Was Dating Better Before Dating Apps?
- E332
- 35:14
- October 5th 2026
What Was Dating Really Like Before Dating Apps Took Over?
Join James Preece as he travels back to the days before “swipe right” was even a thing, sitting down with legendary matchmaker Hillie Marshall.
On this whirlwind journey through the origins of dating events, you’ll discover how dinner parties and phone lines built a dating empire from scratch. Hear wild tales of matchmaking mishaps, famous faces, and even a “lack of enjoyment” lawsuit in Brentford.
If you’ve ever wondered how people found romance before dating apps and the internet, this electrifying episode is for you.
From hosting glamorous singles soirées at Stringfellow’s to managing unforgettable dating parties in London’s most iconic venues, Hillie Marshall spills secrets and misadventures you won’t hear anywhere else.
Whether you love dating apps or hate them, tune in to learn timeless lessons from a completely different age of dating.
Ready to hear what really goes on behind the scenes of a true dating revolution?
Press play and discover a side of dating you never knew existed.
About Hillie
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Playing-Cupid-Hillie-Marshall/dp/1800423268/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0
https://www.instagram.com/hillie.marshall.5895036/
About James
James Preece is the UK's top Dating Coach with over 20 years experience helping singles all over the world. He is the host of the Love Machine Podcast.
Get his free book when you join his newsletter :
https://www.jamespreece.com/dating-newsletter/
Website:
Instagram:
Love Machine : Dating, Relationships and Living Your Best Life
Love Machine is the dating, relationship and confidence podcast hosted by James Preece, the UK’s leading Dating Coach and Relationship Expert with over 21 years of experience helping singles and couples create better love lives.
Each week, James explores fun, honest and practical ways to bring more love into your life, whether that means finding the right person, feeling more confident, improving your relationships, or simply enjoying life a little more.
If you are single, dating, using dating apps, recovering from heartbreak, confused by mixed signals, dealing with red flags, trying to understand attachment styles, or wondering why modern dating feels so complicated, this podcast is here to help.
With over 300 episodes, Love Machine is packed with dating advice, relationship advice, expert interviews, real stories, mindset shifts and simple tips you can actually use. You’ll hear from dating experts, relationship experts, matchmakers, coaches, authors, therapists and brilliant guests who all have something useful, funny or inspiring to share.
From online dating, first dates, flirting and attraction to confidence, self-love, compatibility, breakups, communication, personal growth and living your best life, James brings warmth, humour and expert insight to help you date smarter, connect better and feel more hopeful about love.
Tune in now if you are ready to find love, love yourself and learn to love your life.
Send me any questions/suggestions to [email protected] !
Follow James on Instagram @jamespreececoaching and check out his website at https://www.jamespreece.com.
Support Us
Thank you SO much for listening to my podcast! If you have any thoughts or feedback please do reach out to me so I can improve it for future episodes.
