Episode SummaryIn this fun, honest, and incredibly relatable episode, Alyssa Dineen sits down with dating coach and creator of Finding Mr. Height, Ali Jackson, for a conversation about burnout, rebuilding joy in dating, and the surprising way she met her current partner through real-life events—not apps.
Ali shares the story of how she unintentionally became a dating creator through her Close Friends list, the monotony of going on endless “okay but not great” dates, and the mindset shifts she used to keep going even when dating felt exhausting.
Alyssa and Ali dive into the realities of modern dating: messaging fatigue, over-attaching to outcomes, relying too heavily on apps, and what happens when you finally decide to start showing up in-person again. They get into the full story of how Ali met her partner—including the event that changed everything, the 4AM bar moment, the “Skyline” nickname, and why taking initiative ended up being such a good thing.
If you’re feeling drained by dating or unsure how to keep going, this episode is a reminder that connection can show up when—and where—you least expect it.
You’ll also hear about:- (01:50) How Ali’s Close Friends list accidentally turned into a dating community
- (03:50) Sharing more publicly during the pandemic and finding her voice
- (05:00) Experiencing dating burnout from endless “meh” dates
- (10:20) How to find excitement in dating without attaching to outcomes
- (12:30) The simple post-date question that changes everything
- (15:30) Why texting too long creates false chemistry
- (19:30) The moment Ali realized she needed to date differently
- (20:20) Her commitment to attending two in-person events a month
- (21:20) Viewing events as opportunities—not pressure-filled missions
- (23:00) The April event that set everything in motion
- (31:30) Staying out until 4AM and how “Skyline” got his nickname
- (33:15) Why Ali decided to ask him out first
- (35:00) Why finding love later made the relationship stronger
- (37:05) Embracing your “weird” as the best dating filter
Rate, Review & Follow The Dating LabListen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share—it helps others discover the show!
Learn More About Ali Jackson- Follow her on Instagram
- Listen to the Finding Mr. Height podcast
- Work with Ali through her coaching programs
Learn more about Alyssa Dineen:- Visit Style My Profile
- Follow Alyssa on Instagram
Follow Alyssa on TikTok