The Jordan Harbinger Show

Why are Iranian hit squads operating in the UK and even the US? Former MI6 intelligence officer and spy novelist Matthew Dunn shares his inside info here! What We Discuss with Matthew Dunn: Iranian hit squads are operating in the UK, the US, and other Western nations, threatening to kidnap, torture, and kill Iranians living abroad who are critical of the current regime. These hit squads are not expendable cannon fodder — they’re usually composed of former members of the Iranian security forces and intelligence services who are seriously trained to get the job done. This is not a new phenomenon — these hit squads have been working since the ’80s. But how have they kept themselves largely out of the public eye, and why have they suddenly become more active than ever before? We’ll examine the threat these hit squads pose to their targets and the general population, and scrutinize whether or not Western intelligence agencies are taking them seriously enough to counter their efforts. What function does MI6 s

Where should we begin examining our problems with relationships, cheating, conflict, and more? Legendary therapist Esther Perel talks us through it here! What We Discuss with Esther Perel: People who cheat don't necessarily want to leave their partner — they want to leave what they have become, or to get in touch with another part of themselves that they miss. Is monogamy a state that mating humans evolved toward naturally, or is it more of a social construct imposed for the sake of control? Most of us don't argue because we love conflict, but because we're trying to galvanize some kind of change that requires another person's participation. So how can we argue better for the sake of both parties? What we can learn from conflict — especially with respect to creating connection. As an expert in intimacy and human connection, where does Esther see us heading as a species when we can all have bespoke AI in our pocket that just exists to make us happy? And much more... Full show notes and resources can be f

How do you and your sis endure life under your parents—who are "only" abusive 10% of the time—until you're old enough to leave? 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: How do you and your sister endure life under your parents — who are "only" abusive 10% of the time — until you're old enough to leave home? [Thanks to clinical psychologist Dr. Erin Margolis for helping us with this one!] Your long-term partner has been dropping hints about opening up your relationship, which only makes you feel like you're not good enough for him. Will insisting on maintaining monogamy just urge h

What brought long-term hostilities between Israel and Hamas to a boiling point, and what happens next? Ryan McBeth brings us in from Out of the Loop. Welcome to what we're calling our "Out of the Loop" episodes, where we dig a little deeper into fascinating current events that may only register as a blip on the media's news cycle and have conversations with the people who find themselves immersed in them. On This Episode of Out of the Loop with Ryan McBeth, We Discuss: Hamas, a Sunni Islamist group that seeks to establish an Islamic state in Palestine, launched a terrorist attack against Israel this week. Retaliation has been swift, but as many as 150 civilians (some of them American) are being held hostage. By the time this episode is published, Israel's death toll from these attacks has hit 1,200. More than 1,100 people have died in Israeli air strikes on Gaza. What started the feud between Israel and Hamas, how long these hostilities have been escalating, and what ignited the current round of atrocities

Outrage Machine author Tobias Rose-Stockwell explains how social media fuels our negative emotions and disrupts society — and what we can do about it. What We Discuss with Tobias Rose-Stockwell: How social media inadvertently created what Tobias Rose-Stockwell calls an "outrage machine" that fuels our negative emotions and disrupts society. Because it generates more attention (which translates into more money), negative news is more widely shared and discussed than good news, which makes it seem like the world is worse than it actually is. The more information we produce and share online, the more powerful the algorithms and AI designed to keep us engaged — and outraged — become. The longer people spend on social media, the more likely they are to be politically extreme — and elements on every inch of the political spectrum manipulate this to their advantage. The steps we can take to guard against the outrage machine's control over our emotions and distortion of our reality. And much more... Full show

Is your mean drunk sister really the best choice to care for your dad while he's going through the early stages of dementia? 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: Is your mean drunk sister really the best choice to care for your dad while he's going through the early stages of dementia? Can someone who was abused during involuntary commitment receive anonymous therapy to work through their trauma without the therapist knowing their identity or reporting them to the police if they disclose suicidal thoughts? [Thanks to clinical psychologist Dr. Erin Margolis for helping us with this one!]

Learn how to optimize decision-making, gain competitive advantage, and live more intentionally through clear thinking with Farnam Street's Shane Parrish. What We Discuss with Shane Parrish: Clear thinking equips you to identify transformative moments and adjust your response in the critical space between stimulus and reaction. Despite seeing ourselves as life's main characters, many of us operate on autopilot, guided by ingrained behavioral defaults shaped by biology, evolution, and culture. In our lowest moments, we react without thought, often missing the chance to engage in reasoning. Conversely, at our best, we identify these moments and employ our full capacity for reasoning. Your options are defined by your position in ordinary moments. A good position offers abundant and improved choices, while a bad one confines and diminishes options over time. Learn how you can optimize decision-making, gain competitive advantage, and live a more intentional life through clear thinking. And much more... Full

Who are the key players in Sudan's new civil war, and what's the "best" way this can play out? ICRC's Dr. Gasim Mohammed takes us behind the scenes!Welcome to another one of our "Out of the Loop" episodes, where we dig a little deeper into fascinating current events that may only register as a blip on the media's news cycle and have conversations with the people who find themselves immersed in them. On This Episode of Out of the Loop: Sudan is currently in a civil war between two factions of the military: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The SAF is led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who led the military coup in 2021 that ousted the civilian government. The RSF is led by General Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Darfur. This latest civil war in a nation accustomed to conflict has triggered a humanitarian crisis, leading to the displacement of millions who urgently require food and medical assistance.

How do you overcome your abusive father's harassment and protect yourself from his unhinged, unwelcome intrusions in the future? 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: How do you overcome your abusive father's harassment and protect yourself from his unhinged, unwelcome intrusions in the future? Should you endure the discomfort of working alongside a sleazy colleague who sleeps with every woman he can, or actively seek new employment despite being a few months away from your degree? Should you step down as best man for kicking a disrespectful jerk of a guest out of your friend's

What makes rational people believe irrational things? For that matter, how do we know we're the ones being rational? Misbelief author Dan Ariely explains! What We Discuss with Dan Ariely: Why some of our family and friends we once considered rational have succumbed to "misbelief" — they doubt widely confirmed facts and wholeheartedly buy into bizarre conspiracy theories that wouldn't pass muster in an elementary school science fair. Why misbelief has a universal appeal to human beings on both sides of the political divide, and how understanding the psychology behind it helps us diminish its impact. How misbelief campaigns are often ignited by people who operate in bad faith for power, fame, and money, but the majority of people who fall for their grift (and spread it) are victims who require empathy, not judgment, to break free. Dan shares the psychological toll of receiving death threats from conspiracy theorists who believe he's part of some sinister global cabal intent on decimating the human populati

Tired of constantly craving what you don't have instead of being satisfied with what you do? Scarcity Brain author Michael Easter is here to help! What We Discuss with Michael Easter: What is the scarcity brain that helped humans evolve to run the planet, and how does it work against us in the context of the modern world? How the scarcity loop operates like a "serial killer" of motivation to push us into repeat behaviors that can be fun in the short term, but have the potential to harm us in the long term. What causes us to manufacture the scarcity loops that can ruin our lives with minimal prompting — and what can pigeons teach us about how the scarcity brain processes gambling? How we can break these scarcity loops when they're so entrenched in every aspect of our behavior. How scarcity loops can be gamed for positive benefit. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/902 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign u

Your lawn may be your pride and joy, but is there an environmentally friendly alternative? Join us in the weeds with Michael Regilio on Skeptical Sunday! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Lawns are a symbol of American culture, but they have significant environmental drawbacks — including water wastage, pesticide use, and habitat destruction. The origins of lawns can be traced back to British aristocracy, who sought to emulate Italian landscape paintings with vast, manicured lawns around their mansions. Lawns in the United States became more widespread after World War II, with suburban developments like Levittown contributing to their popularity. Noise pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases from lawn care equipment are on the rise in a landscaping industry that pulls in over $100 billion per year. Transitioning to alternatives like xeriscaping, native gardens, or even painting brown lawns green can reduce the environmental harm caused by traditional grass lawns. Connect with Jordan on Twitter, I

Your openly swinging friends brought a third into their relationship, and you worry about how it's affecting their kids. Welcome to another 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 concerned about your friends' unconventional swinging throuple lifestyle and its potential impact on their children. How do you check in without seeming judgmental? Pregnancy-related fatigue has you struggling to balance your professional and personal life, and the guilt of underachievement is bringing you down. What do you do when life gets in the way of your own expectations? Your partner plans on ditchin

Bigger, Better, Bolder author Jennifer Cohen helps us develop the confidence to pursue the life we want instead of settling for the life we get. What We Discuss with Jennifer Cohen: Even the innately shy and introverted can develop a skill set of boldness to fearlessly pursue relationships, careers, and whatever bounties life has to offer. Why boldness is more important than intelligence when it comes to taking advantage of opportunities that come your way. How you can craft personal and professional connections without being schmoozy about it. Even Beyoncé needs to adopt an alter ego to pull off her legendary, larger-than-life feats of performance — so imagine what miracles adopting your own alter ego can work for you. How someone at rock bottom can still find ways to exercise gratitude and remain hopeful for better times ahead. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/899 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign

Wildlife biologist Forrest Galante rejoins us to discuss rediscovering "lost" species and why we should resurrect the dodo, thylacine, and woolly mammoth. What We Discuss with Forrest Galante: What's Forrest been up to since his last visit to this show? Just milking venomous sea snakes and trying to find out why orcas are slaughtering great white sharks en masse. Where are the world's biggest snakes found, and do they ever eat people? What did Forrest find inside the world's largest cave — besides a variety of isolated ecosystems with their own weather systems? Why following leads for unknown or thought-to-be-extinct species isn't tinfoil hat territory — and the clever ways Forrest and his team track them. How likely is it that science will be used to resurrect extinct species like the woolly mammoth, dodo bird, and thylacine in the near future — and how does this ambitious goal fit into the conservation of existing ecosystems? And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanhar

Should you throw in the friendship towel after a feckless frottage foul with someone's significant other? Can you make it right? 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: Should you throw in the friendship towel after a feckless frottage foul with someone's significant other, or can you make it right? Shrugging your shoulders and quipping, "At least it's a dry cheat" is probably not your best option. As parents, you've been bearing the burden of your adult daughter's bad choices in education, employment, and financial responsibilities, but she hasn't always been so reckless. What's c

Recovering stolen ships from pirates in the world's most troubled waters is big business, and Captain Max Hardberger is here to steer us through it. What We Learn in Conversation with Captain Max Hardberger: Not all pirates are impoverished desperados with nothing to lose — the most vicious ones wear suits and hobnob with royalty. The surprising places where ships are illegitimately seized by the rich and powerful who know how to play the game. When ship owners can't recover their seized property through legal channels in corrupt courts, they turn to people like Captain Max Hardberger. How Max determines if someone's claim to a seized ship is valid, or if they're trying to scam him into heisting somebody else's property. The extreme "extraction" methods Max is prepared to employ when ships can't be reclaimed by mere paperwork. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/896 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up

What can an 85-year study tell us about the science of happiness, and how can we leverage this knowledge to live the good life? Robert Waldinger explains! What We Discuss with Robert Waldinger: How does the ongoing Harvard Study of Adult Development, initiated in 1938, shed light on the key elements of leading a happy and fulfilling life? Relationships are the most important component of happiness — the good news is it's never too late to make new friends. The touch of a good friend or a beloved pet can bring our stress levels down and reduce whatever pain we're experiencing at that moment. 20 years from now, the only people who will remember that you worked late are your kids. Social media can be responsible for generating a lot of angst and FOMO, but it can also contribute to happiness if you use it for curated, positive communication with others. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/895 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinge

Even if psychics and tarot cards can't give you reliable advice from the great beyond, what's the harm? Join us for Skeptical Sunday with David C. Smalley! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Why aren't psychics and tarot card readers prosecuted for fraud when they can't genuinely provide supernatural information to paying clients? Furthermore, why do they charge for their services if they could simply use their powers to win the lottery? If psychics can't really tap into the other side for forbidden knowledge from beyond the grave, how do they seem to know so much about my dead uncle's final wishes? Despite a thriving industry of self-proclaimed psychics claiming expertise in finding missing children and solving cold cases, investigative journalists (and normal people just paying attention) have proven their claims wrong more often than right. What tarot cards are actually telling you. It's easy to dismiss psychics as harmless fun and a way for people to cope with the loss of their loved ones, b

Can you balance support for an unlucky but amicable ex with personal boundaries that keep you tethered to your own improvement? 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 you balance support for an unlucky but amicable ex with personal boundaries that keep you tethered to your own improvement? As the rock upon which others find stability when they're pushed to their limits, official assistance for your coaching role is lacking. Is it time to organize? Is the therapist advising you to stick with your philandering, narcissistic dentist of a husband because "you're not getting any y