Ep: 224 - Scale of Evil, Part 13: Torture Murders - The Psychology of Murder

We explore Level 18 of the Gradations of Evil Scale, developed by Dr's Michael Stone and Gary Brucato. "Though psychotic, they do not typically prolong their torture. " Maury Travis, a quiet, unsuspecting man, shocked the St. Louis area after police discovered that he was responsible for the death of over 17 women. Known as the "Bi-State Strangler" or the "Street Walker Strangler",

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Ep: 214 - Scale of Evil, (Part 12) - The Psychology of Rape and Murder

Category 17 is a dark part of the Gradations of Evil scale. Its covers serial killers, torturers, and sadists. They kill for the gratification of the murder itself, and can involve sexual contact with their victim. Ted Bundy & Richard Ramirez- two serial rapists and sadists.

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Ep: 194 - Scale of Evil, Part 11: The Abbotsford Killer - The Psychology of Murder

We continue The Scale of Evil Series with a forensic analysis on the case of Terry Driver, convicted murder. Driver ranks at level 16 of Dr. Michael Stone's "Gradations of Evil Scale".

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Ep: 182 - Scale of Evil: Interview with The Experts - The Psychology of Murder

We are SO excited to provide you with this fascinating conversation between myself, Dr. Michael Stone & Dr. Gary Brucato - The renowned experts behind "The Gradations of Evil" Scale and their new book "The New Evil: Understanding the Emergence of Modern Violent Crime".

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Ep: 176 - Breaking Bad - Walter White & The Midlife Crisis (Preview)

In this episode we discuss AMC’s “Breaking Bad”. We discuss all of the characters on the show but focuses on Walter White, the iconic character from AMC's "Breaking Bad". Was this just a midlife crisis? How evil is Walter White on the Scale of Evil? Does it change over time?.

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Ep: 173 - Scale of Evil, (Part 10) “Death House Landlady” - The Psychology Of Serial Killers

Do serial killers and murderers have to look like the devil to be one? In this episode, we present the Case of Dorothea Puentes, one of the most cited cases for level 15 on Dr. Michael Stone’s Gradations of Evil Scale.

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Ep: 168 - Scale of Evil, (Part 9) “Mommy & Clyde”- The Psychology of Murder

Shante Kimes spent her entire life as a murderous con artist, ruthlessly scheming against anyone she can benefit from. Now that her son Kenneth is older and her husband is dead, Shante has recruited Kenneth- and the two work together to create chaos.

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Ep: 162 - Analyzing The Aaron Hernandez Murders (Stalker Preview Episode) - The Psychology of Aaron Hernandez


👇 Listen To The Preview Below 👇


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In this episode- We explore the brain trauma, drug use, developmental history, and closeted homosexuality, and eventual suicide that were all part of this deeply troubled killer.

Michael Drane and Andrew Baker discus the Netflix documentary Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez. In this documentary they discuss Aaron Hernandez as a rising star in the NFL. He seemed to have everything, but Hernandez was living a double life... football star by day, impulsive murderer by night.


Aaron Hernandez’s fiancé speaks out



What Is The Netflix documentary about Aaron Hernandez?


A much-anticipated docuseries on Aaron Hernandez hit Netflix on Wednesday, and over three episodes it traces his shocking and seemingly incomprehensible downfall. Between the ages of 16 and 27, the Connecticut native went from being a fun-loving high school star to a well-paid tight end for the Super Bowl-minded Patriots, only to end up committing suicide in prison after being convicted of one Boston-area murder and being heavily implicated in two others.
— http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/01/15/aaron-hernandez-netflix-documentary/%3foutputType=amp

Football Players That Have Committed Suicide or Retired Early




Featuring Professor/Psychoanalyst Michael Drane (@upcmd), Unpopular Culture Podcast is a psychology podcast hosted by Professor & Psychoanalyst Michael Drane. With help from professionals in different fields, he seeks to shine light into the broken underbelly of society.

Listen as he takes on the psychology behind subjects like:

True Crime: serial killers, murders, stalkers, cults, forensic analysis

Psychology: mental illness, social phenomenon, mob mentality, psychoanalysis, etc. 

Culture: Sexuality, Satanic Panic, love, Tv analysis, movie analysis. 

We are an independent psychology podcast. Help us keep UPC free of ads and on the air. Please consider supporting the show and get access to our "Stalkers Only" archive, and help be a part of the creative process.

Support the Show! —> patreon.com/upcpodcast


Follow Us On These Social Media Platforms



You Can Find Us On These Platforms Or Anywhere You Get Awesome Podcasts


Ep: 161 - Scale of Evil (Part 8) Inadequate, Rageful Psychopaths - The Psychology of Murder

We look at level 13 on the scale of evil these are Psychopathic murderers with inadequate, rageful personalities.Ed Gein and Benjamin Nathaniel Smith as examples of these murderers. The Butcher of Plainfield or the Plainfield Ghoul, was a convicted murderer and body snatcher.

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Ep: 157 - Netflix's "YOU" Season 2- Stalker Analysis - The Psychology of Stalkers, Psychopaths, and Murder

We dive into Netflix’s You Season 2. Michael Drane discusses the psychological profile of Joe Goldberg, Love Quinn, and Forty Quinn. He dives into the analysis of these characters and discusses how this effects the story. Haven’t seen Season 2 yet? Beware of spoilers!

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Ep: 154 - The Christmas Killing Spree: The Psychology of Spree Murder

We investigate the worst spree killing in Dayton Ohio History. Over a 3-day period in December 1992, four young people embarked on a shooting rampage that left five people dead and three wounded. They would soon be known as the “Downtown Posse”.

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Ep: 146 - Scale of Evil (Part 7) Cornered Killers - The Psychology of Murder

In May of 1977 a sadistic Mormon cult leader Ervil Lebaron orders his cult to walk into a clinic and gun down a rival cult leader. This is where our episode on the level 12 scale of evil begins- With a warning about what it means to follow your own killer down a path of weaponized religiosity. Michael drane, true crime, forensics, killer, dr. Michael Stone, gradation of evil, scale of evil,

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Ep: 144 - The Case of Jeffrey MacDonald - The Psychology of Murder

We dive into the mysterious True Crime case of Jeffery MacDonald. This is the case that ALMOST made it onto UPC as level 11 on Dr. Stone's "Scale of Evil". Media sources who have reviewed The Scale of Evil have cited Jeffrey MacDonald as a level 11 murderer, even though there is serious controversy around this case.

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Ep: 142 - Scale of Evil (Part 6) Psychopathic "In The Way" Killers - The Psychology Of Murder

We review the case of Ismael Juarez Cisneros, a semi-psychopath "In The Way" killer who murdered his close friend in retaliation for informing to authorities. This is level 11 on Dr. Stone's Gradation Evil Scale.

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Ep: 141 - Scale of Evil (Part 5) "In The Way" Killers - The Psychology of Murder

Continuation of the series on Scale of EvilWe review the case of John List, a semi-psychopath "In The Way" killer who murdered his entire family to save their souls. Level 10 on Dr. Michael Stones Gradation of Evil Scale.

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Ep: 130 - Scale of Evil (Part 3) Hot Heads & Fits of Rage - The Psychology of Murder

We cover levels 6-8 on Dr. Michael Stones "Gradation of Evil Scale”. How can anger push someone to murder?

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Ep: 129 - Scale of Evil (Part 2) Provoked Self-Defense & Desperate Measures Murder - The Psychology of Murder


👇Listen To The Full Episode Below👇


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Prof. Michael Drane reviews level 4 & 5 in this multi-part mini-series


Self-Defense Murder: Level 4

These people kill in self-defense, but they aren't entirely innocent themselves; they may have been "extremely provocative" toward their victim. Traumatized, desperate persons who killed abusive relatives or other people, but who show remorse for their crime and are not psychopaths.

Desperate Measures Murder: Level 5

These are traumatized, desperate killers of abusive relatives or others -- but they lack “significant psychopathic traits” and are genuinely remorseful.

Check out The New Evil: Understanding the Emergence of Modern Violent Crime. Copyright © 2019 by Michael H. Stone, MD, and Gary Brucato, PhD.

Get Bonus UPC Episodes &Help Support the Show! patreon.com/upcpodcast



Unpopular Culture Podcast is a psychology podcast hosted by Professor & Psychoanalyst Michael Drane. With help from professionals in different fields, he seeks to shine light into the broken underbelly of society.

Listen as he takes on the psychology behind subjects like:

True Crime: serial killers, murders, stalkers, cults, forensic analysis

Psychology: mental illness, social phenomenon, mob mentality, psychoanalysis, etc. 

Culture: Sexuality, Satanic Panic, love, Tv analysis, movie analysis. 

We are an independent psychology podcast. Help us keep UPC free of ads and on the air. Please consider supporting the show and get access to our "Stalkers Only" archive, and help be a part of the creative process.

Support the Show! —> patreon.com/upcpodcast 


Follow Us On These Social Media Platforms



You Can Follow Us Here Or Anywhere You Find Awesome Podcasts



Watch The Episode On YouTube


Ep: 125 - Scale of Evil (Part 1) Levels 1,2, and 3 (Self Defense Murder) - Reviewing Dr. Michael Stone's "Scale of Evil"


👇Listen To The Full Episode Below👇


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Prof Michael Drane reviews Dr. Michael Stone's "Scale of Evil" using infamous cases. This episode looks at the first 3 levels of murder- Self Defense, Jealousy, & Companion Murders

Check out The New Evil: Understanding the Emergence of Modern Violent Crime. Copyright © 2019 by Michael H. Stone, MD, and Gary Brucato, PhD.


A Brief Description of The Scale Of Evil in This Episode


NOT EVIL

1. Justified Homicide

The least malevolent: Those who have killed in self-defense and do not show psychopathic features.

2. Jealous Lovers, Non-Psychopathic

Though egocentric or immature, evildoers in this category committed their crimes in the heat of passion.

3. Willing Companions Of Killers

Still far from psychopathic, some have antisocial traits and an aberrant personality. They're often driven by impulse.


About Dr. Michael Stone


Dr. Michael Stone is a professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia. His specialty is personality disorders - most especially “borderline personality disorder.” But in recent years he has concentrated as well on the extremes of personality, as shown by persons who show antisocial, psychopathic, and sadistic traits. This led to an interest in the kinds of people committing murder - spanning the spectrum from jealousy murders to serial killers and torturers. Recently he served as the host of the Discovery Channel show, “Most Evil,” for which he was sent around the country interviewing serial killers and murderers of other types. This experience, plus his research over the past twenty years, led to his writing The Anatomy of Evil (appearing in July of 2009). The book explores the “why” factor: what are the inborn and environmental factors that cause certain people to commit murder and, at the extreme end, to behave with uncommon cruelty toward their fellow man. Modeled after Dante’s Inferno, the book progresses from the least to the most “evil” crimes, and contains a chapter devoted to recent contributions from neuroscience toward understanding the mind of the psychopath.


Unpopular Culture Podcast is a psychology podcast hosted by Professor & Psychoanalyst Michael Drane. With help from professionals in different fields, he seeks to shine light into the broken underbelly of society.

Listen as he takes on the psychology behind subjects like:

True Crime: serial killers, murders, stalkers, cults, forensic analysis

Psychology: mental illness, social phenomenon, mob mentality, psychoanalysis, etc. 

Culture: Sexuality, Satanic Panic, love, Tv analysis, movie analysis. 

We are an independent psychology podcast. Help us keep UPC free of ads and on the air. Please consider supporting the show and get access to our "Stalkers Only" archive, and help be a part of the creative process.

Support the Show! —> patreon.com/upcpodcast 


Follow Us On These Social Media Platforms



You Can Follow Us Here Or Anywhere You Find Awesome Podcasts



Watch The Episode on YouTube