In this episode of Dongs Without Borders, I’m joined by Mimi Fry , a UK-born, Paris-based content creator who has dated British, American, and French men; and has thoughts. From dry British banter to American clarity (or audacity) and the famous French approach to romance, Mimi breaks down how cultural differences shape dating, communication, and expectations in relationships.

We dive into what it’s like navigating love abroad as an expat/immigrant, how ambition and independence affect modern relationships, and whether French men truly live up to their romantic reputation. Mimi shares candid stories about dating in Paris, the lack (or presence) of “the talking stage,” and how moving countries can completely change what you want — and won’t tolerate — in a partner.

If you’ve ever dated outside your culture, moved abroad for love (or for yourself), or wondered how British, American, and French dating styles really compare, this episode is for you.

✨ Topics we cover:

Dating in the UK vs. dating abroad

American vs. French / UK relationship expectations

French dating culture and romantic stereotypes

Expat life, independence, and personal growth

Love, communication, and cultural misunderstandings

Find Mimi's social media agency here on Instagram, and check out her website here.

In this episode, host Celina Tolbert sits down with Nicole Echeverria (NicoleInLisbon https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleinlisbon?lang=fr ) to dive into her extraordinary love story — from meeting her husband through TikTok to building a life together across borders. Nicole opens up about the ups and downs of a long-distance, cross-cultural relationship, including navigating cultural differences, tackling language barriers, and adjusting to life together in Portugal.

Together, they explore what it really takes to make long-distance love work: strong communication, patience, and keeping high standards when it comes to relationships. Nicole also shares the unexpected twists in her journey — from a psychic soulmate drawing to planning a wedding across countries. With humor, honesty, and relatable advice, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about modern love, intercultural dating, or long-distance relationships.

In this witty and heartwarming episode of Dongs Without Borders, host Celina Tolbert ( https://www.tiktok.com/@celinaacotedeparis ) chats with Michael Carmody ( https://www.tiktok.com/@mjlanglais & https://www.instagram.com/mjanglais/ ) about his cross-border romance with his Belgian girlfriend, Coco. Their love story began with a serendipitous meeting in Spain and grew into a committed long-distance relationship, complete with monthly visits, heartfelt video calls, and a shared willingness to bridge both cultural differences and language barriers.

Michael shares how navigating two cultures has brought unexpected humor, tender moments, and the occasional “I had to Google that” scenario. From British dating habits to Belgian directness, he opens up about how language learning—in his case, French—has deepened his connection with Coco and her family. The conversation is peppered with laugh-out-loud “lost in translation” moments, reflections on love stories across borders, and thoughtful insights into how communication styles shape relationships.

Whether you’re in a long-distance romance, curious about multilingual dating, or fascinated by the quirks of Belgian culture, this episode offers both relatable laughs and valuable takeaways for anyone navigating love without borders.

Key Topics Covered:

• Starting a cross-cultural relationship
• The realities of long-distance love and monthly visits
• Cultural differences in dating norms (British vs. Belgian)
• How language barriers affect intimacy and communication
• Learning French to connect with a partner’s family
• Humor, misunderstandings, and “Franglais” in daily life
• Expressions of love across different cultures

🌍 Tags: #LongDistanceRelationship #MJLAnglais #BelgianCulture #DatingAcrossBorders #LanguageBarriers #MultilingualLove #Franglais #LoveStories #DatingHabits #LanguageLearning #CulturalDifferences

In this heartfelt and humorous episode of Dongs Without Borders, host Celina Tolbert sits down with Andie (https://www.tiktok.com/@ouiouiandie & https://www.instagram.com/ouioui_andie/ ), an American expat navigating a cross-cultural relationship with her French partner, Renaud, in the City of Light. Aptly titled "Dongs Without Delay", this episode dives deep into the reality of online dating, long-distance love, and the beautiful chaos of falling for someone from a different culture.

From their intense digital connection (“non-stop texting”) to their first sparks-filled meeting, Andie shares how a casual search for friendship turned into a committed relationship—complete with language barriers, cultural miscommunications, and dreams of raising bilingual children. Together, Celina and Andie explore the emotional intelligence gap between American and French dating, family dynamics, and what it really means to build a future across borders.

Whether you’re in a long-distance relationship, considering dating internationally, or just curious about the emotional nuances of love across cultures, this episode is packed with relatable insight, dating tips, and a few laugh-out-loud moments about being lost in translation.

Key Topics Covered:

• Cross-cultural communication and emotional expression
• Online dating that leads to real-life romance
• Long-distance relationship challenges and survival tips
• Cultural differences in dating norms (U.S. vs. France)
• Navigating love, language, and life abroad
• Family expectations and relationship boundaries

🎧 Listen for: 💬 “It was like lightning, non-stop texting.” 🗣️ “Take it slow. Online is a scary place.” 💡 “I think men mature much slower.”

🌍 Tags: #CrossCulturalRelationships #DatingAbroad #LongDistanceLove #BilingualCouples #EmotionalIntelligence #FranceDatingCulture #OnlineDatingTips #ExpatLife #InterculturalLove

In this episode of Dongs Without Borders, host Celina Tolbert sits down with Paris-based psychologist Nicole Ricken (https://www.instagram.com/theparispsychologist/) to unpack the real-life challenges of cross-cultural dating — especially for expats navigating relationships in France.

From awkward first impressions to deeper issues like communication styles, emotional boundaries, and mismatched expectations, they explore how cultural differences can shape love lives in unexpected ways. Nicole shares both personal anecdotes and professional insights from her work with international clients, highlighting the most common dating struggles expats face.

Topics include:

• How cultural norms affect dating dynamics in France and beyond

• Why communication breakdowns happen — and how to manage them

• The role of humor, vulnerability, and therapy in building strong relationships

• What self-awareness really looks like in an intercultural romance

Whether you’re dating abroad, swiping in a second language, or just curious about love across borders, this episode offers thoughtful, funny, and deeply relatable insights into the psychology of international relationships. Find more about Nicole here: https://www.theparispsychologist.com/

In this episode of Dongs Without Borders, host Celina (@CelinaACoteDeParis) explores the nuances of cross-cultural dating, sharing personal anecdotes and listener stories. She looks at the challenges and humorous moments that arise from cultural differences in relationships, particularly focusing on communication barriers and varying dating norms.