The Love Department

Let's get married! Join host Nik Lockhart, former matchmaker and writer on her journey down the aisle. This season we're exploring all things weddings, proposals, and (of course) the nature of love.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Introducing THE LOVE DEPARTMENT. The heartwarming interview podcast exploring the nature of love and relationships.  Hosted by Nik Lockhart, former matchmaker, writer and philanthropist, this show talks candidly about what love has taught us and all the ways we put love into daily practice.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Gather around for another episode of The Heart Line. That's right, we opened our advice mailbox twice this season for our listeners. In this episode, we talk about going solo to a wedding, whether you need to ask your parents' permission to get engaged, and if registering for gifts is out-of-date or still a must-have for your wedding.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

From their kindergarten class photo, to a grilled cheese proposal, to becoming accidental entrepreneurs, Abby & Jay's love story is one for the books. In this episode of The Love Department, host Nik Lockhart continues to explore season two’s wedding theme by welcoming childhood sweethearts turned wedding venue owners, Abby and Jay.Abby and Jay share their incredible lifelong journey, which began when they were paired up next to each other in a kindergarten class photo. After moving away, reconnecting this "girl next door" and the "boy next door," were pulled back together.These hometown heroes have always prioritized comfort, family, and authenticity.Today, they are the proud owners of Maple Shade Farm—a historic 213-acre estate in their rural hometown of Delhi, New York. They discuss how a dormant 1800s farm organically evolved into a bustling business that has fueled their creative passions, boosted their local economy, and strengthened their bond as a couple who works together.Check out their stunning wedding venue Maple Shade Farm: www.mapleshadefarmny.com/Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Michael (also known as Misha) and Mario, whose love story began when they went clubbing on Halloween. After just six months of dating, Misha proposed, and now, after a two-year engagement, the couple is planning their wedding for 2026. They have a three decade age gap and their story is one for the ages.It’s a conversation full of warmth, wisdom, and insights on love in all its forms. We cover:The challenges and joys of dating in middle ageNavigating coming out and finding acceptance with parentsWhy a quick proposal can lead to a lasting engagementThe power of traditional weddings and vowsReferenced in this episode:"Vows: The Modern Genius of an Ancient Rite" book by Cheryl Mendelsen"The Last Of Us: Season 1 Episode 3" "Meaning of Marriage" by Timothy Keller & Kathy KellerSupport the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

On this episode we open up the inbox on our HeartLine to share with you. Hear from The Love Department listeners who discuss “What if I don't want this person at our Wedding?” “Changing our Lastname” and “Group Projects in College” “TV Shows for Couples to watch Together” and “Dating with Patience” Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Imagine having three weddings to the same person. Luckily these two said I do on every occasion. Tracy and Eddy met when they were just fresh faced immigrants to New York City. When Tracy moved in to an apartment with Eddy and two other guys, it was the last thing on her mind that she would end up meeting the love of her life. But as the song goes they were going down swinging and it took just two weeks to make the jump from roommates to lovers.In this episode we talk about getting married in Las Vegas while enjoying a emo music festival with their close friends, custom designing a wedding dress and engagement ring that tells a story, friends who are more like family, and how to navigate the mishaps of wedding planning. Thinking of doing a destination wedding? Hear how Tracy and Eddy scouted their venues, transported their friends and family, and worked with vendors they loved to curate a gorgeous three day soiree in the south of France.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Before you say "I Do..." you might want to consider all the legal maters that go into merging lives with another person. Did you know that pets can be written into your pre-nuptial agreement? Joining us on today's episode are Morgan and Shari, also known as the Bride Lawyers. This mother-daughter duo help couples navigate the tricky ins and outs of marital law. In this episode we discuss what really happens when you change your name, how to disclose financial and personal assets, and how to talk to a reluctant partner about getting a prenup.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Planning a proposal soon? Join us on this episode of The Love Department where Nik Lockhart sits down with Kerry Lynn owner and designer of Love Locked, a jewelry boutique located in Jersey City. Things get sparkly with these two, as they talk about sustainable gemstones, how much to spend on a wedding ring, proposal alternatives to a ring, how to keep your proposal a surprise, and just how to create a custom piece that your one-of-a-kind lover will adore for years to come. We also talk about what to do with that heirloom jewel and how you can fashion something "new" out of something "old".Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Paloma and Derron may have met at a fraternity party as undergraduate students, but their paths didn't merge until they moved to the same city. After a quick first date turned into a long goodbye, these two realized that love was worth making the effort for. In this episode, we talk about planning the perfect proposal (which was nearly a big fail), the importance of great wedding photography, how to keep your parents' opinions out of your wedding day, healthy models of Black love, and navigating long-distance relationships.The Patreon for this show has been archived. Thank you to those of you who supported us on that platform!Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

In the current world, with all its flaws and reasons to despair, why do people choose to get married? Join host Nik Lockhart as she explores the big questions around marriage and pursuing a life of partnership. She helps listeners navigate the big transitions that come with life, her proposal story, fears about getting married, the marriage advice she received, and how to focus on the love when planning your big day.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Since the recording of this episode in 2024, Stacy and Cat have since parted ways. But the wisdom and humor in this episode remain so touching and we're grateful they shared a bit of that with us at The Love Department.Fashion icon Stacy London and the hilarious comedian Cat Yezbak met at an event and had a patient-steady start to their romance which blossomed during the COVID 19 pandemic. On this episode we talk about navigating personal loss, menopause, love in the spotlight, how family origins impact our views of love, and how pets are more than just animals.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

On this episode we open up the voicemails on our HeartLine to share with you. Hear from The Love Department listeners who ask “How to handle differences on trash day” “Reconnecting with a childhood crush” and “help writing wedding vows” and more…To leave a message on our HeartLine visit: www.love-deparment.com. We’d love to hear how it's going in your love department.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

There once was a girl named Allie who lived in Long Island. She struggled to find a place and a person with whom she ‘fit’. On the same island was a boy, named Chuck, who too felt like he didn’t fit in or deserve to find love. On Halloween night Allie went to a castle and ordered cocktail… and it was terrible. Chuck, who worked at the castle bar swept in to her rescue and offered to make her a replacement. And it was that love potion that finally brought them ‘home’ in love.In this episode we talk about family histories and generational healing, growing up bi-racial, manifesting your partner, and loving someone with a disability.The Patreon for this show has been archived. Thank you for those of you who supported the show!Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Joining us today on the podcast is Courtney Clifford (MS, MFT). She is a NYU Trained and Trauma Informed Coach and Equine Assisted Psychotherapist based in New York City. She’s helping us crack open relationships by discussing the benefits of therapy. In this conversation with Nik Lockhart, Courtney shares how to go about finding safe communication and habits long before we enter partnership.In this episode we talk about family patterns and traumas, how to come into your relationship with healthy habits of self-love, finding the right therapist and modality for you, and modeling safe communication and relationships with a third party.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

In a way, Frankie and Felicia have grown up together. They met in high school when she, in her words “Didn’t like him all that much.” But when they both came to faith after graduating, it was Facebook post that made Frankie slide into her DMs. He was pursuing a life in ministry – one that required him to be as committed to his role in the church as to his role as a partner. In this episode we talk about dating as Christians in a modern world, making time for each other despite demanding jobs, personal finances, and how to navigate offense in the relationship.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Bring in the coquito for this one. Today we’re chatting with Solanchi & Jose. Their love story began when she was a young college student attempted to get into a nightclub. Jose, who was working the club, thought her ID was fake. Now they’re grandparents with a lifetime of love for each other and loving others.In this episode we talk about keeping your sexlife spicy, finding love after divorce, creating a foundation for openness together, and the rules of dating with strict parents.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

In this solo episode with our host, we start of with an attempt to define love itself. You’ll hear about Nik’s journey to creating The Love Department and more about what you can expect from Season 1 of this groundbreaking platform.In this episode we talk about the movie “Past Lives” by Celine Song, why Nik created this show, and what she believes Love has to offer the world.To support us on Substack, please visit www.thelovedepartment.substack.comSupport the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Cheryl and Patrick met as kids at a summer camp in their native upstate New York. But it wasn’t until they by chance attended the same college that their meeting turned into something more. In 2019 Cheryl was diagnosed with breast cancer, her treatments coincided with the Covid-19 Pandemic. Not even a year later, Patrick experienced his own health scare that nearly cost him his life. Their love story is a powerful testament to how love can withstand the worst of life and come out stronger.In this episode we talk about loving through serious illness, equality among the sexes, choosing not to have kids, and falling in love with where you live.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

Maria Teresa and Gerard met as students studying in the South of France. She is from Peru and he is from the UK but they communicated for the first few years of their relationship in their second language, the language of Love, French. Theirs is a story about how love is wide enough to cross an ocean, forge its own path and embrace the adventure of building a life together.In this episode we talk about parental disapproval, long distance relationships, and blending cultures in a family.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo

On a cold night out with friends, two single people met at the end of a Manhattan bar. They weren’t looking for love that night, but as it turned out, love was looking for them. This is the story of Maggie & Russell. They were ten days from meeting their first child when The Love Department asked them, “What has love taught you?”In this episode we talk about dating timelines, coming out within your relationship, new parenthood, and love languages.Our Patreon is currently archived. Thank you to those of you who joined us there and supported the show.Support the showVisit us at www.love-department.com. We'd love to connect with you.  Xoxo