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 secr...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 978
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, dro...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 977
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-strick...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 976
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 su...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 975
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 an...
Apr 07, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 974
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 fri...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 973
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 s...
Apr 02, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 972
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, dr...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 971
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...
Mar 28, 2024•2 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 970
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...
Mar 26, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 969
Does the $200 billion bottled water industry provide a superior product to what comes out of your tap? Andrew Gold investigates on this Skeptical Sunday! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Is the bottled water industry a $200 billion sham? Fluoride in water : myths and facts. Bottled vs. tap, and purified vs. filtered : quality, safety, and environmental impact. The benefits of spring water over other types. The dangers of drinking too much water. Connect with Jordan on Twitter , Insta...
Mar 24, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 968
Now in his 80s, the abusive dad who made your life Hell is experiencing domestic violence at the hands of his younger wife. 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...
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 967
How has a drug cartel operating as its own country thwarted hostile actions by its neighbors and the CIA? Narcotopia author Patrick Winn is here to explain! What We Discuss with Patrick Winn: Burma vs. Myanmar . The CIA's role in Wa State's formation. How Wa State went from a poppy-harvesting cartel to a self-sufficient, defense-capable narco nation . The evolution of Wa State's drug branding and distribution that outsells Starbucks and McDonald's. The future of Wa State and its potential global...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 966
Your friend is legally chained to a life of debt for something he did in his youth. Is there an ethical way to ease his burden? 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, dro...
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 965
How do globally organized criminals stay two steps ahead of the law? Chasing Shadows author Miles Johnson takes us into the underworld for answers! What We Discuss with Miles Johnson: The global impact of drug trafficking and sanctions busting. How the DEA internationally operates more like the CIA than the FBI . The Syrian conflict : a tangled web of alliances and interests. Innovative low-tech money laundering schemes and the shadow economy. The evolution of criminal networks and the role tech...
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 964
How can we build rapport and optimize our connection with others? Supercommunicators author Charles Duhigg brings us the practical steps here! What We Discuss with Charles Duhigg: The three categories of conversation : practical, emotional, and social. The biological underpinnings of communication — such as neural entrainment — that make humans unique. How to become a better active listener through looping — ask a question, repeat back what you just heard the person say in your own words, and as...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 963
Are timeshares ever not a scam? Kevin Rapp joins us for Skeptical Sunday to delve into their pros and cons without the high-pressure sales gauntlet! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: The hidden costs of timeshares. The unconsidered benefits of timeshares. The unexpected demographics of today's timeshare owners. The trials and tribulations you'll probably face if you try to exit your timeshare investment. Weighing the pros and cons — and reading the fine print — to decide if a timeshar...
Mar 10, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 962
Postpartum psychosis is a serious disorder that can make mothers kill their children. So why aren't we talking more about it? 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 ...
Mar 08, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 961
What are attachment styles, and how can we understand them to find and keep love? Attached author Amir Levine is here to share what the science has to say! What We Discuss with Amir Levine: The four attachment styles : secure, anxious, avoidant, and anxious-avoidant. The influence genetics, environment, and upbringing have on these attachment styles. How people tend to handle relationships based on their attachment style . How the development of attachment styles has evolved over time . What the...
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 960
Your tax-evading husband was lucky enough to dodge prison, but the discovery of his secret gun stash could change that. 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 l...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 959
Did the COVID-19 pandemic start with a lab leak? Pandora's Gamble author Alison Young is here to crunch the numbers without entertaining conspiracies! What We Discuss with Alison Young: How often disease research lab leaks really occur. Why even the world's best-run labs are susceptible to safety breaches . The prevalence of disinformation campaigns to cover up, obscure, or misdirect lab leak blame. What gain-of-function research is and why it's so controversial. What we do and don't know about ...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 958
If happiness is a direction rather than a destination, how can we ensure we're enjoying the ride? Build the Life You Want co-author Arthur Brooks guides us! What We Discuss with Arthur Brooks: Understanding happiness as a direction rather than a destination . The dangers of victim mentality and culture wars . The pitfalls of betting on others to change . Fluid vs. crystallized intelligence. How we can nurture our emotional intelligence and shift focus from achievement-based self-objectification ...
Feb 27, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 957
What are the social, political, and medical ramifications of cannabis use? Michael Regilio is the Chong to Jordan's Cheech on this Skeptical Sunday! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: The historical use of cannabis in the Middle Ages and colonial times. The criminalization of cannabis in the 20th century and the slow reversal of its prohibition. The effects of THC and CBD . Why modern cannabis is so much more potent than the strains our parents used to sneak. The benefits of legal cann...
Feb 25, 2024•47 min•Ep. 956
How do you get over the icky discovery that your boyfriend briefly dated your sister before she kicked him to the curb? 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 l...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 955
How can you identify and heal from the narcissistic people who inflict themselves upon your life? It's Not You author Dr. Ramani Durvasula rejoins us to find out! What We Discuss with Dr. Ramani Durvasula: The impact of narcissism on relationships . The narcissist's perception of themselves and others . The influence of status and social media on narcissism. The struggles of dealing with a narcissist. The role of culture in narcissistic behavior. And much more... Full show notes and resources ca...
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 954
Finding out your colleague's a legitimate sociopath who preys on the sympathy of others is bad enough, but he's also a doctor. 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...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 953
When we lack a sense of natural talent, how can we unlock our ability to excel? Find out on this episode with Hidden Potential author Adam Grant! What We Discuss with Adam Grant: When you're going through the repetitive steps necessary to learn a new skill, how can you turn the daily grind into a source of daily joy? Why learning from an expert mentor is not necessarily the best path to success. What are character skills , and why are they more important than cognitive skills or talent when it c...
Feb 15, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 952
Dopamine Nation author Anna Lembke helps us understand why it's difficult to resist the temptations of a world designed to exploit our pursuit of pleasure. What We Discuss with Anna Lembke: The neuroscience of addiction and the role dopamine plays in keeping us hooked. How modern society's unrestricted indulgence in pleasurable substances and behaviors can lead to addictive tendencies and the gratification of constant dopamine release. The pros and cons of using psychedelics . The impact of reso...
Feb 13, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 951
Why is relying on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) liable to send your bank balance to the morgue? Michael Regilio joins us on Skeptical Sunday to find out! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Unlike police and fire departments, emergency medical services (EMS) are not deemed essential across most of the US — which means they're often underfunded and struggling to provide adequate care. Insurance policies commonly omit coverage for EMS-provided ambulance rides , making them cost-prohibi...
Feb 11, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 950
The blackmail victim from episode 796 reports that the brother-in-law who wronged her is now in custody and awaiting justice. 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 ...
Feb 09, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 949
