What happens when evolutionary biology collides with modern cultural narratives? In this episode of Beyond 80%, Ryan sits down with geologist, researcher, and author Marc Defant to explore one of today's most controversial conversations: the relationship between biology, culture, feminism, and human behavior. Drawing from evolutionary psychology, Marc argues that many of the differences between men and women have deep biological roots shaped by hundreds of thousands of years of human evolution. Together, Ryan and Marc examine topics including attraction, parenting, leadership, gender roles, the feminist movement, and the growing tension between biological explanations and social constructionist perspectives. Rather than focusing on simple answers, the conversation explores a more nuanced question: how much of who we are comes from biology, how much comes from culture, and what happens when those explanations collide? Throughout the discussion, Ryan challenges assumptions from multiple angles, exploring where evolutionary psychology offers insight, where culture shapes behavior, and whether modern conversations about gender may be creating more division than understanding. This episode is an invitation to think critically, question deeply, and engage with difficult ideas without immediately choosing sides. Marc Defant Bio Dr. Marc Defant is a geologist, educator, researcher, and author whose work has expanded beyond earth sciences into evolutionary psychology, culture, and human behavior. After decades of studying volcanoes and geology, Marc became fascinated by evolutionary psychology and the ways biology shapes human behavior, relationships, and social systems. His work explores the intersection of science, culture, and some of today's most debated social questions.
What happens when evolutionary biology collides with modern cultural narratives?
In this episode of Beyond 80%, Ryan sits down with geologist, researcher, and author Marc Defant to explore one of today's most controversial conversations: the relationship between biology, culture, feminism, and human behavior.
Drawing from evolutionary psychology, Marc argues that many of the differences between men and women have deep biological roots shaped by hundreds of thousands of years of human evolution. Together, Ryan and Marc examine topics including attraction, parenting, leadership, gender roles, the feminist movement, and the growing tension between biological explanations and social constructionist perspectives.
Rather than focusing on simple answers, the conversation explores a more nuanced question: how much of who we are comes from biology, how much comes from culture, and what happens when those explanations collide?
Throughout the discussion, Ryan challenges assumptions from multiple angles, exploring where evolutionary psychology offers insight, where culture shapes behavior, and whether modern conversations about gender may be creating more division than understanding.
This episode is an invitation to think critically, question deeply, and engage with difficult ideas without immediately choosing sides.
About Marc Defant
Dr. Marc Defant is a geologist, educator, researcher, and author whose work has expanded beyond earth sciences into evolutionary psychology, culture, and human behavior. After decades studying volcanoes and geology, Marc became fascinated by evolutionary psychology and the ways biology shapes human behavior, relationships, and social systems. His work explores the intersection of science, culture, and some of today's most debated social questions.