Maria Konnikova, Host of the “The Grift”

Maria Konnikova wrote the book on con artists — literally, “The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It… Every Time”— and now she explores the subject further with her new podcast “The Grift.” Konnikova draws upon her background in psychology to explain the mentality behind these crimes, in terms of the psychological profile of both the perpetrators and their victims. What makes these grifters tick? Why do we keep falling for their tricks? And how come American audiences can’t seem to get enough of them on the big screen? Konnikovaand Kurt discuss America’s enduring fascination with the big con and share some of their favorite con artist movies.

We didn’t get a chance to cover all of Konnikova’s examples, but for a movie line-up to binge, you can check out her full playlist of con artist movies here:

• House of Games
• The Sting
• American Hustle
• The Grifters
• Catch Me If You Can
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
• How to Steal a Million
• Matchstick Men
• The Spanish Prisoner
• The Great Impostor