Bad Dates with Jameela Jamil - Introducing How To Destroy Everything

Episode Date: September 25, 2024

How to Destroy Everything is the true story of Richard Jacobs – a narcissist who destroyed a childhood, a marriage, a family, and a community. He sued every sentient being on the face of the earth, got banned from restaurants, and inspired a support group composed solely of people he traumatized. He stole notary stamps, hacked emails, forged signatures… and won a U.S. Supreme Court case. He was also my dad. Each week, Danny and Darren will shift between past and present to explore the lasting impact of Richard Jacobs.New episodes available weekly on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-destroy-everything/id1689464000 Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes.

Hey, Bad Dates listeners, it's Joel Kim Booster here. I have got an incredible new show to share with you called How to Destroy Everything. Hosted by Danny Jacobs and Darren Grotsky, this podcast is part crime drama, part comedy, and absolutely binge worthy. It tells the true story of Danny's dad, a narcissist who wreaked havoc on a childhood, a marriage, a family, and even an entire community. He sued everyone in sight, got banned from restaurants, inspired a support group of people he traumatized, hacked emails, forged signatures,

and even won a US Supreme Court case. Each week, Danny and Darren explore the hilariously tragic life of Danny's father, unraveling secrets from his past as they go. They also dive into Danny's journey toward fatherhood, examining how he attempts to reconcile his own past. With real interviews, narrative recreations and stunning sound design, How to Destroy Everything offers a truly unique experience in the podcasting world. Check out this trailer for the show and follow How to Destroy Everything on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Growing up, I knew my dad was different.

Nothing with your father was ever normal. I have to say this, it didn't take a lot to convince me that your father had a mental problem. I knew it in the way he would anger absolutely everyone around us and in the way he got disbarred for stealing documents from a federal courthouse. When we moved from Chicago to Washington DC, somebody called a bomb to the moving company. They'd say he was a criminal, that he was mentally ill, that he was mean.

I think he had extreme paranoia. I also knew it in the way he got fired from the Securities and Exchange Commission for illegally accessing a classified database. Let me tell you what your husband did. He said he had a security clearance that he does not possess, all so he could see some documents he wasn't allowed to look at. This is something the United States government takes extremely seriously. And he said to me, you're lucky we're not going to turn him into the FBI.

Really? Yeah. So I was like, oh. I knew it in how he pestered the post office for years until they agreed to legally change our home address in St. Louis from a number, like everyone else, to the words, The Royal Manor. It was obvious that Mr. Jacobs had some problems. He was looking for a challenge. I don't know. It was the most unusual situation I had seen in 40 years.

I think Richard probably sued every sentient being in St. Louis County. And I knew it when, after my parents' divorce, my dad launched a litany of lawsuits against my mom. And she was contacted by a woman who had started a support group, not for divorcees, but composed solely of people who had been sued by my dad. So she ended up contacting those people and she would get together with them. He went from a decent person to a scandal. Richard Jacobs was a real thorn in the side in the courthouse and was giving attorneys a bad name. But I also knew the deep love my father felt for my brother and me. Despite having no idea how to love us in a healthy way, I saw his charm, his intelligence,

and the way he could use his power to manipulate in the service of those he loved. He did some good things. He was well-intentioned, but his methodology was awesome. He was trying to be the Disney man father. He was my best friend. Richard was quite smart. Your dad was probably a genius.

He could have really changed the world. I don't know more about him. I think he's a genius. A genius, but also a menace, a mystery. When I did a background investigation on him, he had some relationship or some cover story on what makes. I wouldn't surmise the purpose of that as to be an altered eagle. They could very well be that your dad was using a pseudonym. My dad was a complicated man. A few years back, I became a father myself, which has brought to the surface all kinds of memories and anxieties. And in this podcast, I hope to finally understand who my dad was

and hopefully find some closure before it's too late. It's time for me to confront my greatest fear. Well what if you're like your father? Thankfully I don't have to do this alone. I've got my best friend Darren. Hey Danny. Yep, riding shotgun with me. Who's to say you're not riding shotgun? Maybe I'm driving this thing.

The world is in chaos Darren, the truth is no one's driving. You're right about that. You're right riding shotgun, maybe I'm driving this thing. The world is in chaos, Darren, the truth is no one's driving. You're right about that, you're right about that. No matter what though, I will be with you on this journey as we strive to put right what once went wrong, hoping each time that the next leap will be the leap home. Darren, that is from Quantum Leap. I know that, I love that show though. God, maybe we should just watch that. Let's do it.

How to destroy everything. The true story of a narcissist who wrecked a childhood, a marriage, a family, and a community. You know, a comedy. How to Destroy Everything will be available on September 17th on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe now. Please binge this show with us by listening to How to Destroy Everything on Apple, Spotify,

or wherever you get your podcasts.