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Are your dealbreakers sabotaging your love life? | Amy Chan

Oct 1, 2026 · 17m

Summary

Amy Chan explores the "relationship recession" driven by negativity bias, cultural flaw-hunting, and dating app algorithms. She argues that people obsess over superficial traits while ignoring the quiet qualities—like commitment and conflict resolution—that actually predict lasting love. Chan shares her personal story of nearly missing her partner due to a snap judgment based on a bad photo. She offers practical advice, including cultivating awe before dates and distinguishing between deal-breakers and preferences, to help listeners stop filtering out potential partners.

Topics discussed

Intro: The relationship recession and Amy Chan's talk Sponsorships: Capital One, Olive & June, Apple Card The problem: Unrealistic deal breakers and shrinking pools Context: Data on the decline in dating activity Force 1: The brain's negativity bias and flaw scanning Force 2: Cultural flaw hunting and the 'ick' factor Force 3: Technology, apps, and hedonic adaptation Research: Why quiet qualities predict lasting love Strategy 1: Creating a connection reset via awe Strategy 2: Distinguishing deal breakers from preferences Strategy 3: Dating outside your type and the Paul story Personal anecdote: The value of steady, small gestures Conclusion: Re-evaluating your filters for connection Outro, credits, and final sponsorships
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