Dating feels harder than ever. Dating apps, endless options, and swipe culture have left many people confused, burned out, and questioning what actually leads to real love.

In this episode, Kelly talks with April Beyer, a 25-year professional matchmaker and founder of LEVEL Connections, about why modern dating feels broken — and what truly creates lasting relationships. With an 89% matchmaking success rate and hundreds of marriages, April shares what she’s learned from decades of helping people find long-term love.

They explore why more options don’t lead to better choices, how swipe culture keeps people stuck in evaluation mode, and why chemistry and “spark” are often confused with emotional connection. April explains why relatability, emotional safety, and self-awareness matter more than shared interests or attraction, and how unresolved patterns quietly shape who we choose.

The conversation also covers why matchmaking works differently than dating apps, how third-party guidance helps interrupt self-sabotage, and where AI can support dating — without replacing human intuition.

If you’re feeling discouraged by dating or stuck in the same relationship patterns, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and a grounded reframe on what actually lasts.

Follow April Beyer on Instagram: @April_Beyer

Follow Level Connections on Instagram: @levelconnections

Create a profile on Level Connections by clicking HERE, or visit their website: Levelconnections.com

 

Watch The Velvet's Edge on YouTube!

Email us: theedge@velvetsedge.com

TikTok: @velvetsedge

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast

HOST: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.com

Dating feels harder than ever. Dating apps, endless options, and swipe culture have left many people confused, burned out, and questioning what actually leads to real love.
In this episode, Kelly talks with <a>April Beyer</a>, a 25-year professional matchmaker and founder of <a>LEVEL Connections</a>, about why modern dating feels broken &mdash; and what truly creates lasting relationships. With an 89% matchmaking success rate and hundreds of marriages, April shares what she&rsquo;s learned from decades of helping people find long-term love.
They explore why more options don&rsquo;t lead to better choices, how swipe culture keeps people stuck in evaluation mode, and why chemistry and &ldquo;spark&rdquo; are often confused with emotional connection. April explains why relatability, emotional safety, and self-awareness matter more than shared interests or attraction, and how unresolved patterns quietly shape who we choose.
The conversation also covers why matchmaking works differently than dating apps, how third-party guidance helps interrupt self-sabotage, and where AI can support dating &mdash; without replacing human intuition.
If you&rsquo;re feeling discouraged by dating or stuck in the same relationship patterns, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and a grounded reframe on what actually lasts.
Follow April Beyer on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/april__beyer/">@April_Beyer</a>
Follow Level Connections on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/levelconnections/">@levelconnections</a>
Create a profile on Level Connections by clicking <a href="https://app.levelconnections.com/r/velvets-edge">HERE</a>, or visit their website: <a href="https://levelconnections.com">Levelconnections.com</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://m.youtube.com/velvetsedge">Watch The Velvet's Edge on YouTube!</a>
Email us:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:theedge@velvetsedge.com">theedge@velvetsedge.com</a>
TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@velvetsedge">@velvetsedge</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedgepodcast/">@VelvetsEdgePodcast</a>
HOST: Kelly Henderson // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/">@velvetsedge</a> // velvetsedge.com

The Velvet's Edge Podcast is an invitation to explore the beautiful, messy truth that real growth is an inside job. Hosted by Kelly Henderson—a celebrity stylist and men's groomer who has learned firsthand that "looking good" on the outside only gets you so far—this podcast is a space for the conversations you don't always hear out loud.

Life has a way of knocking us flat, and Kelly believes there is purpose in that pain. She uses her own journey of plot twists to show that true beauty is found by going inward. On some days, you'll hear deep dives with therapists, healers, and other people who have turned their pain into something beautiful. On other days, Kelly and Chip Dorsch laugh their way through the weird, messy "WTF is this life?" moments, because growth is easier when you and your bestie can laugh through it together.

This podcast is for you if you've ever felt empty despite doing everything you were "supposed to" do. It's for you if you're stuck in a toxic relationship cycle and don't know how to get out. It's for you if you're in the middle of a total life plot twist and have no idea where to start. You aren't broken beyond repair. You are simply a human on a soul's journey, and even though we each have our own path, it's a lot easier when we have a little help from our friends.

The Velvet's Edge Podcast&nbsp;is an invitation to explore the beautiful, messy truth that real growth is an inside job. Hosted by&nbsp;Kelly Henderson&mdash;a celebrity stylist and men's groomer who has learned firsthand that "looking good" on the outside only gets you so far&mdash;this podcast is a space for the conversations you don't always hear out loud.
Life has a way of knocking us flat, and Kelly believes there is purpose in that pain. She uses her own journey of plot twists to show that true beauty is found by going inward. On some days, you'll hear deep dives with therapists, healers, and other people who have turned their pain into something beautiful. On other days, Kelly and Chip Dorsch&nbsp;laugh their way through the weird, messy "WTF is this life?" moments, because growth is easier when you and your bestie can laugh through it together.
This podcast is for you if you've ever felt empty despite doing everything you were "supposed to" do. It's for you if you're stuck in a toxic relationship cycle and don't know how to get out. It's for you if you're in the middle of a total life plot twist and have no idea where to start. You aren't broken beyond repair. You are simply a human on a soul's journey, and even though we each have our own path, it's a lot easier when we have a little help from our friends.

Velvet's Edge with Kelly Henderson

Modern Dating, Swipe Culture & What Actually Creates Lasting Love with April Beyer (The Velvet)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/88ba6004-0daf-4b5f-adf3-b3ee00cbd7a7/transcript