If you’ve ever rejected a man because his name annoyed you… this episode is for you.

Hilary sits down with award-winning interior designer and unapologetic former love-skeptic Meryl Stern, who admits she once dismissed perfectly good men for crimes like “bad vibes” and “unfortunate first names.” (Her words.) But beneath all that discernment? A woman hiding behind a beautifully curated emotional wall.

Inside Ready for Love, Meryl didn’t just “work on herself” — she resigned from decades-old childhood roles, stopped earning love by overgiving, and rewired her identity from martyring do-it-all to woman who actually receives. Now, she runs a luxury design firm with her daughter, just completed a 12,000 sq ft project featured in Architectural Digest, and treats dating the same way she treats client selection: You don’t pick me. I pick YOU.

She’s single, self-possessed, and fully uninterested in settling, which, around here, counts as a success story.

Episode Highlights:

• When “I’m just independent” is actually code for I don’t trust myself to choose well
  


• Why nitpicking men is just fear in fancy clothes


• The homework assignment that broke her identity wide open


• How healing self-worth bleeds into business, leadership, and money


• Dating rule #1: You don’t get picked—you pick
  

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Meet award-winning designer & RFL alum Meryl

02:00 The moment she realized her “independence” was actually a wall

05:40 How journaling cracked her open

08:10 The resignation letter that rewired her self-image

12:30 Building a business with her daughter (without killing each other)

16:45 Her three-year AD-featured dream project

18:50 Current relationship status? Selectively single

20:30 The real measure of success: Would the old you tolerate this?

✨ I’m Hilary Silver, LCSW, former psychotherapist turned master coach and founder of Ready for Love. I help high-achieving women show up in love as confidently as they do in their careers.

💡 Through this podcast, I share my WOMAN-centered, SELF-centered approach—time-tested methods that blend psychology, brain science, relationship skills, and no-BS dating advice.

🎙️ Since 2017, we’ve helped over 10,000 women with a 98% success rate, making Ready for Love the #1 program in the world for women who’ve tried everything else.

✨ Ready to stop repeating the same patterns and finally create the love you deserve? 

🎯 Watch my free masterclass to learn the proven 4-step Ready for Love Method: https://readyforloveinc.com/masterclass

💬 Apply for a free Love Breakthrough Call with my team: https://readyforloveinc.com/apply