Is veganism a healthy lifestyle or social cult with nutritional gaps? Decades-long vegan Jessica Wynn weighs in on this 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 writer and researcher Jessica Wynn!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1203

On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:

• There's a myth that it's impossible to properly nourish the human body on a vegan diet — but nutritional planning is crucial for optimizing one's health on any diet. B12 supplementation is essential for vegans, and iron absorption improves when paired with vitamin C. Done wrong, any diet can lead to deficiencies.
• "Junk food veganism" defeats the health purpose of this lifestyle. Oreos and processed fake meats are technically vegan but nutritionally empty. Ultra-processed foods aren't healthy regardless of origin.
• Factory farming ethics drive many vegans. Animals experience pain, fear, and joy, yet ag-gag laws hide slaughterhouse conditions. Environmental impact includes massive water usage and pollution.
• True veganism extends beyond diet. Hidden animal products lurk in cosmetics (fish scales in mascara), clothing (leather), and processed foods. Reading labels becomes investigative work.
• Focus on whole foods regardless of diet. Shop the grocery store perimeter for fresh produce, minimize processed foods, and listen to your body's needs for optimal health and balance.
• 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 [email protected] and let him know!
• Connect with Jessica Wynn at Instagram and Threads, and subscribe to her newsletter: Between the Lines!

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Your MIL invites a sex offender to family dinners with grandkids and 'forgets' your objections. How can you protect your children? 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 [email protected]. Now let's dive in!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1202

On This Week's Feedback Friday:

• Your mother-in-law has always been passive-aggressive and button-pushing, but now she's crossed a major line by repeatedly inviting someone with statutory rape charges to family gatherings with your young children, despite your explicit requests to keep him away. How do you protect your kids?
• After 25 years in a tight-knit women's club, the founder has become increasingly domineering and abrasive, turning meetings into one-sided lectures where she shuts down anyone who tries to redirect the conversation. You finally called her out and she looked genuinely contrite — but now what?
• Your tumultuous marriage survived multiple affairs and counseling sessions, but after your husband filed for divorce, you discovered he'd been having an affair with his college ex from Costa Rica. Now she's reinvented herself as a "doctor" and life coach in the US. Should you expose her questionable credentials and background?
• Recommendation of the Week: Everyday (iPhone only).
• Your talented husband has an exhausting pattern of starting successful businesses, overspending on luxuries, then watching everything collapse into massive debt. Now he's fighting leukemia, working a grueling job that's paying off $100k in debt, but wants to quit and start another business. How do you break this cycle?
• Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at [email protected]!
• Connect with Jordan on Twitter at @JordanHarbinger and Instagram at @jordanharbinger.
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Insulin resistance triggers everything from Alzheimer's to erectile dysfunction. Dr. Benjamin Bikman examines the metabolic crisis shared by 50% of America.

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1201

What We Discuss with Dr. Benjamin Bikman:

• Half of US adults have insulin resistance without knowing it. It's the upstream driver of most chronic diseases — from high blood pressure to erectile dysfunction to Alzheimer's — not just diabetes.
• Medical focus on blood glucose misses the real problem. Insulin levels are rarely tested, yet elevated insulin drives disease years before blood sugar becomes abnormal.
• Fat cell size matters more than total fat. East Asians develop insulin resistance with less weight gain because they have fewer, larger fat cells versus more, smaller ones in Europeans.
• Insulin resistance causes brain starvation. When neurons can't access glucose due to insulin resistance, cognition declines — which is why some in the medical community refer to Alzheimer's as "type 3 diabetes."
• Type 2 diabetes is reversible through carb restriction. In one study, 11 newly diagnosed patients reversed their diabetes in 90 days by eating unlimited protein and fat, just limiting carbs.
• And much more...

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The war between faith and facts threatens American progress on multiple fronts. Michael Regilio dissects this age-old conflict today on 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!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1200

On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:

• Throughout history, from Socrates to Galileo, religious authorities have consistently opposed scientific inquiry that challenges established beliefs — often with severe consequences including death and persecution.
• American fundamentalist Christians continue fighting evolution in schools, adopting tactics from outright bans to "creation science" to "Intelligent Design" — all repeatedly struck down by courts as unconstitutional.
• Religious opposition to science directly impacts public policy, hampering stem cell research, climate action, and pandemic response — with white evangelicals having the lowest COVID vaccination rates.
• Faith-based practices like conversion therapy cause documented psychological harm despite being condemned by all major medical associations — prioritizing religious doctrine over scientific evidence and human wellbeing.
• Many scientists are religious believers who see science as understanding creation, not replacing it — showing faith and science can coexist when literalism gives way to metaphorical interpretation and evidence-based thinking.
• 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 [email protected] and let him know!
• Connect with Michael Regilio at Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, and make sure to check out the Michael Regilio Plagues Well With Others podcast here or wherever you enjoy listening to fine podcasts!

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DV charges didn't stop your ex — they taught him to fight dirty through lawsuits instead of fists. How can you repel his legal abuse? 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 [email protected]. Now let's dive in!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1199

On This Week's Feedback Friday:

• Some listener feedback from episodes 1184 and 1187 launches this latest voyage of the dooze cruise. All aboard!
• You escaped an abusive relationship while pregnant, thinking the nightmare was over. Instead, your ex launched a relentless campaign of lawsuits, false reports, and stalking through the court system. How do you protect yourself and your child when the very system meant to help becomes his weapon? [Thanks once again to attorney Corbin Payne for helping us answer this!]
• Your dad used his workers' comp settlement to buy rental properties in a distant state, managed by a cousin you've never met who has power of attorney. Now you're drowning in landlord responsibilities, suspicious money requests, and legal brick walls. Can you untangle this mess before it all falls apart? [Big thanks to estate attorney Brent Dille for guiding us through this one!]
• You're the only one on your team with the required PMP certification for a new management role. But when you checked your boss's calendar, you discovered your coworker already had first and second round interviews scheduled — before your first one. Was this rigged from the start?
• Recommendation of the Week: A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders
• As a stay-at-home mom, you're desperate for adult friendship but keep choosing complicated people or watching relationships mysteriously fizzle out. Your newest friend constantly vents about her marriage but won't take advice. Are you the common denominator in these failed connections?
• Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at [email protected]!
• Connect with Jordan on Twitter at @JordanHarbinger and Instagram at @jordanharbinger.
• Connect with Gabriel on Twitter at @GabeMizrahi and Instagram @gabrielmizrahi.

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People crave feeling understood, but rarely get it. Here, psychologist Dr. Caroline Fleck breaks down validation science that transforms how we connect!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1198

What We Discuss with Dr. Caroline Fleck:

• Validation goes beyond praise. It's a precise psychological skill set that allows us to communicate mindfulness, understanding, and empathy to make someone feel seen and accepted. To understand the difference, think of praise as applauding the performance, while validation is accepting the performer.
• Research shows that validation literally allows us to endure greater physical pain, suggesting its resilience-building power to help us cope with life's countless difficulties.
• Obversely, invalidation shuts down recall and problem-solving abilities by triggering sympathetic nervous system arousal. On the other hand, validation restores higher cognitive functioning needed for reasoning.
• Validation skills are powerful across contexts — from relationships and parenting to medicine and even interrogations. But keep in mind that authenticity is critical — fake or forced validation doesn’t work and can even feel condescending, especially to teens.
• Validation is a skill you can practice and improve. Nurture a mindset of genuine curiosity by asking yourself "What's this person's point?" Start with small steps like attentive listening, nodding, and reflecting words authentically to build stronger trust and connection.
• And much more...

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CBD is hyped as a miracle cure for everything, but where's the proof? Jessica Wynn breaks down the science vs. snake oil here on 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 Jessica Wynn!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1197

On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:

• Cannabis-sourced cannabidiol (CBD) is widely marketed as a safe cure-all, but most claims — especially for chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep — lack solid scientific backing.
• The CBD industry is poorly regulated — products may be mislabeled, contaminated, or contain THC, which can cause legal or workplace issues.
• The only FDA-approved medical use of CBD is Epidiolex, a prescription drug for rare childhood epilepsy — not the casual oils, gummies, or lattes sold in stores.
• Dosage, purity, and method of use all matter — yet most over-the-counter CBD products provide far lower doses than those shown effective in clinical trials.
• If you choose to use CBD products, be an informed consumer — look for third-party lab certificates (COAs), consult your doctor if you take medications, and approach packaging claims with curiosity and skepticism.
• 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 [email protected] and let him know!
• Connect with Jessica Wynn at Instagram and Threads, and subscribe to her newsletter: Between the Lines!

And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps!

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Your abused sister won't get therapy, screams at her children, and blames everyone but herself. When does trauma stop being an excuse? 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 [email protected]. Now let's dive in!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1196

On This Week's Feedback Friday:

• Your father sexually abused your half-sister decades ago, yet she's now cozying up to him while treating you like the enemy. She screams at her kids, won't get therapy, and your mom keeps pushing reconciliation. At what point does trauma stop being an excuse?
• Your best friend of 20 years kept hanging out with your ex after the breakup — even during your mental health recovery period. When you objected, he basically told you to suck it up. Now she's invited to his annual badminton tournament and you're questioning everything about friendship.
• You spent $30k on a master's degree but can't pursue new opportunities because your boyfriend keeps getting rejected from game development jobs. You agreed he'd find work first before moving, but his confidence is crumbling. How long do you wait for someone else's career?
• Recommendation of the Week: Have ChatGPT (or your AI of choice) optimize the timing of your vitamins and meds for maximum efficacy.
• Your chaotic childhood with hoarder parents led you to interior design, but now unemployment has you questioning everything. Is your passion for organized spaces a genuine calling or just psychological housekeeping?
• Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at [email protected]!
• Connect with Jordan on Twitter at @JordanHarbinger and Instagram at @jordanharbinger.
• Connect with Gabriel on Twitter at @GabeMizrahi and Instagram @gabrielmizrahi.

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Beyond catfishing, romance scammers are moving in with victims and rewriting wills. Here, Pretend Podcast host Javier Leiva exposes their new playbook.

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1195

What We Discuss with Javier Leiva:

• Romance scams are so common that identical fake stories (architect in Indonesia, talking to Johnny Depp) are used with thousands of victims simultaneously, making them seem like urban legends.
• Scammers target vulnerable people by checking boxes: isolated from family, cognitive decline, terminal illness, government pension, loneliness. More boxes = bigger mark.
• Advanced scammers move in with victims, become caregivers, get named as estate executors, then move on to victim's elderly relatives when the person dies.
• Damage goes beyond money — victims often become unable to trust again and avoid relationships entirely, while family stress affects everyone for years.
• Watch for red flags: excessive early generosity, isolating behavior, urgent requests bypassing reasoning, password/financial access requests, sob stories. Trust family concerns.
• And much more...

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Chemicals in water, food, and receipts are messing with our hormones. Nick Pell helps us understand and reduce the risks on 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 writer and researcher Nick Pell!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1194

On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:

• Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with your body's hormone signals by either blocking them or mimicking them, potentially affecting testosterone, estrogen, and other crucial hormones that regulate mood, growth, and reproduction.
• These chemicals are virtually everywhere — in drinking water, plastic bottles, receipts, shampoos, soaps, food packaging, and even birth control runoff in groundwater. Complete avoidance is impossible in modern life.
• Evidence suggests EDCs may contribute to declining testosterone in men, early puberty in girls, and male fertility issues. Frog feminization studies show real hormonal effects in wildlife and Alex Jones.
• Unlike typical toxins, endocrine disruptors follow a "non-monotonic dose response" — meaning lower doses might actually be more harmful than higher doses, making it impossible to determine a "safe" exposure level.
• You can reduce exposure by filtering water, avoiding receipt handling, using glass/metal containers instead of plastic, choosing bar soap over liquid, and not microwaving food in plastic wrap — small changes that add up.
• 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 [email protected] and let him know!

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