ReThinking: How to spot psychopaths and narcissists, with Leanne ten Brinke

The podcast explores the concept of "poisonous people," defined by high scores on the dark tetrad traits: psychopathy, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and sadism. Leanne ten Brinke, a social psychologist, discusses how these traits manifest, noting that while 3% of CEOs may exhibit clinical levels of psychopathy, a much higher percentage of incarcerated individuals share this trait. The conversation covers methods for identifying these traits, such as observing nonverbal cues like inappropriate emotional displays and setting explicit boundaries. While acknowledging the harm caused by individuals with dark personalities, the podcast emphasizes that these traits exist on a continuum, and strategies can be developed to manage interactions and mitigate damage, rather than resorting to cutting people out entirely.