Getting Close is an intimate exploration of how we connect, love, and build relationships in the modern world. Each week, host Aidan Wharton sits down with culture-shaping voices to give you practical insights from honest conversations about relationships, Queerness, sex, connection, and community. gettingclosepod.substack.com
Getting Close
Claim This Podcastby Aidan Wharton
5.0(111 reviews)
25 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Getting Close is an intimate exploration of how we connect, love, and build relationships in the modern world. Each week, host Aidan Wharton sits down with culture-shaping voices to give you practical insights from honest conversations about relationships, Queerness, sex, connection, and community. gettingclosepod.substack.com
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/7/2026
1 verified contact email on file for Getting Close
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Recent Episodes
June 23, 2026
PRIDE SHOW with Ben Greene - on How to Make New Friends, Finding Joy & Whimsy, & What Pride Means in 2026
Host Aidan Wharton interviews Ben Greene, author and advocate, exploring how to find joy, build new friendships, and understand Pride's evolving meaning.
June 16, 2026
Gay Shame Researcher - on the Male Gaze, Sex with Your Friends, and how Compulsive Dating is Actually a Shame Response
<p>If you find yourself stuck in endless cycles of bad dating, unfulfilling friendships, and bad sex, this episode will help you get untangled.</p> <p>In this episode, you and I sit down with Jordan Gonsalves to talk about the hidden impact of shame on all of our lives. We dive deep into Jordan's journey with shame, how shame shows up in relationships and dating, self-worth and aging, practical tools to combat shame, and Jordan's new podcast Unshaming.</p> <p>Jordan Gonsalves is a journalist who reports on shame and the host of a new podcast called Unshaming, coming out June 17th. He's interviewed over a hundred people on how shame has kept them from finding love, from being happy with their body, from being happy with their lives, and how they've overcome it. His goal is to teach you that the shame we carry isn't ours to begin with.</p> <h1>We Get Curious About</h1> <ul> <li>How the opposite of shame is actually belonging</li> <li>How compulsive dating is a shame avoidance strategy</li> <li>Why you need to grieve the past chapters of your life</li> <li>How to combat any compulsive behaivors</li> <li>How learning your virtues can help you find community.</li> </ul> <h1>Links</h1> <p>Unshaming: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unshaming/id1495535622">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unshaming/id1495535622</a></p> <p>Jordan on Substack: <a href= "https://jordangonsalves.substack.com/">https://jordangonsalves.substack.com/</a></p> <p>Jordan on IG: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/jor_gonsalves/">https://www.instagram.com/jor_gonsalves/</a></p> <p>Aidan on IG: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/aidanwharton">https://www.instagram.com/aidanwharton</a></p> <p>Getting Close on IG: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepod/">https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepod/</a></p> <h1>Chapters</h1> <p>(00:00) Understanding Shame and Its Impact</p> <p>(02:51) Jordan's Journey with Shame</p> <p>(05:44) The Roots of Shame in Childhood</p> <p>(09:07) Shame and Validation in the LGBTQ+ Community</p> <p>(11:56) Compulsive Behaviors and Escaping Shame</p> <p>(14:50) Dating and the Role of Shame</p> <p>(18:06) Grief, Vulnerability, and Healing Shame</p> <p>(20:57) Overcoming Shame: Steps to Acceptance</p> <p>(27:40) Embracing Self-Worth and Acceptance</p> <p>(32:59) The Power of Belonging and Community</p> <p>(40:04) Aging and the Gift of Life</p> <p>(46:14) Curiosity and Connection in the Modern World</p>
June 9, 2026
Love & Connection Expert - on Why Gay Dating Feels so Hard, Modern Relations & Hinge's 2026 LGBTQ DATE Report
Host Aidan Wharton interviews Hinge's Love & Connection Expert Moe Ari Brown about actionable data from the 2026 LGBTQ+ D.A.T.E. Report to make modern dating easier.
25 total episodes available with 6 transcripts
Recent guests on Getting Close
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Ben Greene
Guest
Moe Ari Brown
Guest
Steven Rowley
Guest
Nick Wolny
Guest
Rachel Karp
Guest
Chris Bustamante
Guest
JP Brammer
Guest
John Paul Brammer
Guest
Zachary Zane
Guest
Brian Derrick
Guest
Keanu Jackson
Guest
Ruffus
Guest
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Getting Close?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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