Brie Temple Of Tawkify On How To Navigate Our Complicated Modern World To Find Love

…Be brave! Say what is in your heart if it is real and true. I know many couples who, decades into their relationship, still have things they wish they could say to their partner, but are embarrassed or fearful about how it will be received. As human beings, we crave that level of intimacy to know the other person completely, and to be known the same way. Have trust and faith in each other to be vulnerable…

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, finding and maintaining meaningful romantic relationships can be a daunting task. From navigating dating apps to managing expectations in a digital age, there are numerous challenges individuals face in their quest for love. Through this series, we would like to explore the complexities of modern dating and relationships, offering insights, advice, and strategies for navigating the often confusing landscape of love in the 21st century. In this series, we are talking to experts in psychology, relationship coaching, sociology, matchmaking, and individuals with personal experiences navigating the modern dating scene, to share their knowledge, perspectives, and stories. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Brie Temple.

Brie Temple is the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and “Chief Matchmaker” at Tawkify, America’s largest matchmaking firm. Since joining in 2023, Brie has focused on scaling Tawkify’s profitable growth and delivering exceptional client experiences. Brie is a passionate voice in the relationship wellness space and an advocate of incorporating coaching support early-on in any romantic relationship. She met her husband, Sam, on a blind date arranged by a matchmaking coworker in 1997, and the two are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in 2025. Brie adds, “I will be the first to admit that there absolutely would not have been a second date if not for our matchmaker. We both misread the signals, but having a third party ‘see us’ for who we were as individuals made all the difference.” Brie is also a staunch supporter of families of all shapes and sizes, having been a gestational surrogate for a couple and helping them complete their family by carrying and delivering their healthy baby boy. Brie’s career has been as dynamic as it is diverse. But for Brie, Tawkify feels like home. “The single most important decision any of us will make is who we choose to spend our life with — and it’s a journey of discovery that can feel lonely and fruitless at times. At Tawkify, we’re changing that. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping people connect with intention and transform their future,” she shares.

Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

I’m the oldest of three daughters. I grew up in a military family, so we moved around the U.S. a fair amount. Our last stop was in Colorado, not far from where my father graduated from the Air Force Academy, when I was in high school. My parents divorced shortly after that move and it forever changed our family dynamic. I think their divorce had a significant impact on me and how I view adult relationships. When I met my husband through a blind date 28 years ago, I was intentional. I already understood something that I think many of my peers did not yet; that to love someone for a lifetime, you need to be prepared to love them completely, through both their evolution and your own. Where that journey takes you will very likely be unexpected and there will be more complexities introduced through outside forces than you can possibly imagine. But that’s just one path. Not everyone’s goal is the same when they approach romantic relationships. Understanding what you want, and doing your best to anticipate what you will want, is really step one in communicating your needs.

Can you tell us a bit about what you do professionally, and what brought you to this specific career path?

I am the Chief Commercial Officer and “Chief Matchmaker” at Tawkify. We’re the largest matchmaking firm in the United States. I mentioned that my husband and I met on a blind date. That’s a bit of a funny story because one of my coworkers ended up playing a critical role in us getting together by being our matchmaker. Our first date, a blind date in a group setting, was very much unsuccessful to both of us. It’s a classic story of misinterpreted signals, a less than optimal environment, and just bad timing. But the really key thing our matchmaker did was she helped us both analyze the things we had oversimplified to bad chemistry and see them through an unbiased lens. She told us both what we needed to hear and the second date two days later, in a private setting with adequate planning and intentionality, was fantastic. And we’ve been dating that way ever since. So when the opportunity to work for Tawkify and its community came about, it felt like the culmination of two things I’m immensely proud of: my professional path and my love story.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Loyalty: It’s my core value. If you are a believer in astrological symbolism, you may recognize some commonalities with me as a Taurus. For me, loyalty is not simply the blind following of something or someone at all costs, but rather being true to who you are and recognizing and respecting it in others. This is paramount in relationships because like attracts like. If you are truly walking your path, others will respect your journey because they value reciprocity. That environment fosters unbelievable loyalty and forges the strongest bonds.

Generosity: My love language is acts of service. We’re all busy, so where I put my time and energy paints a clear picture of what I value most. I believe most human beings are this way, whether or not they are consciously aware of it. But generosity takes effort, so you have to be intentional about investing in yourself (filling your own cup) and investing in the people (filling their cup). Learn what they value. It’s not enough to say it; you have to create action to demonstrate appreciation and value.

Vulnerability: Professionally I would refer to this as transparency; in personal relationships, this is vulnerability. Be brave! Say what is in your heart if it is real and true. I know many couples who, decades into their relationship, still have things they wish they could say to their partner, but are embarrassed or fearful about how it will be received. As human beings, we crave that level of intimacy to know the other person completely, and to be known the same way. Have trust and faith in each other to be vulnerable. In the workplace, this means being brave enough to share meaningful feedback. If you’ve ever applied for a job and not gotten it, you’ve probably seen a templated rejection letter. While it may spare your feelings to say “we went another direction,” it won’t help you develop the skills you need to nail the next interview. Feedback truly is a gift; receive it as it’s intended, with your benefit in mind.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

So many things! Some I can’t share quite yet, but 2025 is definitely a big year for Tawkify in terms of growth. We have some very exciting partnerships coming up and you’ll definitely be seeing our name. That’s hugely impactful for our community because it means even more intentional, successful singles will find us and allow us to be part of their journey.

For the benefit of our readers, can you briefly tell our readers why you are an authority on the topic of dating and finding love?

There was a TV commercial years ago where the leader of the company said something like, “I’m not only the President of the company; I’m also a client.” Unfortunately, Tawkify wasn’t around 28 years ago, but I’ve built my entire life around a blind date arranged by a matchmaker, just as hundreds of thousands of people have done successfully for generations. Technology is a beautiful thing and Tawkify is at the forefront of bridging the latest in technological advancements with a human-centric, intuitive approach to matchmaking. But traditional tech solutions to finding love aren’t working. People don’t want to swipe and they are tired of the superficial, filtered view that’s being served to us on a phone screen. Anyone can sign up for a gym membership. A personal trainer teaches you how to reshape your health, makes you accountable, is your biggest cheerleader, and gives you the confidence to become your best self. At Tawkify, we’re like personal trainers for your love life, ready to support, guide, and encourage your journey.

Ok. Thank you for that. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about ‘How To Navigate Our Complicated Modern World To Find Love’. Based on your experience, what is a common root cause of the “inability to find love”?

A common root cause is that people often don’t fully understand what they need in a partner — they’re too focused on what they think they want. This often leads to chasing surface-level qualities instead of looking for true emotional compatibility. People sometimes get stuck in a cycle of seeking out traits that feel safe or familiar, but that doesn’t necessarily lead to lasting love. The real work comes when individuals dive into what truly makes them feel seen, heard, and valued by another person. We help our clients do this at Tawkify, and it’s a transformative process.

What are some common misconceptions or myths about finding love in the modern world, and how can they be debunked?

I think a common misconception is that you’ll know it when it hits. I can’t stress enough that I would not have my love story if that were true. We have two adult daughters — two fully-formed humans with their own connections and contributions to the world — because someone was our matchmaker and gave us the push we needed. More often than not, we are actually our own worst enemies when it comes to finding love. We fall into patterns and habits that aren’t healthy, and don’t recognize the signs or signals until it’s too late. Having a matchmaker is that accountability piece like having a personal trainer; the real gains happen when we let in the guides that will help us learn and grow.

What advice do you have for individuals who feel overwhelmed or disillusioned by the challenges of modern dating, and how can they maintain hope and optimism in their search for love?

This is so prevalent today. We assume when we download an app that we are scouring “the entire Internet” and that must mean that our person isn’t out there if it doesn’t work out. So many of those profiles aren’t real anyway, so that can’t possibly be true. And even if it is a real profile, statistics show us that very few of those conversations will move from the screen to real life. This pattern conditions us to believe that dating is hopeless and not worth the effort. To be clear, it does take effort to find real love. It takes intentionality and investment of your time and resources. But you do not have to do it alone. Stack the deck in your favor; get some support onboard. Your person is out there.

Let’s explore how the rise of social media and dating apps has impacted the way individuals approach and experience dating and relationships. Can you share a few dos and don’ts about how to use social media to find love?

Social media is, in general, not my favorite way to find love…and that’s not just because I’m a matchmaker! Social media is a filter; it’s someone’s highlight reel. Avoid comparison shopping, of yourself or for others. Everyone craves authenticity, but that can be difficult to sniff out even to the most trained eye. Use your critical thinking skills and ask for receipts when something feels too good to be true.

Can you share a few dos and don’ts about how to use dating apps to find love?

In case you couldn’t tell, I’m even less of a fan of dating apps than I am of social media! I think dating apps are riddled with “window shoppers” and a high potential for fraud or other ill-intentioned individuals. In my line of work, the horror stories we hear are eye-opening and enough to give anyone pause. Anytime you are interacting with an online persona, I think you have to adopt a bit of a “buyer beware” mentality where you question details and avoid making quick decisions. But just like in person, communicate clearly and always with an eye to your needs, wants, and expectations. If you wouldn’t accept the behavior in-person, why accept it in a DM?

Can you share a few dos and don’ts about looking for romance in real-life physical spaces like congregations, bars, markets, and conventions?

While there are definitely fewer people asking random strangers how to pick a good melon in the grocery store than there were a generation or two ago, in-person connection is still my preferred method of romantic introduction. With the rise of social media, we have forgotten in many ways how to communicate with each other, and I think that has been to our detriment as a society. The answer is fairly simple: flirt! Most human beings are wired to be helpers, so an approachable icebreaker I like to recommend is to ask for help or an opinion on something. Adding a genuine compliment here goes a long way, too. The key is authenticity. If you don’t feel it, don’t say it. And don’t count out the grocery stores — those shopping carts can offer a lot of valuable clues about a person!

What are your thoughts about the challenges and opportunities that come with workplace romances?

Workplace romances can be tricky, especially when it comes to professional boundaries and team member policies. I would actively avoid a relationship with someone in a position of influence over your role, and potentially over the company as a whole. I think the risks likely outweigh the rewards. Be aware that there are likely company policies described in your employee handbook that cover these sorts of situations and when you are required to disclose the relationship to HR. My husband spent a few early years of our careers working for the same company and even shared a cubicle at one point. Common bonds are important in relationships, and while navigating the highs and lows that come with corporate culture can be unifying, but they can also add an unnecessary stress factor as it can leave you feeling like you never leave work behind. Tread with caution.

Can you discuss the role of vulnerability and authenticity in forming meaningful connections and finding lasting love?

Vulnerability and authenticity are absolutely crucial. You can’t form a deep, lasting connection unless you’re willing to let someone see the real you — your fears, hopes, and quirks. It’s about building trust, and trust is what allows love to grow. At Tawkify, we encourage our clients to embrace vulnerability because it leads to genuine connections, rather than just superficial attraction. When you allow yourself to be seen for who you truly are, that’s when the magic happens.

Based on your experience or research, what are the “Five Things You Need To Navigate Our Complicated Modern World To Find Love”? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.

1 . Self-awareness: Know what you need in a partner, not just what you want. This allows you to connect with someone who truly aligns with your values.

2 . Patience: Love takes time to grow and develop, and sometimes it requires putting in the work.

3 . Vulnerability: Open up to someone about your true self, and invite them to do the same.

4 . Empathy: Understand not just what your partner needs, but why they need it.

5 . Trust: Trust the process, trust yourself, and trust your partner. Without it, relationships can’t thrive.

Do you have any favorite books, podcasts, or resources related to this topic that you would recommend to our readers?

I can share the exciting news that we are launching our own podcast at Tawkify later this year. We’ll be focusing on dating journeys and relationship topics, so that will be very relevant to your audience. Stay tuned for that announcement on our website and social media channels.

In the last few years, Netflix has aired a few culturally-based matchmaker television series that I think are actually very helpful resources for others in their own journey. Aleeza Ben Shalom (from “Jewish Matchmaking”) loves to say, “Date ’em ’til you hate ‘em,” and I think that really speaks to the mentality that you might have to push past some initial questions and discomforts to truly get to know someone in a meaningful way — and that’s ok. We live in a somewhat disposable culture and I think too often we apply that sentiment to people and relationships. This is where a matchmaker can really help separate the noise from the facts.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

This certainly isn’t a movement started by me, but I am a big believer in paying it forward. I am extremely fortunate in my life to be married to my best friend, and I think any couple who feels that way should do what they can to help support other couples. Every relationship will be tested, but if you have chosen the right person, it’s worth fighting for and seeking help both individually and as a couple. Look for the examples in your life who model what a healthy, thriving relationship is and ask for their help. Build a positive relationship community around yourself and then help it grow. At Tawkify, when a client “meets their match” and decides they no longer need our services, we offer them the ability to pay forward the eligible unused portion of their package to a friend, family member, colleague…or a complete stranger. Happy couples helping to create more happy couples is a beautiful thing to see.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

In addition to our Tawkify online presence, you can connect with me on Instagram (@matchmakerbrie) for the latest matchmaking news and stories.

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!

Brie Temple Of Tawkify On How To Navigate Our Complicated Modern World To Find Love was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.