Emotional Vampires Suck - MTP493

Co-Host Daniel Ratner (https://mountaintoppodcast.com/ratner) On this first day of 2026, we hit the ground running with how to eliminate the WRONG people from your life this year, and from now on. Daniel Ratner is a Jewish-American coach who made Aliyah and now lives in Jerusalem. So obviously, specializing in vampires of any kind only shows he has a sense of comedic irony that would make Mel Brooks blush. But for sure, the whole weird but tragically common phenomenon is what it is, and Daniel has studied it as much as anyone. So much so that he has identified several different types of emotional vampires and described them. For starters, what's the pattern that makes so many of them narcissists? And what exactly is "covert narcissism" again, and why are they typically among the worst offenders? How do women in particular draw us in with vampirical patterns that seem "cute" at first--even attractive--only to truly wear us out over time? Can a real, actual emotional vampire really, actually love us? Why is it so many of us as men will tolerate a woman who is an emotional vampire way more than any woman would tolerate a male one in her life? (Hint: We coined the term "training and draining" there.)  How do we set boundaries with emotional vampires...and is it too late after they sink their teeth in? What is Coach Ratner's acronym for figuring out who to keep in your life and who to get rid of? And why is a certain type of person the favorite target of emotional vampires? Finally, living in Israel Daniel wrote a piece over the summer called "Bomb Shelter Sex". Listen as he offers some amazing insights into what social life was like in Israel then. Get in on the newly-updated VAMANOS app and more at: https://mountaintoppodcast.com/vamanos === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE TO GREAT MEN EVERYWHERE === The show is now available as a VIDEO version on YouTube. For some reason, the episodes seem funnier...if a bit more rough around the edges. If you love what you hear, please rate the show on the service you subscribed to it on (takes one second) and leave a review. As we say here in Texas, I appreciate you!

===SNIPPETS FROM THE SUMMIT=== How can you know absolutely for sure that you're NOT settling for the wrong woman? Well in honor of the 100th SFTS episode, I'm tackling this all-important subject in a way you've never heard anywhere else. You know how you've heard people can keep attracting the same BAD relationship over and over, just with a different face? Well the other side of the coin is true also. You can date women who seem familiar to you, yet different, and make it a GOOD thing. And THIS is how you'll know when you're not settling. Fair warning, though...and don't let anyone tell you differently: You cannot tell if you're settling or not until you've dated enough women to know what you really like, want and prefer. And yes, women can (and will) surprise you in ways you'll never see coming. But after a while you'll start seeing a clear pattern. Shortly after that, you'll start attracting women who indeed have plenty in common. And THEN...that's when "miracles" happen. Get the whole story in this brief episode. Get in on the VAMANOS AI  app at : https://mountaintoppodcast.com/vamanos === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE TO GREAT MEN EVERYWHERE === Snippets From The Summit are all about completely original ideas for success with women that also happen to be extremely effective...and actionable. If you love what you hear, please rate the show on the service you subscribed to it on (takes one second) and leave a review. As we say here in Texas, I appreciate you!

Co-Host Emily McKay (https://mountaintoppodcast.com/) Dating and relationship advice has gone through significant changes over the last 20 years. Some of it has been good and necessary evolution, some of it downright detrimental and counter-productive. As X & Y Communications marks its 20th anniversary, we look back on the good, the bad and the ugly out there over the years since we opened our doors. First of all, what was up with men having an entire network for getting better with women back in 2005, while women pretty much only had Cosmo articles? And what happened to that "underground society of pickup artists"? What did it quietly turn into...without men even realizing it? As for women, what weird development really established a whole new world of dating advice for them? And what marketing tactic in particular revolutionized all dating advice online...before eventually setting us all back big-time? Whatever happened to all that new-agey dating advice, and the "gurus" who promoted it? Why is so much of the current "dating advice" nothing more that pure clickbait? How did text messaging, social media, dating apps, "toxic masculinity", and the #MeToo movement all play a role in the dating and relationship advice we've been given? And how have Covid and AI affected the whole mix? How have we ourselves flexed and adapted to change over the years? Most of all, how have mindsets and attitudes evolved (or de-volved?)...on the part of both men and women? Get in on the new VAMANOS app at https://mountaintoppodcast.com/vamanos === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE TO GREAT MEN EVERYWHERE === The show is now available as a VIDEO version on YouTube. For some reason, the episodes seem funnier...if a bit more rough around the edges. If you love what you hear, please rate the show on the service you subscribed to it on (takes one second) and leave a review. As we say here in Texas, I appreciate you!

===SNIPPETS FROM THE SUMMIT=== You've heard that bit about how men's sexual value increases over time, while women's sexual value decreases over time. That's indeed a cynical trope, but how much truth is there to it? For sure, a 25-year-old guy is less likely to find a 55-year-old woman attractive, but is "sexual value" that simple? How is it that couples can remain happy and apparently in love for half a century, or more? Is it all just a ruse for the sake of "keeping up appearances"? Or could it be that attraction is still very real for them? What drives that kind of sustained attractiveness to each other for decades? Well, this brief episode contains all the answers...and the hard truth that goes along with it. Get in on the VAMANOS app and more at https://mountaintoppodcast.com === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE TO GREAT MEN EVERYWHERE === Snippets From The Summit are all about completely original ideas for success with women that also happen to be extemely effective...and actionable. If you love what you hear, please rate the show on the service you subscribed to it on (takes one second) and leave a review. As we say here in Texas, I appreciate you!

Co-Host Dr. Anthony Silard (https://mountaintoppodcast.com/silard) My first-time guest is a man who fearlessly tackles some rough topics that others avoid. In addition to his latest book Love And Suffering, he's also the author of others with scary titles like The Myth Of Happiness and The Myth Of Friendship. So how does a guy like Dr. Anthony Silard stay sane and level-headed while immersed in this stuff? Well, the easy answer is his work probably isn't what you expect it to be. Rather than another nihilistic treatise on existentialism, he actually frames the inevitable suffering we all experience in this life as having the power to enable us to love more deeply. But he's just getting warmed up. Anthony believes "forgiveness" isn't as kind as we think it is, and judging each other is a necessary part of human existence. Anthony is also very aware that Americans in particular are feeling deep disconnection from each other. Studies show that over 70% of Americans say their friendships and relationships both personal and professional have suffered over the past several years. They attribute some of this to technology saying they feel overwhelmed with all of the online communication in their life that they withdraw from people. Others attribute this to the increase anger we see daily about us. Regardless of the cause people feel disconnected. We have simply let life happen to us and we seem adrift. Why is this? How can we pull ourselves together? Anthony says the powerful but often overlooked truth is many relationships don't fail because of incompatibility, but rather because of unforgiven pain. Whatever you do not learn to love in your life, you will repeat. As you can imagine, this episode offers a powerful new perspective on how to build healthy, long-lasting relationships with women. Get in on the new VAMANOS app at https://mountaintoppodcast.com/vamanos === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE TO GREAT MEN EVERYWHERE === The show is now available as a VIDEO version on YouTube. For some reason, the episodes seem funnier...if a bit more rough around the edges. If you love what you hear, please rate the show on the service you subscribed to it on (takes one second) and leave a review. As we say here in Texas, I appreciate you!

===Snippets From The Summit=== After a few heavy-duty topics in recent weeks, let's take a look at the lighter side. When it comes to charming women and relating to them, there is tremendous power in three little words. No, not THOSE three little words. They are similar, though: I like you.  You see, saying "I love you" to a woman is a big deal. You gotta think that shiznit through before you drop it on a woman. But "I like you" is VERY different. Listen in to this brief episode as I share exactly why that's true. Not only do we drop at least as many "I like yous" here at Casa McKay as "I love yous", that habit indeed comes from a long history of knowing exactly when to say it to women on first dates. Although you can say it MUCH sooner (I hope) than "I love you", there's definitely a right time and a proper rhythm to it, for sure. Get in on all the free goodies at  https://mountaintoppodcast.com === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE TO GREAT MEN EVERYWHERE === Snippets From The Summit are all about completely original ideas for success with women that also happen to be extemely effective...and actionable. If you love what you hear, please rate the show on the service you subscribed to it on (takes one second) and leave a review. As we say here in Texas, I appreciate you!

Co-host Marian De La Croix (https://mountaintoppodcast.com/marian) "I believe every man should have his 'I Dream Of Jeannie'." Do I have your attention yet? That is a direct quote from my first time guest and self-proclaimed "happy submissive", Marian De La Croix. She believes women who embrace submission in relationships experience deeper personal growth, stronger partnerships, and genuine happiness—while the "empowered independence" narrative keeps women stuck, stressed, and unfulfilled. She and her master--who she openly refers to as such--live in Vancouver, BC and by all accounts are living the dream together. Now before you form your own mental image of Marian, realize she is smart, articulate, successful and has keen business sense. So first off, how did Marian arrive at the idea of wanting this kind of relationship? Indeed, Marian doesn't feel the relationship is abusive in any way, and in fact feels more free, capable and empowered than ever. How does she reconcile being empowered and independent as opposed to being "under" a master? Listen in as she talks about the natural leadership qualities of masculine men, and how women are indeed happier by nature when in a relationship with a guy like that. What is the exact mindset of a man AND a woman who thrive in a relationship like this? What is the relationship between men and submissive women that helps them "find their muse"? And what are the similarities between how Marian's relationship with her Master works and how my relationship with Emily works? No, Emily doesn't call me "Master", but the similarities indeed come down to how masculinity and femininity work in tandem. So why, then, does Marian take the perhaps extreme measure of literally calling her husband "Master"? Stop talking to "Mr. Nice Guy" AI and get in on VAMANOS instead for quick, effective answers with women: https://mountaintoppodcast.com/vamanos === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE TO GREAT MEN EVERYWHERE === The show is now available as a VIDEO version on YouTube. For some reason, the episodes seem funnier...if a bit more rough around the edges. If you love what you hear, please rate the show on the service you subscribed to it on (takes one second) and leave a review. As we say here in Texas, I appreciate you!

===Snippets From The Summit=== Watch enough movies and TV shows and you can easily tell which kind of male character gets women and which doesn't. And yet, far too many men let their guard down and do blatantly unattractive stuff anyway. What's up with that? Do we think women either aren't noticing, or if they will they'll cut us a break? Here's the quick rundown on all actions, statements, "bro moments" and even fashion faux pas that keep us in a "dry spell". Never has there been a better time to say, "don't be that guy!" Better men get better women. That's the new logo, and the new look at https://mountaintoppodcast.com === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE TO GREAT MEN EVERYWHERE === Snippets From The Summit are all about completely original ideas for success with women that also happen to be extemely effective...and actionable. If you love what you hear, please rate the show on the service you subscribed to it on (takes one second) and leave a review. As we say here in Texas, I appreciate you!

Co-Host Stephen Edwards (https://mountaintoppodcast.com/edwards) What's going on here when it comes to men, women and our sexual attitudes toward each other? (I say that like it's a bad thing?) My first-time guest is Dr. Stephen Edwards, a PhD in spiritual counseling and international speaker. He's also the author of The Venus Fly Trap: Sex,  Lies And Repercussions. According to Stephen, we're all on a 'spectrum of insanity', whether we realize it or not. So first off, what does a Venus flytrap have to do with the silent sexual revolution? After all, that's a rough mental image. What are some sneaky and even unexpected ways women can "cloud us with beauty-vision"? What was it like when Stephen worked for Tony Robbins? What is the "silent" part of the current sexual revolution, given how much "noise" surrounds human sexuality nowadays? And why is it a "revolution"? If there is indeed a new sexual paradigm, then it will go through three distinct phases. What are they...and where are we in that process? How has the perception of repression affected sexual dynamics then vs. now? Is monogamy outdated...and causing more societal problems than it's worth? How have societal trends regarding faith affected the latest stage of sexual revolution? Why is sex usually the biggest obstacle between us and true spirituality? If deleting classic definitions of God and sexual morality has affected freedom from sexual guilt and shame, has that left us with a different problem? Does love still "conquer all" nowadays? Can it be true that particularly spiritual or "churchy" people have lazier relationships? Why would Stephen disagree that the opposite of love is fear? The bottom line is we as men need to stop being silenced when it comes to sexuality. Get in on the new VAMANOS app at https://mountaintoppodcast.com/vamanos\ === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE TO GREAT MEN EVERYWHERE === The show is now available as a VIDEO version on YouTube. For some reason, the episodes seem funnier...if a bit more rough around the edges. If you love what you hear, please rate the show on the service you subscribed to it on (takes one second) and leave a review. As we say here in 

===Snippets From The Summit=== Granted, it's easy to allow ourselves to believe all women are atrocious and we're better off simply avoiding them. And often we can have legitimate reasons for thinking and feeling that way. But let's face it, men who've slipped into that mindset find themselves as miserable as Feminists who become man-haters. The good news is there's a clear mindset shift you can make that will not only transform how you view women, it'll actually change how they perceive you as well. It may feel difficult at first, but there is no more natural way to go...it's even embedded in our primal instincts. Better men get better women. That's the new logo, and the new look at https://mountaintoppodcast.com === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE TO GREAT MEN EVERYWHERE === Snippets From The Summit are all about completely original ideas for success with women that also happen to be extemely effective...and actionable. If you love what you hear, please rate the show on the service you subscribed to it on (takes one second) and leave a review. As we say here in Texas, I appreciate you!