Ep. 328 - Human Element Series - Empathy Communication and Storytelling with Tanya Van Cott

Ep. 328 - Human Element Series - Empathy Communication and Storytelling with Tanya Van Cott

Author: Social-Engineer, LLC November 10, 2025 Duration: 40:44

Today we're joined by Tanya Van Cott. Tanya is a New York–based architect, industrial designer, and educator whose work explores how design and storytelling can drive social change. A graduate of Pratt Institute, Tanya has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts with a Presidential Design Achievement Award and has been published for her innovative approach to interdisciplinary design. Before launching her own practice and press, WomanBecool PRESS, she honed her skills at world-renowned studios Pentagram and Lippincott.

Through both design and the written word, Tanya examines how disruptive technologies shape our lives — often through the eyes of powerful female protagonists. [Nov 10, 2025]

 

00:00 - Intro

00:25 - Intro Links

-          Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/

-          Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/

-          Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/

-          Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/

-          Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/

-          Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/

-          Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/

-          Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb

-          CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/

-          innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/                                

02:12 - Tanya Van Cott Intro

03:04 - The Path to Architecture

03:58 - Primal Screams

06:57 - Bandwidth

-          Bandwidth - Tanya Van Cott

08:15 - The Human Element

10:42 - Lack of Empathy

16:51 - The Parent Trap

19:26 - Is Empathy an Action?

24:22 - We're the Problem!

29:14 - Mentors

32:50 - Book Recommendations

-          Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut

35:13 - Find Tanya Van Cott Online

-          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyavancott/

-          Website: http://www.tanyavancott.com/

36:37 - Valuing Real Connections

39:35 - Guest Wrap Up & Outro

-          www.social-engineer.com

-          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org


At its core, The Social-Engineer Podcast examines the most complex system in any security equation: people. Hosted by the team at Social-Engineer, LLC, this series digs into the psychology, communication patterns, and inherent vulnerabilities that shape human interaction. Each episode moves beyond dry technical analysis to explore real-world stories and expert conversations that reveal how social engineers operate-the subtle cues, the persuasive language, and the manipulation of trust that can lead to a security breach. You’ll hear discussions that sit at the fascinating intersection of behavioral science and modern technology, dissecting everything from phishing attempts and pretexting to the non-verbal tells that can give us away. This isn't just about warning against threats; it's a deep dive into understanding why we make the decisions we do, both online and off. By unpacking the mechanics of influence and connection, the podcast provides listeners with a clearer lens to see their own daily interactions, ultimately fostering a more critical and aware mindset. Tune in for a thought-provoking blend of research and practical insight that makes the art of human hacking both comprehensible and compelling.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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