In this episode, Sabrina sits down with dating expert ⁠Damona Hoffman⁠ to unpack how fairy tales, rom-coms, and modern dating apps fuel obsession, fantasy, and anxious attachment. They break down why texting chemistry, dopamine loops, and “potential” keep people stuck in confusing dating dynamics—and how to shift from chasing sparks to choosing emotional safety, clarity, and real connection. If you’re tired of mixed signals, hot-and-cold behavior, situationships, or questioning someone’s attachment style, this conversation reframes dating through grounded psychology and nervous system awareness. You’ll learn how to stop romanticizing unavailable partners, identify emotional unavailability early, and date with intention instead of fantasy—so you can build a healthy, secure relationship rooted in reality, not wishful thinking. Want to have your submission appear on a future show? Send in your stories, questions, or dating profiles to inthetrenches@sabrinazohar.com Follow Damona on IG! https://www.instagram.com/damonahoffman/ Get 'F the Fairy Tale' by Damona! https://amzn.to/46CY5JK If you’re ready to slow down, trust your instincts, and break your old dating patterns, the Healthy Relationship Foundations Course walks you through it step-by-step https://www.sabrinazohar.com/foundation-course-v2 If you’re serious about changing your dating patterns instead of repeating them, the Art of Going Slow course helps you unlearn urgency, regulate your nervous system, and build real connection without rushing, chasing, or abandoning yourself. https://slow.sabrinazohar.com/ Don't miss a video! Subscribe NOW: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSKQduzS78E6-I9tx0jqjpw?sub_confirmation=1 Support the show by supporting our sponsors: As an exclusive offer, my listeners can get their choice between organic ground beef, chicken breast, or ground turkey in every box for a year, PLUS $20 off when you go to https://⁠ButcherBox.com/SABRINA ⁠Get 15% off OneSkin with the code SABRINA at ⁠https://www.oneskin.co/SABRINA⁠ #oneskinpod ABOUT SABRINA ZOHAR: Sabrina Zohar is a dynamic entrepreneur, relationship coach, and host of the hit podcast The Sabrina Zohar Show. With over a million followers on both Instagram and TikTok, along with a thriving online community, Sabrina is known for her honest, relatable approach to modern dating, relationships, and self-growth. After launching her sustainable clothing brand SoftWear, Sabrina’s journey took a transformative turn when she began sharing her personal experiences with dating and emotional wellness online. Her real talk quickly resonated, earning her features in outlets like NBC, The LA Times, The Tamron Hall Show and Vogue. Through online courses, one-on-one coaching, and candid conversations, Sabrina empowers her audience to “do the work” and create lasting change in their relationships-with others and themselves. FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabrina.zohar/ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesabrinazoharshow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sabrina.zohar? Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sabrina-zohar-show/id1668235178 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Dsp24A82JkYRXytiA2qRt Website:https://www.sabrinazohar.com/ ============================= Chapters 00:00 – Dating Myths & Fairy Tale Fantasy 04:18 – Obsessing Over Potential vs Reality 08:12 – Texting, Dopamine & False Intimacy 13:05 – Good Morning Texts & Anxiety Loops 18:02 – Why Sparks Don’t Equal Compatibility 23:11 – Emotional Unavailability Explained 28:07 – Mixed Signals & Hot-Cold Behavior 33:02 – Attachment Styles vs Real Behavior 38:06 – Emotional Intimacy & Secure Love 42:10 – Dating With Clarity, Not Fantasy Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are property of SABRINA ZOHAR. You are authorized to share the video link and channel, and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to my Youtube Channel is provided. © SABRINA ZOHAR 2025 Disclaimer: The Sabrina Zohar Show, formally known as Do The Work, is not affiliated with A.Z & associates LLC in any capacity. Am I Falling For Their Potential? In The Trenches W/ Damona Hoffman | Sabrina Zohar https://youtu.be/HfrerZCrKp4