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Jordan Harbinger

(Apple's Best of 2018) In-depth conversations with people at the top of their game. Jordan Harbinger unpacks guests' wisdom into practical nuggets you can use to impact your work, life, and relationships. Learn from leaders (Ray Dalio, Simon Sinek, Mark Cuban), entertainers (Moby, Tip "T.I." Harris, Dennis Quaid), scientists (Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye), athletes (Kobe Bryant, Dennis Rodman, Tony Hawk) and an eclectic array of fascinating minds, from art forgers and arms traffickers to spies and psychologists.

The Jordan Harbinger Show

From horse meat to wooden cheese, Jessica Wynn exposes the counterfeit foods that the "agromafia" criminally sneaks onto our plates this Skeptical Sunday!

On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:

 • 
Food counterfeiting is a massive global criminal enterprise • , with the "Agromafia" alone being a $16 billion-per-year industry. Criminal organizations have infiltrated every level of the food supply chain, from farming to distribution, making food fraud more profitable and less risky than traditional criminal activities.

 • 
Many everyday foods are frequently counterfeited, including olive oil, honey, coffee, seafood, and spices. • For example, studies found that 100% of sushi restaurants tested in New York City carried mislabeled fish, and many "extra virgin" olive oils fail authenticity tests.

 • 
Food fraud isn't just about economic deception — it can pose serious health risks. • Examples include melamine-tainted milk that sickened thousands of infants, nitrate-injected tuna causing food poisoning, and allergen concerns from undisclosed ingredients in counterfeit products.

 • 
The global nature of our food supply chain makes regulation and enforcement extremely challenging. • Products often cross multiple borders, making it difficult to track origins and enforce standards, while sophisticated criminal networks stay ahead of detection methods.

 • 
Consumers can protect themselves by making informed choices • : buying whole foods instead of processed ones (like whole coffee beans vs. ground coffee), purchasing from reputable suppliers, checking labels carefully, and when possible, buying directly from local producers. These simple steps can significantly reduce exposure to counterfeit foods while supporting legitimate producers.

 • 
Connect with Jordan • on 
Bluesky • , 
Twitter • , 
Instagram • , and 
YouTube • . If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at 
jordan@jordanharbinger.com • and let him know! 

 • 
Connect with Jessica Wynn • at 
Instagram • and 
Threads • , and subscribe to her newsletter: 
Between the Lines! • 

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1088

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1088: Counterfeit Foods | Skeptical Sunday

Explorer Victor Vescovo shares how he engineered a sub to reach 35,000 feet below the sea and what he's discovered in Earth's deepest trenches.

What We Discuss with Victor Vescovo:

 • 
Victor Vescovo led the Five Deeps expedition, becoming the first person to reach the deepest points of all five oceans. • Prior to his expedition, several of these locations weren't even precisely mapped, requiring extensive sonar surveys to locate the actual deepest points.

 • 
The average place on Earth is 4,000 meters underwater, and 71% of Earth is ocean — of which 75% remains completely unexplored. • This means about half of our planet is still unexplored, and in many respects, we know more about the surface of Mars than our own ocean depths.

 • 
The high pressures present at the deepest ocean points required innovative engineering solutions to navigate • , including a perfectly spherical titanium pressure vessel that actually became stronger with repeated dives due to the intense pressure "reforging" the metal.

 • 
Beneath 6,000 meters, the ocean is a sunless realm of absolute darkness. • But even here, life thrives beyond the reach of light under pressure that would crush the average surface dweller, hinting at the flora and fauna we might expect to find on even the most extreme alien worlds.

 • 
Anyone can become an explorer and push technological boundaries by breaking down seemingly impossible challenges into smaller, solvable problems. • As Victor demonstrates, by carefully analyzing requirements, building the right team, and maintaining disciplined program management, even the most ambitious projects can be achieved through methodical execution and persistent dedication.

 • And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1089

And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

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Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!

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1089: Victor Vescovo | Into the Abyss: Reaching Earth's Deepest Places

When your hostile colleague starts dating a suspiciously perfect man online, do you warn her or let karma take its course? 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 work at a brokerage firm where your colleague "Dolores," a self-appointed office manager in her sixties, went from being your mentor to your archnemesis • after you made the mistake of pointing out some of her mistakes. When she started gushing about a handsome British architect she met through an online word game, you noticed some concerning patterns. 
Should you have warned her that she was definitely being set up for a scam, or was it right to let karma run its course? • 

 • 
As a rising chef, you notice something off about your new boss's behavior • , particularly around tip distribution and suspicious activities at odd hours. When the tips seem inconsistent and large wads of cash appear from nowhere, you start connecting troubling dots. 
What dark discoveries await? • 

 • 
You're a department manager at a supermarket when your elderly janitor calls you in for an emergency with the freezer compressors. • Upon arrival, you find him nearly naked, operating the floor buffer in just his underwear, claiming "it gets hot in here." 
But that's just the beginning of his odd behavior... • 

 • 
You're a court reporter at an Ohio newspaper where your editor makes bizarre demands • — like covering two trials simultaneously and writing about judicial rulings before they're issued. When you point out these impossibilities, he responds with "That's no excuse!" 
Where does this surreal situation lead? • 

Recommendation of the Week: Gmail keyboard shortcuts
 • 
Working under the brilliant but destructive Helga, you navigate an environment where your leader's intelligence becomes a weapon rather than a tool for growth. • As she critiques every move and demands constant rewrites without clear justification, 
you wonder if you can endure the true cost of working under such "genius." • 

 • 
At an addiction treatment center run on nepotism, you encounter a CEO's son-in-law COO who exhibits concerning behavior • — from inappropriate touching to racist comments. When a coworker is suddenly fired for exploring other opportunities, 
you realize your position might be precarious... • 

 • 
Your boss styles himself as a mix between Tony Soprano and Michael Scott • , oversharing personal tragedies within minutes of meeting you. When he reveals himself to be a volatile character who demands employees "die for his company," you start planning your escape. But 
can you get out unscathed? • 

 • Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? 
Drop us a line at • 

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1090: More Workplace Fails and Bad Boss Tales | Feedback Friday

A $23B industry is warehousing and abusing teens under the guise of therapy. Survivor Meg Appelgate shares her harrowing story 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 Meg Appelgate, the CEO of Unsilenced, a grassroots organization dedicated to speaking out against institutionalized child abuse in the troubled teen and youth mental health industry!

On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:

 • 
The Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) is a vast, multi-billion dollar system that operates with minimal oversight, annually affecting 120,000-200,000 youth. • Like an invisible web, it captures vulnerable teenagers through deceptive marketing and scare tactics, turning typical teenage behaviors into perceived crises that supposedly require extreme intervention.

 • 
The industry's roots are deeply concerning, stemming from controversial organizations like Synanon and The Seed. • These programs' techniques were so severe that a 1974 Senate report compared them to Korean War prisoner brainwashing methods — a chilling foundation that still echoes through today's practices.

 • 
The long-term impact on survivors is devastating and scientifically measurable through Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores. • Like a computer virus that corrupts system files, these experiences rewire the developing brain, leading to increased risks of physical and mental health issues - from depression to chronic diseases — that can persist throughout adulthood.

 • 
Despite marketing themselves as therapeutic environments, many of these programs actually traumatize youth through practices like forced isolation, inappropriate restraints, medication misuse, and severe communication restrictions. • It's akin to promising a safe harbor but delivering a perfect storm of institutional abuse.

 • 
Positive change is happening through growing awareness and advocacy. • Organizations like Unsilenced are making concrete progress - helping shut down 90 abusive programs since 2022, supporting survivors, and pushing for legislative reform. This momentum shows that with continued effort and awareness, we can protect vulnerable youth and create safer alternatives for struggling teenagers and their families.

 • 
Connect with Jordan • on 
Twitter • , 
Instagram • , and 
YouTube • . If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at 
jordan@jordanharbinger.com • and let him know!

 • 
Connect with Meg Appelgate • at 
TikTok • and 
Instagram • , visit 
the Unsilenced website • , and make sure to read...

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1091: Troubled Teen Industry | Skeptical Sunday

From makeup to merchandising: Rock legend Gene Simmons reveals the business strategy behind KISS' 50-year reign as a cultural phenomenon.

What We Discuss with Gene Simmons:

 • 
According to Gene Simmons of KISS fame, pursuing wealth isn't just about personal gain but about creating value and jobs for others. • Like a stone thrown into a pond, he sees wealth creation rippling outward to benefit society, even when the wealthy person might not be particularly altruistic.

Gene's metamorphosis from an impoverished immigrant child who had never seen television or tasted jam into a global rock star serves as a powerful metaphor for the American Dream's transformative potential.
 • 
KISS' innovative approach to band sustainability focused on building devoted fan loyalty rather than chasing hit singles, creating what Gene describes as an "album band" culture. • This strategy, like planting a tree rather than picking flowers, prioritized long-term growth over immediate success.

 • 
Behind the makeup and theatrical persona, Gene reveals himself to be an unexpectedly scholarly figure, displaying deep knowledge of theology, history, and business. • His ability to counter religious critics with biblical verses and his understanding of entertainment industry economics show how knowledge can be wielded as both shield and sword.

 • 
Gene demonstrates that reinvention is always possible through decisive action. • As he puts it: "Don't like your looks? Change them. Don't like your name? Change it. Don't like where you live? Move." This philosophy of taking control of your circumstances, rather than being controlled by them, is something anyone can apply to their own life's journey, regardless of their starting point.

 • And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1092

And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

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!

Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!

Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1092: Gene Simmons | KISS and Make-Up

Your wife's cousin's boyfriend is catfishing you with his ex's photos. Plot twist: you know it's him and...kinda like it! 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 discovered you're being catfished by your wife's cousin's boyfriend using his ex-girlfriend's photos. • The twist? You've actually found him attractive at family events, and now you're enjoying this strange flirtation, knowing it's really him. 
How deeply do you sip this intoxicating blend of deception and desire? • 

 • 
Your Lithuanian name creates challenges in professional settings • — from constant pronunciation explanations to misgendering in emails. As you build your personal brand, you're wrestling with whether to adopt a more "local" name while still honoring your heritage. 
What's the right balance to strike here? • 

 • 
Your son, a newly commissioned military officer, is struggling with stress and performance issues. • While cleaning his room, you discovered ED medication, and now you're caught between parental concern and respecting his privacy. 
How involved should you be in this delicate matter? • 

 • 
Your girlfriend's teenage brother was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and believes their father's lies about maternal abuse. • The family's pain is becoming unbearable to watch — but 
is it your place to intervene? • 

Recommendation of the Week: Accupressure mat
 • 
You've saved money for both your children's college education, but one is attending an expensive school while the other chose a more affordable option. • You're grappling with fairness — should the funds be split equally, or 
should each child's full education be covered regardless of cost? • 

 • Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? 
Drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com! • 

 • 
Connect with Jordan • on Twitter at 
@JordanHarbinger • and Instagram at 
@jordanharbinger • .

 • 
Connect with Gabriel • on Twitter at 
@GabeMizrahi • and Instagram 
@gabrielmizrahi • .

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1093

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1093: When the Hunter Becomes the Honeypot | Feedback Friday

Balding blues? Magic pills? Mouse juice? Michael Regilio untangles the hairy history of vanity products on this week's 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:

 • 
Hair loss treatments have evolved from ancient Egyptian mouse-grinding adventures to modern pharmaceutical solutions like minoxidil and finasteride • — though these modern miracles come with some rather unsettling side effects, from growing unwanted breasts to potentially losing interest in, well, everything.

 • 
Vanity-boosting discoveries often happen through delightfully accidental means • — minoxidil started as an ulcer medication, while finasteride's development stems from studying a fascinating genetic condition in a Dominican Republic village where some children experience dramatic physical changes at puberty.

 • 
Collagen supplements, while sounding like a smoothie made from the entire barnyard, actually show promising results for skin elasticity and cardiovascular healt • h — though their benefits for hair and nails remain unproven despite widespread marketing claims.

 • 
Teeth whitening has a rather colorful history • , from ancient Romans' creative use of public urine collections (yes, really) to modern peroxide-based treatments, which thankfully carry far fewer risks than their historical counterparts.

 • 
The most empowering approach to appearance-related concerns might be the one suggested by an 18th-century British newspaper • : the best cure for something like baldness is simply not being bothered by it. This mindset doesn't just save money and avoid side effects — it offers a path to genuine self-acceptance that no bottle, cream, or ground-up mouse could ever provide. 
Sometimes the most revolutionary thing we can do is simply rock what we've got. • 

 • 
Connect with Jordan • on 
Twitter • , 
Instagram • , and 
YouTube • . If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at 
jordan@jordanharbinger.com • and let him know!

 • 
Connect with Michael Regilio • at 
Twitter • , 
Instagram • , and 
YouTube • , and make sure to check out the 
Michael Regilio Plagues Well With Others podcast here • or wherever you enjoy listening to fine podcasts!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1094: Vanity Products | Skeptical Sunday

Feel-Good Productivity author Ali Abdaal breaks down the real keys to sustainable success and authentic relationship building! [Part 1 of 2]

What We Discuss with Ali Abdaal:

 • 
High performers commonly experience imposter syndrome • , but awareness that it's universal and building genuine professional competency helps manage these feelings over time.

 • 
Relationships and "winning work" often matter more • than technical skill.

 • 
When starting a business, keep your day job until your time becomes the actual bottleneck • — don't "burn the ships" prematurely as this creates unnecessary pressure and can lead to poor decisions.

 • 
Help others without attachment to getting anything in return • , but do it in a scalable way (like making introductions) — even if 99 percent never reciprocate, the 1 percent who do can create outsized opportunities.

 • 
We share powerful insights about following genuine curiosity versus chasing metrics • , and balancing passion with practicality — with more valuable perspectives on financial freedom, happiness, and building a sustainable career coming in part two later this week.

 • And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1095

And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

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!

Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!

Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1095: Ali Abdaal | The Hidden Economics of Creative Success Part One

Feel-Good Productivity author Ali Abdaal breaks down the real keys to sustainable success and authentic relationship building! [Part 2 of 2 — find Part 1 here!]

What We Discuss with Ali Abdaal:

 • 
The Money-Time Paradox: The wealthiest people aren't always the happiest, especially when they become prisoners of their own possessions. • As one billionaire demonstrated, owning 15 empty houses isn't freedom — it's just collecting very expensive headaches. The real wealth is having the autonomy to choose how you spend your hours.

 • 
The Parenting Reality Check: Having kids changes everything in ways no amount of warning can prepare you for. • It's like evolution has installed a cosmic memory filter that prevents parents from fully conveying just how intense it is — probably because if we truly knew, humanity would've stopped at cave paintings.

 • 
The Two-Career Tango: Couples where both partners work intensely demanding jobs often face more stress than those where one partner has flexibility. • It's not just about the money — it's about having someone with the bandwidth to manage life's endless parade of squeaky doors and donation runs.

 • 
The "Freedom Investment" Principle: Financial freedom isn't about sipping mojitos on a beach — it's about having the ability to reinvest that freedom into what truly matters • , like being present for your kids' early years or having the flexibility to take July off without asking anyone's permission.

 • Here's something actionable you can do today: 
Run your numbers! Use a compound calculator to figure out your long-term financial runway. You might discover you're actually in a better position than you thought, and that knowledge alone can transform your relationship with work and time. • As Jordan found out, you don't need to win the Powerball to feel secure — you just need to know your actual numbers.

 • And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1096

And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

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!

Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!

Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1096: Ali Abdaal | The Hidden Economics of Creative Success Part Two

Between the corporate ladder and the stripper pole lies your husband's idea of networking. Time to redefine some boundaries? 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 husband attended a "networking event" at a hotel that gradually evolved into something more...exotic. • As the night wore on and clothes came off, he stayed for seven hours, claiming "this is just how men do things sometimes." 
Is maintaining professional connections worth the cost to your marriage? • And was this event really as "surprising" as he claims?

 • 
Your elder brother has a history of using you as his personal fall guy, and now he's sending bizarrely inappropriate gifts to your daughter • — including items she's severely allergic to. When confronted, he laughs it off as mistakes and jokes. With shared power of attorney over your aging parents, 
how do you handle a sibling who might not just be clueless, but calculating? • 

 • 
Follow-up from episode 973: • After a lifetime of trying to be the perfect Indian daughter while falling in love with a British man, you've finally made your decision. With packed bags and a sedated cat, you're about to drop the bombshell on your traditional parents. 
How does one navigate the delicate dance between cultural expectations and personal truth? • 

Recommendation of the Week: Tailored clothes.
 • 
End-of-year reflections • on the doozies, dumpster fires, and delights that came our way in 2024!

 • Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? 
Drop us a line at friday@jordanharbinger.com! • 

 • 
Connect with Jordan • on Twitter at 
@JordanHarbinger • and Instagram at 
@jordanharbinger • .

 • 
Connect with Gabriel • on Twitter at 
@GabeMizrahi • and Instagram 
@gabrielmizrahi • .

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1097

And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including...

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1097: Husband's Networking Involves Topless Twerking | Feedback Friday

Kevin Systrom (@kevin) is a computer programmer and entrepreneur who co-founded Instagram in 2010 with Mike Krieger. This is part one of a two-part episode. Look out for part two later this week!

What We Discuss with Kevin Systrom:

 • 
Why founding a startup now is probably easier • for the average aspiring entrepreneur than ever before.

 • 
What famous brands have pivoted radically from their origins • to become massively successful (including Instagram).

 • 
How to get honest feedback • (and know 
when you should listen to it • ).

 • 
How to get honest feedback • (and know 
when you shouldn't listen to it • ).

 • 
The simple idea that led to the creation of Instagram • , and what made it stand out in a seemingly saturated market.

 • And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/335

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 thank you personally!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

335: Kevin Systrom | Life Lessons from an Instagram Founder Part One

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