1091: Troubled Teen Industry | Skeptical Sunday

How do ordinary people become dangerous extremists? Former FBI agent Scott Payne infiltrated America's most violent hate groups and reveals their playbook. What We Discuss with Scott Payne: Scott Payne worked as an undercover FBI agent infiltrating various extremist organizations, including white supremacists like the KKK and accelerationists such as The Base, which aimed to trigger societal collapse and establish a white ethnostate. Accelerationist groups differ from traditional white supremacist organizations in that they don't believe in political solutions, but train for violence and "Boogaloo" (race war), preparing with tactical gear and weapons while planning attacks on infrastructure and targeted individuals. During his undercover work, Scott encountered disturbing rituals and behaviors, including a goat sacrifice during which members drank blood and took LSD as part of a neo-pagan ceremony associated with white supremacist ideology. White supremacist recruitment often targets vulnerable individuals from broken homes who are seeking belonging and connection, with online platforms like Telegram and Gab serving as recruitment grounds where extremist content can radicalize disaffected youth. Deescalation and communication skills proved to be Scott's most valuable tools throughout his career. His experience shows that even in hostile environments, the ability to talk through situations and remain calm under pressure is often more effective than physical confrontation — a skill anyone can develop and apply to their own difficult interactions. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1132 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.

25 Maalis 1h 28min

Feeling rough after drinks? On Skeptical Sunday, Jessica Wynn reveals why hangovers hurt, why "cures" fail, and why dark liquors might be your worst enemy. 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 Jessica Wynn! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Hangovers aren't just about dehydration — they're your body's complex response to processing alcohol as a toxin. When your liver breaks down alcohol, it produces acetaldehyde, a nasty chemical that causes inflammation throughout your body. Meanwhile, your blood sugar goes haywire, your sleep quality plummets, and your entire system essentially stages a biochemical rebellion. Despite a $2 billion (and growing) hangover remedy industry, there's no scientifically proven cure for hangovers. All those miracle pills, electrolyte drinks, and bizarre remedies — from pickle juice to rabbit dung tea — are essentially sophisticated placebos. Your body needs time to process and eliminate alcohol's toxic byproducts, and no amount of coconut water can accelerate that biological reality. Drinking more alcohol to cure a hangover merely postpones the inevitable crash when your blood alcohol returns to zero. Similarly, the concept of "healthy moderation" has been debunked by research showing that no amount of alcohol consumption is actually safe — many studies suggesting otherwise were funded by the alcohol industry and used flawed methodologies. Darker alcohols like whiskey and bourbon contain higher levels of congeners (byproducts of fermentation) than clear spirits, potentially leading to worse hangovers. These compounds, along with other additives and ingredients in alcoholic beverages, contribute significantly to hangover severity beyond just the alcohol content. When dealing with a hangover, embrace the basics: hydration, rest, bland foods to stabilize blood sugar, and perhaps some mild pain relief (though be cautious with acetaminophen). While not glamorous, these approaches support your body's natural recovery processes. Understanding why hangovers happen empowers you to make more informed choices about drinking habits — whether that means switching to clearer spirits, drinking water between alcoholic beverages, or simply accepting that sometimes the most profound wisdom lies in listening to what your body is telling you about that third cocktail. 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 Jessica Wynn at Instagram and Threads, and subscribe to her newsletter:  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

23 Maalis 1h 9min

Your wife's dreams soar beyond the stratosphere, but you can't even pay for the launch pad. Can you ground her without crushing her? It's 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're struggling to support your disabled wife who dreams impossibly big — chief of medicine, political crusader, famous artist—all at once. When you ask practical questions about these grandiose ambitions, she shuts down. How can you support her dreams without reinforcing potential delusions? Your Indian wedding plans are being hijacked by family drama over your cousin's boyfriend from a different ethnic background. Your grandparents and relatives are threatening to make scenes or leave early if you invite him. How do you protect your special day without burning family bridges? At 24, you've hidden your porn consumption from your wife throughout your marriage. She separated from you, then moved back with one condition: no more lies. Now you've "acted out" multiple times, and she's left again, wanting you to file for divorce. What should your next move be? As an esthetician, your industry is imploding — unlicensed social media hustlers, changing regulations, and economic pressures have slashed your income by $20,000. You're working unpaid hours and making less than minimum wage. Do you stick with your passion in hopes of weathering the storm or pivot to something stable? Recommendation of the Week: Hand towels in the bathroom. At 41, you and your husband are frozen in indecision about having children. You've secured embryos but lack the unquestioning desire for parenthood that others seem to have. He fears regret over not having kids; you fear resenting them. How can you push past this life-altering stalemate? 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: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Maalis 1h 19min

From postage stamps to diamond-dusted $20s: Former counterfeiter Russ Swain takes us inside the addictive world of artistic forgery and its moral reckoning. What We Discuss with Russ Swain: Russ Swain's counterfeiting career began with painting a postage stamp for a job application. This minor forgery later evolved into currency counterfeiting when financial troubles hit, demonstrating how small ethical compromises can cascade into major criminal activity. Russ became physiologically addicted to the fear and risk of passing counterfeit bills. The constant state of alertness produced adrenaline rushes that became compelling enough to override moral concerns. Russ' operation showcased remarkable ingenuity: diamond dust for texture authenticity, printed textile fibers, and UV-inhibiting suntan lotion in the ink. This demonstrated how artistic talents can be repurposed for illicit endeavors. Despite financial gains, Russ paid heavily with his conscience, describing it as a "ghost" that constantly questioned his new identity. The ultimate price included divorce, church excommunication, and having to explain his crimes to his children. A full-circle moment with Russ' former high school principal shows how our talents can be redirected toward positive ends when we . We all have skills that can serve either harm or healing — the application remains our choice. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1129 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.

18 Maalis 1h 23min

Getting blackmailed over nonexistent nudes? On Skeptical Sunday, Nick Pell untangles the dark web of sextortion and why kids face the greatest danger. On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: The basic sextortion scam is just sophisticated phishing. Those alarming emails claiming to have compromising footage of you? Pure fiction. These scammers cast wide nets, sending millions of messages hoping a tiny percentage will bite. They typically have basic information (your name, email, maybe your address) purchased from dark web data brokers, but nothing actually incriminating. The golden rule: if they don't show you the evidence, it doesn't exist. Children face genuine sextortion risks online. While adults receive empty threats, children encounter a far more dangerous reality. Predators create fake profiles mimicking peers, establish trust, and eventually manipulate children into sharing compromising images. Once obtained, these images become leverage for extorting money, demanding more explicit content, or worse — attempting to arrange in-person meetings. It's a digital trap baited with false friendship. Modern kids are safer outside but more vulnerable online. We've bubble-wrapped the physical world for children with public awareness campaigns, enhanced security measures, and helicopter parenting. Yet ironically, we hand these same protected children devices that connect them directly to potential predators. The statistics are alarming: 40% of surveyed kids reported someone attempting to groom them online, and 6% of children aged 9-12 have sent self-generated sexual content. Victims often remain silent due to shame and fear. The humiliation of falling for scams creates a powerful silencing effect. As Nick candidly shared about his own experience with cryptocurrency scammers: "It's not about the money. Losing the money sucks, don't get me wrong. But it's so humiliating." This shame multiplies exponentially with sexual content, especially for adolescents already navigating identity and social acceptance. A staggering 82% of young victims report being too scared to seek help. Open communication creates crucial safety nets. The most powerful protection isn't restrictive software or monitoring apps — it's creating an environment where kids know they can come to you without judgment if they make mistakes online. Make it crystal clear: "If you ever get into trouble online, I'm here for you, I'll support you, and you won't be punished because someone manipulated or tricked you." This simple assurance can be the emergency exit that leads vulnerable young people to seek help rather than spiraling deeper into exploitation. Having this conversation today could save your child from becoming a statistic tomorrow. 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! 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.

16 Maalis 53min

Can kids you plan to have ever be safe around an uncle who chased a trans child with a chainsaw and put your fiancé on a kill list? It's 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 fiancé's uncle is dangerously unstable, lives with his grandparents, abuses his dog, threatens neighbors, attempted to attack a trans child with a chainsaw, and put your fiancé on a literal "hit list." Would raising children anywhere near this ticking time bomb of a human being be an irresponsible dereliction of parental responsibility? Your 27-year-old daughter has a master's degree but refuses to leave home, has no interest in dating, shows hoarding behaviors, and sits on your bed every night to "emote" about her life. The lack of alone time is driving a wedge between you and your spouse. How do you push her out without breaking her? The couple you've grown close to over two years has just revealed their relationship began online when he was 23 and she was 14 — a situation serious enough to trigger a deportation. Now they're 30 and 21, leaving you torn between your moral concerns and the meaningful connection you've built. Can you reconcile your ethical unease with the value you place on these long-standing friendships? Your mature 15-year-old daughter doesn't want to spend her court-ordered 75 days a year with her controlling father who restricts her freedom and communication. She'd rather pursue summer school, work, and volunteering. You support her wishes but can't afford a lawyer, and ignoring the custody agreement means contempt of court. What happens when the system fails the very child it's meant to safeguard? Recommendation of the Week: Instruments of a Beating Heart The cold, uncaring machinery of the workplace demands your undivided attention despite the sudden death of your best friend. Surrounded by painful reminders and well-meaning but clueless colleagues, how do you honor grief and survive the 9-to-5 grind when your emotional support system is the very person you've lost? 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Maalis 1h 10min

Of Boys and Men author Richard Reeves explains how we can address men's modern struggles without undermining women's gains. What We Discuss with Richard Reeves: Men are falling behind in multiple areas — education (60/40 female/male college ratio), mental health (40,000 male suicides annually), and economically (wages for men without college degrees have remained flat since 1979). Society often overlooks men's struggles due to fears that addressing them might diminish focus on women's issues, creating a false "either/or" narrative when we need an "and" approach. Traditional male roles as breadwinners have diminished without being replaced by expanded roles, leaving many men feeling lost and vulnerable to extremist ideologies. Increasing social isolation affects men disproportionately, with 15% of men under 30 reporting they don't have a single friend, contributing to mental health challenges. Men can overcome these challenges by connecting with other men, developing meaningful friendships, pursuing their own authentic path, and recognizing there's nothing wrong with being male. Building supportive male relationships and communities is essential for well-being and can counteract isolation while providing positive models of masculinity. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1126 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.

11 Maalis 1h 12min

Bananas: nutritious treat or geopolitical nightmare? Jessica Wynn unpeels the shocking truth behind our favorite fruit 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 Jessica Wynn! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: The United Fruit Company (later Chiquita) wielded extraordinary power in the early and mid-20th century, orchestrating military coups in Honduras and Guatemala, and influencing US foreign policy to protect its interests. This corporate empire even played a role in events leading to the Bay of Pigs invasion and Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1928, Colombian banana workers protesting for basic rights like real currency payment and decent housing were surrounded by military forces and massacred. While the government claimed 47 deaths, other accounts put the toll at around 3,000 — a stark example of the violence underpinning the industry. Even today, banana workers face inhumane conditions including chemical exposure, poverty-level wages, and suppression of union activities. The industry has been linked to child labor, sexual exploitation, and human rights abuses across Latin America. The banana industry uses more agrochemicals than almost any other crop sector, with about 85% missing their target and contaminating workers, communities, and ecosystems. Monoculture farming depletes soil, threatens biodiversity, and pollutes water systems, even damaging coral reefs. Despite this troubling history, consumers can make positive choices by seeking out bananas from ethical producers like Equal Exchange, Coliman, Earth University, and Organics Unlimited/GROW. These brands prioritize sustainable practices and fair treatment of workers, allowing us to enjoy this nutritious fruit while supporting systems that benefit both people and our planet. 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 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/1125 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Maalis 59min