Ep. 241 - The Doctor Is In Series - Understanding Different Types of Trauma Bonding

Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The 4th Monday Series with Chris Hadnagy and Mike Holfeld. Chris and Mike will be covering cutting edge global news to help people remain safe, secure and knowledgeable in a world where it is hard to know what is real and what is fake news.   Today, Chris and Mike are joined by Christie Hudson, a resident travel expert and head of global PR for Hotels.com. Christie is adept at transforming travel data into actionable insights, helping travelers maximize their experiences. With a background in PR from the University of Prince Edward Island's Atlantic Veterinary College, she is passionate about educating clients, offering tips on trending destinations and the best times to book, ensuring travelers feel informed and empowered. [Dec 22, 2025]   00:00 - Intro 00:18 - Mike Holfeld Intro 01:15 - Today's Guest: Christie Hudson 02:04 - Dream Job 03:04 - Air Hacks 05:20 - AI Enhancements 07:25 - Smart Hotels 08:45 - The Human Touch 11:34 - Comfort Tech 14:06 - MasterClass Ad -          https://www.masterclass.com/socialengineer 15:40 - Rig Rundown 17:41 - Finding Balance 19:09 - Hotels Next Steps 21:47 - Flight Deals 25:46 - The Benefits 27:01 - Practical Matters 28:34 - My Favorite Places 29:58 - Find Christie Hudson Online -          TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hotelsdotcom -          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotelsdotcom/ 30:28 - Wrap Up & Outro -          www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org   Find us online: -          Chris Hadnagy -          Twitter: @humanhacker -          LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopherhadnagy

Today on the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Security Awareness Series, Chris is joined by Shelby Dacko. Chris and Shelby delve into the intricacies of social engineering, focusing on the challenges of pivoting during on-site security assessments. Their discussion highlights the importance of adaptability and teamwork in overcoming unexpected obstacles, emphasizing how diverse communication styles can enhance the effectiveness of security operations. [Dec 15, 2025]   00:00 - Intro 00:34 - Shelby Dacko Intro -          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelbydacko/ 01:18 - Intro Links: -          Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ -          Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/ -          Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/ -          Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/ -          Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/ -          Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb -          CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/ -          innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/                                                 03:42 - The Importance of Pivoting 05:42 - DISC 06:59 - A Difference in Planning Styles 10:34 - Strength Through Diversity 12:40 - Over the River... 19:29 - And Through the Woods 20:24 - Being Onsite 21:40 - Pivot! Pivot! Pivot! 24:02 - What if? 25:29 - Stray From the Path 28:25 - Strength In Numbers 29:27 - Playing Into Biases 31:43 - Wrap Up & Outro -          www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org

Today we are joined by Toby Wright. Toby is an online coach and personal trainer with a passion for mental health. Toby believes true wellness begins from the inside out. Blending evidence-based training with a focus on mental health and mindset. [Dec 8, 2025]   00:00 - Intro 00:26 – Dr. Abbie Maroño Intro 00:51 - Intro Links -          Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ -          Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/ -          Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/ -          Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/ -          Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/ -          Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb -          CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/ -          innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/                                 02:17 - Toby Wright Intro 03:09 - Having a Purpose 04:02 - The Accountability Factor 05:36 - Mindset 07:02 - Finding What Works For You 08:37 - The Happiness Scale 12:40 - When to Push Through 15:53 - Finding Balance 17:39 - Masterclass Ad -          https://www.masterclass.com/socialengineer 19:12 - Focus on the 95% 21:33 - Know What You're Taking 23:34 - Cover Your Bases First 25:27 - You Just Gotta Go 29:54 - Find Toby Wright Online                                                -          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobyywright/ 31:08 - Mentors 32:24 - Book Recommendations -          SAS: Who Dares Wins - Ant Middleton 34:15 - Guest Wrap Up & Outro -          www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org

Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we will discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology.   In today's episode, Chris and Dr. Abbie explore cognitive dissonance, focusing on its impact on self-concept and emotional regulation. They discuss how dissonance occurs when actions conflict with core beliefs, creating psychological tension. Emphasizing self-awareness and reflection, they warn against rationalizing harmful behaviors and highlight the importance of embracing discomfort for personal growth and identity development. [Dec 1, 2025]     00:00 - Intro 00:26 - Dr. Abbie Maroño Intro 00:43 - Intro Links -          Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ -          Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/ -          Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/ -          Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/ -          Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/ -          Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb -          CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/ -          innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/                 02:40 - The Topic of the Day: What is Cognitive Dissonance? 05:53 - A Threat to Self-Concept 07:49 - Commitment to Consistency 09:51 - Freedom to Choose 10:51 - Changing Beliefs 14:19 - Trying to Escape 18:21 - Going From Bad to Worse 21:53 - Self-Awareness is Key! 24:55 - Growth Hurts 28:49 - Everything, Not All At Once 29:43 - It's Not A Flaw 31:11 -  Wrap Up 31:36 - Next Month's Topic: Is Everyone a Psychopath? 31:52 - Outro -          www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org   Find us online: -          LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-abbie-maroño-phd -          Instagram: @DoctorAbbieofficial -          LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopherhadnagy     References: Aronson, E. (1969). The theory of cognitive dissonance: A current perspective. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 4, 1–34. Bandura, A. (1999). Moral disengagement in the perpetration of inhumanities. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 3(3), 193–209. Brehm, J. W. (1956). Postdecision changes in the desirability of alternatives. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 52(3), 384–389. Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press. Kunda, Z. (1990). The case for motivated reasoning. Psychological Bulletin, 108(3), 480–498. Schumann, K., & Dweck, C. S. (2014). Who accepts responsibility for their transgressions? Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 40(12), 1608–1622. Sherman, D. K., & Cohen, G. L. (2006). The psychology of self-defense: Self-affirmation theory. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 183–242. Staub, E. (1990). Moral exclusion, personal goal theory, and extreme destructiveness. Journal of Social Issues, 46(1), 47–64. Steele, C. M. (1988). The psychology of self-affirmation: Sustaining the integrity of the self. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 21, 261–302. van Veen, V., Krug, M. K., Schooler, J. W., & Carter, C. S. (2009). Neural activity predicts attitude change in cognitive dissonance. Nature Neuroscience, 12(11), 1469–1474.

Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The 4th Monday Series with Chris Hadnagy and Mike Holfeld. Chris and Mike will be covering cutting edge global news to help people remain safe, secure and knowledgeable in a world where it is hard to know what is real and what is fake news.   Today Chris and Mike are joined by Dr. Liz Moses. Dr. Moses is an emergency veterinarian at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in South Tampa, where she helps pets and their families through some of their most urgent and stressful moments. A graduate of the University of Prince Edward Island's Atlantic Veterinary College, Dr. Moses has a special passion for client education and loves explaining common pet emergencies in a way that helps owners feel informed and empowered. [Nov 24, 2025]   00:00 - Intro 00:39 - Mike Holfeld Intro 01:17 - Today's Guest: Dr. Liz Moses 01:47 - Always Call 02:57 - Always Loyal 04:20 - Don't Put it Off! 05:10 - Tough Love 07:19 - Understanding GDV 11:05 - The Causes 11:56 - MasterClass Ad -          https://www.masterclass.com/socialengineer 13:24 - Good Catch 16:11 - Exotics 16:58 - Warning Signs 19:26 - Dealing with Ear Infections 22:27 - Tips for Caregivers 23:04 - Tips for Little Aliens (Cats) 24:22 - Age (Not) Related 25:30 - Animal Pain Awareness Month 26:10 - Find Dr. Liz Moses Online -          TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@liizniicole_ -          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liizniicole_/ -          Website: https://www.veg.com/ 26:52 - Next Month: Christie Hudson 27:17 - Wrap Up & Outro -          www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org   Find us online: -          Chris Hadnagy -          Twitter: @humanhacker -          LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopherhadnagy

Today on the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Security Awareness Series, Chris is joined by Michelle Li. Chris and Michelle delve into the transformative role of AI in social engineering, highlighting both its potential and pitfalls. Their conversation emphasizes the critical need for empathy in leadership and the importance of maintaining human-centric processes in an increasingly automated world. [Nov 17, 2025]   00:00 - Intro 00:27 - Intro Links: -          Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ -          Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/ -          Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/ -          Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/ -          Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/ -          Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb -          CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/ -          innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/                                                 02:34 - Michelle Li Intro 03:14 - A Roundabout Journey 05:40 - The Importance of Legacy 07:26 - Using AI Honorably 10:00 - The Effects of AI on Social Engineering 11:52 - AI for Protection 13:47 - Still About the Human Role 14:49 - Masterclass Ad 16:27 - Origins of FASE 20:01 - Reflection of Self 25:52 - The Role of Core Principles 30:15 - New Kid in Town 34:08 - Find Michelle Li Online -          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-li-mba-ssbb-0850b975/ -          Website: https://www.bisblox.com/ 34:47 - Book Recommendations -          Blink - Malcolm Gladwell -          The Book of Forgiving - Desmond Tutu 36:11 - Mentors 38:52 - Wrap Up & Outro -          www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org

Today we're joined by Tanya Van Cott. Tanya is a New York–based architect, industrial designer, and educator whose work explores how design and storytelling can drive social change. A graduate of Pratt Institute, Tanya has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts with a Presidential Design Achievement Award and has been published for her innovative approach to interdisciplinary design. Before launching her own practice and press, WomanBecool PRESS, she honed her skills at world-renowned studios Pentagram and Lippincott. Through both design and the written word, Tanya examines how disruptive technologies shape our lives — often through the eyes of powerful female protagonists. [Nov 10, 2025]   00:00 - Intro 00:25 - Intro Links -          Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ -          Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/ -          Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/ -          Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/ -          Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/ -          Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb -          CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/ -          innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/                                 02:12 - Tanya Van Cott Intro 03:04 - The Path to Architecture 03:58 - Primal Screams 06:57 - Bandwidth -          Bandwidth - Tanya Van Cott 08:15 - The Human Element 10:42 - Lack of Empathy 16:51 - The Parent Trap 19:26 - Is Empathy an Action? 24:22 - We're the Problem! 29:14 - Mentors 32:50 - Book Recommendations -          Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut 35:13 - Find Tanya Van Cott Online -          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyavancott/ -          Website: http://www.tanyavancott.com/ 36:37 - Valuing Real Connections 39:35 - Guest Wrap Up & Outro -          www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org

Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we will discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology.   In today's episode, Chris and Dr. Abbie discuss the complexities of ambition, emphasizing its connection to identity and intrinsic motivation. They explore how ambition can be healthy or obsessive, influenced by personality traits and life experiences. Their conversation warns against destructive ambition, which can harm relationships and ethical standards, and stresses the importance of regularly redefining success to maintain a healthy balance. [Nov 3, 2025]     00:00 - Intro 00:45 - Dr. Abbie Maroño Intro 01:01 - Intro Links -          Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ -          Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/ -          Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/ -          Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/ -          Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/ -          Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/ -          Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb -          CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/ -          innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/                 02:35 - The Topic of the Day: Healthy vs. Obsessive Ambition 05:58 - Narcissism for Good 06:42 - Building Ambition 08:26 - Ambition the Destructor! 10:05 - Take the Long Road Home 15:18 - Development 17:02 - Social Obsession 19:02 - The Gift of Adversity 22:45 - From the Inside 26:35 - Dichotomies 29:02 - Redefining Success 31:27 - Growing Values 33:28 - Healthy or Obsessive??? 34:44 - Wrap Up 34:57 - Next Moth: Cognitive Dissonance 35:10 - Outro -          www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org   Find us online: -          LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-abbie-maroño-phd -          Instagram: @DoctorAbbieofficial -          LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopherhadnagy     References: Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268. Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087-1101. Judge, T. A., & Kammeyer-Mueller, J. D. (2012). On the value of aiming high: The causes and consequences of ambition. Journal of Applied Psychology, 97(4), 758-775. Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705-717. McClelland, D. C. (1961). The achieving society. Van Nostrand. Wrosch, C., Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Schulz, R. (2003). The importance of goal disengagement in adaptive self- regulation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(3), 503-508.

Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The 4th Monday Series with Chris Hadnagy and Mike Holfeld. Chris and Mike will be covering cutting edge global news to help people remain safe, secure and knowledgeable in a world where it is hard to know what is real and what is fake news. Today Chris and Mike are joined by Carrie Hatton. Carrie lives in Northeastern PA near Lake Wallenpaupack. A single mother of two boys, Carrie became disabled in 2021 after a severe case of COVID-19. She was hospitalized for three months, during which doctors had declared her clinically dead. A former private music teacher and vocalist, Carrie can no longer sing but continues to teach private music lessons from her studio. She also collaborates with DNF Brass and Woodwind in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. In addition, she works as a substitute teacher for the local school district and is pursuing her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction online through Eastern University. Although her daily activities may seem normal, Carrie still relies on supplemental oxygen for exertion and while sleeping. [Oct 27, 2025]   00:00 - Intro 00:28 - Mike Holfeld Intro 01:02 - Today's Guest: Carrie Hatton 01:54 - Carrie's Story 08:02 - Going Public -          Book: Clinically Dead - Carrie Hatton 11:53 - MasterClass Ad 13:39 - Declared Dead 17:42 - Long Covid 21:23 - Being Your Own Advocate 22:55 - Preventive Health 25:41 - The Future 27:36 - Sharing Stories 28:14 - Wrap Up 29:01 - Next Month: Elizabeth Moses 29:25 - Outro -           www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org   Find us online: -          Chris Hadnagy -          Twitter: @humanhacker -          LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopherhadnagy

Today on the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Security Awareness Series, Chris is joined by Carter Zupancich. Chris and Carter explore the evolving landscape of social engineering threats, focusing on the rise of vishing attacks and the role of AI in enhancing these tactics. Their discussion underscores the importance of empowering employees as a human firewall and the need for continuous education and testing to strengthen organizational security. [Oct 20, 2025]   00:00 - Intro 00:31 - Carter Zupancich Intro -          Website: https://carterzupancich.com/ 01:30 - Intro Links: -          Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ -          Managed Voice Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/services/vishing-service/ -          Managed Email Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/services/se-phishing-service/ -          Adversarial Simulations - https://www.social-engineer.com/services/social-engineering-penetration-test/ -          Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb -          CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/ -          innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/                                                03:35 - Tools, Tactics and Procedures 05:19 - Tech Advances 08:16 - The Classics 10:01 - The Need for Testing 12:16 - Callback Phishing 17:26 - Setting Expectations 21:56 - Approved Language 23:56 - Verify! 25:16 - Empowerment 26:17 - And Now a Horrible Story 28:47 - Investing In Employees 31:19 - Wrap Up & Outro -          www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org