The Real Valentines

This episode pulls back the curtain on Valentine’s Day and asks a simple question: what was it really meant to be? We trace February back to a time of fear, survival, and ritual, long before romance or roses entered the picture. From brutal winter realities to pagan fertility rites, we explore how community pressure shaped early traditions. We then step into the quiet resistance of early Christians who refused public rituals and chose obedience over popularity. The episode explains how the Church eventually reframed February instead of erasing it, changing meaning while keeping the season intact. We follow Cupid’s transformation from a dangerous symbol of uncontrollable desire into a harmless, marketable mascot. Along the way, we examine how poetry, art, and silence allowed romance to replace discipline. The modern Valentine fantasy is unpacked as a carefully built illusion, not an ancient truth. We also expose how corporations profit from emotional pressure today. By the end, listeners are left with clarity, context, and the freedom to decide what Valentine’s Day truly means to them.