Steve breaks down the true definition of an alibi, proof you were elsewhere when a crime occurred, and explains how it differs from a simple excuse. The episode dives into common types of alibis, including unsupported claims, social alibis involving friends, digital alibis, partial timelines, and overly detailed accounts that raise suspicion. Along the way, the hosts discuss hedging, a key linguistic behaviour where liars soften statements to avoid being caught in a definitive lie.

A major focus of the episode is the case of Dezi Freeman, who was accused of shooting two police officers in Porepunkah before being located months later near Thologolong. The discussion highlights how fugitives may rely on others for protection, raising questions about false alibis and aiding offenders after the fact. Steve also shares firsthand insight into the elite Special Operations Group (SOG), describing their tactical precision and recounting a personal training experience that demonstrates just how effective they are in high risk situations.

The episode also explores how modern investigations dismantle alibis using digital evidence such as phone data, CCTV, bank records, and forensic analysis. Steve explains the concept of cognitive load, why lying is mentally demanding, and how inconsistencies often emerge when someone fabricates a story. He also highlights the importance of separating witnesses, analysing timelines, and identifying missing details that can expose deception.

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The discussion then shifts to investigative tools, including the Shoe Database used by the FBI. This system catalogues shoe prints collected from crime scenes and enables investigators to match them to specific shoe types. Much like DNA, these impressions can be highly distinctive and play an important role in linking suspects to criminal activity.

The core of the episode focuses on the difference between psychopathy and narcissism, two terms that are often misunderstood or used interchangeably. Van Aperen explains that a psychopath is characterised by a lack of empathy, guilt, and remorse, along with manipulative and controlling behaviour. Importantly, psychopaths are not always violent and can function in everyday environments while still acting ruthlessly to achieve their goals. In contrast, narcissists are driven by ego, a need for admiration, and a strong sensitivity to criticism. Their behaviour is often rooted in insecurity and a desire for validation.

A standout example discussed is the self diagnosed narcissistic doctor, who sought comedy coaching but reacted poorly when given honest feedback. Instead of accepting constructive criticism, he became defensive, accusatory, and ultimately revealed his own narcissistic traits. This story highlights how narcissists often seek validation rather than genuine improvement, and how quickly they can become hostile when their self image is challenged.

Through a mix of real cases and personal experiences, the hosts illustrate how these traits manifest. Psychopaths tend to manipulate without emotional attachment, while narcissists seek recognition and may boast about their actions. The episode also notes overlap between the two, particularly in control and manipulation.

Overall, Episode 14 blends practical advice on detecting deception with deeper psychological insight, giving listeners a clearer understanding of both everyday dishonesty and complex personality traits.

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The hosts begin by addressing listener questions, including explanations of “The Trots,” historically referring to Trotskyite socialists, and “gerrymandering,” the political manipulation of electoral boundaries to favour particular parties. This sets the tone for a broader discussion about manipulation, both political and commercial.

The core of the episode centers on misleading advertising practices. Brad highlights that while Australia has clear laws governing advertising across platforms such as social media, packaging, and testimonials, these rules are frequently bent or broken. Both hosts point out that large corporations often escape serious consequences, receiving minor financial penalties that fail to act as effective deterrents. They contrast this with how individuals would face harsher legal outcomes for similar deceptive conduct.

The discussion introduces the “pub test,” an informal measure of fairness based on common sense. If a claim sounds unreasonable or dishonest in a casual social setting, it likely fails this test. However, the hosts argue that many corporations ignore this basic moral standard.

Weight loss advertising becomes a key example of deceptive practices. Brad critiques celebrity endorsements and programs that promise results but often fail to deliver, while Steve emphasizes the role of human behavior in weight management. They suggest that advertising often oversimplifies complex issues, contributing to misleading expectations.

The episode also examines regulatory bodies like ASIC and fair trading agencies, noting that investigations into corporate misconduct differ significantly from police investigations. Brad explains how police build cases using structured evidence and multiple lines of inquiry, whereas corporate investigations may lack the same rigor.

Throughout, the hosts stress the gap between legality and morality, questioning whether current penalties truly discourage unethical behavior. They conclude that deception in advertising remains widespread, under enforced, and deserving of greater scrutiny, leaving plenty of ground for future discussion.

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They begin with a contemporary example from Victoria involving claims that government officials reported corruption within the CFMEU union. According to Steve, conflicting statements from political leaders and a lack of police records illustrate how politicians sometimes backtrack when confronted, often framing false statements as “misspeaking” rather than deliberate deception.

The hosts then examine several historical examples of political lies. Richard Nixon is discussed in relation to the Watergate scandal, where he denied wrongdoing before evidence from secret White House tapes revealed obstruction of justice. Steve highlights Nixon’s famous statement, “Your president is not a crook,” pointing out behavioral cues, such as contradictory body language, that can signal deception.

They also revisit Bill Clinton’s denial of sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, using it to illustrate how deceptive individuals exploit ambiguity. Steve explains that poorly worded questions can allow someone to technically tell the truth while still misleading others, even potentially passing a polygraph test.

The discussion expands to international politics, including claims about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq promoted by the US and UK governments. The hosts argue that these claims, later shown to lack evidence, demonstrate how large-scale political narratives can shape public support for major actions like war.

And then Steve drops a bombshell. Focusing on the 2001 “Children Overboard Scandal" in Australia, Steve recounts conducting a polygraph test on public servant Mike Scrafton, who said he informed Prime Minister John Howard that there was no evidence asylum seekers threw children into the sea. Despite this, the claim was publicly promoted during an election campaign and later disproven, ultimately damaging Scrafton’s career before he was vindicated.

The hosts conclude by reflecting on how deception permeates politics, media, and society. They argue that politicians lie for strategic reasons, such as protecting reputations, winning votes, or shaping narratives, and invite listeners to share examples of political deception they have observed.

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The episode opens with some light conversation during Grand Prix week, which leads Steve to share a story from his time in the South Australia Police when the Formula One Grand Prix was held in Adelaide before the race later moved to Melbourne. While working night shift near the Adelaide street circuit, Steve and his police partner decided to take a police car for a quick lap around the empty track. The fun quickly turned into trouble when Steve lost control and the police car slid sideways into the sand trap, becoming stuck up to the axles. Hoping to avoid embarrassment, they enlisted help from nearby army personnel to tow the car out. Unfortunately the rope was attached to the plastic bumper, which was ripped off as the truck drove away, leaving the damaged police car still buried in the sand. The story sets a humorous tone before the hosts move into the main topic of scams and deception.

Brad and Steve explain that scams are fundamentally built on lies and manipulation. In the case of dating scams, criminals often create fake identities online and pretend to be attractive romantic partners. This process is known as catfishing. Victims believe they are communicating with a real person, when in reality the scammer may be someone entirely different, often operating from overseas.

Steve outlines the typical playbook used by scammers. The first step is love bombing, where the scammer overwhelms the victim with affection and attention to create emotional attachment. Once trust is established, the scammer introduces a backstory designed to build sympathy, such as a sick relative, financial hardship, or travel problems. Eventually the relationship shifts to the “ask,” where the scammer requests money, investment opportunities, or financial assistance.

The hosts also discuss how these scams can continue for long periods, sometimes months or even years, as scammers carefully build rapport with their victims. Even intelligent and experienced people can fall for these schemes because the tactics exploit powerful psychological triggers such as loneliness, trust, greed, and emotional connection.

Brad and Steve highlight the challenges police face investigating these crimes because many scammers operate internationally, making enforcement difficult. They also emphasize that victims are often embarrassed and reluctant to report the crime, which allows scammers to continue targeting others.

The episode concludes with practical advice: never send money to someone you have never met, be cautious of online relationships that avoid video calls or in person meetings, and consider using reverse image searches to check whether profile photos are genuine. Ultimately, the hosts remind listeners that most scams share the same goal: separating people from their money through deception.

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The episode opens with a light-hearted exchange about names, identity, and misdirection, setting the tone for a deeper conversation about how perception shapes belief. From there, the hosts revisit the concept of amygdala hijacking, the neurological fight-or-flight response, that can override rational thought. Steve explains how emotional overload, often seen in road rage or explosive confrontations, can cloud judgment. Importantly, he reveals why provoking anger during an interrogation is counterproductive.

The conversation pivots to artificial intelligence and so-called AI “hallucinations.” As machines begin producing confident but inaccurate information, the hosts explore a chilling possibility: what happens when technology learns not just to be wrong, but to deceive?

Political theatre also comes under scrutiny, particularly when public figures, specifically Pam Bondi, respond to accusations with outrage rather than answers. Steve breaks down this classic deflection tactic: attack the interviewer, shift the pressure, avoid the substance. It’s a familiar behavioural pattern in deceptive personalities.

The heart of the episode focuses on art fraud and memorabilia scams, where massive sums of money change hands based on signatures, provenance, and trust. From forged masterpieces to fake sports collectibles, the hosts examine how greed, ego, and opportunity drive deception. Steve contrasts high-risk crimes like drug trafficking with lower-visibility fraud schemes that can net millions with less immediate scrutiny. He shares gripping stories from his undercover policing days, including controlled buys and elaborate sting operations involving the bedsheets, illustrating how criminals often get caught not because they’re reckless, but because they’re habitual.

Brad adds perspective from the entertainment world, where joke theft and inferred deception mirror larger fraud dynamics. Whether it’s forged paintings, counterfeit signatures, or prison artwork attributed to notorious criminals, the formula remains the same: notoriety plus narrative equals perceived value.

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The episode opens with a broader discussion about lying, including how deception is often embedded in everyday life and even professional roles. From there, the conversation shifts into the sporting arena, where the stakes are high and the incentives to bend the rules can be enormous. Brad and Steve identify two main streams of deceit in sport. The first is tactical deception, the kind that is considered part of the game. Teams disguise strategies, bluff opponents and conceal intent. This form of deceit is often accepted as legitimate competition.

The second stream is more troubling. It involves cheating, performance enhancing drugs, match fixing and financial corruption. Steve recounts his experience being approached by the International Cricket Council to conduct integrity testing aimed at stamping out corruption in cricket. He explains the difference between match fixing and spot fixing, and reflects on the challenges of investigating sporting dishonesty without whistleblowers or hard evidence.

The discussion broadens to high profile scandals, including Lance Armstrong and the infamous 1919 Black Sox baseball scandal. Both examples highlight how deception can be sustained for years when money, reputation and power are at stake. The hosts explore how group complicity makes corruption complex but also fragile, as it often takes only one insider to expose the truth.

They also touch on doping in racing and other sports, noting the constant tension between reactive investigations and proactive prevention. Steve draws on his law enforcement background to explain that most crimes are only investigated once they are reported, and without evidence or insiders coming forward, many suspicious outcomes remain just that, suspicions.

Episode 9 ultimately examines how money, ego, status and opportunity intersect in sport. It reinforces the podcast’s central theme: deceit is rarely simple, often rationalised, and almost always driven by motive.

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Steve Van Aperen defines a lie as the intentional act of misleading someone while knowing the information is false. He contrasts this with common memory failures where people unknowingly provide incorrect information. The discussion opens with a light hearted clarification after a previous episode caused confusion when Steve accidentally implied he had been married. He explains this was a misstatement rather than a lie and uses it as a practical example of how easily memory and language can mislead without malice.

A central theme of episode 8 is the unreliability of eyewitness testimony. Steve recounts a robbery investigation where several witnesses described completely different getaway vehicles despite observing the same incident only minutes earlier. The inconsistencies were later traced to the witnesses speaking with each other and unintentionally influencing their recollections. CCTV footage ultimately confirmed the true vehicle demonstrating why corroboration is essential.

Brad Oakes questions how investigators decide which witness is most accurate. Steve explains that confidence detail and certainty do not equal truth and that every account must be supported by independent evidence. He highlights how mistaken identification has contributed to wrongful convictions including cases involving the death penalty.

The episode then shifts to police interviewing techniques. Steve explains that closed yes or no questions give deceptive people an advantage by limiting what they must say. Open questions such as asking someone to explain events from beginning to end require the speaker to construct a narrative. Truthful people tend to recall events using sensory and emotional detail while liars struggle due to increased cognitive effort which often reveals itself through hesitation filler language and inconsistencies.

Steve also introduces behavioural benchmarking where investigators observe how a person responds to neutral questions and compare that behaviour to responses during sensitive topics. While changes may indicate deception he stresses the importance of accounting for stress fear and normal memory lapses.

The episode concludes with examples of people lying for self protection rather than criminal guilt and a discussion of carefully worded denials using a famous athlete case. Episode 8 reinforces that while lying is universal exposing deception is not always useful particularly outside formal investigations.

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The episode opens with light hearted banter between hosts Brad and Steve, touching on everyday complaints, injuries, and humour around masculinity, before quickly shifting into the core theme of the episode: what actually constitutes a lie. Steve defines a lie as wilfully misleading someone while knowing the information is factually incorrect. This definition is immediately tested through the idea of lying by omission, where a person withholds key information while still technically telling the truth.

Brad shares several vivid personal stories from his school years to illustrate this concept. One standout anecdote involves accidentally setting a classmate’s hair on fire, then truthfully stating that the hair caught fire while conveniently leaving out his own role in causing it. The story demonstrates how omission can be just as deceptive as an outright falsehood. Further stories about hypnotising classmates and forging parental notes reveal how quickly young people learn to exploit authority structures, especially when questioned poorly.

A major theme of the episode is the importance of questioning technique. Steve argues there is no such thing as a bad interviewee, only bad interviewers. Closed yes or no questions often allow deception to continue, while open ended questions encourage detail, expose inconsistencies, and reveal motive. This idea is reinforced through real investigative examples involving document examination, handwriting analysis, and forensic techniques.

One particularly sobering case involves a fabricated sexual assault allegation uncovered through document analysis, highlighting how lies must be carefully constructed, maintained, and emotionally supported to remain believable. Motive, such as revenge or jealousy, is repeatedly emphasised as the key to understanding deceptive behaviour.

The discussion expands into micro expressions, contempt, and behavioural cues, drawing on psychological research to explain how fleeting facial movements can reveal underlying emotion. These insights are linked to comedy, public speaking, and leadership, showing how reading a room and identifying who others take cues from can be critical.

Overall, Episode 7 blends humour, personal confession, psychology, and investigative insight to show that deception is a deeply human behaviour, and that understanding why people lie is often more revealing than simply catching them out.

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Steve, drawing on his policing background, explains that studies show most people will steal if they believe there are no consequences. The hosts reflect on how visible authority once regulated behaviour and how its absence has led to widespread fare evasion, retail theft and even organised swarming, where large groups overwhelm stores and steal openly. This raises a recurring question of the episode: is deception driven more by opportunity than morality?

The discussion then moves into the psychology of lying and detection. Steve recounts moments when being labelled the human lie detector created ethical dilemmas, particularly when revealing the truth could cause unnecessary harm. From this, the hosts explore how truth and deception appear in storytelling, comedy and real life. Truthful people, Steve explains, tend to self correct and provide detail, while liars remain vague to reduce cognitive load.

From petty deception, the episode escalates to large scale fraud. The hosts examine historic and modern scams, including the Ponzi scheme run by Bernie Madoff, who defrauded investors of around 65 billion dollars by exploiting trust, greed and perceived exclusivity. They also discuss massive government level corruption overseas and corporate scandals closer to home, emphasising that intelligence and wealth do not protect people from deception.

Crypto fraud provides a modern parallel, with discussion of the collapse linked to Sam Bankman-Fried. The hosts highlight how hype, fear of missing out and lack of regulation fuel financial deception, much like traditional scams.

The episode closes on a reflective note. While deception is everywhere, from fake smiles to financial schemes, life’s real value may lie in simple pleasures like coffee, beer and paying attention to what truly matters.

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The discussion revisits Milat’s murders in the Belanglo State Forest and highlights how deception extended well beyond the crimes themselves. A key focus is an earlier shooting of taxi driver Neville Knight, where another man spent years in prison for a crime Milat was later believed to have committed. This case illustrates how fear, intimidation, and misplaced loyalty can lead to false confessions and prolonged silence, allowing the truth to remain buried for decades.

Drawing on first hand investigative experience, the episode explains how behavioural analysis and polygraph testing are used in serious criminal cases. The emphasis is not on technology alone, but on how people tell their stories. Truthful individuals tend to include themselves naturally in events and provide consistent detail, while deceptive individuals often distance themselves, avoid direct answers, and show subtle signs of concealment through language and behaviour.

The episode also challenges common myths about serial killers. Milat is presented as an example of how these offenders are typically methodical, organised, and patient rather than impulsive. The discussion explores how serial offenders target vulnerable victims, operate in remote locations, and refine their methods over time. It also touches on recurring behavioural patterns, ritualistic elements, and why many serial killers have a strong interest in forensic processes.

Importantly, the episode examines why offenders like Milat rarely confess. Even when facing life imprisonment, maintaining secrecy can provide a final sense of power and control. Milat’s refusal to cooperate meant many questions were never answered, and it remains widely believed that additional victims were never formally identified.

The episode closes with a striking contrast. A lighter but revealing story is shared about a young man who claimed an uncollected lottery win. With no ticket to prove it, his claim was assessed through investigation and a polygraph examination. He was found to be truthful and ultimately awarded more than 20 million dollars. The story reinforces a central message of Fool Me Twice: polygraph testing and behavioural analysis can expose devastating lies, but they can also validate the truth when it matters most.

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A major focus of the episode is lying in advertising and marketing. The hosts explore how modern consumers are bombarded with misleading promises. This can be hundreds of times per day, through billboards, television, social media, and influencers. Drawing on Brad's background in observation, they unpack how advertising works not just on logic, but on emotion, social proof, and subconscious triggers. From weight-loss endorsements to celebrity spruiking, they question why large-scale, profitable deception is often tolerated, while small individual lies are punished.

The discussion broadens into influencers and social manipulation, tracing the concept back centuries to paid audience members at operas and plays. Social proof, scarcity tactics, and perceived popularity are shown to be powerful drivers of human behaviour, illustrated through real-world examples such as supermarket pricing tricks and influencer culture during COVID.

The episode then takes a more serious turn. Brad and Steve examine ethical lies in policing and medicine. Steve reflects on his time delivering death notifications as a police officer, explaining why he sometimes lied to spare grieving families unnecessary pain. This opens a nuanced debate, "When does honesty become cruel, and when does lying become compassionate?" Similar ethical grey areas are explored in medical settings, where doctors may withhold certainty, patients lie out of embarrassment or fear, and “service lies” like appointment times quietly shape expectations.

AI generated content, fake imagery, and non-existent online personas are highlighted as the next frontier of deception. Reality is further blurred and raising questions about accountability and harm. Yet despite the gravity of the topic, humour remains constant—used not to trivialise lying, but to expose how deeply woven it is into social life.

The episode concludes with a reminder that while lying is part of human nature, intent, impact, and ethics matter. Steve and Brad invite listeners to reflect on the lies they tell, the lies they accept, and the stories they want to share.

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The conversation centres on cognitive load and how lies strain the brain. When people tell the truth, they recall real memories. When they lie, they must invent details, maintain consistency, and respond to follow up questions in real time. This mental effort often leaks through behaviour. Steve describes how trained interviewers and modern technology focus on changes in eye behaviour, response timing, and speech patterns rather than dramatic physical reactions. Heart rate and sweating, for example, often reflect anxiety instead of dishonesty.

Benchmarking plays a major role throughout the episode. Steve stresses that interviewers must first understand how someone behaves when telling the truth. Only then can they spot meaningful changes. Without this baseline, even experienced professionals can miss deception. Charismatic personalities, confident speakers, and attractive people often distract interviewers and influence judgement. The episode highlights how easily appearance and personality can override logic in criminal interviews, workplace situations, and romantic relationships.

The discussion also dives into lying by omission. Steve explains that many people avoid direct lies by leaving out key details. By saying less, they reduce the risk of contradiction. Others overwhelm listeners with excessive information to steer attention away from the real issue. Both tactics appear frequently in interrogations and everyday conversations.

Through case experience, humour, and relatable stories, the episode connects professional interrogation techniques to real life situations like dating and social interactions. The message is clear. Spotting deception requires attention to patterns, context, and behavioural change over time. There is no single behaviour that exposes a lie, and anyone who relies on shortcuts will likely be fooled.

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The episode opens with a deceptively simple question most of us ask every day. How are you? What appears to be a polite greeting is often an invitation to edit reality rather than reveal it. Social convention encourages people to offer safe answers, and that instinct to manage information sits on the same behavioural spectrum as more serious forms of deception.

Drawing on years of police interview experience, the discussion explores how truthful people communicate in a fundamentally different way. When someone is telling the truth, they naturally include sensory detail, consistent timelines, and personal ownership. They talk about what they saw, heard, felt, and experienced because they lived it. Liars, by contrast, must invent or embellish, which creates cognitive strain. That strain often reveals itself through shifting tense, vague language, evasive answers, or responding to questions with questions.

One of the central insights of the episode is that most people do not start by lying outright. They begin by avoiding, editing, or redirecting information. Only when those strategies fail do they resort to an outright lie. By that point, inconsistencies often begin to appear. This leakage can show up in language, body movement, or vocal delivery, especially when a fabricated story has to be maintained under pressure.

The episode also challenges popular myths about deception. Confident speakers, politicians, and narcissists are not necessarily good liars. In fact, confidence often leads people to expose themselves more. The conversation pushes back against crime television fantasies popularised by shows like CSI, noting that real investigations rely far more on rapport, listening, and behavioural analysis than instant forensic results.

Importantly, the hosts emphasise that deception is not limited to criminals. It appears in everyday life, from social interactions to sport to comedy. Comedy itself is framed as a harmless form of deception, where the audience understands that they are being led in one direction before expectations are subverted for humour rather than harm.

The key takeaway from Episode 2 is simple but powerful. Truth tends to flow, while lies take effort. Detecting deception is not about spotting a single tell. It is about observing patterns, clusters of behaviour, and changes from a person’s normal way of communicating. And in doing so, listeners are encouraged to recognise that deception is not just something other people do. It is something we all engage in, often without realising it.

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The episode opens with the idea that lying is not rare, criminal, or even unusual. It is an everyday social behaviour. From comedians exaggerating stories on stage, to people misrepresenting themselves on dating apps, to politicians and professionals shaping the truth to suit their audience, lying is framed as something most people do routinely, often without thinking. Brad brings humour and self awareness to the discussion, openly admitting that fabrication is a core part of comedy, while Steve grounds the conversation in psychology and real world investigative experience.

Dating apps become a recurring and relatable example of social lying, where people exaggerate height, appearance, personality, and intentions. These stories highlight a key tension: lies may get someone through the door, but reality eventually catches up. The hosts explore how people knowingly create false versions of themselves, despite understanding they will ultimately be exposed.

From there, the conversation shifts into how lies can actually be detected. Steve explains that there is no single tell. No magic eye movement or nervous twitch that guarantees deception. Instead, lie detection relies on patterns, inconsistencies, and changes from a person’s normal behaviour. Language choice, pronouns, tense shifts, response delays, body language mismatches, and micro expressions all provide clues when examined together. Crucially, Steve emphasises that most people are poor both at lying and at spotting lies, often because personality, trust, and desire cloud judgement.

The episode also tackles darker territory, discussing narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths not as movie villains, but as everyday individuals who may lack empathy and use deception strategically to manipulate others. Steve draws on his experience interviewing criminals, fraudsters, and even pleasant seeming psychopaths to show how dangerous lies are not always obvious or dramatic.

Throughout the episode, humour balances the heavier insights. Anecdotes about being conned, interrogated by police as a teenager, or falling for deals that sound too good to be true reinforce the central idea that we often want to believe lies when they benefit us.

The episode closes by reinforcing the show’s core message: lies are everywhere, truth is fragile, and learning how deception works is less about paranoia and more about self protection.

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