Orion Taraban - Podcast Details

Shows

PsycHacks Episode 428: The court does not deal in trifles (most things aren't worth your time)One of the reasons the Supreme Court can give for deciding not to hear a particular case is that "the court does not deal in trifles. Prioritizing the insignificant above the truly important is not only wasteful, it is disrespectful. Liberally granting your time and attention is like printing more money: the subsequent inflation only serves to devalue the circulating currency. This means that it is essential to learn how to say "no." Pre-order my book: https://amzn.to/3UlsTsY Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https...

2024-05-1311 min

PsycHacks Episode 427: How to drop a handkerchief (women initiate relationships)Women must take an increasingly active approach to dating as they age. They do this by reclaiming their power to initiate interactions with men. By "dropping a handkerchief," women signal that they would be amenable to an overture, which significantly alters the risk-reward profile of a cold approach. In this episode, I discuss one way women can do this: the "come hither stare." Pre-order my book: https://amzn.to/3UlsTsY Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media Facebook: https...

2024-05-1010 min

PsycHacks Episode 426: The business of suffering (every solution needs a problem)In this second episode of a two-part series, I discuss the economic incentives driving the West's epidemic of mental illness. Given certain regulatory requirements, it is generally easier for drug companies to receive FDA approval if their products treat disorders that do not already have a treatment of demonstrated efficacy. This motivates the proliferation of new disorders and an ever-widening definition of pathology. By definition, more and more people become mentally ill, who will be offered treatments that have already been created for them. Pre-order my book: https://amzn.to/3UlsTsY Book a paid consultation...

2024-05-0615 min

PsycHacks Episode 425: The source of the problem (what people fail to understand about mental illness)In this first episode of a two-part series, I discuss some of the uncomfortable realities about the West's epidemic of mental illness. First and foremost, it's important to understand the concept of reification, which is the process by which something that isn't really a thing becomes a thing in individual perception. Through reification, a constellation of symptoms becomes a mental disorder, and the sufferer of those symptoms is placed at further remove from individual responsibility. Pre-order my book: https://amzn.to/3UlsTsY Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my...

2024-05-0313 min

PsycHacks Episode 424: The gift of nothingness (seeing the everyday miracle)The common definition of a miracle is an event that shouldn't be possible given our understanding of physical reality. As such, the standard of comparison is the "normal" functioning of reality, which is considered "non-miraculous" by definition. However, if the standard of comparison were shifted to the no-thingness of pre-creation, then everything -- down to the most insignificant and commonplace details of life -- becomes miraculous. This is because there is nothing in nothing that could presume the existence of anything. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd...

2024-04-2909 min

PsycHacks Episode 423: Limitations make you better (figure out your batman rules)No one likes the idea of being restricted. However, limitations benefit you in several substantive ways. In the first place, they help prevent your life from going off the rails when you finally attain the success for which you have been striving. And in the second place, they force you to become better than you are to compensate for the self-imposed handicap. These are your "batman rules." I discuss more in today's episode. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media Facebook...

2024-04-2612 min

PsycHacks Episode 422: The trap of understanding (considerations are concessions)The idea that mutual understanding naturally leads to the cessation of conflict is erroneous. While understanding may help people respond to others with greater patience and compassion, it does little to change the original needs and desires that demand understanding. Those who seek to be understood are asking for a concession: they want others to change because they believe they can't (or won't) do so themselves. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622

2024-04-2210 min

PsycHacks Episode 421: Why men get married (it's not about you)Men don't approach marriage the same way that women do. Given the enormous risk and responsibility entailed, most men will only consider the possibility of marriage when everything in their life is working. This means that they have arrived at some measure of professional success and financial security, and that there are no significant problems in their relationships. In order to get married, it's much more important that women be unproblematic than highly desirable. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media ...

2024-04-1912 min

PsycHacks Episode 420: Women over 30 (the game isn't over yet)I've spoken to a number of women recently who were inappropriately pessimistic about their chances of getting married, simply due to their age. While it's true that women operate under an increasing disadvantage in the sexual marketplace in their 30s, that doesn't mean they can't still win. They just need to change their strategy. In this episode, I discuss further. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com...

2024-04-1512 min

PsycHacks Episode 419: The marriage ultimatum (it's not personal, just business)I've consulted many men who were recently given the marriage ultimatum by their girlfriends, and who were legitimately conflicted about how to proceed. In this episode, I explain how getting more of what one wants is inversely related to both men and women's use of pressure in relationships. In particular, I note that any woman who gives this ultimatum is confessing that she loves what she wants more than she loves you. It's not personal, it's just business. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com ...

2024-04-1211 min

PsycHacks Episode 418: How to not be part of the problem (your anger isn't helping)It very easy to get upset at the state of the world today. However, I'm here to tell you -- in no uncertain terms -- that the last thing the world needs right now is another angry person. Apparently, we have collectively forgotten that it isn't necessary to have an opinion about everything. In fact, until you've sufficiently examined something, it's ethically imperative that you defer judgment. In this episode, I discuss a psychological tool for doing just that: the cognitive shelf. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https...

2024-04-0809 min

PsycHacks Episode 417: You don't need money to get women (the three things that work)In today's episode, I expose that old attraction proxy: money. Many men erroneously believe that they need money in order to access women, and that simply having money will attract women to them. Neither of these is true. On the other hand, there are three things that actually do work to attract women -- and none of them cost you a dime. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www...

2024-04-0508 min

PsycHacks Episode 416: Responding to my female critics (the importance of intentional sexuality)While the overwhelming majority of my feedback has been positive, a small contingent of (mostly female) viewers has proven quite negative. And the overwhelming majority of that negativity is in response to some of my advice on how "to hook" a man. In this episode, I respond to that criticism and emphasize the importance of using sexuality intentionally and strategically. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com...

2024-04-0111 min

PsycHacks Episode 415: How to be confident without success (be your own prophet)If people need success in order to feel confident, and if confidence makes success much more likely, then how does anyone get confident to begin with? We all have to start somewhere, and the world doesn't wait until we're ready. In this episode, I share a mental hack to facilitate confident action before you have "a stack of proof." @AlexHormozi Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in...

2024-03-2910 min

PsycHacks Episode 414: Women do the right things with the wrong men (the good times-to-hassle ratio)Women often complain that the men they're not really interested in always seem to come back, while the men they'd really like to have relationships with never seem to reciprocate their feelings. This is because women do the right things with the wrong men. In this episode, I'll discuss how this influences the good times-to-hassle ratio that is instrumentally related to which women men decide to pursue. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622

2024-03-2510 min

PsycHacks Episode 413: Men do the right things with the wrong women (the importance of a system)Men often complain that it's always the women they don't particularly like who seem to pursue them for relationships, while the women they want to engage always seem to slip through their fingers. This is because men do the right things with the wrong women. In this episode, I'll discuss a number of ways this occurs in the courtship process, while providing a general prescription for this difficulty. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php...

2024-03-2210 min

PsycHacks Episode 412: The price of living your own life (lack of understanding is a test of your character)The fact of the matter is that the conventional roadmap provided by culture isn't going to work for a lot of people. If you want a custom-tailored life, you have to be prepared to build it for yourself. The issue is that the more you deviate from the well-trodden path, the less you will be comprehensible to those around you. This means that the cost of living your own life is the approval of others. I discuss more in this episode. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd...

2024-03-1809 min

PsycHacks Episode 411: Why some people get so upset with my content (responding to haters)While the overwhelming response to my channel has been exceptionally positive, a small proportion of the feedback I receive is extremely negative. And this feedback invariably concerns my views on intrasexual dynamics. This doesn't necessarily bother me, but it is an interesting phenomenon. In this episode, I attempt to explain why this particular content can be such a bitter pill for some people to swallow. Most people are not very self-aware. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social Media Facebook: https://facebook...

2024-03-1512 min

PsycHacks Episode 410: How to handle relationship jealousy (act like the king that you are)Jealousy is like a powerful spice: just a little bit can make your food more interesting, but any more than that will probably ruin the dish. So it's a good idea to learn how to handle the experience of jealousy so as not to create unnecessary problems in your relationship. The key is to understand that jealousy functionally communicates the perception of a legitimate threat -- which can create unintended consequences if expressed. The antidote is to remember your position and to act like the king that you are. I explain what this means in today's episode. ...

2024-03-1109 min

PsycHacks Episode 409: What people fail to understand about depression (your life could be better)"The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence": https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0 Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses on the planet. Unfortunately, most people misunderstand it. They believe that it exists solely between the ears of the individual in question. This gives rise to the "intrapsychic fallacy", which maintains that depression is either in the brain (the monoamine hypothesis) or the mind (the cognitive hypothesis). However, if this were true, then the interventions designed to address the brain and the mind should have better outcomes...

2024-03-0809 min

PsycHacks Episode 408: How to keep a woman (the past is prologue)If you're a man considering going down the path of marriage and children, it is essential that you learn how to maintain a woman's long-term commitment. This is because the more you invest in any one woman, the more leveraged you are and the riskier that relationship becomes, especially in contemporary society. The key to maintaining that commitment is to understand that everything you've ever done for a woman is irrelevant. I explain more in this episode. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Subscribe to my newsletter: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com Social...

2024-03-0408 min

PsycHacks Episode 407: How to keep your cool with women (the sandwich strategy)Learning how to keep your cool when women become difficult or provocative is an emotional survival strategy. Failing to master this skill is an invitation to hardship and regret. The strategy is simple: no matter what woman you're dealing with, and no matter what a woman tells you, to the extent that she becomes emotional, you need to mentally create a verbal sandwich around her words. I'll demonstrate what this looks like in today's episode. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622

2024-03-0112 min

PsycHacks Episode 406: Body count and sexual jealousy (moving beyond the number)The number of a woman's previous sexual partners is often of interest to the men she dates. However, it's not immediately apparent why that should be the case. I argue that the sheer number might not be as important as many men believe, as this is actually being used as a heuristic to gauge other attributes of the woman in question, namely: her attraction and her ability to pair bond. I also discuss a surprising way in which a woman's sexual history comes to bear on relationship longevity. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations

2024-02-2613 min

PsycHacks Episode 405: How to save your mind (learn what no one teaches you)Because of the way human beings develop, people only truly gain the capacity for critical, independent thought when they're 25 years-old. Unfortunately, by the time people reach this age, their minds are so full of nonsense that they could literally spend the rest of their lives sifting through the concepts, beliefs, and ideas that were functionally put there without their consent. And -- if you want to be an actual individual -- this is precisely what you have to do. In this episode, I'll discuss what this process looks like and why it is indispensable to becoming yourself. ...

2024-02-2310 min

PsycHacks Episode 404: What to do if you're bored in a relationship (the sure-fire trick that always works)The causal agent of relationship boredom is always the same. At some point -- and for whatever reason -- the two of you stopped telling each other the truth. I guarantee that if you start telling the truth in your relationship, you won't be bored for very much longer. So why does this happen? It turns out most people don't really want to know the truth -- and that's generally not why they entered into the relationship anyway. This is because telling the truth almost always disrupts the status quo, which is often uncomfortable, inconvenient, and painful. ...

2024-02-1909 min

PsycHacks Episode 403: Virtue only makes you good (but it is still worth cultivating)Many folks start out on the path of virtue when they're young, but get sidelined into worldly pursuits by middle age. Why is this so common? In my opinion, this phenomenon is due to the fact that many people inappropriately expect more of virtue than it can deliver. Virtue only makes you good. Expecting wealth or beauty or status or sex or success or health simply because you are virtuous is foolish. However, I believe that virtue is still worth cultivating for two reasons, as I discuss in this episode. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com...

2024-02-1609 min

PsycHacks Deep Dive 008: Dr. Robert Glover (authenticity, attraction, and nice guy syndrome)I was very happy to be able to sit down with Dr. Robert Glover ("No More Mr. Nice Guy") for a long chat the other day. When he wasn't cracking me up with his off-color honesty, we touched on a number of topics in our collective wheelhouse, including: love, attraction, authenticity, and men's need for a "tribe". My sexy grumble is my throat recovering from the flu. Enjoy. Dr. Glover's men's community: https://integrationnation.net/ Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php...

2024-02-141h 15

PsycHacks Episode 402: Politics and sexual withholding (why it doesn't work)Throughout my dating history, I've been punished many times with sexual withholding for not endorsing a woman's beliefs. I call this the "Lysistrata Protocol", as it is inspired by the behavior of the Greek women in Aristophanes's play of the same name. However, while the women were successful in changing society on stage, this tactic is self-defeating in an open and diverse sexual marketplace. In this episode, I explain why. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin...

2024-02-1208 min

PsycHacks Episode 401: Listen to yourself (you likely already know the answer)At this stage of my career, I conduct consultations with men from all walks of life from all over the world. One of the most frequent reasons men book my time is to receive an objective, third-party gut check on their relationships: should they continue to invest or cut their losses? After only a few minutes, it often becomes clear that these men already know the answer to their question -- though they may not want to face the consequences it entails. It's important for men to listen to themselves. If your story was coming out a friend's mouth...

2024-02-0908 min

PsycHacks Episode 400: Why men make more than women (understanding the gender pay gap)If you're like me, you grew up hearing (over and over again) that women earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by a man. However, it turns out that this is a third-grade statistic coupled with an equally elementary interpretation. When the analysis is appropriately controlled, the pay gap between the sexes shrinks in insignificance. That said, men still continue to earn more than women in both absolute and relative terms. In this episode, I will discuss why this will always be the case. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Social Media ...

2024-02-0510 min

PsycHacks Episode 399: What should I do with my life? (why you can't think it out)I've worked with hundreds of young men, many of whom are paralyzed with the prospect of answering the titular question: "what should I do with my life?" This is obviously an important inquiry; however, most have never been taught how to go about arriving at an answer. This often means that they will spend months -- if not years -- thinking through a solution through a process I can "chessing." Unfortunately, this effort is entirely wasted, as the only way to answer this question is by taking action in the world. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd...

2024-02-0210 min

PsycHacks Episode 398: How women train men to be angry (don’t reward what you don’t want)Most women find male anger terrifying -- which is why it is both tragic and ironic that they often play a part in encouraging it in their primary relationships. In effect, women inadvertently train men to be angry when they ignore, disrespect, or invalidate men who first attempt to communicate non-aggressively. If women only take men's complaints seriously when they escalate to aggression, then they reward men for aggressiveness, making it more likely that aggression will be utilized in the future. I discuss this phenomenon using an example from my own dating history. Book a paid consultation:

2024-01-2909 min

PsycHacks Episode 397: How women disrespect men without realizing it (bursting the bubble)This is the second installment of my two-part series on unintentional disrespect. The intention is to help prevent women from sabotaging the relationships they want with the men they want to have them with. In this episode, I identify two other ways in which women place themselves above men with their words and behavior, thereby enacting an assumed superiority. I also suggest that men are more sensitive to cues of disrespect given their relative preference for hierarchical arrangements and their lack of social protections. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Social...

2024-01-2609 min

PsycHacks Episode 396: How women disrespect men without realizing it (understanding power)This is an episode for the ladies. As I've mentioned elsewhere, the one thing you must never do to the man with whom you want to have a relationship is disrespect him. Unfortunately, respect can mean different things to men and women -- so it's important for women to appreciate respect through the masculine lens so that they can stay on the sunny side of the unbreakable rule. The fact of the matter is that women unintentionally sabotage their relationships when they disrespect men without realizing it. As we'll see, most of these unintentional slights have to do with...

2024-01-2211 min

PsycHacks Episode 395: Hire slow, fire fast (understanding the selection process)One of the tenets of corporate human resources is to hire slow and fire fast. In today's episode, I'll discuss how the same advice holds true when vetting a woman for a relationship. Hiring slow means that you resist the urge to emotionally invest in a woman until you've collected many different data points across a significant time horizon. On the other hand, firing fast means that you terminate the relationship (or silo into a casual affair) at the first signs of trouble. Both steps are facilitated by having a large applicant pool. Book a paid consultation:

2024-01-1909 min

PsycHacks Deep Dive 007: Shawn T. SmithGatekeeper: https://www.amazon.com/Gatekeeper-Tactical-Commitment-Shawn-Smith/dp/0990686469 I'm very excited to have Dr. Shawn T. Smith ("The tactical guide to women") back on the show. After briefly discussing his newest book ("Gatekeeper") and why it is important for men to appropriately vet their relationships with women (over and above the women, themselves), we discuss a number of questions culled directly from the PsycHacks community. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php...

2024-01-171h 34

PsycHacks Episode 394: The servant takes the money (the double-edge of hypergamy)Because of their hypergamous tendencies, women generally mate and date for gain -- and they typically have no qualms about passing over men who are not in a position to provide benefit. However, in every culture on the planet, it is the servant who takes the money. The servant is the one who is paid. One of the most over-looked consequences of hypergamy is the creation of a relational indebtedness that was historically discharged in domestic service. This does not interest most modern women; however, they are also not interested in disabusing themselves of their hypergamous tendencies. As might...

2024-01-1509 min

PsycHacks Episode 393: Overpaying is the cost of winning (why getting what you want is disappointing)Whether we like it or not, life -- in its particulars -- is often a zero-sum game. In order to get what you want, it is often the case that no one else can have it. And getting what you want typically involves winning out against your competition. As a general rule, overpaying is the cost of winning: you will need to give more than anyone else in order to secure the desired good. One of the unintended consequences of this is that getting what you want tends to be disappointing. This is because -- in order to win...

2024-01-1210 min

PsycHacks Episode 392: Women’s greatest enemy (overcoming pride)The one thing that most prevents women from having the relationships they want with the men they want to have them with is pride. In this episode, I discuss three ways in which this pride tends to manifest in the game of mating and dating: in misappraising their value, in disparaging male attraction, and in deprecating the domestic. For women, humility is the pathway to more satisfying relationships with men. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https...

2024-01-0811 min

PsycHacks Episode 391: How to resist becoming emotionally attached (get a poker face)It is extremely important that men resist becoming emotionally attached to any given woman until she has been appropriately vetted for a relationship. If they allow their attraction to dictate their emotional involvement, then they might eventually have to choose between what is right and good for them, and what they have already decided to love. This is a painful choice that can be avoided with a little restraint and discernment. In this episode, I'll talk about how to do this. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Social Media ...

2024-01-0510 min

PsycHacks Episode 390: Men’s greatest enemy (moving past the fear)The one thing that most prevents men from having the relationships they want with the women they want to have them with is cowardice. In this episode, I discuss three ways in which this cowardice tends to manifest in the game of mating and dating: in approaching women, in responding to female emotionality, and in assuming leadership. For men, courage is the pathway to more satisfying relationships with women. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www...

2024-01-0110 min

PsycHacks Episode 389: Fear is the basis of respect (people must hear you hiss)A common refrain I hear in my consultations with men is feeling disrespected. These men feel as though other men look down on them, and that women tend to overlook them. And since I've been giving the same feedback in multiple sessions, I thought I would make an episode on the topic to spare guys the trouble. Basically, it's dangerous for a man to appear harmless, as it makes it more likely that he will be the target for aggression that others would like to direct elsewhere -- but are too afraid to do so. Whether we like it...

2023-12-2908 min

PsycHacks Episode 388: How to never fight with a woman (the greatest victory requires no battle)It has been many years since I last fought with a woman, and I'd very much like to keep it that way. Today, I'm going to share my secret with you. It's important to appreciate that one of the attributes of the feminine is to magnify and reflect. Femininity takes what it receives, makes it bigger, and gives it back to you. With this in mind, the best way to avoid conflict with a woman is to clarify (i.e., clean up) your tone. Remove every hint of frustration and judgment from your voice, and you'll have a much...

2023-12-2512 min

PsycHacks Episode 387: Couples therapy (almost) never works (you are not the client)I might take some heat for this one, but I'm not a big fan of couples therapy -- mostly because I haven't seen it associated with a very high rate of success. In this episode, I give several reasons why this may be the case, and argue that -- if therapy is needed -- most issues can be more productively addressed in individual counseling. It's very hard to tell the truth that one person can hear; it's almost impossible to tell the truth that two people can hear simultaneously. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations

2023-12-2209 min

PsycHacks Episode 386: Men’s dating double-bind (how to flip the script)Due to certain social and cultural expectations, men find themselves in a unique double-bind in the sexual marketplace. On the one hand, men are expected to approach and initiate. If a man takes no action, then generally nothing happens. However, on the other hand, the act of approaching and initiating makes them less attractive than they otherwise would be, reducing their chances of success. Men are more attractive if they don't pursue -- but if they don't pursue (at least in the beginning) nothing happens. Int his episode, I discuss how to break out of this conundrum. ...

2023-12-1809 min

PsycHacks Episode 385: The trap of the high-value woman (every restaurant serves water)A common refrain that I hear in my consultations with women is a disinterest in performing "low-value" work in their relationships. This can include things like cooking, cleaning, and (in some cases) sex. They often believe that doing this work makes them a "maid" or a "mommy" (or a "sex worker"), and that they would prefer to be utilized in a "higher-value" capacity. To save women the trouble, I decided to make an episode on my general response to this complaint. Book a paid consultation: https://oriontarabanpsyd.com/consultations Social Media Facebook: https...

2023-12-1510 min

PsycHacks Episode 384: It gets worse before it gets better (understanding why change is so difficult)One of the primary reasons why people reach out to me for a consultation is for help changing a long-standing relationship dynamic. While it is possible to alter even deep-seated issues, it takes time, it may not resolve completely, and it always, always gets worse before it gets better. In this episode, I'll explain why this is the case by approaching change through the (often unappreciated) lens of behavioral psychology. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com...

2023-12-1111 min

PsycHacks Episode 383: Understanding emotional detachment (the key to resilience)Emotional detachment is perhaps the most essential emotional survival strategy. Without it, you resign yourself to ride the emotional roller coaster: at the mercy of the ever-shifting whims of fate. However, emotional detachment is often misunderstood. In this episode, I will discuss what it is and what it isn't. Master this skill, and you'll be able to swim in even the deepest waters. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/psyc.hacks Twitter: https://twitter...

2023-12-0811 min

PsycHacks Episode 382: How to bring sex back into a relationship (why your woman pulls away)One of the primary reasons men reach out to me for consultations is to learn how to bring the passion back into a sexless marriage. Besides cultivating the conditions under which sexual interest is most likely to flourish, it's important to practice the fundamental principle of seduction, namely: tension and release. In this episode, I'll discuss what that might look like, and explain why your woman may be recoiling from your touch. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https...

2023-12-0410 min

PsycHacks Episode 381: The key to understanding people (the carrot and the stick)Most of the popular metrics people use to understand others -- attachment styles, Myers-Briggs, love languages -- are functionally useless for predicting behavior. The key to understanding others lies in appreciating the incentives under which they are operating: the carrot and the stick. Keep in mind that, in order to be motivating, these incentives don't actually have to exist in reality: they need only exist in their perceptions. In this episode, I discuss some of the ramifications of these observations. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin...

2023-12-0108 min

PsycHacks Episode 380: How to get any man you want (The unbreakable rule)In this episode, I discuss the third -- and final -- consideration for getting any man you want. If a woman has proven herself both functionally useful and sexually exciting, and she still hasn't been able to retain a desired relationship, in most cases it is because she has violated the unbreakable rule, namely: she has been difficult and disrespectful. Under no circumstances, can a woman allow herself to disrespect the man she wants. No exceptions. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/

2023-11-2713 min

PsycHacks Episode 379: Why women pick fights (anger is reassuring)Have you ever wondered why your woman seems to create unnecessary difficulties? Why is it that she can become so provocative, seemingly out of the blue? In this episode, I discuss the counterintuitive explanation for why many women pick fights with their partners. Though it might sound strange, anger is actually reassuring, as it demonstrates a person is still sufficiently emotionally invested to fight. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/psyc.hacks Twitter: https...

2023-11-2408 min

PsycHacks Episode 378: Why men have midlife crises (you have to practice being selfish)The stereotypical midlife crisis looks like a man leaving his wife and kids, buying a sports car, and shacking up with a younger lover. What causes this phenomenon? And why does it mostly seem to impact men? In this episode, I argue that the men most at risk for midlife crises are the rule-following and duty-conscious sort, who have spent most of their conscious lives acting responsibly. To avoid this outcome, it's important for men to practice what I call "creative selfishness," and to enjoy the fruits of their labor along the way. Social Media ...

2023-11-2010 min

PsycHacks Episode 377: You’re only as good as your routines (structure is more important than you think)I recently spent a month abroad. While the experience was largely a positive one, as the weeks went by, I didn't feel as well as I did when I was living my boring, little life back home. Almost certainly, this was due to the disruption of my routines, which I typically discharge with mechanical regularity. Nutrition, sleep, exercise, sex, and connection are extremely important for individual psychology. They help to clarify thinking and regulate emotions. Before consulting with a therapist, it might make sense to get these five things on track first. Social Media Facebook...

2023-11-1707 min

PsycHacks Episode 376: ”I don’t play games” (understanding what this really means)This is a phrase I have heard many, many times over the course of my dating history. You would be forgiven for thinking that the person who says this is ready to "cut to the chase:" to dispense with all the courtship nonsense and negotiate a relationship. However, this is not the case. "I don't play games" really means "hurry up, and give me what I want" -- which is a tactic in the game of relationships. Be very wary of those who profess not to play games. Most likely, they can't afford to pay the sticker price.

2023-11-1309 min

PsycHacks Episode 375: Passport bros and international dating (approaching the movement from a fresh perspective)This is a topic that has been requested repeatedly on this channel. For those who are unfamiliar, Passport Bros is the collective term for a movement among Western men who are increasingly pursuing mating and dating opportunities abroad. To be honest, my previous association with the movement was that it was primarily catering to men who were too low-status or unattractive to beat out the intrasexual competition in their home country. After spending a month in Japan, I no longer believe this to be the case. In this episode, I discuss my new perspective through the lens of my...

2023-11-1010 min

PsycHacks Episode 374: How to get any man you want (The hook)Due to popular demand, this is the second episode in a three-part series on how women can get any man they want -- even if they are not exceptionally attractive. Men are not complicated. To secure a relationship with any man they have direct access to, women only need to do two things (and not do one thing). This episode is about the second thing, the Hook. This is how women capture men. In order to hook a man, women have to be the nastiest, slutiest versions of themselves possible. A woman's sexual behavior is the primary way men...

2023-11-0615 min

PsycHacks Episode 373: The best that life can offer (orienting toward your highest purpose)Inspired by my recent trip to Japan, I would like to share with you one of my favorite poems: O snail! Climb Mount Fuji -- but slowly, slowly. Like many haiku, there is a substantial amount of wisdom contained within these three lines, much of which pertains to the best that life has to offer. If you don't see it yet, allow me to offer three lessons contained therein to edify you. Find your Fuji, and climb it as slowly as possible. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook...

2023-11-0309 min

PsycHacks Episode 372: How to get any man you want (The master key)Due to popular demand, this is the first episode in a three-part series on how women can get any man they want -- even if they are not exceptionally attractive. Men are not complicated. To secure a relationship with any man they have direct access to, women only need to do two things (and not do one thing). This episode is about the first thing, the Master Key. The secret to getting a relationship with a man is being useful. Women need to make men's lives easier and better in order to secure a commitment. The trick is to...

2023-10-3018 min

PsycHacks Episode 371: Women need game too (understanding how women get commitment)This episode is for the ladies. It's important for women to understand that game is not just for men. Women need it to -- albeit for different reasons. Since women are the gatekeepers of sex, men need game in order to access the sexual opportunity. On the other hand, since men are the gatekeepers of commitment, women need game in order to secure a committed relationship. And most women have terrible game in this regard. Don't conflate your ability to secure sex from a man with your ability to get a commitment out of him. Social Media

2023-10-2713 min

PsycHacks Episode 370: Frame cannot be shared (a ship can only have one captain)In this episode, I respond to the most common critique of my conceptualization of frame as something that cannot be shared, namely: whether it's not possible for two people to create a mutually-constructed, egalitarian frame. Like socialism, this notion is associated with lofty ideals and noble sentiments, and -- like socialism -- it doesn't work like this in practice. I provide three reasons why this is the case. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/psyc.hacks

2023-10-2309 min

PsycHacks Episode 369: Emotions are never irrational (feelings are not always justified)Since only attempts at reason can be rational or irrational, and since emotions make no claims to reason, then emotions can neither be rational nor irrational. Their experience is always valid, but they are not always justified. This is because the thinking on which the emotion is based might be irrational or misaligned with reality. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to evaluate our own thinking -- especially when we're emotional. In this episode, I provide a concrete example of how to do this using an unjustified experience of guilt. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook...

2023-10-2010 min

PsycHacks Episode 368: Understanding frame (are you living in her world, or is she living in yours?)Frame is a very important concept with respect to relationships. It's a bit hard to define, but I consider frame to be the "world" of the relationship. Without realizing it, most men are in the woman's frame. In this episode, I explain what this looks like using an anonymized example from a recent consultation. The details may change, but the situation is one in which millions of men find themselves today. Fortunately, if you lose frame, it's possible to reclaim it. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin...

2023-10-1611 min

PsycHacks Episode 367: Understanding the symptom pool (how the world goes mad)The symptom pool is probably the single most important concept with respect to understanding mental illness. In short, the symptom pool is a culturally-bound collection of behavioral signals that can be used to communicate various degrees of distress. These signals are unconsciously added to the pool at the population level, and they are unconsciously manifested from the pool at the individual level. In this episode, I cite an example of how this might look from Ethan Watters's "Crazy like us". Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin...

2023-10-1312 min

PsycHacks Episode 366: You have to teach people how to feel about you (the vacuum cleaner salesman)When people first meet you, they look to you to teach them about how they should feel about you. This is because, it's actually fairly difficult for most people to make up their own minds: so they're going to need your help. This is your opportunity! The key to getting people to feel positively about you is to imagine that you are world's greatest vacuum cleaner salesman. I'll explain what that means in this episode. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/

2023-10-0909 min

PsycHacks Episode 365: May all beings be free of suffering (addressing the source of the problem)Like many of you, I have a morning ritual that includes prayer and meditation. For many years, part of that ritual has been praying that "all beings be free of suffering" -- which is a traditional Buddhist loving-kindness mantra. However, over the course of this practice, I realized that my conceptualization of suffering -- and prayer and God -- was superficial and immature. To liberate people from suffering, we will all need to address the root cause of the problem. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin...

2023-10-0608 min

PsycHacks Episode 364: ”I have plenty of time” (understanding female timelines)This phrase -- "I have plenty of time" -- is one I've heard from many, many women throughout my dating history. However, is that really true? In today's episode, I discuss some of the uncomfortable facts about female fertility, especially as they pertain to men's sexual selection priorities. In today's world, women can be anything -- but they can't be everything. Because no one can. Fertility facts: https://www.cnyfertility.com/fertility-stats-by-age/ Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https...

2023-10-0210 min

PsycHacks Episode 363: Why I do what I do (if no one else is doing the job, you’re elected)In the course of my work, I'm occasionally asked why I do what I do. It's a complicated question, but -- by way of an answer -- I'd like to offer an anecdote from my life. On a Saturday night many years ago, I ended up directing traffic at a chaotic intersection in New York City. The moral of the story is that the world doesn't need more people getting irate or walking past the problem. The peanut gallery is full. If you see an issue, and no one else is solving it, then congratulations: you've just been elected...

2023-09-2908 min

PsycHacks Episode 362: Love like the sun (moving beyond the exchange of value)One day, I hope to be able to love like the Sun. In this episode, I discuss what that means by examining the exultant humility of the star in the center of our solar system. The Sun is one of our best models of the generosity, abundance, and indifference that constitute the most elevated forms of love, and its teachings are freely available to us all. If you're ready to up your game, and move beyond the exchange of value that characterizes relationships, this episode is for you. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile...

2023-09-2510 min

PsycHacks Episode 361: Overcoming impostor syndrome (understanding why it doesn’t make sense)There is a paradox that lies at the heart of impostor syndrome. On the one hand, people feel that they are incompetent in their role and that it is only a matter of time before their more competent colleagues catch on. And on the other hand, people also believe that they are competent enough to hide their incompetence from people more competent than they are. This duality is almost humorously non-sensical, and appreciating it can go a long way toward resolving the syndrome. However, just for good measure, in this episode, I also discuss how to overcoming feeling like...

2023-09-2208 min

PsycHacks Episode 360: How to be wise (accepting the gift that nobody wants)In the course of my work, I'm occasionally asked how it is that I came to know what I know. I usually answer that, to the extent that I am wise, I became wise through pain and insight. Pain in the gift that nobody wants -- but if you learn to listen to pain, it will teach you some of life's profoundest lessons. In this episode, I discuss some of the obstacles that prevent people from taking advantage of the opportunity in pain, and how to use insight to accelerate your growth. Social Media Facebook...

2023-09-1810 min

PsycHacks Episode 359: How to deal with hatersAs soon as you stand up and run the risk of being somebody, you cast a shadow. One element of that shadow is a body of antagonists that is subject to trying to denounce and destroy you. These are haters. However, haters don't actually hate as much as they envy. In this episode, I discuss how envy works and how to respond to the envious. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/psyc.hacks Twitter...

2023-09-1510 min

PsycHacks Episode 358: Women and acceptable lossIf it's true that women mate and date for gain (i.e., they get out more than they put in), then it must be true that men mate and date for acceptable loss (i.e., they put in more than they get out). It would not be possible for women to date for gain if they put in more than they got out, and such a relationship would likely prove unsustainable. However, it's important for men to understand that there is a difference between acceptable and unacceptable loss. I discuss more on this episode. Social Media

2023-09-1108 min

PsycHacks Episode 357: Only founders get equityMany promising ventures start as little more than a vision. With little more to offer, these businesses woo partners and investors with equity: the promise of a share in the future earnings of the company. It's a risk: many businesses fail. However, if they wait for the business to succeed, these folks might also be priced out of the market. The same is true of dating. Only founders get equity. Everyone else gets a salary, at best. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070...

2023-09-0809 min

PsycHacks Episode 356: Men and women don’t need each other anymoreFor perhaps the first time in a very long time, we have arrived at the point where men and women don't need each other anymore. For society to function, women need lots of men around, but a given woman doesn't need her own man. For civilization to continue, men need lots of women around, but a given man doesn't need his own woman. In this episode, I discuss some of the consequences of replacing necessity with desire. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070...

2023-09-0409 min

PsycHacks Episode 355: The biological clock doesn’t existThe biological clock, generally understood as a felt sense of urgency arising from a woman's physiology as she nears the end of her reproductive window, can't exist as such. If this urge were biological, we would expect it to occur when a woman is most likely to conceive and carry a viable pregnancy (i.e., when she is young and fertile). The historical record would also likely look very different. In this episode, I make the case that the urgency in question is more of a psychological clock than a biological one. "Conditional expression of women's desires...

2023-09-0108 min

PsycHacks Episode 354: The way it all ends (Part 2)Given what we understand about female mating and dating behavior, it's possible to play the chess out twenty moves and consider the various endgames that women will face in the sexual marketplace. There are actually not very many. In this episode, I discuss the five ways it can end for any given woman, and provide rough probability estimates for each scenario. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/psyc.hacks Twitter: https://twitter.com/oriontaraban

2023-08-2909 min

PsycHacks Episode 354: The way it all ends (Part 1)Given what we understand about female mating and dating behavior, it's possible to play the chess out twenty moves and consider the various endgames that women will face in the sexual marketplace. There are actually not very many. In this episode, I discuss the five ways it can end for any given woman, and provide rough probability estimates for each scenario. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/psyc.hacks Twitter: https://twitter.com/oriontaraban

2023-08-2910 min

PsycHacks Episode 353: The most dangerous thing for a relationshipThe general consensus is that relationships tend to fail when one person in the couple begins to struggle. Maybe they stop putting effort into the courtship; maybe they stop putting effort into their own growth and well-being; maybe they become addicted or comfortably numb. And while this can certainly happen, this isn't what I typically see in my practice. In today's episode, I discuss the most dangerous thing for a relationship: when success comes to one person. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070...

2023-08-1811 min

PsycHacks Deep Dive 006: Alex LeonFollow Alex on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexleonlife/ Follow Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexovertheocean/ I was excited to be able to sit down with Alex Leon recently. I've personally followed Alex -- and the other coaches @TheNaturalLifestyles -- for years. They give men solid, actionable advice on pick-up and seduction without the sleaze. In this long-form discussion, Alex and I discuss the process of building an emotional connection, the use of non-verbal cues to communicate intent, and the state of pick up in the modern age. Social Media ...

2023-08-161h 07

PsycHacks Episode 352: How men mess up new relationshipsNew relationships are often delicate things: missteps committed at this stage of the courtship process aren't as easily forgiven. In this episode, I'll discuss the most common way that men unintentionally bring promising relationships to a premature conclusion, and how to prevent this happening to you. The key is to understand that uncertainty and insecurity are your allies during the rapprochement stage. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/psyc.hacks Twitter: https://twitter.com...

2023-08-1409 min

PsycHacks Episode 351: How to make friends as an adultIt's much harder to make friends as an adult, especially for men. For better or worse, most men in middle age devote half their waking life to work, and the other half to their wife and children. It's not that they don't value friendship; it's that society incentivizes and rewards men for prioritizing other things over these relationships. In today's episode, I discuss a nearly sure-fire way to make a few new friends as an adult in just a couple of months. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https...

2023-08-1108 min

PsycHacks Episode 350: Most men are romanticsThough it may sound ludicrous at first blush, most men in the western world are romantics. To understand why this is the case, we need to clarify the core belief of romanticism that dwells in the heart of hearts of most men, namely: "I can be loved for who I am." For better or worse, this is not the basis of an adult relationship with women. Men need to provide value to secure mating and dating opportunities. This is the red pill in one sentence. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622

2023-08-0708 min

PsycHacks Episode 349: How to create more meaning in your lifeI often work with highly successful men. These people have achieved everything society tells them they should want, but they often still feel unfulfilled. This is because achievement and fulfillment aren't really the same thing. In today's episode, I discuss a method for creating more meaning in your life by asking yourself a counterintuitive question: "what would I (still) do, if I knew I couldn't succeed?" Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/psyc.hacks ...

2023-08-0408 min

PsycHacks Episode 348: Why men end up with train wrecksThe internet is full of information regarding the red flags of dating. Since this knowledge is widely available, why do men still end up in relationships with toxic women? The uncomfortable truth is that -- for a lot men -- it's not so much that they act in spite of the red flags, but that they act because of them. Secure, emotionally-stable, high-functioning men do not tend to end up with train wrecks. Using my own experience, in this episode I speak to how men are complicit in their own undoing when they refuse to acknowledge and heal their...

2023-07-3110 min

PsycHacks Episode 347: How to overcome approach anxietyAll men suffer from approach anxiety to some degree. This is because female rejection carries the unconscious threat of extinction. However, it is possible to overcome this anxiety -- though it generally requires actually approaching women. In this episode, I'll discuss how men can benefit from my acting experience and learn to tell the truth under imaginary circumstances. By manipulating the fantasies in your mind, you can learn to be confident in any situation. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ ...

2023-07-2808 min

PsycHacks Deep Dive 005: Ken CurryLearn more about Ken at https://solidman.com I enjoyed the opportunity to sit down with my friend and colleague, Ken Curry. Like me, Ken is a male therapist who specializes in men's mental health. He also runs a few virtual men's groups, based on his "Solid Man" process, out of his home state of Colorado (see below). In this conversation, we discuss how to avoid the 10,000 concessions that lead to the abdication of frame in long-term relationships, the pros (and cons) of marriage, and some of the challenges faced by modern men. Social Media

2023-07-261h 17

PsycHacks Episode 346: Why marriage kills sexThe general trend in long-term relationships is for the frequency and intensity of sex to decline as a function of time. Why is this the case? It turns out that sex is an extremely complex behavior: it's not just about pleasure and reproduction. One of its primary functions is to facilitate emotional bonding. This is why sex is typically hot and heavy at the beginning of the courtship process, when no bond as yet exists. Creating a stable and secure relationship -- paradoxically -- eliminates one of the primary functions of sex: it works toward its own obsolesce. This...

2023-07-2409 min

PsycHacks Episode 345: Why men pay on the first dateIf dating is an extended hiring process, then it is typically on the company doing the hiring to cover the expenses incurred during said process. This is why organizations fly out compelling applicants when they are interested in their services. However, since most applicants will not ultimately be offered a position, covering these expenses allows the organization to back out of the process at any moment and for any reason without recourse. This is why men pay on the first date: it affords them the freedom of walking away without obligation. Social Media Facebook: https...

2023-07-2108 min

PsycHacks Episode 344: Dating is an extended hiring processIn no culture that I'm aware of does the woman propose to the man. What this means is that, ultimately, it is the man who invites the woman into his life -- not the other way around. Appreciation of this fact reframes dating as an extended hiring process, in which the man attempts to determine whether the woman possesses the traits, skills, and attributes necessary to discharge the responsibilities associated with the position he has created in his life for her. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www...

2023-07-1710 min

PsycHacks Episode 343: Can people change?As a psychologist, I'm often asked the question as to whether people can change. And since people are always in a constant state of change, I take this question to mean: "is radical personality transformation possible?" And my answer is: yes! However, it is typically only possible once people hit bottom. In today's episode, I make the case that my favorite musical, "Les Miserables," is actually a protracted examination of this question. Is Valjean's transformation legitimate, or will he forever be Javert's escaped convict, 24601? Let's take a look. "Valjean's Soliloquy": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJx1...

2023-07-1417 min

PsycHacks Episode 342: Why men are afraid to approach womenMost men have approach anxiety. There are many recent contributors to this anxiety -- such as the fear of being "cancelled" for their attraction -- but the root causes of this fear are much deeper. In today's episode, I make the case that -- on an unconscious level -- female rejection is tantamount to the judgment that a man does not deserve to exist because his genetics don't merit perpetuation. This has caused some men to idealize women to divine proportions in their romantic imagination, as they have been endowed with the capacity to determine which men have "the...

2023-07-1010 min

PsycHacks Episode 341: All men payOne way or another, men pay to access the opportunity for sex with women. And it is often the case that the more transactional the relationship becomes, the less men actually pay. This is because the value of the time, energy, money, and opportunity spent in less transactional relationships is generally greater than the value of the money spent in more transactional relationships. However, the higher a given woman's attraction, the greater the discount she will generally offer to access the sexual opportunity. The more a man pays, the less the woman likes him. Jack Reacher: https...

2023-07-0709 min

PsycHacks Episode 340: Most people don’t want relationshipsThe rates of sex and marriage -- especially among young adults -- have fallen to historically unprecedented lows and show no signs of stopping. Why is this happening? My theory is that most people don't really want relationships. Rather: they want what relationships can get them. And if they can get those things more easily, more cheaply, and more safely in other places than relationships, they will do so. In this episode, I make a case that this is precisely what men and women are doing, albeit in different ways. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook...

2023-07-0309 min

PsycHacks Deep Dive 004: Chris HarrisonI was very happy to be able to sit down the other day with Dr. Chris Harrison. As a psychologist, Chris was worn many hats, including that of my clinical supervisor when I was a post-doctoral intern. In our long-form discussion, we talk about his time at Meta (then Facebook), his newfound interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, and the nature of consciousness itself. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-harrison-ph-d-6b70209/ Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com...

2023-07-021h 13

PsycHacks Episode 339: Get used to disappointing womenMen and women love differently. Feminine love is consumptive: it wants as much of you inside of her as possible. However, when it is actually successful in its objective, it grows disinterested in that which it was once fascinated. It falls to men to hold the line against this consumption for the good of both parties, which will require them to occasionally disappoint their women. Those who fail to develop this skill will learn to regret it. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070...

2023-06-3009 min

PsycHacks Episode 338: Most men blow the first dateOn a first date, too many men snatch defeat from the jaws of success. In today's episode, I discuss why a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and why many guys talk their way out of a sexual opportunity. In their desire to impress women, men come off as boring, boorish, and self-centered. However, by learning the importance of maintaining women's fantasies intact, they'll be able to turn their franchises around. Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram...

2023-06-2609 min

PsycHacks Episode 337: Reflections on 100,000 subscribersA few weeks ago, PsycHacks passed an important milestone in the history of the channel: 100,000 subscribers! In the busyness of everyday life, this moment passed without much fanfare. However, I thought it would be appropriate to really acknowledge the event and appreciate its significance. In today's episode, I talk about some of my experiences behind the scenes and my intentions of the future. Let's keep going! Social Media Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090053889622 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orion-taraban-070b45168/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/psyc.hacks ...

2023-06-2312 min

GRE Bites Episode 1: Meet Orion, your GRE expert (a master teacher with a perfect score)Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. Welcome to the inaugural episode of GRE Bites! The goal of the podcast is to bring you weekly, bite-sized, relevant discussions on all things pertaining to GRE prep and grad school admissions. In this episode, we'll introduce your cohosts: Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, licensed psychologist and found of StellarGRE, the world's only empirically-validated GRE...

2022-07-1211 min