Unexpected moments can change the world. Brian Klaas , author of Fluke , reveals how embracing life's randomness can empower us to make a difference. What We Discuss with Brian Klaas: Tiny actions or events can have massive downstream effects and consequences , as illustrated by historical examples like how a decades-old vacation spared Kyoto from nuclear bombing in WWII. Our lives and human history are shaped by chaos theory and random flukes , such as the asteroid impact that killed the dinosa...
Jun 25, 2024•2 hr 32 min•Ep 1008•Transcript available on Metacast You've thrived in a group some call a cult. Are you really accessing the world's mysteries, or just being suckered by shysters? 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...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep 1007•Transcript available on Metacast It’s Not You author Dr. Ramani Durvasula is here to help us identify narcissists, overcome the abuse we suffer in relationships with them, and heal. What We Discuss with Dr. Ramani Durvasula: Narcissists can often be recognized by common traits like being know-it-alls, interrupting frequently, driving dangerously, throwing tantrums when frustrated, and displaying a strong sense of entitlement. But what kind of narcissists are you dealing with in your everyday life? Strategies for coping wi...
Jun 20, 2024•2 hr 37 min•Ep 1006•Transcript available on Metacast After treating his own rare disease, Chasing My Cure author David Fajgenbaum explains how existing drugs can help other sufferers survive the unknown. What We Discuss with David Fajgenbaum: Dr. David Fajgenbaum nearly died multiple times from a rare ailment called Castleman disease , for which there was no effective treatment available. The current healthcare system does not incentivize pharmaceutical companies to find new uses for existing drugs , especially for rare diseases, leaving man...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep 1005•Transcript available on Metacast Misconceptions about memory are abundant, so Jessica Wynn is here to let us know which ones we're better off forgetting on this latest Skeptical Sunday! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Our memories are more complex than just being videos that we can simply file away and retrieve at will. There are three main processes that characterize how memory works: encoding, storage, and recall. Forgetting is a feature, not a bug. Some memories are more easily recalled than others, and our memories can be ...
Jun 16, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep 1004•Transcript available on Metacast Your creepy brother-in-law hit on your mom and 13-year-old sis at your wedding and now targets you, but your husband ignores 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, dr...
Jun 14, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 1003•Transcript available on Metacast Forget what you thought you knew about memory! Why We Remember author Charan Ranganath joins us to share surprising insights into how we recall the past. What We Discuss with Charan Ranganath: Memories are not literal recordings of the past , but are constructed in the moment based on bits and pieces of information. We often forget most details, and what we do remember can be distorted by our current context, beliefs, and the act of retelling memories. Emotion and attention play a key role...
Jun 11, 2024•2 hr 43 min•Ep 1002•Transcript available on Metacast Haiti Policy House founder Wolf Pamphile is here to explain why, despite the country's ongoing crises, he remains optimistic about Haiti's future. 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, We Discuss: Haiti has a long history of instability , star...
Jun 09, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 1001•Transcript available on Metacast Though he was your father figure, mourning the stepdad your sisters accused of abuse feels like betrayal. How should you feel? 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...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep 1000•Transcript available on Metacast Listen here to discover how Todd McFarlane reinvented comic book icons, founded Image Comics, and revamped the toy business with a priority on quality! What We Discuss with Todd McFarlane: How Todd McFarlane successfully reinvented Spider-Man and created the iconic character Venom while working at Marvel Comics, despite facing resistance from his bosses who were reluctant to change the status quo. Why Todd left Marvel to co-found Image Comics, which became the third-largest comic book company in...
Jun 04, 2024•2 hr 40 min•Ep 999•Transcript available on Metacast Dysfunctional workplaces and abyssmal bosses litter the modern corporate hellscape. What stories will you share from the rubble? 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, dr...
May 31, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 998•Transcript available on Metacast Marine veteran Christopher Ahn explains why he got involved with helping North Koreans defect to the West, and how this has put him in danger. [Part 2/2 — make sure to catch 1/2 here !] What We Discuss with Christopher Ahn: In 2019, activist group Free Joseon broke into the North Korean embassy in Madrid with the goal of helping staff defect to the West. But the mission didn't go according to plan and had to be aborted. Back in the US, Christopher Ahn was informed by the FBI that North Kor...
May 30, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep 997•Transcript available on Metacast Marine veteran Christopher Ahn explains why he got involved with helping North Koreans defect to the West, and how this has put him in danger. [Part 1/2] What We Discuss with Christopher Ahn: Christopher Ahn, a Korean-American Marine veteran, became involved in helping North Korean defectors escape through an organization called the Chosen Institute, founded by Adrian Hong. In 2017, after the assassination of Kim Jong-un's half-brother Kim Jong-nam, Christopher was called upon to provide emotion...
May 28, 2024•1 hr•Ep 996•Transcript available on Metacast You fathered a child with a lesbian couple without a contract absolving you of responsibility; now you've been sued for support. 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, dr...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep 995•Transcript available on Metacast What can a year of following the US Constitution per the founding fathers' intentions teach us about the future of democracy? A.J. Jacobs has answers here! What We Discuss with A.J. Jacobs: The founding fathers were not entirely in favor of pure democracy. They feared mob rule and wanted checks and balances to prevent a tyranny of the majority. The Constitution was a big step forward for democracy at the time, but still had elements of elitism. The original meaning and interpretation of parts of...
May 23, 2024•2 hr 34 min•Ep 994•Transcript available on Metacast Are new weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy "magic" pills that can put an end to the obesity epidemic? Johann Hari is here to give us the skinny! What We Discuss with Johann Hari: Processed and ultra-processed foods are a major driver of the obesity epidemic, as they undermine the body's natural ability to feel full and satisfied after eating. Moving from fresh, whole foods to mostly processed foods is strongly linked to the dramatic rise in obesity rates. Obesity is a complex issue with b...
May 21, 2024•2 hr 39 min•Ep 993•Transcript available on Metacast What's the point of the publicly funded British Royal family in the modern world? Andrew Gold puts the monarchy under a microscope on this Skeptical Sunday! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: The British monarchy is a centuries-old institution that has had a significant impact on the UK's culture, politics, and history. While the monarch's role is largely ceremonial, the royal family still holds influence and plays a significant part in British society. The British Royal Family receives public fun...
May 19, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep 992•Transcript available on Metacast Should you endure a toxic marriage for the sake of your son's relationship with his father, or run for the hills while you can? 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...
May 17, 2024•2 hr 33 min•Ep 991•Transcript available on Metacast Jonathan Haidt is here to talk about his latest book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness . What We Discuss with Jonathan Haidt: Social media and smartphones have drastically altered childhood since the early 2010s , leading to increased rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide among teens, especially girls. Virtual interactions on social media are disembodied, shallow, and can spread mental health issues among suscepti...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep 990•Transcript available on Metacast Your disabled father's safety is jeopardized by a violent, mentally ill relative, and legal remedies have proven insufficient. 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...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep 989•Transcript available on Metacast 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 government...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep 988•Transcript available on Metacast 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 co...
May 07, 2024•2 hr 40 min•Ep 987•Transcript available on Metacast 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 gr...
May 05, 2024•55 min•Ep 986•Transcript available on Metacast 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 l...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep 985•Transcript available on Metacast 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,...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep 984•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 983•Transcript available on Metacast 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 a...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 982•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Apr 23, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Ep 981•Transcript available on Metacast 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, dr...
Apr 19, 2024•2 hr 31 min•Ep 980•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep 979•Transcript available on Metacast 
