Truth Be Told
Conversations that debunk myths, explore case studies and identify the keys to effective communication with a Certified Forensic Interviewer and special guests. Need to talk to an employee about a disciplinary issue? A family member or significant other about an uncomfortable topic? Attempting to uncover the truth of ”what really happened” through effective questioning and active listening? With unique perspectives from interrogators, exonerees, academics and professionals across multiple disciplines, learn how strategic communication can work to your advantage. Powered by Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates (WZ) and the International Association of Interviewers (IAI), ”Truth Be Told” brings to you some of the leading voices i...
Episodes
From the Sportsbook to the Story: Betting on Trust with Patrick Everson.
In this episode of Truth Be Told, host Dave Thompson, CFI sits down with Patrick Everson, one of the most trusted voices in sports betting journalism. Patrick reveals how relationship building and trust have been the foundation of his caree…
Beyond the Hype: How AI Is Changing Work, Law, and Investigations with Tom Meehan, CFI
Is AI replacing you? Can you be more efficient without being extinct? Join Dave Thompson, CFI and Tom Meehan, CFI as they delve into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. Discover how AI is reshaping careers, the potential …
From Homicides to Higher Ed: Empathy over Ego with Det. Shaun Sylvester, PhD
What does science have to do with homicide interrogations? Everything. In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast, Detective Shaun Sylvester, PhD discusses his unique journey from law enforcement to academia, emphasizing the importance of…
Catch Me If You Can: The Anatomy of a Con Artist with Johnathan Walton
How can you tell if somebody is conning you? Ever meet someone who isn't exactly who they claim to be? In this episode, Johnathan Walton shares his personal experience with con artists, detailing the emotional manipulation tactics they use …
Achievement Anxiety – Breaking Up with Burnout with Kasey Franco
Ever feel like you're running on ambition fumes? In this episode, Dave Thompson and Kasey Franco unpack the sneaky ways burnout shows up—especially for high-achievers who "power through" everything. From tech overload to boundary blunders, …
Trial and Error: Inside the Minds Behind the Verdict with Natalie Gordon, PhD
In this conversation, Dave Thompson, CFI and Natalie Gordon, Ph.D., explore the evolving landscape of jury consulting, particularly in the area of social science and the implications on the legal system. They discuss the role of jury consul…
Forget What You’ve Been Taught: Building Trust Beats Chasing Confessions with Mark Anderson
In this episode, Dave Thompson and Mark Anderson discuss the evolution of interview and interrogation techniques, emphasizing the importance of seeking truth over mere confessions. They explore the pressures faced by investigators, the impa…
Truth, Myths & the FBI: Behind the Badge with Jerri Williams
In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast, host Dave Thompson, CFI interviews retired FBI agent Jerri Williams, who shares her extensive experience in law enforcement, particularly in communication and media relations. They discuss the i…
From Cringe to Credibility: Scroll-Stopping Truths with Dawn Faithfull and Matt Day
Stop scrolling. This is an emergency. Also, it's a hook. A way to grab your listeners attention to increase engagement. How can lessons from social media impact our everyday communication? In this engaging conversation, Dave Thompson is j…
The Art of Speaking Up: Intentional Communication with Heather DeSiena
Are you afraid to "ask the question"? How does communication help extend your network, enhance your credibility and strengthen your relationships? In this conversation, Dave Thompson and Heather DeSiena explore the significance of commun…
The Science of Confessions: Risks, Reforms & the Future of Interrogation with Hayley Cleary, PhD and Christian Meissner, PhD
Leading scholars in the fields of criminology and psychology have published the latest scientific review paper titled Police-Induced Confessions 2.0; Risk Factors and Recommendations. We were lucky to be joined by two of the authors on thi…
From Interviewing to Industry Leadership: Career Pivots and Communication with David Johnston.
In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast, host Dave Thompson interviews David Johnston, Vice President of Asset Protection and Retail Operations at the National Retail Federation. They discuss David's extensive career in loss prevention…
The Truth Behind True Crime: Media and Justice with Jia Rizvi.
In this conversation, Dave Thompson and Jia Rizvi explore the intricacies of conversation, the impact of wrongful convictions, and the journey into filmmaking. They discuss the emotional toll of storytelling, the ethics involved in document…
Shut the F Up and Listen: The Communication Hack You’re Probably Ignoring with Matt Halloran
In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast, host Dave Thompson engages with Matt Halloran to explore the critical role of listening in effective communication. They discuss the undervalued skill of listening, the importance of silence, an…
Turning Pain into Purpose: An Inspirational Journey with Chad Porter
In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast, host Dave Thompson speaks with Chad Porter, who shares his inspiring journey from being a star athlete to surviving a life-altering accident. The conversation delves into the power of choice, th…
What We Recall, What We Rewrite: Memory and Communication with Elizabeth Loftus, PhdD
In this conversation, Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, a pioneer in memory research, discusses the complexities of memory accuracy, particularly in the context of eyewitness testimony and its implications for wrongful convictions. The conversation e…
The Human Connection: How Empathy Shapes Effective Communication with James Harris
In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast, host Dave Thompson engages in a deep conversation with James Harris, a former police officer turned senior lecturer. They explore James's transition from law enforcement to academia, the intrica…
The Day Everything Changed: Experiencing a Wrongful Conviction with Amanda Knox.
Can you imagine being accused of a crime you didn't commit? Even worse, imagine this happening while outside your home country - and in a language you don't fully understand. What would you do? In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast,…
Innocent Until Proven Guilty: Part 2 - The Trial
Part 2 of this series brings you to the trial preparation of an attempted murder case, with the defendant facing a potential life sentence. We'll hear the emotional perspective of the attorneys throughout the life of the case and explore t…
Innocent Until Proven Guilty: Part 1 - The Preparation
Ever wonder what it’s like behind the scenes of trial preparation for attempted murder? In this two-part Special Edition of the Truth Be Told podcast, we explore a case from 2014 out of Brooklyn, NY where heroes from FDNY rescued two young…
Season 1 Recap: Lessons Learned from Psychologists, Investigators, Attorneys and Dogs.
Do you interact with people who lie to you? Do you ever have to engage in difficult conversations? How well are you able to articulate your emotions? We explored all of this and more in Season 1 of the Truth Be Told Podcast! In this reca…
How do I know what’s real? Understanding the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence with Tom Meehan, CFI
In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast, host Dave Thompson and guest Tom Meehan, CFI delve into the multifaceted world of artificial intelligence (AI). They explore the evolution of AI, its applications in various fields, and the inhe…
Public Speaking and Jury Duty. Getting comfortable being uncomfortable with Lisa Mitchell, CFI
In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast, host Dave Thompson and communication expert Lisa Mitchell delve into the intricacies of effective communication, public speaking, and the impact of our demeanor and body language on these first …
Are you a Work in Progress? Understanding how embracing shame can empower authenticity with Dr. Abbie Maroño.
Summary In this conversation, Dr. Abbie discusses the importance of understanding and owning our shame to guide us towards authenticity. She emphasizes that personal growth is a continuous journey, where self-reflection plays a crucial role…
Beyond Tragedy: Connecting through Compassion with Jeanne Bishop
If you were the victim of a crime, what would you want to happen to the person responsible? How would you manage grief, anger and forgiveness? In this episode of the Truth Be Told podcast, host Dave Thompson, a Certified Forensic Interviewe…
Don’t let the President outrun you! Polygraphs and Protectees with retired Supervisory Special Agent Brad Beeler.
In this conversation, Dave Thompson interviews Brad Beeler, a former Secret Service agent, about the importance of communication in law enforcement and everyday life. They discuss the role of communication in interviews and interrogations, …
Why should you stop saying “just” in your emails? Being Disruptive and Authentic with Amy Reczek.
Can you be a more efficient and effective communicator? What is your response rate to emails? How do you approach somebody you've never met? Is elevator conversation an essential skill? Amy Reczek, founder and CEO of Sales and Presenc…
Being a Student of the Game. Continued Education, Communication and Pickleball with David Lund, CFI, LPC
In this conversation, Dave Thompson, CFI and David Lund, CFI discuss various topics related to interviewing and investigations. They talk about their backgrounds and how they got into the field, the importance of treating people with dignit…
The Crisis after the Incident: A Discussion on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention with Elizabeth Pol
In this conversation, Dave Thompson interviews Liz Pol, a Chicago police officer with expertise in trauma and suicide among first responders. They discuss the prevalence of suicide in the law enforcement world and the need for proactive mea…
National Security, Human Intelligence and Effective Communication. A discussion with forensic behavioral expert, An Gaiser.
In this conversation, Dave Thompson interviews An Gaiser, an expert in nonverbal assessments and intelligence and security screenings. An shares her background and how her personal experiences led her to study behavior and psychopathy. She …
Dogs, Detectives and Developing Rapport. How Therapy Dogs Support Survivors with Det. Becker and K9 Luna
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 mo…
Can I ask you something? If you want reliable information, you need to ask better questions, with Emily Joseph, PhD
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 validi…
Cheap Wine, Good Cigars and Forensic Evidence. The Influence of Biases with Jeff Kukucka, PhD.
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…
Building Relationships Through Effective Communication: A Sales Therapy Session with McKenah Elizabeth
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 ed…
Turning Secrets into Superpowers through Storytelling. The Importance of Empathy with Lauren Brill.
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 emphasize…
Is it a job interview or an interrogation? Studying the science of Interviewology with Anna Papalia.
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 pe…
Leading with Humility and Recruiting for Character: A Story of Never Giving Up with former NFL player, Don Beebe
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 a…
Applying the Disciplined Listening Method to Effective Communication with Michael Reddington, CFI
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,…
The Truth behind Torture and Counterterrorism: Exploring Evidence-based Practices with Mark Fallon.
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…
Behind the Badge: Crisis Communication and Mental Wellness with Former Police Chief Kristen Ziman
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…