Explorer Victor Vescovo shares how he engineered a sub to reach 35,000 feet below the sea and what he's discovered in Earth's deepest trenches.

• Victor Vescovo led the Five Deeps expedition, becoming the first person to reach the deepest points of all five oceans. Prior to his expedition, several of these locations weren't even precisely mapped, requiring extensive sonar surveys to locate the actual deepest points.
• The average place on Earth is 4,000 meters underwater, and 71% of Earth is ocean — of which 75% remains completely unexplored. This means about half of our planet is still unexplored, and in many respects, we know more about the surface of Mars than our own ocean depths.
• The high pressures present at the deepest ocean points required innovative engineering solutions to navigate, including a perfectly spherical titanium pressure vessel that actually became stronger with repeated dives due to the intense pressure "reforging" the metal.
• Beneath 6,000 meters, the ocean is a sunless realm of absolute darkness. But even here, life thrives beyond the reach of light under pressure that would crush the average surface dweller, hinting at the flora and fauna we might expect to find on even the most extreme alien worlds.
• Anyone can become an explorer and push technological boundaries by breaking down seemingly impossible challenges into smaller, solvable problems. As Victor demonstrates, by carefully analyzing requirements, building the right team, and maintaining disciplined program management, even the most ambitious projects can be achieved through methodical execution and persistent dedication.
• And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1089

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From horse meat to wooden cheese, Jessica Wynn exposes the counterfeit foods that the "agromafia" criminally sneaks onto our plates this Skeptical Sunday!

• Food counterfeiting is a massive global criminal enterprise, with the "Agromafia" alone being a $16 billion-per-year industry. Criminal organizations have infiltrated every level of the food supply chain, from farming to distribution, making food fraud more profitable and less risky than traditional criminal activities.
• Many everyday foods are frequently counterfeited, including olive oil, honey, coffee, seafood, and spices. For example, studies found that 100% of sushi restaurants tested in New York City carried mislabeled fish, and many "extra virgin" olive oils fail authenticity tests.
• Food fraud isn't just about economic deception — it can pose serious health risks. Examples include melamine-tainted milk that sickened thousands of infants, nitrate-injected tuna causing food poisoning, and allergen concerns from undisclosed ingredients in counterfeit products.
• The global nature of our food supply chain makes regulation and enforcement extremely challenging. Products often cross multiple borders, making it difficult to track origins and enforce standards, while sophisticated criminal networks stay ahead of detection methods.
• Consumers can protect themselves by making informed choices: buying whole foods instead of processed ones (like whole coffee beans vs. ground coffee), purchasing from reputable suppliers, checking labels carefully, and when possible, buying directly from local producers. These simple steps can significantly reduce exposure to counterfeit foods while supporting legitimate producers.
• Connect with Jordan on Bluesky, 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: Between the Lines!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1088

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Therapeutic journaling about an ex's job offer became relationship dynamite when your prying partner found it. What now? 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!

• You're suffering through the aftermath of a therapeutic journaling incident — your partner discovered your private writings about considering a business proposal from your narcissistic ex-husband. How will you navigate this breach of trust and the relationship strain it's causing?
• You're raising a teenager who's experimenting with alcohol, and as someone who's witnessed both the destructive power of addiction through your brother and the rigid structure of religious upbringing, you're seeking that delicate balance in parenting. What's the right approach?
• After dedicating three and a half years to a relationship with someone whose family dynamics are increasingly draining, you're questioning whether to stay. Her father's narcissistic behavior and constant drama are wearing you down — but is leaving the right choice?
• Recommendation of the Week: Temporary tattoos.
• You're a telecommunications professional yearning to transition into addiction recovery work after experiencing profound connections during your own recovery journey. Despite setbacks and rejections, something keeps pulling you toward this path — but what's really holding you back?
• 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/1087

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Seeking fame and success can become an addiction that ruins what matters most. Stoic Ryan Holiday explains how to find sustainable contentment instead!

• The hunt for fame and success can become addictive and create an insatiable desire for more, leading people to rationalize pursuing them at the expense of family time and personal well-being.
• The constant pursuit of growth and comparison metrics (book sales, download numbers, rankings) often detracts from the joy of doing work you love.
• Many successful people rationalize sacrificing time with their children by claiming it's "for the kids," when in reality it's often driven by their own ambition, ego, or insecurity.
• Historical perspective shows that even the most famous or successful people eventually fade from memory, suggesting that pursuing fame or status for its own sake is ultimately hollow.
• You can create a more fulfilling personal and professional life by focusing on doing what you love for its own sake rather than external validation. This means setting up your work to be as independent as possible from outside institutions and metrics, allowing you to maintain creative control and do things on your own terms. This approach leads to more sustainable success and greater personal satisfaction.
• And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1086

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From Mao to Main Street: Michael Regilio unravels the surprising story behind Traditional Chinese Medicine's global rise on this week's 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!

• The modern global presence of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) is largely a result of political necessity rather than proven effectiveness. Surprisingly, it had been largely abandoned in China by the 1800s until Chairman Mao revived it in the 1960s as a solution to healthcare shortages — despite not personally believing in it himself.
• The scientific foundation of TCM's core concepts — chi, yin/yang balance, and meridians — remains unproven. Studies attempting to validate these practices face significant challenges, including the impossibility of true double-blind trials and concerns about data reliability, particularly in Chinese research where regulators found over 80% of clinical trial data to be fabricated.
• Acupuncture's effectiveness appears largely tied to the placebo effect, though this shouldn't be dismissed. Studies show "sham" acupuncture (needles placed randomly) produces similar results to "real" acupuncture, suggesting the specific placement of needles according to meridian theory may be less important than the overall experience and belief in the treatment.
• Cupping, while popularized by athletes like Michael Phelps, essentially creates controlled tissue damage through suction. Though it may temporarily increase blood flow, it can cause permanent skin damage if done repeatedly and may aggravate existing skin conditions.
• Chinese herbal medicine represents a bright spot in the TCM landscape, built on 500 million years of plant evolution and chemical development. Some traditional remedies have led to breakthrough modern treatments, like Artemisinin for malaria, showing how ancient wisdom can guide modern medical discoveries when subjected to rigorous scientific testing. This suggests that while we should approach traditional practices with skepticism, we shouldn't dismiss them entirely — instead, we can use modern scientific methods to identify and develop valuable treatments from traditional knowledge.
• 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,...

Your sister-in-law's behavior grows more erratic while your father keeps extending lifelines. When does compassion become complicity? 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!

• Your father has been extraordinarily generous in supporting your brother and his new wife, who's displaying increasingly erratic behavior — from throwing tantrums to making unusual demands. Now she's facing legal troubles, and your father's considering bailing her out again. How do you help him see that sometimes caring means taking a step back?
• You're a musician who's spent decades building an independent career, and your former mentor — once supportive but now oddly competitive — seems fixated on diminishing your achievements and claiming credit for your work. He's even referenced your medical condition in a song title. How do you handle this personally hurtful dynamic on a professional level?
• You're torn between honoring a $40,000 tuition repayment agreement with your current employer and accepting your dream job in Europe working on climate change solutions. As you approach 30, time feels precious, but so does financial stability. What price can you put on following your dreams?
• Your partner demands specific, scripted responses during arguments — requiring exact word choices and precise acknowledgments of past behaviors. While charming in public, they become controlling and threatening in private. How do you distinguish between reasonable needs and manipulation?
• Recommendation of the Week: Sour Grapes
• Following your mother's unexpected passing, you're seeking ways to honor her remarkable 45-year journey with rheumatoid arthritis and her impact on countless lives through charity work. How can small, meaningful actions create ripples of positive change in her memory?
• 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:

Uncertainty rules modern life — from work to technology to education. Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame explores how embracing it might be the key to success!

• Humans crave certainty, which can lead us to look for patterns that aren't there and make poor decisions. Being completely certain about something often indicates a problem in our thinking.
• Podcasting and media have evolved significantly, with success now requiring authenticity and strong relationships rather than just technical skills. The most valuable people often bring in business through relationships rather than direct work.
• The student debt crisis and college costs are systemic issues that won't be solved by debt forgiveness alone — the underlying problem is that education has become too expensive while not necessarily preparing students for available jobs.
• Modern technology and constant connectivity can prevent us from properly processing difficult decisions and uncomfortable situations. Sometimes we need to disconnect to think clearly.
• Success often comes from doing the basics well: showing up on time, taking initiative, and doing the right thing when no one is looking. These fundamental work habits can put you ahead of 90% of people and are skills anyone can develop with practice.
• And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1083

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!

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From shelf life to shelf appeal, Jessica Wynn explores the science and psychology of food packaging on this week's Skeptical Sunday!

• Food packaging evolved from natural containers (shells, leaves) to complex materials, fundamentally changing how we store and consume food. The industrial revolution particularly accelerated this evolution.
• Modern food packaging is heavily regulated, with strict requirements for nutritional labeling, ingredients lists, and safety standards. The FDA didn't mandate standardized nutrition facts panels until 1990.
• Package design psychology significantly influences consumer behavior — colors (red/yellow stimulate appetite), placement, and imagery affect purchasing decisions within 90 seconds of viewing.
• Smart packaging technology is emerging, with developments like RFID tracking and nanosensors that can detect food freshness, contamination, and proper storage conditions.
• Consumers can make a positive impact on this industry by supporting companies using sustainable packaging alternatives and staying informed about packaging innovations — this helps drive industry change while maintaining food safety and convenience.
• 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: Between the Lines!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1082

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!

Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!

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