Many of the most loyal, dedicated men often find themselves confused when their relationships struggle despite genuinely wanting them to succeed.

In this eye-opening episode of "So You're Living in a Simulation," Joli (@joli.artist) shares a fascinating pattern she discovered while reading veteran memoirs that reveals something profound about how we're all programmed to approach love.

Men are taught to see women as "base camp" - the safe retreat you return to for rest and healing. But what if she's supposed to be your "battle buddy" instead - an equal partner fighting life's battles right alongside you?

"Life is a battlefield for all of us. But while men are trained to see it that way, women are thrown into it without the training

- yet we're still here, taking hits right alongside you."

The episode invites listeners to consider questions such as:

• How the same loyalty skills that work in the military can transform romantic relationships

• Why emotional intelligence isn't weakness - it's advanced tactical thinking

• The hidden programming that makes successful men fail at love

• Real solutions using military-style operational frameworks

Joli reads from her powerful article "Dear Men, She's Not Base Camp," breaking down exactly why partners leave after years of feeling like background characters in their man's survival story. But this isn't just criticism - it's a blueprint for change.

"You know how to assess risk, scan for threats, and triage under fire. So let's run the same framework in your relationship."

The breakthrough insight: Men already possess all the skills needed for deep intimacy - they just haven't been taught to deploy them domestically. Using combat metaphors throughout, Joli shows how emotional support is actually advanced tactical operations, and why treating your partner's pain as "real intel" changes everything.

For veterans and civilians alike, this episode offers a path from emotional isolation to true partnership, because if you can handle a battlefield, you can definitely handle a relationship. You just need the right operational manual.

Article: Dear Men, She's Not Base Camp; She's on the Battlefield Too.https://medium.com/@joli.artist/dear-men-shes-not-base-camp-she-s-on-the-battlefield-too-24000e470f21

youroneblackfriend.com

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: Veterans and the simulation awakening

03:40 The warrior class in a dystopian society

07:13 Deep dive into veteran memoirs and war psychology

10:58 The intentional cycle: trauma to reenlistment

14:54 The recurring pattern: warriors abandoned by love

21:05 Article reading: "Dear Men, She's Not Base Camp"

42:51 Reclaiming your life after being weaponized

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Key Explored Questions:

1. What's the difference between base camp and battle buddy mentality?

2. Why do men treat male friends differently from female partners?

3. How to respond when your partner is emotionally distressed?

4. How to apply tactical thinking to love and partnership?

5. Why do veterans struggle with civilian relationship adjustment?

6. What does operational respect mean in relationships?

7. How to break free from toxic relationship programming?

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#relationships #veterans #ptsd