The Jordan Harbinger 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

New Lines Institute's Caroline Rose explains how captagon, a drug you may have never heard of, is propping up genocidal regimes in the Middle East. What We Discuss with Caroline Rose: What is captagon? Where did it originate, what are its effects, and why don't we hear about it in the United States? How captagon — with a potential trade value of over $5.7 billion annually — has transformed Assad's Syria into a Mediterranean narco-state. Who uses captagon on such a massive scale, and how is it manufactured and smuggled across borders? Why is Syria allowed a seat at INTERPOL, the organization established to reign in international crime — like the captagon trade? What can be done to stem the tide of captagon and prevent it from expanding its range and influence even further? And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/864 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and rel

Treasury's War author Juan Zarate joins us to discuss how the US wields its financial power against terrorism, rogue states, and global crime syndicates. What We Discuss with Juan Zarate: Why the Treasury Department became part of the intelligence apparatus of the United States post-9/11 — after resisting such integration for years. Sanctions: what are they good for and how do they work? How and why criminals (whether they're of the independent, organized, or state-sponsored variety) need banks and financial institutions for any major crime to succeed. What the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications) system is and how it's used to disrupt terrorist financing around the world. For better or worse, what role does cryptocurrency play in all of this? And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/863  This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals  Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and r

Do personalized ads enhance our online experience or intolerably invade our privacy? Andrew Gold joins us on this Skeptical Sunday to uncover the truth! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Personalized advertising relies on algorithms that collect and analyze user data to tailor ads to individual preferences. While personalized ads can be effective in engaging users and providing relevant content, they raise concerns about privacy invasion and potential manipulation. Voice-activated devices like Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri are designed to listen for wake-up words, but there have been instances of accidental recordings and privacy breaches. The use of personal data in advertising can lead to discrimination and perpetuate existing inequalities. Stakeholders including tech companies, advertisers, regulators, and users have roles to play in ensuring ethical and privacy-respecting practices in personalized advertising. Users can — and should — take steps to protect their privacy and advocate for stronger pri

At 35, how do you disclose your virginity on a date that might lead to sex without ensuring the continuation of said virginity? 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: If you want to keep up with the wisdom from our 800+ episodes and apply it to your life, subscribe to our Wee Bit Wiser newsletter at jordanharbinger.com/news! You're 35 and you've never had sex. How do you disclose your virginity during courtship with a potential partner without scaring them off and ensuring the continuation of this unfortunate trend? Should you maintain a friendship with your college buddies whos

Project Brazen's Mitchell Prothero reveals Europe’s cocaine crisis through the stories of cartel thugs, cops, journalists, and victims caught in the middle. What We Discuss with Mitchell Prothero: Why European law enforcement is ill-prepared to deal with the influx of crime and violence associated with a cocaine trade that has grown to rival that of the US. How European ports that have been historically instrumental in the development of international trade have become thriving modern hubs for drug trafficking. What makes cocaine the "perfect" drug for illicit entrepreneurs who want to make a lot of money on their own terms? Why loose cannon drug trafficker and murderer Ridouan Taghi makes fellow criminals as nervous as he makes journalists, agents of law enforcement, and European society. What needs to change in order for the European cocaine trade to decelerate? And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/860 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsor

Demographic futurist Bradley Schurman joins us to explore a future where over-65s outnumber under-18s — and the changes society will have to face. What We Discuss with Bradley Schurman: In the not-too-distant future, a staggering shift looms over the developed world: at least 20 percent of national populations will surpass 65 years of age, outnumbering those 18 years of age and younger. Termed the Super Age by Bradley Schurman, this demographic transformation carries immense potential for growth or, conversely, risks leaving many behind. Take Russia, for instance, where this trend unfolds amidst geopolitical turmoil and a high military mortality rate — 25 times that of Chechnya and 35 times Afghanistan's monthly casualties. Failure to prepare for these impending changes would usher economic stagnation, increased isolation for vulnerable communities, and hastened decline of rural areas. Yet, there is reason for optimism. By proactively planning, we can unlock the advantages of the Super Age: prolonged and

We delve into the drawbacks of fast fashion while highlighting the benefits of mindful wardrobe choices on this Skeptical Sunday with Michael Regilio! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Even under normal circumstances, the fashion industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions, water pollution, and waste, with clothes often ending up in landfills. What is so-called "fast fashion," and how does it create a constant cycle of trends and clothing turnover, leading to excessive waste and environmental damage? Donating clothes is not always a sustainable solution, as many donated items end up in landfills or have a negative impact on local textile industries in developing countries. The fashion industry relies on cheap labor and often exploits workers — particularly women — in factories with poor working conditions and low wages. How do we help tip the scale in a more sustainable direction? We can support eco-conscious designers, clothing recycling, and rental services while buying quality items and reducin

Should you worry that a blackmailer tipped you off to the FBI 10 years ago and it's been waiting to nab you at the border? 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: PSA: Listeners using Stitcher should be aware that the service is going the way of the dodo soon. Recommended alternatives: Podcast Addict (Android) or Overcast (iOS). Could a drunken chat room indiscretion with an allegedly underage blackmail scammer from 10 years ago lead to an arrest when you try to cross an international border for the first time since the incident? [Thanks to attorney Corbin Payne for helping us wit

Ian Urbina is a journalist, the director of The Outlaw Ocean Project, and the author of The Outlaw Ocean: Journeys Across the Last Untamed Frontier. What We Discuss with Ian Urbina: What makes the ocean the Earth's final untamed frontier? Who has jurisdiction to enforce laws in international waters? For that matter, what are the laws, and who makes them? How does slavery persist on the open ocean? Who is most vulnerable to finding themselves enslaved, and who is profiting from their misery? What percentage of the fishing that supplies Western cities with delicious seafood is illegal? What can we do to ensure we're not supporting high crimes on the high seas? And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/856 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 —

What is Russia's Wagner Group, and why did it recently try to depose Putin? John Lechner and Brian Klaas explain on this episode of Out of the Loop! On This Episode of Out of the Loop: What is Russia's Wagner Group, and what kind of desperate degenerates fill its ranks? How did catering chef Yevgeny Prigozhin come to lead this private army of marauders? Where do the funds that fuel Wagner's activities originate? What instigated Wagner's attempted coup against Vladimir Putin, and why did it ultimately fail? What can we expect from the aftermath, and what will likely happen to the ringleaders who dared to defy Putin?  And much more! Connect with Jordan on Twitter, on Instagram, and on YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on an Out of the Loop episode, drop Jordan a line at jordan@jordanharbinger.com and let him know! Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/855 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Si

Fireworks cause pollution and health risks while disturbing veterans and pets. On this Skeptical Sunday with David C. Smalley, can we find alternatives? Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and comedian and podcast host David C. Smalley break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Studies have shown that fireworks have negative effects on human health and the environment as they release toxic metals and contribute to air and water pollution. The noise from fireworks can be extremely distressing for combat veterans, individuals with PTSD, and pets, leading to anxiety, panic attacks, and even running away. Fireworks-related fires cause significant property damage and pose a risk to both people and wildlife. Fireworks regulations are fragmented and challenging to enforce, and there are political and monetary pushbacks against stricter regulations tha

Your sister's therapy is dredging up traumatic "memories" you're not even sure are real, and it's tearing your family apart. 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: PSA: Listeners using Stitcher should be aware that the service is going the way of the dodo soon. Recommended alternatives: Podcast Addict (Android) or Overcast (iOS). Your sister's EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy sessions are dredging up traumatic childhood "memories" you're not even sure are real, and it's tearing your family apart. How can you separate fact from fiction and mend the rift

Ryan Montgomery (@0dayCTF) is a professional cyber security specialist, the founder of Pentester (JORDAN15), and an ethical hacker known for exposing online predators. [This is part two of a two-part episode. Be sure to catch up with part one here!] What We Discuss with Ryan Montgomery: How vulnerable are your "smart" appliances to savvy hackers? What did Ryan discover when he hacked a pedophile website? How did the authorities respond when Ryan tipped them off about what he found on this website and who was involved? How Ryan and his MMA friend directly confront predators who think they're meeting minors in the real world. What should you do (and not do) when you encounter would-be predators online? And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/852  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

Ryan Montgomery (@0dayCTF) is a professional cyber security specialist, the founder of Pentester (JORDAN15), and an ethical hacker known for exposing online predators. [This is part one of a two-part episode. Watch this space for the second part later this week!] What We Discuss with Ryan Montgomery: What kind of background creates an ethical hacker? For that matter, what is an ethical hacker? What is the difference between white hat, gray hat, and black hat hackers? Do ethical hackers make more money than hackers who are less than ethical? What is a Flipper tool, and what can it be used to hack? And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/851 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

Striving to better yourself is a noble pursuit, and there are plenty of legitimate resources to help you navigate this journey. But how do you protect yourself against the unscrupulous shysters lurking in the shadows looking to exploit you at this vulnerable juncture? Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and fact-checker, comedian, and podcast host David C. Smalley break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Globally, the self-help industry brings in nearly $60 billion per year. But how much of this is generated by programs that actually help people better themselves? Under the surface, many so-called self-help groups are nothing more than cults that use coercive tactics — or even abuse — to keep their "customers" in line. These groups cultivate dependency among the flock while escalating the price of admission. A healthy dose of skepticism and genuine connec

Should you believe without question that the mild-mannered cousin you've known your whole life is a rapist, as your friend alleges, or should you take into consideration that this friend's past lapses in credibility may cast a shadow of doubt over this narrative? We'll try to find answers to this and more here on 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: Is it Jordan answering your comments on social media, or is it an AI chatbot? Beep? Boop? Bop? A friend's rape allegation against your cousin has you weighing the latter's mild-mannered reputation against the former's sometimes questionable cr

Yuval Noah Harari (@harari_yuval) is a historian and the bestselling author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. His latest book, Unstoppable Us, Volume 1: How Humans Took Over the World, is out now. What We Discuss with Yuval Noah Harari: At a time when information is unlimited, has the idea that "knowledge is power" become obsolete? It all depends on how careful we are about ingesting the right kind of information — and knowing which kind to avoid. Religious texts and nation-defining constitutions are only as useful as their human interpretations — which can shift radically over the course of generations. In what ways might technology like artificial intelligence and genetic engineering threaten a humanist-centered approach to the future? How algorithms that guess new ways to sell us things we don't need can be modified to put us on the hit lists of authoritarian governments. What humanity really needs to do in order to av