Beyond Romance: The Economics of Desire

In this episode of Mindfully Masculine, Charles and Dan dive into psychologist Dr. Orion Taraban’s provocative appearance on The Diary of a CEO. Taraban is known for his blunt take on dating, relationships, and masculinity—arguing that men are invisible until they bring value, that love is not earned but given, and that relationships at their core are transactional.

We unpack his biggest ideas, from the economics of attraction to the dangers of performative masculinity, and explore how they intersect with our own experiences and the work of thinkers like Robert Glover and Mel Robbins. Along the way, we wrestle with tough questions:

• Are relationships really just value exchanges dressed up as romance?
• What happens when men try to prove their worth with words instead of action?
• Can sublimating sexual energy actually fuel achievement and purpose?
• Is compromise the death of passion, or the foundation of long-term love?

Whether you agree with Taraban’s framework or find it too cold, his ideas force us to reconsider what we bring to the table—and what we expect in return.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why Taraban sees love as a gift, not a transaction
• The distinction between performative masculinity and core masculinity
• How porn, OnlyFans, and substitutes for intimacy change men’s drive
• Why disappointment is the real beginning of every relationship
• How to balance the economics of love with the mystery of connection

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