In this conversation, behavioral scientist Jason Halbert explores the complexities of the human mind, the commonalities between serial killers and startup founders, and the fine line between ambition and delusion.
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TIME STAMPS:
00:00 - 'Darkness retreat' experience
05:35 - Jason's career trajectory
08:34 - What it takes to build a psychological profile on someone
10:34 - Optimal interview environment
12:56 - Speaking in absolutes
13:58 - Conducting an interview with a serial killer
15:46 - How serial killers differ from other criminals
19:09 - Is there a killer gene?
20:32 - How to use empathy in an interrogation
24:18 - Has Jason's definition of good and evil changed?
26:13 - Why it's hard to be a whistleblower
27:33 - The line between ambition and delusion
30:22 - Elon Musk: Ambitious AND delusional?
33:23 - Jason's work with founders and VCs
37:01 - Identifying and mitigating blind spots
39:11 - How to become more persuasive
42:26 - How to profile a potential candidate
46:21 - The role of chemistry
51:16 - The formula for identity
55:29 - The difference between your real self and your ideal self
58:20 - How to deeply understand the people in our lives
1:02:46 - The value of over-explaining
1:03:43 - How Jason defines success