In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Dr. Abbie Marono, behavioral scientist, author, and international expert on trust, influence, body language, and human behavior.

Dr. Marono has trained the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and numerous federal agencies on behavioral analysis, interviewing, and nonverbal communication. In this conversation, she explains how to better understand people, build trust faster, communicate more effectively, and become a stronger leader by learning the science behind human behavior.

Beyond the research, Abbie shares her incredible personal journey through addiction, homelessness, trauma, and rebuilding her life into one dedicated to helping others better understand themselves and the people around them.

Topics covered in this episode:

• How to read body language without falling for common myths
• Why body language often reveals more than words
• The science behind trust, influence, and first impressions
• Fight-or-flight responses and what they reveal about behavior
• Self-soothing behaviors, confidence, and anxiety cues
• Why context and cue clusters matter more than individual gestures
• The psychology of negotiation and influence
• Emotional regulation and the hidden side of leadership
• How curiosity creates stronger conversations and better outcomes
• Dr. Marono's journey from addiction and homelessness to becoming a leading behavioral scientist
• Healing from trauma and rebuilding self-agency
• Training the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and federal agencies
• Why the best negotiators stop trying to "win"

Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, salesperson, negotiator, or simply someone who wants to better understand people, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately in both business and everyday life.

Follow Dr. Abbie Marono:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbiemarono

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbiemarono

Website: https://www.abbiemarono.com

Follow Kyle Matthews:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylematthewsceo

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kylematthewsceo

X: https://x.com/kylematthewsceo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylematthewsceo

00:00 Listen to Understand

00:45 Meet Dr. Abbie Marono

02:47 Why Body Language Matters

04:33 Fight or Flight Signals

06:29 Confidence and Self-Soothing

08:39 Reading Proximity Cues

12:11 Smiles and Building Trust

14:52 Influence vs. Manipulation

16:03 Addiction, Homelessness & Recovery

22:15 The Turning Point

23:14 Rebuilding After Trauma

27:56 Back to School & Finding Mentors

32:48 Research, Joe Navarro & Behavioral Science

41:48 Reading Context, Not Just Cues

43:57 Trauma and Mental Contamination

48:52 Intuition vs. Trauma

49:26 A Relationship Turns Dark

50:48 Betrayal and Assault

51:36 Feeling Trapped

53:14 Family, Healing & Recovery

54:29 The Science of Emotional Shutdown

56:23 Healing Through Safe Relationships

59:03 The Hidden Half of Leadership

01:01:39 Joe Navarro's Influence

01:06:10 Training Federal Agents

01:08:54 Building Trust Under Stress

01:12:08 Executive Blind Spots

01:19:50 Why Personal Becomes Professional

01:21:31 Self-Reflection and Shame

01:23:41 Rapid Fire: Body Language

01:28:54 Negotiation: Drop the Goal

01:31:42 Closing Thoughts