Dating in Your 20s
Psychology & Relationships
About
Hosted by Amelia and Lilly, two licensed therapists based in Chicago, Illinois, Dating in Your 20s dives into the chaos, comedy, and complexity of modern dating — all through a therapeutic lens. As two women in their 20s, Amelia and Lilly are in the trenches themselves, navigating everything from bad Hinge dates and ghosting to social media comparison and the pressure of modern relationships. With a mix of humor, honesty, and clinical insight, each episode blends real-life dating experiences with psychological frameworks like attachment theory, emotional regulation, communication styles, and more. Whether you're healing from heartbreak, stuck in a situationship, or just wondering why dating feels so complicated right now, Amelia and Lilly are here to help you feel a little less alone — and a lot more understood.
Episodes
- The 20s Shift: Outgrowing, Holding On, and Becoming
Amelia Abernathy and Lilly Wehman discuss the evolving nature of friendships, relationships, and identity in your 20s. They explore how life transitions, such as dating and career shifts, reshape social dynamics and emotional connections.
- Everything I Know About Dating in Your 20s
Amelia and Lilly discuss lessons, heartbreaks, and self-discovery while dating in your twenties. They explore fears, insecurities, and unhealthy dating patterns, emphasizing that growth starts within.
- The “Village” We Romanticize vs. the Village We Actually Build
Amelia and Lilly discuss the significance of friendships in your 20s, highlighting how they matter just as much as romantic relationships. The episode explores themes of emotional labor, reciprocity, and the intentional effort required to…
- Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing?
Amelia and Lilly discuss whether having a boyfriend is considered embarrassing in current dating culture, exploring the social pressures and influence of social media on relationships in your 20s.
- Self-Celebration Isn't Selfish
Amelia and Lilly discuss how relationships can be a catalyst for personal growth, highlighting the importance of self-celebration. They emphasize that both positive and negative experiences contribute to development and healing.
- The Ten Commandments
Amelia and Lilly discuss the unwritten rules of modern dating and the importance of prioritizing personal values over societal expectations. They also recap their time at The Beauty Boost Chicago event and reflect on the process of self-di…
- The Crash-out Episode
In 'Dating in Your 20s,' therapists Lilly Wehman and Amelia Abernathy share insights on the emotional challenges of dating in your twenties. They cover vulnerability, anxiety, coping mechanisms, and the significance of community support.
- Looking Back, Moving Forward: How Our Podcast Changed Our Relationships With Oren Matteson
Oren Matteson discusses with hosts Amelia Abernathy and Lilly Wehman how their podcast 'Dating in Your 20s' has impacted their relationships and perspectives on modern dating, communication, and commitment.
- The Narcissism Conversation: What’s Real, What’s Overused, and How to Heal With DeVona Alleyne
This episode of Dating in Your 20s features Rev. DeVona Alleyne discussing narcissism in relationships. Topics include identifying narcissistic traits, love bombing, gaslighting, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-awareness and comp…
- The DMs Are Open: Listener Q&A
In this episode of Dating in Your 20s, hosts Amelia and Lilly address listener questions about modern dating, discussing challenges like ghosting and mixed signals, and offering advice on confidence and boundaries.
- Ghosts of Boyfriends Past
This episode of Dating in Your 20s features Amelia and Lilly discussing the lingering impact of past boyfriends on current relationships. They cover topics like projection, transference, and hypervigilance, offering therapeutic takeaways f…
- What to Do When You're the Last Single One
Amelia and Lilly discuss navigating singlehood and shifting friendship dynamics in your 20s, emphasizing empathy, communication, and self-worth independent of relationship status, while acknowledging social media's influence.
- The Honeymoon Phase: Butterflies or Just Anxiety?
This episode of Dating in Your 20s explores the honeymoon phase, also called "boyfriend sickness," and its impact on relationships and friendships. Hosts Amelia and Lilly discuss how intense early romantic connection can lead to isolation…
- Is 'The One' Even Real? Unpacking Soulmate Myths and Dating with Intention
Amelia and Lilly discuss the myth of
- Why You Ghost, Cling, or Chase: Attachment Styles with Hilary Rosenberg
This episode of Dating in Your 20s discusses attachment styles with therapist Hilary Rosenberg, exploring how anxious, avoidant, fearful-avoidant, and secure styles influence dating. It covers the impact of early experiences, dating apps,…
- Hot Enough to Date Him? Unpacking Beauty Standards and Who You Think You Should Be With
This episode of Dating In Your 20s examines how internalized beauty standards influence who people are attracted to and believe they can date. Hosts Amelia and Lilly discuss the impact of media, culture, and personal experiences on dating…
- Why Do I Always Start Fights? A 20s Guide to Conflict Styles
This episode of Dating in Your 20s discusses conflict styles in romantic relationships, explaining how family dynamics and anxiety influence reactions like shutting down, fixing, or blaming. The hosts introduce 'Conflict Languages' to help…
- Dating on the Rocks: The Influence of Alcohol on Modern Dating
This episode of Dating in Your 20s explores the complex influence of alcohol on dating. Hosts Lilly and Amelia discuss why alcohol is often part of the dating script, its impact on communication and safety, and strategies for mindful drink…
- Putting Yourself Out There (Ugh) The brave act of dating with anxiety
In this episode of Dating in Your 20s, Amelia and Lilly explore the difficulties of putting oneself out there for dating, especially when dealing with anxiety. They discuss the impact of dating apps, singles events, and the psychological e…
- Modern Love & Materialism: A Deep Dive into Celine Song’s Materialists
Lilly and Amelia discuss Celine Song’s film Materialists, examining themes of transactional love, the ideal partner myth, and how ambition, wealth, and emotional intimacy intersect in modern dating struggles.
- Breadcrumbing, Benching, and Other Bullsh*t: Modern dating behaviors that mess with your head.
This episode of Dating in Your 20s unpacks modern dating behaviors such as breadcrumbing, benching, and love bombing, explaining their meanings, the psychology behind them, and their impact on emotional well-being and relationship expectat…