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Artwork for People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast

People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast

Zachary Elwood
Political Polarization
Chase Hughes
Mental Health
Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Deception Detection
Body Language
Psychology
Toxic Polarization
Social Media
Polarization
Hypnosis
Misinformation
Face Reading
Door-To-Door Sales
Interrogation Techniques
Anxiety
Political Violence
Behavior Analysis
Conflict
Autism Spectrum Disorder

This show will help you understand human behavior and psychology so you can better navigate your personal and professional life and better connect with people. The host Zachary Elwood, known for his Reading Poker Tells trilogy of books, talks with a wide range of guests who have unique real-world insights, including: law enforcement professionals, behavior and psychology researchers, sports analys... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes209Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesMental HealthScienceHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast

Latest Episodes

What if some job applicants aren’t actually trying to get jobs — but are instead trying to infiltrate companies? Dani Tepedjiyska, who works with the recruitment firm Michael Page, describes a strange and growing world of fake resumes, organized appl... more

Many people think police interrogations often involve reading body language and catching “tells” of deception. Interrogation trainer Mark Anderson explains how much of what’s taught about using nonverbal behavior in high-stakes interviews is based on... more

Visa officers make life-changing decisions in minutes—often after just a brief conversation through a glass window. I talk with former U.S. visa officer Travis Feuerbacher (ZFvisa.com) about what really goes into those rapid judgments. How much do be... more

What if much of human behavior—from everyday interactions to politics and culture—is driven by hidden “status games” we’re all playing without realizing it? In this talk with Cards Against Humanity co-creator and evolutionary psychologist David Pinso... more

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Recent Guests

Dani Tepedjiyska
Recruiter at Michael Page specializing in financial crime prevention recruitment
Michael Page
Episode: How recruiters spot fake, deceptive job applicants, with Dani Tepedjiyska
Mark Anderson
A retired special agent with extensive experience in FBI, DoJ OIG, and training in Advanced Interviewing and Interviewing for Fraud Auditors
Anderson Investigative
Episode: Interrogation trainer shares what really works (and why "reading people" doesn't)
Travis Feuerbacher
Immigration attorney and former consular officer
ZF Visa Guides
Episode: How do visa officers read behavior?, with Travis Feuerbacher
David Pinsof
Co-creator of Cards Against Humanity; evolutionary psychologist
Cards Against Humanity / UCLA
Episode: Are you seeking status without even knowing it? Cards Against Humanity's David Pinsof thinks so
Stephen Kinzer
Author of Poisoner in Chief, Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control
Author; Foreign Correspondent
Episode: Is mind control possible? Did MK Ultra actually discover anything impressive?
Vincent Denault
Criminology and behavior researcher
University of Montreal / Human Behavior and Justice Research Laboratory
Episode: From body language bullshit to behavior science, with Vincent Denault
Kent Clizbe
Ex-CIA officer who specializes in vetting and counterintelligence
Independent security/consulting
Episode: Con man Chase Hughes' military record versus his grandiose claims
Andres Lares
Professional negotiator and CEO of Shapiro Negotiations Institute
Shapiro Negotiations Institute
Episode: Pro negotiator discusses the “power of nice” and reading body language | with Andres Lares
Eric Robinson
Recently retired FBI agent and author
Episode: FBI agent discusses interrogation tactics, body language, the lie detector, and more

Host

Zachary Elwood
Host focused on behavioral psychology and reading people; interviews guests about reading behavior, interviewing, and deception.

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 568 ratings
  • Tin Foil Hat

    15 minutes in and it’s apparent. This guy is a scammer of the 1st degree.

    The man hasn’t a shard of credibility and neither does this podcast. A favorite among the Tin Foil Hat loons I’m sure

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Juanwhoknows
    United Statesa month ago
  • So much potential but…

    There is a lot of potential for this show but the obsession over the hate of the Hughes guy is tiring. I’ll follow again down the road and hopefully that’s changed. Until then I’m moving on.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nick Ibarra
    United States2 months ago
  • “Both sides-ism”

    The host is particularly susceptible to the “both sides” form of bias. Aka, when you reduce an argument down to two sides, then give sides equal weight. He’s not particularly specific when he says “both sides do XYZ” so the listener doesnt know if hes referencing random people on the internet, or actual public figures associated with a party or movement. This creates an illusion to the listener to automatically believe the false equivalence being drawn. I was hoping this would be a cool new pod ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Frantzeska1995
    United States4 months ago
  • He is brilliant yet doesn’t steal spotlight from guests & it’s part of top tier podcast. Brilliance

    It’s a top

    Tier podcast. The host is exceptional , brilliant and generous. I love the topic matter. The narcissist abuse episode I got hit hardest with because I experienced and still am enduring ten years later - everything she mentioned and multiplied . I love psychology in general and I’ve looked into a few shows and not one is as articulate, and well versed by the speakers that share on the show and he lets them fully have the stage. I appreciate his candor, intelligence and alll of his gue... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rebeccha_Label
    United States4 months ago
  • PROS/CONS

    Alright, I’m enjoying this podcast. There are new and interesting topics. But yes, the ads are seriously annoying. It feels like a few episodes ran a bit long. Perhaps some editing is needed.

    And to the folks who rate the entire podcast with one ⭐️ because of one episode they disliked, I don’t think that’s fair.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Freds4Ever
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Ads can be disruptive in some episodes.
Thoughtful, well-researched discussions with strong guest lineups.
Guests are generally high-quality and prepared, with insightful, science-based conversations.
Some listeners note strong polarizing debates and a polarizing host perspective in a few episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How recruiters spot fake, deceptive job applicants, with Dani Tepedjiyska
Q: What role does AI and deepfakes play in these scams?
AI can generate convincing resumes, emails, and even interview responses in real time, enabling impostors to sound highly credible and bypass typical vetting; this makes it harder for recruiters to distinguish genuine candidates from fabrications.
How recruiters spot fake, deceptive job applicants, with Dani Tepedjiyska
Q: How do organized schemes operate in staffing and recruitment for large projects?
Multiple staffing firms, consulting firms, and end clients coordinate to fill large remote projects, often with several people living at the same address; they refer and cross-submit candidates to maximize on a single project.
How recruiters spot fake, deceptive job applicants, with Dani Tepedjiyska
Q: What are some indicators that a candidate is being deceptive or underhanded?
Polished appearances, excessive flattery, and later inconsistencies when pushed for specifics, especially around who paid them, who they worked for, and whether the staffing firm or bank actually employed them. Visual clues like looking away, reading off screens, or using AI-generated responses also signal deception.
How do visa officers read behavior?, with Travis Feuerbacher
Q: What happens if an officer denies a visa—how detailed are the notes and is there room for feedback?
Notes documenting the decision are kept in the system and are visible to subsequent officers; detailed rationale is encouraged to guide future assessments, and managers review a portion of decisions for training and teaching purposes.
How do visa officers read behavior?, with Travis Feuerbacher
Q: How do nonverbal cues factor into decisions, and how reliable are they?
Nonverbal cues are taught as potential signals but are not reliable indicators of truth; they are just one element among many, and good interviewing focuses more on asking targeted follow-up questions to clarify answers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on understanding human behavior and psychology through long-form conversations with guests who bring real-world expertise. Episodes span topics like interrogation and nonverbal communication, visa interviews, status-signaling in culture, political polarization, and psychological health, often featuring law enforcement, researchers, negotiators, and industry professionals. A standout pattern is the emphasis on science-based approaches to behavior, careful questioning, and debunking myths in popular culture, with guests ranging from FBI agents to game designers. Listeners likely gain practical takeaways for evaluating credibility, managing high-stakes interactions, and improving interpersonal understanding in both personal a... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Speaking of Psychology
2. Psychology Unplugged
3. Hidden Brain
4. You Are Not So Smart
5. TED Radio Hour

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 209 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Dani Tepedjiyska
2. Mark Anderson
3. Travis Feuerbacher
4. David Pinsof
5. Stephen Kinzer
6. Vincent Denault
7. Kent Clizbe
8. Andres Lares

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