The Jordan Harbinger Show

Wait But Why's Tim Urban helps us find ways to cope with the chaos of current events in his new book, What's Our Problem?: A Self-Help Book for Societies. What We Discuss with Tim Urban: Why we're so polarized and partisan in our political beliefs — seemingly more than ever before. How low-rung thinking prevails on both sides of the political aisle (and what we can do to ascend to higher-rung thinking). The perspective we can gain if we imagine the history of humanity as a 1,000-page book. How the internet went from a unifying force of human connection to a division-sowing outrage generator. Why we should strive to build our own "idea lab" instead of comfortably hunkering down in a tribally sponsored, anger-generating echo chamber. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/892 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 jor

Women Are The Fiercest Creatures author and Nobody Should Believe Me podcast host Andrea Dunlop joins us to discuss the prevalence of medical child abuse. What We Discuss with Andrea Dunlop: Munchausen syndrome by proxy (aka factitious disorder imposed on another): a form of medical child abuse where parents or caregivers fake or exaggerate their child's health problems for personal gain. How the widespread availability of medical information online, social media platforms, and crowdfunding has broadened the spectrum of people engaging in medical child abuse beyond professionals in the healthcare field. What the long-term psychological toll looks like for children who survive such abuse and how they struggle to discern the truth as they grow older. Why prosecution of medical child abuse cases is difficult when family courts may not thoroughly examine medical records and even accept a guilty parent or caregiver's word as fact. How we can keep an eye out for signs of medical child abuse, and who we should

On this Skeptical Sunday, comedian Michael Regilio joins us to discuss the pros and cons of bioplastics and the importance of responsible plastic use. On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Plastic pollution, especially single-use plastic, is a significant environmental issue, with 40 percent of all plastic produced being single-use plastic packaging. Bioplastics, made from renewable sources like plants and algae, are seen as a potential solution to the plastic problem, but come with their own challenges. Biodegradable and compostable plastics, often labeled as such, may not always live up to their claims and can end up in landfills, where they release harmful greenhouse gases. Harvesting algae from excessive algal waterways and using it to create biodegradable products, like flip-flops and packaging materials, is a promising and eco-friendly approach. To help address the plastic problem, individuals can reduce their single-use plastic consumption, properly recycle plastic materials, and support i

Guilt over stealing from your dad under the thrall of addiction also makes you ponder how his actions influenced your addiction. 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: Guilt over stealing from your dad under the thrall of addiction also makes you ponder how his actions influenced your addiction. How do you come to grips with your past to break the cycle of affliction (especially now that the cost of therapy surpasses your budget)? Can you restore trust to a relationship once infidelity and lies are introduced? Perhaps it's more important to wonder: Should you even try? Do you ha

AI advocate Marc Andreessen joins us to clear up misconceptions about AI and discuss its potential impact on job creation, creativity, and moral reasoning. What We Discuss with Marc Andreessen: Will AI create new jobs, take our old ones outright, or amplify our ability to perform them better? What role will AI play in current and future US-China relations? How might AI be used to shape (or manipulate) public opinion and the economy? Does AI belong in creative industries, or does it challenge (and perhaps cheapen) what it means to be human? How can we safeguard our future against the possibility that AI could get smart enough to remove humanity from the board entirely? And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/888 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

University of Sussex cognitive philosophy professor Andy Clark joins us to discuss how our brains experience and manipulate the reality that surrounds us. What We Discuss with Andy Clark: How your brain operates as a prediction machine that constructs an estimation of reality based on available data rather than relaying an entirely precise narrative of the outside world. The problems that arise when the senses through which your brain gathers data don't always convey an accurate picture of reality. What phantom vibration syndrome and auditory hallucinations may indicate about your brain's capacity for prediction. How your brain fills in the gaps when sensory information is missing or incomplete. Why placebos are often effective — even when you know they're placebos. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/887 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationsh

Why do some insist Earth is flat despite thousands of years of evidence to the contrary? Dave Farina joins us for Skeptical Sunday to round up some answers! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Belief in a flat Earth rejects historical knowledge, distorts observations, denies gravity, and originates from a mix of misguided ideas and online interactions. Flat Earth proponents misrepresent scale and ignore basic principles of grade school science in their arguments against a spherical Earth. The origins of modern flat Earth belief are uncertain, possibly beginning life as a meme or a conspiracy theory and gaining traction among the gullible for the benefit of disinformation peddlers. Debunkers have exposed flaws in flat Earth belief with easily observable facts, thankfully contributing to a recent decline in its popularity. Flat Earth belief exemplifies the broader issue of science denial in modern society and reminds us to do our part to promote critical thinking. Connect with Jordan on Twitter,

Are you right to cut ties with your grandpa now that his sociopathic, incestuous, and pedophilic history has come to light? 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: Some people in your family disagree with your decision to cut ties with Grandpa now that his sociopathic, incestuous, and pedophilic history has come to light. What should you do? [Thanks to  Maria Socolof and Brad Watts for helping us with another heavy one!] Six months off weed during a manic period brought you artistic success and closeness to your wife and kids. Now, in a 'down' time, an urge to resume communion wi

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