The Jordan Harbinger Show

Beyond pregnancy prevention, birth control pills affect the way women think and behave. Dr. Sarah Hill explains their invisible impacts here! [Part 2/2 — find part 1 here!] What We Discuss: Birth control pills can potentially affect brain development in teenagers, raising concerns about prescribing them for non-contraceptive reasons like acne treatment. There's a possible link between birth control use and increased risk of depression, especially in younger women (up to 300% increased risk for teenagers). The politicization of birth control information has led to extreme views on both sides, making it difficult for women to access balanced, scientifically accurate information. Current research methods may mask individual experiences with birth control, as averaging results can hide significant variations among women. How women can empower themselves to take control of their reproductive health while being mindful of potential impacts on their overall well-being. And much more — be sure to catch part one

Beyond pregnancy prevention, birth control pills affect the way women think and behave. Dr. Sarah Hill explains their invisible impacts here! [Part 1/2] What We Discuss: Birth control pills affect more than just fertility — they can influence a woman's partner preferences, career choices, and overall behavior due to hormonal changes. Women on birth control may choose different types of partners compared to when they're off the pill, potentially leading to relationship changes if they stop taking it. The pill can alter women's stress responses and immune function, potentially increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and autoimmune issues. Birth control pills may reduce sexual desire and change how women perceive attraction cues in potential partners. Women can make more informed decisions about their health and relationships by understanding these effects. Consider discussing with a healthcare provider about trying periods off birth control when making major life decisions or choosing long-term partne

If you're possessed by curiosity about the efficacy of exorcisms to eradicate evils or illnesses, Andrew Gold compels you to enjoy 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 On the Edge host Andrew Gold! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Exorcism gained widespread popularity after the release of the movie The Exorcist in 1973, which dramatically influenced beliefs about demonic possession and exorcism practices worldwide. While exorcism is not scientifically valid, it can sometimes provide temporary relief through placebo effects, adrenaline rushes, and psychological catharsis. However, these effects are typically short-lived and do not address underlying mental health issues. Exorcism practices can be dangerous, with some cases resulting in injury or death, particularly when performed o

Your wife's dementia diagnosis at 43 has turned your world upside down. How do you care for her while preserving your sanity? 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: Your wife was diagnosed with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia at 43, causing major personality changes. She now has delusions and aggression towards you. As her caregiver and husband, how do you cope with this devastating situation while maintaining your own well-being? You're a 31-year-old woman who's never dated before. You recently connected with a guy over intellectual discussions, but he suddenly cut off contact as

Ex-CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez reveals Cold War spy tactics, from high-tech masks to pop-up dummies, and risks faced by agents in Moscow! [Note: This is a previously broadcast episode from the vault that we felt deserved a fresh pass through your earholes!] What We Discuss with Jonna Mendez: What was it like to work as a heavily surveilled CIA operative in the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War? Why did the United States have to rebuild its embassy in Moscow from the ground up in the early ’90s? How aspiring artists like Jonna and her late husband Antonio (played by Ben Affleck in Argo) got involved in working for the CIA. How the CIA recruits brilliant scientific minds to develop cutting-edge solutions when it can only offer a fraction of compensation offered by the private sector. The evolution of how disguise has come to be used in the intelligence community since the ’70s, and the role Jonna has taken in its progress. And much more… Full show notes and resources can be found here: j

Veteran CIA operative and disguise specialist Jonna Mendez joins us to discuss how Cold War espionage shaped modern intelligence gathering!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1027What We Discuss with Jonna Mendez:Jonna Mendez broke barriers as a woman in the CIA during a time when women were often limited to secretarial roles. She had to persistently push for opportunities to do field work and technical operations.The CIA’s Office of Technical Services (OTS) developed sophisticated disguise and surveillance techniques, including creating masks, altering appearances, and devising ways to evade detection in hostile environments.Cold War espionage, especially in places like Berlin, involved complex operations, surveillance, and counter-surveillance techniques. The Berlin Wall era presented unique challenges and opportunities for intelligence gathering.Transitioning out of CIA work can be challenging due to the secretive nature of the job, with many agents struggling to

Is hypnosis helpful or just hyped hooey? Listen to the sound of Andrew Gold's voice as we explore its potential and limitations here on 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 On the Edge host Andrew Gold! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Hypnosis is real but often misunderstood. It's more akin to guided concentration than the sensationalized mind control portrayed in movies and books. Hypnosis has shown effectiveness in various fields, including pain management, anxiety reduction, and sports psychology, but its results can be variable and are not guaranteed for everyone. Scientific studies using fMRI scans have shown that hypnosis can genuinely affect brain activity, particularly in areas related to memory recall and visualization. Despite popular misconceptions, hypnosis ca

The creepy ex-boss you hooked up with as an insecure youth was recently exposed as a pedophile. How do you process this? 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 slept with a man twice your age when you were in your early 20s, only to discover years later that he was a pedophile. How do you cope with the guilt and shame of this unsettling experience? You've been premed since undergrad but keep struggling with the MCAT, jeopardizing your chances of getting into medical school. Is it time to consider a career change or should you give it one last shot? Your mother-in-law has kep

Body language expert Blake Eastman debunks nonverbal myths and reveals how AI is revolutionizing our understanding of human behavior and communication! What We Discuss with Blake Eastman: Traditional body language "rules" (like crossed arms meaning resistance or eye movements indicating lying) are often oversimplified and unreliable. Context, individual differences, and cultural factors play a significant role in interpreting nonverbal behavior. Detecting lies through body language alone is not reliable. Even trained professionals struggle to accurately identify deception based solely on nonverbal cues. Social context and cultural norms greatly influence how we interpret and display nonverbal behavior. What's considered appropriate or meaningful in one culture may be perceived differently in another. AI and machine learning are being developed to analyze human behavior, including facial expressions, voice patterns, and other nonverbal cues. This technology has potential applications in various fields, in

Nip, tuck, and...regret? Michael Regilio examines plastic surgery's complex history — from ancient noses to modern BBLs — 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: Plastic surgery has a long history dating back to ancient times, originally developed to help people with disfigurements or injuries, but has evolved to include cosmetic procedures. The popularity of plastic surgery has increased dramatically worldwide, driven by factors such as social media, filters, and changing beauty standards. In some countries, like South Korea and China, it has become deeply ingrained in the culture. There are significant risks associated with plastic surgery, including medical complications, psychological issues, an

A polyamorous adventure with your husband and a podcaster took unexpected turns. Now single, you're questioning everything. 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: You were involved in a complex polyamorous relationship with your husband and a popular podcaster. After your marriage ended, you continued seeing the podcaster but now feel conflicted about the relationship. How should you handle these changing dynamics and your evolving desires? You run a clothing company and have a local competitor who's been imitating your hard work, from product designs to marketing materials. They're even cla

Inside Russia YouTuber Konstantin Samoilov exposes what life under Vladimir Putin has been like — from fleeing mobilization to facing KGB threats abroad. What We Discuss with Konstantin Samoilov: Why someone who has lived through the transition of Russia from a Soviet superpower to an oligarchic dictatorship now lives in exile and sleeps with one eye open. How the arrival of companies like McDonald's in the 1990s had a significant psychological impact on Russians, challenging their perceptions of the West. The stark differences between American meritocracy and the "blat" (nepotism) system prevalent in Russia, which limits opportunities for those without connections. How, contrary to official propaganda, the Russian economy is suffering due to sanctions, brain drain, a mass population exodus of three million, and a focus on military production at the expense of other sectors. Why Russian state media has shifted from focusing solely on controlling internal narratives to actively trying to shape internatio

Is there a legal "cheat code" for avoiding US laws? Michael Regilio investigates this and other wild things sovereign citizens believe on 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, We Discuss: The Sovereign Citizen Movement is a fringe group that believes they are not subject to US laws or government authority. They often engage in pseudo-legal arguments and tactics to avoid taxes, licenses, and other societal obligations. The ideology has spread beyond the US to countries like Canada, the UK, Australia, and parts of Europe, indicating it's a growing international phenomenon. The movement has roots in anti-Semitism, white nationalism, and conspiracy theories. It appeals to people in financial distress by promis

Your niece, pregnant from incest, wants to keep the baby. You're worried about the impact on her and the child. What to do next? 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 teenage niece was raped by her grandfather and is now pregnant with his child. She wants to keep the baby, but you're concerned about the impact on both her and the child. How do you find a resolution to this delicate and traumatic situation? You're non-binary and in love with an older man, but your conservative parents disapprove. Caught between your partner and your family, you're struggling to make a decisi

All the Worst Humans author Phil Elwood is here to illustrate his past life as a PR operative who made powerful pariahs palatable to public perception! What We Discuss with Phil Elwood: Phil Elwood's career as a PR operative for notorious figures was essentially a real-life version of being a supervillain's henchman, involving ethically dubious practices to manipulate public perception. Phil's work took him into the belly of the beast, collaborating with shady organizations and visiting dangerous locations to spin narratives for some of the world's most detestable characters. The moral weight of constantly lying and bending the truth for nefarious clients exacted a heavy toll on Phil's mental health, leading to substance abuse and requiring intensive therapy. Phil's experiences provide a rare, candid glimpse into the dark underbelly of global PR and political spin, exposing the extent to which public perception can be contrived. Despite his ethically questionable past, Phil's story offers hope for redem

If you're constantly obsessed over predictions that the end of the world is nigh, Andrew Gold has some (mostly) good news for us 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 On the Edge host Andrew Gold! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Throughout history, would-be prophets and doomsaying groups have predicted the end of the world, but all have been wrong so far. This includes religious prophecies, cult beliefs, and misinterpretations of ancient calendars like the 2012 Mayan prediction. The concept of the end of the world is often used by religions and cults to control their members, instilling fear and promoting compliance with their rules and beliefs. There are several potential threats to humanity's survival, including climate change, nuclear war, pandemics, resource depl

Your husband struggles with emotions and faked crying in therapy. Is he a sociopath or just wounded? Can the marriage be saved? 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: Your husband of five years recently revealed he believes he has borderline personality disorder, struggles to feel emotions, and has a hard time considering how his actions affect you. He's even faked crying in therapy. How do you process this revelation and its impact on your marriage? You paid a substantial sum to work with a publishing coach who suddenly started sharing conspiracy theories about government shutdowns, pedophi

AI and biotech are rapidly changing our world. Superconvergence author Jamie Metzl explores the risks and rewards of this unprecedented era! [Part 2/2 — find part 1 here!] What We Discuss with Jamie Metzl: AI and genetics are advancing rapidly, leading to potential breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, and solving global challenges like climate change and food scarcity. The development of cell-cultivated meat and other animal products could significantly reduce environmental impact and animal cruelty associated with industrial agriculture. There are concerns about unforeseen consequences of genetic engineering and AI, including potential misuse of technology and ethical dilemmas. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of investigating disease origins thoroughly and following scientific evidence, even when it leads to uncomfortable conclusions. Everyone can and should participate in discussions about emerging technologies and their implications. By educating ourselves on these topics, we can

AI and biotech are rapidly changing our world. Superconvergence author Jamie Metzl explores the risks and rewards of this unprecedented era! [Part 1/2] What We Discuss with Jamie Metzl: Technological progress is accelerating exponentially. According to Superconvergence author Jamie Metzl, the scientific advancements made in the next 14 years will outdo those of the last century, followed by another century's worth in only seven years. AI (artificial intelligence) is not just a standalone technology, but will be integrated into every aspect of our lives, boosting the rate of scientific discoveries and problem-solving across all fields. Advances in genetic engineering and reproductive technologies may lead to the ability to select and modify embryos for desired traits, raising ethical questions and potentially redirecting the future of human evolution. The rapid pace of technological change is outstripping our evolved ability to comprehend it, leading to challenges in adapting and governing these new techn

Big Dairy's impact on health and policy is udderly shocking. Michael Regilio milks the truth from this cash cow of an industry on 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: Milk consumption by adults has not been natural for most of human history. About 65% of the global population has reduced ability to digest lactose, with some populations experiencing nearly 100% lactose intolerance. The dairy industry, with government support, has heavily promoted milk consumption despite questionable health benefits. This includes school milk programs and marketing campaigns like "Got Milk?" Raw milk can be dangerous, potentially causing diseases like typhoid and tuberculosis. Pasteurization made milk safer, but the dairy