That Swipe Life: Treena Orchard on Dating Apps Through a Midlife Anthropologist's Lens

That Swipe Life: Treena Orchard on Dating Apps Through a Midlife Anthropologist's Lens

From Private Parts Unknown: Sex & Love Around the World by Courtney Kocak

May 13, 2026 · 39 min · Season 5 · Episode 259

About this episode

Treena Orchard discusses her experiences with dating apps and the complexities of modern romance after 45.

Save 10% on your next Fleshlight with promo code PRIVATE10 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fleshlight.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For the 259th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes Treena Orchard, anthropologist and author of ⁠Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture and the Darker Side of Dating Apps⁠. In this episode, anthropologist Treena Orchard shares her experiences with online dating after turning 45 and offers insights into the complexities of modern "swipe culture." She discusses the unexpected interest from younger men, the vulnerability men face in shifting gender dynamics, the dark side of dating app gamification, and the upsides of tech involvement in our love lives. Orchard critiques popular platforms like the "feminist" dating app Bumble and highlights how dating apps commodify romance. Despite the challenges, she found meaningful connections and argues that in-person, activity-based dating may be the future of romance. For more from today's guest, Treena Orchard: Follow Treena on Instagram ⁠@treenaorchard⁠ Check out Treena's website ⁠treenaorchard.com⁠ Buy Treena's book ⁠Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture and…

People in this episode

Host: Courtney Kocak

Guest: Treena Orchard

Topics covered

  • dating apps
  • midlife dating
  • swipe culture
  • gender dynamics
  • romance commodification

Keywords

  • dating apps
  • swipe culture
  • Treena Orchard
  • Bumble
  • romance commodification
  • midlife dating
  • gender dynamics

Sponsors

Fleshlight

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Bumble

Products: Fleshlight

Books & works: Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture and the Darker Side of Dating Apps

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