The Jordan Harbinger Show

• 1132: Scott Payne | Infiltrating America's Extremist Underworld

  How do ordinary people become dangerous extremists? Former FBI agent Scott Payne infiltrated America's most violent hate groups and reveals their playbook. What We Discuss with Scott Payne: Scott Payne worked as an undercover FBI agent infiltrating various extremist organizations, including white supremacists like the KKK and accelerationists such as The Base, which aimed to trigger societal collapse and establish a white ethnostate. Accelerationist groups differ from traditional white supremacist organizations in that they don't believe in political solutions, but train for violence and "Boogaloo" (race war), preparing with tactical gear and weapons while planning attacks on infrastructure and targeted individuals. During his undercover work, Scott encountered disturbing rituals and behaviors, including a goat sacrifice during which members drank blood and took LSD as part of a neo-pagan ceremony associated with white supremacist ideology. White supremacist recruitment often targets vulnerable individuals from broken homes who are seeking belonging and connection, with online platforms like Telegram and Gab serving as recruitment grounds where extremist content can radicalize disaffected youth. Deescalation and communication skills proved to be Scott's most valuable tools throughout his career. His experience shows that even in hostile environments, the ability to talk through situations and remain calm under pressure is often more effective than physical confrontation — a skill anyone can develop and apply to their own difficult interactions. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1132 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!

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• 1131: Hangover Cures | Skeptical Sunday

  Feeling rough after drinks? On Skeptical Sunday, Jessica Wynn reveals why hangovers hurt, why "cures" fail, and why dark liquors might be your worst enemy. 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 Jessica Wynn! On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss: Hangovers aren't just about dehydration — they're your body's complex response to processing alcohol as a toxin. When your liver breaks down alcohol, it produces acetaldehyde, a nasty chemical that causes inflammation throughout your body. Meanwhile, your blood sugar goes haywire, your sleep quality plummets, and your entire system essentially stages a biochemical rebellion. Despite a $2 billion (and growing) hangover remedy industry, there's no scientifically proven cure for hangovers. All those miracle pills, electrolyte drinks, and bizarre remedies — from pickle juice to rabbit dung tea — are essentially sophisticated placebos. Your body needs time to process and eliminate alcohol's toxic byproducts, and no amount of coconut water can accelerate that biological reality. Drinking more alcohol to cure a hangover merely postpones the inevitable crash when your blood alcohol returns to zero. Similarly, the concept of "healthy moderation" has been debunked by research showing that no amount of alcohol consumption is actually safe — many studies suggesting otherwise were funded by the alcohol industry and used flawed methodologies. Darker alcohols like whiskey and bourbon contain higher levels of congeners (byproducts of fermentation) than clear spirits, potentially leading to worse hangovers. These compounds, along with other additives and ingredients in alcoholic beverages, contribute significantly to hangover severity beyond just the alcohol content. When dealing with a hangover, embrace the basics: hydration, rest, bland foods to stabilize blood sugar, and perhaps some mild pain relief (though be cautious with acetaminophen). While not glamorous, these approaches support your body's natural recovery processes. Understanding why hangovers happen empowers you to make more informed choices about drinking habits — whether that means switching to clearer spirits, drinking water between alcoholic beverages, or simply accepting that sometimes the most profound wisdom lies in listening to what your body is telling you about that third cocktail. 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 Jessica Wynn at Instagram and Threads, and subscribe to her newsletter:

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• 1130: Giving Wife a Hand When Dreams Are Too Grand | Feedback Friday

  Your wife's dreams soar beyond the stratosphere, but you can't even pay for the launch pad. Can you ground her without crushing her? 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: You're struggling to support your disabled wife who dreams impossibly big — chief of medicine, political crusader, famous artist—all at once. When you ask practical questions about these grandiose ambitions, she shuts down. How can you support her dreams without reinforcing potential delusions? Your Indian wedding plans are being hijacked by family drama over your cousin's boyfriend from a different ethnic background. Your grandparents and relatives are threatening to make scenes or leave early if you invite him. How do you protect your special day without burning family bridges? At 24, you've hidden your porn consumption from your wife throughout your marriage. She separated from you, then moved back with one condition: no more lies. Now you've "acted out" multiple times, and she's left again, wanting you to file for divorce. What should your next move be? As an esthetician, your industry is imploding — unlicensed social media hustlers, changing regulations, and economic pressures have slashed your income by $20,000. You're working unpaid hours and making less than minimum wage. Do you stick with your passion in hopes of weathering the storm or pivot to something stable? Recommendation of the Week: Hand towels in the bathroom. At 41, you and your husband are frozen in indecision about having children. You've secured embryos but lack the unquestioning desire for parenthood that others seem to have. He fears regret over not having kids; you fear resenting them. How can you push past this life-altering stalemate? 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:

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• 1129: Russ Swain | The Good Mormon Who Made Bad Money

  From postage stamps to diamond-dusted $20s: Former counterfeiter Russ Swain takes us inside the addictive world of artistic forgery and its moral reckoning. What We Discuss with Russ Swain: Russ Swain's counterfeiting career began with painting a postage stamp for a job application. This minor forgery later evolved into currency counterfeiting when financial troubles hit, demonstrating how small ethical compromises can cascade into major criminal activity. Russ became physiologically addicted to the fear and risk of passing counterfeit bills. The constant state of alertness produced adrenaline rushes that became compelling enough to override moral concerns. Russ' operation showcased remarkable ingenuity: diamond dust for texture authenticity, printed textile fibers, and UV-inhibiting suntan lotion in the ink. This demonstrated how artistic talents can be repurposed for illicit endeavors. Despite financial gains, Russ paid heavily with his conscience, describing it as a "ghost" that constantly questioned his new identity. The ultimate price included divorce, church excommunication, and having to explain his crimes to his children. A full-circle moment with Russ' former high school principal shows how our talents can be redirected toward positive ends when we . We all have skills that can serve either harm or healing — the application remains our choice. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1129 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!

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• 1128: Sextortion | Skeptical Sunday

  Getting blackmailed over nonexistent nudes? On Skeptical Sunday, Nick Pell untangles the dark web of sextortion and why kids face the greatest danger. On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: The basic sextortion scam is just sophisticated phishing. Those alarming emails claiming to have compromising footage of you? Pure fiction. These scammers cast wide nets, sending millions of messages hoping a tiny percentage will bite. They typically have basic information (your name, email, maybe your address) purchased from dark web data brokers, but nothing actually incriminating. The golden rule: if they don't show you the evidence, it doesn't exist. Children face genuine sextortion risks online. While adults receive empty threats, children encounter a far more dangerous reality. Predators create fake profiles mimicking peers, establish trust, and eventually manipulate children into sharing compromising images. Once obtained, these images become leverage for extorting money, demanding more explicit content, or worse — attempting to arrange in-person meetings. It's a digital trap baited with false friendship. Modern kids are safer outside but more vulnerable online. We've bubble-wrapped the physical world for children with public awareness campaigns, enhanced security measures, and helicopter parenting. Yet ironically, we hand these same protected children devices that connect them directly to potential predators. The statistics are alarming: 40% of surveyed kids reported someone attempting to groom them online, and 6% of children aged 9-12 have sent self-generated sexual content. Victims often remain silent due to shame and fear. The humiliation of falling for scams creates a powerful silencing effect. As Nick candidly shared about his own experience with cryptocurrency scammers: "It's not about the money. Losing the money sucks, don't get me wrong. But it's so humiliating." This shame multiplies exponentially with sexual content, especially for adolescents already navigating identity and social acceptance. A staggering 82% of young victims report being too scared to seek help. Open communication creates crucial safety nets. The most powerful protection isn't restrictive software or monitoring apps — it's creating an environment where kids know they can come to you without judgment if they make mistakes online. Make it crystal clear: "If you ever get into trouble online, I'm here for you, I'll support you, and you won't be punished because someone manipulated or tricked you." This simple assurance can be the emergency exit that leads vulnerable young people to seek help rather than spiraling deeper into exploitation. Having this conversation today could save your child from becoming a statistic tomorrow. 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! Full show notes and resources can be found here:

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