Body Language Expert: How To Overcome Awkwardness | Vanessa Van Edwards | EP 565

Video Description

In this episode, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with behavioral researcher and bestselling author Vanessa Van Edwards to unpack the secret language of nonverbal communication. From the handshake that builds trust to the subtle cues that sabotage careers, they explore how posture, eye contact, tone, and gesture shape perception—often before a single word is spoken. Drawing on Vanessa’s research and her own journey as a “recovering awkward person” turned master communicator, the conversation spans job interviews, power dynamics, mirroring, charisma, and how to read a room at its most fundamental level. Learn why neck ratios matter, vocal fry backfires, and presence begins long before you speak. This episode was filmed on July 16th, 2025 In Answer the Call, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson returns to his roots, taking real calls from real people facing life’s hardest questions. Joined by his daughter, Mikhaila Fuller, the series transforms personal struggles into public insight—offering wisdom, empathy, and clarity in the face of chaos. Coming to DailyWire+ Monday, 8/4. A new podcast series, featured within Dr. Jordan B. Peterson’s episodes on YouTube and including an exclusive member segment on DailyWire+. Have a question you’d like to ask? Share your story here: dailywire.com/answerthecall | Sponsors | ExpressVPN: Go to https://expressvpn.com/jordan and find out how you can get 4 months of ExpressVPN free! Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://fatty15.com/PETERSON and using code PETERSON at checkout. NetSuite: Download the free e-book “Navigating Global Trade: 3 Insights for Leaders” at https://NetSuite.com/JBP PreBorn!: Help save babies from abortion. Visit https://preborn.com/JORDAN | Links | For Vanessa Van Edwards On X https://x.com/vvanedwards?lang=en The Science of People website https://www.scienceofpeople.com/ Read “Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication” https://a.co/d/2ZODCds | Chapters | (0:00) Coming up (0:31) Intro (1:19) Vanessa “sizes up” Jordan, why anxiety markers read as dishonesty (7:22) Most people have good ideas, but anxiety works against presence (13:23) Breaking down how Jordan lectures (20:22) Vanessa is a “recovering awkward person,” how to use gestures to signal competence (25:51) Women smile more—what that means (34:41) Freud, your cues change how people see you (43:33) The power of open palms, from warmth to competence (50:43) Your nonverbal behavior dramatizes your perceptions (57:23) How to sound smart when you actually are (1:10:03) The dance of shaking hands (1:17:33) Distance—the social zone and the personal zone, the “ick” (1:23:21) Research on filler words—“um” is not always bad (1:28:06) What changed Vanessa’s outlook on social dynamics, “I was transformed” Unlock the ad-free experience of The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast and dive into exclusive bonus content on DailyWire+. Start watching now: http://dwpluspeterson.com/yt ALL LINKS: https://feedlink.io/jordanbpeterson // LINKS // Peterson Academy https://petersonacademy.com ARC https://www.arcforum.com Books - https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/books/ #JordanPeterson #JordanBPeterson #DrJordanPeterson #DrJordanBPeterson #dailywireplus Ep. 0565