How to Actually Read People (It’s Not What You Think)

Is it possible to genuinely read people, or is that just a myth? This episode explores the science of deception detection — from Paul Ekman’s microexpression research to the Secret Service “wizards” who spot lies at extraordinary rates. We break down why most humans are statistically no better than a coin flip at detecting deception, why introverts may have a hidden advantage, and the four-step strategic questioning framework any civilian can use to spot when something’s off. If you’ve ever had a gut feeling that someone was lying but couldn’t explain why, this episode will show you what your brain was actually doing.