1208: Antisemitism | Skeptical Sunday

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.

15 Dec 202447min

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

13 Dec 20241h 14min

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! 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.

10 Dec 20241h 28min

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

8 Dec 202455min

Therapeutic journaling about an ex's job offer became relationship dynamite when your prying partner found it. What now? 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're suffering through the aftermath of a therapeutic journaling incident — your partner discovered your private writings about considering a business proposal from your narcissistic ex-husband. How will you navigate this breach of trust and the relationship strain it's causing? You're raising a teenager who's experimenting with alcohol, and as someone who's witnessed both the destructive power of addiction through your brother and the rigid structure of religious upbringing, you're seeking that delicate balance in parenting. What's the right approach? After dedicating three and a half years to a relationship with someone whose family dynamics are increasingly draining, you're questioning whether to stay. Her father's narcissistic behavior and constant drama are wearing you down — but is leaving the right choice? Recommendation of the Week: Temporary tattoos. You're a telecommunications professional yearning to transition into addiction recovery work after experiencing profound connections during your own recovery journey. Despite setbacks and rejections, something keeps pulling you toward this path — but what's really holding you back? 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/1087 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...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 Dec 20241h 18min

Seeking fame and success can become an addiction that ruins what matters most. Stoic Ryan Holiday explains how to find sustainable contentment instead! What We Discuss with Ryan Holiday: The hunt for fame and success can become addictive and create an insatiable desire for more, leading people to rationalize pursuing them at the expense of family time and personal well-being. The constant pursuit of growth and comparison metrics (book sales, download numbers, rankings) often detracts from the joy of doing work you love. Many successful people rationalize sacrificing time with their children by claiming it's "for the kids," when in reality it's often driven by their own ambition, ego, or insecurity. Historical perspective shows that even the most famous or successful people eventually fade from memory, suggesting that pursuing fame or status for its own sake is ultimately hollow. You can create a more fulfilling personal and professional life by focusing on doing what you love for its own sake rather than external validation. This means setting up your work to be as independent as possible from outside institutions and metrics, allowing you to maintain creative control and do things on your own terms. This approach leads to more sustainable success and greater personal satisfaction. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1086 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.

3 Dec 20241h 22min

From Mao to Main Street: Michael Regilio unravels the surprising story behind Traditional Chinese Medicine's global rise 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: The modern global presence of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) is largely a result of political necessity rather than proven effectiveness. Surprisingly, it had been largely abandoned in China by the 1800s until Chairman Mao revived it in the 1960s as a solution to healthcare shortages — despite not personally believing in it himself. The scientific foundation of TCM's core concepts — chi, yin/yang balance, and meridians — remains unproven. Studies attempting to validate these practices face significant challenges, including the impossibility of true double-blind trials and concerns about data reliability, particularly in Chinese research where regulators found over 80% of clinical trial data to be fabricated. Acupuncture's effectiveness appears largely tied to the placebo effect, though this shouldn't be dismissed. Studies show "sham" acupuncture (needles placed randomly) produces similar results to "real" acupuncture, suggesting the specific placement of needles according to meridian theory may be less important than the overall experience and belief in the treatment. Cupping, while popularized by athletes like Michael Phelps, essentially creates controlled tissue damage through suction. Though it may temporarily increase blood flow, it can cause permanent skin damage if done repeatedly and may aggravate existing skin conditions. Chinese herbal medicine represents a bright spot in the TCM landscape, built on 500 million years of plant evolution and chemical development. Some traditional remedies have led to breakthrough modern treatments, like Artemisinin for malaria, showing how ancient wisdom can guide modern medical discoveries when subjected to rigorous scientific testing. This suggests that while we should approach traditional practices with skepticism, we shouldn't dismiss them entirely — instead, we can use modern scientific methods to identify and develop valuable treatments from traditional knowledge. 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,... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1 Dec 202449min

Your sister-in-law's behavior grows more erratic while your father keeps extending lifelines. When does compassion become complicity? 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 father has been extraordinarily generous in supporting your brother and his new wife, who's displaying increasingly erratic behavior — from throwing tantrums to making unusual demands. Now she's facing legal troubles, and your father's considering bailing her out again. How do you help him see that sometimes caring means taking a step back? You're a musician who's spent decades building an independent career, and your former mentor — once supportive but now oddly competitive — seems fixated on diminishing your achievements and claiming credit for your work. He's even referenced your medical condition in a song title. How do you handle this personally hurtful dynamic on a professional level? You're torn between honoring a $40,000 tuition repayment agreement with your current employer and accepting your dream job in Europe working on climate change solutions. As you approach 30, time feels precious, but so does financial stability. What price can you put on following your dreams? Your partner demands specific, scripted responses during arguments — requiring exact word choices and precise acknowledgments of past behaviors. While charming in public, they become controlling and threatening in private. How do you distinguish between reasonable needs and manipulation? Recommendation of the Week: Sour Grapes Following your mother's unexpected passing, you're seeking ways to honor her remarkable 45-year journey with rheumatoid arthritis and her impact on countless lives through charity work. How can small, meaningful actions create ripples of positive change in her memory? 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.

29 Nov 20241h 4min