That Swipe Life: Treena Orchard on Dating Apps Through a Midlife Anthropologist's Lens

For the 178th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes Treena Orchard, anthropologist and author of Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture and the Darker Side of Dating Apps. In this episode, anthropologist Treena Orchard shares her experiences with online dating after turning 45 and offers insights into the complexities of modern "swipe culture." She discusses the unexpected interest from younger men, the vulnerability men face in shifting gender dynamics, the dark side of dating app gamification, and the upsides of tech involvement in our love lives. Orchard critiques popular platforms like the "feminist" dating app Bumble and highlights how dating apps commodify romance. Despite the challenges, she found meaningful connections and argues that in-person, activity-based dating may be the future of romance. For more from today's guest, Treena Orchard: Follow Treena on Instagram @treenaorchard Check out Treena's website treenaorchard.com Buy Treena's book Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture and the Darker Side of Dating Apps Psst, Courtney has an 0nIyFan$, which is a horny way to support the show: https://linktr.ee/cocopeepshow Courtney is also teaching the writing and publishing intensive of your dreams this November. It's called November Newsletter & Pitch Party Extravaganza and will definitely take your writing practice and career to the next level. To join the fun, head to courtneykocak.com/teaching and use code PRIVATE for $100 off. Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Our Sponsor, FLESHLIGHT, can help you reach new heights with your self-pleasure. Fleshlight is the #1 selling male sex toy in the world. Looking for your next pocket pal? Save 10% on your next Fleshlight with Promo Code: PRIVATE at fleshlight.com. STDCheck.com is the leader in reliable and affordable lab-based STD testing. Just go to ppupod.com, click STDCheck, and use code Private to get $10 off your next STI test. Explore yourself and say yes to self-pleasure with Lovehoney. Save 15% off your next favorite toy from Lovehoney when you go to lovehoney.com and enter code AFF-PRIVATE at checkout. https://linktr.ee/PrivatePartsUnknownAds If you love this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and sexy review! —> ratethispodcast.com/private  Psst... sign up for our Private Parts Unknown newsletter for bonus content related to our episodes! privatepartsunknown.substack.com Let’s be friends on social media! Follow the show on Instagram @privatepartsunknown and Twitter @privatepartsun. Connect with host Courtney Kocak @courtneykocak on Instagram and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices