1208: Antisemitism | Skeptical Sunday

What's really happening when we sleep? Michael Regilio tucks us in and takes us to the alluring world of dreams and their purpose 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! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Dreams serve important biological functions, including problem-solving, emotional processing, and memory consolidation. Scientists have observed that dreaming can improve task performance and help solve complex problems. Sleep cycles consist of four phases: NREM 1, NREM 2, NREM 3, and REM sleep. REM sleep is when most vivid dreaming occurs, and certain areas of the brain are even more active during this phase than when awake. Common dream themes exist across cultures, such as being chased, being late for an exam, or being naked in public. These may serve evolutionary purposes like threat simulation or primitive instinct rehearsal. Sleep disorders like REM Behavior Disorder (RBD) can be dangerous, as people may physically act out their dreams. Conversely, sleep paralysis prevents most people from acting out dreams but can lead to frightening experiences. Anyone can increase their chances of having lucid dreams — where you're aware you're dreaming and can sometimes control the dream – through simple techniques like regularly asking yourself if you're awake or asleep throughout the day, or setting an intention to have a lucid dream before going to sleep. Practicing these techniques can lead to fascinating dream experiences and potential benefits for problem-solving and creativity. 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: jordanharbinger.com/1060 If you love listening to this show as much as we love making it, would you please See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 Okt 20241h 8min

Your childhood abuser runs a daycare. Can you get justice for his past misdeeds while preventing him access to future victims? 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 that a man who sexually abused you as a child is now running a childcare program in another state. With this alarming information, how can you protect potential victims and seek justice after so many years? [Thanks — once again — to attorney Corbin Payne for helping us answer this one!] Your girlfriend recently moved for a demanding new job, drastically reducing your communication. As she asserts her individuality, you're struggling with insecurity and distance. Is there a path forward that honors both her independence and your need for intimacy? After a traumatic brain injury, you've overcome many obstacles but still struggle with a limited "social battery" as a business owner. How do you balance your professional obligations with your need for reduced social interaction? As a hard-working cook taking on extra responsibilities, you're torn between giving your all and potentially being taken advantage of. How will you decide whether to continue going above and beyond or set firmer boundaries? Recommendation of the Week: Venus Fly Trap You spent years in a relationship with a narcissist who isolated you from loved ones and subjected you to verbal and physical abuse. What gave you the strength to finally leave, and how did your life change afterward? 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/1059 If you love listening to this show as much as we love making...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 Okt 20241h 6min

End Honour Killings co-founder Nina Aouilk reveals the shocking reality of forced marriage, domestic slavery, and honor killings in the West. [Pt. 2/2 — find Pt. 1 here!] What We Discuss with Nina Aouilk: Nina Aouilk survived multiple instances of severe domestic abuse, including an attempted honor killing by her family and years of control and violence from her partner. Honor killings and forced marriages are still occurring in Western countries like the UK, USA, and Canada, often hidden within certain cultural communities. The imprisonment of Nina's father for trafficking his own child highlights the urgent need for awareness and action against human trafficking in all communities. Many victims of abuse and potential honor killings are afraid to speak out due to cultural pressures, shame, and fear, which enables the cycle of abuse to continue. There are ways we can all help combat these issues: trust your intuition if you suspect someone is in danger, ask simple questions to disrupt potential violent situations, make discreet calls to authorities if you're concerned about someone's safety, and support organizations working to end honor killings and forced marriages (like Nina's own End Honour Killings). And much more — be sure to check out part one of this conversation here if you haven’t already! Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1058 If you love listening to this show as much as we love making it, would you please peruse and reply to our Membership Survey here? 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...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3 Okt 202455min

End Honour Killings co-founder Nina Aouilk reveals the shocking reality of forced marriage, domestic slavery, and honor killings in the West. [Pt. 1/2] What We Discuss with Nina Aouilk: Nina Aouilk grew up in an abusive household in the UK, where she was treated as a servant and subjected to severe physical and emotional abuse by her family. At age 14, Nina was gang-raped by her father and his friends, resulting in a pregnancy that was forcibly aborted. Her mother blamed Nina for the assault. At age 15, Nina was traded by her father to one of her rapists in a sham marriage arrangement, where she continued to face extreme abuse and exploitation. Nina witnessed horrific cultural practices like bride burnings and infanticide of baby girls in her community, with little intervention from authorities. Despite the trauma, Nina found ways to persevere, such as excelling at work and finding moments of kindness. Her story shows that it's possible to overcome even the most difficult circumstances through resilience, seeking opportunities, and holding onto hope for a better future. As co-founder of End Honour Killings, she now empowers and educates women and girls worldwide to break their cycles of abuse and live the lives they deserve. And much more — be sure to tune in to part two of this conversation later this week! Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1057 If you love listening to this show as much as we love making it, would you please peruse and reply to our Membership Survey here? 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.

1 Okt 202455min

Can sugar pills heal or harm? Neuroscientist Dr. Helena Hartmann unravels the mysteries of placebo and nocebo effects 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 neuroscientist, psychologist, and science communicator Dr. Helena Hartmann of University Hospital Essen! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Placebo and nocebo effects are powerful psychological phenomena that can have a significant impact on health outcomes. Placebos can lead to positive effects, while nocebos can cause negative effects, even without any active medical ingredients. Expectations play a crucial role in placebo and nocebo effects. Positive expectations can enhance treatment outcomes, while negative expectations can diminish or even reverse the effects of otherwise effective medications. These effects are not just "in our heads" but involve complex psychoneurobiological processes. They can trigger real physiological changes in the brain and body, including the release of pain-relieving substances and alterations in pain transmission in the spinal cord. Social and environmental factors, such as the price of medication, invasiveness of treatment, and information from others (including social media), can influence the strength of placebo and nocebo effects. We can harness the power of placebo effects to improve medical treatments. By fostering positive expectations, healthcare providers can potentially enhance treatment efficacy, reduce required medication dosages, and minimize side effects. Patients can also benefit by maintaining an optimistic outlook and engaging in positive self-talk about their treatments. 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 Dr. Helena Hartmann at her website, Twitter, or LinkedIn, check out her research here and here, and have a look at her Science and Fiction site where accessible scientific results and exciting fictional stories intersect! Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1056 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

29 Sep 202450min

Your nephew denies the Holocaust and spews antisemitic hate. Can you shut down his nonsense without shutting him out? 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 can now rate The Jordan Harbinger Show in Pocket Casts! Please be gentle. Your nephew is a Holocaust denier who has been sending you antisemitic rants. You've tried to counter his beliefs with historical facts, but he's become increasingly aggressive. How can you shut down his nonsense without shutting him out of your life? You recently divorced your abusive, serial-cheating ex-husband. Now he's dating a colleague of yours, and you feel compelled to warn her about his behavior. Should you reach out, and if so, how can you do it without coming across as the "crazy ex-wife"? You're a successful family physician offered a position at a new clinic that aligns with your dream of focusing on lifestyle medicine. The catch? It comes with a significant pay cut. Is pursuing your passion worth the financial sacrifice? You received an aggressive email threatening to expose compromising information about you unless you pay a hefty sum. The sender claims to have access to your devices and personal data. How would you respond to this potential scam? Recommendation of the Week: The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 Instant Camera You've always felt like a "fringe friend," never quite making it into anyone's inner circle. Recent life changes have left you feeling isolated. Is it possible to change your social status without completely reinventing yourself? 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/1055 If you love...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

27 Sep 20241h 7min

Invisible Rulers author Renee DiResta explains how disinformation has reshaped online discourse with real-world consequences — and who benefits from it! What We Discuss with Renee DiResta: The phenomenon of "audience capture" — influencers and content creators becoming more extreme in their views to cater to their audience's expectations and maintain engagement. The concept of "flooding the zone" with multiple explanations or theories to create confusion and make it difficult to determine the truth, often used in disinformation campaigns. The "Liar's dividend" — the ability to deny real events or information by claiming they are fake or manipulated, enabled by the existence of advanced manipulation technologies. The challenges of maintaining a shared reality in the age of social media, where people can easily find confirmation for their existing beliefs and form echo chambers. To combat misinformation and propaganda, we can develop media literacy skills by being aware of our emotional responses to content, taking time to verify information from multiple sources, and learning to recognize common propaganda techniques. By cultivating these skills, we can become more discerning consumers of information and contribute to a healthier online discourse. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1054 If you love listening to this show as much as we love making it, would you please peruse and reply to our Membership Survey here? 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.

24 Sep 20241h 40min

Are generic drugs as good as their name-brand counterparts? On Skeptical Sunday, Dave Farina compares their development, prices, and efficacy. 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 Is This Wi-Fi Organic?: A Guide to Spotting Misleading Science Online author and host of the Professor Dave Debates podcast, Dave Farina! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, but are typically much cheaper due to not having to absorb research and development costs. Drug patents typically last around 20 years, giving companies a period of market exclusivity to recoup their investment before generics can be produced. While the active ingredients are identical, there can be minor differences in inactive ingredients (excipients) between brand-name and generic drugs that may slightly affect bioavailability. Regulatory bodies like the FDA play a crucial role in ensuring drug safety and efficacy, though rare oversights can still occur. Consumers can make informed decisions about medications by understanding the similarities between brand-name and generic drugs, consulting with healthcare providers, and staying aware of drug safety information from reliable sources. This knowledge empowers individuals to potentially save money on prescriptions while still receiving effective treatment. 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 Dave Farina on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, and check out the Professor Dave Debates podcast here or wherever you enjoy listening to fine podcasts. Dave’s book, Is... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

22 Sep 20241h 2min