ManTalks Podcast

Tad Hargrave - How To Date (And Market) Beautifully

Mar 10, 2025

Tad Hargrave, an expert in ethical marketing and community building, dives into the surprising parallels between dating and marketing. He discusses how courting a potential partner can resemble effective marketing strategies, emphasizing authenticity and ethics. Tad explores emotional investments, including the fear of risk and the idea of sunk costs in relationships. He also addresses the impact of AI on marketing practices, advocating for genuine connections in a tech-driven world, and highlights the importance of clear desires in both dating and business.

57:19

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Episode guests

Tad Hargrave

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Dating mirrors ethical marketing, where effective connections and communicating value are essential for successful relationships.

Understanding compatibility and clear communication of desires are crucial for avoiding misalignment and wasted emotional investment in both dating and marketing.

Both dating and marketing require vulnerability and risk navigation, emphasizing the importance of authentic engagement for personal and professional growth.

Deep dives

Marketing as an Extension of Dating

Dating can be understood as an extension of marketing, where effective dating reflects good marketing strategies. Key aspects of marketing include creating meaningful connections and communicating one's value in a relationship. The conversation emphasizes that successful dating goes beyond mere attraction; it also encompasses filtering for compatibility and mutual interest. Poor dating experiences are compared to ineffective marketing, where individuals may fail to present their true selves, leading to misalignment and dissatisfaction.

Intro

4min

Navigating Ethics in Dating and Marketing

15min

Focusing on What Matters: Scaling in Business and Dating

2min

Navigating Emotional Investments

15min

Authenticity in the Age of AI Marketing

13min

Ethical Marketing: Building Genuine Connections

8min

Talking points: culture, marketing, relationships

I consider it an achievement to have Tad on the show. He's a soulful and wise person who can cut through the BS quickly—and do it kindly, no less. We sat down to discuss the parallels in ethically presenting your case in both the business and dating realms. You'll be surprised at how similar some aspects are!

(00:00:00) - How is dating an extension of marketing?

(00:13:24) - The meaning of “gauging” a potential partner, and what to look for

(00:19:57) - On sunk cost, grief, people pleasing, and our fear of risk

(00:27:17) - Is there a connection between fear of approach and polarization?

(00:34:43) - How is AI going to change how we market

(00:47:33) - What are the key implementations of ethical marketing?

Tad Hargrave is a hippy who developed a knack for marketing (and then learned to be a hippy again). Since 2001, he has been weaving together strands of ethical marketing, Waldorf School education, a history in the performing arts, local culture making, anti-globalization activism, an interest in his ancestral, traditional cultures, community building and supporting local economies into his work helping people create profitable businesses that are ethically grown while restoring the beauty of the marketplace.

Connect with Tad:

-Website: https://marketingforhippies.com/

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingforhippies/

-Substack: https://tadhargrave.substack.com/

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