This yachtie is looking for a connection that’s as “deep” as the Atlantic Ocean — which he’s sailed across twice. Blake knows he’s single because his lifestyle makes dating difficult, so he’s now taking a more “intentional approach” to find his romantic anchor. But he’s not willing to give up adventuring entirely. “She doesn’t have to know how to sail — I can teach her — but she should probably know how to swim,” he says. Oh, and getting seasick gives him the ick. Naturally, Blake is a water sign, but he doesn’t need a star chart to know if he’s compatible with someone. “The most important thing is that they have good banter, and that we [know we] can sit on the couch and not get bored of each other when we’re 65.” Always on the go, Blake says his favorite piece of relationship advice is that love is a verb. “Not only is it a feeling that you feel,” he says, “but it’s also an action that you take.”

Cam always has a dad joke in his back pocket. He’s also crafty and taught himself to sew — fitting for someone who constantly has his loved ones in stitches. After college, he moved to Ghana, and his perfect match would be down to check off more countries on his bucket list. Getting out of his comfort zone comes easily to Cam, but settling down is one thing he’s been afraid to do. “My fear is marrying the wrong person,” he says. “I only want to do it once.” While Cam has never dated anyone for longer than six months, he hopes to find a love like the one shared by his grandparents, who’ve been married almost 70 years. Cam’s most proud of the relationships he’s built with all different kinds of people. But that also means he doesn’t totally vibe with the “monotonous” Boston scene. “Everybody goes to the same bars,” he explains. “Sometimes all the women are dressed the same, and you’re like, ‘I’ve had this conversation before.’”

As a cosplay enthusiast, Amenawon — who goes by Iman  — loves to dress up as his favorite characters. But in the pods, he’s showing up as his “full, authentic, and unapologetic self.” Iman believes he’s still single because he’d rather spend his time playing video games than the game of love. “I’m a geek at heart, who really wasn’t built for the ‘streets’ of single life,” he says. Iman’s biggest fear is falling for someone who takes advantage of his “accommodating nature.” He has a habit of putting others’ needs ahead of his own, earning him the nickname “Amenable Amenawon” among his friends. But there is one thing that will make him draw a boundary: “people who saturate their food with ketchup.” If, however, his partner is able to look past his chronic lateness and take part in a couple’s costume, Iman just might make an exception. 

Having worked in professional sports for more than 10 years, Jay is comfortable with competition. “It’s not even about loving to win,” he says. “I just hate to lose.” But in the game of love, Jay has yet to score, as his busy schedule leaves little time for dating. He believes that the best connections are “hard to find but even harder to replace” — and he’s been looking for them in the wrong places. While Jay is willing to improve his work-life balance, he is seeking a soulmate who is just as driven as he is. “A lot of relationships fail because you put everything into each other,” he says. “I want a woman who is warm and nurturing but also ambitious and independent with her own life and goals.” If Jay’s future wife can bear his habit of repeating stories and freestyle rapping, he’s ready to cheer her on from the sidelines for life. And if not, Jay says, “There’s nothing I can’t be coached on.” 

Dog dad John adores his Doberman pinscher, Judo, which means not liking animals is an immediate red flag. But in the pods, puppy love just won’t cut it, as John is searching for a lifelong partner who thinks deeply and critically about the world around her. “My ideal person would be someone who has strong convictions, really knows what she believes, and stands for it,” he says. As a sensitive soul, John wants a wife who is “nice” to him — and doesn’t mind that he lets his fur baby kiss him on the mouth. John tries hard to always be himself, but admits that, on dates, that’s sometimes easier said than done. “My biggest fear is inadequacy and maybe not living up to her expectations,” he says. What John does bring to his relationships is clear communication, thoughtfulness, and loyalty. And he recently became a member of a golf club. So why not give the guy a swing?

Mark’s friends describe him as a guy who keeps his head down but would give you the shirt off his back. So, of course, his love language is acts of service. In the pods, Mark hopes his dates are drawn to his naturally dependable disposition, because he doesn’t believe anyone should change themselves for love. “It’s important to be who you are and that the person you’re with accepts you for you,” he says. Mark tries to approach disagreements with understanding and would like his future wife to do the same, even when tensions from the outside are high. “I’m particular, especially if I’m under a lot of stress,” he says. Mark knows he hasn’t always chosen the right partners, and fears he might repeat history in the experiment. But he’s putting those concerns aside to let his heart do the talking with Michael Jordan’s mantra in mind: “Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” 

Avid beekeeper Matt has five hives on his property, but he’s still looking for someone to call honey. “Maybe I can find my queen bee here,” he says. Only someone trustworthy, affectionate, and playful will be able to win that crown. Plus, she’ll need to love his 8-year-old son. “He’s the greatest thing in my life, so that’s going to be a big consideration in who I decide to date in the pods,” this proud father says. Matt is a cancer survivor, whose friends and family describe him as “resilient,” a characteristic he’d like to carry into his love life. “A lot of people give up too easily on relationships,” he says. “It’s really something you have to work at.” The single ladies are sure to swarm when they learn Matt loves to whip up romantic dinners. “I can make Italian food that’ll blow your horns off,” he says. But just make sure you chew his signature chicken parmesan with your mouth closed; that’s one of his biggest turnoffs.

Michael knows he’s single because he wasn’t “grown enough in [his] 20s” to truly commit. But this Connecticut native has done a whole lot of living in the last few years. “I give so much, and I’m looking for somebody who can receive all of that and fully appreciate it,” he says. For the right woman, Michael goes all out — he planned a surprise vacation for an ex complete with bougie accommodations and thoughtful experiences. The pods, where “vulnerability is universally embraced,” could be the perfect place for Michael, who’s tired of the lack of “genuine connection” in modern dating, to find a soulmate. He’ll keep his ears open for “smart, funny, and loud” women on the other side of the wall, who can laugh and grow along with him. And whenever he’s in doubt, he’ll just remember the words his mom once told him: “Being vulnerable allows us to feel the most alive.”

Morrey describes himself not as “chop-down-a-tree handsome” but more “tell-your-mother-she-has-a-beautiful-home handsome.” That’s not to say he hasn’t got muscle. Morrey is a boxer, who also works part-time as a bouncer at Southie’s busiest bar. “Everybody from Boston’s got kind of an attitude, but I’ve got one too,” he says. That’s part of why dating in his hometown is hard. Plus, he’s not willing to give up his Red Sox loyalty for love. When it comes to relationships, Morrey considers himself to be “modern traditional.” He’s looking for an ambitious woman who also lets him pick up the check, and he’ll do that with the cash he’s scored from his cornhole entertainment company. Despite his many side hustles, Morrey considers himself a bit of a procrastinator. But don’t worry, he’s got plenty of great qualities, too, including his height. “You’ll never have to reach for anything in the kitchen again.”

To get with Rob, you have to be able to hang with his boys — and that means joining them on the golf course from time to time. Rob knows he’ll need to deprioritize hours on the links once his wife steps into the picture, but one thing he’s not willing to give up for love, is his strong bond with his mom. “She’s been my support since I was young. She’s done a lot for the family,” he says. Rob is searching for a loving woman with traditional family values, who would one day make a great mother herself. She’s also got to have a good sense of humor. “I like to joke around a lot, so it would be hard for me to be with someone who takes themselves too seriously,” he says. Rob’s perfect match can expect breakfast in bed and sentimental gifts — even if his friends sometimes make fun of his sensitive side. “Not a lot of guys are out there making scrapbooks with handwritten notes in them.”

Originally from South Georgia, Scott moved to the Northeast for love during the pandemic, which he says is the most romantic thing he’s ever done. Since that relationship ended six years ago, he hasn’t had any luck meeting Mrs. Right. “The biggest struggle dating in Boston is finding a conservative woman,” he says. But Scott, who is Christian, still hasn’t lost faith. He hopes that his future wife will be “non-confrontational, sweet, and humble,” and value his leadership skills, which he’s honed as a baseball coach. “Sports have been a big part of my life since day one, and that transitioned into a passion for health and fitness,” he says. When it comes to dating, he’s not willing to play ball with anyone who believes in zodiac signs, which he thinks are “satanic.” So if you’re into astrology, a future with Scott probably isn’t in the stars.

Spontaneous Stew is “seasonally active.” That means in the winter, he could be on the slopes in Colorado, and in summer months, boating around Block Island, Rhode Island. “It’s very rare for me to have a weekend back in Boston, and I want someone who’s willing to, at the drop of a hat, join in on some of those adventures,” he says. And you know he’s serious about finding that someone because he skipped “peak ski season” in favor of spending time in the pods. Stew values his independence and doesn’t think he’d be able to give that up completely for his partner. “There are always going to be times when you need to get away, you need to spend time by yourself, you need to be with your friends,” he says. “I think that’s important for the longevity of a relationship.” Another quality that’s important to Stew? Passion! Boring people simply don’t keep his interest.

Tucker is thirsting after a glass-half-full kind of gal. He aims to always be optimistic, which he credits to his dad: “He once told me, ‘You’ll rarely regret taking the high road.’” Though Tucker most often employs that mantra in Boston traffic, it’s also informed his approach to dating. A self-described know-it-all, he admittedly struggles to put others’ feelings before his love of Wikipedia rabbit holes. “It’s gotten me in trouble in the past, so I’m trying to work on it, he says. But that stubbornness also makes him extremely dependable. He’s still close with friends from elementary school all the way through college. “I’m very committed to the people I love,” he shares. Tucker just hopes his future partner will also stick with him and his beloved Red Sox through the seasons of life: “Hopefully they’re a fan of my Boston sports teams because I spend a lot of time at Fenway in the summer.”

Wilson may not have gotten a chance to play in the NBA, but he still lives out his basketball dreams with his rec league. In the pods, he hopes to shoot his shot with a woman who’s game to root for him all season long. “They better bring a sign that says my name in large letters,” he jokes. If he doesn’t make a match, however, Wilson knows he’ll bounce back. “It’s an opportunity to do some self-discovery,” he adds. “Chances are that if I don’t end up finding my soulmate, I’ll end up finding myself.” Wilson has struggled to regain confidence after bad breakups, but with therapy, he now knows that he’s deserving of love. Though he’s had plenty of practice leading with his emotions and getting vulnerable, he also wants to make sure his future partner appreciates his sense of humor. “I tend to joke a lot,” Wilson says. “Life is hard sometimes, so I try to find the fun or joy in things.”

Aneha spends her days working in biotech, and strives to meet a man who loves her as much as she loves her research. “I see myself as a princess and I hope my husband will too,” she says. “Tall guys who have sort of mom-related trauma” have dominated Aneha’s dating history, but after two years of being single she’s in the market for something new. Though she’s deeply independent, Aneha is looking for a “gentleman” who also indulges her girlie side with romantic gestures and elaborate dates. “I’m super bubbly, I like to smile, I like to yap, so I would never want to dim my shine just to fulfill a man’s needs,” she says. If the right guy finally strolls into her life, she wants to turn her daily “hot girl walks” into “hot couple walks” — unless he’s carrying a certain accessory. Her biggest ick is a guy running with a backpack: “Why do you have a backpack on as a grown man?”

Born in Kosovo, Benita immigrated to the United States in 1999. “We’re war refugees, and came here with nothing,” she says. As a result, she’s incredibly close with her family. “We’re obsessed with each other. They’re not just my family. They’re my friends, too,” she emphasizes. Any man interested in marrying Benita will have to happily hang at frequent family dinners — and he better not be a picky eater because that’s a total turnoff. Not only does Benita want a partner whose palate is compatible with her own, but their star signs also need to align. “I mostly get along with and attract Capricorns, but I always look at the whole birth chart,” she says. Benita says her friends would describe her as “someone who never shuts up,” and she admits she asks too many questions. But in her defense, being inquisitive does seem like the right way to land her dream man, whom she describes as a best friend who “makes [her] laugh and feel safe.”

Brittany, who’s part of a “huge Italian family,” is hoping to meet a guy to bring home to her parents — who must love her future spouse. A man who proves himself in the pods could soon be enjoying her go-to dishes, chicken cutlets and homemade gnocchi just like her grandma used to make. “My love language is cooking,” she says. But if Brittany is preparing a meal, she fully expects her partner to do the cleaning. “If your apartment is messy, it gives off the vibe that your life is messy in general,” she says. To avoid any further mess in her personal life, Brittany has washed her hands of Sagittarius men. All other signs are fair game, especially if they value Brittany’s skills outside the kitchen. As a practicing attorney, Brittany is determined to keep working when she hopefully one day becomes a mom. “I’m proud of my career,” she says. “It’s important to be educated, have independence, and never rely on a man.”

Diana wants to lock down an “alpha” man who’s the leader of his pack. “That’s who I am in my group,” she says. “I make the decisions, but I don’t want to be doing that all the time.” A partner who can take responsibilities off of her metaphorical plate will find rewards on his literal one, as Diana enjoys packing special lunches for her man: “I take pride [in knowing] that he’ll open it at work and all the other guys will be jealous, like, ‘Oh wow, your girl loves you so much.’” In fact, if this natural nurturer falls for you, she’ll let everybody know — not just your co-workers. “I come from a big Sicilian family, and we love really, really hard,” she says.“It’s very much shown. I’ll scream ‘my man, my man, my man’ all day.” One place you won’t see her falling, however, is on the ice rink. Skating at the Boston Common Frog Pond is Diana’s favorite winter activity and one she hopes to share with her husband one day.

As a true-blue Cancer, Erika cherishes her home. After her first marriage ended, she moved across the country and bought a place of her own. And she’s always eager to welcome others into her abode. “I love to host people, create fabulous experiences, pour some delicious wine, and get to know whoever’s around the table with me,” she says. Work often keeps Erika on the move — she visited 23 different cities in the last year alone and often extended her trips to feed her travel bug. But she’s also a homebody for whom nothing hits quite like a home-cooked meal, and she hopes her future partner will be down for dinners every Sunday. While her place is located in a landlocked small town, Erika is grounded by the sea — probably because she has several water signs in her astrological chart, she says. “Truly, the ocean is calming to me. It’s just soothing on a different level.”

Jax owns a successful skin-care company and only has time for men who don’t dull her glow. “I’m really proud of my business. It’s a huge part of me so I need my partner to support that,” she says. Jax is driven and can be quite particular, and so far, no New Englander has met her relationship standards. “This might sound bad, but I typically don’t like guys from Boston. I’ll date in other places, like New York, Miami … or Europe,” she says. But all the activities she looks forward to sharing with her future partner are much closer to home: “I’m excited for the everyday — making coffee in the morning, going for a walk with my dog, grocery shopping, the small things.” Jax is typically drawn to “successful, older” men who can provide stability: Her biggest fear when it comes to love is having the rug pulled out from under her. To maintain her footing in the pods, she plans to sidestep men who don’t know what they want.

Jenn’s family describe her as their “rock,” but she’s actually a huge softie. “I’m a Pisces through and through,” she says. Defeated by the dating apps, she’s entering the experiment in order to find a guy who’s also in touch with his softer side. “Someone who’s not able to emotionally regulate gives me the absolute ick,” she says. As a single mom, Jenn always puts the needs of her 7-year-old son ahead of her own, especially when it comes to dating. “I’m very selective now,” she says. “The biggest red flag will be if he’s not open to kids.” As a procrastinator, Jenn often has trouble getting out the door, but she still manages to arrive everywhere mostly on time. The Rhode Islander makes it to the beach nearly every morning to see the sunrise, and the only thing that would make that view more stunning is sharing it with a partner. “To have someone come into my routine and do that with me would be beautiful,” she says.

Calm, cool, and collected Kara wants a partner who’s easygoing. “I’m looking for someone who can make the small moments a little more fun and the bad moments a little more bearable,” she says. The right guy could even snag an invite to chill by her side on the beach. “Every year, my family goes to the Vineyard, and I’m always the only single sibling, so I’m excited to have someone to go with.” While Kara definitely knows how to relax, she has also put a lot of effort into becoming financially independent. “I’ve always worked extra jobs throughout my life, so that’s definitely something I’m proud of,” she says. After being single for four years, Kara describes Boston’s social scene as “clique-y”: “It’s really hard to meet new people and get outside of your bubble.” When it comes to dating, she’s not a fan of cliques or clicks, because men who are too active on social media give her the ick. So if you want a like from Kara, maybe think twice before posting that gym selfie.

Dark clouds, steer clear of Kerry. This eternal optimist has the ability to find the silver lining in any situation. “I genuinely enjoy life, and I hope that’s something that my future partner appreciates about me,” she says. Kerry doesn’t ever want anyone bringing her down, and that includes on days when she decides to wear heels: “I love being tall, and I need my partner to love it just as much.” As an Enneagram 7, she’s an extroverted ball of energy, so she needs someone who can bounce around with her. “I want to be able to ebb and flow between deep and meaningful conversations about our hopes and dreams, then switch right into being playful and silly and stupid,” she says. That might mean singing karaoke tunes into wooden spoons, one of her favorite pastimes to enjoy with her tight-knight friend groups. Show self-awareness and quiet confidence in the pods, and Kerry will soon be singing your praises.

Music is Liz’s love language, and the way to her heart is through her record collection. While she can get down to slow songs, she always tries to remain upbeat. Her co-workers often turn to her for a funny story: “I’m a night shift nurse, and everybody always comes to me at 3 a.m., like, ‘Liz, we need a hit of energy to get us to 7 a.m.’” Given her demanding schedule, Liz is looking for a generous and committed partner who can join her for Sundays spent binge-watching entire TV series. And, if he’s an ex-athlete with some tattoos, that wouldn’t hurt either. In addition to free time to unwind, there are two other things Liz says everyone should have in their lives: “The world would be a better place if everybody had a therapist and was consistently having good sex.” If you’re a man who’s missing the latter, make sure you don’t have plaid sheets on your bed because, according to Liz, that’s a turnoff.

Go-getter Malaine is all about self-improvement. Every day, she strives to be 1% better. One way she’s leveled up is by purchasing an investment property. “I’m proud of myself for making that big leap of becoming a homeowner and a landlord,” she says. Any man who’s intimidated by that isn’t good enough for this ambitious baddie, who describes her type as dominant, masculine, and confident. In her spare time, Malaine takes her hustle to the gym, where she hopes to soon be joined by a workout buddy who makes her heart race. “I’m looking forward to exercising with my partner and just finding ways to be healthier,” she says. But the right guy will value Malaine for more than just her physical fitness. “My biggest fear when it comes to love is being with someone who is attracted to me but doesn’t really like who I am as a person,” she shares. “I want to be able to fully express myself, be vulnerable with my partner, and still feel loved.”

Fashionista Michaella is strutting into the pods ready to turn looks and trust her gut. “From the beginning of any relationship, I always have ‘a knowing’ within me,” she says. Michaella has been so eager to get married and start a family that she sometimes overlooks deal-breakers. “Since there are no distractions in this experiment, I’m hoping that’s kind of washed away.” One red flag she won’t be ignoring is a lack of goals. She’d rather fly solo than be with someone who is “winging it” through life. Her future husband also needs to have a good sense of humor, which she equates with intelligence. Michaella says there’s nothing more important than being able to share a laugh with your partner, even when life can be a drag. Speaking of, she always tries to follow RuPaul’s sage advice: “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you going to love somebody else?” Which probably explains why she’s not worried that she won’t vibe with the guys in the pods: “They’re going to like me.”

Rachel’s adventurous spirit and curiosity about other cultures previously steered her to live in Spain. “I thrive in new situations,” she says. But in romance, she would like to be more of a follower.: “I am looking for someone who is a strong leader. I really love the idea of submitting to my man. It makes me feel really protected and feminine. I want to be led but led in the right direction.” The “right direction” for Rachel won’t point away from the city where she’s now happily settled. “I love Boston. I want to have Bostonian babies. I want to live here forever,” she says. Rachel describes her usual type as a “finance bro,” which is probably a good fit since she herself struggles to stay on budget. What does she spend most of her money on? Dining out whenever possible, she admits. “There’s something that so deeply excites me about finding a new restaurant, getting dressed up, and going to eat.”

Dr. Sahar is in the house. She’s built a career on perfecting pearly whites, but she’s still searching for a special someone to put a smile on her face. “I want my partner to take care of me as much as I take care of them,” she says. Having moved to the US at age 10, Sahar has already overcome many obstacles. “I didn’t speak the language or know anybody, and I had to watch my parents navigate a very difficult immigration journey. Through it all, I think I still have a really positive outlook on the world.” She’s also managed to handle some heartbreaks without becoming cynical. “Every man that has ruined my life has been a Leo, but I don’t hate them! I’m just a little afraid of them,” she says. As a proud Persian, she looks forward to one day passing on her treasured traditions: “I would love my future kids to grow up in a multicultural, multiracial household, hopefully speaking more than one language.”

Sarah stays forever curious. She tries to consider other people’s perspectives, and her favorite pastimes are reading and working on a puzzle. But she hasn’t been able to crack the code when it comes to romance. Sarah believes that she has yet to find her missing piece because, in modern dating, relationships are largely built on appearance, and she just doesn’t have a physical type: “I’m most excited about making a connection with someone that’s actually built on friendship.” Her future husband will need to be humble, kind, considerate, and silly. “I like people who can keep things fun, but I’m also more into the quiet guys,” she shares. That means absolutely no outbursts — aside from laughter. “My biggest red flag is any sign of anger or the inability to regulate emotions. Like, road rage? Hate that.” Instead, what will drive Sarah wild is a man who can communicate clearly, shows that he’s been listening, and gives her reassurance.

Wilnie’s favorite tradition is celebrating Haitian Independence Day with her family. She hopes to be ringing in the new year with a ring on her finger and a well-rounded man on her arm. “We drink soup joumou at midnight, and I think that would be really exciting to do with my husband,” she says. To snag an invite, he’ll have to be able to make merry with her parents and siblings. “I would not be able to sacrifice my family for love. They are my entire world, and if you can’t get along with them, we have a huge problem.” Wilnie is the youngest of three, and yes, you can tell. “I am treated like the baby,” she admits. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t experienced a whole lot of growth. “I’ve worked really hard to understand myself and my feelings. That isn’t something that always comes easy, and I’ve put in the work.” One habit she hasn’t grown out of is her lateness, but Wilnie doesn’t see that as a big problem. “I tend to run on island time,” she says. “If you’re five minutes late, then you’re on time.”