Ancient Intelligence

Anya Shakh
  • 5.0 (10)
  • PHILOSOPHY
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This is the Ancient Intelligence Podcast, a show that explores the fundamental ancient dynamics that exist between men and women. With the technology and automation of our world, our human nature remains fully intact. The constant question on my heart is what is the ultimate harmony that can be achieved between men and women and how do we get there? We explore culture, history, society, evolutionary psychology, biology, religious and spiritual teachings, and more.

  1. 4H AGO

    The Evolutionary Psychology of Girls and Women

    Girls and women are driven by one central evolutionary purpose - to protect their bodies well enough to create and sustain life. A woman’s survival strategy and inner drive is fundamentally different from a man’s because while his is focused on the macro, hers is on the micro. I get into the evolutionary psychology of boys and men in the previous episode which can provide context here. Listen in to learn why girls are hyper-vigilant, show higher rates of anxiety and depression, avoid risk, and invest heavily in politeness and emotionally driven relationships, and much more. SOURCE: Joyce Benenson’s book ‘Warriors & Worriers’ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Intro: Why Parents Treat Girls Gently  00:37 — Warriors and Worriers: The Psychology of Girls  01:26 — One-on-One Coaching Announcement  01:54 — The Core Evolutionary Drive: Self-Preservation  03:23 — The Number One Fear: Dying Before Motherhood  05:08 — Historical Mortality Rates & Female Caution  06:19 — The Nursery Study: Susceptibility to Fear  08:18 — Parenting Bias: Protecting the Stronger Sex?  10:31 — Risk Perception: Why Men Do "Stupid" Things  11:51 — Agoraphobia, Claustrophobia & Social Fears  13:06 — Reliability in the Home: Daughters vs. Sons  15:15 — Intellectual Risk: Sticking to the Status Quo  16:19 — Male Fluid Intelligence vs. Female Verbal Skills  17:12 — The Trap of Misdirected Empathy  18:33 — Mothering the Community & Grandmother Wisdom  19:35 — Hypervigilance: Reading Intentions Instantly  20:39 — The Historical Threat of Poisoning  21:37 — Assessing Vulnerabilities in Female Friendships  22:23 — The Politeness Experiment: Disappointing Gifts  25:39 — Textiles, Creativity & Individual Affirmation  28:18 — Outro___________________________ If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow. You can also watch the episodes on youtube here Follow me on Instagram @anyashakh Ready to make some life changes? I offer 1:1 mentorship to help you get unstuck, experience your power, and find ease in love and relationships. Book a breakthrough session today - https://calendly.com/anyashakh/1on1se... Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://anyashakh.substack.com (Insights about men and women in your inbox every week)

  2. JAN 19

    The Evolutionary Psychology of Boys and Men

    Boys and men are driven by a foundational fear that modern culture has forgotten about - the enemy. The inner drive that boys and men have is to defeat the enemy and keep us safe - this is one of the most noble things that exists in our world and yet it is ignored and misunderstood today. In this episode I break down why boys are naturally drawn to competition, strategy fighting, and testing themselves against opposition. Based on Joyce Benenson’s book, ‘Warriors & Worriers’ I explain the natural skills and behaviors that boys have and why we should uplift and support them. Listen in to learn about how boys brains function differently than girls, why boys communicate, how they play, why they are such great innovators, and much more. Next week I will be diving into the psychology of girls. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — INTRO; Fluid Intelligence Teaser  01:33 — Joyce Benenson & "Warriors and Worriers" 02:54 — The Core Male Fear: The Enemy  05:32 — Rough & Tumble Play Psychology  06:00 — The Balloon Study: Hitting vs. Hugging 07:58 — The Empathy Study: Brains & Electric Shocks  10:32 — Cultural Critique: Decriminalization & Safety  12:28 — "Killing the Dragon" & Securing the Family  14:38 — Peak Fluid Intelligence (Ages 18-25)  16:32 — Single Focus vs. Relationship Connection  18:19 — The Street Crossing Analogy  19:57 — The Education Crisis for Boys  21:33 — Male Communication Styles & Directives  22:54 — Conflict Resolution: The Valuable Relationship Hypothesis  27:07 — Outro___________________________ If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow. You can also watch the episodes on youtube here Follow me on Instagram @anyashakh Ready to make some life changes? I offer 1:1 mentorship to help you get unstuck, experience your power, and find ease in love and relationships. Book a breakthrough session today - https://calendly.com/anyashakh/1on1se... Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://anyashakh.substack.com (Insights about men and women in your inbox every week)

  3. JAN 12

    3 Myths and Truths I've Learned About Men

    One thing that gets missed often in discussions about men and women is how little men around the world experience non-sexual touch and affection. This goes hand in hand with the lack of care our culture exhibits towards men. Listen in to learn about three myths and truths reflecting men, the data behind touch, how testosterone and attachment work together, the origin of the word wife, and much more. Ready to dive into 2026 crushing your goals and being fully supported? Join TRUE NORTH - my 3 month long mastermind for men. We start next week. This is an intimate space with limited spots available - book a 1:1 call here to secure your place: https://calendly.com/anyashakh/truenorth TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Intro: The Crisis of Non-Sexual Touch  00:44 — Welcome Back & "Year of the Horse"  01:43 — True North Mastermind Announcement  05:09 — The Touch Deficit in Boys  06:25 — Testosterone & Delayed Attachment  07:56 — The "Man Up" Narrative  09:40 — Myth: Men Just Want Sex  11:00 — The Sterilization of Affection in Society  13:00 — Social Differences: Slumber Parties vs. "Go Play"  14:32 — The Shift at Age Six: Joining the "Men's Tribe"  15:54 — When Sex Becomes the Only Outlet for Touch  16:51 — Myth: Men Lack Emotional Expression  17:48 — The Fear of Overwhelming Emotion  19:40 — Men’s Fear of Their Own Sexuality  20:56 — The Origin of the Word "Wife"  22:20 — The Male Archetype: Protector & Provider  24:00 — The "Cosmic Wife" & The Power of Trust  26:51 — Outro___________________________ If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow. You can also watch the episodes on youtube here Follow me on Instagram @anyashakh You can book a discovery call at https://anyashakh.com/mentorship

  4. JAN 5

    Why Male Power is Good For Women and the World

    Happy New Year Everyone! In this episode I unpack why healthy male power is actually a force for good in the world and why the true danger lies in powerlessness. I trace how unacknowledged boys can grow into passive or angry men and I talk about the three most important ways that a young boy finds his healthy power as he grows up. Listen in to learn about the differences between male and female power, why being of service in the world is impossible without power, the difference between power and force, and so much more. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Intro: Power & Male Happiness  01:05 — Client Wins: Vision & Success  02:46 — The Healer’s Story: Releasing Trauma  03:38 — The Spectrum of Powerlessness: Rage vs. Passivity  05:37 — The "Nice Guy" & People Pleasing  06:41 — Defining True Power vs. Force  08:23 — The Extreme Consequence of Isolation  10:51 — Phase 1: Affirmation from Mother  12:52 — The Trap of the "Mother’s Son"  14:37 — Phase 2: The Father’s Nod of Approval  16:08 — Phase 3: Self-Mastery & Purpose  17:45 — The Impact of a Critical Father  18:44 — Three Traits of an Attractive Man  20:54 — Releasing Trauma from the Body  22:21 — Female Power: Devotion to Love  24:07 — Attraction: Male Power & Female Devotion  25:39 — Balancing Internal & External Worlds  27:07 — Mastermind Announcement  28:33 — New Year Wishes 30:09 — Outro___________________________ If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow. You can also watch the episodes on youtube here Follow me on Instagram @anyashakh You can book a discovery call at https://anyashakh.com/mentorship

  5. 12/29/2025

    How Gamma Bias Fuels Distrust Between Men and Women

    In this episode I break down gamma bias - what it is, why it matters, and how it’s hurting relationships between men and women. I break down the 4 areas of gamma bias and how it shapes headlines, culture, and media reporting. I look at data around domestic violence and women in universities. Listen in to learn about how gamma bias has eroded female accountability, why we don’t publicly celebrate men, and what it’s going to take to heal relationships between men and women on a macro scale. If you’re a man who feels frustrated and apathetic right now, I have something for you. I’m currently accepting applications for TRUE NORTH - my 3 month long mastermind for men. If you’re serious about starting 2026 with clarity, grounding, momentum, and accountability - apply here:https://anyashakh.com/true-north-the-... Article about gamma bias: https://anyashakh.substack.com/p/men-... TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Intro: The "Bad Man" Narrative  01:34 — True North Mastermind Announcement  02:29 — Understanding Gamma Bias  04:11 — Alpha vs. Beta Bias  05:49 — The Four Quadrants of Gender Perception  08:12 — Why Society Ignores Male Heroism  09:50 — The "Default Bad" Narrative for Boys  11:57 — The Data on Female Perpetration & Domestic Violence  13:03 — Case Study: The Aurora Theater Shooting  14:44 — Deconstructing Myths of Male Privilege  17:08 — Female Privilege & The Education Gap  18:35 — Victimhood Culture & The "Me Too" Fallout  19:50 — The Silent Crisis: Homelessness, Suicide, & Sentencing  21:09 — Evolutionary Biology vs. Modern Narratives  24:05 — Creating a Future of Mutual Accountability  27:24 — Final thoughts/Outro___________________________ If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow. You can also watch the episodes on youtube here Follow me on Instagram @anyashakh You can book a discovery call at https://anyashakh.com/mentorship

  6. 12/22/2025

    For the Man Ready to Find His Purpose in 2026

    I've got something special for you. This episode gets into the root cause of why we can feel dissatisfied, overwhelmed, and avoidant in our lives while introducing TRUE NORTH - a 3 month mastermind to combat that. It's a safe space for intelligent men to tap into their power, potency, and purpose across all domains of life. If you want to start 2026 experiencing big momentum, if you're ready to expand and transform then TRUE NORTH is calling. Listen in to learn about how this mastermind experience can be a game-changer for your self-development and whether you're a good fit. We start in January with early bird special pricing live through Christmas Day. This is very intimate space with limited spots. APPLY HERE: https://app.youform.com/forms/u299chuh Read more about it here: https://anyashakh.com/true-north-the-... TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Intro & The Search for Freedom  00:50 — Announcement: Special Program for Men 01:15 — The Pain of Not Being Seen  02:02 — Understanding Overwhelm & Loneliness  03:55 — Accessing Your Highest Potential  04:23 — The Five Essential Human Needs  05:16 — Introduction to the Mastermind Concept  06:13 — Defining True North: Program Goals  07:02 — The Ubuntu Philosophy & Tribal Wisdom  08:04 — Breaking Negative Reinforcement Patterns  08:42 — The Art of Receiving & Integration  09:14 — Finding Your "True North"  10:01 — Healing Through Relationship Dynamics  11:22 — Integrity & Intimate Group Spaces  11:59 — Curating a Space for Transformation  12:53 — Quantum Leaps: The Hero’s Journey  14:05 — From "Mr. Fix-It" to Self-Prioritization  15:16 — Action-Oriented Coaching vs. Therapy  16:11 — Attachment Theory & Somatic Work  17:45 — Why This Approach Works for Men  19:12 — Direct Feedback & Hotseat Coaching  21:28 — Setting Three-Month Transformation Goals  24:35 — Program Logistics & Commitment  26:17 — Final Call to Action & Conclusion 29:21 — Final thoughts & outro___________________________ If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow. You can also watch the episodes on youtube here Follow me on Instagram @anyashakh You can book a discovery call at https://anyashakh.com/mentorship

  7. 12/15/2025

    Should We Ditch the Romantic Model to Save Relationships?

    I had the privilege of sitting down with Paul Elam for this enlightening conversation. Paul is a well known advocate for men’s rights. He is the founder of ‘A Voice for Men’ - the international conference on men’s issues. He inspired the making of ‘The Red Pill’ movie that aired in 2016. He’s been a men’s advisor and counselor for many decades now, and I appreciate how deeply he cares about supporting men. It was a pleasure to talk to him and I learned so much - I know you will too! We unpack the hidden assumptions about dating and marriage in the west under the ‘romantic model.' We also spend time getting to the bottom of why men are still so misunderstood in the west and what men need now more than anything. Listen in to learn about the origins of the romantic model, different priorities of men and women, what’s missing from the mythopoetic movement, the change in male consciousness, the biggest killer of men, what a woman owes her marriage, being a ‘guardian of respect,’ and so much more. Connect With Paul: Via X: https://x.com/RealPaulElam Via Substack: https://paulelam.substack.com/ XY Crew: https://paulelam.com/xycrew/ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Intro & Preview: "Coddled Princesses"  00:32 — Welcome: Introducing Paul Elam 01:53 — A Brief History of the Men's Movement  02:36 — From 1920s Protests to the Mythopoetic Movement  04:36 — The "Red Pill" Explosion & Its Flaws  05:49 — The Missing Piece: Accountability for Women  07:05 — The Critical Question: "What Do You Bring to the Table?"  08:52 — How We Got Here: Family Courts & The Romantic Model  10:24 — Hostile Dependency & Asserting Autonomy  11:24 — Contradictions: Feminism, Girlbosses, and Tradwives  13:07 — The Origins of Gynocentrism & Courtly Love  15:40 — Why the Romantic Model Failed After Divorce Stigma Lifted  18:12 — Trying to Satiate the Insatiable  20:22 — The "Simp" Dynamic: Groveling Breeds Resentment  21:58 — Why "Wild Man" Retreats Avoid the Real Issues  24:55 — Peeling Back Gynocentrism: Treating Each Other as Human  26:28 — Evolution vs. Socialization in Attraction  28:22 — The Paradox of Women's Unhappiness  30:19 — Disconnection from the Feminine Body  31:36 — The Necessity of Being Complete Before Relationships  33:30 — Understanding How Men Are Manipulated by Shame  35:49 — "Human Doings": Men's Value Tied to Provision  39:11 — Paul's Stance: Rejecting Legal Marriage  40:58 — Biblical Roles & The Myth of the 1950s Housewife  43:40 — Critique of the "She Has No Worries" Mindset  46:13 — Controversial Advice: Stop "Dating" Entirely  48:51 — The Transactional Nature of Modern Dating  50:00 — Debunking the Soulmate Myth  52:41 — Men, Silence, and the "Defective Women" Therapy Model  53:44 — Men Heal Through Action (The Michael Jordan Story)  56:06 — The Erosion of Male Spaces & The Bystander Effect  59:43 — Daniel Penny & The Risks of Male Protection  01:01:49 — Personal Safety: Agency vs. Expecting Protection  01:02:45 — Most Men's Issues Stem from Relationship Choices  01:04:18 — The Mirror Test: Taking Accountability for Abusive Partners  01:05:54 — Self-Esteem vs. Self-Respect  01:08:35 — Paul’s Relationship Secret: Being the "Guardian of Respect"  01:10:52 — Teaching Women the Definition of Respect  01:13:23 — The Ultimate Power: Willingness to Walk Away  01:15:09 — Conclusion & Where to Find Paul Elam___________________________ If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow. TRUE NORTH: A mastermind experience for men is here: Apply Today. $500 off early bird discount is on until Christmas Day: https://anyashakh.com/true-north-the-... You can also watch the episodes on youtube here Follow me on Instagram @anyashakh You can book a discovery call at https://anyashakh.com/mentorship

  8. 12/08/2025

    Men as Specialists and Women as Generalists

    In this episode I dive into an excerpt from G.K Chesterton’s essay, The Emancipation of Domesticity, which gives us an important insight about the roles of men and women. Chesterton argued that men are specialists and women are generalists and paired with the greater male variability, we can use this insight to uncover many of the cultural, domestic, and social issues that exist between us. Listen in to learn about what Chesterton thought a woman’s duty was, why the west have the most free women on the planet, why modern women want to quit their high-status outside of the home jobs, why women are more geared towards generalization, and much more. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Intro: Ancient Intelligence 01:22 — Announcement: True North Mastermind for Men  02:53 — G.K. Chesterton & The Emancipation of Domesticity 04:35 — The Woman’s Duty: The Ultimate Generalist  05:37 — Evolutionary Psychology: Competition vs. Connection  07:16 — Industrialization & The Male Specialist  09:12 — Are Women Second Class Citizens in the West?  13:08 — Greater Male Variability & IQ Distribution  14:05 — Understanding the "Mental Load"  16:07 — A Story of Two Mindsets: The Club vs. The Podcast  17:40 — How Industry Displaced the Generalist  18:24 — The Happiest Women: Monetizing Passion  20:30 — Final Thoughts   21:17 — Outro___________________________ If you found some value today then help me spread the word! Share this episode with a friend or leave a review. This helps the podcast grow. Interested in TRUE NORTH? An intimate group mastermind to help you get unstuck and experience power and potency in all domains of your life. Join the waitlist to experience first access, epic discounts, and the best bonuses: https://forms.gle/MpNiUgg8VtHbnZ3x9 You can also watch the episodes on youtube here Follow me on Instagram @anyashakh You can book a discovery call at https://anyashakh.com/mentorship

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About

This is the Ancient Intelligence Podcast, a show that explores the fundamental ancient dynamics that exist between men and women. With the technology and automation of our world, our human nature remains fully intact. The constant question on my heart is what is the ultimate harmony that can be achieved between men and women and how do we get there? We explore culture, history, society, evolutionary psychology, biology, religious and spiritual teachings, and more.

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