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The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett · September 7, 2026 · 1h 44m

Human Lie Detector: The #1 Sign They’re Lying To You, Catch Liars Instantly! | Dr Leanne ten Brinke

Dr. Leanne ten Brinke, Steven Bartlett

Dr. Leanne ten Brinke, director of the Truth and Trust Lab at UBC, unpacks the science of deception and dark personality traits. She explains how to spot the early warning signs of the Dark Tetrad—psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism—and debunks common lie-detection myths, showing why relying on eye contact and body language often fails. The conversation defines gaslighting, contrasts grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, and offers practical strategies for setting boundaries with toxic people. She also challenges the myth that dark traits lead to success, revealing how they often backfire in the long run.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Canon

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Early Warning Signs of the Dark Tetrad00:02:21
Dr. ten Brinke explains how to spot the behavioral red flags of the Dark Tetrad—psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism—before they cause harm.
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Highlights

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The Lie-Detector Myth: Why Body Language Fails00:20:29
Traditional advice to watch for eye contact or fidgeting is largely ineffective; Dr. ten Brinke explains why relying on nonverbal cues is a terrible way to spot a liar.
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Gaslighting Defined: Making You Doubt Your Reality01:23:32
Dr. ten Brinke defines gaslighting as a deliberate manipulation tactic used to slowly erode someone’s trust in their own perceptions, common in toxic relationships.
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Grandiose vs. Vulnerable Narcissism00:34:49
The episode distinguishes at least two faces of narcissism: grandiose narcissists react aggressively to criticism, while vulnerable narcissists may crumble and seek reassurance.
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Dark Personality Traits Don't Guarantee Success00:59:57
Contrary to the myth of the successful corporate psychopath, Dr. ten Brinke’s work shows dark traits often lead to poor long-term outcomes.
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References

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Poisonous People: Psychopathy, Narcissism, Manipulation, Sadism: How to Resist Them and Improve Your Life — Leanne ten Brinke — Guest's book on dark personality traits and defense strategies
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