In this episode of Last Date, I sit down with Jessica Lopez to talk about modern dating — and why it increasingly feels like a vetting process.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Jessica shares her experience dating in Miami, why she found the culture there too superficial and casual, and why she ultimately moved to Austin in search of something different — only to find its own set of challenges.

We get into how she approaches dating today, including the systems and standards she uses to filter for the right partner.

We discuss:

• Why she now FaceTimes every match before agreeing to a first date

• The five questions she asks to quickly assess compatibility

• Why she refuses low-effort dates like coffee or walks

• The role of trust — and why men share their location with her early on

• Using Instagram, the Tea app, and other methods to vet potential partners

• Red flags, green flags, and the fine line between standards and over-filtering

• Whether it’s a good idea to date within your own community

Jessica also shares stories that highlight just how unpredictable modern dating can be — from tracking a guy’s location over an entire weekend to navigating blurred boundaries with exes.

This conversation is about standards, trust, and how people are adapting their dating strategies in a world where connection feels harder — but expectations are higher than ever.

Follow this podcast for future conversations about modern dating and relationships.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lastdatepodcast

Follow Danny on Instagram for clips and insights: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lastdatepodcast

https://www.instagram.com/cruxcompatible

Follow Jessica Lopez: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jessicashlopez

Jessica is a 29-year-old entrepreneur and content creator who has navigated the dating scene across the Dominican Republic, Miami, Austin, and now California looking for love. She’s known as the go-to person for relationship advice among her friends, and she has also done extensive personal work understanding and healing her anxious attachment style. After nearly a decade of intentionally using dating apps on and off, she jokingly considers herself a bit of a professional when it comes to navigating them. Her dating journey has been filled with both valuable insights and plenty of hilarious stories about modern love.