Was Niccolò Machiavelli really the cold, manipulative schemer his name has come to represent — or have we completely misunderstood him?

In this episode Ammsofi Thunholm dives deep into the life, legacy, and lasting myths surrounding one of history’s most controversial figures: the Florentine thinker whose name became synonymous with cunning and deceit.

But was Machiavelli himself actually Machiavellian?

Join Annsofi as she unpacks:

• What “Machiavellianism” really means as a psychological trait — and how it differs from Machiavelli the man.
• How The Prince was shaped by the political chaos of Renaissance Italy.
• Why Machiavelli’s lesser-known works, like Discourses on Livy, reveal a passionate believer in democracy, civic virtue, and justice.
• What modern research says about cynicism, manipulation, and leadership in today’s workplaces.
• And how the patterns of history — from Florence’s turbulence to our current global “Fourth Turning” — show that Machiavelli’s insights are more relevant than ever.

This is not just a history lesson — it’s a reflection on human nature, power, and trust in times of upheaval.

So… how Machiavellian was Machiavelli, really? The answer might surprise you.

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