People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast
1) Does contempt for Trump voters help Trump? Are we in a feedback loop?
For many people, Trump represents a uniquely dangerous figure in American history. But what if the contemptuous, maximally pessimistic ways many people talk about Trump and Republicans help put more "...Show More
2) The Orgasmic Meditation story: Inside Nicole Daedone's OneTaste organization
I talk with journalist Ellen Huet, whose new book Empire of Orgasm digs into the strange origins and evolution of Nicole Daedone and OneTaste, and goes into more detail than the Netflix doc titled Org...Show More
The Orgasmic Meditation story: Inside Nicole Daedone's OneTaste organization
1:13:30 | Nov 18th, 2025
3) Can behavior clusters point to a lie? Tim Levine on behavior and deception detection science
Many people think there are telltale signs of lying — shifty eyes, nervous fidgeting, maybe a quick smile — that can give someone away to trained observers. But according to decades of research, that’...Show More
4) Tracking people over external terrain: What's real, what's fiction?
Have you ever wondered how tracking people actually works? You’ve probably seen a lot of Hollywood depictions of how law enforcement track people over external terrain, and maybe you’ve wondered what’...Show More
5) NLP pseudoscience and its use by Chase Hughes and other con artists and deceptive faux-gurus
You’ve probably heard of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). It’s a popular thing. It’s the foundation for the work of popular life/business coach Tony Robbins, and there are many other popular traine...Show More
NLP pseudoscience and its use by Chase Hughes and other con artists and deceptive faux-gurus
2:21:10 | Oct 20th, 2025
6) Is the internet a methamphetamine of the masses?
Is it possible that internet communication, by speeding up and distorting our interactions, is agitating us and deranging us? Is it possible that by putting human interactions “on speed,” the internet...Show More
7) "They're the violent, crazy ones!": How polarization warps our views of our political opponents
A major barrier to reducing toxic polarization is that so many of us—especially those who are highly politically involved—see our current toxic conflict as clearly the other side’s fault. People in bo...Show More
8) Are you and I (and everyone) the same person? A talk on Open Individualism with Joe Kern
What if your sense of existence, your self-awareness, isn’t unique at all—but the very same “I” that exists in everyone, everywhere? What if you and I—and everyone—are essentially the same person? In ...Show More
Are you and I (and everyone) the same person? A talk on Open Individualism with Joe Kern
1:31:03 | Sep 27th, 2025
9) The psychology of Bad Vegan: Sarma on narcissistic abuse, her new book, and why she hates the movie
Did you see the documentary Bad Vegan? It covers Sarma Melngailis’s nightmarish journey from successful New York City restaurant owner to inmate jailed for stealing millions. How did this happen? Sarm...Show More
10) The surprising power of nostalgia — and how it can be used on you
What does nostalgia do to our minds — and our wallets? In this talk with Jannine Lasaleta, we talk about her research into the surprising psychological and emotional effects of nostalgia. Why do peopl...Show More