Dr Lisa Portolan is a researcher and author whose work focuses on digital intimacy

: Her research found that many users feel trapped in a repetitive cycle; men often treat apps as a "numbers game" by swiping frequently, while women tend to be more selective yet feel pressured to present themselves as "easy-going" to avoid being labeled "high-maintenance".

If you are new to Dr. Portolan’s work, here is the curated roadmap to get the experience:

She is the host of the highly successful podcast series, which cracked the top-ten charts in 2020. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show offered a crucial space to explore the unique challenges of sex, love, and intimacy in lockdown. Additionally, she hosts a weekly segment called "Love Life with Lisa" on 2SER Radio, where she explores contemporary questions of connection.

Before Dr. Lisa Portolan became a trusted media commentator and bestselling author, she was a dedicated researcher at Western Sydney University. Her PhD, which was published in 2024, is a groundbreaking cultural study that placed her at the forefront of a new field of study. Titled "How dating apps and a global pandemic redefined intimacy," her thesis directly interrogates one of the most profound social shifts of the 21st century. She asked foundational questions about how and to what extent dating apps have changed the way relationships are facilitated, navigated, and negotiated.

The landscape of modern romance has completely shifted. The classic cinematic "meet-cute" has been replaced by the endless doomscroll, and swiping has transformed from a playful digital novelty into what experts call an elite "aesthetic economy". To truly understand how technology has re-engineered human connection, one must look at the multimedia ecosystem built by researcher, author, and academic .

If you're interested in learning more about podcast film events and Lisa Portolan's research, here are some recommended resources:

Another major deep piece is her work on This was the core of her PhD. It was featured in:

This is where the podcast enters the equation. In recent years, the podcast has emerged as a vital tool for "audible scholarship." For Portolan, the podcast format offers a unique intimacy. Where a thesis argues, a podcast converses. It allows for a discursive exploration of ideas, where the tone, pause, and cadence of a voice add layers of meaning absent on the printed page. By translating her academic findings into a podcast series, Portolan democratizes her research, making complex theories available to commuters, joggers, and curious minds outside the ivory tower. The podcast becomes the bridge between the solitary act of reading and the communal act of listening.

"The intimacy of solo dining: How eating alone became a radical act" (or similar variations) Author/Platform: Lisa Portolan for ABC News or The Conversation (often republished/discussed on podcasts). Why it fits your request: