Episode Details

Why do human beings lie — even when the truth would set them free?

In this episode of Thought Atlas, I’m joined by David Goldberg for a deep conversation about truth, deception, fear, trust, memory, and the psychology behind human behavior.

David Goldberg is a nationally recognized polygraph examiner, U.S. military combat veteran, 9/11 first responder, and founder of Executive Protection Group Polygraph Services.

Over the course of his career, he has conducted more than 20,000 polygraph examinations involving criminal investigations, relationships, legal disputes, and high-stakes credibility cases.

But this conversation goes far beyond lie detectors.

We explore:

• Why people lie to others and themselves

• The psychology of deception

• Fear, guilt, and human behavior

• Why truth is emotionally difficult

• Polygraphs and credibility testing

• Memory, perception, and reality

• Criminal investigations and human nature

• Trust in relationships and society

• Emotional survival and self-protection

• What decades of investigations reveal about people

This is not a conversation about “catching liars.”

It’s an exploration of why truth itself can feel threatening — and what human behavior reveals under pressure, fear, and uncertainty.

🌍 Thought Atlas:

Thought Atlas

🌍 David Goldberg:

Executive Protection Group Polygraph Services