In this conversation, Maria Romano sits down with matchmaker, coach, and author Jackie Dorman to unpack what it really takes to find love, keep love, and become emotionally ready for marriage—at any age.

Jackie shares how she went from TV general manager and event producer to helping over 1,600 couples get engaged or married through her programs like “Married in 12 Months or Less” and "Last Year Single. Born a natural connector and “wing woman,” she explains how the pandemic became a turning point for singles who finally confronted their loneliness and relationship patterns.

Together, Maria and Jackie dive into:

• Why modern dating sucks (and why it’s not just about the apps)

• The difference between preferences (the “list”) and true non‑negotiables

• Why emotional availability, conflict resolution, and communication matter more than height or hair color

• How the Heart Work Method helps you understand your attachment style, patterns, and stories about love

Quotes:

• “I launched something to help people to connect, even when we were the most disconnected we’ve ever been. And it exploded.” [0:02:27] – Jackie

• “We began teaching and doing curriculum, because I realized it wasn’t just that people weren’t meeting people, it’s that people weren’t really healthy enough to sustain relationships.” [0:02:45] – Jackie

Takeaways:

• Stop over‑functioning in relationships

Many women in 2026 are dragging men through the process, acting like a boss or mom instead of a partner. Jackie’s advice: put “already a grown, mature man” on your non‑negotiables list and don’t marry potential.

• Best friends make the best marriages

Beyond attraction and infatuation, the marriages that last are built on friendship, liking each other, and doing life together.

• Help others find love to attract your own

Jackie encourages singles to play matchmaker: care about someone else’s love story, not just your own. What you do for others has a way of coming back to you.

Timestamps:

[0:00:03] Maria introduces Jackie Dorman and her track record of 1,600+ engaged/married couples

[0:04:19] Connecting the dots: how past education, jobs, and experiences all led Jackie to this work

[0:05:48] Online dating, stigma, and Jackie’s stance: tools vs. how you show up

(attachment styles, patterns, and “why” behind behavior)

[0:11:28] Stage 2: building your non‑negotiables list with a clean heart and fundamentals of dating in 2026

[0:11:36] Emotional availability, conflict resolution, safety, and the four C’s: chemistry, consistency, clarity, communication, and compatibility

[0:15:20] Gen Z, digital natives, and the loss of in‑person social skills and community

[0:17:10] Community-based matchmaking and six degrees of separation in real life

[0:21:41] Preparing to move from long‑term singleness to cohabitation and marriage

[0:22:10] Over‑functioning women, under‑functioning men, and why you shouldn’t marry a man who isn’t ready

[0:23:37] “You’re never stuck on the outside, you’re always stuck on the inside” — heart work and self‑awareness

[0:24:05] Playing matchmaker, caring about others’ love stories, and global reach of Jackie’s programs

[0:24:38] In‑person meetups, including Las Vegas, and closing thoughts from Maria and Jackie

Conclusion:

This episode reframes modern love from “right swipe, wrong swipe” into a deeply intentional, inside‑out journey. Jackie Dorman shows that if you’re willing to do your heart work, get clear on non‑negotiables, and step into real‑world community, you can write a new love story at any age.

From online tools to in‑person meetups, from Gen Z to baby boomers, the path is the same: heal your patterns, expand your circle, and choose partnership with wisdom, not desperation. The result isn’t just a wedding day—it’s a best‑friend marriage built to last.

In this episode of From Love to Legacy, Maria Romano talks with Mark Bentley, owner of Forever and Company, about how he revived a 31‑year‑old wedding show business and expanded it from North Carolina to Las Vegas. Mark explains his simple three‑step growth strategy, why in‑person experiences still matter in a digital world, and how wedding pros can use shows to build trust and turn casual browsers into booked clients. Their conversation covers post‑COVID industry shifts, generational changes in how couples approach weddings, and practical, values‑driven advice for vendors who want real ROI—not just a list of cold leads.

Quotes:

• “I’m a big believer in experiences. No matter how great the internet and AI get, they’re never going to replace that need for human interaction and connection.”

• “We describe it like we’re building a franchise of restaurants—whether you’re in Vegas, Raleigh, or California, the recipe is the same, the burger is the same, the experience is the same.”

• “The purest form of a wedding show is a group of wedding professionals pooling their marketing resources so they get a greater ROI together than they ever could alone.”

• “Marriage isn’t a trend or a fad. It’s been here since the beginning of time and it’s going to be here until the end of time.”

• “Trust takes time. You can’t just set up a booth and expect people to instantly believe you’ll show up, problem-solve, and deliver on their wedding day.”

• “People want to know you’re aligned with the community—that you’re not just taking from it, but giving back to it.”

Takeaways:

• Events + marketing are more powerful together – Combining live wedding shows with smart, data‑driven marketing creates a stronger and more sustainable growth engine.

• A repeatable system must come before expansion – Mark first refined a consistent “recipe” in North Carolina before proving it could work in Las Vegas and other cities.

• Wedding shows are a tool, not the whole strategy – The best results come when vendors plug shows into a broader plan that includes ongoing marketing and follow‑up.

• Trust is the real conversion driver – Couples book the vendors they feel are reliable, honest, and present, not just the ones with the flashiest booth or social media.

Timestamps:

[0:00:11] Origin Story: Introducing Mark Bentley and Forever and Company

[0:02:16] From Nonprofit Events to Marketing Powerhouse

[0:03:36] Acquiring a 31‑Year Wedding Brand Post‑COVID

[0:04:30] The Three‑Phase Blueprint for Scaling Wedding Shows

[0:06:30] Proving the Model: First Las Vegas Show Success

[0:07:17] Big Vision: 50 Wedding Shows in 5–7 Years

[0:08:47] Faith, Calling, and Purpose‑Driven Business

[0:13:17] Are Weddings Really Declining? Generations and the Future

[0:18:39] Turning Browsers into Buyers with Trust and Follow‑Up

[0:25:13] Stewardship, Community, and Long‑Game Wedding Success

Conclusion:From nonprofit galas to multi‑city wedding expos, Mark Bentley shows that events, when paired with smart marketing and deep values, can transform both businesses and communities; reviving Forever and Company wasn’t just about adding more shows, but about creating consistent, high‑trust experiences for couples and vendors across every market. For wedding pros, the message is clear: wedding shows are a powerful tool, but they only pay off when you pair them with follow‑through, relationship‑building, and a genuine commitment to serving couples well—trust, community involvement, and reliable systems, not quick wins, are what turn fleeting interest into long‑term success. Whether you’re a florist, planner, DJ, photographer, or venue owner, this episode will challenge you to think beyond “how many leads will I get?” and instead ask, “How am I building trust, showing up for my community, and stewarding this opportunity well?”

Are you over 40 and wondering if it’s too late to fall in love with your life and business again?

In this episode, the podcast returns with a fresh focus on love, leadership, and creating a lasting legacy. You’ll hear how the show is evolving from its original love-centered theme to include passion-driven entrepreneurship and growth at any age. Maria shares why this new direction is especially designed for listeners in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond who still want to take bold chances. You’ll also learn what kinds of expert guests are being invited on—longevity specialists and business builders who can share real, actionable insights.

Quotes:

• Love, leadership, and growth are not separate—they are deeply connected.

• How you lead and how you love today becomes the legacy you leave tomorrow.

• It is never too late in your 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, or 80s to take a leap and build something new.

• Seventy doesn’t have to suck when you live with purpose, passion, and intention.

• The best guests bring real value and insights, not just a pitch for themselves.

Takeaways:

• The podcast is relaunching with a broader focus on love, leadership, and creating a meaningful legacy.

• Content will now highlight building and scaling businesses, especially for people over 40.

• Maria is actively seeking longevity and anti-aging experts, including those knowledgeable about peptides.

• The show will feature entrepreneurs who can share what works and what doesn’t in their systems and scaling.

• Potential guests are encouraged to reach out via social media or email if they can offer practical, actionable insights.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening and Show Theme

00:16 From Love to Legacy Introduction

00:35 Podcast Relaunch and New Focus

01:10 Ideal Audience Over 40

01:40 Call for Longevity and Business Experts

02:35 How to Apply as a Guest and Final Message

Conclusion:

Maria Romano announces the relaunch of her podcast, "From Love to Legacy," which now focuses on love, leadership, and business growth for individuals aged 40 and above. The podcast will cover topics like finding love, passion in business, anti-aging, and scaling businesses. Romano seeks experts in longevity, anti-aging, and business systems to be guests on her show. She encourages potential guests to reach out via social media or email. The podcast aims to provide valuable information without just self-promotion.