Dating and relationships have never been simple — but in today’s world of apps, algorithms, and endless options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected. In this episode, I speak with Dr. Justin Garcia, Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute, evolutionary biologist, sex researcher, and author of the upcoming book The Intimate Animal. We talk about what our biology can (and can’t) tell us about love and desire, how technology is reshaping intimacy, and why breakups can hit so hard.
We also get personal — sharing stories about grief, recovery, non-monogamy, and navigating love in the real world. Dr. Garcia brings a refreshingly nuanced perspective, blending science, lived experience, and a deep respect for the complexities of modern relationships.
The biological basis of pair bonding and why love is a survival strategy
How dating apps are changing the way we connect — and the pitfalls of infinite choice
Non-monogamy, open relationships, and what science really says about them
Breakups, heartbreak, and why they feel like addiction withdrawal
Infidelity: what motivates it, and why it’s often about secrecy more than sex
Practical dating advice backed by years of research
The neuroscience of attraction, and how foreplay, communication, and intention keep passion alive
How personal experience shaped Dr. Garcia’s latest work — including his own recent marriage and fatherhood
Dr. Justin Garcia is an evolutionary biologist, sex researcher, and Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. He’s also the Chief Scientific Advisor for Match Group, guiding large-scale studies on modern relationships like the annual Singles in America survey. His research has been featured in outlets like The New York Times, TIME, and CNN, and his new book The Intimate Animal: The Science of Sex, Fidelity, and Why We Live and Die for Love will be released on January 27, 2026.
Learn more:
Kinsey Institute Bio – https://kinseyinstitute.org/about/staff/executive-director-justin-garcia.html
Pre-order The Intimate Animal – https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/justin-r-garcia-phd/the-intimate-animal/9780316594035/
Singles in America study – https://www.singlesinamerica.com/
Kinsey Institute – https://www.kinseyinstitute.org/
Dr. Garcia’s social media: Search “Dr. Justin Garcia” on major platforms or follow updates via the Kinsey Institute
Love and sex are biologically distinct but deeply intertwined. We’re wired for long-term bonding, but novelty and desire often create tension within those bonds.
Breakups are more than emotional — they’re neurochemical. Love activates the brain’s reward systems, and heartbreak can mimic drug withdrawal.
Modern dating can feel overwhelming because our brains haven’t evolved to handle endless digital choice. Intention and curiosity matter more than perfection.
Non-monogamous relationships aren’t inherently less loving or stable. They often demand high levels of communication and negotiation.
Infidelity is less about desire and more about secrecy. Even in non-monogamous relationships, broken trust hurts.
There’s no perfect formula for love. Each connection is unique, and understanding yourself can help you show up better in relationships.
Have a question, topic suggestion, or want to be a guest?
Email: duffthepsych@gmail.com
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In this episode, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Tracy Hicks, a dual-certified family and mental health nurse practitioner with over two decades of clinical experience—and a deeply personal connection to serious mental illness. Dr. Hicks is both the daughter of a parent and the mother of a child with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Her perspective blends professional expertise with lived experience in a way that is both deeply compassionate and refreshingly practical.
We talk about what schizophrenia really is (and isn’t), the impact of stigma on individuals and families, and the importance of person-centered, empathetic care. Dr. Hicks shares her personal journey—raising a daughter with serious mental illness while navigating barriers in the healthcare system—and offers guidance for both providers and caregivers who want to better support those living with schizophrenia.
This is a powerful and deeply human conversation for anyone touched by serious mental illness.
What schizophrenia is and how it’s commonly misunderstood
Growing up with a parent who has schizophrenia
Early warning signs and delays in diagnosis for her daughter
How stigma and systemic bias impact treatment access and quality
Long-acting injectable medications: what they are and why they matter
Creating space for curiosity and shared decision-making in care
How to support loved ones without losing yourself
Advice for providers on building trust and improving outcomes
The power of grace, boundaries, and self-care for caregivers
00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Tracy Hicks and her personal/professional background
03:00 – From nursing to psychiatry: building a whole-person care model
07:00 – Childhood memories of a parent with schizophrenia
11:00 – Explaining what schizophrenia is and is not
14:00 – Challenging stereotypes: what schizophrenia actually looks like
18:00 – Early signs in Dr. Hicks’ daughter and missed opportunities for intervention
22:00 – Racism, bias, and provider assumptions
24:00 – Treatment begins with the story, not the symptoms
26:00 – Why empathy and curiosity matter more than credentials
28:00 – The question that opens everything: “What’s your goal for today?”
32:00 – Including family and support systems in the care plan
36:00 – Communication shifts that changed lives
41:00 – What long-acting injectables are and how to present them as an option
47:00 – Combating clinical inertia and provider bias
51:00 – What Dr. Hicks would do differently as a parent
54:00 – Creating your own space when the system doesn’t serve you
58:00 – Boundaries, burnout, and filling your own cup as a caregiver
1:02:00 – Final thoughts on stigma, advocacy, and asking for what you need
1:03:30 – Where to follow Dr. Hicks and access her work
Instagram: https://instagram.com/drhicksnp
Email: duffthepsych@gmail.com
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Instagram: https://instagram.com/duffthepsych
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Until next time, take care of yourself.
In this episode, I share the absolute honest truth about my life at the moment. I also talk about my focus for this year, the phrases I can't get out of my head, and the things I'm grateful for from the last year.
Let's do this.
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