Listen to the full conversation: YouTube Episode | Spotify Episode | Follow Maria on Instagram

The Conversation

In a recent episode of Superconnector Stories, hosts Michal and Amira welcomed Maria Avgitidis, a fourth-generation matchmaker and author of Ask a Matchmaker. Maria has built her career on blending centuries-old matchmaking traditions with contemporary relationship psychology, offering a fresh perspective on modern love and connection.

Her book explores everything from developing self-awareness to clarifying your relationship values. But one piece of advice cut through the noise with remarkable clarity: spend time with your friends.

Dating Was Never Designed as a Solo Journey

Maria reminds us that historically, dating was a communal activity. Friends, relatives, and wider social circles actively participated in helping people meet potential partners. Today’s landscape looks drastically different. Technology has transformed the matchmaking roundtable into a solitary scroll through profiles:

“Dating was never meant to be something we’re supposed to do alone.”

When we rely exclusively on dating apps, we cut ourselves off from the support systems that once kept us balanced and connected. For Maria, restoring that community dimension isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about necessity.

The False Divide Between Married and Single Friends

Maria takes aim at the invisible wall that often forms between coupled and single people. When married friends withdraw into their partnership bubbles, single friends can feel left out and disconnected. She sees this social separation as a direct contributor to our current loneliness epidemic:

“I blame a lot of the isolation and loneliness people feel on married people… you still have to hang out with your single friends.”

Her advice is straightforward: don’t relegate single friends to the sidelines or treat them as entertainment. Include them in dinners, gatherings, and social events—not as matchmaking projects, but as valued members of your community who deserve connection and visibility.

The Education of Witnessing Healthy Partnerships

Spending time around couples who demonstrate strong communication and mutual respect offers invaluable lessons. Maria explains that observing functional relationships helps single people identify and pursue similar qualities:

“If you’re around married couples that are modeling good interactions, you then understand what that looks like and seek it in your own life.”

This exposure serves as real-world relationship education. It reveals what partnership actually looks like in daily practice—something no dating profile can capture.

The Power of Asking for Inclusion

Maria shares a game-changing strategy from her own single years. She approached two friends whose relationships she respected and made a direct request:

“The next time you’re hanging out with your other friends, I need you to invite me.”

That simple ask transformed her social landscape. She eventually met her spouse through those expanded circles. Her takeaway is powerful: stop waiting for apps or setup attempts to deliver results. Instead, actively place yourself in spaces where your kind of people naturally gather.

Community Building Happens in Real Life

Maria issues a practical challenge to anyone looking to expand their social world: attend five local events over five weeks. Try a class, a community meeting, a library talk, or join a recreational league. The goal isn’t necessarily to meet a romantic partner—it’s to meet your people. Community creates the foundation where meaningful relationships, including romantic ones, can develop organically.

“If you want to find your person, find your people.”

Final Reflections

Maria’s perspective reframes dating not as an individual pursuit, but as an act of social participation. Relationships don’t emerge from isolation—they grow when we consistently show up, remain open, and actively engage with the world around us.

Listen to the complete episode on YouTube or Spotify. Connect with Maria Avgitidis on Instagram at @matchmakermaria.