345: How to Avoid Being Scammed by AI, Other, and Yourself

In today's episode, Heather Hansen breaks down one of the most important skills we all need in a world shaped by rapid information, social media trends, artificial intelligence, and constant noise: the ability to avoid being fooled, misled, or scammed. As a trial attorney who spent decades cross-examining witnesses and uncovering the truth, Heather Hansen shares a simple but powerful four-part process you can use to stay discerning, think critically, and protect yourself from false ideas, misleading content, and even your own unexamined thoughts. Whether it is viral AI clips, trending online statistics, persuasive pitches, or the limiting beliefs in your own mind, Heather Hansen teaches you how to slow down, investigate, and choose what to believe with intention. In this episode, you'll learn: Why We Get Fooled So Easily How speed, distraction, and overstimulation make us more vulnerable than ever to scams and misinformation. The PITS Process for Discernment Pause, Is this true, Take the other side, and Settle into how it feels. Heather explains each step in detail and how to apply it in real time. How to Consider the Source Why credentials, familiarity, and authority figures can trick you into believing something without questioning it. How to Take the Other Side The trial-lawyer technique that helps you evaluate any claim or belief by arguing the opposite and gathering evidence for both perspectives. How to Stop Scamming Yourself Why your own thoughts often fool you more than outside influences and how to challenge internal stories like "I'm too old" or "I should wait." Real Examples from Everyday Life From AI-generated TikTok videos to misleading job-loss statistics to high-profile investment fraud, Heather shows how the PITS method exposes the truth. In this episode: [00:00] Heather Hansen on Thanksgiving, life updates, and the importance of discernment [00:55] Why avoiding scams and misinformation matters more than ever [03:17] The PITS process and how to use it [05:35] Step 1: Pause and consider the source [07:59] Step 2: Ask "Is this true" and why truth is rarely simple [08:45] Step 3: Take the other side and gather opposing evidence [10:21] A real-world example involving misleading workforce statistics [12:46] How the PITS process applies to viral AI content [15:09] Why credentials do not equal credibility [17:29] How investors could have avoided the Theranos debacle [19:53] Using the PITS process on your own thoughts and limiting beliefs [22:18] The benefits of starting before you feel ready [23:50] How discernment improves confidence, advocacy, and decision-making Resources and Links: 📖 Book: Loving What Is by Byron KatieExplore The Work, a method for questioning stressful thoughts. 📖 Book: Compassionomics by Dr. Stephen Trzeciak and Dr. Anthony MazzarelliDiscover the science behind why compassion improves outcomes. 📖 Book: Wonder Drug by Dr. Stephen Trzeciak and Dr. Anthony MazzarelliLearn seven research-backed ways serving others benefits your health and well-being. Connect with Heather: Schedule a call with Heather Follow Heather on Instagram Follow Heather on Facebook Website Watch Episodes on Youtube Heather's TikTok ‍ [e-mail] The Elegant Warrior Podcast and content posted by Heather Hansen is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.