1154: Sean Williams | The North Korea-China-Drug Cartel Connection

Sean Williams gives us a peek beneath a global shadow economy that thrives as countries like North Korea and China operate like criminal enterprises.Jordan's must reads (including books from this episode): AcceleratEdFull show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1154What We Discuss with Sean Williams:North Korea operates as a massive organized crime outfit, generating revenue through forced labor, human trafficking, drug production/trafficking, and cybercrime to fund the regime's survival.North Korean hackers (Lazarus Group) have become sophisticated cybercriminals, stealing $1.5 billion in cryptocurrency from ByBit exchange in February 2025.Chinese "flying money" (Fei Chen) operates as an ancient, untraceable money transfer system now widely used by drug cartels and for capital flight from China, possibly totaling $2 trillion annually.Chinese money laundering has had a visible impact on real estate markets in Vancouver, Toronto, Sydney, and Los Angeles, where properties purchased with laundered funds remain unfinished or abandoned.Despite public diplomatic cooperation between US and China on financial crimes, both countries have conflicting incentives — China benefits from US drug chaos while the US benefits from Chinese capital flight.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! 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!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Jordan's must reads (including books from this episode): AcceleratEdIQBAR: 20% off: text "Jordan" to 64,000BetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanNordVPN: Exclusive deal: nordvpn.com/jordanharbingerShopify: 3 months @ $1/month (select plans): shopify.com/jordanHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Price Is Right host and comedy legend Drew Carey dishes on his journey from counting pennies in Cleveland to making millions in Hollywood!Jordan's must reads (including books from this episode): AcceleratEdFull show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1153What We Discuss with Drew Carey:Drew Carey experienced extreme financial hardship before fame, counting pennies, putting only $2 of gas in his car at a time, and eating macaroni with water instead of milk because he couldn't afford both butter and milk.Drew's appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1991 was career-defining. He had visualized the entire sequence in real-time the night before, and it happened exactly as he'd dreamed it, including Carson's "You're funny as hell" comment.Comedians often become less funny as they get more successful because wealth insulates them from the everyday frustrations that fuel comedy. When you're rich, you lose touch with common annoyances that connect you to your audience.The "perfect bid" incident on The Price is Right wasn't cheating, but exposed how the show had become predictable. Super-fans memorized prices from the limited rotation of items, leading to changes in how the show operates.Growth mindset is essential for staying relevant and happy. Drew still attends EDM music festivals, keeps up with new slang, and constantly looks to learn and evolve: "Once you stop growing, that's the end of you."And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! 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!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:AcceleratEd: Jordan’s must reads (including books from this episode)The Cybersecurity Tapes: thecybersecuritytapes.comSimpliSafe: 50% off + 1st month free: simplisafe.com/jordanOura Ring: 10% off: ouraring.com/jordanAirbnb: airbnb.com/hostAudible: audible.com/jhs or text JHS to 500-500See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your four-day hosting gig turned into a bizarre menu-reading tour with zero attractions, silent meals, and a shocking snack heist. 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!Jordan's must reads (including books from this episode): AcceleratEdFull show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1152On This Week's Feedback Friday:Jordan went to China (and, surprisingly, they allowed him to come back)!Your friend visited you in New Orleans and spent 70% of the trip obsessively researching restaurant menus but ordered only basic food, ignored activities you suggested, and showed no interest in spending quality time together. She took snacks you bought and left you with Uber bills. Could her fixation be affecting the marriage in which her husband is sleeping in another room?You've trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu for years and supported your coach by paying dues even when you couldn't attend. When you tried to cancel your membership, your coach claimed there was a 10-day cancellation window not mentioned in your contract and became aggressive when you pushed back. How do you handle a potentially volatile martial arts instructor?Your son has shown challenging, aggressive behavior since childhood, yet excels professionally. He's made false accusations about your parenting, demanded you admit to things you didn't do to maintain a relationship with your grandchildren, and has shown concerning behavior in his marriage. How do you maintain a relationship with your grandchildren under these circumstances?Recommendation of the Week: The Beast Insulated TumblerAfter writing in previously as a 35-year-old virgin, you dated someone for three months, had your first sexual experience, and though you broke up, you've maintained a genuine friendship. Her children call you "uncle" and you're part of each other's lives, but you wonder if new romantic partners will accept your friendship. Can Harry and Sally really be friends?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.And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! 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!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:SimpliSafe: 50% off + 1st month free: simplisafe.com/jordanAura Frames: $35 off: auraframes.com, code JORDANDeleteMe: 20% off: joindeleteme.com/jordan, code JORDANBetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former healthcare executive Wendell Potter reveals how insurance giants sacrifice patient care for profits and deploy deceptive tactics to fight reform.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1151What We Discuss with Wendell Potter:Wendell Potter was a healthcare insurance executive at Cigna and Humana, and became a whistleblower after witnessing Americans seeking healthcare at a fairground in animal stalls, revealing how profit motives override patient care.Insurance companies prioritize shareholder value over patient needs, with executives compensated primarily in stock, directly incentivizing them to deny claims and care to maximize profits.Companies create "front groups" with misleading names like "Healthcare America" to manipulate public opinion against healthcare reform, using fear tactics to protect industry profits.When denied coverage, patients should appeal decisions, enlist their doctors' help, and consider becoming a "squeaky wheel" through media attention, as companies often reverse denials when facing public scrutiny.There is growing bipartisan support for healthcare reform and breaking up massive healthcare conglomerates. By understanding your rights, documenting communications, and persistently appealing denials, you can better navigate the system while supporting meaningful change.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! 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!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:The Cybersecurity Tapes: thecybersecuritytapes.comDesign.com: Free trial: design.com/jordanBetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanShopify: 3 months @ $1/month (select plans): shopify.com/jordanHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comWant to hear a conversation with an ex-royal/ex-SEAL who fights to end human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting? Check out episode 868 with Remi Adeleke!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From addiction to Czech prison: Lamb of God vocalist Randy Blythe shares his journey of sobriety and accountability in extreme metal's unforgiving world.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1150What We Discuss with Randy Blythe:In hindsight, Randy Blythe is grateful his metal band, Lamb of God, grew a gradual following over 30 years instead of catching instant fame and fortune. He credits this slow growth from humble beginnings for his survival, maintaining perspective and gratitude for the band's success.After battling alcoholism for 22 years, Randy made a life-saving choice in 2010 that he's maintained ever since: sobriety over ennui.In 2012, Randy was arrested in the Czech Republic on manslaughter charges after a fan died following a concert two years prior. Despite advice not to return, he chose to face trial to give the family answers and was eventually acquitted.Randy emphasizes the importance of regularly examining and questioning your own beliefs — despite how scary the answers you find might be.If you feel powerless and you're looking for a small way to have a big, positive impact on the world, Randy suggests joining the National Bone Marrow Registry (formerly Be The Match). It's free, only requires a simple cheek swab, and you could potentially save someone's life. Contributions are especially needed from underrepresented minority donors.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! 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!This Episode Is Sponsored By:Oura Ring: 10% off: ouraring.com/jordanAirbnb: airbnb.com/hostAudible: audible.com/jhs or text JHS to 500-500Homes.com: Find your home: homes.comAG1: Welcome kit: drinkag1.com/jordanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Ancient Rome to the Antebellum South to modern Libya, Nick Pell unshackles the truth about slavery across human history 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 Nick Pell!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1149On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss:Slavery has existed throughout human history across virtually all agricultural societies. The transatlantic slave trade represents just one episode in a long history of human bondage that continues today.The American Civil War wasn't primarily fought as a humanitarian mission to free slaves, but was a conflict between two economic systems: agricultural slavery in the South versus industrial free labor in the North.While the 13th Amendment technically abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States after the Civil War, a loophole has been exploited to create a prison-industrial complex where private companies and government entities profit from cheap or unpaid prison labor.Modern slavery affects approximately 40-50 million people globally, with India having the highest number (11 million), followed by China and North Korea. These include debt bondage, forced labor, and human trafficking.We can help combat modern slavery by supporting reputable organizations working to free enslaved people. Sites like Charity Navigator can guide you to legitimate anti-slavery charities making a real impact in this continuing human rights struggle.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!Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider leaving 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!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!This Episode Is Sponsored By:Shopify: 3 months for $1/month on select plans: shopify.com/jordanCaldera + Lab: 20% off: calderalab.com/jordan, code JORDANLand Rover Defender: landroverusa.comSomething You Should Know: somethingyoushouldknow.netSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your dad denies ever hitting you when you were a kid, but your trauma says otherwise. Risk the inheritance to speak your truth? 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/1148On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss:You're torn between confronting your abusive father about the violence he inflicted on you and your siblings growing up (which he now denies ever happened) or staying silent to protect your inheritance — money that could secure your daughter's future. He has a business worth over a million dollars and plenty of assets, but he's threatened to write people out of his will for far less. How do you balance authenticity with practicality?As head of technology, you championed a vendor partnership that turned out to be a disaster. They misrepresented key elements, costs are rising, and you've lost control of critical infrastructure. The worst part? You might be stuck with them for three to five years. While your CEO and board remain supportive, you're drowning in shame, dreading meetings, and questioning your leadership. How do you move forward?You're a disciplined 32-year-old investor who allocated over $8,000 to a real estate crowdfunding platform that has ghosted its investors. The company appears insolvent, withholding dividends and refusing to refund invested capital. Though the amount won't significantly impact you financially, the principle bothers you deeply. What options do you have for recovering your funds? [Thanks to bankruptcy attorney Erin Hoskins for helping us with this one!]Your 70-year-old fiercely independent mother is showing concerning signs of decline — forgetting bills, ignoring serious home issues, and recently was found driving her car in the wrong direction 40 minutes from home. You live in Florida while she's in rural Canada, and your sister nearby has her hands full. What legal options and practical measures can you take to keep her safe? [Thanks to senior services expert Pam Dukes for lending her expertise to this one!]Recommendation of the Week: RippedBody.comTwo years ago, you survived a suicide attempt following your wife's affair and abandonment. Since then, therapy and new relationships have transformed your life. On the first anniversary, you celebrated with the few people who knew about the attempt. Now approaching year two, you're wondering: should you expand this celebration to include new friends? Is this strange to commemorate?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.This Episode Is Sponsored By:No Story Lost: $350 savings: nostorylost.com, code JORDANAura Frames: $35 off: auraframes.com, code JORDANSkims: skims.com, survey: podcasts: JHSLand Rover Defender: landroverusa.comNomadic Matt: nomadicmatt.comLike this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider leaving 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!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!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can music replace drugs? Daniel J. Levitin shows how your favorite songs can release natural opioids, restore memory, and heal neural pathways!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1147What We Discuss with Daniel J. Levitin:Music functions like a Swiss Army knife in the brain, not just a hammer. Different music triggers different neurochemical systems — dopamine for motivation and pleasure, endogenous opioids for pain relief — explaining why personalized music choices are crucial for realizing therapeutic effects.The brain's default mode network can be activated by music, providing a restorative mental break that replenishes depleted glucose levels — like nature's reset button for our exhausted, decision-fatigued minds.Music therapy shows clinical evidence for treating Parkinson's (by synchronizing movements), memory disorders, and pain management — sometimes reducing or eliminating the need for pharmaceutical interventions through our body's natural neurochemical responses.Musical processing uses different neural pathways than speech, which is why people with speech disorders like stuttering or neurological damage from stroke can often still sing fluently — offering alternative communication channels when primary ones fail.You can start your own music medicine cabinet today by creating mood-specific playlists for different needs — and counterintuitively, when feeling depressed, choose songs that match rather than oppose your mood. This validates your emotions and creates a feeling of being understood.And much more...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 Sponsored By:NordVPN: Get an exclusive deal at nordvpn.com/jordanharbingerIQBAR: Text "Jordan" to 64,000 for 20% off all IQBAR products with free shippingNorthwest Registered Agent: Get more at northwestregisteredagent.com/jordanNotion: Try it free at notion.com/jordanAirbnb: Find out how much your space is worth at airbnb.com/hostSign 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!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ed Helms dishes on fame's hidden costs, his Office-Hangover filming marathon, and why historic blunders might be humanity's most reassuring legacy.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1146What We Discuss with Ed Helms:At 17, Ed Helms knew exactly what he wanted: to be an actor/producer for TV and film. This rare clarity gave him a massive head start, though he now recognizes success wasn't just hard work but also luck, privilege, and opportunity — a constellation of factors for which he's deeply grateful.Ed says the strangest part of fame is that friends claim "you've changed" when they're actually projecting their own discomfort. Fame also strips away your ability to control public spaces — no more escaping the awkward stranger at baggage claim.At his career peak, Ed filmed The Office Monday-Tuesday, then The Hangover Wednesday-Sunday — chartering flights from Vegas for 6 a.m. Office call times. He even removed his actual dental implant for The Hangover's missing tooth scenes while shooting Office episodes with a flipper tooth.Young Ed naively thought he'd balance being a traveling dad with non-stop film work. But reality hit hard, and now he declines projects that would separate him from family — even hypothetical Spielberg films. His former ADHD-fueled hyper-focus has given way to prioritizing presence.Ed's book chronicles humanity's epic blunders — from dropped nukes to CIA cat-spies — revealing our enduring resilience. These absurd mishaps offer perspective: we've always faced ridiculous challenges and somehow survived. Next time anxiety strikes, remember we've been falling on our faces — and getting back up — throughout history!And much more...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/dealsSign 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!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this Out of the Loop, Nathan Paul Southern and Lindsey Kennedy explain the consumer decisions and corporate interests fueling conflict in Rwanda.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. Investigative journalists Nathan Paul Southern and Lindsey Kennedy are here to help us understand why we're hearing a lot about Rwanda in recent news.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1145On This Episode of Out of the Loop, We Discuss:The M23 militia has recently resurged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), taking over parts of North Kivu province and effectively controlling access to valuable mineral resources like cobalt, gold, and coltan — minerals critical for modern technology including electric vehicles and AI chips.There appears to be a connection between the UK's Rwanda refugee resettlement program (which sent hundreds of millions of pounds to Rwanda) and the reemergence of the M23, which had previously disappeared when international aid was threatened to be cut off. The timing suggests the UK money may have indirectly funded the militia.Rwanda is allegedly stealing minerals from the DRC, bringing them across the border, and claiming they were mined in Rwanda — creating the appearance of "conflict-free" minerals that major tech companies like Apple and Tesla can claim to use, even though they ultimately come from conflict zones.The conflict has become increasingly complicated with the involvement of private military contractors from various countries, Russian interests, and American billionaires like Elon Musk and Eric Prince potentially making deals to control mineral resources in the region.Understanding these complex global connections can empower us to make more ethical consumer choices. By researching which companies prioritize truly ethical sourcing and supporting organizations that monitor conflict minerals, we can use our purchasing power to encourage corporate responsibility and transparency in global supply chains for technologies we rely on daily.And much more!Connect with Jordan on Twitter, on Instagram, and on YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on an Out of the Loop episode, drop Jordan a line at [email protected] and let him know!Connect with Nathan Paul Southern on Twitter.Connect with Lindsey Kennedy at her website and on Twitter.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/dealsSign 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!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.