260: How to Quit Your Prostitute Problem | Feedback Friday

Your mentally ill mom impersonated you, lied about your dad, and then vanished. Now you're alone and your sister's cut you off. 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!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1259On This Week's Feedback Friday:You were raised by a manipulative mother with serious mental health issues who impersonated you to your friends and lied about your absent father. Now at 29, you're isolated, your sister won't speak to you, and mom has vanished. Can you rebuild trust — and yourself — after so much damage?Your partner is loving, attentive, and supportive, but he's hiding alcohol and nicotine habits, and his lies trigger your past trauma from being cheated on. Add in a cancer-stricken cat, job loss, and 600+ rejected applications, and you're in survival mode. Where do you even begin to untangle this?You and your mom swapped social media feeds and discovered just how different your political echo chambers are — and how engineered that division really is. Now you want to burst your filter bubble and find balanced news sources. But in today's algorithm-driven media landscape, is that even possible? [Thanks to internet pioneer and social media critic Jaron Lanier for helping us with this one!]Recommendation of the Week: A passport holder with an AirTag attached (plus a sub-rec: personalized passport books as a holiday gift).You're pivoting from an oversaturated, unfulfilling career into cybersecurity. You've earned the certifications, but breaking in feels impossible. Your partner, your future family plans, and a potential move to Melbourne all hinge on this career switch. How long do you keep trying before calling it quits?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! 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 Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:BetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanAura Frames: $35 off: auraframes.com, code JORDANDeleteMe: 20% off: joindeleteme.com/jordan, code JORDANSimpliSafe: 50% off + 1st month free: simplisafe.com/jordanHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Dec 20251h 17min

Wisdom isn't about what you know — it's what you actually do. Author Ryan Holiday breaks down why virtue requires action, not just good intentions. Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1258What We Discuss with Ryan Holiday:Wisdom isn't knowledge — it's the consistent application of knowledge when nobody's watching. Ryan distinguishes between knowing something intellectually and actually living it. You can memorize every Stoic principle ever written, but if you don't apply those lessons when you're stressed, angry, or tempted, you don't possess wisdom — you just own some expensive bookshelf decorations.Reading is a legitimate superpower that lets you download decades of human experience in hours. Books give you access to conversations with the greatest minds across history — people you could never meet, asking questions you'd never think to ask. It's not about collecting titles; it's about systematically absorbing hard-won lessons from people who already made the mistakes.The Dunning-Kruger effect explains why fools rarely doubt themselves while the wise remain perpetually curious. True wisdom requires intellectual humility — acknowledging the vast ocean of what you don't know. The loudest voices in any room are usually the least informed, while genuine experts understand their knowledge has limits.Ego is wisdom's silent assassin — it convinces you that you've already arrived when the journey never actually ends. Ryan's refusal to obsessively check book rankings isn't false modesty; it's strategic protection against letting external validation corrupt the creative process. Soaking up applause feels good but produces nothing new.Treat learning as a lifelong practice: absorb knowledge as if you'll live forever, but act with the urgency of someone who might not see tomorrow. This ancient Latin wisdom reframes curiosity as non-negotiable and action as time-sensitive — a powerful combination that turns passive information consumption into meaningful, immediate application.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! 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 Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: Caldera + Lab: 20% off: calderalab.com/jordan, code JORDANCookUnity: 50% off first week: cookunity.com/jordan or code JORDANQuince: Free shipping & 365-day returns: quince.com/jordanAirbnb: Turn your house into a host: airbnb.com/hostAG1: Welcome kit: drinkag1.com/jordanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 Dec 20251h 22min

Kratom: Legal high or dangerous addiction? Nick Pell breaks down this gas station opioid alternative 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 writer and researcher Nick Pell!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1257On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:Kratom is coffee's rebel cousin with a split personality. This plant from the coffee family produces contradictory effects based on dose: low amounts deliver stimulant energy, while high doses act as a mild opioid mimicking weak Vicodin.Daily high-dose kratom use (10+ grams) creates opioid-like addiction. Withdrawal symptoms mirror opioid withdrawal but milder: anxiety, muscle aches, insomnia, and flu-like symptoms lasting a week or more with minimal medical support.Kratom exists in regulatory limbo due to supplement laws. DSHEA (1994) treats it as food, not a drug, requiring no FDA approval. This creates quality control nightmares with zero potency or purity standards across products.Scientific research on kratom is scandalously sparse. Most knowledge comes from Reddit posts and YouTube videos rather than rigorous studies, leaving a potential opioid-replacement tool completely unstudied despite addiction crisis.Informed decision-making beats fear or hype. Research dosage, sources, and risks before trying any substance. Understanding how kratom works empowers you to make smarter choices about whether it fits your needs or should be avoided entirely.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!And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! 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 Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Superpower Health Inc: $49 gift box with gifted membership: superpower.com/gift and tell 'em we sent youApretude: Learn more: Apretude.com or call 1-888-240-0340Jaspr: Visit jaspr.co and use code JORDAN for $400 offHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Dec 202551min

You left your husband after an affair. Now your boyfriend wants to marry you, but you're still in love with your ex. 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!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1256On This Week's Feedback Friday:Want to bypss the travel banter? Skip ahead to 14 minutes and 20 seconds!You had an affair that ended your 13-year marriage, and now you're living with that man — but you've realized you're still in love with your ex, and your boyfriend wants to get married. Do you tell him the truth and risk losing him, or try to let go of the past?You inherited a house with your siblings, but your brother — who lives there rent-free — has let the insurance lapse, refuses to let you renovate, and won't allow anyone inside. You love him, but he's a diagnosed narcissist who's taking advantage of everyone. What are your options?You've been stringing along pig butchering scammers to waste their time and protect potential victims, but then you learned that many of them are actually human trafficking victims. Is messing with them still justified — or are you just tormenting slaves?Recommendation of the Week: The Bradley Meat Smoker (Go to bradleysmoker.com/jordan and use coupon code Jordan to get 15% off)You were laid off as a federal civilian and you're wondering how to make the most of this unexpected downtime beyond networking and exercise. How do you spend it wisely without spiraling into existential dread?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! 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 Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Aura Frames: $35 off: auraframes.com, code JORDANBetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanSimpliSafe: 50% off + 1st month free: simplisafe.com/jordanDeleteMe: 20% off: joindeleteme.com/jordan, code JORDANJaspr: Exclusive discount: jaspr.co, code JORDANSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 Dec 20251h 9min

The same tactics that con artists use to manipulate you can be used to build trust. Dr. Abbie Maroño explains the psychology of ethical social engineering. Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1255What We Discuss with Dr. Abbie Maroño:Manipulation vs. Influence: It's all about intention. The same psychological tactics can be used for good or evil. The difference? Manipulation disregards harm to others and exploits fear, while influence builds mutual benefit and makes people want to collaborate with you. Con artists use manipulation because it's faster — but ethical influence wins every time over the long term.Scammers weaponize your emotions to bypass critical thinking. When emotions are activated, your prefrontal cortex — the brain's logic center — gets overridden. That's why con artists use artificial urgency ("only 24 hours left!") and exclusivity ("just for you"). They only need to appear trustworthy, not actually be it, because you'll act before you can verify.Shame is the silent weapon that keeps victims quiet. The reason so many scam victims never report what happened isn't denial, it's embarrassment. Shame becomes its own prison, preventing people from seeking help or warning others. This silence protects predators and perpetuates cycles of exploitation.Short-term thinking is the con artist's best friend. Manipulators prey on our psychological bias toward immediate rewards. Getting $100 now feels more valuable than $150 later — even when it isn't. This "survival mode" mentality keeps people chasing quick wins rather than building something sustainable.To protect yourself, remember that other people's emotions usually have nothing to do with you. When someone pushes your buttons or creates pressure, pause and recognize it for what it is: a tactic, not a personal attack. Shelving your emotional reaction keeps your critical thinking intact — and that's your best defense against manipulation and your greatest asset in any negotiation.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! 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 Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: Function Health: $100 credit: functionhealth.com/jordan, code JORDAN100LinkedIn: Post your job for free: linkedin.com/jordanProgressive Insurance: Free online quote: progressive.comLand Rover Defender: landroverusa.comHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 Dec 20251h 27min

Your fertility might be the canary in your body's coal mine. Urologist Dr. Justin Houman explains why this matters way beyond making babies.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1254What We Discuss with Dr. Justin Houman:Male fertility is a diagnostic window into overall health. Low sperm counts correlate with cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, and even earlier mortality. Your reproductive system is essentially sending you a biological memo about the state of your entire body.Varicoceles (varicose veins of the testicles) are one of the most underdiagnosed yet treatable causes of male infertility, low testosterone, and testicular pain. They cause blood to pool and overheat the testicles, and most men never know they have them because general practitioners rarely check for them during routine physicals.TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) shuts down natural testosterone and sperm production — and once you start, you essentially can't stop. Before jumping on the TRT train, explore alternatives like addressing vitamin deficiencies, improving sleep, and using medications that stimulate natural production instead.Erectile dysfunction isn't just a bedroom problem — it's often the first warning sign of cardiovascular disease. The same arterial issues that cause heart attacks show up in penile blood flow first, making your erection quality a surprisingly accurate early warning system for your heart health.The foundations of long-term hormonal and sexual health are remarkably simple: consistent strength training, quality sleep, stress management, and whole foods. Starting in your twenties and thirties, these habits build the infrastructure that keeps your systems running smoothly for decades to come.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! 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 Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Northwest Registered Agent: Get more at northwestregisteredagent.com/paidjordanBetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanArticle: Visit article.com/jordan for $50 off your first purchase of $100 or moreAirbnb: Turn your house into a host: airbnb.com/hostHomeServe: HomeServe.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Dec 20251h 19min

Bureaucracy kills more transplant patients than shortage does. Jessica Wynn harvests the truth about organ donation's dark side 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 writer and researcher Jessica Wynn!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1253On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:Over 100,000 Americans wait for organs while 13 die daily — not from organ shortage, but from systemic inefficiency, poor matching protocols, and bureaucratic bottlenecks that waste thousands of usable organs annually.Living donation is safer than most realize. Donors can give kidneys, liver portions, even lungs while alive and generally recover well, but workplace protections vary wildly by state, creating real financial and career risks for altruistic donors.The organ matching system is a bureaucratic labyrinth. HRSA, OPTN, UNOS, CMS, and CDC all overlap in managing transplants, creating inefficiencies that prevent organs from reaching recipients in time despite available technology.Ethical nightmares haunt the system. Scandals include surgeons nearly harvesting from living patients, global black markets exploiting the poor, and allegations of forced organ harvesting from prisoners in countries like China without consent.Register as a donor and advocate for reform. One donor saves up to eight lives and helps 75+ through tissue donation. Push for automated referrals, airline transport mandates, and better tracking tech to transform a broken but lifesaving system.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 newsletters: Between the Lines and Where the Shadows Linger!And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! 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 Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Shopify: 3 months @ $1/month (select plans): shopify.com/jordanTonal: $200 off: tonal.com, code JORDANApretude: Learn more: Apretude.com or call 1-888-240-0340Land Rover: landroverusa.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 Dec 20251h 10min

Your narcissistic wife refuses to work or leave the house. After you sought divorce, she attempted suicide and called 53 times. 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/1252On This Week's Feedback Friday:Banter alert! If you don't want to stick around for Jordan and Gabe's stories about hangry Japanese 7-Eleven faux pas, take the bullet train to about 16 minutes and 20 seconds into the episode for preferential dooze cruise boarding!Your wife has become increasingly narcissistic, manipulative, and homebound over the past five years, refusing to work or care for herself while treating you with passive-aggression and toxicity. After you filed for divorce, she attempted suicide and called you 53 times in 24 hours. How do you protect yourself now? [Thanks once again to attorney Corbin Payne for helping us answer this!]You've worked for the same company three different times and were fired once due to a background issue tied to a youthful mistake with an ex. Now they want you back with better pay, but you just accepted a six-month contract elsewhere. Do you bail on integrity or pass on long-term opportunity? [Thanks to HR professional Joanna Tate for helping us with this one!]You're a leftist structural engineer who believes we're facing a fascist takeover and wants to flee the country, but your wife thinks you're overreacting to podcasts and social media. Who should you trust — your fear or her skepticism — and where do you even find reliable guidance in these polarized times?Recommendation of the Week: Setting up an eSIM straight from your phone before you travel. Saily and Airalo are good options.You're an introverted loner starting a new job and want to network better with colleagues without becoming best friends. You're awkward in conversations, your mind goes blank, and someone once called you boring. How do you build professional relationships when socializing drains you and you struggle to connect?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! 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 Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Aura Frames: $35 off: auraframes.com, code JORDANBetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanNutrafol: $10 off 1st month: nutrafol.com, code JORDANSimpliSafe: 50% off + 1st month free: simplisafe.com/jordanQuiltmind: Email jordanaudience@quiltmind.com to get started or visit quiltmind.com for more infoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Dec 20251h 23min