Hey, PA Caster's, it's Carter when it comes to finding love. People say it's what's on the inside that matters, but do they really mean that? Well, this hit Spotify original from Park Cast is putting that theory to the test. Every Wednesday, blind dating host Tara Michelle introduces one hopeful single to two strangers in a voice only call through a series of gains and questions they'll get to know each other without the distraction of appearances. Is personality enough for these strangers to fall head over heels?

Or once the cameras are turned on, will they head for the hills? Find out right now in the latest episode of Blind Dating. If you love it like I do. Be sure to follow blind dating, free on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts, you can binge past episodes of the Spotify original from Park asked before catching all new ones every Wednesday.

What's up, everyone? Paula, I am from Sydney, Australia. I am thirty three years old and now I live in L.A. I've been out here for about five years now. Here is a professional dancer, but I love live music. I am a DJ also and I love animals. I'm currently fostering two kittens and I've been single for about a year. I just would love to meet someone who I vibe with really easily. I think that's important.

A nice connection, but also just someone I could have fun with, but also balance that out with someone I could just kick it with on the couch and just chill. That's always really nice to.

They say love can find you anywhere, parties, offices, grocery stores, the hell scape that is Tinder, but no one has ever found love on a podcast in a virtual hangout until now. I'm your host, Terry Michel, and welcome to Blind Dating, a Spotify original from podcast.

Today, we're helping, Paula, a thirty three year old dating app, Virgin, find his perfect match. Welcome to Blind Dating Paula.

Hey, everybody. What's going on? Paula, I am a virgin.

So dating apps, you haven't been exposed to the tortures yet? Yeah. OK, so here's how the show works. You're about to meet two strangers and you'll have to get to know them as quickly as possible. But there's a twist. You'll only be able to hear them throughout the show and you won't see who your potential love interests are until after you've made your choice. So with all that being said, do you feel ready to meet the matches?

Yeah, definitely. I'm all about energy and vibe, so I think it's really cool that we don't get to see each other. First of all, we get to know each other, which is, I think, very important.

It's definitely key. OK, so let's meet match number one, Kendra. She's an independent 27 year old who always falls for the good looking mama's boy.

Welcome to the show, Kendra. Thank you for having me. Thank you for being here. Let's hear a little bit about yourself.

I am 27 years old, originally from Oregon. I'm a creative, a tutor and soon to be health coach. I enjoy cooking. I have been in a few serious relationships with guys who have unfortunately turned out to be extremely emotionally immature. So now, at twenty seven, I'm looking for a man who knows what he wants and wants to be in a committed relationship, but most importantly, someone who has a strong faith and stands up for what he believes.

And hopefully, Paula has some emotional stability here to match what you're looking for.

My fingers are crossed.

And now, Paula, let's meet match number two, Lila. She's a twenty nine year old self-proclaimed queen of Situation Ships. Welcome to the show, Lyla. Hi. Thanks for having me. It's exciting. Yeah, thanks for being here.

Let's hear a little bit about your back story 29. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I like to paint in my spare time Bob Ross style stuff and my past dating relationships are, like I said, situation shifts mostly. Seems like there's nothing on my forehead that says six to 10 months and then the end. So I would like to extend the 10 months. You could be very, very nice. I'm with you. You know, extending past the 10 months sounds like a good place to start.

Simple. Let's wipe that off your forehead and let's move forward here. OK, Paula, are there any first impressions based on what you just heard?

I appreciate things. And both of them actually. I love the fact that Kendra loves to cook and loves food and is also into health as well. I'm a very active person in my lifestyle of being a dancer. I try to look after myself and try to keep fit. But the situation is really interesting to me. So I think I think it just comes with being in L.A. or maybe being born and raised in L.A., perhaps being in Australia. It's not as common as a thing.

The dating scene out there. I'm not to my knowledge anyway. I've only been in a long term relationship. So it's a very new experience to me. So I'm kind of interested to hear more about that, too, hopefully. Yeah.

Well, welcome to Los Angeles, the city of situation chips. Very much so.

Now that we've exchanged pleasantries and made our first impressions, things are about to get personal. We're going to get real deep, real fast. Kendra and Lila, I'm going to ask you a few questions to give Paula a chance to get to know you a little bit more and see how well you all match up Paula. Listen carefully, because I'll want some answers from you, too. Absolutely. Let's do this. All right. Let's just jump right in.

What's your stance on open relationships, Kendra? I will let you answer this one first.

So I'm gonna definitely say I'm not a fan of open relationships. I'm all for it if you're for it. But I probably just won't date you personally. It's just not something that I'm looking for. Lyla, what do you think?

I was technically in one already in the past, and it was an experience that I will never do again. Lived and learned, right? Yes. Lived and learned.

And, Paula, what's your stance on open relationships?

I can't say that I've ever experienced it before, but I don't know how comfortable I would be with it either. Just the thought of it right now. I'm like, hmm, maybe not. Maybe that's not for me. So I think we're all on the same page here.

Yeah, I think I would just be too jealous, if you like. I don't want someone else spending time with you. You're my person. That's what always ends up happening. Every couple thinks that, like, we're fine. And then I've been to those parties. The couple is not fine.

Oh, sounds like they're just trying to make the other person happy and then. Yeah, I think that's what it is. That's definitely where I came from doing it. And then it was like, oh no, never mind, this was stupid for me. Anyway, that's nice that you gave it a shot actually though, right. Moving on, what's your biggest turnoff, Lyla? Oh, gosh, I think just people without manners. I grew up very hardcore.

It pleases and thank you and do not treat people in food with like rudeness. I worked in food. Do not do it. So that's a big thing for me.

That's a really good one actually. I like that. Kendra, what about you? Biggest turnoff.

I would definitely have to agree with Lyla and selfishness. Yes.

Yeah. Selfish people. Not for us. Yeah. Now and Paula, of course. What is your biggest turnoff?

Yeah, I would say dishonesty towards other people, but also themselves. I just feel like if a person is dishonest with themself in the first place, then it's going to extend out to the other person as well. So I think it starts from within. And I've had bad experiences before and just not often.

Yeah, understandably, if you're dishonest with yourself, I don't even know how you can be honest with anyone else if you're not even looking at your reality. Exactly.

Kendra, what's the most romantic thing that you've ever done for someone who is a great question? Wow. Let's see.

I know I totally put you on the spot, right, girl?

I'm going through my memory to I'm like, oh, no, I'm not a huge, like, hopeless romantic. I did gift somebody a pet kitten once that they were totally surprised by. He really wanted one. So maybe that know, that's romantic.

So sweet. Oh, my God. That's that's actually adorable. That's the greatest gift I think anyone could ever get. So that's good. OK, Leila, you had time to prep this one. So what's the most romantic thing you've ever done for someone?

Somebody that didn't appreciate it. But I like to do road trips, like even just late night ones. So we went late night drive to Malibu. And coincidentally, that night it was full moon and bioluminescent sand along the beach. So there was like frolicking and like fun and nice times. And we stayed there till dawn and it was wonderful. And then we broke up a couple months later.

Oh, at least you got a cool experience, though. I've been dying to see the bioluminescence wave. Yeah. Go near Zuma Beach during spring and poller. What is the most romantic thing you've ever done for someone?

I would say I'm a pretty big romantic kind of guy, but I don't know if this example is a good one. I moved countries for someone before. It's like a pretty big one.

Yeah, obviously didn't work out the way I expected, but also good reasons. Definitely everything works out the way that it's meant to and put that energy towards someone else. I have a lot of love to give.

I would say that's pretty romantic. Moving to a different country for someone not so bad. Did you learn anything that surprised you about either of the matches?

Oh, it's really cool getting to know each of you. I think you both sound like lovely people. I'm excited to learn a bit more with the time that we have here. Well, and let's learn some more. Let's keep this thing moving.

Let's do it. Paula, things are getting serious, so now it's time to turn up the heat for your one on one with each dator, you're going to be playing two truths and a lie. And each match will present two truths and one lie about their past dating history. You only have one guest to pick the lie. So choose wisely. Paula, we're going to start with Lila. So, Kendra, we're going to put you into the waiting room and we'll bring you back when it's your turn.

OK, sounds good. All right, Lila, let's hear your truth and a lie.

So I used to be a swingers one. I once had an ex-boyfriend tuck and roll out of my car during an argument. Everything was fine, but yes. And then I broke off an engagement about a week after getting the ring. Those are juicy. Oh, my God, Paula, good luck. Which one do you think is the lie?

Well, those are all tough to choose from because they're also juicy.

It's been a wild ride. I hope that the second one is not true just for the sake of your ex-boyfriend safety of jumping out of a car.

Oh, I wish I could tell you it wasn't true, but it is. Yeah, it's fine. He's fine. It was in the middle of the night. Nobody was on the road. He's just really drama.

OK, well, very drama.

So there's two options left. Which one is actually the lie? The engagement is the lie actually.

OK, so congratulations on being a swinger. Thanks. Great time. That was during the open relationship ordeal. That was the only relationship I actually was in and it was open and with other people. So that's interesting. Yeah. All right, Lila, we're actually going to put you into the waiting room now and bring you back in a little bit. Cool. Welcome back, Kendra. It's your turn for your one on one. So if you want to go ahead and give us your two truths and a lie, OK?

My ex broke up with me when I was on a cruise with his family. My ex gifted me a puppy and then I never heard from him again. And I ended the perfect date because he had a foot fetish. Oh, my God.

Oh, wow. OK, Paula, take your shot. Which one is the lie? Oh, my goodness.

I'm sorry if any of those things happened to you. I'm sorry. Well, one's a lie so that. Yeah, yeah. OK, I hope I picked the right one. I hope that the one on the cruise ship is alive because that's just really not cool. That's so mean. Which one is it.

You are right. That did happen. OK, thank goodness.

Well I'm glad you still have the puppy. I do. I still have a puppy. He's been the best little companion to.

So something good came out of that. That's great. Absolutely.

Can I ask how that happened? Actually like how did he give you a puppy and then just like disappear?

You know, it's as sad as it sounds. I had vaguely mentioned that I wanted like a cute little white dog. And we had been dating for about seven months. Again, extremely emotionally maybe unstable a little bit. So I think it was just his way of like giving me kind of a pity gift. So he didn't have to break up with me in person. I honestly. I don't know.

Well, good riddance. I'm happy you have the puppy because everyone loves a good puppy. Sounds like the puppy will treat you better anyway.

He has for sure. I'm happy to hear that. Thank you. OK, Kendra, we're actually going to put you into the waiting room just for a second so I can chat with Paola for a minute.

OK, sounds good. Paula, what did you think of everyone's answers?

Oh, my gosh. Leila's history sounds really interesting. It's just definitely a great conversation. Starters and Kendra's experiences, as sad as they are, sounds like something good came out of each of them, which is great. And I hope she's in a good place.

She sounds like she is, which is also well, as we like to say, romance is in the air, love is on the line. And it all boils down to our bachelors big decision. Welcome back, everybody. All right, Paula, now that we have our match is back, the time has come. You have two really great girls here, so I know it's going to be a tough decision for you. But with all that being said, who is it going to be, Kendra or Lyla?

Oh, my gosh.

First of I just sort of say, please don't take any offense. I have to choose. But you both sound so lovely. I would love to meet both of you, but given the circumstances, I think I'm going to go with Leila.

OK, Kendra, do you mind turning your camera on for us just so we can say hello and thank you for coming on the show.

Thank you for having me. Hi, Paula. Nice to meet you. Best of luck to you guys. Nice to meet you. Kind of. Sort of, yeah.

Thank you so much for being here, Kendra. It was so great getting to know you, and I wish you the best of luck.

Awesome. Thank you so much.

We're going to have Leila go into the waiting room before our big reveal. Go full poller. Tell me about Kendra. What did she look like after seeing her face finally?

I feel like she definitely looks how she sounds, but she sounded very polite. And she is an Asian woman with dark hair, really great skin, great kind smile. But, yeah, I think what was behind it was just a blank wall, so I couldn't really tell much of a character, a living situation. So I'm curious if that she was doing that on purpose and trying to hide something, you know, was she what you expected based off of her voice?

Oh my gosh.

It's so hard to put a face to what someone sounds like, but no, I wasn't like that at all. Yeah, but it's so fun to try and put that image to the voice. Absolutely.

Now that you've seen her, do you have any regrets?

Oh, no, I don't live my life with regret, so I try not to anyway. Yeah, I'm pretty confident in my choice. So we're going to bring Lyla back into the room so you guys can meet face to face. Welcome back, Lyla. Hi. And now the moment we've all been waiting for, it's time for you both to turn your cameras on so you can see each other for the first time.

Hi. Hi. How are you? Nice to meet you. You do it. So cool. How are you guys feeling right now, Paula?

Are you excited? Yeah, this is really cool. Just to meet someone only through their stories and their voice, first of all, and then to put a face to the voice at the end of it. It's just such a cool experience. Right, Lyla?

How are you feeling? Yeah, I have to agree. It's always really interesting to meet somebody, their voice and their experiences first. Lyla, we're actually going to put you back into the waiting room. I'm so sorry. I just want to chat with Paula one more time. You got a problem with Paula for everyone listening along at home?

Tell me what Lila looks like. Oh, my gosh. She's beautiful. She has dark skin, dark hair, beautiful complexion, really beautiful eyes, great smile, which kind of looks like Zoe Saldana. I don't know if I said that right. But yeah, she looks great. It's really nice to see a face for the first time. Absolutely.

What a beautiful comment to to be compared to her. And is she your typical type?

Yeah, I don't really have a type. I appreciated her vibe and that's what I was attracted to from the beginning. I think that's important to me. OK, cool.

Well, Paul, we're actually going to have you hop into the waiting room now, and I'm going to chat with Lila for a minute.

Coco, don't say anything bad about me. Hey, Lyla. Hi. So tell us for everyone listening at home what Pilar looked like. I don't know. He a really handsome face. It's a boyish which is actually what I'm really seems to be my my standard. You're a typical type person and a black hair and seems to dress well, which is nice.

So yeah, I'm excited. Yeah. He had that cute little button up with the stripes. Yeah. Yeah. I mean I just put on a sweater today so I feel like I should have put on something nicer but it's OK. Well you can see me, I'm in an oversized hoodie so you're doing better than I am. So based off of his voice. Is he what you expected. I don't know. I'm so bad with voices and what they end up looking like.

It's kind of like when you listen to a radio show host and then it's like, I'm not sure. So I tried to keep that out of the way when I was doing the whole thing. But I not like I'm disappointed. Yeah, of course. I mean, with that Australian accent, what's not to like. Yeah, and I've been there before too, so that'll be fun to talk about.

Oh, there you go. That's a fun point. Let's bring Paula back in now. I guess now that we've got you both back in the room, there's one final decision that has to be made. But this time the power lies in Leila's hands. Lila, you can choose to go on an amazing, socially distant state with poller and live happily ever after. Or you can choose to go on a future episode of Blind Dating, where we'll set you up with two new matches.

Obviously, this is a very tough call, but the choice is yours. So what's it going to be?

Oh, gosh, that's so much pressure because it sounds like I'm rejecting him. Oh, dear. Yeah. Why not? As socially distant. Stood sedate, I suppose. Oh, you know what? This is the answer I always love to hear when I give people this option. I'm so happy for you guys. Thank you both so much for coming on the show. And we will definitely be needing a follow up to hear how your date goes.

OK, cool. Sure. We'll let you know.

Thanks for listening to blind dating. Don't forget to check us out on Facebook and Instagram at Parkhurst and on Twitter at podcast network for more episodes of Blind Dating, follow us on Spotify and check out other podcast shows all available on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. I'm Terry Michel. Tune in next week for a new romance or a total rejection. Blind Dating is executive produced by Max Cutler and is a Spotify original from podcast. It was created by Jon Cohen Sound Design by Kristen Acevedo with Associate Sound Design by Jamie Ryan, its associate produced by Jonathan Ratliff and Alex Jerick, the daughter blind dating stars me Terry Michel.

Thanks for listening, I hope you enjoyed this episode of Blind Dating. Remember new episodes, Air Weekly every Wednesday follow Blind Dating, Free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.