Ever been on a date where all they could talk about was their ex? It's a huge red flag but there are ways to side-step the conversation and get it back on track. In today’s episode, Nancy reads a listener’s email about a first date who couldn’t stop talking about his ex, and how this is a surprisingly common scenario in midlife dating. At this stage of life, it’s likely that many people you meet have been married, divorced, or even widowed. While sharing life stories is naturally part of building a connection, first dates should JUST be about getting to know the person in front of you, not rehashing a painful or dicey past. Nancy shares her real-life insights on how to spot red flags on dates and her top tips for handling uncomfortable conversations about exes. It’s not about being cold or uncaring about the other person, it’s about maintaining healthy boundaries and avoiding trauma-dumps on the first date! Drawing inspiration from her friend and renowned relationship therapist Dr. Laura Berman, Nancy explains how to navigate these tricky conversations with compassion while still protecting your emotional energy. If you’ve ever felt like the “fixer” in relationships, always smoothing over awkward moments or taking care of everyone else’s feelings before your own, Nancy shares her own experience with breaking that pattern. Never forget that your boundaries matter, and a healthy connection starts with mutual respect. Tune in for advice on how to stay authentic, maintain balance, and focus on the here and now when you’re dating after divorce or a certain age. You deserve a relationship that moves forward, not one stuck in the past!