Staying Power 04-22-26 People Are Not Products

Episode 118: People Are Not Products In a world of apps, profiles, and endless options, it’s easy to start treating relationships like products — evaluating people based on what they offer, how they “fit,” and whether they meet our criteria. In this episode of Staying Power, Ashley and JD explore how modern relationship culture has drifted toward a transactional, performance-driven mindset — and how that shift is quietly undermining authentic connection. Drawing on psychology, sociology, and relationship research, they unpack why real relationships are inherently messy, unpredictable, and growth-oriented — and why that’s exactly what makes them meaningful. Because people aren’t products. And connection isn’t a transaction.