The Jordan Harbinger Show

Ex-federal agent Robert Mazur shares his experiences working undercover to infiltrate drug cartels, offering insights into the challenges involved. Pt 2/2. [Pt 1 can be found here!] What We Discuss with Robert Mazur: How Robert, working undercover for US Customs and the DEA, posed as a money launderer to infiltrate Pablo Escobar's Medellin cartel and other criminal organizations. Money laundering enables cartels to produce their most lethal product: corruption. Corrupt officials and governments facilitate drug trafficking operations. Money laundering methods are highly sophisticated, involving legitimate businesses, secret codes, and multi-national operations to evade detection. Banks and the global financial system need to change to combat money laundering effectively, with severe penalties for those involved in facilitating the flow of illicit funds. Despite the risks and close calls, Robert continued his undercover work to gather intelligence and evidence against drug cartels until it became clear that th

Ex-federal agent Robert Mazur shares his experiences working undercover to infiltrate drug cartels, offering insights into the challenges involved. Pt 1/2. What We Discuss with Robert Mazur: How Robert, working undercover for US Customs and the DEA, posed as a money launderer to infiltrate Pablo Escobar's Medellin cartel and other criminal organizations. The extensive planning that goes into an undercover operation, including developing a detailed backstory, establishing fake businesses, and coordinating with informants and other agents. How Robert built rapport with targets by researching their interests, using active listening, and offering them gifts to gain their trust. Undercover agents must be laser-focused on their targets and avoid thinking about their personal lives, as any slip-up could compromise the operation and endanger their safety. During trials, these agents must be prepared for defense attorneys' tactics, such as role reversal, and maintain their composure to avoid compromising the case or

Has technology weaponized pornography into a public health crisis? Michael Regilio takes us through modern porn's ins and outs on this Skeptical Sunday! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: High-speed internet porn is a recent phenomenon that provides an intense, novel experience unlike traditional pornography, hacking into our brain's evolutionary desires for new mates and triggering dopamine responses similar to drug addiction. Pornography use, especially among adolescents and young adults who grew up with easy access to internet porn, has been linked to erosion of gray matter in the brain's prefrontal cortex, which controls impulse control and decision-making. Porn use has been associated with sexual disorders like erectile dysfunction in young men, as well as difficulties forming emotional bonds and intimacy in relationships. While some psychologists dispute the existence of "porn addiction," neuroscientific evidence shows porn use can lead to compulsive behaviors and brain changes resembling substance addic

When bail reforms free violent offenders and risk others' safety, how can we uphold justice while safeguarding 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: When bail reforms free violent offenders and risk others' safety, how can we uphold justice while safeguarding victims? You've about had it with your autistic boss' cringeworthy conspiracy theories. How can you disagree respectfully and maintain professionalism? As a cancer patient struggling with massive student loans and disability assistance denial, what legal help and guidance is available for navigating private loan regulations whil

What challenges can the ocean help us meet, and what must we do to safeguard its treasures? The Underworld author Susan Casey dives deep for answers here! What We Discuss with Susan Casey: The ocean plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate and serves as the largest carbon sink on the planet, making its preservation essential for mitigating climate change. The ocean is home to a fascinating array of creatures that have adapted to extreme conditions, such as iron-breathing microbes, glass sponges, and jellyfish that can reverse their life cycle. Pollution, including plastics, chemical weapons, and nuclear waste, has severely impacted the ocean ecosystem, with some deep-sea creatures found to have plastic particles embedded in their organs. There are an estimated three million shipwrecks on the ocean floor, preserving valuable historical artifacts and information — such as the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek analog computer. Exploring the ocean can lead to groundbreaking discoveries

Your brother's never-ending barrage of goat-related songs, text messages, and references has your family concerned. 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: An innocent bystander might find your brother's weird obsession with goats amusing, but his barrage of goat-related songs, text messages, and references has your family concerned. What can you do to herd him back to reality? Feeling unwelcome as the only woman at a family card game, you struggle with self-doubt and question your husband's support. How can you navigate family dynamics while staying true to yourself? Despite not be

Should we worry that the complex dynamics between Israel and Iran might ignite WWIII? Intelligence analyst Ryan McBeth brings us in from Out of the Loop. 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. On This Episode of Out of the Loop: Israel and Iran have been engaged in recent attacks on each other, with Israel striking Iranian officers in Syria, Iran launching drones at Israel, and Israel firing missiles back at Iran. However, neither side seems to want a wider conflict. Iran's military is split between the regular Artesh forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC gets better equipment and training and has a Quds Force that specializes in unconventional warfare. Iran and Israel both lack strong expeditionary capabilities to directly attack each other. Iran's navy is mo

Grab a front-row seat to the gritty world of bare-knuckle boxing with undefeated champ Bobby Gunn and his 'Bare Knuckle' biographer Stayton Bonner here! What We Discuss with Bobby Gunn and Stayton Bonner: The culture and traditions of — as well as the stereotypes, lifestyle choices, and challenges faced by — the traveler community in which Bobby was raised. How Bobby started fighting drunks for money at the not-so-tender age of 11. The rich history — and brutal realities — of bare-knuckle boxing. How Bobby answered the call of the underground bare-knuckle boxing circuit and what the costs have been along the way. The evolution of bare-knuckle boxing, and Bobby's indelible mark on the sport.  And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/981  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! 

Your pregnant sister-in-law was a wild child growing up and suffers addiction. Would adopting her baby disrupt your family life? 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: Whenever you're hit with a double-whammy of physical illness and depression, remember that psychology is, in fact, biology. Metacognition is the key. Your pregnant sister-in-law was a wild child growing up and suffers from addiction. Would adopting her baby disrupt your own family's tranquility? What's the most drama-free way to get your professional contacts on board with the changes you've made since coming out as

What's it like to be one of the only Muslim Arab Americans fighting terrorism in the US' most secret military unit? Adam Gamal shares here in part 2 of 2! [Part 1 can be found here.] What We Discuss with Adam Gamal: How Adam Gamal went from being an Egyptian refugee who barely spoke English to an operative in the United States' most secret special forces unit. The unit's tasks range from counterterrorism and hostage rescue to counter-narcotics operations. The ethical and emotional complexities of covert operations. How top secret operatives navigate cultural nuances while making personal sacrifices for the greater good. The importance of intelligence, adaptability, and the unseen battles fought every day to ensure American safety. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/979  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 — a

What's it like to be one of the only Muslim Arab Americans fighting terrorism in the US' most secret military unit? Adam Gamal shares here in part 1 of 2! What We Discuss with Adam Gamal: How Adam Gamal went from being an Egyptian refugee who barely spoke English to an operative in the US Army's most secret special forces unit. The unit's tasks range from counterterrorism and hostage rescue to counter-narcotics operations. The ethical and emotional complexities of covert operations. How top secret operatives navigate cultural nuances while making personal sacrifices for the greater good. The importance of intelligence, adaptability, and the unseen battles fought every day to ensure American safety. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/978 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! Like this sh

We have a follow-up from our episode 904 listener on her Persian boyfriend's hesitation to advance their six-year relationship. 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: What are the benefits of raising a resilient child? Daily Dad Ryan Holiday counts the ways. An update from the listener who wrote in on episode 904 regarding her Persian boyfriend's reluctance to commit to the next step of their six-year relationship. (Hint: it's got very little to do with his family's acceptance of her non-Persianness.) As a Mandarin-speaking American quickly rising within a Chinese-owned organization, you find

Children's Rescue Initiative founder Bruce Ladebu joins us to discuss the 20 years he's spent liberating hundreds of people from slavery and trafficking! What We Discuss with Bruce Ladebu: Human trafficking and slavery affect around 40 million globally, generating $150 billion per year. Exploitation includes forced labor, domestic servitude, and sex trafficking of all ages. Heartless and often sadistic traffickers prey on the most vulnerable and desperate populations, including disaster-stricken children and marginalized minorities. Corruption and apathy among local authorities and law enforcement allow this atrocity of an industry to thrive. Rescuing trafficking victims is perilous work, but Bruce Ladebu's team has saved hundreds over the past 20 years. Extensive physical and mental rehabilitation in the aftermath is often necessary for these survivors to cope with the trauma they've endured. Children's Rescue Initiative is Bruce's organization that provides funding for a variety of programs that help to re

How can we achieve work/life balance when we're always so dang busy? Slow Productivity author Cal Newport helps us achieve without burning out here! What We Discuss with Cal Newport: Why we need to redefine what productivity means in an age of constant connection and unclear boundaries between work life and home life. How the pandemic's remote work "solutions" exacerbated — on a societal level — an already simmering host of workload issues. How committing to doing fewer things makes work more sustainable and increases its overall quality. How to increase the volume of email you can process while minimizing the productivity-killing need to context switch. Innovative work models that may be key to better balance and slow productivity in the near and distant future. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/975 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relat

Are too many people abusing laws that allow service animals to accompany the legitimately disabled? Michael Regilio walks us through this Skeptical Sunday!  On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: If you've noticed a proliferation of people threatening legal repurcussions if they aren't allowed to go absolutely everywhere with their emotional support animals, you're not alone. They're just hoping you don't know the difference between emotional support animals and service animals. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities and are legally protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), while emotional support animals provide comfort to their owners but do not have the same level of training — and are not covered by the ADA. There are some legal allowances for emotional support animals, but they vary depending on the state. Those who abuse the system by insisting their emotional support animals be allowed to accompany them everywhere undermine people wh

Your alcoholic sister's in an abusive relationship, and you worry your nieces are in danger. What can you do? 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: Your alcoholic sister's in an abusive relationship, and you worry your nieces are in danger. What can you do? Taking over from a clueless old boss can be challenging. How can you forge ahead without tinging new business relationships with his old-boss smell? “Your dad gave me an STD! Wanna share a toilet?” Your immigrant parents seem to have your best interests in mind. It's a shame they're so racist. Have any questions, comments, or s

How has artificial intelligence (AI) become the 21st century's greatest dilemma? Microsoft AI CEO and The Coming Wave author Mustafa Suleyman weighs in! What We Discuss with Mustafa Suleyman: A deep dive into the evolution of AI and understanding how AI learns and predicts. AI's potential impact on everything from everyday jobs to gaming to national security to solving global challenges. The ethical considerations of allowing AI to replace humans in the workforce — particularly as it gets more sophisticated and more capable of taking on more complex tasks. How AI will shape the course of the arms race between the superpowers. The critical need for responsible innovation, international safety standards, and cooperative governance to harness AI's benefits while mitigating its threats. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/972 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free n

A dinner party with friends was interrupted in one of the most embarrassing ways possible — and then it went viral. Welcome to April Fools' 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 (April Fools' Edition): A dinner party with friends was interrupted in one of the most embarrassing ways possible — and then it went viral! You could be upset about the all-day wardrobe malfunction nobody bothered to tell you about, or you could choose funny. Remember that time you ended up in jail and they took your offhand joke about wishing you were dead way too seriously? That escalated quickly. So you think you c

Are you afraid of the possibility of nuclear war? Chances are good you're not scared enough. Journalist Annie Jacobsen is here to change all that! What We Discuss with Annie Jacobsen: What checks and balances keep us safe from nuclear attacks — and prevent such attacks from being initiated accidentally? Why nuclear war preparedness and response plans are woefully inadequate under even the mildest potential scenarios. The mechanics and strategies of nuclear warfare and the fantasy of space-based defense systems. The terrifying concept of nuclear EMPs and their consequences. The chilling reality of nuclear winter and its aftermath on those unlucky enough to survive the first blasts. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/970 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! Like this show? Please l

If you want to understand communication, emotional regulation, and bargaining under pressure, join us here with former hostage negotiator Scott Walker! What We Discuss with Scott Walker: The role of trust in successful negotiations. How emotional intelligence plays into hostage negotiations. The minimalist toolkit of a hostage negotiator. Navigating legal and ethical boundaries in negotiations. The perils of fame in kidnapping situations, and the importance of ransom discipline and social media caution. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/969 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! Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!