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: 218 - Death Row Psychology - The Psychology of Death Row

Dr. Bill Kimberlin has interviewed multiple inmates just prior to their executions. He comes with a message: Death row is not what we think it is.The author of the book, "Watch Me Die!" has come to UPC to talk about what he has learned.

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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: 190 - Herb Baumeister / “I-70 Strangler" - Reloaded - The House of Fox Hallow Farm - The Psychology of Serial Killers

Serial Killer, Herb Baumeister, AKA The "I-70 Strangler" and responsible for "The Gay Murders" in Indiana in the late 1980's and early 1990's was an odd man that rode around in a hearse and urinating on a lot of different things... In this episode, Michael Drane, UPC's resident psychotherapist dives into the Psychology of Erotophonophilia & Auto-Erotic Asphixiation.

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Ep: 188 - Laura Brand and Analyzing The Toolbox Killers - The Psychology of Serial Murder

We interview Laura Brand, a private investigator who helped find the location of 2 missing victims from the Toolbox Murders of the late 1970s. Laura Brand is one of the leading experts on serial killers and has worked with over 50 serial killers including Lawerence Bittaker (Tool Box Killers).

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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: 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: 158 - Manson Vs. Jones - The Psychology of Cult Leaders and Serial Killers (Preview)

We delve into what's the difference between a "Serial Killer" and a "Cult Leader". What is the psychological profiles of Jim Jones, and Charles Manson? We also discuss the differences between spree murder, and mass murder, using two of the most notorious villains in history.

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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: 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: 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 


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Ep: 113 - I'm in Love With a Serial Killer - Psychology of Murder and Love

What would it take for you to fall in love with a serial killer? Why would someone fall in love with someone who committed such crimes? We dive into the psychological phenomenon known as "Hybristophillia".

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Ep: 110 - Ted Bundy and Reviewing "The Bundy Tapes" - The Psychology of Serial Killers

We discuss the four part Netflix documentary “The Bundy Tapes”. Michael Drane has years of experience in the mental hospitals treating the severely mentally ill. He delves into character analysis and psychological profiles.

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Ep: 109 - Netflix’s “You” Season 1 - The Stalker Analysis of Joe Goldberg

We dive into the hit Netflix show “You”. Michael will give a psychological analysis of Joe Goldberg. What type of stalker and serial killer is Joe? What are the things to look for in Joe’s history that might give you a clue? Does biology or how he was raised (Nature vs. Nurture) have more to do with his way of life?

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Ep: 49 - Herb Baumeister & The House on Fox Hollow Farm —The Psychology of Serial Killers

In this episode, Michael Drane, UPC's resident psychotherapist dives into the Psychology of Erotophonophilia & Auto-Erotic Asphixiation. You'll also hear a psychological profile of Herb Baumeister, prolific serial killer and murderer who turned his massive estate, "Fox Hollow Farm" into a burial ground.

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