How Not to Raise a Serial Killer

Latest Episodes:

Postpartum Psychosis with Kiva Founder Jessica Jackley Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

This episode discusses several cases of infanticide. Listener discretion is advised.

On this special episode of HNTRASK, Michelle circles back to one of the most important themes of this podcast, how can we bolster prenatal and postpartum support on an individual and societal level, so that in turn, parents can better support their children? Dr. Ward and her esteemed guest Jessica Jackley discuss the overlooked and underdiagnosed mental illness of postpartum psychopathy. Three months after giving birth, in the wake of troubling psychological symptoms, Erin Merdy drowned her three children on Coney Island. When we read stories like this, we often wonder, How could a mother do this to her children? It is unfathomable.

After hearing the story of Erin Merdy, Michelle, PhD in Psychology and Clinical Neurology expert, was prompted to discuss the underpinnings of murders like this, and bring to light an underrecognized mental disorder that was once erased from DSM.

If you or someone you know needs postpartum support - Michelle recommends the organizations below. Both are LGBTQ affirmative organizations.

Postpartum Support International https://www.postpartum.net/

Postpartum Stress Center https://postpartumstress.com/

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Jeffrey Landrigan: The Perils of Inheritance Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

Join Michelle and Alison as they discuss one of the most astonishing cases of "like father, like son." This episode, Michelle details the brash criminal acts and wild family secrets of Jeffrey Landrigan. She wraps this episode with a discussion on the significance of twin studies in criminal psychology research - AKA her dissertation!

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Encore Episode: Levi King and Childhood Psychopathy Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

This week we are releasing an encore episode about a killer that Michelle has interviewed herself, Levi King. If you haven't listened through already, be sure to tune in! HNTRASK will release a brand new episode next week about an adopted killer with astonishing, eerie similarities to his biological family.

In September 2005, 23-year-old Levi King was forced to leave his father’s home in Pineville, Missouri. He had been there for a week after violating his parole terms and fleeing a halfway house. After waiting for his father to leave in the morning, Levi grabbed several of his fathers guns without his knowledge and began a tragic killing spree that would soon result in five innocent victims. This week on How Not To Raise A Serial Killer, Dr. Michelle Ward and her good friend Alli recount the details of Levi King's killing spree and tragic childhood, as they discuss what could have been done to prevent it.

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Israel Keyes Part II: The Evolution of a Psychopath Aug 23, 2022

Show notes

This week, Michelle and Missy continue to discuss Israel Keyes. The hosts share more shocking details of Samantha's kidnapping and discuss the psychopathy that lead Keyes' to commit these meticulous murders. Michelle also explains how to spot psychopathy in your children (and their friends), empathy as a sixth sense, and therapies to reorganize psychopathic minds to curb violent tendencies.

Watch Michelle and her friends on our HNTRASK YouTube Channel

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Israel Keyes Part I: 'Pure Evil Acting At Random' Aug 16, 2022

Show notes

On February 1st, 2012, Samantha Koenig arrived at a roadside espresso shop to begin her evening shift. Around 8:00PM, Samantha began to close shop, tidying up the place when a man walked up to the window. That man was Israel Keyes, and he was about to commit his last murder. Keyes would send Samantha's family and friends on a scavenger hunt that ultimately lead to his arrest.

On this episode, Michelle brings on her good friend Missy to discuss the many murders, assaults, and burglaries of Israel Keyes while diving into his harrowing childhood.

Tune in next week for Part II, where Michelle and Missy discuss additional shocking details of Samantha's kidnapping and murder, the psychology behind the killer, and how you can spot unique psychopathic traits in your kids... and their friends.

Watch Michelle and her friends on our HNTRASK YouTube Channel

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Peter Sutcliffe: The Yorkshire Ripper Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

The story of Peter Sutcliffe, or the Yorkshire Ripper, is a lesson in botched justice, prejudice against sex workers, and victim blaming. Between 1975 and 1981, Sutcliffe would kill 13 women - many of whom were sex workers - and attempt to murder 7 to 10 more. Police spoke with Sutcliffe a total of 9 times before they discovered he was responsible for these calculating murders.

In this episode of HNTRASK, Michelle and her good friend Britt discuss the murders of the Yorkshire Ripper, the botched investigation, and how brain damage in newborns can be reversed through different medical interventions.

Tune in every other week for new episodes!

Follow us at @hownottoraiseaserialkiller on Instagram, @hntrask on TikTok, and DM us with your comments and questions!

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Gerald Stano and the Consequences of Maternal Rejection Jul 19, 2022

Show notes

On the night of March 10th, 1973, in balmy Florida, two teen girls attempted to hitchhike into town for beer and cigarettes. The next morning, their bodies were discovered by a city worker. This was the work of Gerald Stano, a man who allegedly murdered between 30 and 41 women.

On this episode of HNTRASK, Michelle and her good friend Krista tell the stories of Gerald's victims, discuss Gerald's unfortunate start at life, and share what can be done by communities to prevent maternal rejection by supporting mothers.

Tune in every other week for new episodes!

Watch Michelle and her friends on our HNTRASK YouTube Channel

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Daniel Byrd and the Conundrum of Teen Dating Violence Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

In September 2006, Kaity Sudberry began her junior year at Moon Valley High School. Soon after starting the fall semester, Kaity met Daniel Byrd. They immediately became best friends, and as teen relationships do, the friendship quickly escalated into a romance. Over the next year, Daniel's affections turned possessive, and the story ends in every parent's worst nightmare.

On this episode of HNTRASK, Michelle invites her Aunt Margit on the podcast to discuss the perils and complexities of teen dating violence, and what parents of victims AND abusers can do to prevent this type of violence.

Resources for Teen Violence

Founded by Ric and Bobbi Sudberry, Kaity's Way advocates for healthy teen relationships by providing education, skills and tools to youth and their allies. Visit kaitysway.org for resources and to learn how to get involved in preventing teen dating violence.

The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline - 800 799 7233 -is a 24-hour telephone helpline created to help teens experiencing dating abuse. NDVH provides empowerment-based crisis intervention, information, and referrals to victims of domestic violence and their friends and families.

love is respect is a national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education, support, and resources. Visit loveisrespect.org for resources and to learn how to get involved in preventing dating violence.

DM us with your suggestions, comments and questions!

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Kelly Cochran: A Psychopath Turned Cannibal Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

In 2002 two high school sweethearts, eager to start their lives together, exchanged wedding vows. While most of these exchanges were the run-of-the-mill "for better or for worse" and "in sickness and in health" - one of their promises was quite disturbing. On their wedding night, the young couple made a murderous pact... if either of them ever cheated on their spouse, they'd have to kill the extramarital lover.

On this episode of HNTRASK, Michelle and her good friend Annie dissect the crimes and psyche of serial killer, Kelly Cochran and her husband Jason. As a textbook antisocial psychopath, Kelly used her cold nature and manipulative prowess to evade authorities after (allegedly) killing over a dozen individuals. Kelly's reign of terror finally came to an end at a BBQ she hosted, when her guests began to question why the cuts of BBQ meat looked so strange...

Watch Michelle and her friends on our HNTRASK YouTube Channel

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Teen Opens Fire on Classmates: The Consequences of Inaction Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Seen this headline before? In 1998, with a 0.22 caliber rifle gifted from his father, a high school boy killed both of his parents and sprayed over 50 rounds of ammunition into his school's cafeteria. What police found next at the teen's home was something out of a horror movie.

Why do we continue to allow this story to be told again and again? What can be done to extinguish this brand of violence? As Cindy Dean, creator of the Mental Health Education Management for Educators (MHEME), so thoughtfully states... working to extinguish gun violence is not a "prideful project," it must involve compromise. This week, Michelle and her good friend Cindy discuss the story of an unnamed active shooter, what might have led to his depraved acts of violence, and how targeted programs (like MHEME) could curb the frequency of events like this.

Watch Michelle and her friends on our HNTRASK YouTube Channel

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