Hope Flynn, the trailblazing creator of So What?, has redefined how we approach relationships, dating, and self-discovery in today’s ever-evolving social landscape. In this exclusive interview, Flynn shares the origins of her innovative platform, her insights on modern dating challenges, and her approach to sparking open, honest conversations about sexual wellness and empowerment. From trends like slow dating to the influence of celebrity culture, Flynn’s perspective offers a fresh lens on how we can build meaningful connections in a world that often feels increasingly disconnected.

Nicolle: What inspired you to create the So What? platform, and how has it evolved since its launch?

Hope: I was inspired to make So What? by the community of women who followed me on socials previously and the questions we would ask each other daily about our lives such as;  “So what now? So what next? So what does this mean for me?”  So What? has massively evolved since it first launched, it’s changed its name from ‘Feed Me Female,’ it has changed its branding and it has changed from its original concept of being solely a boozy networking brunch for women.

I believe this change is important and is a showcase of how we have grown and evolved as a community and collective of women. I also think creating this change with the involvement of the followers has been key to making it work. It’s been a nice way to show people that brands, communities and individuals always have the chance to reinvent themselves, progress and explore new directions. 

Nicolle: As a modern-day agony aunt, what are the most common questions or concerns people seek advice on regarding relationships and dating?

Hope: The number one thing people seek advice on is communication, whether you have recently started talking to someone on a dating app and want to know how to make that first move or if you’ve been in a relationship for 10 years and need to figure out resolving a conflict - it always comes back down to communication!

Trust, jealousy, and intimacy are big concerns too and everyone wants to know how to set boundaries while still staying true to themselves. Breakups, compatibility and long-term plans like marriage or kids are big topics as well. Plus, navigating online dating and staying safe is a real concern for many women nowadays. Most people just want help building strong, healthy relationships and figuring out how to keep things real while they do.

Nicolle: How do you approach conversations about sexual health and empowerment, especially with younger generations like Gen Z and Millennials?

Hope: It’s all about being open, real, and non-judgmental. Gen Z especially really value honesty so talking about things like consent, body autonomy and how to communicate openly with partners is a must. It’s also super important to use inclusive language and recognise all kinds of sexual identities.

Pointing them to reliable resources and reminding them that it’s ok to not have all the answers makes the whole thing feel less intimidating and more empowering. The goal when having these conversations is for them to feel informed and in control of their own choices and health! Transparency is key so if you’ve had any experience with sexual health testing, or made mistakes then share it and if you’ve found useful information online then be sure to share that too. 

Nicolle: Can you share insights into some of the latest trends in dating and relationships that you've observed in popular culture?

Hope: Slow dating is a nice trend I have seen more of recently and I think it could protect many of us from heartbreak further down the line. It’s all about building a deeper, more intentional connection with someone over time, rather than rushing straight into a relationship. It’s about getting to know each other emotionally and creating genuine intimacy before committing to a relationship.  Micro-mance keeps popping up which I also think is great as it is a great way to add more romance to our lives. Instead of making grand gestures to show love people are embracing it through simple gestures that show you care, like sending memes, a playlist, or sharing inside jokes. Perfect during this cost of living crisis, right? 

Unfortunately, ghosting and breadcrumbing look like they are going to be around for quite a while longer due to the rise of casual and digital dating where there are endless options and far less accountability. So many people find it easier to disappear instead of having uncomfortable conversations, especially in the early stages of dating. I see that these behaviours are also fueled by people’s fear of commitment or vulnerability a desire for instant gratification (especially in the digital age) and the rise of ‘non-exclusivity’ where clear boundaries and honest communication aren’t always prioritised.

It’s a result of a shift towards more casual and non-committal connections we have nowadays. 

Nicolle: What has your experience been like collaborating with major brands such as Bumble, and how do you think these platforms are shaping modern dating?

Hope: My experience collaborating with major brands has been fantastic and very insightful. There is such a variety of really cool niche dating apps available now and I’m loving new ones emerging such as ‘Finding the One’ that push for real-life meets.  Platforms like this have massively shaped modern dating in both a positive and negative way.

On the one hand, they are great for people who have busy schedules or those who aren’t that social to easily meet and interact with new people but on the other hand they contribute significantly to the rise of more casual and non-committal dating which in turn creates an even bigger space for things such commitment issues, choice overload, ghosting and superficial connection’s. 

Nicolle: You've spoken on high-profile podcasts and panels what key messages do you aim to leave audiences with during these appearances?

Hope: No matter what podcast or panel I take part in, I always just think to myself, "If what I say can make just ONE person giggle, feel more informed or more confident then I’ve achieved what I aimed to do." I often talk about taboo and difficult topics and I love to show people that these conversations can be had in a light-hearted way. I want people to feel more confident to TALK, regardless of how big or scary the conversation might initially feel. I think my community and the conversations I have often show people that no matter what experience you’ve been through you are not alone - and this is so important and meaningful to me. 

Nicolle: What topics or issues in sexual wellness and relationships do you feel still need more awareness and open discussion in today's society?

Hope: All of it! As a society, we are getting better at communicating about sex, besides just singing about it in songs and watching unrealistic scenes of it in films. But for me the biggest issue is for us to understand that sexual wellness is part of our overall wellness - we need to stop separating the two. I think once we have less separation of our sexual wellness from our general wellness then this will allow for easier and less ‘taboo’ conversations to be had.

Our sexual health and wellness is a huge part of who we are as individuals, so I’d like to encourage more people that by recognising this, it can empower them to make more informed choices, communicate openly with partners and feel more confident in their bodies and desires. Sexual health and wellness aren’t scary - theyare important and they contribute to some of the most important and intimate moments of our lives. 

Nicolle: How has celebrity culture influenced modern dating norms and expectations, particularly among younger generations?
Hope: Celebrity culture has had a big impact on how younger people approach dating these days. Every time you scroll on social media you always see some kind of "couple goals" post accompanied by a very glamorous lifestyle. I think this adds pressure to look perfect and to keep your private life public. Casual dating has also become more common because of it with short flings and non-traditional timelines now more widely accepted as we see on shows such as Love Island and celebs like Pete Davidson frequently changing partners.

Even though this does give people more freedom to date how they like, it can also create unrealistic expectations and sometimes make relationships feel more like a performance than something genuine.

Nicolle: What advice would you give to someone navigating modern dating challenges, such as ghosting or the pressure of online dating apps?
Hope: I have two key pieces of advice that I think are important when navigating dating challenges: 

Firstly, ‘Do Not Take Things Personally!’ 

Not taking things personally will help you avoid unnecessary stress and keep your confidence intact because let’s remember people’s actions often reflect their own experiences - not your worth. Remembering this keeps you grounded and emotionally healthy and can help prevent you from that dreaded overthinking or those feelings of being rejected.

Secondly ‘Just Be Yourself!’ 

Being authentic in dating allows you to be valued for who you truly are. Pretending to be someone else or to be ok with things you’re not ok with might seem like a quick fix but it will only lead to frustration and mismatched vibes later on. Being yourself makes things feel easier and more genuine in the long run. Trust me!

In a world shaped by digital dating, shifting cultural norms, and evolving perspectives on sexual wellness, Hope Flynn reminds us that true connection begins with honest communication, empathy, and authenticity. Through So What? and her ongoing work, she continues empowering individuals to navigate the complexities of modern relationships and confidently embrace their own stories. She puts it,

“By recognising that our sexual health and relationships are integral to our overall well-being, we can cultivate stronger, healthier, and more authentic connections—both with others and with ourselves.”

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.