Christopher Ryan

Christopher Ryan was born on February 13, 1962, in The Bronx. His early life involved significant reading and exposure to diverse narratives from comics to crime novels. This background, coupled with his time delivering newspapers during the “Son of Sam” era, shaped his perspective on human behavior and societal structures. He pursued higher education, earning a B.A. in English and American Literature in 1984. Two decades later, he achieved an M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology from Saybrook University. His doctoral research focused on the prehistoric roots of human sexuality.

Ryan’s career took a significant turn in 2010 with the co-authorship of the New York Times bestselling book, “Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means for Modern Relationships,” alongside Cacilda Jethá. This book challenged traditional views on human sexual evolution, proposing that promiscuity was common in ancestral hunter-gatherer societies. The book garnered international attention and has since been translated into over twenty languages. His work continued to explore themes of societal development and its impact on human experience with his 2019 book, “Civilized to Death: The Price of Progress,” also translated into numerous languages.

Beyond his literary achievements, Ryan is a recognized speaker, having presented at prestigious platforms like TED and The Festival of Dangerous Ideas. He further extends his reach through his podcast, “Tangentially Speaking,” which has accumulated over 30 million downloads. This platform features discussions on a range of topics, providing commentary and interviews that complement his published works. His ability to connect with a broad audience on complex subjects has established him as a distinctive voice in discussions on human culture and behavior.