Why We Get Fooled: Shifting Our View on Scams and Scammers

Why is it important to separate your identity from your experience after you’ve been scammed? In this episode, Tamara Michèle sits down with Deb Andrew a Life and Wellness Coach and co-founder of Altruistic Coach. They explore how emotional recovery, mindset shifts, and self-compassion are essential tools in rebuilding confidence and staying resilient against future scams.

They unpack how scammers exploit not just your trust but your identity—using urgency, fear, and hope to break down your defenses. Deb explains why separating your self-worth from your experience is crucial after being scammed, and how re-framing failure can protect you from repeat victimization.

This episode isn’t just for scam victims—it’s for anyone who wants to become more emotionally resilient in an ever-changing world. You’ll learn how to spot emotional manipulation, rebuild confidence, and support loved ones who may be too ashamed to speak up.

Learn How:
✅ Scammers exploit emotional vulnerability, not intelligence
✅ Mental fitness helps you respond, not just react, after being scammed
✅ Shame can keep victims silent—and how to break that silence
✅ Re-framing your experience helps protect your identity and self-worth
✅ Empathy builds resilience and helps others heal too
✅ Talking openly about scams reduces stigma and increases awareness

References:
🧠 Altruistic Coach 📊 https://altruisticcoach.com/
🏡 Living Skies Lodge 🛏️ https://livingskieslodge.com/
🐶 Second Family Dog Lodge 🐾 https://secondfamilydoglodge.com/
Warren Barry Instinctive Solutions https://www.youtube.com/@UCCRvyDP9c5RuZtbvY04fWig
Brené Brown https://brenebrown.com/

What are my next steps?
👉 Don’t miss out — join our Skool community and grow with us. https://www.skool.com/learn-online-security-4898/about?ref=afd43f6b9d63430aab8f077e49a05b0f
📖 Start learning for free at https://learnonlinesecurity.com/start-here
🔐 Become a superhero and support the channel https://learnonlinesecurity.com/heroes/superheroes
🏢 Learn more about our social engineering training for employees & business certification courses https://learnonlinesecurity.com/business-training

Follow Learn Online Security:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearnOnlineSec
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learnonlinesecurity
Website: https://www.learnonlinesecurity.com

Tamara Michéle Podcast Host: https://www.youtube.com/@UCNW7n6n7q9GzulfZ8fIW0cg

*⌚Time Stamps *
00:00:00 Mental Health Misconceptions: Bad Events Don’t Define You
00:00:23 Introduction: Deb Andrew & Mental Health Focus
00:00:56 Deb’s Journey: Teaching, Parenting & Mental Health Awareness
00:04:12 Mental Fitness vs. Mental Illness: A New Perspective
00:04:36 Awareness & Self-Knowledge: Changing What We Don’t Know
00:06:27 Safety and Risk: Finding Mental Safety in Uncertainty
00:08:09 Shame and Vulnerability: Overcoming Barriers to Wellness
00:09:18 Complexity of Kindness and Social Polarization
00:10:20 Mental Health and Self-Worth
00:12:42 Human Needs and Motivation
00:14:10 Manipulation Exploiting Human Needs
00:15:39 Importance of Trusted Support Systems
00:16:28 Failure as a Path to Growth and Resilience
00:18:03 Role of Internal Dialogue in Mental Health
00:18:49 Personal Experience Overcoming Setbacks
00:20:22 Self-Judgment and Negative Self-Perception
00:20:58 Importance of Support Systems for Mental Health
00:22:41 Mental Fitness as Practice
00:23:40 Survival Instinct and Mental Alerts
00:24:00 Practical Application of Knowledge in Mental Health

Whether you’ve been scammed, almost tricked, or just want to stay sharp, this conversation will help you shift your mindset, recognize red flags faster, and walk away stronger.

This is not a paid endorsement. Guest opinions are their own.