New School Romance With James Michael Sama

In honor of the release of my new book, Unlocking Love: 10 Keys to Finding The Love of Your Life (Even If It's You) - found at UnlockingLoveBook.com - I've decided to give you a special sneak peak. In this episode of New School Romance, I do a live read of the first two chapters in the book, one about recognizing your own self worth, and the next about defining what truly makes you happy in life and in love. I hope you enjoy, please leave a review to let me know what you think, and don't forget to subscribe and share with your friends!  

This episode is an important one (but, aren't they all?)  Aside from a BIG announcement, I want to talk to you about the small things in relationships that often go overlooked, but, in reality, really are the things that matter most. We spend a lot of time talking about putting in effort for our significant other, but we don't often define what that really means. The vision of "effort" is going to be different for everyone, and shift according to personal circumstances and preferences. In this episode, though, I talk with you about some easy ways that we can consistently make the woman in our life feel special, appreciated, and valued. Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts! Also, get ready for the BIG announcement in the beginning of the episode!

What does it mean to be a real life superhero? When we think of the word "Superhero," we often think of capes, and masks, and flying through tall buildings to save the day. But, in the real world, us mere mortal human beings can be superheros, too. In this episode, I draw parallels between how superheros conduct themselves and how we can take lessons from their nobility to apply the same principles to our daily lives, regardless of our relationship status. You don't have to be Superman or Wonder Woman to save the day, but you can certainly learn from them. Let me know what you think in the review section, and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes!

How many of us these days are actually fully on board with the concept of monogamous commitment? In this episode, I discuss the importance of staying true to your word and honoring the bond that you create with someone when entering into a monogamous relationship. Cheating has become rampant and almost expected from men (and women), and I hold steady in the position that there is *never* an excuse or reason to cheat. I cover these very important topics, and more, in this episode of New School Romance. 

One of the most common answers I get when I ask people what is preventing them from finding the love they deserve, is that they don't believe they are actually worthy of it - or that it even exists. In this week's episode, I talk about facing challenges and making adjustments in your life to put yourself in a better, more confident mindset - and begin building your own foundation of love, which you can then bring to the world around you. Uncover these five steps by listening to this week's episode and sharing it with your friends to join in the discussion. You CAN have the love you've always wanted - if only you believe in your heart that it exists.

I want to talk to you about the importance of actually dating ON PURPOSE, and how it can help us build foundations for happier, healthier relationships that will actually last in the long term. With this as the theme of the episode, I also recorded this while on a Facebook Live video, so I could take audience questions simultaneously. We discuss:  - How long should you wait before having the "exclusive" conversation? - How can you tell if you are a rebound from someone recovering from a breakup? - Should you have already met his/her kids if you've been dating for a few months? And much more. Listen now and be sure to share, subscribe, and leave a review to let me know what you think!

Admittedly, it can be hard to read people these days. Does it matter how long it took to return your text? Did they just give you attitude because they only sent one word, or are they just really busy? Is he really into you, or is he just playing you? And, how can you tell? There are so many different factors we have to think about these days when it comes to dating and relationships. In a fast-paced world of distractions, inconsistencies, image-based judgment, and a million new options at every turn, how can we discern who is really serious about us, and who is just playing us? In this episode of New School Romance, I bring you through 10 ways to know that the guy you're seeing is SERIOUS about you. Subscribe and share this episode with your friends to get their thoughts - be sure to tag me on social media at @JamesMSama and let me know what you think!

One of the most frequent issues I see in relationships these days, is people who are accepting sub-par treatment from their significant other, simply for the sake of avoiding singledom. We have been conditioned by society to believe that if you are single, you must be lonely and wanting - but if you are in a relationship, you must be happy and fulfilled. The reality is that there are a lot of happy single people in the world, and a lot of lonely married people as well. In this episode, we discuss the keys you need to unlock within yourself in order to create the type fulfillment and happiness that doesn't require you to have a certain relationship status in order to achieve it. The power to create your own happiness lies within you - you've just got to uncover it.    

There are certain things that never go out of style - and romance is one of them. The concept and image of romance and chivalry may have evolved over the past few decades, but that doesn't mean they've disappeared.  Our parents' and grandparents' generations valued courtship and manners and etiquette and respect - but our society no longer fits with the norms that they were used to. So, where do we go from here? In this episode, I discuss some acts of chivalry and romance that only have one small requirement: A bit of extra effort. Stand out from the crowd by working to bring these small acts of romance back. They make a big difference. What are some small things that are actually big things to you? Share in the reviews! Be sure to subscribe and share with your friends!    

For the first time in history, we are navigating relationships that don't require men to be 'providers.' Women are strong, independent, and often times make more money than men. So - with these changing dynamics that have changed how men and women interact, what does it mean to be a "gentleman" in the modern era? In this episode of New School Romance, I revisit concepts in an article I wrote that's been read over 7 million times. Why are we losing sight of taking care of each other as human beings? Presenting ourselves with dignity and respect? Understanding how to communicate and handle conflict? Being a gentleman is not just about opening doors and pulling out chairs - it's about how you interact with the world around you. This episode is a new, heartfelt approach to starting this sorely needed conversation. Leave a review to let me know what you think, and share this with your friends to get their thoughts as well. The Gentleman isn't dead, he's just evolving.  

Named "American Beauty...Rising Star" in 2017 by Dailymail, and recognized by Vogue, Forbes and CNN, Rachel McCord is a world renowned model, author, actress, speaker and media personality.  She's also married! And, in a society where we seem to blame 'too many options' and 'social media' for lack of relationship success, how is it that someone who consistently receives so much attention, is able to remain fully focused and committed to her relationship? In this episode of New School Romance, Rachel shares her valuable perspectives on life and love. What it means to truly commit to the person you love, blocking out the 'noise' around you in the digital world, committing to the path you're meant to be on, and more.  She also discusses her new book, Slay the Fame Game, and her new show which highlights her journey 'From trailer parks to red carpets" after growing up with humble beginnings in Georgia.  This is a must-listen episode. Be sure to subscribe, share, and follow Rachel on social media at

Are you tired of men asking you to "meet up," or "Netflix and Chill" or "hang out"? I met blogger, actress, and host Candy Washington at an event in Los Angeles and we got to talking about her dating experiences. She told me she doesn't really receive offers like that, and is typically asked to dinner or approached by men who put in more effort. Why might that be? Candy has great theories about how to project what you want to attract, and how to treat yourself with the respect that you want others to show you, as well. In this episode, we discuss how to attract higher quality men who are actually willing to put effort into dating, and living a positive, fulfilling life - whether you are single or in a relationship. Be sure to follow Candy at @CandyWashington and visit her website at CandyWashington.com, share this episode with your friends, and leave a review on iTunes to let us know what you thought!

In an age where we are pushing for gender equality, we must not mistake it for gender sameness. Men and women still have unique qualities and strengths, and this episode of New School Romance focuses on celebrating them.   My guest today is the author of new book "The Art of Being a Woman", Alexandra Adomaitis.  We discuss the challenges faced by men and women in a world where strong, independent women still want to be loved, cared for, and respected as the lady in the relationship, and how both men and women can lead in different areas of a relationship without giving up individual power. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!

You can have a friendship without a relationship, but you can't have a relationship without a friendship. In a society where image and attraction are prioritized, it is important to remember that successful relationships go far beyond the area of just sexual chemistry, and require two people to be fully accepting and supportive of each other, much like friends are. In this week's episode, special guest and co-host of the "It's Complicated" podcast, Lauren Leonelli, joins host James Michael Sama to discuss the importance of being friends with your significant other, while still building attraction and making your intentions known early on. A must-listen for anyone who has felt that they have been in relationships that don't last through hard times, or know someone who has.

Are we squashing romance by trying to over-emphasize equality between men and women, to the point where we stop recognizing and appreciating our unique strengths and differences? In this episode, special guest DeAnna Lorraine discusses her new book, Making Love Great Again, and talks about what she calls the "Romantic Apocalypse," which sparked the downturn of chivalry and romance in dating. DeAnna and James talk about the importance of recognizing and respecting differences between men and women, and lessons that can be taken from the ways in the past that made relationships work better, and last longer!

In the premiere episode of New School Romance, James discusses widespread frustrations with the state of dating in today's day and age. Are chivalry and romance dead? Are they ever coming back? Should we even work to bring them back? And, if so, how do these things look in modern society compared to previous generations?James touches on multiple topics ranging from how social media affects dating, to the importance of communication, to developing yourself into the person you want to become before pursuing a relationship. Listen, share, review, & enjoy!  

James gives a sneak peek at what's ahead on New School Romance!