Off The Record

Dating the Dream, Not the Man | We’re Done Dating Potential in 2026

Alley & Natalie

So many of us don’t date the man, we date the dream.

In this episode of On the Record, we talk honestly about why we fall for potential, how we ignore red flags in favor of the future we hope someone will become, and what it actually takes to stop repeating that cycle.

As we head into 2026, we’re leaving behind situationships, “almosts,” and the version of love that requires us to over-explain, over-wait, or over-invest. This is about choosing clarity over chemistry, reality over fantasy, and self-respect over potential.