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    106: Scott Harrison | How to Quench the World's Thirst with Charity

    en-usOctober 11, 2018

    Podcast Summary

    • Transform a spare room into an Airbnb for extra income and unique experiencesAirbnb allows hosts to earn income, share unique spaces, and connect with people from around the world. Personal touches can enhance the guest experience and broaden the hosts' horizons.

      Turning a spare room into an Airbnb not only brings in extra income but also allows hosts to share their unique space and local insights with travelers. Hosts can make their guests feel welcome and cherished by adding personal touches, just like Jen and her friend did, inspired by their own travels. This not only enriches the experience for the guests but also broadens the horizons of the hosts. The Airbnb model not only benefits the host financially but also allows them to connect with people from around the world. As Scott Harrison's story shows, it's possible to make a difference in the world, no matter where you start. Whether it's in the high-stakes world of Manhattan investment banking or in the developing world, creativity and storytelling can help create emotional connections. So, consider transforming a spare room into an Airbnb or finding a cause you're passionate about, and see how you can make a difference and create meaningful experiences.

    • Childhood experiences shape our future sensitivitiesOur past experiences, whether significant or seemingly insignificant, can influence our future in unexpected ways.

      Our experiences, even the seemingly insignificant ones, can shape our future in unexpected ways. Scott Harrison, the founder of Charity: Water, shared a story from his childhood about how a carbon monoxide leak in his family's home left his mother with a weakened immune system, which influenced her sensitivity to everyday toxins. Harrison also shared a less serious anecdote about how he once tried to upgrade his frequent flyer status by changing his title to "Lord," but learned that authenticity matters more than a fancy title. These stories illustrate how our past experiences and the choices we make can have lasting impacts on our lives.

    • Childhood experiences shape futureDespite adversity, childhood experiences can inspire personal growth and shape future choices

      Childhood experiences, even those filled with adversity, can significantly shape an individual's future. The speaker's upbringing, marked by his mother's illness and the family's strong faith, influenced his desire to become a doctor and maintain a virtuous lifestyle. However, during his teenage years, he rebelled against this upbringing, seeking to explore the "dark side" of life. This rebellion led him to a career as a nightclub promoter in New York City, where he found a stark contrast to his past. Despite these divergent paths, the speaker's experiences, both good and bad, have contributed to the person he is today.

    • The allure of the VIP lifestyle can lead to self-destructionThe pursuit of external success can come at the cost of internal decay, and it's crucial to consider the impact of our choices on overall well-being.

      The allure of the VIP lifestyle, with its perks and privileges, can lead individuals down a destructive path if they lose sight of their values and priorities. The speaker, in his pursuit of the VIP lifestyle, found himself addicted to substances and behaviors that were detrimental to both his physical and emotional health. He spent 10 years climbing the social ladder of New York nightclubs, but when he reached the top, he realized that the things he thought would make him happy did not bring him fulfillment. Instead, he had polluted not only himself but others for a living. The contrast between his external success and the internal decay of his soul was particularly pronounced because of the moral foundation he had been raised with. To get started in the nightclub industry, the speaker first approached a promoter while his band was performing at a club. Despite being underpaid, he saw potential in the business and eventually became a promoter himself, but the price of success was steep. The experience serves as a reminder that the means to an end can have lasting consequences, and it's essential to consider the impact of our choices on our overall well-being.

    • From struggling artist to club promoterPersistence and email marketing helped Scott Harrison transition from a struggling artist to a successful club promoter, but his unhealthy lifestyle eventually caught up with him.

      When Scott Harrison's band broke up and he found himself in a struggling artist's position, he saw an opportunity to switch sides and become an owner instead. He persistently contacted the owners of the hottest club in New York City, Lotus, and eventually landed a job promoting on their slowest night. Harrison's early adoption of email marketing helped him build a large list, which he used to throw unique and interesting events. However, his lifestyle of drugs, women, and alcohol eventually took a toll on him, leading to numbness in his body. Despite his partner's concerns, Harrison refused to change his ways. It wasn't until a New Year's Eve vacation that he realized the negative impact of his lifestyle and began to make changes.

    • Experience of hollow life with wealth and indulgence in UruguayRealizing that excessive partying and wealth can lead to a hollow life, the speaker turned to faith and spiritual teachings for a more fulfilling and virtuous way of living.

      Material wealth and worldly pleasures can lead to a hollow and unsatisfying life. The speaker shares an experience of excessive partying and wealth in Uruguay, where he was surrounded by opulence and indulgence. However, he felt an insatiable desire for more and a sense of disconnection from his spiritual foundation. He realized that his pursuit of girls, money, and fame was a race to the bottom and a race to hell. This realization led him to reconnect with his faith and the teachings of Jesus, which offered a contrasting vision of a life of service, love, and purity. The speaker felt a deep attraction to this way of living and saw it as a way to come home to a more fulfilling and virtuous life. However, he recognized that making such a change would require significant adjustments and distancing himself from old habits and influences. The parable of the prodigal son served as an inspiring example of the possibility of a radical turnaround and the embrace of a more spiritual way of living.

    • A year of humanitarian service transformed a self-destructive lifeWhen faced with rock bottom, seek a radical shift in direction for personal growth and positive impact.

      Sometimes in life, we hit rock bottom and need a drastic change to get back on track. For the speaker, this meant quitting his job as a nightclub promoter and embarking on a year of humanitarian service. After years of self-destructive behavior, he realized he needed a radical shift in direction. Despite his lack of experience, he applied to various organizations and was eventually accepted as a volunteer photojournalist in post-war Liberia. Although it meant living in poverty and working for very little pay, he saw it as an opportunity to make a positive impact and share the organization's work with influential people back in New York. The experience transformed his life and helped him leave his self-destructive habits behind.

    • Medical mission aboard a hospital ship: A powerful fundraising modelIndividuals can make a significant impact by raising funds to join medical missions, providing crucial healthcare services to those in need, despite resource limitations.

      The medical mission aboard a hospital ship was an effective fundraising model. Each volunteer was responsible for raising their own funds to join the mission, creating a powerful fundraising army. Despite the challenging environment of triaging thousands of patients with limited resources, the team made a significant impact, providing surgery slots for those in dire need. The experience was both humbling and heartbreaking, as they encountered people suffering from various diseases and injuries, some of whom were turned away due to the limited resources. The mission served as a reminder of the immense need for medical care in certain parts of the world and the importance of individual efforts in making a difference.

    • A Tough Decision to Close Hospital Ship DoorsDespite closing doors due to limited resources, charity: water transformed lives of 1500 people in 4 months.

      Scott Harrison, the founder of charity: water, shared his experience of operating a hospital ship that provided free surgeries to people in need. He described a particularly challenging day when they had to close the doors after reaching their capacity to help 1500 people in 4 months. Although it was a tough decision, Harrison focused on the hope and the lives they were able to transform. The ship, which was 52 years old, could only provide surplus services for about 18 months before needing repairs and supplies. Harrison also mentioned an interesting observation about how losing team merchandise from the U.S. ended up in Africa.

    • The Importance of Clean Water for Good HealthClean water is essential for health and saves more lives than violence each year, inspiring a focus on water access for those in need.

      Clean water is a fundamental necessity for good health and well-being, yet many people around the world lack access to it. During his time in Africa, the speaker was shocked to see people drinking from dirty sources and learned that half the population didn't have clean water. He was encouraged by doctors and medical professionals to focus on water as a way to help end sickness and suffering. The importance of clean water became clear when he learned that it kills more people than all violence in the world every year, and he became passionate about addressing this issue. The speaker's perspective was transformed by his experiences in Africa, leading him to focus on water as a way to make a significant impact on people's lives.

    • From promoting material wealth to providing clean waterThe speaker was inspired by the water crisis and used his skills to promote clean water instead of material wealth, making a positive impact on people's lives.

      The speaker, inspired by the stark contrast between his privileged lifestyle and the water crisis faced by a significant portion of the world, decided to use his promotional skills to make a difference. After witnessing the suffering firsthand through Mercy Ships, he realized the destructive nature of his previous message promoting material wealth and status. He then dedicated himself to promoting the cause of providing clean water to everyone, quitting his vices and embarking on a new life. This radical shift allowed him to use his talents for something truly redemptive and help bring about a change in the lives of many.

    • Using Unconventional Skills to Disrupt Traditional PhilanthropyFounder of Charity Water, Scott Harrison, applied his experience in nightlife promotion to create a charity model with 100% donation transparency, accountability, and a focus on building trust to disrupt traditional philanthropy

      Scott Harrison, the founder of Charity Water, used his experience in nightlife promotion to disrupt traditional philanthropy. Before starting Charity Water, Harrison had a "last hurrah" experience at a casino, where he lost all his money, reinforcing his belief that material possessions bring no joy. This experience paralleled his work in nightlife, where he had to tell compelling stories and create excitement to attract crowds. When Harrison founded Charity Water, he saw an opportunity to apply these skills to charity. He realized that many people distrusted charities due to perceived inefficiency and waste. In response, Harrison created a business model with four pillars: 100% of donations going directly to water projects, transparency in how funds are used, accountability through public reporting, and a focus on building trust with donors. By combining his unconventional skills with a mission to provide clean water to those in need, Harrison successfully disrupted traditional philanthropy and built a charity that resonated with donors.

    • Revolutionizing Charitable Giving with Transparency and EmpowermentCharity Water transformed charitable giving by focusing on transparency, empowering local communities, and inspiring donors with hope and joy instead of shame and guilt.

      Charity Water, founded in 2006, revolutionized charitable giving by ensuring 100% of public donations went directly to water projects, transparency through Google mapping, building a positive brand, and empowering local communities to lead their own development. Unlike traditional charities that used shame and guilt, Charity Water focused on hope and opportunity, inspiring people to give out of abundance and joy. The organization's unique business model, which separated overhead costs and ensured local implementation, helped build trust and transform the way people perceived charitable giving.

    • Charity Water's success through transparency and social mediaCharity Water's 100% model and transparency built trust, while social media engagement grew their community, reaching over a million people with pure donations.

      Charity Water's success lies in its transparency and the 100% model, where donors cover the overhead costs, allowing them to trust that their donations are going directly to the cause. Social media played a crucial role in building and engaging a large community, with Charity Water being the first charity to reach 1 million followers on Twitter and use Instagram. By addressing the common objection of where donations go and proving the use of funds through radical transparency, Charity Water has been able to reach over a million people with the promise of a pure donation.

    • Using storytelling to inspire action on the water crisisCharity: water effectively uses storytelling to connect people emotionally to the cause of providing clean water and inspires them to take action, reaching over 8.5 million people.

      Storytelling is a powerful tool for raising awareness and inspiring action, especially when it comes to addressing global issues like the water crisis. Charity: water, an organization founded by Scott Harrison, has effectively used storytelling to engage people and motivate them to make a difference. By sharing stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by access to clean water, the organization has been able to connect people emotionally to the cause and inspire them to take action. This approach has helped Charity: water bring clean water to over 8.5 million people in 29,000 villages, with a goal of reaching 100 million people. The organization believes that every action, no matter how small, can make a difference and has grown a movement of over 1 million people. The power of storytelling has allowed Charity: water to challenge apathy and inspire people to join the mission of providing clean water to all.

    • Joining forces to end the global water crisisBy donating $30/month, individuals can help provide clean water to one person and join a community working towards ending the water crisis

      There are over 800 million people worldwide who lack access to clean water. This is a significant issue that requires collective action. Scott Harrison, the author of "Thirst," is doing his part by donating all his book proceeds to Charity Water, and encouraging readers to join "The Spring," a monthly giving community. By pledging as little as $30 a month, individuals can help provide clean water to one person and become part of a dedicated community working towards ending the water crisis. Harrison's book shares personal stories and lessons that may inspire readers to find their purpose and make a difference. By committing to a monthly donation, supporters can create lasting change and tell future generations that they were part of the solution. To learn more and join "The Spring," visit charitywater.org/spring.

    • From Club Promoter to Charity Founder: Scott Harrison's Redemptive JourneyScott Harrison's inspiring story shows the power of redemption and the importance of turning past experiences into good. His book, 'Thirst,' highlights his innovative charity work and storytelling talent, while emphasizing the value of early relationship-building efforts.

      Scott Harrison's story is a powerful reminder of the potential for redemption and the unique paths our lives can take. Harrison, who went from being a club promoter to running a successful charity, shares his educational mistakes and the creative ways he's turned his past experiences into good. His book, "Thirst," is an inspiring and quick read that showcases his storytelling talent and innovative charity work. The importance of starting relationship-building efforts early is also emphasized, as highlighted in Harrison's journey and in Jordan Harbinger's Level One course. By sharing this episode and taking action on the practical tips, listeners can make meaningful connections and create positive change in their own lives.

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    • 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/985

    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!

    Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

    984: Susan Casey | Unraveling Mysteries in the Ocean's Darkest Depths

    984: Susan Casey | Unraveling Mysteries in the Ocean's Darkest Depths

    What challenges can the ocean help us meet, and what must we do to safeguard its treasures? The Underworld author Susan Casey dives deep for answers here!

    What We Discuss with Susan Casey:

    • The ocean plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate and serves as the largest carbon sink on the planet, making its preservation essential for mitigating climate change.
    • The ocean is home to a fascinating array of creatures that have adapted to extreme conditions, such as iron-breathing microbes, glass sponges, and jellyfish that can reverse their life cycle.
    • Pollution, including plastics, chemical weapons, and nuclear waste, has severely impacted the ocean ecosystem, with some deep-sea creatures found to have plastic particles embedded in their organs.
    • There are an estimated three million shipwrecks on the ocean floor, preserving valuable historical artifacts and information — such as the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek analog computer.
    • Exploring the ocean can lead to groundbreaking discoveries in medicine, Earth's history, and climate, providing valuable insights for addressing humanity's challenges — provided we safeguard this treasury of knowledge for current and future generations.
    • And much more...

    Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/984

    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!

    Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

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    • The factors that led Tom Hardin toward the temptation of illegal insider trading.
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    • And much more...

    Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

    Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/918 

    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! 

    Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

    256: Malcolm Gladwell | What We Should Know about Talking to Strangers

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    Malcolm Gladwell (@gladwell) has written bestsellers that are probably on your shelf right now, including The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, and What the Dog Saw. His latest book is Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know.

    What We Discuss with Malcolm Gladwell:

    • Why, if we don't know how to talk to strangers, we invite conflict and misunderstanding in ways that have a profound effect on our lives and our world.
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    • What determines the direction of Malcolm's projects, and how he researches and organizes the massive amount of information that goes into them.
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    Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/256

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

    Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

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    Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/365

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

    Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

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    On this Feedback Friday, Gabe relays the tragic story of a paranoid schizophrenic neighbor that illustrates just how destabilizing unchecked mental illness can be for family members, friends, neighbors, and the patients themselves.

    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!

    Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/705

    On This Week's Feedback Friday, We Discuss:

    • Gabe relays the tragic story of a paranoid schizophrenic neighbor that illustrates just how destabilizing unchecked mental illness can be for family members, friends, neighbors, and the patients themselves.
    • In spite of having a dream job and a significant other who checks most of your boxes, current circumstances make imagining a future in your native Russia difficult. Unfortunately, this significant other comes from a conservative family and doesn't understand why you'd ever want to move abroad. Are your differences too radical to build a life together?
    • Your boss is an incredible leader who commands respect across the board. Unfortunately, a family tragedy has overwhelmed her with grief. How can your team offer support without intruding on her personal life?
    • Your significant other is great in every respect -- except for when he gets in a "mood" and resorts to calling you names and putting you down. Where do you draw the line on verbal abuse?
    • Is it possible to profit from selling your business idea when you don't have the financial means to create your own startup around that idea?
    • 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.

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

    Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider leaving your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

    956: Cannabis | Skeptical Sunday

    956: Cannabis | Skeptical Sunday

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    On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss:

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    • The criminalization of cannabis in the 20th century and the slow reversal of its prohibition.
    • The effects of THC and CBD.
    • Why modern cannabis is so much more potent than the strains our parents used to sneak.
    • The benefits of legal cannabis.
    • 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 TwitterInstagram, 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!

    Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/956

    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!

    Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!