In this episode, we examine the case of Pieper Lewis through a lens rarely centered in true crime: the complex intersection of sex trafficking, adolescent trauma, survival psychology, and a legal system that punished a victim for defending herself. Rather than focusing on shock or spectacle, this episode explores the psychological, medical, and behavioral questions at the center of a case that continues to ignite national conversation about justice, girlhood, and what it means to survive.

Drawing on research in trauma neuroscience, adolescent brain development, forensic psychology, and behavioral science, we explore:

• How chronic trauma and sex trafficking reshape the developing adolescent brain and why this matters in courtrooms.
• What the neuroscience of survival tells us about fight responses in victims of repeated abuse.
• How the legal system defines self-defense, coercion, and criminal responsibility in trafficking cases, and where it fails.
• Why adolescent victims of sexual exploitation are uniquely vulnerable to institutional and legal re-traumatization.
• What Pieper's sentencing (including restitution payments to her abuser's family) reveals about systemic failures in how we respond to trafficking survivors.
• What psychology and behavioral science say about accountability, healing, and justice when the system gets it wrong.

With a background in public health and behavioral science (graduate training at Johns Hopkins), The Murder Mindset prioritizes education, prevention, and understanding over sensationalism, asking difficult questions about trauma, accountability, and how systems respond when the most vulnerable people are failed at every level.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, violence, and the criminal prosecution of a minor. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

🎧 This episode is intended for listeners interested in true crime, forensic psychology, neuroscience, adolescent development, trauma science, and the behavioral science behind survival and 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 Lindsay Clancy, a labor and delivery nurse accused of killing her three children in January 2023, through a lens rarely centered in true crime: what happens when a postpartum brain, already undergoing massive neurological restructuring, is destabilized by rapid psychiatric medication changes.

Rather than framing Clancy solely through the tragedy of three children's deaths or questions of guilt and innocence, this episode explores how hormonal crashes, medication-induced side effects, and systemic failures in postpartum mental health care can create catastrophic neurological crises.

Drawing on research in neurobiology, psychopharmacology, postpartum psychiatry, and medication-induced psychosis, we explore:

• How pregnancy physically restructures the brain and creates windows of extreme vulnerability
• The neurological mechanisms of SSRIs and how they can trigger paradoxical reactions in destabilized brains
• What akathisia is, why it's so dangerous, and why it's rarely recognized or treated
• The difference between postpartum psychosis, medication-induced psychosis, extended suicide, and premeditated murder
• What neuroscience can and cannot explain about criminal responsibility and moral culpability

This case is currently awaiting trial. Lindsay Clancy is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The theories presented here are based on publicly available court documents and scientific literature, not determinations of fact.

With a background in public health and neuroscience (graduate training at Johns Hopkins), The Murder Mindsetprioritizes education, prevention, and understanding over sensationalism, asking harder questions about how we treat maternal mental health, monitor psychiatric medications, and define accountability when brains are in crisis.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of child death, strangulation, suicide attempts, self-harm, postpartum depression, psychosis, and medication side effects. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

🎧 This episode is for listeners interested in true crime, forensic psychology, neuroscience, maternal mental health, psychopharmacology, and the behavioral science behind tragedy.

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

In this episode, we examine the case of Blake Leibel and Iana Kasian through a lens rarely centered in true crime: the anatomy of narcissistic violence. Rather than focusing on shock or spectacle, this episode explores how pathological narcissism, entitlement, control, and emotional detachment can escalate into extreme interpersonal violence.

Drawing on research in personality pathology, trauma psychology, attachment theory, and behavioral neuroscience, we explore:

• How narcissistic traits exist on a spectrum and when they become dangerous
• The role of entitlement, objectification, and lack of empathy in escalating violence
• How coercive control and power dynamics function as psychological drivers of violence
• Warning signs that often precede intimate partner violence and femicide
• What neuroscience and psychology can and cannotexplain about accountability and intent

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 gendered violence, systemic failure, and why warning signs are so often missed.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of intimate partner violence, psychological abuse, graphic violence, 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 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 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 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.

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