Today we are joined by Todd Bertsch. Todd is a keynote speaker, mental fitness coach, and creator of the Spark Framework—a system rooted in neuroscience and behavioral psychology that focuses on building resilience, leadership clarity, and sustainable personal growth through small, consistent changes. After overcoming early struggles with addiction and pivoting from entrepreneurship into coaching during the COVID pandemic, Todd now helps leaders strengthen their "mental muscle" by identifying ne...
Mar 16, 2026•35 min
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology. In today's episode, Chris and Dr. Abbie discuss decision fatigue—how making too many choices throughout the day drains mental energy and affects judgment. They explain how stress and lack of sleep make it worse, how it differs from burnout, and why leaders and parents are especially vulnerable. The episode also shares simple, practical strategies to reduc...
Mar 02, 2026•30 min
Today on the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Security Awareness Series, Chris Hadnagy is joined by Josten Pena for an in-depth discussion on cognitive biases and their impact on cybersecurity. Together, they explore how inherent mental shortcuts can increase susceptibility to social engineering attacks. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing and owning these biases, rather than trying to eliminate them, and highlights practical mitigation strategies like hands-on training and fos...
Feb 16, 2026•22 min
In this episode, Chris Hadnagy is joined by Jacob Ward, a veteran technology journalist who has reported for NBC News, Al Jazeera, CNN, and PBS, and previously served as editor-in-chief of Popular Science. Jacob is the author of The Loop: How AI Is Creating a World Without Choices—and How to Fight Back, a book that anticipated today's commercial AI moment. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is shaping human behavior, decision-making, and autonomy, along with the ethical and socie...
Feb 09, 2026•38 min
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we will discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology. In today's episode, Chris and Dr. Abbie explore imposter syndrome, examining what it is, why it occurs, and how cultural and professional pressures can intensify it. They discuss common symptoms, personal experiences, and the psychological roots behind feeling undeserving of success. Through scientific insight and practical strategies, they share way...
Feb 02, 2026•31 min
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The 4th Monday Series with Chris Hadnagy and Mike Holfeld. Chris and Mike will be covering cutting edge global news to help people remain safe, secure and knowledgeable in a world where it is hard to know what is real and what is fake news. In this episode, Chris and Mike are joined by Jeff Lareau, CPA and partner at Lareau & Lareau CPAs , a third-generation, family-owned firm in Central Florida. Jeff helps individuals and business owners simplify comp...
Jan 26, 2026•29 min•Season 17Ep. 338
Today on the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Security Awareness Series, Chris is joined by Rosa Rowles. Together, they explore the nuances of social engineering, focusing on the critical role of pretexting and impersonation in security assessments. Their conversation underscores the significance of preparation and adaptability, highlighting how embodying different personas can enhance the effectiveness of security operations. [Jan 19, 2026] 00:00 - Intro 00:27 - Rosa Rowles Intro - LinkedIn: https:...
Jan 19, 2026•31 min•Season 17Ep. 337
Today we are joined by Mitchell Osmond. Mitchell is a leadership consultant, executive coach, and host of the Dad Nation Podcast, ranked in the top 5% globally with over 33,000 listeners. With 15+ years in senior leadership, Mitchell helps high-performing men find success where it matters most: at home, in their health, and in their happiness, all while strengthening their careers. [Jan 12, 2026] 00:00 - Intro 00:29 - Intro Links - Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ - Offensiv...
Jan 12, 2026•37 min•Season 17Ep. 336
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we will discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology. In today's episode, Chris and Dr. Abbie explore psychopathy, focusing on its clinical definition and common misconceptions. They discuss how the term is often misapplied to various behaviors, stressing the importance of understanding its roots in empathy and fear. By highlighting the need for accurate knowledge, they aim to prevent stigmatization and...
Jan 05, 2026•38 min•Season 17Ep. 335
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The 4th Monday Series with Chris Hadnagy and Mike Holfeld. Chris and Mike will be covering cutting edge global news to help people remain safe, secure and knowledgeable in a world where it is hard to know what is real and what is fake news. Today, Chris and Mike are joined by Christie Hudson, a resident travel expert and head of global PR for Hotels.com. Christie is adept at transforming travel data into actionable insights, helping travelers maximize thei...
Dec 22, 2025•31 min•Season 16Ep. 334
Today on the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Security Awareness Series, Chris is joined by Shelby Dacko. Chris and Shelby delve into the intricacies of social engineering, focusing on the challenges of pivoting during on-site security assessments. Their discussion highlights the importance of adaptability and teamwork in overcoming unexpected obstacles, emphasizing how diverse communication styles can enhance the effectiveness of security operations. [Dec 15, 2025] 00:00 - Intro 00:34 - Shelby Dack...
Dec 15, 2025•32 min•Season 16Ep. 333
Today we are joined by Toby Wright. Toby is an online coach and personal trainer with a passion for mental health. Toby believes true wellness begins from the inside out. Blending evidence-based training with a focus on mental health and mindset. [Dec 8, 2025] 00:00 - Intro 00:26 – Dr. Abbie Maroño Intro 00:51 - Intro Links - Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ - Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/ - Offensive Securi...
Dec 08, 2025•35 min•Season 16Ep. 332
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we will discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology. In today's episode, Chris and Dr. Abbie explore cognitive dissonance, focusing on its impact on self-concept and emotional regulation. They discuss how dissonance occurs when actions conflict with core beliefs, creating psychological tension. Emphasizing self-awareness and reflection, they warn against rationalizing harmful behaviors and highlight th...
Dec 01, 2025•33 min•Season 16Ep. 331
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The 4th Monday Series with Chris Hadnagy and Mike Holfeld. Chris and Mike will be covering cutting edge global news to help people remain safe, secure and knowledgeable in a world where it is hard to know what is real and what is fake news. Today Chris and Mike are joined by Dr. Liz Moses. Dr. Moses is an emergency veterinarian at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in South Tampa, where she helps pets and their families through some of their most urgent and ...
Nov 24, 2025•28 min•Season 16Ep. 330
Today on the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Security Awareness Series, Chris is joined by Michelle Li. Chris and Michelle delve into the transformative role of AI in social engineering, highlighting both its potential and pitfalls. Their conversation emphasizes the critical need for empathy in leadership and the importance of maintaining human-centric processes in an increasingly automated world. [Nov 17, 2025] 00:00 - Intro 00:27 - Intro Links: - Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.c...
Nov 17, 2025•40 min•Season 16Ep. 329
Today we're joined by Tanya Van Cott. Tanya is a New York–based architect, industrial designer, and educator whose work explores how design and storytelling can drive social change. A graduate of Pratt Institute, Tanya has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts with a Presidential Design Achievement Award and has been published for her innovative approach to interdisciplinary design. Before launching her own practice and press, WomanBecool PRESS, she honed her skills at world-ren...
Nov 10, 2025•41 min•Season 16Ep. 328
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we will discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology. In today's episode, Chris and Dr. Abbie discuss the complexities of ambition, emphasizing its connection to identity and intrinsic motivation. They explore how ambition can be healthy or obsessive, influenced by personality traits and life experiences. Their conversation warns against destructive ambition, which can harm relationships and ethical sta...
Nov 03, 2025•35 min•Season 16Ep. 327
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The 4th Monday Series with Chris Hadnagy and Mike Holfeld. Chris and Mike will be covering cutting edge global news to help people remain safe, secure and knowledgeable in a world where it is hard to know what is real and what is fake news. Today Chris and Mike are joined by Carrie Hatton. Carrie lives in Northeastern PA near Lake Wallenpaupack. A single mother of two boys, Carrie became disabled in 2021 after a severe case of COVID-19. She was hospitalize...
Oct 27, 2025•30 min•Season 16Ep. 326
Today on the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Security Awareness Series, Chris is joined by Carter Zupancich. Chris and Carter explore the evolving landscape of social engineering threats, focusing on the rise of vishing attacks and the role of AI in enhancing these tactics. Their discussion underscores the importance of empowering employees as a human firewall and the need for continuous education and testing to strengthen organizational security. [Oct 20, 2025] 00:00 - Intro 00:31 - Carter Zupanci...
Oct 20, 2025•32 min•Season 16Ep. 325
Today we are joined by Jay Izso. Jay is a high-energy mindset and resilience coach, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and media personality. Known as "Coach Jay," he helps people shift their thinking, master their mindset, and unlock their potential in business and life. Drawing on his background in psychology and years of coaching leaders, entrepreneurs, and athletes, Jay blends humor, science, and real-world stories that resonate with audiences everywhere. As the host of A New Direction and...
Oct 13, 2025•47 min•Season 16Ep. 324
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we will discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology. In today's episode, Chris and Dr. Abbie explore the intriguing phenomena of dreams, the placebo effect, and déjà vu. They delve into the mysteries of why dreams can feel more emotionally intense than reality, how belief can trigger real physiological changes, and the perplexing sensation of déjà vu that leaves us questioning our memories. Through eng...
Oct 06, 2025•37 min•Season 16Ep. 323
REPLAY (Original Air Date March 10, 2025) Today we are joined by Dr. Lydia Kostopoulos. Dr. Kostopoulos is a globally recognized strategist that brings clarity and context as to what is on the horizon. Her unique expertise at the intersection of emerging technology, security and macro-trends has been sought by the United Nations, U.S. Special Operations, the European Commission, NATO, multi-nationals, tech companies, design agencies, academia, such as MIT and Oxford Saïd Business School, and for...
Sep 29, 2025•41 min•Season 16Ep. 296
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The 4th Monday Series with Chris Hadnagy and Mike Holfeld. Chris and Mike will be covering cutting edge global news to help people remain safe, secure and knowledgeable in a world where it is hard to know what is real and what is fake news. Today Chris and Mike are joined by Ryan Rosenzweig. Ryan is the 26 years old CEO of C10 Toys and Games, which he started when he was just 16 years old. Based out of Orlando FL, he specializes in Video games, Pokemon car...
Sep 22, 2025•25 min•Season 16Ep. 322
Today on the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Security Awareness Series, Chris is joined by Faith Kent. Together, they delve into the critical role of effective communication, the art of role adaptation, and the psychological dynamics in crisis situations. The conversation highlights the importance of proactive preparedness and fostering trust within teams to tackle challenges with confidence. [Sept 15, 2025] 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - Faith Kent Intro 01:21 - Intro Links: - Social-Engineer.com - http://...
Sep 15, 2025•29 min•Season 16Ep. 321
Today we are joined by Lauren Gawne. Lauren is a Senior Lecturer in linguistics at La Trobe University. Her work focuses on understanding how people use gestures and grammar, with a particular focus on cross-cultural gesture use. Lauren also does research on emoji, scicomm and the grammar of Tibetan languages in Nepal. [Sept 8, 2025] 00:00 - Intro 01:40 - Intro Links - Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ - Managed Voice Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/services/vishin...
Sep 08, 2025•33 min•Season 16Ep. 320
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we will discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology. In today's episode, Chris and Abbie delve into the fascinating world of intuition and gut feelings. They explore whether these instincts are rooted in biology or shaped by past experiences and discuss the science behind how our brains process environmental cues to make quick decisions. [Sept 1, 2025] 00:00 - Intro 00:44 - Dr. Abbie Maroño Intro 01:02...
Sep 01, 2025•27 min•Season 16Ep. 319
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The 4th Monday Series with Chris Hadnagy and Mike Holfeld. Chris and Mike will be covering cutting edge global news to help people remain safe, secure and knowledgeable in a world where it is hard to know what is real and what is fake news. Today Chris and Mike are joined by Bobby Knost. Bobby is a proud member of the Iron Workers Local Union 808, which represents workers across eight counties in Central Florida. He has been a Union Iron Worker since 1985 ...
Aug 25, 2025•29 min•Season 16Ep. 318
Today on the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Security Awareness Series, Chris is joined by Jowan Joseph. Chris and Jowan discuss the importance of effective communication, role adaptation, and the psychological aspects of crisis situations. The discussion emphasizes the need for proactive preparedness and building trust within teams to navigate challenges effectively. [Aug 18, 2025] 00:00 - Intro 00:32 - Jowan Joseph Intro 00:44 - New Format 01:24 - Intro Links: - Social-Engineer.com - http://www.s...
Aug 18, 2025•23 min•Season 16Ep. 317
Today we are joined by Shang Saavedra, the Founder and CEO of Save My Cents, an influential personal-finance website and social-media platform. Saavedra teaches readers the key habits and behaviors needed to become less fearful of money and live life with joy. Saavedra was named one of the "25 Most Influential New Voices of Money" by TIME/NextAdvisor in 2022 and is an Expert Reviewer and Contributor at CNET Money. She received her bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard and her MBA from the ...
Aug 11, 2025•28 min•Season 16Ep. 316
Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we will discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology. In today's episode, Chris and Abbie explore the complexities of attraction and the concept of love at first sight. They discuss the biochemical responses associated with attraction, the importance of understanding cognitive biases, and the role of familiarity in relationships. [Aug 4, 2025] 00:00 - Intro 00:35 - Dr. Abbie Maroño Intro 01:15 - Intro L...
Aug 04, 2025•34 min•Season 16Ep. 315
