The Death of Romance: Where Did the Love Go?

Where have all the love songs gone? Remember when R&B artists would bare their souls in the desert, leather-clad and unafraid to show vulnerability? When albums came with champagne flutes and romance wasn't dismissed as "simping"?

On this captivating episode of Let Us Become Sharper, CJ and guests Nina, Delaina, Israel, and Shay dive deep into romance's disappearance from modern culture. With champagne and chocolates setting the mood, this Valentine's Day post-mortem examines how we've collectively lost touch with the art of romantic expression.

The conversation unveils multiple culprits behind romance's decline: music that prioritizes transactional relationships over emotional connection; dating apps that make relationships too accessible; a social climate that mocks vulnerability; and a generational disconnect where younger people haven't even witnessed true romance. "They don't even know what it is," one guest observes, highlighting how thoroughly romance has vanished from our cultural landscape.

Beyond diagnosis, the discussion offers hope and practical suggestions for reviving romance. From embracing vulnerability to creating modern equivalents of mixtapes, the panel agrees that bringing back romance requires intentional effort against prevailing cultural currents. As CJ reminds us, improvement doesn't happen overnight—it's about becoming incrementally "sharper" in how we express and receive love.

Whether you're longing for the days of Carl Thomas's emotional ballads or simply wondering why laying your coat over a puddle became passé, this episode offers both nostalgic reflection and forward-thinking wisdom. Join us as we explore what it might take to fall in love with romance again.