Psychology After Dark

Bonus Episode - The Secret Teachings of Mary Magdalene Jan 12, 2022

The story of the life of Jesus Christ is one of the most quintessential in all of humanity, and is celebrated across many cultures. And yet, many argue that parts of his life are still shrouded in mystery. His complicated relationship with the enigmatic Mary Magdalene, for instance, is one such mystery. Some scholars argue that Mary Magdalene was more than just a follower of Jesus, but a spiritually realized partner who would continue to teach after his death and resurrection. What are the teachings of Mary Magdalene? How was her role in the life of Jesus Christ marginalized in history? How does an acknowledgment of a divine feminine side of the Jesus mythology change-and potentially enrich-the understanding of his teachings? Join Dr. Morelos as he interviews author and fellow transpersonal scholar Lauri Ann Lumby about the secret teachings of Mary Magdalene. This special bonus episode drops Wednesday, January 12th!!!

SPOILER ALERT: David and Lauri discuss plot lines from the The Matrix Resurrections movie in this episode! Hopefully we don’t give away too much!

Episode 46 - Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church Nov 08, 2021

In January of 2002 the Spotlight investigative team for the Boston Globe dropped a bombshell when they revealed a story about sexual abuse within the local archdiocese of the Catholic Church. Boston, a heavily Catholic city, was left reeling as it learned of a total of 87 priests who had been accused of child sexual assault but were never brought to justice. Instead, the church leadership at the time opted to treat the offenders within the church or to simply move them to a different parish. The most egregious perpetrator of these crimes was one Father John Geoghan, who, over the course of his career, was accused of raping over 130 minors. The Boston Globe expose would be a catalyst for the church to finally confront the issue of child sexual abuse within its ranks, and would lead to a number of oversight improvements and operational changes. It would also help put child sexual abuse within religious institutions front and center in an American conversation on spirituality, politics, and power. What was the true scope of these Catholic priests’ crimes against children? What created these men and why did they choose to abuse children? How do we reconcile our deepest held spiritual beliefs in the face of crimes like these? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos this week as they discuss sexual abuse and the Catholic Church.

Episode 45 - Artistic Expression and Mental Illness Oct 25, 2021

After his death, Vincent van Gogh’s work became some of the most instantly recognizable paintings ever laid to canvas. While he was alive he was relatively unknown, broke, in poor health, and suffering from what was most likely a severe mental illness. Van Gogh would help create the story of the “tortured artist,” or one whose mental illness blessed his art but destroyed his life. This concept has become so common place in western culture that many have referred to it as a cliché, with countless other famous artists being diagnosed with mental illnesses posthumously. What is the connection between mental illness and creativity? Why does it seem that the most creative artists can also be the most mentally unstable? Can talented artists harness some of this so-called creative madness to create art without losing themselves to it completely? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they explore the connection between artistic expression and mental illness.

Episode 44 - Twin Studies Oct 11, 2021

1980 would change the lives of Robert Shafran, Edward Galland, and David Kellman forever. Each had been living separate lives as young men growing up in New York during the 1970s. When a case of mistaken identity led Shafran to Galland, a beautiful story started to emerge of long-lost twins, each adopted to different parents in their infancy. As news of the remarkable story spread, the mother of David Kellman also noticed. Could it be that the story of long-lost twins was actually one of long-lost triplets? The story was an instant success, and the young brothers enjoyed their new found fame . . . for a while. But secrets, buried for years, threatened their joyful reunion. To date, nothing has captured the imagination of psychological researchers quite like identical siblings. Are we products of our genetics or of our environments and life experiences? How does our DNA and our environment interact together to make up who we are? What are some of the unethical and horrifying ways identical siblings have been used in the name of research? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they discuss twin studies.

Episode 43 - The Ken and Barbie Killers Sep 27, 2021

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode describes extreme acts of sexual violence and murder. Listener discretion is advised.

Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka met on a balmy summer night in Toronto, Canada, in 1987. They had an instant attraction, as each seemed to indulge the dark psychological longings of the other. Paul, who had already begun building a career as a prolific serial rapist, seemed to find his perfect mate: a dependent, sexually extreme and emotionally unaffected woman who catered and indulged his every twisted whim. Together their relationship created an incredibly toxic and dark collaboration that would see at least three young women brutally sexually assaulted and murdered. How do paraphilias like sexual sadism manifest in people and how does this differ from psychopathy? How does the darkness of two sick personalities come together in a destructive kind of synergy that amplifies the other and creates something horrifically new? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they discuss the case of the Ken and Barbie Killers.

Episode 42 - Interview with Dr. Richard E. Nisbett Sep 13, 2021

From a humble beginning in Littlefield, Texas, to Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Dr. Richard Nisbett has lived an extraordinary life as a widely influential social psychologist, the key points of which he explores in his new book, Thinking: A Memoir. In this interview, Dr. Nisbett talks about his contributions to psychological research including common thinking errors people make as it pertains to thinking rationally, and teaching people how to correct them; how Asian cultures think differently than Westerners; how Americans from the South think differently than those from the North, the importance of understanding base rates and statistics in psychology, to what and how we attribute our decision making processes, and how to pick a good graduate program. Along the way, Dr. Nisbett affectionately reflects on some well-known intellectuals and researchers whom he has worked with, encounters with vastly different cultures and the implications for western psychology, and being one of the architects of a “golden age” in psychological research. Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they interview researcher, author, and Professor Emeritus Richard E. Nisbett.

Episode 41 - Abraham Lincoln & Precognition Aug 30, 2021

According to legend, President Abraham Lincoln once had a dream that foreshadowed his death at the hands of an assassin. In the dream, he even saw the exact location his body would be laid to rest. Legend also had it that Lincoln was a known follower of the spiritualist movement, and that there were many instances where he seemed to predict the future. Is time a linear construct or something more fluid? Why do we sometimes feel as if we can foretell events that have yet to pass? How does the wisdom of our body give us information in which to make sometimes fateful decisions? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they discuss the lesser-known history of President Abraham Lincoln and the concept of precognition.

Episode 40 - Andrea Yates Aug 16, 2021

On June 20, 2001, a woman named Andrea Yates called her local police dispatch and requested the presence of officers to her home, refusing to give any specific reason for the request. When officers arrived, they found that Andrea had killed all five of her young children by drowning them in the family bathtub. In the spectacular trial that followed, America became fixated on Andrea’s religious motivations, her comprehension of the wrongfulness of her actions, and the issue of postpartum psychosis, a serious mental illness that can afflict 1 to 2 women out of every 1,000 who give birth. How do we understand the nature of insanity in the contemporary legal system? Is there a deeper meaning behind experiences that we would normally label as psychotic episodes? Can we start to expand our definition of psychosis so as to more compassionately treat people having these experiences? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they look at the case of Andrea Yates.

Episode 39 - Project Stargate Aug 02, 2021

In the 1970s, the CIA, motivated by intelligence about Soviet espionage experiments, developed a program to create so-called “psychic spies.” Using first-person accounts of astral projection popularized by the New Age movement of the 1960s, the military began experimenting with protocols meant to create conditions in the brain that would, theoretically, allow a person’s consciousness to leave the physical body. It was hoped that this “remote viewing” practice would allow spies to then obtain useful and actionable information about enemies of the United States. It was reported that before the program was officially ended in 1995, the US Army would spend a total of 20 million dollars on the project and return with no useful military information. How does our consciousness dance with the physical limitations of our bodies? Can our brains be trained to experience supernatural occurrences? Just how “real” are these experiences? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they discuss Project Stargate.

Episode 38 - Interview with Molly Maeve Eagan, Trauma-Informed Writer Jul 19, 2021

Molly Maeve Eagan met Lizzy Hershberger when Lizzy was working on a book about her experiences growing up as a daughter in a devout Amish family. Molly, working as a memoir coach and ghost writer, eagerly agreed to help. Something interesting happened as Lizzy and Molly talked more about the project, however, and a larger and darker narrative started to emerge. Eventually, Molly convinced Lizzy to tell a much more personal and powerful story; one of abuse, trauma, escape, and vindication. This seemed to be a natural fit for Molly as she had also experienced abuse and trauma at a young age, and was able to use her own experiences to help Lizzy find her own unique voice. Together, they crafted a moving portrait of growing up Amish, including some of the dark secrets that lay behind the blue curtains. Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they interview trauma-informed writer Molly Maeve Eagan about her contributions to the book, Behind Blue Curtains: A True Crime Memoir of an Amish Woman’s Survival, Escape, and Pursuit of Justice.

Episode 37 - Israel Keyes Jul 05, 2021

On February 1, 2012, barista Samantha Koenig was abducted from her job in a small coffee kiosk in Anchorage, Alaska. Samantha’s disappearance kicked off a frantic manhunt for her kidnapper who used her debit card to withdraw money across the southwest. When a keen-eyed Texas State Trooper pulled over a suspicious white Ford Focus, it was then that law enforcement got their first look at Israel Keyes. With items belonging to Samantha in his car, Alaskan police and the FBI would soon learn the grisly full extent of Israel Keyes’ crimes, leading some to refer to him as “the most meticulous serial killer of the 21st century.” Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they discuss the psychology of serial killer Israel Keyes.

Interview with Jen Iacino-Taylor, Founder of Little Man's Legacy Foundation (Bonus Episode) Jun 28, 2021

Approximately 3,500 babies die unexpectedly each year. This often kicks off a spiral of grief that parents will carry with them for the rest of their lives. In this special bonus episode, Drs. Micono and Morelos interview Jen Iacino-Taylor, founder of Little Man’s Legacy Foundation, about her experience losing her three-month old son and how it inspired her work to raise awareness and help grieving parents. Join us as we talk about a topic that’s near and dear to our hearts and hear about how you can help!

Interview with Jess Costa - Writer/Director of Sleep Talking (Bonus Episode) Apr 19, 2021

Ever wonder what goes through the mind of a horror film creator? Mix yourself a libation, get cozy, and find out how some of our dark psychological corners can inspire some amazing art. On this dark and stormy night, Drs. Micono and Morelos have an intimate conversation with indie film director Jess Costa.

Episode 36 - The Wrongful Conviction of Ronald Cotton Mar 01, 2021

In July of 1984, a man broke into the apartment of Jennifer Thompson in Burlington, North Carolina, and raped her at knifepoint. During the attack, the perpetrator uttered a threat that became forever imprinted in the mind of Thompson. This threat would eventually lead to the arrest and conviction of one Ronald Cotton who was picked out from a line-up, in part, by the sound of his voice. Ronald Cotton would go on to serve 11 years for the crime until a chance meeting with another prisoner would give Cotton the legal grounding he needed to finally appeal the conviction. It also helped bring problems with eyewitness testimony, and the wrongful convictions of innocent people, into the national conversation about the criminal justice system. Why is it so easy to be fooled by what we think we see and hear? How do our false perceptions lead to the convictions of innocent people? What are the psychological consequences of being falsely accused and imprisoned? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they discuss the wrongful conviction of Ronald Cotton.

Episode 35 - The Philip Experiment Feb 15, 2021

In 1972 Dr. George Owen, a university lecturer, geneticist, mathematician and member of the Toronto Society for Psychical Research, recruited eight other members of the TSPR for an experiment. The experiment, designed to determine if ghosts were real or mental projections of the living, tasked the participants with creating a character with a vaguely historical persona, but not based on any single known person from the past. The eight participants would then attempt to summon one fictional Philip Aylesford, as he was named, with widely known séance techniques used to communicate with the dead. A series of unexplained and disturbing events quickly followed, with many witnessing the participants seemingly interacting with the fictional entity. Can we truly communicate with forms of disembodied consciousness? Can a group of people, working together, project psychic energy capable of manipulating the physical world? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they discuss the historical Philip Experiment.

Episode 34 - Jane Toppan Feb 01, 2021

On October 29, 1901, police inspectors arrested Jane Toppan on suspicion of the murder of four members of the prominent Davis family to whom Toppan was employed as a private nurse. Generally well-regarded by her peers, “Jolly” Jane, so-called for her sunny disposition, was born Honora Kelly, the daughter of Irish immigrants. With a mother who passed away from tuberculosis when Jane was only one year old, and a father who was committed to an asylum for the insane soon after, Jane used her intelligence and social graces to become a nurse, and to begin a covert and murderous rampage that would shake what was known about serial killers at the time to its foundations. What is the nature of “healthcare serial killers?” What could motivate someone to prey on the sick and injured when they are most vulnerable? Join us as Drs. Micono and Morelos discuss the case of healthcare serial killer Jane Toppan.

Episode 33 - Fyre Festival Jan 18, 2021

On the morning of April 27th, 2017, flights carrying roughly 500 people from Miami began landing on the island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas for what was promised to be the most luxurious and exclusive musical festival ever produced. The event, named Fyre Festival by entrepreneur Billy McFarland and rapper/celebrity Ja Rule, was a marketing promotion for the Fyre App, an application created to hire talent for social events. While initially an exciting idea promoted by numerous supermodels and other social media influencers, planning for the music festival was quickly plagued by logistical hurdles, beginning when McFarland and Ja Rule lost the lease on the original location when they violated an agreement made with the island’s owners. With four months left to organize the festival, McFarland and his team pushed forward, piecing together what would become an infamous disaster as every aspect of the festival quickly broke down, leaving the attendees stuck on a remote part of the island without a way off. How does marketing in the digital age interact with our psycho/social programming? Who are “con men” and how do they use our basic psychology against us? How did this fiasco reinforce common stereotypes about the psychology of the Millennial generation? Join us as Drs. Micono and Morelos discuss Fyre Festival.

Episode 32 - The Silk Road Jan 04, 2021

In October of 2013, a crypto-anarchist named Ross Ulbricht was arrested and charged with being the primary administrator of a website called The Silk Road, a place hidden in the so-called dark web where illegal drugs could be bought and sold with complete anonymity. While the United States government was aware of the illegal sale of these controlled substances on the dark web, it took them a full two years to identify the website’s primary administrator due to the use of Tor software and Bitcoin currency. Ulbricht’s arrest shed light on the larger issue about the use of technology and how it can be used to ensure personal freedoms in the face of government overreach as well as exacerbate harmful and destructive criminal enterprises. How does contemporary technology simplify, and complicate, these basic questions of autonomy and personal freedom? How can high-minded ideals be hijacked by our more primitive psychology? Join us as Drs. Micono and Morelos discuss The Silk Road with Brains Byte Back podcast creator and host Sam Brake Guia.

Episode 31 - The McMartin Trial Dec 21, 2020

In 1983 a mother named Judy Johnson accused teachers at a preschool in Manhattan Beach, California, of physically and sexually abusing her young son. A number of other employees, many of whom were related to the owner and founder of the school, were also named as perpetrators. As police began an investigation into the matter, Judy Johnson’s stories became more and more extreme, involving numerous other children, and suggesting what would later become known as “Satanic Ritual Abuse.” Problems acquiring physical evidence and reliable information from the children further inflamed the accusations against the school and its employees. What followed was the single most expensive and spectacular prosecutorial failure in United States history, as well-meaning law enforcement officials and child advocates became swept up in the “satanic panic” hysteria. How do we advocate for our children without succumbing to irrational fears about their safety? How do we avoid scapegoating others in a rush to justify our own feelings of anxiety? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they discuss the McMartin Trial.

Episode 30 - The Death of Candace Newmaker Dec 07, 2020

In April of 2000, 10 year old Candace Newmaker was treated with a controversial therapy meant to help her deal with her mental health diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder. Referred to a well-regarded clinic in Evergreen, Colorado, Candace and her adoptive mother would undergo a technique known as “rebirthing,” whereby Candace was wrapped in pillows and blankets and forced to fight her way out while the therapists resisted her efforts. It was hoped Candace would be reborn, figuratively, in order to attach to her adoptive mother as if she were a newborn. Over an hour later, Candace Newmaker would lay motionless, her death later ruled to be by asphyxiation. How can abuse and neglect change the young brains of children? How do behavioral issues in children like Reactive Attachment Disorder drive loving parents to controversial and extreme treatments? How do people, desperate to be parents, sometimes fail to understand the challenges of raising psychologically injured children? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they discuss the death of Candace Newmaker.

Episode 29 - Instincts: Friend or Foe? Nov 23, 2020

Has anyone ever told you, “You are your own worst enemy?” Even the smartest people can make incredibly bad decisions, often sabotaging their own goals and even bringing harm to others. Drs. Rob Barrett and Louis Francescutti have taken this basic idea and applied their respective expertise to look at why we often make decisions that are bad for our overall health, despite having volumes of information at our finger tips. In this interview you will discover how the most primitive part of our brain interacts with the abundance of the digital age; how to avoid the one place in every community that can be more dangerous for your health than a war zone; how to deal with the unexpected social problem that’s worse for you than smoking; what the single most important day-to-day requirement is for sound decision making; how to tell a good story and why storytelling is important in the information age; what the simplest and most effective way is to increase your happiness, instantly; how these current dark times can (and probably will) lead to an amazing cultural renaissance; and last but not least, where to find Canada’s tastiest chocolate milk. Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they interview the authors of the book, Hardwired: How Our Instincts to be Healthy are Making Us Sick.

Episode 28 - The Watts Family Murders Nov 09, 2020

In November of 2012 Chris Watts married Shanann Rzucek, two years after a chance meeting on Facebook. For the next six years, it seemed that Shanann and Chris had everything they dreamed of, including a large house in Colorado, blossoming careers, and two lovely daughters. In June of 2018, Shanann surprised Chris with news that they would be having a third child. In August of the same year, Chris would brutally murder the pregnant Shanann and his young daughters, Celeste and Bella, after Shanann discovered that Chris was having an affair with another woman. What can drive someone to kill the people that love them the most? What is the nature of so-called “family annihilators” and how are they viewed by law enforcement? Can we ever understand the dark psychology of their motives? Join us as Drs. Micono and Morelos discuss the case of the Watts family murders.

Episode 27 - The Amityville Hauntings Oct 26, 2020

On November 13, 1974, Ronald Defeo Jr. burst into a local bar pleading for help. When bar patrons arrived at his house they found six of his relatives dead, each shot at point-blank range. The grisly murders then led to a theatrical trial where Defeo claimed he was mentally insane due to numerous voices in his head that commanded him to kill his family. After Defeo’s conviction for the murders, the Lutz family, believing that they were getting a bargain, quickly bought the house the Defeo’s were murdered in, including much of the Defeo’s old furniture. 28 days later, the Lutz family fled the house claiming that 112 Ocean Ave. was haunted by malevolent forces. The Lutz family claim was backed up by renowned paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Warren, who stated that 112 Ocean Ave. in Amityville New York was the most evil they had ever encountered in one place. What is the nature of pure evil? Does evil manifest in people and places through supernatural means or are there other explanations at work? Join us as Drs. Micono and Morelos discuss the legend of the Amityville Haunting.

Episode 26 - MK Ultra Mind Control Experiments Jun 22, 2020

In the anti-communist furor of the 1950s, the newly formed Central Intelligence
Agency or CIA began a clandestine program dedicated to the interrogation of
foreign agents. It was believed that if techniques could be perfected to
control someone’s mind, spies could be caught and turned, thereby giving up
useful intelligence information in what would soon become known as “The Cold
War.” In the pursuit of this objective, countless experiments were conducted,
many without the participant’s knowledge or consent, involving psychoactive
substances such as LSD and methamphetamine, high-pressure tactics such as
“psychic driving,” and even seduction through the use of fake prostitutes. Many
citizens of the United States and Canada unwittingly became study subjects as the
CIA relentlessly pursued its dark agenda. What is the nature of mind control?
Can certain psychoactive substances make someone susceptible to being
controlled by another? Can we be driven by others to do things we would
normally find morally reprehensible? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they discuss the MK Ultra mind control experiments.

Episode 25 - Waco Part 2: The "Good" Guys Jun 08, 2020

On the morning of February 28, 1993, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
arrived with close to 100 agents to serve a warrant for illegal firearms in
what they called Operation Trojan Horse. What followed was one of the worst
firefights in law enforcement history, as agents of the ATF faced off with a
heavily armed group known as the Branch Davidians. Two hours later, four ATF
agents and six Branch Davidians would lay dead. The FBI soon assumed control of
the confrontation, engaging the Branch Davidians in 51-day standoff. Three
sides quickly emerged in the chaos. On one side were the Branch Davidians who
claimed they were being unfairly persecuted for their beliefs. Directly opposed
were the FBI HRT tactical teams who believed that they were facing off with a
cult of cop killers and child molesters. Somewhere in between, a team of FBI
negotiators were pleading with both sides, desperately trying to avoid what
would become a tragic ending. What is the psychological effect of an increasingly
militarized police force on citizens? Can a tremendous show of force ever lead
to a peaceful resolution? What lessons did the FBI and ATF learn from this
tragedy? Join us as Drs. Micono and Morelos explore the siege at Waco Part 2:
The “Good” Guys.

Episode 24 - Waco Part 1: The "Bad" Guys May 25, 2020

On February 28th, 1993, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms attempted to serve a warrant on a religious group at their compound outside of Waco, Texas. Known as the Branch Davidians, the group was an offshoot of the Seventh Day Adventists who had left the organization and banded together under the leadership of a Bulgarian immigrant named Victor Houteff in 1930. Through a series of intrigues and internal battles, control of the group landed with Vernon Howell, the young man who would become known to the world as David Koresh. When the ATF raided the compound looking for illegal weapons, it kicked off a 51 day standoff that would leave four ATF agents and 76 Branch Davidians dead. Where is the line that separates a group of religious believers and a cult? How do cult leaders persuade people to believe in them in the face of immoral and even illegal behavior? Does labeling a group as a cult serve to stigmatize people with beliefs outside of the religious mainstream? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos they discuss the siege at Waco, Part 1: The “Bad” Guys.

Episode 23 - Conspiracy Theories May 11, 2020

In December of 2019, medical officials began noticing several mysterious cases of pneumonia in residents of Wuhan, China. As they began to investigate, patterns started to emerge. On January 11th, 2020, China reported its first death associated with a novel coronavirus. By January 30th, just one month after the disease was first reported in China, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency. The virus continued to spread quickly, ferociously infecting countries like Italy, Iran, and Spain. On March 11th, the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. In the midst of the chaos and panic, several conspiracy theories started to emerge as people around the globe struggled to make sense of the events. Why do we believe in conspiracy theories? Can a conspiracy theory help us to feel in control during times of panic, or does it simply serve to make our collective anxiety worse? What can current conspiracy theories about COVID-19 teach us about our own psychology? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they discuss our fascination with conspiracy theories.

Episode 22 - The Stuff of Nightmares Apr 27, 2020

At the age of 10, Dr. Micono had a nightmare that she clung to the Colossus of Rhodes while the island was shaken by a terrifying earthquake. The images and feelings from this dream would go on to influence her for the rest of her life. Most of us can remember at least one dream or nightmare that haunts us. As we continue to wrestle with the effects of the pandemic, many of us have been experiencing unusually intense and profound dreams. What is the nature of dreaming? Do our dreams and nightmares have significant meaning? Are we being given information about ourselves through these experiences that can be useful to us or is this just the business of the brain trying to process day-to-day information? Join Drs. Micono and Morelos as they explore the stuff of nightmares (and dreams)!!!

Episode 21 - The War of the Worlds Mass Panic Apr 13, 2020

On October 30th, 1938, a young actor by the name of Orson Welles, in collaboration with a number of other radio actors, presented a dramatization of H.G. Wells’ famous novel, War of the Worlds. According to legend, many people, believing that the show was a genuine news broadcast, began to panic. As the story of the mass panic grew, it developed into a much larger and darker narrative. What is the nature of mass hysteria? What can trigger our sense of self-preservation so deeply that we turn on each other? How does mass media and the way we receive information play into what we fear the most? Join us as Drs. Micono and Morelos explore the 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast and the concept of mass panic.

Episode 20 - The Sandy Hook Shooting Mar 30, 2020

On December 14, 2012, 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed Nancy Lanza, Rachel D’Avino, Dawn Hochsprung, Anne Marie Murphy, Lauren Rousseau, Mary Sherlach, Victoria Leigh Soto, Charlotte Bacon, Daniel Barden, Olivia Engel, Josephine Gay, Dylan Hockley, Madeleine Hsu, Catherine Hubbard, Chase Kowalski, Jesse Lewis, Ana Marquez-Greene, James Mattioli, Grace McDonnell, Emilie Parker, Jack Pinto, Noah Pozner, Caroline Previdi, Jessica Rekos, Avielle Richman, Benjamin Wheeler, and Allison Wyatt in one of the worst mass shootings in US history. What drives someone to target their rage on our most vulnerable population? How does mental illness tie into this kind of violence? Why do tragedies like Sandy Hook appear to be an increasing occurrence in the US? This week Drs. Micono and Morelos discuss Adam Lanza and the Sandy Hook shooting with mass shooter expert, Dr. Heather Morris.

Episode 19 - Abu Ghraib Mar 16, 2020

After the fall of Saddam Hussein’s brutal dictatorship in Iraq, American forces requisitioned a number of prisons he had once used to house prisoners suspected of terrorism against American soldiers. A series of leaked photographs of American soldiers and prisoners would bring US forces into the world spotlight for their own human rights abuses. How responsible are soldiers for their actions in the chaos of war? Can our environment explain extreme acts of brutality? Join us this week as Drs. Micono and Morelos discuss the human rights abuses of Abu Ghraib.

Episode 18 - The Cult of Santa Muerte Part 2 Mar 02, 2020

While there will always be a legitimate form, an official version, or an orthodoxy, sometimes it seems the “unofficial,” the “illegitimate,” or the “unorthodox,” can be just as powerful, and representative of an even more potent truth. The case of Santa Muerte, the Mexican folk-saint of death, is one such enigmatic example. She is a creation of the street people, the lower class, the poor and the suffering, in one of the largest
cities in the world. She often attracts the worst: drug dealers, murders, thieves, and addicts. She also gives millions of people hope, acceptance, and, paradoxically, immense joy. In this second installment of The Cult of Santa Muerte, Drs. Micono and Morelos dive deeper into the utility and meaning of such a powerful figure
with Mexico City psychotherapist and Santa Muerte researcher Antonio Primavera.

Episode 17 - Ed Gein Feb 17, 2020

In the violent history of serial killers, one name seems to stand out among
the others. Ed Gein, known to the townsfolk of Plainfield, Wisconsin, as a
shut-in, was found to have murdered a local woman named Bernice Worden. What
followed were some of the most gruesome and shocking discoveries in American
serial killer history, as a collection of female body parts, some used to make
a “woman suit,” were found by local police. The nature of Ed Gein’s crimes would
go on to inspire other horrific fictional characters in contemporary pop culture.
What can drive someone to commit such strange and terrible acts? Was this a case
of a severe mental illness or were his crimes more volitional in nature?

Episode 16 - The Case of Shirley Mason (AKA Sybil Dorsett) Nov 18, 2019

In 1973 psychologist Dr. Cornelia Wilber was suddenly thrust into the spotlight for groundbreaking work she had done with Shirley Mason, known to the world as Sybil Dorsett. This work, published in a book by Flora Schreiber, documented the years of treatment Dr. Wilber had done with Mason for Multiple Personality Disorder, known today as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). This event brought the concept of multiple personalities into popular culture and kicked off an intense debate in contemporary psychology. Was this a mental illness brought on by severe trauma or something suggested to a vulnerable patient for the purpose of creating a human drama? Join us as Drs. Micono and Morelos discuss Dissociative Identity Disorder in the Season 1 finale!!

Episode 15 - The Slender Man Stabbing Nov 04, 2019

On the evening of May 30th, 2014, three adolescent friends, Anissa Weier, Morgan Geyser, and Payton Leutner whose friends called, “Bella,” all spent the night playing games and celebrating Morgan’s 12th birthday. The next morning, Anissa and Morgan tried to stab Bella to death in a nearby forest to appease a dark figure known only as Slender Man. What is the nature of insanity? How is the magical thinking of children often influenced by mass media? How did a random creation by a 29-year-old for a website contest manage to capture the imagination of Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser so completely? Join us this week as Drs. Micono and Morelos explore the chilling case of the Slender Man Stabbing, by listener request!

Episode 14 - The Salem Witch Trials Oct 21, 2019

Between 1692 and 1693, Puritans in the British colony in Salem, Massachusetts, became hysterical believing that they were under attack by people in league with the devil practicing the sinister magic of witchcraft. What began with the strange physical ailments of three young girls quickly grew into a panic amongst the settlers. What kind of irrational fear would condemn 19 people, overwhelmingly women, to be hanged, and one man crushed to death, without the slightest bit of empirical evidence? This week, Drs. Micono and Morelos discuss the dark part of American history known as the Salem Witch Trials.

Episode 13 - The Unabomber Part 2 Oct 07, 2019

Where is the line between a strange belief and a true delusion? This week, Drs. Micono and Morelos use the Unabomber's "manifesto" to begin a discussion on his motives toward violence and the forces that, according to him, will eventually lead to our own destruction. Follow them on an exploration of one of the most fascinating cases of true crime in recent history.

Suicide Prevention Month (Bonus Episode) Sep 28, 2019

September is National Suicide Prevention Month so Drs. Micono and Morelos wanted to take a few minutes to discuss this important topic. Please take care of yourselves out there!

Episode 12 - The Unabomber Part 1 Sep 23, 2019

In 1996 the FBI, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, caught one of the most elusive and terrifyingly effective domestic terrorists in history. It was then that America got its first look at Theodore Kaczynski, otherwise known as the Unabomber. With an IQ well above genius level and a chance at a brilliant career, Kaczynski chose instead a life of virtual isolation where he toiled at writing his own philosophy and building implements of destruction. Was this a case of a legitimate mental illness or the intersection of genius and fanaticism?

Episode 11 - Out of Body Experiences Sep 09, 2019

Millions of people throughout history and across cultures have described the sensation of leaving their material body behind. Is the out of body experience a profound characterization of disembodied consciousness, or the result of our brain responding to ordinary stimuli? This week, Drs. Micono and Morelos use the famous experience of Ernest Hemmingway, described in his most famous book, A Farewell to Arms, as a starting point to discuss examples of OBEs, or out of body experiences.

Episode 10 - The Stanford Prison Experiment Aug 26, 2019

Prisons have become an ubiquitous part of our collective culture, with the United States, for better or worse, being a leader in the number of people we incarcerate. What is the nature of the relationship between the captured and the captors? Can there be a spirit of cooperation between corrections officers and the incarcerated, or is it always bound to be tortured? This week, Drs. Micono and Morelos use the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment to start a conversation about American prisons in popular culture and the reality of working behind the razor wire.

Episode 9 - The Murder of James Byrd Jr. Aug 12, 2019

On June 7, 1998, a 49 year-old African-American man was brutally killed in one of the most horrific hate crimes the country has ever seen. His death brought to the surface racial and cultural tensions that had been simmering just under the nation’s collective consciousness. What makes people intolerant of people from different, ethnic, racial, or cultural backgrounds? Why do we tend to focus on what makes of different instead of what binds us together?

This week Drs. Micono and Morelos use the murder of James Byrd Jr. as starting point to look at racism, white supremacy and why we as Americans often find ourselves fall into the trap of “us versus them” absolutist-type thinking.

Episode 8 - The Jonestown Massacre Jul 29, 2019

They went into the jungle looking for paradise. They found hell. What draws people into cults? What is it about our psychology that yearns for something a cult promises to fulfill? This week, Drs. Micono and Morelos use the Jonestown massacre as a starting point to look at why people fall into cults, and why so many cults eventually turn dark.

Episode 7 - Alien Abduction Jul 15, 2019

On the night of September 19, 1961, while driving home from a brief holiday, Betty and Barney Hill claimed to be abducted by beings from another planet. As pieces of their story emerged, what became even more clear is our collective fascination with the idea that we are not alone in our vast universe. Millions of people believe in the existence of extraterrestrial beings, with fewer claiming to have witnessed UFOs, and fewer still claiming to have been abducted. What is the psychological nature, and the potential implications, of these experiences? This week, Drs. Micono and Morelos use the case of Barney and Betty Hill to take a look at the topic of alien abduction.

Episode 6 - The Central Park Five Jul 01, 2019

On April 19, 1989, 28-year-old Tricia Meili, was brutally beaten, raped, and left for dead in Central Park. Five boys, each between the ages of 14 and 16, were quickly identified as suspects. Initially coerced into confessions, each boy later recanted and proclaimed his innocence. In 2002, an individual confessed to this crime, with his DNA matching that found at the crime scene. What followed sparked a national conversation on race, police methodology, and the rights of the accused. When does the investigation method cross the line into the violation of a suspect’s rights under the Constitution? Drs. Micono and Morelos take a look at the difficult job of contemporary police work and how public accountability is demanding an evolution in how law enforcement is practiced.

Episode 5 - The Cult of Santa Muerte - Part 1 Jun 17, 2019

In 2016 my father and I travelled to Mexico to see the impressive pyramids of Teotihuacan. An intriguing invitation from an old friend and fellow scholar led to something much darker and yet somehow perfectly representative of the contradictions that dance together to create one of world's most spectacular, and terrifying, cities. This episode is a narrative of our trip to Mexico City and our encounter with Santa Muerte, the Mexican folk saint of death. Along the way we'll eat tacos, drink some mezcal, and try not to let my father break his leg in a Mexican pothole. Dr. Micono is on assignment this week and has given Dr. Morelos full creative control for this episode. God help us!

Episode 4 - The Case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard Jun 03, 2019

On June 14th, 2015, the body of 48 year-old Dee Dee Blancard was found in her home just outside of Springfield, Missouri. She had been stabbed repeatedly in the back as she slept. Police originally suspected that her murder was linked to the abduction of her disabled daughter, Gypsy Rose. As the case unraveled, a lifetime of deceit on the part of Gypsy Rose and her mother, Dee Dee, was uncovered. Drs. Jessica Micono and David Morelos discuss child medical abuse, otherwise known as Munchausen by Proxy, and why some parents feign the illness of their children.

Episode 3 - Unexplained Illnesses May 16, 2019

Millions of people suffer from physical illnesses that they cannot explain. There are often no clear answers on what causes these illnesses, leaving many people desperate for any kind of relief. Using recent stories from the lives of some of these people, Drs. Micono and Morelos discuss the link between the mind and the body and the stigma that continues to surround mental health.

Episode 2 - Psychopaths May 16, 2019

On April 3, 2014, serial killer Tommy Lynn Sells was executed for the murder of 13-year-old Kaylene Harris. It is believed, however, that Sells was responsible for up to as many as 70 murders across the country. What is the nature of psychopathy? Why do these people walk among us? Drs. Jessica Micono and David Morelos use the case of Tommy Lynn Sells to begin a discussion on the psychopaths that both fascinate and frighten us.

Episode 1 - Demonic Possession May 15, 2019

In 2007, Janet Moses was a 22-year-old Maori mother who died after being subjected to an exorcism by her family believing she was possessed by a demon. Was this a case of a malevolent presence exacting revenge over the theft of a statue, or a mental illness masquerading as something more sinister? Drs. Jessica Micono and David Morelos use this as a starting point to discuss the wider topic of demonic possession.

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