Maria Konnikova is the best-selling author of the books The Biggest Bluff, The Confidence Game, and Mastermind: How To Think Like Sherlock Holmes. Topics discussed include: the human desire for certainty and story/narrative, and our discomfort with ambiguity and uncertainty; how she decided to get into poker and write The Biggest Bluff; why she finds poker s ... Show More
Jul 1
Understanding defenses of the polygraph, with David Goldberg
Polygraphs are a controversial tool in criminal investigations: critics argue they're too unreliable to trust, while proponents say that, even if they’re not perfect, they nonetheless can play a valuable role in helping uncover the truth. I talk with veteran polygraph examiner Da ... Show More
1h 25m
Jun 20
The push for science-based interrogation approaches, with Maria Hartwig and Christian Cory
In real or fictional criminal interrogation scenes, you've probably seen the approach where police barge in and confront the suspect with the evidence, trying to get them to crack and give a confession. In this talk, Maria Hartwig and Christian Cory explain why that doesn’t work ... Show More
58m 3s
Jun 13
Reading behavior in The Traitors and other social deduction games, with Zack Davies (UK season 2)
Zack Davies was a standout contestant on the popular reality TV show The Traitors (UK, season 2). The Traitors is what is called a social deduction game, similar to the games Werewolf and Mafia. In this talk we examine psychological factors and behavioral clues that can shape pla ... Show More
1h 4m
Aug 2020
#89 Maria Konnikova: Less Certainty, More Inquiry
Professional poker player, psychologist and author of two New York Times best-sellers, Maria Konnikova discusses her mentors, making decisions in environments of uncertainty, the importance of reflection, cooling down your emotions and Sherlock Holmes. -- Want even more? Members ... Show More
1h 37m
Feb 2022
Poker, con artists and the psychology of risk and deception, with Maria Konnikova, PhD
Why do intelligent people give money to self-proclaimed psychics or get sucked into Ponzi schemes? Why are most of us so bad at judging risk? Journalist, psychologist and professional poker player Maria Konnikova, PhD, author of the “The Biggest Bluff” and “The Confidence Game,” ... Show More
42m 25s
Jul 2025
How to Make Your Own Luck (Update)
<p>Before she decided to become a poker pro, Maria Konnikova didn’t know how many cards are in a deck. But she did have a Ph.D. in psychology, a brilliant coach, and a burning desire to know whether life is driven more by skill or chance. She found some answers in poker — and she ... Show More
58m 7s
Jun 2016
Maria Konnikova on psychology, work, and why we all get conned
Maria Konnikova, a writer and author of “The Confidence Game: Why We Fall For It… Every Time” talks to host Cardiff Garcia about her work and the challenge of judging the quality of social-science research. The two also discuss big data, open-plan offices, sleep and the psycholog ... Show More
1h 12m
Jul 2020
424. How to Make Your Own Luck
<p>Before she decided to become a poker pro, Maria Konnikova didn’t know how many cards are in a deck. But she did have a Ph.D. in psychology, a brilliant coach, and a burning desire to know whether life is driven more by skill or chance. She found some answers in poker — and in ... Show More
1 h
Jun 2023
Feeling A Bit Attacked with Maria Konnikova
Maria Konnikova, Revisionist History’s ombudsman—who's also an author, psychologist and professional poker player—is back for another round. This time she reads letters from the audience on the power of debate, and whether or not certain four letter words belong in Pushkin’s podc ... Show More
42m 51s
May 2021
1. How to Make Your Own Luck
Before she decided to become a poker pro, Maria Konnikova didn’t know how many cards are in a deck. But she did have a Ph.D. in psychology, a brilliant coach, and a burning desire to know whether life is driven more by skill or chance. She found some answers in poker — and in her ... Show More
1 h
Oct 2019
Trust Issues : Poker Face with Maria Konnikova
Have you ever been conned? Did you ask yourself why you didn’t see it coming? Or have you been wary of trusting people since? In this fascinating episode, Rachel is joined by Maria Konnikova, the award-winning author and psychology writer, who in 2018 surprised everyone – includi ... Show More
29m 47s
