Identifying Dark Personality Traits
Listeners can learn to spot specific dark personality traits, including narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism, in everyday interactions.
9The Mel Robbins Podcast
How to Spot Hidden Signs of a Toxic Person
Dr. Leanne ten Brinke shares science-backed methods to identify manipulative behavior and dark personality traits in daily life.
Listen to the source episode
The Manipulation Expert: 4 Hidden Signs You’re Dealing With a Toxic Person
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Ask naturally. GenPod can find a related episode—or make a focused explainer when the right one does not exist.Key takeaways
What to know before you press play.
Recognizing Manipulation and Gaslighting
The episode explains what gaslighting is and is not, and identifies the primary sign that one is being manipulated by a toxic individual.
1011Understanding Initial Charm and Gossip
Toxic people often appear charming at first, and their use of gossip can reveal manipulative tendencies, particularly in workplace settings.
1213Strategic Responses to Toxicity
Dealing with difficult people requires becoming more strategic rather than emotional, helping to neutralize their behavior and reduce stress.
147Ask GenPod next
Keep the question moving.
“What are the specific signs of gaslighting mentioned by Dr. ten Brinke?”
“How can one distinguish between a good person and a poisonous person in the workplace?”
“What strategies can be used to neutralize the behavior of a toxic individual?”
Background reading
The context behind the episode.
Expert Insight
About Dr. Leanne ten Brinke
Dr. Leanne ten Brinke is a professor at the University of British Columbia and director of the Truth and Trust Lab. She has spent nearly two decades studying trust, deception, manipulation, and dark personality traits.
4Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
What are the dark personality traits discussed in the episode?
The episode covers narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism.
9How can gossip indicate a manipulative personality?
Gossip can reveal a manipulative personality, particularly in a work environment.
13What is the recommended approach when dealing with difficult people?
It is recommended to become more strategic instead of more emotional.
14Why do toxic people often seem charming initially?
The episode explores why many toxic people appear charming at first to hide their true nature.
12Experts
Voices named in the source.
Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This listening guide is based on the episode 'The Manipulation Expert: 4 Hidden Signs You’re Dealing With a Toxic Person' from The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Dr. Leanne ten Brinke.
- Publisher show notes
In today’s episode, you’ll learn the hidden signs of a manipulative, toxic person from the #1 researcher in the world on dark personalities, Dr. Leanne ten Brinke, PhD.
- Publisher show notes
She is here to teach you how to spot the poisonous people that are hidden in plain sight around you – in your family, your community, and at work.
- Publisher show notes
And, she’s giving you the science-backed guide to understand poisonous people: how they operate, how to spot the patterns early, and what to do when you realize you’re dealing with one.
- Publisher show notes
Dr. ten Brinke is a professor at the University of British Columbia, where she directs the Truth and Trust Lab and has spent nearly two decades studying trust, deception, manipulation, and dark personality traits.
- Publisher show notes
She wants to make one thing perfectly clear: most people are good.
- Publisher show notes
But one poisonous person can create an enormous amount of stress, confusion, and pain.
- Publisher show notes
This episode will help you recognize the pattern, trust what you’re seeing, neutralize their behavior, and know exactly what to do when you’re around them.
- Publisher show notes
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Publisher show notes
-How to spot dark personality traits of narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism in daily life
- Publisher show notes
-The #1 sign you’re being manipulated
- Publisher show notes
-What gaslighting is, what it is not, and what to do when you’re being gaslit
- Publisher show notes
-Why many toxic people seem charming at first
- Publisher show notes
-How gossip can reveal a manipulative personality at work
- Publisher show notes
-The simple ways to become more strategic instead of more emotional when dealing with difficult people
- Publisher show notes
After listening, you will know exactly what to do to spot toxic behavior, handle manipulative people, and take back your peace and power.
- Publisher show notes
For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.
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If you liked the episode, check out this one next: 4 Signs of Emotionally Immature Parents & How to Heal
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Connect with Mel:
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• 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
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