The Targeted Violence Podcast
The Targeted Violence Podcast
Podcast Description
The Targeted Violence Podcast explores the psychology, motivations, and behaviours behind acts of targeted violence. Hosted by Forensic Psychologist Dr Nathan Brooks, this podcast brings together experts from law enforcement, forensic psychiatry, psychology, and threat assessment to share their firsthand experiences investigating and assessing perpetrators of mass violence, lone actor attacks, stalking, and other targeted offences. Through in-depth discussions and real case analyses, the podcast provides insights into the minds of those who commit these acts.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into themes such as the psychology of mass violence, motivations behind lone actor attacks, and the dynamics of stalking behavior. Specific episodes explore case studies like the Toronto van attack, examination of the Incel ideology, and discussions on threat assessment techniques and forensic psychiatric evaluations.
The Targeted Violence Podcast explores the psychology, motivations, and behaviours behind acts of targeted violence. Hosted by Forensic Psychologist Dr Nathan Brooks, this podcast brings together experts from law enforcement, forensic psychiatry, psychology, and threat assessment to share their firsthand experiences investigating and assessing perpetrators of mass violence, lone actor attacks, stalking, and other targeted offences. Through in-depth discussions and real case analyses, the podcast provides insights into the minds of those who commit these acts.
In March 2024, Forensic Psychologist Dr Marisa Mauro interviewed and assessed Bradley Cadenhead to determine the circumstances associated with his offending and the creation of the 764 Discord group.
In the latest episode of the Targeted Violence Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr Mauro about her assessment of Bradley Cadenhead, who has been credited with pioneering a new subculture of online violence. At the time of her assessment, 764 was relatively unknown outside the online communities in which it operated. Since then, Cadenhead has become one of the most prominent names associated with the emergence of extreme online violence.
Drawing on her assessment and the information she reviewed, Dr Mauro provides insight into Cadenhead's background, psychological development and offending, exploring the factors that contributed to his pathway towards establishing 764.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Early life and development: Childhood adversity, family relationships, substance use, mental health difficulties and missed opportunities for intervention.
- Violence and offending: Cadenhead's violent fantasies, threats towards others, exposure to extreme material and the influence of online communities such as the Gregory Cult.
- The creation of 764: The development of the group, the evolution of his offending, and the role of attention, significance, status and the apparent enjoyment of others' suffering.
- Psychological and clinical factors: His diagnoses, self-harm, emotional difficulties and the complex motivations underlying his behaviour.
- The evolution of online violence: Cadenhead's emergence as a prominent figure in the 764 ecosystem, the subsequent development of related online communities, and the relevance of concepts such as nihilistic violent extremism.
- Implications for threat assessment: Whether the factors traditionally associated with offline violence are increasingly merging with new forms of online offending.
This episode provides a rare opportunity to move beyond the headlines and examine the individual behind one of the most concerning developments in contemporary online violence, while considering what his pathway may tell us about the emergence of future forms of targeted and extreme violence.
I want to extend a sincere thank you to Dr Mauro for her insights and time. Find out more about Dr Mauro at www.drmarisamauro.com
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.