Outwitting the Manipulator

Rights, Responsibilities, and Manipulation

In this episode of Outwitting in Real Time, hosts Dr. Dennis Becker and Robin Golinski explore the complex relationship between rights, responsibilities, and manipulation. They dive into the idea that manipulation thrives when individuals are unaware of their own rights—whether in personal relationships, workplaces, or everyday interactions.
Robin shares personal insights about growing up in a manipulative environment and how that shaped her mindset, particularly the belief that her worth was tied to being of service to others. Dennis expands on how manipulators exploit such mindsets, making individuals prime targets for control and coercion.
The discussion takes an organic turn as they examine mindset shifts, emphasizing that self-awareness is key to breaking free from manipulation. They challenge listeners to question their own experiences and explore these key takeaways:
Curiosity: Recognizing when something feels "off" and investigating why.
Courage: Acknowledging hard truths about personal patterns and manipulation.
Questioning: Challenging assumptions, both internally and externally, to regain control.
They leave listeners with a powerful reframing: Manipulators, while harmful, can serve as teachers—forcing us to confront our boundaries, expectations, and responsibilities. The episode encourages self-exploration, personal growth, and the recognition that true empowerment comes from understanding and enforcing one’s own rights.
Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that will challenge how you perceive manipulation and your role in stopping it—not after the fact, not before it happens, but in real time.

Mastering Manipulation: Gethro LaCroix's Journey to Authenticity

In this insightful and inspiring episode, Dennis and Robin are joined by Gethro LaCroix, a self-admitted former manipulator, who bravely shares his journey of transformation. Gethro delves into his past behaviors, primarily manipulative actions in his dating life, and how a series of realizations led him to pursue a path of honesty and integrity. The conversation covers his experiences with low self-esteem, bullying, and the turning points that shifted his mindset towards authentic human connections. Gethro also discusses his ongoing battle with sobriety and physical fitness, emphasizing the importance of taking challenges day by day. The episode highlights the struggles and triumphs of changing deeply ingrained behaviors and offers valuable lessons on personal growth, responsibility, and resilience.
 
Topics
00:50 Meet the Guest: Gethro LaCroix
02:02 Gethro's Manipulation Journey
03:49 Turning Point and Self-Realization
05:37 Building Confidence and Early Relationships
07:54 The Consequences of Manipulation
10:12 Commitment to Change
14:03 Maintaining Honesty in Relationships
21:03 Understanding Right from Wrong
21:28 Personal Reflections and Regrets
21:53 The Weight of Honesty
23:05 Manipulation and Relationships
24:24 Competition and Self-Improvement
25:59 The Role of Religion and Morality
28:21 Challenges and Resilience
34:36 Future Plans and Commitments
37:08 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Navigating Male Aggression and Manipulation

Robin & Dennis delve into the complex topic of male aggression within the context of manipulation. They explore its biological roots, societal influences, and how it manifests in both verbal and non-verbal cues. The discussion includes practical advice on identifying early warning signs, responding effectively, and the importance of maintaining a neutral demeanor to de-escalate potential aggressive situations. Additionally, they emphasize the nuances of handling aggression in various settings, including professional environments, to ensure personal safety and assertiveness.
 
Topics
 
00:29 Understanding Male Aggression
01:42 Biological Factors of Aggression
03:41 Practical Responses to Aggression
08:35 Early Warning Signs of Aggression
19:05 Handling Verbal Aggression
22:43 Understanding the Reward for Aggressive Behavior
23:27 Life Experience and Patterns
25:56 Handling Aggression: Stay Neutral
28:45 The Male Perspective on Aggression
36:55 Professional Settings: Dealing with Aggression
39:29 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Dealing with Backlash: How to Respond When a Manipulator Pushes Back

In this discussion, Dr. Dennis Becker and Robin Golinski explore the concept of backlash—how manipulators react when confronted or when their tactics are exposed. They delve into strategies for recognizing and handling backlash effectively, ensuring that you maintain control and prevent being drawn back into manipulation. Through real-world examples and expert insights, they provide practical techniques to navigate pushback with confidence and resilience. ​
 
Topics
 
01:17 Understanding Backlash
01:44 Dealing with Manipulative Backlash
09:00 The Importance of Documentation
11:48 Empowerment Through Awareness
14:49 Backlash vs. Badgering
17:01 Badgering as a Manipulation Tactic
17:35 Understanding Backlash in Manipulation
19:00 Subtle Manipulation Techniques
20:24 Narcissists vs. Manipulators
23:41 Defending Against Manipulation
26:06 Real-Life Example of Overcoming Manipulation
29:35 Final Thoughts and Advice
31:33 Conclusion and Call to Action

Overcoming Manipulation: A Conversation with Angela Lanuto

Robin is joined by Angela Lanuto, a real estate agent from Hudson Valley, who shares her personal experiences with manipulation. Angela offers invaluable insights and practical advice on recognizing manipulation, setting boundaries, and reclaiming personal power. The discussion delves into childhood experiences, professional relationships, and the impact of manipulative romantic partners. Angela also provides tips for mentally and energetically distancing oneself from manipulators, highlighting the importance of self-love and empowerment. Additionally, the episode touches upon Angela's role in real estate and her efforts in community support and non-profit engagements.
 
Find Angela at https://angelalanuto.com/
 
Topics
 
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:07 Early Experiences with Manipulation
03:53 Manipulation in Relationships
05:53 Recognizing and Setting Boundaries
09:50 Intuition and Patterns of Manipulation
13:30 Emotional Impact and Self-Realization
22:43 Recognizing Manipulative Behavior
23:19 Understanding Projection and Passive Aggressiveness
24:01 Dealing with Fear and Control
25:33 The Role of Animals in Detecting Negative Energy
26:47 Empowerment and Self-Protection
27:24 Thinking Like a Manipulator
32:40 The Importance of Self-Love
35:49 Mental Strategies to Block Manipulation
41:09 Angela's Real Estate and Community Involvement

Holiday Manipulation: Safeguarding Your Joy

Dennis and Robin delve into the nuances of manipulation during the holiday season. They aim to help listeners avoid becoming targets of various forms of manipulation, including consumer manipulation, family dynamics, and relationship pressure. Key topics discussed include the impact of social media on expectations, the tactics used in holiday marketing, strategies for handling family guilt trips and favoritism, and the psychological nuances behind public proposals during holidays. The hosts provide practical advice on setting boundaries, making plans, and staying in control to ensure a joyful holiday season.
Topics
00:57 Holiday Manipulation: Protecting Yourself
01:38 Consumer Manipulation During Holidays
08:34 Scarcity Tactics and Emotional Manipulation
14:27 Family Dynamics and Guilt Trips
21:11 Building Confidence in Communication
23:55 Navigating Gift Giving Etiquette
27:12 Handling Unwanted Advances
28:54 Dealing with Public Proposals
33:17 Recognizing Manipulative Tactics
36:35 Final Thoughts and Holiday Wishes

Navigating Manipulation: Insights from Andrew’s Journey

In this podcast episode, Dr. Dennis Becker and Robin Golinski engage in a candid discussion with Andrew, a guest who shares his personal experiences with manipulation. The conversation delves into the complexities of identifying manipulative behavior, particularly from family members, and the emotional toll it can take. Andrew reflects on his childhood encounters with manipulation from his parents and how these experiences shaped his adult relationships. He emphasizes the difficulty of discerning genuine concern from exploitative behavior, especially as he grapples with mistrust towards others. The episode aims to provide listeners with insights on recognizing manipulation and fostering healthier interactions, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and emotional boundaries in overcoming past traumas.Topics00:31 Introducing the Topic of Manipulation01:08 Special Guest: Andrew's Experience02:09 Early Signs of Manipulation04:09 Parental Manipulation05:26 Emotional Manipulation Tactics09:34 Navigating Adult Relationships11:58 Recognizing and Avoiding Manipulators14:34 Strategies for Self-Protection19:47 Personal Growth and Moving Forward29:52 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Media and Workplace Manipulation with David Yas

The guest is David Yas, founder of The Boston Podcast Network. They discuss various aspects of manipulation in both media and workplace settings. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, David shares his experiences with workplace betrayal and the importance of resilience and self-awareness in overcoming manipulation. The conversation also explores the ethical and creative implications of AI in media, touching on topics like fake news, AI-generated content, and deepfakes. Key insights include recognizing manipulative behavior, understanding cognitive regeneration, and balancing the fun and ethical considerations of AI in content creation. The discussion emphasizes the pervasive nature of manipulation and the need for awareness and guarded trust in personal and professional relationships.Topics02:39 David's Story: A Tale of Manipulation06:04 The Heartbreaking Moment and Its Aftermath09:29 Recognizing Red Flags and Manipulative Tactics20:17 The Impact of Manipulation and Moving Forward24:47 Opening Up Communication25:25 Handling Difficult Relationships26:47 Directness vs Diplomacy28:37 Manipulation in Everyday Life30:33 Media Manipulation and Fake News31:54 AI and the Future of Manipulation33:41 The Ethics of AI-Generated Content38:49 Concluding Thoughts on Manipulation

The Power of Curiosity

In this episode, Dr. Dennis Becker and Robin Golinski explore the role of curiosity in protecting oneself from manipulation. They discuss how curiosity, a natural human trait, can serve as a critical tool for self-protection, while also being a tactic used by manipulators. The hosts highlight the importance of being curious, courageous, and asking questions (CCQ) to remain vigilant against manipulation. They discuss how societal factors, like technology, affect curiosity and underscore the need to develop a curious mindset. They also cover how manipulators exploit curiosity to control and discourage one's inquisitiveness. The episode concludes with strategies to maintain curiosity and counteract manipulation effectively.Topics01:06 Today's Topic: Curiosity01:28 The Importance of Curiosity02:39 Manipulation and Curiosity03:54 Developing a Curious Mindset05:45 Curiosity in Modern Society08:18 Curiosity as a Defense Against Manipulation10:44 Fact-Checking and Manipulation Tactics19:12 The Role of Podcasts in Reviving Curiosity28:47 Conclusion and Contact Information

It’s Not Your Fault, I’m just going to blame you!

In this episode, Dr. Dennis Becker and Robin Golinski delve into the intricate topic of manipulation, focusing on the aspect of blame. They discuss how manipulators use blame subtly to condition others into accepting responsibility for things that are not their fault. Robin shares her personal experience with a utility company's customer service representative to illustrate the pervasive nature of unwarranted apologies. They emphasize the importance of not internalizing blame and using assertive language to protect oneself from manipulative tactics. The discussion also explores alternative ways to express empathy without taking on blame and practical advice for managing relationships with manipulators. The episode aims to provide insights and tools for listeners to stand firm against manipulative behaviors.Topics00:38 Introducing the Topic: Blame01:13 The Subtlety of Blame in Manipulation04:16 Real-Life Example: Utility Company Incident08:29 The Power of Language in Manipulation12:56 Empathy vs. Pity in Communication16:30 Conditioned to Take Blame16:36 Personal Anecdotes of Blame17:14 Absorbing Stress and Responsibility17:36 Client's Experience with Blame18:48 Mindset Shift: Not Internalizing Blame20:39 Strategies to Refuse Blame23:06 People Pleasers and Contempt23:27 Navigating Blame in Relationships30:06 Concluding Thoughts on Blame