What 24 Years in the FBI Taught Me About Human Nature | Eric Robinson

What 24 Years in the FBI Taught Me About Human Nature | Eric Robinson

What can 24 years in the FBI teach someone about human nature? More than most people would expect. After spending nearly a quarter century investigating everything from drug cartels and gangs to public corruption, crimes against children, and counterterrorism, former FBI Special Agent Eric Robinson came away with a perspective that challenges many of the assumptions people have about good, evil, crime, and what drives human behavior. In this conversation, Eric shares his unlikely journey from Baptist pastor to FBI agent, why that transition happened in the first place, and how years of sitting across from victims, informants, criminals, and extremists fundamentally changed the way he sees people. What emerged isn't a worldview built on judgment, but one rooted in curiosity, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the forces that shape human behavior. The discussion explores why people often gravitate toward certainty, identity, and belonging, how environment influences the choices people make, and why some of the most harmful actions can only be understood by looking at the story that came before them. Eric offers a rare glimpse into the reality of FBI work beyond what most people see in movies and television, sharing stories from his career that reveal both the extraordinary and surprisingly human side of law enforcement. The conversation also takes an unexpected turn into faith, belief, and personal transformation. Eric reflects on how his views evolved over time, what prompted him to reexamine long-held assumptions, and why he ultimately moved away from certainty and toward a more open and compassionate way of understanding both people and the world around him. This is a conversation about crime, religion, identity, belonging, personal growth, and what happens when life challenges the stories you've been telling yourself for decades. More than anything, it's an exploration of what it means to see people as people, even when it's difficult. Eric Robinson recently retired from the FBI after 24 years as a Special Agent, serving as a SWAT operator, firearms instructor, and tactics instructor while working a wide range of investigations. He is also the author of Irreverend: From Saving Souls to Chasing Sinners in the FBI, a memoir inspired by his unique path from Christian ministry to federal law enforcement. And if you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe to drop in on more of these conversations. https://www.preachertobreacher.com/ [https://www.preachertobreacher.com/] How to Be a Person: ⁠https://howtobeaperson.co [https://howtobeaperson.co] Support the show: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/jewleeahno [https://buymeacoffee.com/jewleeahno] Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Person-Gems-Living/dp/B0H155R7JL/ [https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Person-Gems-Living/dp/B0H155R7JL/] Want to be a guest on How to Be a Person? Send Giuliano Grimaudo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17374246500089236b5dfbb6b [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17374246500089236b5dfbb6b] Please note: Links may be affiliated and may pay the creator a commission.

What If Happiness Is a Skill? | Dr. Wendy O'Connor

Why do so many successful people still feel unfulfilled? And what if happiness isn't something you find... but something you practice? In this conversation, Stanford-trained positive psychologist Dr. Wendy O'Connor joins Giuliano to explore the difference between achievement and fulfillment, why so many high achievers end up burned out despite getting everything they thought they wanted, and how happiness may have far less to do with circumstances than most people believe. Drawing from her own experience as a clinical psychologist who built a thriving practice before realizing she wasn't actually enjoying the life she had created, Wendy shares the lessons that led her toward positive psychology and her work helping women design more intentional, meaningful lives. The conversation explores the hidden costs of constantly saying yes, the stories we tell ourselves about success, and why so many people feel trapped by decisions they made years ago. Along the way, Giuliano and Wendy discuss the role that mortality plays in shaping perspective, why people struggle to change direction even when they know they're unhappy, and the surprising amount of control we have over our experience of life. They dive into responsibility, self-trust, resilience, the importance of knowing your values, and why fulfillment often comes from aligning your life with what actually matters to you rather than what looks good from the outside. This is also a conversation about presence. About the tendency to live in the past or worry about the future while missing the moment directly in front of us. Whether discussing gratitude, personal loss, happiness research, or the challenge of creating boundaries around our time and energy, the discussion continually returns to one central question: If happiness isn't waiting somewhere in the future, how do we create more of it right now? If you've ever felt successful on paper but disconnected from your own life, struggled to balance ambition with fulfillment, or wondered why achieving your goals didn't create the feeling you expected, this conversation offers a thoughtful perspective on what it actually means to live well. And if you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe to drop in on more of these conversations. https://www.drwendyoconnor.com/free-life-planner [https://www.drwendyoconnor.com/free-life-planner] How to Be a Person: ⁠https://howtobeaperson.co [https://howtobeaperson.co] Support the show: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/jewleeahno [https://buymeacoffee.com/jewleeahno] Life insurance: ⁠https://life.howtobeaperson.co [https://life.howtobeaperson.co] Want to be a guest on How to Be a Person? Send Giuliano Grimaudo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17374246500089236b5dfbb6b [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17374246500089236b5dfbb6b] Please note: Links may be affiliated and may pay the creator a commission.

The Psychology Behind Mass Violence | Robert Mahoney

What causes someone to go down the path of violence? Are acts of mass violence truly random, or are there warning signs most of us simply don't know how to recognize? In this conversation, Giuliano sits down with Robert Mahoney, leading expert in Behavioral Threat Assessment and Founder of TVTP Solutions, to explore the psychology behind mass violence and what communities can do to prevent it before tragedy occurs. Rather than focusing on security cameras, metal detectors, or active shooter response plans, Robert explains why true prevention starts much earlier. He shares how many acts of violence are preceded by years of emotional distress, behavioral changes, isolation, loss of purpose, and missed opportunities for intervention. The discussion challenges the common idea of a "random act of violence" and examines why seemingly disconnected life events can sometimes contribute to a much larger story unfolding beneath the surface. The conversation explores the role of identity, purpose, and community in human behavior, why people become vulnerable to destructive paths, and how feelings often drive behavior long before logic enters the picture. Robert also explains how schools, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and community organizations can work together more effectively to identify people who may be struggling before a crisis develops. Along the way, Giuliano and Robert discuss empathy, human nature, why many people who commit terrible acts were often showing signs of distress long beforehand, and how a culture of genuine care may be one of the most powerful tools we have for creating safer communities. They also explore the difference between protection and prevention, why many modern systems are designed to respond rather than intervene early, and how small moments of attention and human connection can sometimes alter the trajectory of a person's life. This is a thought-provoking conversation about violence prevention, mental health, human behavior, community responsibility, and what it means to look beyond the headlines to understand the deeper causes behind some of society's most troubling problems. And if you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe to drop in on more of these conversations. https://tvtpsolutions.com/ [https://tvtpsolutions.com/] How to Be a Person: ⁠https://howtobeaperson.co [https://howtobeaperson.co] Support the show: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/jewleeahno⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/jewleeahno⁠] Life insurance: ⁠https://life.howtobeaperson.co [https://life.howtobeaperson.co] Want to be a guest on How to Be a Person? Send Giuliano Grimaudo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17374246500089236b5dfbb6b [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17374246500089236b5dfbb6b] Please note: Links may be affiliated and may pay the creator a commission.

Can a Deck of Cards Reveal Your Life Purpose? | Alexander and Viki

Can a deck of cards reveal your life purpose? According to Alexander and Viki, the answer is yes. In this conversation, they explain why they believe an ordinary deck of 52 playing cards contains an ancient system for understanding personality, purpose, relationships, life lessons, and the unique path each person is here to walk. What starts as a conversation about playing cards quickly turns into a much bigger exploration of consciousness, free will, destiny, spirituality, religion, personal growth, and the nature of reality itself. Alexander and Viki share the unlikely journey that led them to this work, from spiritual awakenings and energy healing to years spent searching for deeper answers about who we are and why we're here. They explain the origins of what they call the Source Cards, how a standard deck of playing cards mirrors the calendar year, and why they believe each person's date of birth reveals a specific set of cards that shape the themes and lessons of their life. Along the way, the conversation explores some of life's biggest questions. Are we here to follow a predetermined path, or do we have free will? Did we choose our experiences before we were born? Why do some people seem naturally drawn toward certain gifts, talents, and challenges while others walk a completely different road? And what happens when we stop trying to live someone else's life and start embracing our own? Giuliano and his guests also dive into the relationship between religion and direct spiritual experience, the difference between belief and knowing, why so many people feel disconnected from themselves, and how personal fulfillment may come from learning to play the cards we've been dealt rather than wishing for someone else's hand. Whether you're deeply spiritual, highly skeptical, or simply curious about different ways of understanding human nature, this conversation offers a fascinating perspective on identity, purpose, and what it means to live in alignment with who you truly are. Alexander and Viki are Sacred Strategy Guides for the Game of Life who use the Source Cards to help people uncover patterns, gain clarity, and better understand the unique path they're here to walk. Their work blends coaching, healing, and personal development to help individuals move beyond old limitations and create a life that feels more aligned and meaningful. If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe to drop in on more of these conversations. https://www.thesourcecards.com/ [https://www.thesourcecards.com/] How to Be a Person: ⁠https://howtobeaperson.co [https://howtobeaperson.co] Support the show: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/jewleeahno⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/jewleeahno⁠] Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Person-Gems-Living/dp/B0H155R7JL/ [https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Person-Gems-Living/dp/B0H155R7JL/] Peaceful Profits: https://author.howtobeaperson.co [https://author.howtobeaperson.co] Want to be a guest on How to Be a Person? Send Giuliano Grimaudo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17374246500089236b5dfbb6b [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17374246500089236b5dfbb6b] Please note: Links may be affiliated and may pay the creator a commission.

Why So Many People Are Leaving Life on the Table | John Salzwedel

Why do so many people feel unfulfilled, even when they’re doing everything they’re “supposed” to do? And what does it actually mean to live a life that feels like your own? In this conversation, Giuliano sits down with John Salzwedel, coach, speaker, and author of STOP Leaving Life on the Table, to explore why so many people feel stuck, disconnected, or like they’re simply going through the motions of life. John spent nearly three decades in the insurance industry before stepping away to pursue work that felt more aligned with who he had become. That decision serves as a launching point for a conversation about purpose, fulfillment, responsibility, and the difference between living intentionally versus living according to expectations that were handed to us by family, culture, religion, work, or society. Together, they discuss why modern life often leaves people overwhelmed by problems they have little control over, how social media and algorithms can distort our perception of reality, and why carrying the weight of the entire world may be keeping people from fully engaging with their own lives. The conversation explores the tension between caring about what’s happening around us while still taking responsibility for our own experience, relationships, priorities, and personal growth. They also dive into the idea of “leaving life on the table,” a concept inspired by the business phrase “leaving money on the table,” and examine how people often sacrifice experiences, dreams, opportunities, and fulfillment without even realizing it. Along the way, they explore work-life balance, the importance of identifying what truly matters, why many people struggle to feel aligned with their own values, and how small decisions can create major shifts over time. This is ultimately a conversation about perspective. About recognizing that life isn’t something to simply endure until the weekend arrives. It’s something to participate in. Something to experience. Something to engage with while we still have the chance. Whether you're feeling stuck, questioning your direction, struggling to find fulfillment, or simply looking for a different way to think about what it means to live a good life, this conversation offers plenty to reflect on. And if you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe to drop in on more of these conversations. https://www.thecoach.vip/podcast [https://www.thecoach.vip/podcast] How to Be a Person: ⁠https://howtobeaperson.co [https://howtobeaperson.co] Support the show: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/jewleeahno⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/jewleeahno⁠] Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Person-Gems-Living/dp/B0H155R7JL/ [https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Person-Gems-Living/dp/B0H155R7JL/] Want to be a guest on How to Be a Person? Send Giuliano Grimaudo a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17374246500089236b5dfbb6b [https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17374246500089236b5dfbb6b] Please note: Links may be affiliated and may pay the creator a commission.