Love, hate, embarrassment, every emotion has an evolutionary job. This psychologist identified all 74 and their survival functions. Evolutionary psychologist Dr. Rob Kurzban reveals the hidden evolutionary reasons behind our 74 distinct emotions (from love and hate to embarrassment and cuteness aggression) and explains why understanding human emotions is more critical than ever in the age of AI.

Dr. Kurzban is a leading researcher in evolutionary psychology who studied under field pioneers John Tooby and Leda Cosmides, specializing in the adaptive functions of human social behavior.

Subscribe for more deep conversations on psychology, philosophy, and human nature.

00:00 Introduction to Evolutionary Psychology and Emotions

00:17 Surprising Discoveries in Emotional Research

01:22 The Complexity of Love and Strategic Ignorance

02:32 Memory, Reputation, and Strategic Amnesia

04:50 Obscure Feelings and Their Evolutionary Roles

07:25 Pain, Embarrassment, and Evolutionary Signals

11:28 Feelings in Adulthood vs. Childhood

14:26 Intense Emotions: Parental Love, Hate, and Coalitional Comradery

17:03 The Evolutionary Purpose of Hate

22:14 Modular Brain Systems and Competing Emotions

34:54 The Role of Optimism in Youth

35:17 The Complexity of Wisdom

36:38 Children's Books and Morality

38:54 Signaling Moral Virtue

42:24 Cultural Rules and Their Impact

47:33 The Evolution of American Rules

52:19 Hypocrisy and Moral Judgment

01:02:05 Changing Beliefs and Scientific Dogma

01:11:48 The Role of Science in Human Progress

01:12:34 AI and the Future of Objectivity

01:13:28 The Evolution of AI: From Language Models to World Models

01:15:38 AI's Impact on Human Behavior and Society

01:18:08 The Future of Jobs in an AI-Driven World

01:21:08 Human Creativity vs. AI Capabilities

01:25:29 The Role of Envy and Gratitude in Human Motivation

01:30:59 Historical Parallels and Lessons from the Industrial Revolution

01:45:09 The Importance of Legal Frameworks in Society

01:46:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

RESOURCES / LINKS

Rob’s Work:

Substack:

https://thelivingfossils.substack.com

"Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite: Evolution and the Modular Mind" - Available at:

http://www.robkurzban.com/books/why-everyone-else-is-a-hypocrite

"The Hidden Agenda of the Political Mind: How Self-Interest Shapes Our Opinions and Why We Won't Admit It" (Co-authored with Jason Weeden) -

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21981657-the-hidden-agenda-of-the-political-mind

Jacob’s Work

Podcast blueprint (Skool): https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385

FREE Podcast Tips (2nd Channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUp5S7ZIZtjA8PMgXJMwppA

TikTok relationship advice is destroying your dating life.. Christian Brewster (writer, culture commentator, and creator of the Substack publication ~interrupted~) breaks down why social media platforms are the worst place to get relationship guidance and what you should do instead.

We expose the engagement-driven trap of TikTok dating coaches, explore why real-life connections matter more than algorithmic advice, and discuss how to build genuine social skills in the digital age.

Subscribe for more conversations on culture, relationships, and meaningful human connection

Expect to learn:

-Why TikTok relationship advice is designed for engagement, not your success—and how superficial content prioritizes clicks over genuine guidance

-How to get better relationship advice from people who actually know you instead of strangers on social media

-Why meeting partners in real life builds stronger connections than dating apps and digital platforms

-The truth about social skills in the digital age and how to develop genuine conversation abilities

-How friendship dynamics change in adulthood and what to do when your social circle evolves

-Why loneliness and social media consumption are connected and how to break the cycle

-How to gradually detox from social media without going cold turkey

-The creative process behind writing for Substack and balancing content creation with consumption

-Why negative emotions fuel better writing and how to channel difficult feelings into creative work

-Tom Cruise's cultural impact and what his career reveals about modern celebrity

-Tips for growing your Substack audience and developing a consistent writing practice

00:00 Why TikTok Relationship Advice is Problematic

00:56 The Engagement Trap of Social Media Influencers

04:16 The Value of Personal Connections for Relationship Advice

07:12 Analog vs. Digital: Meeting Partners in Real Life

14:18 The Art of Conversation and Social Skills

18:37 Navigating Friendship Changes in Adulthood

28:54 The Impact of Loneliness and Social Media

43:21 Gradual Social Media Detox

43:36 Balancing Creation and Consumption

44:01 Navigating Negative Emotions in Writing

47:02 Finding Inspiration for Substack Posts

51:02 The Influence of Music on Writing

56:00 The Fascination with Tom Cruise

01:02:38 Embracing Negative Emotions

01:10:47 Tips for Growing on Substack

01:21:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

RESOURCES / LINKS

Christian Brewster's Substack:

https://christianbrewster.substack.com

Team

Chief Editor: Chloe Breheret

Chief Automation Officer: Jack McDuff

Jacob’s Work

Podcast blueprint (Skool): https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385 https://www.jacobjwatsonhowland.com

“I hit zero twice as an entrepreneur. The second time hurt worse than the first. Here's what nobody warned me about going broke in business.”

Kevin Fedor hit zero twice as an entrepreneur and lived to expose the unsexy truth about going broke in business that success stories conveniently skip. As a marketing expert who rebuilt from nothing multiple times, Kevin reveals why entrepreneurship's dark side isn't about glory, it's about surviving months at zero with nobody watching. Subscribe to hear the raw reality of entrepreneurship from someone who's been broke twice and came back stronger.

You’ll learn:

-Why hitting zero twice as an entrepreneur is more common than you think and what it teaches you about resilience

-The unsexy daily reality of entrepreneurship that looks identical to a 9-5 job but with zero safety net

-How to build your own light when entrepreneurship leaves you running in complete darkness

-Why autonomy matters more than money when choosing entrepreneurship over traditional careers

-The self-awareness test every aspiring entrepreneur must pass before quitting their job

-How to optimize for your North Star instead of chasing someone else's definition of success

-What really happens when you go months at zero income as a business owner

-Why future-proofing your lifestyle goals should drive your entrepreneurial decisions today

Have you ever experienced hitting zero in your entrepreneurial journey, or are you afraid of it happening? Share your story or biggest fear about going broke in business below.

00:00 The Journey Begins: Early Entrepreneurial Influences

00:33 First Internship: Planting the Seed of Entrepreneurship

01:54 The Birth of a Sports Podcast

04:30 Building Follow Spike: The Early Struggles

06:21 The Long Road to the First Dollar

07:46 The Importance of Consistency and Inputs

15:34 Finding Value Beyond Financial Success

22:12 Discovering Your North Star

32:38 The Value of Passion and Validation

32:52 Is University Necessary for Success?

33:32 Challenging Traditional Education

37:14 The Reality of Entrepreneurship

39:30 The Importance of Self-Awareness

44:14 Balancing Career and Personal Goals

52:44 The Unseen Side of Entrepreneurship

56:44 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

01:00:24 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

BEST QUOTES

“Somebody just quit”

"You're basically running in the dark not knowing if there's gonna be light eventually. That's entrepreneurship."

"I had the whole 'somebody just quit' mentality and spent months at zero. It happens."

"If you can build your own light, you already win."

"You're doing the right thing. Just keep doing it. You're in a room of one and that's okay."

#EntrepreneurshipReality #GoingBroke #StartupFailure

Kevin’s Work

Connect with Kevin Fedor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fedor/

Jacob’s Work

Podcast blueprint (Skool): https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385