Best Brandon Hook Podcasts (2026)

1
Carly Ghosted Ben Over Ranch on Pizza 5:52

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1h ago5:52

5:52

Ben swore this one was a lock for a second date. After bonding over bad first dates, favorite SF bars, and a surprisingly passionate argument about ranch dressing on pizza, Carly disappeared. Ben calls us to figure out where things went sideways—and if the signs were there all along.By Star 101.3

1
Why Did Cody Ghost Jen After the Encore? 7:51

3d ago7:51

7:51

It started with a concert under the stars and ended with burritos and a hug that felt like something more. Jen says her night with Cody was effortless — fun, easy, and full of chemistry. But a few weeks later, he’s gone silent. What gives?By Star 101.3

1
Felix & Dana Go from Sushi to Silence 6:28

5d ago6:28

6:28

Felix called his date with Dana “a rom-com come to life.” Sushi in Japantown, playful banter, karaoke till closing — pure magic. So why did she disappear?By Star 101.3

1
Chelsea Leaves Ryan Hanging After Drinks, What Happened? 6:20

6d ago6:20

6:20

Wine, charcuterie, and easy laughs — Ryan thought his Burlingame date with Chelsea had it all. He even got what he called a “promising” hug. But did that moment mean what he thought it did?By Star 101.3

1
My Business and Marketing Predications for 2026 24:34

1h ago24:34

24:34

2025 brought more changes to online courses than any year I've seen in my 42 years. Everything that used to work suddenly felt like pulling teeth. I watched our $2K mid-ticket offer stall, then launched a $1K version that practically sold itself. At the same time, I realized AI wasn't just a helper it was my competition in every inbox and social fe…

1
Brandon & Tasha Go On a Date, But Is It Really Fate? 5:40

7d ago5:40

5:40

Brandon said his dinner with Tasha at a French bistro in Livermore was flawless — great food, deep conversation, and real chemistry. She “really got” him. So why did she vanish afterward?By Star 101.3

1
Mia Ghosted Devon Over Nachos 7:37

38m ago7:37

7:37

Devon and Mia hit it off over trivia and nachos in Campbell. The night felt easy, funny, and full of chemistry — at least to him. But when she disappeared after what he thought was a perfect date, he had questions.By Star 101.3

1
Marcus Takes Jade Out, Great Date but She Left Him Hanging 5:38

13h ago5:38

5:38

The night felt like something real — cocktails, laughter, and connection. Marcus was sure there’d be a second date. But then Jade was gone without a word. What happened after the perfect night?By Star 101.3

1
Mark & Elise Went From Laughs to Left on Read 4:58

13d ago4:58

4:58

Mark called about Elise saying she’s classy, funny, and full of laughs. They bonded over favorite movies, swapped quotes, and even dreamed about escaping the work grind with a weekend getaway. Sparks were definitely flying so why did she ghost?By Star 101.3

1
If You're "Successful" But Still Feel Unfulfilled, Listen To This 30:26

2d ago30:26

30:26

When I started my business, my success was tied to three-dimensional "rewards." If I drove my own Jaguar, if I lived in my 5,000 square foot dream house, if I hit a million in sales… then I'd made it. The problem was, when I did get most of those things, I didn't like who I was. Yes, I'd achieved my goals, but I hadn't maintained my values. I neede…

1
Nico Thought It Was Love, So Why Hasn’t Jessica Called Back? 6:38

14d ago6:38

6:38

Nico met Jessica for sushi and says the spark was undeniable. They bonded over 80’s music, joked about pineapple on pizza, and shared a few sweet moments. Everything felt right — until she suddenly stopped responding. What really happened after that perfect date?By Star 101.3

1
Andrew & Sofia's Date Was ALMOST Perfect 6:52

17d ago6:52

6:52

Andrew thought he’d just had one of those rare, refreshing dates. Sofia was smart, intentional, and genuinely interested in his life. They talked family, food, and future plans—and it felt like two adults seeing if their lives could actually align. He left dinner hopeful. Maybe even a little excited. Then reality set in.…

1
#78 The Levels of Designer 1:13:11

11d ago1:13:11

1:13:11

Hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon discuss how to give useful game-design feedback by matching your advice to the designer’s experience. They cover empathy, asking what feedback is wanted, sandwiching critiques, and focusing on tools and experience to help designers improve. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.…

1
The Hinge Date That Had Leo Hooked & Jasmine Shook 6:29

18d ago6:29

6:29

Leo met Jasmine on Hinge and went for cocktails in Oakland. She was stylish, sharp, and had an edge he loved. They talked music, travel, and dating horror stories, and by the end of the night, Leo felt locked in. We break down the moment you realize a date might be more than just a date…or was it?By Star 101.3

1
0-27k Followers - Part 3: Content That Gets People To Buy And Follow 9:04

7d ago9:04

9:04

Ever wonder why some posts explode while yours stall at 200 views? A few months ago my students were in the same boat. They nailed topics and titles, but their videos still limped along. Then we cracked the code: structure. Once they layered in the right triggers— to get comments, increase watch time, and inspire CTAs—the algorithm took over. One e…

1
Tyler Thought He Hit it Off with Brooke, She Tells Another Story... 4:56

19d ago4:56

4:56

Tyler met Brooke on Hinge and thought their dinner date in the city was magic. They shared great laughs, real spark, and genuine connection. But after a quick hug goodbye, she disappeared. What happened?By Star 101.3

1
0-27k Followers - Part 2: Titles And Hooks That Get Everyone To Stop And Watch 8:38

20d ago8:38

8:38

The secret to growth online isn't fancy graphics or endless posting, it's relevancy. Real, nail-on-the-head scenarios that made people stop, click, and share. In episode two of our three-part series, I'm spilling how we built titles from the exact situations our audience lives through. Think beyond "How to beat overwhelm" and into "Three reasons yo…

1
Grant Was Certain There Would Be A Second Date with Olivia 6:58

20d ago6:58

6:58

After a wine bar date in Palo Alto, Grant felt optimistic. Olivia was stylish, engaged, and genuinely curious about his life. The conversation flowed from travel to pets to stand-up comedy, and everything about the night felt solid. Grant assumed he’d see her again—until he didn’t.By Star 101.3

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0-27k Followers - Part 1: The Foundation of Topics That Go Viral 10:37

21d ago10:37

10:37

You ever wonder how some brands just explode overnight? We quietly launched a second brand, Grounded Parenting, and in under 60 days we shot to 27,000 followers on TikTok. Now we're at 30K. No luck. It was our secret weapon: a custom messaging AI built on hundreds of conversion points and a simple step-by-step system. This week, I'm rolling out a 3…

1
Logan & Vanessa Share Warm Conversations but End with a Cold Ghosting 6:48

21d ago6:48

6:48

Vanessa called us after a coffee date in San Mateo with Logan—a guy she described as warm, grounded, and the kind of “real grown-up” energy she’s been looking for. They swapped book recs, bonded over bad bosses, and agreed breakfast burritos are basically morning royalty. So why did Mr. Mature suddenly vanish? We dig in.…

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#77 Hooks and Introversion 1:39:00

19d ago1:39:00

1:39:00

Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon talk through a number of grab-bag topics, including how to be successful as an introvert and what makes a hook. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: [email protected] Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!By AJ Brandon and Peter C. Hayward

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Trevor's Best Date Ever & Haley…Well 4:16

24d ago4:16

4:16

Trevor and Haley matched on Hinge and hit Happy Hour and according to Trevor, sparks flew everywhere. He says she was stunning, sarcastic in the best way, and turned a convo about tax season into pure flirting. But while Trevor left thinking it was the best date he’s had in years… Haley walked away with a whole other take.…

1
Tony Says it Was Love at First Slice, So Why Did Mariah Ghost? 6:49

26d ago6:49

6:49

Tony called us about Mariah after their pizza date in Oakland. He said she was next-level gorgeous, sharp, funny, and told this story about her grandmother making tamales that “made him see the whole future.” They bonded over concerts (both of them love live music) swapped favorite Bay Area hangouts, and even agreed that the only people still eatin…

1
Shawn & Isabelle's Match Made in…Missed Connection? 5:45

26d ago5:45

5:45

Shawn met Isabelle on Match and took her to a Thai place in Berkeley for date number one. He says she was cute, grounded, and had that contagious, full-body kind of laugh. They bonded over their dogs, favorite cooking shows, and horror-story dates from their past. Shawn thinks he crushed it… and now he wants to know what happened to her.…

1
Kyle & Natalie's Hayes Valley Heartbreak 5:24

16d ago5:24

5:24

Kyle thought his Hayes Valley date with Natalie was a total win—great banter, travel chaos stories, dive-bar love, and matching “chaos goblin” siblings. But the next day? Nothing. Ghosted.By Star 101.3

1
What Authentic Connection Really Is And How To Build It 44:14

28d ago44:14

44:14

When it comes to messaging, there are 4 main areas I like to focus on: educational (what to do), thought reversal (shifting perspectives), self-identifying (so your audience is thinking, OMG, that's me!), and the fourth and the most overlooked of them all is connection content. A few years ago, I ran a 10-hour training and dropped an F-bomb or two.…

1
Nate & Sienna Go From Sparks to Static 6:27

29d ago6:27

6:27

A great dinner at OJ’s, easy banter, shared sibling drama, and a weirdly specific whistling struggle—Nate thought his date with Sienna had all the signs of a perfect match. But then? Radio silence. We dig into what might’ve happened.By Star 101.3

1
Did Connor Kill the Conversation with Valerie? 8:26

1M ago8:26

8:26

Their connection started on one of “the apps,” though Connor can’t even remember which one anymore. What he does remember is Valerie, gorgeous, quick-witted, and steady in a way that pulled him in. They talked food, terrible twenties roommates, and their mutual love for true crime. Everything flowed and then… silence. Connor wants answers.…

1
Jenna Ghosted Riley Over Coffee 6:24

1M ago6:24

6:24

Riley wants answers. He met Jenna online, finally took things offline for a Berkeley coffee date, and loved her vibe: funny, thoughtful, and apparently a walking library of book recs. They talked art, jobs, sandwiches… everything but why she vanished afterward. Let’s find out.By Star 101.3

1
Trevor Spills Secrets in San Jose with Melissa 6:24

1M ago6:24

6:24

Trevor called in to tell us about his first date with Melissa, who he met online and immediately impressed by loving beer, nachos, and Pixar debates. They hit a San Jose brewery, swapped favorite road-trip stories, and Melissa even got Trevor to admit he still sleeps with a fan on full blast. Effortlessly funny energy, great chemistry, and some ver…

1
Jamie & Eli's First Date Ended with Second Thoughts 7:05

1M ago7:05

7:05

Jamie and Eli met on Grindr, grabbed tacos and margaritas in Oakland, and immediately clicked. Between the musical theater banter and shared Coco tears, Jamie found Eli sweet, funny, and disarmingly honest. Now Jamie wants to know: was the connection as mutual as it felt?By Star 101.3

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4 Powerful Areas To "Let Go" Of In Order To Grow 51:44

1M ago51:44

51:44

Ever feel like you're doing everything right…and still stuck? Last week I noticed I was lugging around tiny weight belts of tasks, expectations, and rigid beliefs. It was killing my creativity. And my freedom. So I decided to let go. Today on the podcast we're revisiting one of our most powerful episodes on letting go to grow. I unpack the four are…

1
David's Date with Claire that Ended Too Soon 5:48

1M ago5:48

5:48

David thought he and Claire had real chemistry — ramen, cocktails, laughs about their dogs, and solo travel tips. He called her amazing, smart, funny… a total catch. Then she ghosted. We dig into what went wrong.By Star 101.3

1
Using Relevancy Triggers To Get People To Instantly Trust You And Engage 22:39

1M ago22:39

22:39

Ever poured your heart into tutorials, webinars, or posts—only to hear crickets? Or see "great info" in the comments but zero sales? I used to think if I just explained more, people would buy. But after helping thousands refine their messaging, I learned that info alone doesn't cut it. You need relevancy—those precise words that make someone think,…

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#76 The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 7 1:08:40

1M ago1:08:40

1:08:40

Episode 75 is on youtube only: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqZnFTxZ6nM&list=PLlpOSsHmIZE9Q1V5UuzhrM3ZncMJVsnol&index=2 The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 7 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechni…

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When Chris & Jenna's Text Chemistry Meets Reality 7:12

2M ago7:12

7:12

Text chemistry doesn’t always translate to real life… except when it does. Jenna shares her date with Chris, the “cool artist” who matched her wit in person. Sushi, design talk, reality TV confessions, and corgi photos made for a first date full of real intimacy.By Star 101.3

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Jared & Cassie Go For Rooftop Drinks, Then She Vanished 5:56

2M ago5:56

5:56

Jared met Cassie online and went for drinks at a rooftop bar. They swapped travel stories and cracked up over cringey dating profiles. The vibe was fun enough that they stayed for dessert. Jared left thinking date number two was a sure thing. Then… silence. Now he’s wondering what happened.By Star 101.3

1
Nico's Perfect Date But Not Vanessa's Fate 6:10

2M ago6:10

6:10

Nico’s date with Vanessa started off sweet: Italian food in Burlingame, beach talk, and a cute saucy moment he handled with care. But just as quickly as it started, she ghosted. We uncover the story behind the no-show.By Star 101.3

1
Bryce Meets Carissa or is it Clarissa? 5:36

2M ago5:36

5:36

What happens when your dream date suddenly ghosts? Bryce says he and “Carissa” connected over comedy, late-night eats, and one hilarious fork-drop moment. But when we get Clarissa on the phone, she reveals the date was over before appetizers. And yes — it starts with her name.By Star 101.3

1
Trent and Kayla Go for Tapas, What Could Go Wrong? 5:31

2M ago5:31

5:31

Tapas, sangria, and a spoon swap—what could go wrong? Trent thought he nailed his date with Kayla, but after their Walnut Creek night out, she vanished faster than a reality show rose ceremony. Let’s unpack this one.By Star 101.3

1
Erin Left Lucas on Read in Redwood City 6:07

1M ago6:07

6:07

Lucas and Erin met online, hit a Redwood City pub for dinner, laughed, swapped TV favorites, and split a dessert. He thought sparks were flying — until she ghosted. We track down Erin to figure out why.By Star 101.3

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Messaging Meets AI: Using AI To Find Messaging That SELLS Your Course For You - Day 2 1:35:21

2M ago1:35:21

1:35:21

Why are your webinars packed with value but crickets at checkout? You can teach circles around your competition, but if you're not weaving in demand and trust first, you'll still struggle to make sales. I learned this the hard way—running one webinar where I felt on fire, only to see zero sales… until a random DM popped up hours later saying, "Shut…

1
Eli and Marissa: Trader Joe’s Snacks Couldn’t Save This Date? 7:11

2M ago7:11

7:11

A cozy night in downtown Campbell: drinks, tacos, and a dog in a sweater. Eli thought he and Marissa had something real—shared laughs, shared snacks, and shared love for dogs and Trader Joe’s. But a few days later, she disappeared without a word. What went wrong?By Star 101.3

1
Brittany Ghosted Adam After Italian 4:46

1M ago4:46

4:46

Italian dinner? Check. Hike talk? Check. Mutual dislike for chatty movie-goers? Check. Everything seemed perfect for Adam and Brittany… until she ghosted him. Time to figure out what went wrong.By Star 101.3

1
Do Nate & Emily Find Love in the Food Court? 6:30

2M ago6:30

6:30

They met at a mall for tacos — what could go wrong? Nate says the date was “over before it started,” but Emily might have a different take. No second date, but plenty to talk about.By Star 101.3

1
Messaging Meets AI: Content That Triggers Engagement and Followers In Half The Time - Day 1 1:25:24

2M ago1:25:24

1:25:24

Are you still hand-crafting every email, ad, and social post? I was, too, until our in-house AI beat me at my own game. Last week I ran a blind test, feeding our AI and my own brain the same ad prompts. I thought I'd crush it. Guess what? AI cut our cost-per-lead in half and I was left eating its digital dust. It blew my mind because I used to hate…

1
Lauren & Matt’s First and Last Date 5:05

2M ago5:05

5:05

Lauren and Matt matched on Tinder and hit it off over burgers and bad dating stories. She thought it was the start of something real — he thought it was... a lot. What went wrong? We unpack their first (and only) date.By Star 101.3

1
Eric & Tara Go For Coffee By the Coast and End With a Ghost 4:27

2M ago4:27

4:27

Coffee by the beach, shared love for surfing and punk music, and laughs about big families in a town where everyone knows everyone… Eric calls in to tell us about Tara and get to the bottom of why she ghosted him.By Star 101.3

1
Mariah Ghosts Evan in the Marina 5:26

2M ago5:26

5:26

Cocktails, chemistry, and… ghosted? Evan shares his story of meeting Mariah and the date that didn’t go as planned.By Star 101.3