The Jordan Harbinger Show

Episode 1222: What Legal Steps Come Next to Stop Criminal Ex? | Feedback Friday
Released: October 10, 2025

Overview

This Feedback Friday episode features host Jordan Harbinger and producer Gabriel Mizrahi addressing listener dilemmas and unpacking practical legal, professional, and personal advice with empathy, candor, and humor. The main theme centers on high-stakes legal recourse for a woman targeted by a criminal ex, alongside discussions about workplace boundaries amid layoffs and an insightful journey through neurodivergence. The show combines in-depth listener questions with expert input, memorable stories, and tactical advice.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Hollywood Reality Show Story: Humility & Ego on Set

[00:00] – [11:53]

Story Highlights:

• Jordan shares a behind-the-scenes story about filming a reality show pilot as a dating coach alongside his friend Kristalyn.
• A contestant, “Rocky,” mistook Jordan for a production assistant and spoke down to him, not knowing Jordan was actually one of the on-camera coaches.
• Later, Jordan calls out Rocky’s arrogance in front of the camera, leading to Rocky’s realization and genuine apology.
• Theme: The episode sets the tone with humor and an exploration of humility, perception, and growth.

Notable Quote:

• Jordan: “You’re not cooler because you treat people like crap.” [06:23]
• Gabe (to Jordan): “You didn’t have to [put Rocky in his place], but your sense of drama is impeccable.” [07:12]

2. Main Question: What Legal Steps to Stop a Criminal, Stalking Ex?

[12:06] – [28:13]

Listener Story Summary:

• A listener’s ex-boyfriend has committed blackmail (threatening to release explicit photos), financial fraud ($19,000 in credit card debt), identity theft, digital stalking, vehicle theft, and threats of violence.
• She attempted to file a restraining order but had trouble serving him; he continues to drive a car titled in her name across state lines.

Expert Input:

• Legal Expert: Attorney Corbin Payne (consulted for direct advice).
• Key steps outlined: Document everything, contact police (local and federal), work with victim advocates, consider civil lawsuits, identity monitoring, and creative actions like repossessing the stolen car.

Actionable Legal Advice Breakdown:

• Report to Authorities:
  • Blackmail, revenge porn, credit card fraud, identity theft—each crime is prosecutable.
  • File reports with both local (police) and federal (FBI, FTC) agencies.
• Documentation:
  • Organize evidence (screenshots, emails, texts).
  • “If you go in with texts and emails and pictures…they’re going to take you much more seriously.” – Jordan [18:54]
• Victim Advocates:
  • Work with victim coordinators in prosecutor’s office for support and to navigate the system.
  • Be a “pleasant nuisance”—follow up regularly.
• Civil Remedies:
  • Consider small claims court for financial losses.
  • Possible to file a lien against his house if he fails to pay a judgment.
• Practical Steps:
  • Consider using a reputable tow truck company to reclaim a stolen vehicle (“personal repo”).
  • Apply for a new restraining order with updated, complete address info.
  • Keep a certified copy of any protective order on your person.
• Support Systems:
  • Seek out survivor support groups; “Don’t run the marathon alone.”

Notable Quotes:

• Corbin Payne (via Jordan): “What an asshole.” [16:49]
• Jordan: “The more you can wrap this up in a bow and hand it to a prosecutor, the more likely they are to take your case.” [19:45]
• Gabe: “It’s time to become what Corbin calls a pleasant nuisance.” [19:08]
• Corbin’s Life Pro Tip: “Keep a certified meaning stamped or embossed copy of this protective order issued directly from the court clerk on your person at all times…” [23:18]

Memorable Moment:

• Jordan (joking): “…if she does seize the house, just sell it. You don’t want this guy knowing where you live.” [28:04]

3. Handling Workplace Layoffs & Emotional Boundaries

[30:57] – [37:51]

Listener Question:

• Laid-off managers are approached by remaining coworkers expressing their own sadness and frustration, which feels emotionally burdensome to the managers themselves.

Expert Input:

• Guest Expert: Dr. Arseni Tum von Neuberg, organizational psychologist.
• Insight:
  • Acknowledge the outpouring—see it as an indicator of good leadership and relationships.
  • It’s appropriate to set boundaries if overwhelmed, but also an opportunity to accept support.
• Reframe:
  • “Would you prefer if you were being let go and no one cared to reach out?” [35:11]
  • “The quality of your relationships is the most important asset you have, always, but especially when you’ve just been let go…” – Jordan [36:18]

4. Neurodivergence Journey: Diagnosis, Acceptance & Advocacy

[37:51] – [56:58]

Listener Story:

• A man details his late discovery of ADHD, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), autism, OCD, and stereo blindness.
• Finds appropriate treatment for each; dramatic improvements in functioning and self-understanding.
• Shares openly at work, leading to others discovering and getting help for neurodivergence.

Key Insights:

• Diagnosis as Empowerment: Labels are only valuable insofar as they improve your life or help tailor solutions—not as limits.
• Self-Observation: Continually reflect on your inner experiences and ask for feedback.
• Advocacy: Share your journey and resources to help others, but be mindful not to overstep or evangelize.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan (encouraging): “I’m diagnosing you with a good sense of humor. No drugs needed.” [49:57]
• Gabe: “…keep sharing your story with people…generally be a friend and champion to them.” [56:44]

Memorable & Humorous Exchange:

• Gabe (on OCD tendencies): “…I like to finish a staircase on the right foot…” [44:37]
• Jordan: “Sounds like you have OCD on some level, man.” [44:56]

5. Recommendation & Big-Picture Takeaway

[61:12] – [74:14]

Jordan’s Recommendation:

• Retro Board Games: Celebrates classic games like Trouble, Uno, and Sorry as family-friendly, screen-free ways to connect.

Newsletter Highlight & AI Gender Gap [63:21]:

• Shares takeaways from Scott Galloway’s newsletter on the gender gap in AI tool adoption, with significant economic implications:
  • Women use AI 20% less than men, risking compounding career/economic disadvantages.
  • Theories include greater risk aversion, societal expectations, and harsher competence penalties for women using AI.
  • Scott Galloway: “AI skills increase your chances of getting a higher-paying job…this is especially important for women.” [65:26]
  • Call to Action: Encourage women to start building AI skills and for organizations to set clear AI usage policies.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Jordan (on legal options): “Report all of this. Now. The authorities might drag their feet…but it’s still worth filing those reports and pushing for charges.” [16:47]
• Corbin Payne (through Jordan): “Document. Document. Document.” [18:54]
• Gabe (on board games): “My mom has this collection of board games from when she was a little girl…” [62:24]
• Jordan (on reframing layoffs): “If you respond in a gracious way to your employees…you’re only deepening those relationships.” [34:00]
• Gabe (on AI gender gap): “So this is actually about gender bias and women anticipating that?” [69:00]
• Jordan (on Scott Galloway's point): “If this gap continues, it will broaden and compound gender inequalities in income and career advancement.” [70:47]

Episode Flow & Structure

• Opening Banter: Reality TV story about humility, status, and conflict on set.
• Listener Legal Dilemma: Deep dive into harassment/stalking/identity theft; extensive legal & tactical breakdown by Jordan and Gabe, with attorney input.
• Workplace Emotional Boundaries: Guidance for managers facing the emotional fallout from layoffs.
• Neurodivergence Discovery: Listener’s journey through diagnosis, treatment, and advocacy.
• Fun Segment: Retro games family recommendation.
• Societal Takeaway: Discussion of technology adoption and gender equity, inspired by Scott Galloway.
• Closing/Tangents: Invitations to connect, newsletter sign-up, and future episode teaser (Scott Galloway returns) [74:14].

Summary for New Listeners

This Feedback Friday delivers Jordan and Gabe’s signature blend of practical legal, psychological, and career advice—all grounded in real, complex listener stories. The standout segment is a step-by-step response to a listener under siege by her criminal ex, including actionable legal, technological, and emotional strategies—making this episode particularly valuable for anyone facing harassment or needing guidance on legal recourse, as well as those interested in the broader social impacts of technology, workplace culture, and neurodiversity. The episode expertly weaves empathy, expertise, humor, and memorable storytelling into a well-organized, enriching listening experience.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Reality Show Story & Lessons: [00:00] – [11:53]
• Main Legal Dilemma (Criminal Ex): [12:06] – [28:13]
• Workplace Layoff Boundaries: [30:57] – [37:51]
• Neurodivergence Letter & Insights: [37:51] – [56:58]
• Board Games Recommendation: [61:12] – [63:21]
• AI Gender Gap Newsletter Takeaway: [63:21] – [74:14]
• Teaser: Scott Galloway on Wealth: [74:14] – [75:39]

For full resources or to connect with the show:

• Website: jordanharbinger.com
• Email for listener questions: friday@jordanharbinger.com
• Newsletter sign-up: jordanharbinger.com/news
• Deals & sponsors referenced: jordanharbinger.com/deals