In this episode, we examine the case of Aileen Wuornos through a lens rarely centered in true crime: what happens when a brain never learns safety. Rather than framing Wuornos solely through violence or notoriety, this episode explores how chronic trauma, neurological adaptation, and survival-based conditioning can shape perception, behavior, and decision-making over time.

Drawing on research in neurobiology, trauma physiology, attachment, and threat response, we explore:

• How prolonged exposure to violence and instability can wire the brain for constant threat
• The impact of early abuse, neglect, and repeated victimization on emotional regulation and impulse control
• How survival-driven neural patterns can distort danger perception and decision-making
• What neuroscience can and cannot explain about violent behavior and moral responsibility

With a background in public health and behavioral science (graduate training at Johns Hopkins), The Murder Mindsetprioritizes education, prevention, and understanding over sensationalism, asking harder questions about systems of failure, gendered violence, and the limits of explanation.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual violence, abuse, trauma, and homicide. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

🎧 This episode is for listeners interested in true crime, forensic psychology, neuroscience, trauma studies, and the behavioral science behind violence.

Follow The Murder Mindset on Instagram and TikTok @TheMurderMindset for case insights, short-form analysis, and episode updates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we examine the case of Jeffrey Dahmer through a lens rarely centered in true crime: the neuroscience of compulsion. Rather than retelling the case for shock value, this episode focuses on the psychological, neurological, and environmental factors that shaped Dahmer’s behavior over time.

Drawing on research in neurobiology, trauma, addiction, and compulsive behavior, we explore:

• How compulsive urges develop and escalate within the brain
• The role of early trauma, substance use, and isolation in reinforcing maladaptive neural pathways
• What neuroscience can — and cannot — explain about repeated violent behavior

With a background in public health and behavioral science (graduate training at Johns Hopkins), The Murder Mindsetprioritizes education, prevention, and understanding over sensationalism, asking harder questions about responsibility, systems of failure, and the limits of explanation.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of violent crimes, abuse, and disturbing themes. Listener discretion is advised.

🎧 This episode is for listeners interested in true crime, forensic psychology, neuroscience, and the behavioral science behind extreme criminal behavior.

Follow The Murder Mindset on Instagram and TikTok @TheMurderMindset for case insights, short-form analysis, and episode updates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the infamous case of Richard Chase, known as the “Vampire of Sacramento,” whose crimes in the late 1970s shocked the nation. This episode is not a retelling for shock value. Instead, we focus on what many true-crime narratives leave out: the neuroscience, psychology, and environmental factors that may have influenced his behavior and mental state.

Drawing on research in schizophrenia, psychosis, neurobiology, and environmental stressors, we break down:

• How severe mental illness and untreated psychosis can impact perception and decision-making
• The interplay of environmental and situational factors in the escalation of violent behavior
• What neuroscience can — and cannot — explain about cases like Richard Chase
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With a background in public health and behavioral science (graduate training at Johns Hopkins), The Murder Mindsetfocuses on education, prevention, and understanding, not sensationalism.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of violent crimes, psychosis, and sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.

🎧 This episode is for listeners interested in true crime, forensic psychology, neuroscience, and the behavioral factors behind notorious criminal cases.

Follow The Murder Mindset on Instagram and TikTok: @TheMurderMindset for case insights, short-form analysis, and episode updates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the mysterious and tragic case of Elisa Lam, a young woman whose death in 2013 sparked widespread speculation and media frenzy.

This episode is not a retelling for shock value. Instead, we focus on what many true-crime narratives leave out: the neuroscience, psychology, and environmental factors that may have influenced her behavior and mental state.

Drawing on research in anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychopharmacology, and environmental stressors, we break down:

• How mental health and sensory processing can impact perception and decision-making
• The role of anxiety, depression, and cognitive load in high-stress situations
• How environmental and situational factors might create a convergence of risk
• What neuroscience can — and cannot — explain about cases like Elisa Lam

With a background in public health and behavioral science (graduate training at Johns Hopkins), The Murder Mindsetfocuses on education, prevention, and understanding, not sensationalism.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of mental health challenges, distressing circumstances, and sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.

🎧 This episode is for listeners interested in true crime, forensic psychology, neuroscience, and the behavioral factors behind mysterious cases.

Follow The Murder Mindset on Instagram and TikTok: @TheMurderMindset for case insights, short-form analysis, and episode updates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the mysterious and tragic case of Elisa Lam, a young woman whose death in 2013 sparked widespread speculation and media frenzy.

This episode is not a retelling for shock value. Instead, we focus on what many true-crime narratives leave out: the neuroscience, psychology, and environmental factors that may have influenced her behavior and mental state.

Drawing on research in anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychopharmacology, and environmental stressors, we break down:

• How mental health and sensory processing can impact perception and decision-making
• The role of anxiety, depression, and cognitive load in high-stress situations
• How environmental and situational factors might create a convergence of risk
• What neuroscience can — and cannot — explain about cases like Elisa Lam

With a background in public health and behavioral science (graduate training at Johns Hopkins), The Murder Mindsetfocuses on education, prevention, and understanding, not sensationalism.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of mental health challenges, distressing circumstances, and sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.

🎧 This episode is for listeners interested in true crime, forensic psychology, neuroscience, and the behavioral factors behind mysterious cases.

Follow The Murder Mindset on Instagram and TikTok: @TheMurderMindset for case insights, short-form analysis, and episode updates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we examine the disturbing case of Daniel Marsh, a 15-year-old who brutally murdered an elderly couple and later described the act as making him feel “happy.”

This episode is not a retelling for shock value. Instead, it explores what many true-crime narratives leave out: the neuroscience, psychology, and developmental factors behind extreme adolescent violence.

Drawing on research in adolescent brain development, psychopathy, trauma, and impulse regulation, we break down:

• How the teenage brain processes violence differently than the adult brain
• The role of empathy deficits, reward circuitry, and emotional regulation
• Whether adolescents can fully understand consequences at this level
• What neuroscience can — and cannot — explain about cases like Daniel Marsh

With a background in public health and behavioral science (graduate training at Johns Hopkins), The Murder Mindset focuses on education, prevention, and accountability, not glorification.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of violent crime and may be distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

🎧 This episode is for listeners interested in true crime, forensic psychology, neuroscience, and criminal behavior.

Follow The Murder Mindset on Instagram and TikTok: @TheMurderMindset for case insights, short-form analysis, and episode updates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We dove into your comments about postpartum psychosis, warning signs, and the heartbreaking system failures surrounding the Yates case. Thank you for sharing such powerful perspectives. These conversations matter.

If you want to be part of next week’s After the Episode, make sure to drop your thoughts on the pinned TikTok or Instagram post for the upcoming case. Your comment might be featured in the recap 👀

Follow The Murder Mindset for more true crime × neuroscience discussions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the official trailer for Episode One of The Murder Mindset.

A true-crime podcast that goes deeper, analyzing cases through neuroscience, development, trauma, and the environments that shape the brain.

In this episode, host Deardhra McGeough-Prendergast, a Johns Hopkins trained public health researcher, breaks down the misunderstood tragedy of Andrea Yates.

Before the headlines, there were years of severe postpartum psychosis, delusions, sleep deprivation, fragmented treatment, and missed warning signs.

This wasn’t sudden.

It wasn’t unpredictable.

It was a preventable collapse of a brain in crisis.

If you want true crime that explains why a mind breaks, not just what happened, subscribe and follow the show.

Episode One drops on 11/29.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube

📲 TikTok + Instagram: @themurdermindset

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.