How do you scale real human communion in a digital world? In this episode, Taylor O'Brien (Founder & CEO of Candid Dating) shares how she built an anti-swipe movement that broke world records with 2,500 singles at the SEEK conference. From hand-matching 400 Catholics at her parents' kitchen table to navigating offshore dev nightmares, Taylor unpacks the radical power of surrender and why modern dating culture is fundamentally broken. If you're an entrepreneur trying to build a mission-driven venture, this high-energy conversation is a must-watch.

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🕒 TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) - The Trap of Over-Spiritualizing Coffee Dates
(00:46) - Introduction to Catholic Founders & Taylor O'Brien
(03:09) - Introducing Candid Dating & The Anti-Swipe Promise
(04:37) - The Origin Story: Rebuilding from Heartbreak
(06:00) - Hijacking the Computer Lab & The First 400 Sign-ups
(08:38) - How the First Hand-Matched Events Worked
(11:01) - The Dark Side of Modern Swipe Apps
(14:41) - Facing Reality vs. The Illusion of Limitless Options
(18:41) - Restoring Communion and Getting Conversation "Reps"
(24:31) - The Challenges of Scaling & Working with Offshore Devs
(26:00) - A Divine Meeting at Milk and Honey Ranch
(32:33) - Sweeping the Kitchen Floor: A Lesson in Radical Surrender
(35:20) - Guerrilla Marketing and Bulletins in Confessionals
(36:45) - Breaking World Records at the SEEK Conference
(42:41) - Navigating Product Features & The Candid Connection Algorithm
(48:44) - Expanding the Business Model & Walking with Couples
(50:40) - Rapid Fire: Favorite Scripture, Entrepreneurs, and Saints
(53:30) - Silas's Final Takeaways on Relational vs. Utilitarian Mindsets

🔗 EPISODE REFERENCES & RESOURCES
• Candid Dating Platform: https://candiddating.net
• Candid Dating Instagram: @candid_underscore_dating
• SEEK Conference (The site of Candid's record-breaking speed-dating events)

💬 CONNECT WITH US
• Substack: https://catholicfounders.substack.com
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-founders/id1791895697
• Fio : https://www.play.fio.fm/show/CatholicFoundersPodcast
• Spotify: https://www.play.fio.fm/show/CatholicFoundersPodcast

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