The Rational Ram

Don’t pray for an easy life; pray for the strength to endure a hard one. -Bruce Lee I learned very early on in my life that you can’t experience growth without first enduring pain. Pain Isn’t the Point Most people think betrayal, setbacks, and tragedy are about suffering. They brace for the heartbreak, the anger, […]

Every corner of the internet has its stereotypes. The manosphere has “Chad” and “Brad.” Black Twitter and urban spaces talk about “Tyrone,” “Pookie,” and “RayRay.” And then you’ve got “Tracey” and “Stacey”—the basic women chasing validation, lifestyle, and the next thrill. They’re memes, but the reason these names won’t die is because they represent archetypes […]

Everyone throws around the phrase “age-appropriate relationship”—but what does it actually mean? For some, it’s about legality. For others, it’s about morality. And for many, it’s about optics: what looks right, what feels right, and what avoids raised eyebrows. Let’s cut through the noise. 1. Legal ≠ Appropriate Just because something is legal doesn’t mean […]

I have often posted the term “modern relationship” in my posts, but I realized that I never defined what this rather nebulous term means. I don’t think there is a formal definition or universal agreement on how “modern relationships” are defined, but my post attempts to articulate two concepts of what constitutes a modern relationship. […]

Preface: I am “going in” on Instagram because I think the social media platform continues to have a deleterious influence on men and women alike and it fuels the dysfunctional nature of modern relationships. This is a two part post, one for the ladies, one for the gentlemen, that attempts to pithily outline why people […]

In an effort to be fair and balanced, I need to point out why Steve Harvey’s relationship book became wildly popular to begin with. Steve Harvey didn’t sell millions of books because he was right — he sold millions because he hit a nerve. That nerve being the fact that dating is hard. Depending on […]

We treat bachelor and bachelorette parties like harmless fun — a “last hurrah” before marriage. But underneath the neon drinks, wild weekends, and Instagram stories is a toxic message… Marriage is the end of fun, freedom, and individuality. And that’s exactly why these parties are more harmful than most people think. 1. They Reinforce the […]

He’s not stuck — he’s loyal. Don’t mistake his stability for a lack of options. 1. Boring Isn’t Weak You call him boring because he’s not blowing up your life with chaos. That’s not weakness — that’s emotional discipline. He knows drama is expensive. You should realize drama is expensive, too. 2. Loyalty ≠ Lack […]

I was once a single dad. After my first wife and I divorced, I received primary physical custody of my now-adult daughter. My present wife was a single mom of two now-adult daughters when we met, as she had custody of them as a result of divorce. The so-called manosphere loves vilifying single mothers, and […]

This is a two part post that examines a topic I have often debated and discussed with others, primarily women. Steve Harvey is a great entertainer, but like most celebrities, he should refrain from dispensing relationship advice. Let’s be brutally honest… If your dating strategy comes from a comedian in an expensive suit, don’t be […]