Messengers: Who We Listen to, Who We Don't, and Why

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by Stephen Martin, Joseph Marks · 2019

Messengers examines why people trust some speakers and dismiss others, arguing that the messenger can matter as much as—or more than—the message. Drawing on behavioral science, it explores how traits such as status, competence, warmth, vulnerability, trustworthiness, and charisma shape belief and influence in an age of misinformation.

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1 episode featuring Messengers: Who We Listen to, Who We Don't, and Why

Something You Should Know
Perception often decides credibility before evidence gets a hearing
Understanding messenger bias reveals why accurate information can fail—and how awareness may improve both judgment and persuasion.
Sep 8, 2026 · 31 min

1 episode featuring Messengers: Who We Listen to, Who We Don't, and Why

Perception often decides credibility before evidence gets a hearing