This episode of Truth Be Told dives into the intersection of wrongful convictions, communication, strategy, and even poker.

In this powerful conversation, Dave Thompson, CFI sits down with innocence attorney and poker player Claudia Salinas to explore how psychology, trust, bias, and human behavior shape both the courtroom and the interrogation room. From uncovering wrongful convictions to reading people at the poker table, Claudia shares how communication, emotional control, and strategic thinking can impact lives in the highest-stakes situations.

The episode takes listeners inside the work of The Innocence Center and the broader innocence movement, breaking down how innocent people end up behind bars — and why proving innocence is often far harder than securing a conviction in the first place. Claudia discusses false confessions, racial bias, Brady violations, eyewitness issues, and the emotional realities of post-conviction advocacy, while Dave connects these lessons directly to investigative interviewing and truth-seeking conversations.

If you’re interested in investigative interviewing, psychology, communication, criminal justice reform, or the human side of truth and deception, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Truths:

• False confessions are real — and often driven by psychology, pressure, misplaced trust, and flawed interrogation tactics.
• Wrongful convictions are rarely caused by one single mistake; they’re usually the result of bias, tunnel vision, misinformation, and small decisions compounding over time.
• Communication and rapport matter in every high-stakes environment — from investigative interviews to courtrooms to poker tables.
• Confidence isn’t about ego; it’s about preparation, emotional control, and trusting the process even when outcomes don’t immediately go your way.
• Every person — investigators, jurors, attorneys, and everyday citizens — plays a role in protecting justice and preventing wrongful convictions.

What if the strongest thing you can do… is talk about it?

In this powerful episode of Truth Be Told, Pasha Palanker shares his extraordinary journey from Soviet immigrant to decorated U.S. Army veteran — and the invisible battle that followed him home.

After surviving roadside bombs, earning two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with Valor, and serving in some of the most dangerous combat environments in Iraq, Pasha opens up about the trauma, anger, PTSD, isolation, and mental health struggles he spent years hiding. He explains how survival instincts that once saved his life in combat nearly destroyed his relationships, his identity, and his future.

This conversation goes beyond military stories. It’s an honest discussion about trauma, emotional resilience, veteran mental health, leadership, stigma, healing, and the courage it takes to ask for help. Dave Thompson and Pasha explore topics like PTSD recovery, suicide prevention, emotional intelligence, therapy, journaling, resilience, trauma-informed communication, and why so many veterans and first responders suffer in silence.

Whether you’re in the military, law enforcement, leadership, mental health advocacy, or simply trying to navigate your own struggles, this episode is a raw reminder that strength doesn’t come from pretending you’re okay — it comes from facing the truth.

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Truths:

Trauma doesn’t always show up immediately — sometimes the hardest battle begins after coming home.

• Survival instincts that protect people in high-stress environments can become destructive when they follow them into everyday life.
• Isolation fuels trauma. Healing often begins with honest conversation and human connection.
• Taking responsibility for your mental health is different than blaming yourself for what happened.
• Strength is not pretending to be okay — it’s having the courage to confront the truth about yourself.
• Presence and empathy are more powerful than trying to “fix” someone’s pain.
• Recovery isn’t one breakthrough moment. It’s built through small actions, consistency, community, and purpose.

What happens when the people meant to protect… become the ones you have to investigate?

In this episode, Dave Thompson, CFI sits down with Sean Buckley—former New Zealand detective and United Nations investigator—whose career has taken him from local policing to some of the most complex, high-risk investigations across the globe.

We get into what it’s really like to build trust in environments where no one wants you there… interviewing victims, suspects, and even terrorists across more than 90 countries… and navigating cases involving child abuse, war zones, and political assassinations.

But the biggest takeaway?

Whether you’re in a patrol car, a boardroom, or a conflict zone—your most powerful tool isn’t force… it’s communication.

Sean breaks down why rapport isn’t a “soft skill”—it’s the skill—and how the ability to connect, adapt, and listen under pressure is what separates good from great in any high-stakes conversation.

If your job—or your life—depends on getting the truth from people, this one’s worth your time.

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Sean mentioned EchoMind on the episode - here's a link to learn more.

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Truths:

Rapport is the foundation of everything. No matter the country, case, or subject—if you can’t build trust, you won’t get the truth.

Communication is the most undertrained—but most critical—skill. Officers train constantly for force, but rarely for conversation… even though it’s what they use every day.

Real-world situations don’t follow your training script. The best interviewers aren’t the most prepared—they’re the most adaptable when things go sideways.

High-stakes environments amplify everything. Whether it’s a war zone or a patrol call, pressure exposes gaps in training, mindset, and communication.

The goal is to get others talking—not to control the conversation. The more they speak, the more information you gather—and the better your outcomes.

Cultural awareness isn’t optional—it’s operational. Understanding people’s backgrounds, values, and fears is often the difference between resistance and cooperation.

Preparation and creativity separate average from elite investigators. The best outcomes don’t come from luck—they come from intentional planning and tailored approaches.

Respect and authenticity travel across every environment. From local communities to international conflict zones, how you treat people determines what they give back.