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Counsel, Crime, & Conversation

September 8, 2026 · 57 min

Show notes

What do lies in relationships, the courtroom, the media, polygraphs, and false confessions have in common?Deception—and the consequences that can follow when the truth becomes difficult to find.

On this episode of Liars & Lovers, host Lisa Ribacoff sits down with criminal defense attorney Franz Borghart and Derek Smith, host of Truth or Derek Show, for a candid, entertaining, and thought-provoking conversation about lies, deception, credibility, justice, relationships, and the psychology behind why people don't always tell the truth.

From relationship lies and red flags to deception in the courtroom and media, Lisa, Franz, and Derek examine how lies can influence relationships, criminal investigations, public opinion, and the justice system.

The conversation also dives into the controversial world of polygraph examinations and lie detection, including what polygraphs can—and cannot—tell us about deception. They explore the complicated issue of false confessions, why innocent people sometimes confess to crimes they didn't commit, and the factors that can influence someone during a police interrogation.

And when it comes to relationships, the trio breaks down red flags vs. green flags, trust, communication, manipulation, and the warning signs that can reveal whether a relationship is built on honesty—or something else.

Topics include:

🔴 Lies and deception in relationships
⚖️ Deception and credibility in the courtroom
📰 Lies, misinformation, and deception in the media
📊 Polygraphs and lie detection
🚨 False confessions and police interrogations
💔 Relationship red flags and toxic behaviors
💚 Green flags and healthy relationships
🧠 Why people lie and why people believe lies
🔍 Truth, credibility, evidence, and human behavior

And, naturally, no conversation about truth and deception would be complete without addressing one of life's most important questions:

Why is a good Sprite Zero apparently part of the investigation? 🥤

It's an episode filled with true crime, relationships, criminal justice, deception, polygraphs, false confessions, courtroom strategy, and plenty of laughs.

Truth. Lies. Love. Justice. And Sprite Zero.

🎙️ Listen to Liars & Lovers now and follow the podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

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