HTDE | Daylight Media

How To Destroy Everything

Society EN ↓ 43 episodes

This 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. Join us each week as hosts Danny Jacobs and Darren Grodsky will shift between past and present to explore the lasting impact of Richard Jacobs. Subscribe to How to Destroy Everything on Apple, Spotify or wherev...

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.daylightmedia.com

Author

HTDE | Daylight Media

Category

Society

Podcast website

www.daylightmedia.com

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2025

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Episodes

Interregnum: How to Destroy a Name 17.12.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren dive into a treasure trove of old films and videos that Richard had made over the years, interview the actor who plays Richard about what it's like to play such an outsized character, and speak with Sandy about the ways this podcast have helped her reclaim her story.  Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podc...

Episode 9: How to Destroy a Divorce Part 2 10.12.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren go into the courtroom during Richard and Sandy's trial and they are able to hear, in Richard and Sandy's own words, the diametrically opposed perspectives of Danny's parents. In doing so, Danny confronts one of the most seminal moments of his childhood that has haunted him for decades. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to...

Interregnum: How to Destroy a Therapy Session 03.12.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren sit down for a chat with a licensed psychologist to get his take on all things Richard Jacobs. In a wide-ranging conversation, they are finally able to get some answers to many of their questions about what exactly may have been going on inside Richard's mind. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, ple...

Episode 8: How to Destroy a Divorce Part 1 26.11.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren take listeners into a new chapter in Richard's life, a chapter in which he begins to focus his rage on his ex-wife. Sandy recounts the times Richard broke into her apartment, destroyed her dream job, and filled Danny's every day elementary-school existence with dread. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podc...

Interregnum: How to Destroy an HOA 19.11.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren tell the traumatizing conclusion to Danny's epic battle with the evil construction company wreaking havoc on his home. Additionally, our intrepid hosts delve deeper into their interview with Barbara (the woman who spent nine years in court trying to take Richard down), and Sandy gives an update on her thereupeutic journey. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you g...

Episode 7: How to Destroy a Career Part 2 12.11.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren tackle the second half of Richard Jacobs' "career". With his reputation in tatters, Richard attempts to regain his law license and aims his considerable talents (and relentlessness) at members of the St. Louis community, representing himself in a reign of terror and leaving trauma in his wake. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would...

Interregnum: How to Destroy a Nose Job 05.11.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren go deeper into the mind (& world) of phone phreak 'Captain Crunch' in an attempt to understand Richard's love affair with technology. We'll also revisit one of the seminal stories we learned about Richard in an earlier episode and discover that it may not be true after all! Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support thi...

Episode 6: How to Destroy a Career Part 1 29.10.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren dive into the absolutely bananas career of Richard Jacobs, from all its promise to its absolute peril. This episode covers multiple arrests and criminal charges, getting fired from the SEC for accessing a classified database, and winning a United States Supreme Court case. And this is only part 1! Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you w...

Interregnum: How to Destroy a Family Text Chain 22.10.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren discuss the fallout in Danny's family that has resulted from this podcast. We'll also check in with Sandy about the emotional impact this all has been having on her. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything. This episode is spon...

Episode 5: How to Destroy a Marriage 15.10.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren try to answer a seminal question: How was it remotely possible that Danny's mom could have stayed with his dad for thirteen years? And how did she finally leave him? This episode takes a winding journey -- from Chicago to D.C. to St. Louis -- and ultimately to a better understanding of the marriage of Richard and Sandy Jacobs. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever y...

Interregnum: How to Destroy Generational Trauma 08.10.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren bring in Sandy to discuss the fallout of the intense revelations of the previous episode. Danny also recounts a recent experience that made him completely rethink the ways that he may or may not be like his father. Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon....

Episode 4: How to Destroy a Courtship 01.10.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren try to answer an enduring question: what kind of woman would marry someone like Richard Jacobs? In search of some explanation - any explanation - they go all the way back to Sandy's childhood. And along the way, they discover some truly shocking developments that change Danny's perception of who his Dad really was.  Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get you...

Interregnum: How to Destroy an Audience 24.09.2024

Wherein Danny and Darren finally explain why it took them so freakin' long to get this season ready while checking in with Danny's mom about the podcast's emotional toll. We'll also play some extended interviews from The Royal Manor.  Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/...

Episode 3: How to Destroy a Home Part 2 17.09.2024

Wherein Darren returns to the "scene of the crimes", The Royal Manor, and discovers way more than he could have possibly imagined. In the dark recesses of Danny's childhood attic, long held secrets are revealed, and Danny is forced to confront a childhood he hoped would stay in the shadows.  Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  If you would like to support this podc...

Trailer: The Rest of the Season 03.09.2024

"WE'RE BACK!" After an unreasonably long hiatus to actually -- you know -- figure out how to make a podcast, Danny and Darren announce the rest of the season of "How To Destroy Everything," along with a trailer for the show detailing the levels of destruction that audiences can expect. New episodes weekly, starting 9/17!  Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  If you...

Episode 2: How To Destroy A Home Part 1 22.09.2023

Danny & Darren explore the absurd, bizarre, and horrific aspects of the house Richard called home for more than 40 years. And in opening up his father’s secret compartments (both literal & figurative), Danny is confronted with whether he’s truly ready to face the ghosts that haunt him. Instagram: @how_to_destroy_everything Twitter / X: @HowToDestroyPod Support us here: https://www.patreon.com/HowT...

Trailer: How To Destroy Everything 13.07.2023

This is the true story of a narcissist who destroyed a childhood, a marriage, a family, and a community. You know, a comedy.  How To Destroy Everything is a narrative docu-dramdey that breaks the forms of any other podcast you've listened to. It will trigger all your emotions and leave you dying to know more. Instagram: @how_to_destroy_everything Twitter / X: @HowToDestroyPod Support us here: http...

Pilot Episode: Meet Richard Jacobs 24.05.2023

The first episode of a wild journey into the world of a narcissist. Meet Richard Jacobs through the eyes of his son and his son's childhood bestie, who follow the clues and put together the pieces of Richard's destructive life. You know, a comedy. Instagram: @how_to_destroy_everything Twitter / X: @HowToDestroyPod Support us here: https://www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything/about If you have an...

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