with my last...
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50 Years, 1 First Date, and a Side of Champagne
This week I’m raising a glass to my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary (yes, FIFTY!) and reflecting on what half a century of love looks like. Spoiler: it’s not all roses, but it is pretty inspiring. I’m also spilling the tea on my very first matchmaking date—did sparks fly? Did I Google him...
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I Outsourced My Love Life (What Could Go Wrong?)
What do you do when dating apps start to feel like digital doom scrolling? You hand your phone to your friend and let her take the wheel. In this episode, I talk about my friend’s attempt at becoming my personal matchmaker—swiping, messaging, and maybe even setting me up with someone who isn’t...
About this show
Flirtin After Forty is a podcast about dating, relationships, and starting over in midlife. Hosted by Tracy, the show explores the messy, funny, honest reality of love after 40 — from divorce and heartbreak to first dates, unexpected connections, and everything in between.Through candid conversations and real-life stories, Tracy talks with guests and shares her own experiences navigating modern dating, relationships, and the occasional chaos that comes with it. Episodes are short, honest, and usually under 30 minutes — perfect for anyone who knows that love doesn’t follow a timeline.Stay connected: Join the Flirtin’ List for podcast updates, card drops, and discounts: https://flirtinafterforty.com
Hosted by
Tracy Lopez
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