Episodes

It’s difficult to be upset when you are snuggling up with a loving dog. In this episode, Det. Bianca Becker from UCF describes her experiences working with K9 Luna, the department’s therapy dog. Luna helps victims of sexual assault feel more comfortable and relaxed, which in turn helps them open up to the Detectives. The presence of Luna also helps build rapport, trust and provide comfort for victims. This episode explores the wide range of crimes that Campus police handle, including theft, DUI...

Dr. Emily Joseph, a social science researcher and user researcher for Xbox, discusses the impact of clear and not-so-clear communication on the elicitation of information. She highlights the importance of question phrasing, construct validity, and avoiding contamination of memory and responses. Emily emphasizes the need for open-ended questions, especially in investigative settings, to avoid bias and allow for accurate recall. She also explores the challenges of predicting future behavior and th...

Does expensive wine taste better? Can you tell if somebody is lying to you? Is bitemark evidence reliable? In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast, host Dave Thompson interviews Dr. Jeff Kukucka, a psychologist specializing in using his expert, scientific approach to impacting the criminal justice system. They discuss topics such as forensic sciences, bias, and the impact of expectations on perception. They highlight the limitations and potential errors in visual forensic sciences, such as...

Not your typical "salesperson" - this episode of Truth Be Told features McKenah Elizabeth, a full-time content creator, discusses sales, communication, and building rapport in this episode. She shares her journey from being an elementary education teacher to entering the sales industry. McKenah emphasizes the importance of communication and adaptability in sales, regardless of the product or service being sold. She provides insights on building rapport, asking open-ended questions, and genuinely...

Lauren Brill, founder of The Unsealed, discusses her career path and how her sociology background has influenced her work. She shares her experiences working in sports broadcasting, including her time with the NBA and WNBA. Lauren emphasizes the importance of following your passion and being true to yourself in your career choices. She also talks about the challenges of conducting interviews and the genuine interactions she has had with athletes. Lauren expresses her admiration for female athlet...

In this episode, Dave Thompson interviews Anna Papalia, author of Interviewology , about the art of interviewing. Anna shares her background in talent acquisition and her realization that there was a lack of research-backed tools to teach people how to interview. She developed the concept of interview styles, which include charmers, challengers, examiners, and harmonizers. Anna emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in interviews and how understanding your own interview style can help you a...

In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast, host Dave Thompson interviews former NFL player Don Beebe . The conversation focuses on communication, both internally and externally, and how it has played a significant role in Beebe's career and life. Beebe shares stories about his journey to the NFL, including a pro day experience that led to his pro career starting before he played a down in college football. He also discusses his first NFL catch and the pressure and anxiety that came with it. T...

In this episode, Dave Thompson interviews Mike Reddington , an expert in effective communication techniques. They discuss various topics related to communication, including teaching and mentoring, moving people from resistance to commitment, building credibility and trust, and minimizing internal distractions. They also explore the importance of understanding the other person's perspective, anticipating resistance in conversations, and creating a positive experience for others. The conversation ...

In this conversation, counterterrorism expert Mark Fallon discusses the evolution of interrogation techniques and the importance of building rapport in obtaining accurate and reliable information. Fallon provides insight from his experience in high-profile terrorism investigations including the USS Cole and World Trade Center bombings as well as interrogations at Guantanamo. He highlights the shift from confession-driven methodologies to relationship building techniques, emphasizing the role of ...

Former Police Chief of Aurora, IL, Kristen Ziman , discusses her career in law enforcement and the importance of effective communication in crisis situations with host, Dave Thompson. She shares her experiences leading during a mass shooting and the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for preparation and open communication channels. Ziman emphasizes the significance of managing upwards and creating an environment where feedback is valued. She also discusses the challenges faced by law enfor...

In this episode, host Dave Thompson interviews Gil Zamora, a police sketch artist and former law enforcement officer. Gil shares his journey from law enforcement to becoming a sketch artist and discusses the training process for forensic artists. He also introduces the concept of the Mindful Interview Method and highlights the fallibility of human memory in eyewitness interviews. In this conversation, Gil Zamora discusses his experience as a forensic artist and the unique challenges he faced in ...

In this episode, Dave Thompson interviews Bruce Pitt-Payne, a former major crime investigator with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), about the evolution of interviewing techniques. They discuss the shift from confession seeking to information gathering, the benefits of recording interviews, and the challenges of implementing change in the field. They also explore the Mr. Big technique used in undercover operations and the importance of rapport and vulnerability in interviews. The convers...

In Part 2 of this series, Joumana Kidd shares her experience of being deceived by a con artist posing as an “executive assistant”. She discusses how she initially sought support and assistance during a difficult time in her life. Joumana describes how she developed trust with the culprit, as they attempted to relate to her and created a perception of genuine friendship. Joumana was eventually deceived into signing documents that gave the con artist access to her life and finances. She discovered...

In this episode, host Dave Thompson interviews Joumana Kidd, discussing her diverse career in media and sports journalism. They also discuss the pressure and urgency in sports reporting, the impact of negative media attention, and the challenges of living in the public eye. Joumana shares insights into interviewing athletes and entertainers, overcoming resistance in interviews, and the importance of context in interviews. They also touch on the positive side of sports reporting and the challenge...

In this episode, Hayley Cleary, PhD discusses the unique developmental period of adolescence and its impact on conversations and interviews with youth. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between juvenile, youth, adolescent, and teenager, and the extended period of adolescence that lasts beyond the teen years. Cleary highlights the vulnerability of youth in conversations and the impact of life experiences on their decision-making. She also explores the role of empathy ...

In this episode, Dave Zulawski, CFI , CFE and co-founder of Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates , shares insights and experiences from his career in interviewing and interrogation. He discusses the lack of training in these areas and the importance of effective communication skills. He emphasizes the need for flexibility in interviewing methods and the power of silence and active listening. Dave also highlights the value of recording interviews and how these skills can be applied in HR and hiring p...

The Truth Be Told podcast explores the secrets to strategic communication. The host, Dave Thompson, introduces the podcast and its focus on unlocking the secrets to effective communication. The podcast covers five main themes: strategy and preparation, understanding rapport, asking the right questions, evaluating performance, and bringing science into practice. Each theme is explored through conversations with experts from various fields, including investigative interviewing, negotiation, psycho...