393: Joaquin "Jack" Garcia | Undercover in the Mafia Part Two

From Ancient Rome to the Antebellum South to modern Libya, Nick Pell unshackles the truth about slavery across human history on this 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 writer and researcher Nick Pell!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1149On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss:Slavery has existed throughout human history across virtually all agricultural societies. The transatlantic slave trade represents just one episode in a long history of human bondage that continues today.The American Civil War wasn't primarily fought as a humanitarian mission to free slaves, but was a conflict between two economic systems: agricultural slavery in the South versus industrial free labor in the North.While the 13th Amendment technically abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States after the Civil War, a loophole has been exploited to create a prison-industrial complex where private companies and government entities profit from cheap or unpaid prison labor.Modern slavery affects approximately 40-50 million people globally, with India having the highest number (11 million), followed by China and North Korea. These include debt bondage, forced labor, and human trafficking.We can help combat modern slavery by supporting reputable organizations working to free enslaved people. Sites like Charity Navigator can guide you to legitimate anti-slavery charities making a real impact in this continuing human rights struggle.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!Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider leaving your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!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!This Episode Is Sponsored By:Shopify: 3 months for $1/month on select plans: shopify.com/jordanCaldera + Lab: 20% off: calderalab.com/jordan, code JORDANLand Rover Defender: landroverusa.comSomething You Should Know: somethingyoushouldknow.netSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 Mai 1h 11min

Your dad denies ever hitting you when you were a kid, but your trauma says otherwise. Risk the inheritance to speak your truth? 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!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1148On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss:You're torn between confronting your abusive father about the violence he inflicted on you and your siblings growing up (which he now denies ever happened) or staying silent to protect your inheritance — money that could secure your daughter's future. He has a business worth over a million dollars and plenty of assets, but he's threatened to write people out of his will for far less. How do you balance authenticity with practicality?As head of technology, you championed a vendor partnership that turned out to be a disaster. They misrepresented key elements, costs are rising, and you've lost control of critical infrastructure. The worst part? You might be stuck with them for three to five years. While your CEO and board remain supportive, you're drowning in shame, dreading meetings, and questioning your leadership. How do you move forward?You're a disciplined 32-year-old investor who allocated over $8,000 to a real estate crowdfunding platform that has ghosted its investors. The company appears insolvent, withholding dividends and refusing to refund invested capital. Though the amount won't significantly impact you financially, the principle bothers you deeply. What options do you have for recovering your funds? [Thanks to bankruptcy attorney Erin Hoskins for helping us with this one!]Your 70-year-old fiercely independent mother is showing concerning signs of decline — forgetting bills, ignoring serious home issues, and recently was found driving her car in the wrong direction 40 minutes from home. You live in Florida while she's in rural Canada, and your sister nearby has her hands full. What legal options and practical measures can you take to keep her safe? [Thanks to senior services expert Pam Dukes for lending her expertise to this one!]Recommendation of the Week: RippedBody.comTwo years ago, you survived a suicide attempt following your wife's affair and abandonment. Since then, therapy and new relationships have transformed your life. On the first anniversary, you celebrated with the few people who knew about the attempt. Now approaching year two, you're wondering: should you expand this celebration to include new friends? Is this strange to commemorate?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.This Episode Is Sponsored By:No Story Lost: $350 savings: nostorylost.com, code JORDANAura Frames: $35 off: auraframes.com, code JORDANSkims: skims.com, survey: podcasts: JHSLand Rover Defender: landroverusa.comNomadic Matt: nomadicmatt.comLike this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider leaving your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!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.

2 Mai 1h 21min

Can music replace drugs? Daniel J. Levitin shows how your favorite songs can release natural opioids, restore memory, and heal neural pathways!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1147What We Discuss with Daniel J. Levitin:Music functions like a Swiss Army knife in the brain, not just a hammer. Different music triggers different neurochemical systems — dopamine for motivation and pleasure, endogenous opioids for pain relief — explaining why personalized music choices are crucial for realizing therapeutic effects.The brain's default mode network can be activated by music, providing a restorative mental break that replenishes depleted glucose levels — like nature's reset button for our exhausted, decision-fatigued minds.Music therapy shows clinical evidence for treating Parkinson's (by synchronizing movements), memory disorders, and pain management — sometimes reducing or eliminating the need for pharmaceutical interventions through our body's natural neurochemical responses.Musical processing uses different neural pathways than speech, which is why people with speech disorders like stuttering or neurological damage from stroke can often still sing fluently — offering alternative communication channels when primary ones fail.You can start your own music medicine cabinet today by creating mood-specific playlists for different needs — and counterintuitively, when feeling depressed, choose songs that match rather than oppose your mood. This validates your emotions and creates a feeling of being understood.And much more...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 Sponsored By:NordVPN: Get an exclusive deal at nordvpn.com/jordanharbingerIQBAR: Text "Jordan" to 64,000 for 20% off all IQBAR products with free shippingNorthwest Registered Agent: Get more at northwestregisteredagent.com/jordanNotion: Try it free at notion.com/jordanAirbnb: Find out how much your space is worth at airbnb.com/hostSign 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.

1 Mai 1h 23min

Ed Helms dishes on fame's hidden costs, his Office-Hangover filming marathon, and why historic blunders might be humanity's most reassuring legacy.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1146What We Discuss with Ed Helms:At 17, Ed Helms knew exactly what he wanted: to be an actor/producer for TV and film. This rare clarity gave him a massive head start, though he now recognizes success wasn't just hard work but also luck, privilege, and opportunity — a constellation of factors for which he's deeply grateful.Ed says the strangest part of fame is that friends claim "you've changed" when they're actually projecting their own discomfort. Fame also strips away your ability to control public spaces — no more escaping the awkward stranger at baggage claim.At his career peak, Ed filmed The Office Monday-Tuesday, then The Hangover Wednesday-Sunday — chartering flights from Vegas for 6 a.m. Office call times. He even removed his actual dental implant for The Hangover's missing tooth scenes while shooting Office episodes with a flipper tooth.Young Ed naively thought he'd balance being a traveling dad with non-stop film work. But reality hit hard, and now he declines projects that would separate him from family — even hypothetical Spielberg films. His former ADHD-fueled hyper-focus has given way to prioritizing presence.Ed's book chronicles humanity's epic blunders — from dropped nukes to CIA cat-spies — revealing our enduring resilience. These absurd mishaps offer perspective: we've always faced ridiculous challenges and somehow survived. Next time anxiety strikes, remember we've been falling on our faces — and getting back up — throughout history!And much more...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/dealsSign 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.

29 Apr 1h 4min

On this Out of the Loop, Nathan Paul Southern and Lindsey Kennedy explain the consumer decisions and corporate interests fueling conflict in Rwanda.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. Investigative journalists Nathan Paul Southern and Lindsey Kennedy are here to help us understand why we're hearing a lot about Rwanda in recent news.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1145On This Episode of Out of the Loop, We Discuss:The M23 militia has recently resurged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), taking over parts of North Kivu province and effectively controlling access to valuable mineral resources like cobalt, gold, and coltan — minerals critical for modern technology including electric vehicles and AI chips.There appears to be a connection between the UK's Rwanda refugee resettlement program (which sent hundreds of millions of pounds to Rwanda) and the reemergence of the M23, which had previously disappeared when international aid was threatened to be cut off. The timing suggests the UK money may have indirectly funded the militia.Rwanda is allegedly stealing minerals from the DRC, bringing them across the border, and claiming they were mined in Rwanda — creating the appearance of "conflict-free" minerals that major tech companies like Apple and Tesla can claim to use, even though they ultimately come from conflict zones.The conflict has become increasingly complicated with the involvement of private military contractors from various countries, Russian interests, and American billionaires like Elon Musk and Eric Prince potentially making deals to control mineral resources in the region.Understanding these complex global connections can empower us to make more ethical consumer choices. By researching which companies prioritize truly ethical sourcing and supporting organizations that monitor conflict minerals, we can use our purchasing power to encourage corporate responsibility and transparency in global supply chains for technologies we rely on daily.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!Connect with Nathan Paul Southern on Twitter.Connect with Lindsey Kennedy at her website and on Twitter.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/dealsSign 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.

27 Apr 1h 12min

After a criminal probe triggered by your unstable son's lies, you lost touch with your grandson. Is reconnection worth the risk? 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!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1144On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss:How exciting is jury duty? Listen as Gabe regales us with his personal trials and tribulations from the courthouse this week.You raised a son with severe behavioral problems despite years of therapy and interventions. After your husband's suicide, your son fabricated horrific accusations against you, triggering a criminal investigation and severing your relationship with your beloved grandson. Now that this grandson is nearing adulthood, should you risk reaching out?Your 65-year-old neighbor suddenly asked to borrow money twice in two days. When pressed, he revealed he's sending funds to a "longtime friend" — an architect stranded in Jakarta after an accident who just needs "one more payment" for surgery before flying to live with him. This is obviously a scam, but how do you save someone from their own delusion?You work on an understaffed hospital team providing essential services while shouldering impossible workloads. After implementing numerous improvements, your requests for additional staff are routinely denied. A new job offers better work-life balance but less pay — and your current employer just invested $15,000 in your professional development. Should you stay or flee?Recommendation of the Week: Morena Products Cashew Butter | Morena Products on InstagramYou've ended the four-year relationship with your high school sweetheart after realizing your boyfriend — who complained about driving to see you and only made time once weekly — was planning to propose even though he could seldom be bothered to respect your boundaries or support your growth. How do you harness this newfound freedom in an empowering way without being overwhelmed?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.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/dealsSign 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 Apr 1h 32min

Big porn sites enabled trafficking for profit. Here, Takedown author Laila Mickelwait shares how her fight against Pornhub led to industry-wide reform.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1143What We Discuss with Laila Mickelwait:For over a decade, internet porn content provider Pornhub knowingly profited from illegal content with minimal moderation (10 staff per shift reviewing 700+ videos each) while requiring 15+ flags before review and tracking profits from questionable categories.Sex trafficking includes deception/coercion in monetized sexual acts. For minors, any commercial sexual exploitation automatically constitutes trafficking regardless of consent.Financial pressure proved most effective in Laila Mickelwait's crusade against Porhub's shady practices — credit card companies cutting ties forced the company to remove 80% of content overnight, demonstrating how targeting enablers can be as effective as targeting perpetrators.Third-party age and consent verification for everyone in every video would prevent most exploitation while protecting privacy.Strategic activism works — Laila succeeded by gathering evidence, building coalitions with victims and experts, and applying targeted pressure despite threats and harassment. Her example shows that determined individuals can challenge harmful systems by identifying pressure points and maintaining focus on accountability.And much more...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/dealsSign 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.

22 Apr 1h 37min

From Emperor Shen Nung to Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign, Michael Regilio unpacks 5,000 years of cannabis history on this 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!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1142On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:The modern war on cannabis has deeply racist roots, beginning with targeted efforts against Mexican immigrants in the early 20th century. Officials like Harry Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, pushed explicitly racist propaganda against cannabis users, helping transform what was once widely accepted medicine into a demonized drug.Cannabis prohibition was also driven by powerful business interests. Companies like DuPont (developing petroleum-based products like nylon and cellophane) saw hemp as a competitive threat, while William Randolph Hearst wanted to protect his paper mill investments. These business moguls leveraged political connections to criminalize cannabis despite scientific evidence of its relative safety.The Nixon administration weaponized cannabis laws against political opponents. Nixon's domestic policy chief John Ehrlichman later admitted: "We knew we couldn't make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin ... we could disrupt those communities. ... Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did."Cannabis interacts with our bodies through the endocannabinoid system, a biological network that helps regulate mood, energy, balance, and appetite. Our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids, but plant-derived versions like THC are approximately a thousand times more powerful. Importantly, cannabis use during pregnancy or adolescence can be harmful to developing brains, with studies linking early use to depression, anxiety, and even psychosis.The good news? If you're over 25, moderate cannabis use appears relatively safe (unless you're predisposed to mental health issues). Today, cannabis legalization is creating positive social impacts through tax revenue funding education, environmental cleanup, and drug prevention programs, while simultaneously reducing spending on enforcement and incarceration — turning a historically problematic policy into community benefits.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!Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider leaving your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/dealsSign 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.

20 Apr 59min