Nicole interviews Laurie Berssack MSW of Carolina’s Matchmaker, about how matchmaking can help people (especially post-divorce) rebuild confidence, get off the apps, and date with more intention. The conversation blends practical dating advice with Nicole’s legal lens on separation/divorce realities and how dating can complicate a case even when it’s technically allowed.

Key takeaways

0) The hardest part of matchmaking: unrealistic expectations

Lori says many clients come in looking for a “perfect robot” partner—hyper-specific, unrealistic ideals—rather than focusing on the foundational traits that actually make relationships work. When people cling to perfection, they often stay single.

0) “Foundations” matter more than the wish list

Lori’s core matching foundations include:

• Faith / values
• Kids (have/want/don’t want)
• Politics / worldview (especially if someone is strongly aligned)
• Lifestyle vision (how they want life to look)
• Temperament compatibility (introvert/extrovert is flexible, foundations are not)

0) “Second partner” advice: don’t overcorrect

They discuss how many people pursue the opposite of their ex and swing too far. Lori recommends a “rebuild” phase: therapy/self-work, self-care, releasing bitterness, and owning your part in what happened. A major readiness red flag is anger/resentment with no self-reflection.

Lori’s core advice:

• Do the self-work and build confidence (gym, style, wellness, therapy)
• Use online dating carefully (it can work)
• Join repeat-exposure environments: charity work, intramural sports, gym, yoga, faith communities—anything where you see the same people regularly
• Chemistry can grow over time; one date isn’t always enough
• Nicole adds: go to the same places at the same times to build community post-divorce

0) Dating “rules” and norms (with a lively debate)

10) Love bombing + early red flags

They define love bombing as “relationship-speeding” behavior (over-texting, big future plans, intense gestures early). Lori’s advice:

• Stay open to love, but notice intensity
• Don’t get emotionally hooked too fast
• If it feels off, slow down and gut-check with friends
• She shares an example where intrusive questions early on signaled a problem and she advised her client to end it

0) Body/fitness questions + honesty in photos

They discuss the reality that people use outdated/edited photos. Lori supports stating preferences like “fit,” but warns against requests like “send more pics” early—she frames that as a red flag and notes modern risks (including AI misuse). Her solution: professional, current photos (including full-length) so there’s no bait-and-switch.

0) Rapid-fire ending: the “one rule”

Lori’s #1 rule for choosing a partner: pick someone you feel safe with (physically, emotionally, financially) and attracted to—she says successful couples describe that “safe + attracted” gut feeling.