How to Handle Difficult People: 7 Psychological Tricks to Read Anyone, Spot a Liar & Stay in Control

Podcast: The Mel Robbins Podcast (LS 76 · TOP 0.01% what is this?)Episode: How to Handle Difficult People: 7 Psychological Tricks to Read Anyone, Spot a Liar & Stay in ControlPub date: 2026-06-01Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationIn today’s episode, a former secret service agent shares exactly how to read body language, handle difficult people, and know when someone is lying. You’ll also learn psychological tricks to spot manipulation, master your emotions, gain respect, and get what you want without being pulled into other people’s drama. Today, Mel is bringing back one of the most tactical and empowering conversations ever on The Mel Robbins Podcast, with a brand new introduction and new insights for right now. Her guest is Evy Poumpouras, a former secret service agent who has protected 5 former U.S presidents.  She is a “human lie detector” who has been specially trained in the art of lie detection, human behavior, and cognitive influence.  And today, she is giving you a masterclass of all of her best secrets from over 3 decades of training and experience. Evy’s extensive and decorated career includes operating undercover, complex criminal investigations, and working as an interrogator for the Secret Service’s elite polygraph unit. And in this special episode, she’s here to arm you with information, tools, and strategies so you can read people more clearly, communicate with confidence, and know what to do next. In this episode, you’ll learn: -How to read someone in the first few minutes -How to stay in control when someone is trying to bait you -The body language cue that shows someone wants out of a conversation -Why eye contact is not the lie detector people think it is -How to spot when someone’s words and actions don’t match -How to stay grounded when someone is trying to pull you into their chaos -Why the most manipulative people in your life may be the ones closest to you People are always showing you who they are. This episode teaches you how to stop missing it. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.    If you liked the episode, check out this one next: Communicate with Confidence: The Blueprint for Mastering Every Conversation Connect with Mel:     Order Mel’s new product, Pure Genius Protein Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration. Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them Theory Watch the episodes on YouTube Follow Mel on Instagram  The Mel Robbins Podcast Instagram Mel's TikTok  Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-free Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Mel Robbins, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.