120. Beyond the Pods: Flirting, Friendship, and Life After Love is Blind with Tom Stroud

Coming up on this episode of Flirtations, we’re crossing the pond and getting into it with none other than Tom Stroud!

You may know Tom from Season 1 of Love Is Blind UK and his podcast Why Do Men…? and today, we’re going beyond the pods as we talk about what it was really like dating through a wall and how vulnerability, oddly enough, came more easily without eye contact or seeing who you’re talking to.

Tom also shares what it was like forming friendships in the men's suite, how those behind-the-scenes bonds shaped the experience, and what it taught him about connection — not just romantically, but also about making friends with other guys.

Tom opens up about his past dating patterns, how he’s unlearning lovebombing and forming more secure attachments rather than avoidant ones, why “checking the boxes” was actually limiting him in his love life, and the inspiration behind his podcast Why Do Men…? and his men’s group Shoulder to Shoulder.

We’ve also got some flirting tips, of course!, for the fellas and the ladies out there dating in real life and how you can make a move with more confidence.

So, if you’re curious to go behind the scenes of Love is Blind and learn more about connection and vulnerability in relationships, this one is for you!

Let’s do this Flirties, and meet Tom!

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About our guest: Tom Stroud, relationship content creator and host of Why Do Men, the podcast exploring male behaviour in dating and relationships.

You can follow Tom on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stroudtom.

About your host: Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy - with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!

As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the Flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage.

Ultimately, this practice of connection helps flirters and daters alike create stronger relationships, transcend limiting beliefs, and develop an unwavering love for the self.

His work has been featured in Fortune, NBC News, The Huffington Post, Men's Health, and Yoga Journal.

You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.