Ellis County Books
The Disposable Heart Podcast with host Joel D. Bradley

The Disposable Heart Podcast

with Joel D. Bradley

Inspired by Real People & Profiles

WHAT IS ALL THIS SWIPING ACTUALLY DOING TO US?

Hosted by author Joel D. Bradley, The Disposable Heart Podcast explores the people behind the swipe—the attraction, rejection, abundance, scarcity, humor and frustration of dating in the swipe-right era.

Episode 5 available now

“The Second Date: When Attraction Meets Reality”

Featured Episode

Episode 5

The Second Date: When Attraction Meets Reality

October 13, 2026

The first date is an audition. The second date is where things get interesting.

In Episode 5, Joel D. Bradley explores the psychology of second dates through two contrasting experiences.

Olivia meets a charming, successful man whose second date reveals an uncomfortable truth about his character. David nearly overlooks a woman who turns out to be far more engaging than their first encounter suggested.

Through humor, research, and a glimpse into Frank Wright's adventures in Swipe Wright: Dating in the Age of the Disposable Heart, Joel examines attraction, compatibility, expectations, and the difference between first impressions and genuine connection.

Previous Episodes

  • Episode 4

    Red Flags, Green Lights & The Spark

    What are we really evaluating on a first date? In Episode 4, Joel moves beyond profiles and swiping and into the actual date—where red flags, green lights, attraction, and “the spark” can distort what we see. One woman describes a perfectly good date that left her feeling nothing. One man describes a date filled with warning signs that he calls the best he’s had in years. And Joel shares a first-date story involving a bucket of popcorn, a smuggled box of wine, and one very important popcorn-to-wine ratio. Are we recognizing genuine compatibility—or have we become addicted to emotional stimulation? Inspired by real people, profiles, and experiences.

    ListenRead the Story

  • Episode 3

    Baggage

    Everyone says they want “no drama.” But is drama the same thing as baggage? Joel explores the baggage we carry into relationships through Cindy and Ken—two people with very different ideas about what we're willing to carry for someone else. And yes, Jerry Springer makes an appearance.

    ListenRead the Story

  • Episode 2

    The Trap of Assumptions

    How quickly do we decide who someone is from a handful of dating-profile photos? In Episode 2, The Disposable Heart Podcast explores the assumptions we make before a conversation ever begins—and how differently men and women may view the same dating pool. Inspired by real people and profiles, Joel examines what happens when attraction, expectations and snap judgments collide in the swipe-right world.

    ListenRead the Story

  • Episode 1

    Two Tales of the Same Swipe

    Two people. Two completely different experiences with the same dating technology. Lisa feels overwhelmed by endless choices. Daniel wonders whether anyone even notices him. Together, their experiences reveal two very different sides of the disposable-heart era.

    “I realized I wasn't really dating. I was managing a depot of broken toys.”

    ListenRead the Story

What is all this swiping actually doing to us?

Dating apps have given us access to more potential partners than any generation in history. But have they brought us closer together—or simply made everyone easier to replace?

The Disposable Heart Podcast looks at modern dating through everyday experiences involving attraction, rejection, abundance, scarcity and the seemingly endless possibility of someone else.

We have more choices than ever. So why do so many people feel more replaceable?

About the Stories

The Disposable Heart Podcast is inspired by real dating profiles, experiences and observations from the modern dating world. Some names, identifying details and circumstances may be changed, combined or fictionalized to protect privacy and tell the stories effectively.

The program may use fictional or composite characters and AI-generated voices. The goal is to explore authentic experiences and larger truths about modern dating while respecting the privacy of the people who inspire the conversations.

Swipe Wright: Dating in the Age of the Disposable Heart by Joel D. Bradley

The Story That Started the Conversation

Swipe Wright: Dating in the Age of the Disposable Heart

The Disposable Heart Podcast grew out of Joel D. Bradley's novel Swipe Wright: Dating in the Age of the Disposable Heart—a funny and provocative look at romance, relationships and human connection in the age of dating apps. The novel asks many of the same questions the podcast now explores through the experiences of people navigating the virtual dating world.

Discover Swipe Wright

About the Host

Joel D. Bradley

Joel D. Bradley is the author of Swipe Wright: Dating in the Age of the Disposable Heart and host of The Disposable Heart Podcast. His work uses humor, storytelling and observation to examine relationships, technology and the sometimes absurd ways people try to connect with one another.

Because love shouldn't feel like a disposable item.

The Disposable Heart Podcast

with Joel D. Bradley

Listen Now

The Disposable Heart Podcast

with Joel D. Bradley

An Ellis County Books Production

Publishing Stories That Matter