# The Manipulation Expert: 4 Hidden Signs You’re Dealing With a Toxic Person

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-mel-robbins-podcast-5698881/the-manipulation-expert-4-hidden-signs-you-re-dealing-with-a-toxic-person
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-mel-robbins-podcast-5698881/the-manipulation-expert-4-hidden-signs-you-re-dealing-with-a-toxic-person.md
Podcast: [The Mel Robbins Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-mel-robbins-podcast-5698881)
Published: 2026-07-20T04:05:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-416
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/stitcher.simplecastaudio.com/b9de9f5f-6dab-4833-b4c2-05f1d28dd998/episodes/dcf53e4c-389d-4c9b-81e9-b8fa46dbf12e/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=b9de9f5f-6dab-4833-b4c2-05f1d28dd998&awEpisodeId=dcf53e4c-389d-4c9b-81e9-b8fa46dbf12e&feed=UCwaTX1J
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-mel-robbins-podcast-5698881/episodes/the-manipulation-expert-4-hidden-signs-you-re-dealing-with-a-toxic-person
Duration seconds: 3836

## Resource

In today’s episode, you’ll learn the hidden signs of a manipulative, toxic person from the #1 researcher in the world on dark personalities, Dr. Leanne ten Brinke, PhD. She is here to teach you how to spot the poisonous people that are hidden in plain sight around you – in your family, your community, and at work. And, she’s giving you the science-backed guide to understand poisonous people: how they operate, how to spot the patterns early, and what to do when you realize you’re dealing with one. Dr. ten Brinke is a professor at the University of British Columbia, where she directs the Truth and Trust Lab and has spent nearly two decades studying trust, deception, manipulation, and dark personality traits. She wants to make one thing perfectly clear: most people are good. But one poisonous person can create an enormous amount of stress, confusion, and pain. This episode will help you recognize the pattern, trust what you’re seeing, neutralize their behavior, and know exactly what to do when you’re around them. In this episode, you’ll learn: -How to spot dark personality traits of narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism in daily life -The #1 sign you’re being manipulated -What gaslighting is, what it is not, and what to do when you’re being gaslit -Why many toxic people seem charming at first -How gossip can reveal a manipulative personality at work -The simple ways to become more strategic instead of more emotional when dealing with difficult people After listening, you will know exactly what to do to spot toxic behavior, handle manipulative people, and take back your peace and power. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: 4 Signs of Emotionally Immature Pa…

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## Transcript

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