The Jordan Harbinger Show

Your 4-year-old convinced her 6-year-old brother to touch her inappropriately. Normal exploration or red flag for deeper issues? Welcome to Feedback Friday! And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com. Now let's dive in! On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss: You discovered your six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter engaged in concerning intimate behavior while you were away, with your daughter initiating and using manipulation tactics that seem beyond her years. What could this mean for their development, and what steps should you take? [Special thanks to licensed professional counselor and Sibling Sexual Abuse author Brad Watts for helping us with this one!] On ep

From wealth transfer myths to smart career moves, NYU Professor Scott Galloway reveals how to build real financial security in today's economic landscape. What We Discuss with Scott Galloway: The wealth transfer from Baby Boomers to younger generations ($18 trillion) is highly uneven and won't solve economic inequality. Many people will inherit nothing or even have to support their aging parents, while a small number will receive substantial inheritances, further widening the wealth gap. "Follow your passion" is dangerous career advice, typically given by people who are already wealthy. Instead, focus on finding something you're good at that can provide economic security — mastery and success will lead to passion naturally. Job-hopping every two or three years often leads to higher earnings, as companies tend to undervalue existing employees and overvalue new hires. However, switching jobs too frequently (multiple times per year) can make you appear unreliable. Economic security isn't about being rich

On this Skeptical Sunday, Jessica Wynn brushes away fluoride fears and gets to the root of this controversial mineral's cavity-fighting powers! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, and food that helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel and making teeth more resistant to acid. When added to water supplies at controlled levels, it has been shown to reduce cavity rates by 40-70% in children. The discovery of fluoride's benefits came from investigating "Colorado Brown Stain" in the early 1900s, where researchers found that while high fluoride levels stained teeth brown, it also made them remarkably resistant to decay. This led to research determining safe, effective fluoride levels for water supplies. Despite widespread scientific consensus on its safety and effectiveness, fluoride remains controversial, with some groups claiming health risks. However, extensive research has found no evidence linking properly fluoridated water

Your conservative grandparents smuggled their ex-adoptee with a violent past into the country to live with them. Should you worry? It's Feedback Friday! And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com. Now let's dive in! On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss: Your staunchly conservative grandparents who harbor anti-immigrant sentiments recently paid $15,000 to smuggle a man with a violent past into the US — someone they had previously adopted and returned to Mexico when he was just a boy. Now he's living with them and reaching out to connect with you. What the heck is going on, and what do you do about it? You have a friend with potential who seems perpetually stuck, al

Indoor air quality affects us more than we realize. Here, Jaspr founder Mike Feldstein explains why what we breathe matters and how to fix it. What We Discuss with Mike Feldstein: Indoor air quality is often significantly worse than outdoor air, as homes lack natural filtration systems like wind, sun, and trees. After cooking, poor air quality can persist for up to 48 hours without proper filtration. Most air quality issues can't be detected by human senses — we can't smell or see many harmful particles and chemicals that affect our health. This is especially concerning since we spend most of our time indoors. Common household activities like cooking (even healthy cooking), using air fresheners, and burning incense create significant indoor air pollution. Many cleaning products and deodorizers actually mask problems rather than solving them. Bedroom air quality is particularly critical since we spend roughly one-third of our lives sleeping. Your body does its best repair work during sleep — and i

Scared of squatters taking your home? Nick Pell brings perspective to what the media tells us is a "growing crisis" on this week's Skeptical Sunday! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Squatting occurs when people occupy a property without legal right or permission, often in vacant homes or rental properties. While they may create fake leases or documentation to appear legitimate, they are distinct from legal tenants who have stopped paying rent or are being evicted. Most squatting cases become complex civil matters rather than criminal ones because squatters often create fake leases and establish utility bills in their names, making it difficult for police to immediately remove them. The current housing situation contributes to squatting — average rent has increased 13.7% year over year since 1980, while wages have only grown 0.2% year over year since the early 1970s, making housing increasingly unaffordable for many. Changes to squatting laws need careful consideration, as overly strict laws could poten

Your friend's suicide leaves you questioning their psychiatric care. Is someone liable, or does the system just fail sometimes? Welcome to Feedback Friday! And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com. Now let's dive in! On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss: Your best friend since middle school took their own life while under psychiatric care, and you've discovered concerning details about their treatment, including billing after death and continued prescriptions despite missed check-ins. With their family reluctant to pursue legal action, how can you channel your grief and anger into meaningful change? As a successful, independent woman in your 30s with no desire to have

AI is reshaping society, challenging democracy, and raising ethical concerns. Nexus author Yuval Noah Harari explains its risks and potential solutions. What We Discuss with Yuval Noah Harari: Stories and shared beliefs are fundamental to human cooperation and society, from money to religion to nations. These "fictions" enable large-scale collaboration. Populism erodes trust in institutions and promotes a cynical view that all human relations are power struggles, paving the way for authoritarian rule. AI is not just a tool but an agent that can make independent decisions, potentially surpassing human capabilities in many areas, which raises concerns about control and understanding. The rise of AI and extensive data collection enables unprecedented surveillance and control, as seen in social credit systems and automated law enforcement. We can shape the future of AI by creating living institutions to monitor its development, implementing regulations to hold companies accountable, and ensuring transparenc

On Skeptical Sunday, Jessica Wynn schools us in higher education's flaws — privilege, rankings, debt, and inequity — and examines ways to fix them. On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Higher education in the United States has a long history of privilege and exclusivity, with prestigious institutions reinforcing social and economic disparities. College rankings, such as those by US News & World Report, have a significant influence on the perception of educational quality but often fail to measure the actual academic experience. The cost of higher education has increased dramatically, outpacing inflation and creating substantial student loan debt, which raises questions about the return on investment (ROI) for many students. Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, as well as admissions processes, tend to favor wealthier students, perpetuating inequalities in access to higher education. There is potential for positive change in higher education through innovative models, technology integration, an

Your boyfriend faces serious allegations from his past. You want to trust him, but doubts linger. How do you uncover the truth? Welcome to Feedback Friday! And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com. Now let's dive in! On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss: You're dating a man whose ex-girlfriend accused him of molesting her son and his own children. He claims innocence, but you're torn between trusting him and your gut feelings. What steps can you take to uncover the truth while maintaining your integrity and safety? Your father, recently single and grieving, is asking to move into your new home. You and your partner want your own space, but you feel guilty given all yo

Spycraft utilizes psychology more than gadgets. Ex-CIA officer Andrew Bustamante reveals the human side of intelligence gathering and deception. [Pt. 2/2 — find Pt. 1 here!] What We Discuss with Andrew Bustamante: The psychology of espionage and the process of recruiting assets, with an emphasis on the importance of building relationships and trust. The CIA uses a process called SADRAT (Spot, Assess, Develop, Recruit, Handle, and Terminate) to develop intelligence sources, which is similar to sales techniques and relationship building. The concept of public, private, and secret lives, highlighting how understanding and accessing someone's secret life is crucial for intelligence work. The strengths and operational styles of the CIA, Russia's SVR, Israel's Mossad, and China's MSS. Anxiety, often viewed negatively in society, can be a valuable asset in intelligence work and other high-performance fields. By reframing anxiety as a potential superpower, individuals can harness its benefits to drive success

Spycraft utilizes psychology more than gadgets. Ex-CIA officer Andrew Bustamante reveals the human side of intelligence gathering and deception. [Pt. 1/2] What We Discuss with Andrew Bustamante: After becoming the youngest US Air Force Officer in history to command 200 nuclear ICBMs from an underground bunker and spending seven years in the CIA, Everyday Spy founder Andrew Bustamante gives us an inside look into the recruitment and training process for CIA officers. The CIA uses personality assessments and carefully constructed team dynamics to build high-performance teams, often pairing people who may not naturally get along to create productive conflict. Lie detection through visual cues like micro-expressions is largely ineffective outside of controlled interrogation settings. More reliable methods involve establishing baselines and asking specific types of questions. Effective lying requires preplanning and rehearsal to align the rational and emotional parts of the brain. Spontaneous lying is much r

Constant belittling and a trip to Ukraine: The perks of working for your father-in-law. How do you escape the family business? Welcome to Feedback Friday! And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com. Now let's dive in! On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss: You're working for your father-in-law's company abroad, but his constant belitting has pushed you to your limits. After he sent you on a risky trip to war-torn Ukraine that ultimately didn't benefit the business (and blamed you for the non-results), you're ready to bow out and make a go of it on your own. But how? Your father recently passed away in a plane crash, and you're struggling to support your grieving mother w

Young men today face a crisis of mental health and social connection. BoyMom author Ruth Whippman is here to explore causes and potential solutions. What We Discuss with Ruth Whippman: Boys in the West are going through a crisis, facing higher rates of suicide, mental health problems, loneliness, and academic underachievement compared to girls. Society sends conflicting messages to boys about masculinity, telling them to be dominant and make the first move, while also cautioning them not to overstep or be seen as creepy. This leads many boys to avoid relationships altogether. Boys receive less emotional nurturing and communication from parents compared to girls, which contributes to gaps in social and emotional skills as they grow older. The "incel" movement and extreme ideologies like those of Andrew Tate are symptoms of broader issues with how society socializes boys and sets unrealistic standards of masculinity. Parents and educators can help by providing boys with more emotional nurturing, teaching

Will being too cautious stifle your dreams? Never Play It Safe author Chase Jarvis reveals how embracing risk can reward you with a more fulfilling life! What We Discuss with Chase Jarvis: Creativity is not limited to traditional artistic pursuits; it's a fundamental human trait that can be applied to all aspects of life, including career choices and personal development. Our brains are designed to keep us safe, which can discourage risk-taking. However, rewards often lie on the other side of uncertainty and discomfort. Time management is less important than understanding and changing our relationship with time. Viewing life as long rather than short can lead to more thoughtful and fulfilling decisions. Intuition is a powerful tool that combines rational thought with cellular memory. Developing and trusting your intuition can lead to better decision-making in various aspects of life. Embracing creativity and personal growth is always possible, regardless of your past or current situation. By making a co

What's really happening when we sleep? Michael Regilio tucks us in and takes us to the alluring world of dreams and their purpose on this Skeptical Sunday! Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and a guest break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. This time around, we’re joined by skeptic, comedian, and podcaster Michael Regilio! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Dreams serve important biological functions, including problem-solving, emotional processing, and memory consolidation. Scientists have observed that dreaming can improve task performance and help solve complex problems. Sleep cycles consist of four phases: NREM 1, NREM 2, NREM 3, and REM sleep. REM sleep is when most vivid dreaming occurs, and certain areas of the brain are even more active during this phase than when awake. Common dream themes exist across cultures, such as being chased, being late

Your childhood abuser runs a daycare. Can you get justice for his past misdeeds while preventing him access to future victims? Welcome to Feedback Friday! And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com. Now let's dive in! On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss: You discovered that a man who sexually abused you as a child is now running a childcare program in another state. With this alarming information, how can you protect potential victims and seek justice after so many years? [Thanks — once again — to attorney Corbin Payne for helping us answer this one!] Your girlfriend recently moved for a demanding new job, drastically reducing your communication.

End Honour Killings co-founder Nina Aouilk reveals the shocking reality of forced marriage, domestic slavery, and honor killings in the West. [Pt. 2/2 — find Pt. 1 here!] What We Discuss with Nina Aouilk: Nina Aouilk survived multiple instances of severe domestic abuse, including an attempted honor killing by her family and years of control and violence from her partner. Honor killings and forced marriages are still occurring in Western countries like the UK, USA, and Canada, often hidden within certain cultural communities. The imprisonment of Nina's father for trafficking his own child highlights the urgent need for awareness and action against human trafficking in all communities. Many victims of abuse and potential honor killings are afraid to speak out due to cultural pressures, shame, and fear, which enables the cycle of abuse to continue. There are ways we can all help combat these issues: trust your intuition if you suspect someone is in danger, ask simple questions to disrupt potential vi

End Honour Killings co-founder Nina Aouilk reveals the shocking reality of forced marriage, domestic slavery, and honor killings in the West. [Pt. 1/2] What We Discuss with Nina Aouilk: Nina Aouilk grew up in an abusive household in the UK, where she was treated as a servant and subjected to severe physical and emotional abuse by her family. At age 14, Nina was gang-raped by her father and his friends, resulting in a pregnancy that was forcibly aborted. Her mother blamed Nina for the assault. At age 15, Nina was traded by her father to one of her rapists in a sham marriage arrangement, where she continued to face extreme abuse and exploitation. Nina witnessed horrific cultural practices like bride burnings and infanticide of baby girls in her community, with little intervention from authorities. Despite the trauma, Nina found ways to persevere, such as excelling at work and finding moments of kindness. Her story shows that it's possible to overcome even the most difficult circumstances through resilience, se

Can sugar pills heal or harm? Neuroscientist Dr. Helena Hartmann unravels the mysteries of placebo and nocebo effects on this Skeptical Sunday! Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and a guest break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. This time around, we’re joined by neuroscientist, psychologist, and science communicator Dr. Helena Hartmann of University Hospital Essen! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Placebo and nocebo effects are powerful psychological phenomena that can have a significant impact on health outcomes. Placebos can lead to positive effects, while nocebos can cause negative effects, even without any active medical ingredients. Expectations play a crucial role in placebo and nocebo effects. Positive expectations can enhance treatment outcomes, while negative expectations can diminish or even reverse the effects of otherwise effective medication