Dating Detours

What happens when the “honeymoon phase” fades — and reality hits harder than you ever imagined?
In this raw and unfiltered episode, Marcus sits down with Arlene, who shares her story of falling fast, loving hard, and watching her fairytale turn into a nightmare.
From whirlwind romance and culture clashes to emotional abuse and rediscovering herself, this one’s a rollercoaster of red flags, resilience, and real talk.
💍 The love match that turned into heartbreak😳 The husband who vanished for 18 months💔 The moment she realized “forever” was over🔥 How she rebuilt her confidence and peace from the ashes
If you’ve ever fallen for potential instead of reality — this one’s for you.
Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72vQ6a8Re6PDX99Yf3vzIx?si=2s7k3XnhQ6a-Ub9nj-z-XAPodbean: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-pqwpw-13ff319?from=usersiteYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@datingdetoursWebsitehttps://www.datingdetours.comGot a dating story? Be a guest:https://golocalproductions.com/dating-detour-guestEnjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Recorded at Ring Spaces Podcast Studio in Fredericksburg, VA:https://ringspaces.com/podcast-space/We create our clips with Opus:https://www.opus.pro/?via=golocalproductionsStart your own podcast with our recommended gear:https://amzn.to/4kpeIN4

From “build an empire with me or stay in the streets” to “you can’t cuddle with your friends-with-benefits,” Marcus and Krystal keep it too real in this chaotic and hilarious episode of Dating Detours.
They dive into why Thursday nights hit different, why “nice guys” lose to confidence, and how falling in love with yourself might be the best revenge on modern dating. Between stories of quick military marriages, toxic cuddle culture, and grown-folk reflections, this one’s equal parts therapy and stand-up comedy.
💬 Topics:• Castle or the streets — picking a lane in modern dating• Thirsty Thursday energy and why it’s undefeated• The “friends-with-benefits” fine print nobody reads• Dating as a single parent & rediscovering yourself• Why self-love isn’t cliché — it’s survival
Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72vQ6a8Re6PDX99Yf3vzIx?si=2s7k3XnhQ6a-Ub9nj-z-XAPodbean: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-pqwpw-13ff319?from=usersiteYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@datingdetoursWebsitehttps://www.datingdetours.comGot a dating story? Be a guest:https://golocalproductions.com/dating-detour-guestEnjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Recorded at Ring Spaces Podcast Studio in Fredericksburg, VA:https://ringspaces.com/podcast-space/We create our clips with Opus:https://www.opus.pro/?via=golocalproductionsStart your own podcast with our recommended gear:https://amzn.to/4kpeIN4

What happens when you spend 20 years being a wife and mom — and suddenly realize it’s time to choose yourself?
In this powerful episode, Marcus and Kitty sit down with Brie from the Burg, who opens up about starting over at 44, rediscovering her identity, and learning to love life alone after divorce.
They dive into:💔 When the tears stop — and healing finally begins👩‍👧 Finding balance as a single mom of a teen💪 Rebuilding confidence after losing yourself in love🧘‍♀️ Why being alone isn’t the same as being lonely🎨 How side hustles and self-discovery rebuild self-worth
If you’ve ever had to start over — this one will hit deep.
Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72vQ6a8Re6PDX99Yf3vzIx?si=2s7k3XnhQ6a-Ub9nj-z-XAPodbean: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-pqwpw-13ff319?from=usersiteYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@datingdetoursWebsitehttps://www.datingdetours.comGot a dating story? Be a guest:https://golocalproductions.com/dating-detour-guestEnjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Recorded at Ring Spaces Podcast Studio in Fredericksburg, VA:https://ringspaces.com/podcast-space/We create our clips with Opus:https://www.opus.pro/?via=golocalproductionsStart your own podcast with our recommended gear:https://amzn.to/4kpeIN4

In this raw and real episode, James opens up about moving from toxic relationships into a healthy, affirming partnership with a trans man. From caregiving after surgery to wearing rings and talking about future last names, James shares how communication, honesty, and boundaries are shaping this new chapter.
We dig into:
Recognizing red flags early and breaking the cycle of self-sabotage
Family support through the coming-out journey — from fear to full acceptance
Caregiving, trust, and what it really means to “show up” in a relationship
Lessons from past partners who love-bombed, cheated, and drained energy
Big life goals: marriage, kids, and even launching a community coffee shop that blends travel, recovery, and creativity
This isn’t just a dating story — it’s about healing from trauma, building resilience, and setting a roadmap for love and life.
✨ Listen now if you’ve ever wondered how to turn heartbreak into growth, or how to navigate a relationship with honesty after past chaos.
Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72vQ6a8Re6PDX99Yf3vzIx?si=2s7k3XnhQ6a-Ub9nj-z-XAPodbean: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-pqwpw-13ff319?from=usersiteYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@datingdetoursWebsitehttps://www.datingdetours.comGot a dating story? Be a guest:https://golocalproductions.com/dating-detour-guestEnjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Recorded at Ring Spaces Podcast Studio in Fredericksburg, VA:https://ringspaces.com/podcast-space/We create our clips with Opus:https://www.opus.pro/?via=golocalproductionsStart your own podcast with our recommended gear:https://amzn.to/4kpeIN4

🚩 Red flags don’t just wave — sometimes they scream. Pierre Reynolds thought he found “the one.” Shared friends, chemistry, passion. But what started as comfort turned into control, narcissism, and the fight that summed up their entire marriage: he bought himself a pair of Nikes… and she lost it.
In this unfiltered episode, Marcus and Kitty dig into Pierre’s rollercoaster:🔥 The “Nike fight” that became the symbol of his toxic marriage🔥 How narcissists slowly cut you off from your friends until you’re trapped🔥 Why so many marriages exploded during COVID lockdowns🔥 The brutal truth about thinking a wedding ring will “fix” red flags🔥 Masculinity, femininity, and how modern dating is rewriting the rules
This one’s messy, hilarious, and painfully relatable. If you’ve ever ignored the obvious red flags (👋 guilty), you’re going to feel this episode in your soul.
💥 Listen now — because we’ve ALL stayed too long in a toxic relationship.
Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72vQ6a8Re6PDX99Yf3vzIx?si=2s7k3XnhQ6a-Ub9nj-z-XAPodbean: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-pqwpw-13ff319?from=usersiteYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@datingdetoursWebsitehttps://www.datingdetours.comGot a dating story? Be a guest:https://golocalproductions.com/dating-detour-guestEnjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Recorded at Ring Spaces Podcast Studio in Fredericksburg, VA:https://ringspaces.com/podcast-space/We create our clips with Opus:https://www.opus.pro/?via=golocalproductionsStart your own podcast with our recommended gear:https://amzn.to/4kpeIN4

What kind of drunk are you — happy 🍻 or toxic 💀?
After 5 years of swearing off relationships, Jeff is back in the dating game — and he’s terrified of messing it up. Along the way, he drops some hilariously honest truths about dating, drinking, and trying not to self-sabotage.
In this episode, Marcus and Kitty dive in with Jeff on:
Why he “retired” from dating after a brutal breakup
The fine line between a happy drunk vs toxic drunk
How therapy reshaped the way he handles relationships
Dating app disasters — including getting used to change light bulbs 🤦‍♂️
Cuffing season, picky eating, and why board games > relationship games
If you’ve ever dated the toxic drunk, been the toxic drunk, or just laughed at how wild small-town bar culture can get — this one’s for you.
Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72vQ6a8Re6PDX99Yf3vzIx?si=2s7k3XnhQ6a-Ub9nj-z-XAPodbean: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-pqwpw-13ff319?from=usersiteYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@datingdetoursWebsitehttps://www.datingdetours.comGot a dating story? Be a guest:https://golocalproductions.com/dating-detour-guestEnjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Recorded at Ring Spaces Podcast Studio in Fredericksburg, VA:https://ringspaces.com/podcast-space/We create our clips with Opus:https://www.opus.pro/?via=golocalproductionsStart your own podcast with our recommended gear:https://amzn.to/4kpeIN4

Marcus & Kitty sit down with guest Brendan Hill who describes himself as “single but active” and shares the highs and lows of his dating life.
💬 In this episode:
“Dating with intent” — but what’s the real intent?
Cuffing season explained (summer, fall, winter, all the seasons).
A turbulent summer date that went downhill fast.
Ghosting, miscommunication, and ignoring red flags.
Why sometimes… we’re all walking red flags.
 
Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72vQ6a8Re6PDX99Yf3vzIx?si=2s7k3XnhQ6a-Ub9nj-z-XAPodbean: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-pqwpw-13ff319?from=usersiteYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@datingdetoursWebsitehttps://www.datingdetours.comGot a dating story? Be a guest:https://golocalproductions.com/dating-detour-guestEnjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Recorded at Ring Spaces Podcast Studio in Fredericksburg, VA:https://ringspaces.com/podcast-space/We create our clips with Opus:https://www.opus.pro/?via=golocalproductionsStart your own podcast with our recommended gear:https://amzn.to/4kpeIN4

This one’s WILD. Our guest Kristen dives all the way in on the messy reality of modern dating:
Why married men seem to be obsessed with her
The cycle of going back to exes (and why it never works)
The toxic fuck buddy trap — “I love you” during sex but not after
“Demon dick” & “demon pussy” stories that keep people coming back for more
Fake hobbies, fake sports fans, fake interests just to keep someone
Why communication, self-focus, and not putting all your eggs in one basket might be the only real dating advice that matters
This is raw, hilarious, and painfully relatable. If you’ve ever recycled an ex, dealt with toxic attachment, or questioned if men and women can really just be friends…this one hits home.
👉 Don’t miss Kristen’s closing advice for anyone re-entering the dating scene after divorce or a long relationship — it’s the kind of truth you’ll wish someone told you sooner.
Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72vQ6a8Re6PDX99Yf3vzIx?si=2s7k3XnhQ6a-Ub9nj-z-XAPodbean: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-pqwpw-13ff319?from=usersiteYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@datingdetoursWebsitehttps://www.datingdetours.comGot a dating story? Be a guest:https://golocalproductions.com/dating-detour-guestEnjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Recorded at Ring Spaces Podcast Studio in Fredericksburg, VA:https://ringspaces.com/podcast-space/We create our clips with Opus:https://www.opus.pro/?via=golocalproductionsStart your own podcast with our recommended gear:https://amzn.to/4kpeIN4

In Episode 7, host Marcus and guest cohost Justice sit down with Christine, a 44-year-old from Texas, to talk raw and unfiltered about dating after divorce, wild rebound phases, and the journey toward self-love.
Christine opens up about two back-to-back marriages, diving straight into relationships without time to heal—and the chaos that followed. From one-night stands and dating apps to therapy, attachment styles, and finally... peace, she shares the messy, hilarious, and healing parts of rebuilding her identity.
🎧 This episode hits if you’ve ever:
Jumped from relationship to relationship to avoid loneliness
Struggled with anxious or avoidant attachment
Said “I’m done with dating apps” (again)
Used sex, validation, or distractions to numb heartbreak
Wondered how to date with intention after years of doing it wrong
Plus: navigating hookup culture in your 40s, cougar stories, sex toys, narcissists, and why doing the inner work matters before you fall in love again.
Real talk. Zero filters. Tons of laughs.
Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72vQ6a8Re6PDX99Yf3vzIx?si=2s7k3XnhQ6a-Ub9nj-z-XAPodbean: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-pqwpw-13ff319?from=usersiteYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@datingdetoursWebsitehttps://www.datingdetours.comGot a dating story? Be a guest:https://golocalproductions.com/dating-detour-guestEnjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Recorded at Ring Spaces Podcast Studio in Fredericksburg, VA:https://ringspaces.com/podcast-space/We create our clips with Opus:https://www.opus.pro/?via=golocalproductionsStart your own podcast with our recommended gear:https://amzn.to/4kpeIN4

💥 From ghosting to sugar baby dreams — this one’s juicy.
In Episode 6 of Dating Detours, Marcus and co-host Kitty sit down with Fredericksburg guest Lury for one of the wildest, realest conversations yet.
They talk:
Being a gay dad and navigating co-parenting
Dating while over 40 (and very single)
Getting used for sex… and sent roses the next day 💐
Pay pigs, toxic love, stalker exes, and why healing hurts
It’s hilarious, raw, and surprisingly deep. You’re gonna laugh, maybe cry, and absolutely feel seen.
Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72vQ6a8Re6PDX99Yf3vzIx?si=2s7k3XnhQ6a-Ub9nj-z-XAPodbean: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-pqwpw-13ff319?from=usersiteYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@datingdetoursWebsitehttps://www.datingdetours.comGot a dating story? Be a guest:https://golocalproductions.com/dating-detour-guestEnjoying the show? Leave a 5-star review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dating-detours/id1823554631Recorded at Ring Spaces Podcast Studio in Fredericksburg, VA:https://ringspaces.com/podcast-space/We create our clips with Opus:https://www.opus.pro/?via=golocalproductionsStart your own podcast with our recommended gear:https://amzn.to/4kpeIN4