136 episodes

This is a podcast about deciphering human behavior and understanding why people do the things they do. I, Zach Elwood, talk with people from a wide range of fields about how they make sense of human behavior and psychology. I've talked to jury consultants, interrogation professionals, behavior researchers, sports analysts, professional poker players, to name a few. There are more than 135 episodes, many of them excellent (although I may be biased). To learn more, go to PeopleWhoReadPeople.com. Reviews: "Consistent interesting and smart and humane and insightful."  - Scott Stossel, National Editor of The Atlantic"Intriguing topics weaved into a tapestry of insight into the human condition."  - from an Apple Podcasts review"Probably the best podcast I've come across... Very intelligent."  - from an Apple Podcasts review

People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast Zachary Elwood

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.4 • 206 Ratings

This is a podcast about deciphering human behavior and understanding why people do the things they do. I, Zach Elwood, talk with people from a wide range of fields about how they make sense of human behavior and psychology. I've talked to jury consultants, interrogation professionals, behavior researchers, sports analysts, professional poker players, to name a few. There are more than 135 episodes, many of them excellent (although I may be biased). To learn more, go to PeopleWhoReadPeople.com. Reviews: "Consistent interesting and smart and humane and insightful."  - Scott Stossel, National Editor of The Atlantic"Intriguing topics weaved into a tapestry of insight into the human condition."  - from an Apple Podcasts review"Probably the best podcast I've come across... Very intelligent."  - from an Apple Podcasts review

    On social power, the oppressed/oppressor framework, and empathy, with Elizaveta Friesem

    On social power, the oppressed/oppressor framework, and empathy, with Elizaveta Friesem

    Elizaveta Friesem writes about media and about social power (i.e., the power people exert over other people).  I first interviewed her about media and polarization in 2021 about her book "Media Is Us." Topics we discuss here include: Michel Foucault’s ideas about power (often referenced in liberal academic world); the oppressed/oppressor framework (also often referenced); how simplistic views of social power can be divisive and result in a reduction in people's empathy; how the free will debate ties into these ideas; political polarization related to some of these ideas. 
    Support the showTo get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 1 hr 3 min
    What's life like when you don't believe in free will?, with physicist Daniel Whiteson

    What's life like when you don't believe in free will?, with physicist Daniel Whiteson

    A talk with Daniel Whiteson, a professor of physics and astronomy, about free will, with a focus on what the effects in one's life are when one doesn't believe in free will. Topics discussed: Our thoughts on why we think free will is unlikely to exist; psychological and emotional aspects of living without a belief in free will; the anxiety and even anger that some people can have about the idea that we lack free will; the idea that a lack of belief in free will can be part of a spiritual, positive way of experiencing the world; and more. 
    Support the showTo get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 55 min
    News media tends to deepen our divides. Does Isaac Saul have a solution?

    News media tends to deepen our divides. Does Isaac Saul have a solution?

    A talk with journalist Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News (readtangle.com), which shares takes from across the political spectrum. I think Tangle is doing amazing work. I think the more Americans there are who read Tangle, the less toxically polarized we'll be. Topics we discuss include: aspects of Tangle News that make it depolarizing and anger-reducing; how Isaac conceives of the problem of political polarization; his work debunking "the election was stolen" narratives in 2020, and more.
    Support the showTo get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 29 min
    The allure of deciphering behavior, with Rounders screenwriter Brian Koppelman

    The allure of deciphering behavior, with Rounders screenwriter Brian Koppelman

    A talk with screenwriter/producer Brian Koppelman, known for many TV and film projects, including the poker movie Rounders, the show Billions, and the series Super Pumped: The Battle For Uber. Topics discussed: how he decided to create Rounders; poker tells in Rounders; the excitement of reading people and their behaviors; the difficulty of reading behaviors in most real-world situations; and the anxiety-reducing benefits of transcendental meditation. 
    Support the showTo get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 51 min
    How a pro poker player makes use of poker tells, with Dara O'Kearney

    How a pro poker player makes use of poker tells, with Dara O'Kearney

    A talk with professional poker player Dara O’Kearney about poker tells (aka, physical and verbal behaviors in poker). Dara is the co-host of the popular poker podcast The Chip Race and the author of several books, including GTO Poker Simplified. We talk about: the importance of poker tells compared to strategy; how Dara’s views on tells have changed over time; some ways poker players can get info from opponents (e.g., insulting them or being nice to them); some poker hands where opponent behaviors played a role in a decision. 


    Support the showTo get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Tips on interrogating people for information and confessions, with David Zulawski

    Tips on interrogating people for information and confessions, with David Zulawski

    A reshare of a talk with David Zulawski from 2018. Zulawksi is an expert in interrogation and interview techniques and the cofounder of Wicklander Zulawski and Associates. Topics discussed include: Why is the non-confrontational, rapport-focused technique he recommends the best one? Why is it important to downplay the significance of a crime? Why is it important to try to prevent someone from denying the crime/accusation?  Why is it important to not tell a suspect all the evidence you have against them? What are some behavioral clues a suspect is lying or telling the truth?
    Support the showTo get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 1 hr 13 min

Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
206 Ratings

206 Ratings

Sue Teacher ,

Really interesting content!

I really like this podcast. The topics are interesting, and the host draws on very knowledgeable guests. I feel smarter after listening to it. LOVED the episode on autism!

!PLPO ,

“Can recognizing and reducing Nias in news help with polarization” Interview with Vanessa Otero

Excellent interview/discussion with Vanessa Otero, founder of Ad Fontes Media. As a former journalist very familiar with Ad Fontes Media, this interview was spot on in how we use language in discussions with others over how the media covers the news each day. Very informative!

SocalSum41Fan ,

Cornucopia of Guests discussing hot button issues in academic fashion

Zachary Elwood shows us the deftness for detail and ability to engage in on the spot and unconventional analysis that a professional poker player has, while interviewing guests ranging from political extremists, to political and psychological theorists. He is always well read of his guests going into interviews but isn’t scared to push topics to their most relevant points of discussion relative to today nor challenge guests to find gems of insight that can best be brought out through an interview. One of the best new podcasts out there, especially for those with an interest in social psychology, misinformation, and peak performance through mental training.

Edit:
I want to come back because it’s now been almost 5 years that I’ve been listening to this podcast and it’s entered the Holy “instant tap to listen” territory which about the top 10% of the podcasts I follow also are in. Zach’s mission of better understanding and creating solutions to increasing group division in the US, combined with his intellectual interest in theoretically and researched back psychology already puts him in a great sector of the podcast world — extremely interesting, absolutely important, yet somehow niche. His voice is of one who is intellectually capable of being level with the brilliant minds he interviews (which has a solid range of researchers, practitioners and professionals who are similarly enthralled by the science, and ordinary participants in up to date flashpoints like the George Floyd protests through a psych lens) and we get to experience vicariously his rapid coming up to speed with the science. The poker and personal tidbits give this a folksy touch that makes it feel like you are invited to a conversation hosted by your friend, making the listenability that much more.

Kudos Zach

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