The Jordan Harbinger Show

Join Jordan and Gabe for this deep dive into the lessons we can learn when we enlist envy as a teacher rather than a bitter reminder of what we don't have. What We Discuss: Merriam-Webster defines envy as "painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage." Envy is rooted in evolutionary psychology as an aid to our survival, but modern life amplifies and distorts it into an overwhelming compulsion that can hurt more than help. When envy crops up in our lives, it often contains two different desires within it: a desire for the thing we wish we had, and a desire to "beat" the person who has it. Envy could be about wanting something we don’t have, or it could be about being someone we wish we were — or maybe it’s both, and wanting the thing is really just a clever way of trying to become the person who has it. Envy can teach us about our genuine desires and goals, helping us focus on what truly matters to us. By practicing gratitude, disti

Video editor Annie Ikpa explains how she galvanized a movement to ban child sacrifice in Uganda, and what's in store for the fight ahead. What We Discuss with Annie Ikpa: Why child sacrifice is so common in Uganda that Annie Ikpa had to spend seven years campaigning for a law against it. Who hires the exploitative witch doctors who perform these sacrifices in the name of fortune or other earthly delights? How children are selected for sacrifice because they're relatively easy to abduct, less likely to fight back, and are regarded by true believers as spiritually more "pure" than adults. Why even a child who is "lucky" enough to survive a sacrifice is left mentally and physically traumatized — often with brutal scars across their bodies, missing limbs, and/or mutilated genitals. What you can do to help raise awareness and put a stop to this barbarous practice that continues in spite of positive strides in preventative legislation. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordan

Is homeopathy an effective alternative medicine or an unproven, unscientific sham? Comedian Michael Regilio joins us for Skeptical Sunday to find out! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Homeopathy is an alternative medicine with a long history, relying on the principle of "like cures like" and the idea that water has memory. Despite lacking scientific proof, homeopathic products are widely marketed and sold, even though they're required to carry warnings of unproven efficacy. Homeopathic practices have faced criticism, and DNA testing has even revealed mislabeled or diluted ingredients and dangerous products on the market. Some people turn to homeopathy for stress relief and placebo effects, but many are unaware of its lack of scientific basis. While there's pushback against homeopathy, it continues to thrive due to marketing, endorsements by celebrities, and regulatory gaps. Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptica

When the circle of trust between you, your best friend, and his girlfriend accidentally turns into a covert love triangle, it might be 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: The circle of trust between you, your best friend, and his girlfriend has accidentally turned into a covert love triangle. Now what happens? Your gaming group decided to officially ostracize its most annoying member, and you've wrestled with guilt and anxiety over the way it was done. Is there a way to smooth things over with him as a friend even if the group doesn't necessarily want to give him a second chance? A man 1

The Power of Crisis author Ian Bremmer rejoins us to assess the top threats facing our world today and the difficult choices they may force us to make. What We Discuss with Ian Bremmer: The effective unified Western response to Ukrainian invasion has transformed Russia from a would-be China into a massive Iran. China's Xi Jinping has been concentrating his power — which will allow him to make bigger mistakes that affect billions of people even more quickly. The unchecked proliferation of AI can move markets and effortlessly generate mountains of disinformation on social media to further the agendas of extremists. The growing partisan polarization of the American electorate continues to erode the legitimacy of core federal institutions and the peaceful transfer of power through free and fair elections. While the consequences of water scarcity will worsen, unprepared governments' ability to handle them seems unlikely to improve. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbi

The Wisdom of Psychopaths author Kevin Dutton rejoins us to discuss how we can tell if we're psychopaths and why it might not be such a bad thing. What We Discuss with Kevin Dutton: What's the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath? Society focuses on the negative qualities of psychopathy. But what are the upsides? What career niches do psychopaths tend toward (and which ones should they avoid)? Can children be psychopaths? How can you tell if you're a psychopath? (Take the two-minute quiz beginning at 14:39 and post your result and occupation on Twitter tagging @therealdrkev). And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/879 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course! Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can t

Can we accurately read someone's body language to gain access to their innermost thoughts? Andrew Gold joins us on this Skeptical Sunday to find out! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Body language research has found that indicators of deception may include eye movements, blinking, posture shifts, and word choice, but these cues can vary widely and require careful consideration. Body language can be influenced by various factors, making it challenging to precisely interpret. The use of body language by experts like the FBI involves observing consistent patterns in a suspect's behavior over time. While body language offers insights, it is not foolproof, and understanding context and individual differences is crucial for accurate interpretation. The case of Amanda Knox — exonerated after spending four years in Italian custody — highlights the dangers of relying solely on body language as evidence of guilt. Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have something you'd lik

Can a happy life with your BPD-addled wife ever be possible if she won't take responsibility for the chaos she causes? 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: Can a happy life with your BPD-afflicted wife ever be possible if she won't take responsibility for the chaos she causes and seek help for a condition most doctors consider treatable? Should you toe the union line, or scab your way to corporate prosperity? How do you keep your mom from overstepping her power in the upcoming wedding? Your time as a woman in the US Army should be a point of pride, not a boundary-breaking end

Fool Me Once author Kelly Richmond Pope explains how fraud became a trillion-dollar industry and helps us avoid becoming its latest victims. What We Discuss with Kelly Richmond Pope: What types of people commit fraud, and what — beyond simple greed — tends to motivate them? What is the fraud triangle, and how does it explain the factors that contribute to the occurrence of occupational fraud or white-collar crime? Why fraud seems more common and more severe these days than ever before. The multifarious faces of fraud, the criminals that perpetrate them, and their typical marks. How businesses and individuals can avoid becoming the next victims of this trillion-dollar industry. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/876 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course! Like this show? Please leave

Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues author Jonathan Kennedy joins us to discuss how microscopic pathogens have shaped our world. What We Discuss with Jonathan Kennedy: If we were to weigh all the bacteria on Earth, their mass would be about 1,000 times more than all humans. If all of the viruses on the planet were laid end to end, they would stretch for 100 million light years. About eight percent of the human genome's DNA comes from retroviral infections we've endured over our evolution. From them, we've inherited memory and the ability to give birth to live young. Our gut microbiota communicates with our brains and can directly affect our mood and influence our behavior. We modern humans have our ancestors' romantic soirees with Neanderthals to thank for genetic defenses against countless viral diseases. How the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture was a double-edged sword that brought us innovative progress and population-decimating pandemics. And much more... Full

Is there scientific legitimacy to the ancient Indian medicinal practice of Ayurveda? Dave Farina joins us on this Skeptical Sunday to find out! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicinal practice based on balancing doshas (life forces) and natural therapies like diet, yoga, and meditation. The belief in ancient wisdom's superiority to modern medicine and the allure of nature attract some people — especially those with anti-pharmaceutical sentiments — to Ayurveda. The marketing and commercialization of Ayurvedic products and treatments contribute to its multi-billion dollar industry. Ayurveda's emphasis on "detoxing" and "toxins" is based on misused terminology and misconceptions. Critics argue that Ayurveda's reliance on outdated concepts and lack of scientific evidence makes it ineffective and potentially dangerous. Despite the criticism, Ayurveda continues to be popular globally, with many proponents advocating its holistic approach to health. Integrative medi

Co-parenting with your stepson's chaotic mom is challenging when she invents reasons she should have custody. 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: Co-parenting with your stepson's chaotic mom is challenging when she invents reasons she should have custody. How can you ensure his comfort and care while keeping her from expressing her worst tendencies? How do you make the case for promoting someone whose work-related skills are top-notch while their social skills are lacking? How do you set boundaries with an intrusive — and honestly, somewhat insensitive — family? Should you b

Sound of Freedom executive producer Paul Hutchinson joins us for a politics-free conversation about the horrible truth behind modern child trafficking. What We Discuss with Paul Hutchinson: How did successful investor Paul Hutchinson get personally involved in undercover work to rescue victims of child trafficking? How does someone working undercover to bust child traffickers gain the trust of the world's worst people without losing themselves along the way? How do sting operations navigate international and local laws to rescue children being trafficked and bring their abductors to justice? How does someone heading a rescue effort even begin to pick up the trail of criminals that will lead them to the traffickers and their victims? How can we, as concerned adults and parents, take a pre-emptive approach to protecting children from traffickers? And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/872 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.

Conspirituality co-author Julian Walker joins us to discuss how influencers have curdled New Age spirituality and wellness with the politics of paranoia. What We Discuss with Julian Walker: Why have so many wellness influencers gone off the conspiracy deep end since COVID began? What do these conspiracies have in common, and who benefits from their proliferation? How do otherwise reasonable people get sucked down conspiracy rabbit holes? How "The female-dominated New Age (with its positive focus on self) and the male-dominated realm of conspiracy theory (with its negative focus on global politics)" has synthesized into a hybrid system of belief dubbed "Conspirituality" by sociologists Charlotte Ward and David Voas. Why a privately owned platform's refusal to host and perpetuate the views of disinformation peddlers isn't censorship or a violation of free speech. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/871 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:

Are personality tests valuable tools based on science, or just horoscopes in a lab coat? Comedian Michael Regilio joins us for Skeptical Sunday to find out! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Personality tests, like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, are widely used by individuals and organizations as a way to understand who we are and how we interact with one another. But how accurate are they? The Myers-Briggs test was developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers — neither of whom were scientists or psychologists. Companies use personality tests in hiring practices, potentially leading to discrimination and exclusion of qualified candidates. The Big 5 (5-Factor Model) is a more accurate alternative, but even it assumes personality traits remain relatively static over time. Psychologists and researchers should continue studying personality and behavior to develop more accurate and fair assessment tools that can better predict job performance and workplace success, but

Your boyfriend's not been the same since accidentally killing his mother's assailant. What can you do to help him? 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 boyfriend's not been the same since accidentally killing his mother's assailant. What can you do to help him through this difficult time? You never intended to be a father, but your girlfriend's unintentional pregnancy has you wondering what your ultimate role should be when the child is born. Your wife reveals detailed sexual fantasies when her memory-impairing sleep meds kick in, but shies away from acting on them when l

Ex-royal/Ex-SEAL Remi Adeleke shares an adventurous life spent between two continents and his efforts to end human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting. What We Discuss with Remi Adeleke: How Remi Adeleke's royal Nigerian family lost everything to the corrupt government when his father passed away. What it was like growing up in the Bronx, where drugs and drive-bys were plentiful. The unlikely movie that catalyzed Remi's decision to pursue a career as a US Navy SEAL. How Remi managed to pass BUD/S training in spite of entering the program before knowing how to swim. The grim realities of human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting — and what Remi is doing to fight back against them. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/868 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course! Like this show?

GiveDirectly President Rory Stewart talks about "mad" politics, long walks in warzones, and ensuring our charitable donations actually aid people in need. What We Discuss with Rory Stewart: What makes the UK's system of government "slightly mad" (even when compared to that of the US)? How the kind of skills that get someone elected as a politician can get in the way of governing well. How did Rory survive a walk across post-9/11 Afghanistan — just weeks after the fall of the Taliban, in the middle of winter, during a war, stalked by hungry wolves — despite being "guaranteed" it would mean certain death? What it was like to be one of the first people to see the ruins of a once-thriving city since Genghis Khan had destroyed it over 800 years before. How we can ensure that every penny of our charitable donations to developing places like Afghanistan and Kenya helps the people who really need it instead of stuffing the pockets of warlords, corrupt officials, and middlemen. And much more... Full show notes a

Do zodiac signs dictate demeanors and destinies, or are horoscopes hogwash? Dave Farina consults the stars about astrology with us here on Skeptical Sunday! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: The pseudoscience of astrology (not to be confused with astronomy — the legitimate study of space) purports that the position of celestial bodies relative to Earth influences events and human behavior. Initially designed as calendrical systems for predicting seasonal shifts and divining the will of the gods, astrology has been observed across cultures since at least the second millennium BC. From a scientific standpoint, astrology lacks a coherent explanation and fails to make statistically significant predictions. Experiments with natal charts and horoscopes consistently show no correlation between astrological predictions and real-life traits or events. Belief in astrology may offer comfort and purpose, but it hinders scientific progress and critical thinking. Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram,

How can you convince your politically active girlfriend to flee with you to safety should China ever invade Taiwan? 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 moved to Taiwan to be with your politically active girlfriend, but the threat of Chinese invasion always looms large. She's made it clear that she wants to stay and help resist should this ever come to pass, but how can you convince her to flee with you to safety and fight from afar instead? Should a rekindled old flame's dedication to an MLM "company" be a deal-breaker? He insists it's not a scam! Because you don't have th