Beautifully Built

Reading Body Language: Insights from an Expert


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In this episode, Karen sits down with Lena Sisco, former Department of Defense–certified interrogator, Navy veteran, body-language expert, and the creator of The Sisco Method. From high-stakes interviews at Guantánamo Bay to helping everyday people communicate with more clarity and confidence, Lena brings a fascinating blend of science, intuition, and human behavior training.

Lena shares her unexpected path into the Navy, the intense reality of interrogator training, and the lessons she learned from interviewing detainees at Gitmo. She pulls back the curtain on what interrogation actually is — not intimidation, but trust-building, connection, and reading the human in front of you.

Karen and Lena dive into:

How Lena was recruited into the Navy and trained as an interrogator

What really happens behind the scenes during interrogations at Gitmo

Why trust is the cornerstone of every meaningful conversation

How to build rapport quickly, even in high-pressure or emotional situations

The body-language cues most people miss (and how to interpret them accurately)

The physiological signs of stress, anxiety, and deception

The power of listening to your instincts when something feels “off”

Lena’s communication framework, The Sisco Method, and how it helps people navigate tough conversations

Practical tools for speaking with clarity, confidence, and calm

Real-life examples, including humorous body-language moments and how to apply these skills in everyday life — yes, even dating

Why This Conversation Matters

Whether you're a leader, a parent, a partner, or someone who just wants to read people better, Lena’s insights demystify human behavior and give you simple, usable strategies for communicating like a pro, not through manipulation, but through awareness and trust.

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Beautifully BuiltBy Karen Otis-Webb