Mind Behind The Crime | The Psychology Of Killers

Four Reasons You Can Think Karen Read Is Innocent Without Believing the Cover-Up Story
What really happened the night John O’Keefe died—and how much does Karen Read actually remember? In today’s gripping conversation with psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott, we dissect the psychological unraveling at the center of one of the most debated murder cases in recent memory. From the eerie early-morning calls to the strange speculation about a snowplow and cheating suspicions, Read’s behavior raises troubling questions about guilt, denial, and memory. As courtroom testimony reveals her panicked claims and disturbing outbursts, one chilling moment s...

Five Reasons Why Karen Reads 'House Attack' Defies Logic And ALL Odds, With Psychotherapist Shavaun Scott
Could Karen Read really not remember that night—or was she trying to rewrite it? From her frantic “Did I hit him?” phone calls to the eerie detail of a cracked taillight, this episode dives into the unraveling narrative at the heart of the John O’Keefe case. Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott joins us to explore how memory, guilt, and self-preservation collide when trauma meets possible criminal intent. Why did Karen seem ready to accept blame—until she wasn’t? And what happens when...

Narcissism in Real Time What Karen Read’s Behavior Reveals About Her Mindset
What kind of person says “I think I hit him”—then leads friends directly to a snow-covered body no one else can see? In this episode, psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott joins us to unravel the disturbing behavioral patterns emerging in the Karen Read case. From claims of jealousy and emotional volatility to suicidal ideation after the alleged crime, we dive into the psychological red flags and unsettling contradictions in her actions that night. Why did Karen call for help—only to later accuse those same people? Wa...

Was Lori Vallow Evil or Delusional? Therapist Breaks It Down-WEEK IN REVIEW
Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal tria...

Cult of Karen Inside the Extremes of Her Supporters and Detractors-WEEK IN REVIEW Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal tria...

Zombies, Cults & Kids Lori Vallow’s Mental Spiral Explained-WEEK IN REVIEW 
Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-d...

The Five Key Changes in Karen Read’s Story the Morning John Died
What made Karen Read ask “Did I hit him?” before anyone even knew John O’Keefe was dead—or that his body was in the snow? That single moment in court, as Jennifer McCabe described the scream-filled phone calls and Karen’s early-morning panic, could be a window into psychological chaos… or calculated guilt. In this episode, psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott unpacks the mental state of someone who may have been blackout—or brownout—drunk, unsure of what actually happened but haunted by the possibility of something horri...

Was Lori Vallow Evil or Delusional? Therapist Breaks It Down
What happens when a mother convinces herself her children are zombies—and that killing them is an act of divine love? Lori Vallow Daybell’s story isn’t just another twisted true crime—it’s a deep dive into the psychology of delusion, religious obsession, and manipulation. Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott joins us to unpack how Lori’s disturbing belief system merged with narcissistic traits and collided with Chad Daybell’s paranoia—leading to a series of deaths cloaked in apocalyptic visions. This conversation explores how someone who seemed like an o...

Zombies, Cults & Kids: Lori Vallow’s Mental Spiral Explained
Lori Vallow didn’t rant about zombies in court—and that might be the most chilling part. Instead of invoking bizarre religious visions or preaching about doomsday prophecies, she showed restraint. But why? Was this calculated control, or something deeper, darker? Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott unpacks the eerie awareness Lori displayed on the stand, how delusional disorders manifest beneath high-functioning exteriors, and the deeply disturbing loyalty of her brother Alex. From histrionic behaviors to detached justifications for murder, this conversation reveals a psychological profile that’s even more unsettling than the...

Karen Read Said 'I Hit Him' – But What Does That Really Mean?
When a Boston cop ends up dead after a party, the official story says his girlfriend, Karen Read, drunkenly backed over him. But is that really what happened? Or is this a case of gaslighting, memory gaps, and a powerful old boys' club protecting its own? In this episode, psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott joins us to dissect the chaotic first days of Read’s retrial. From conflicting confessions and damning Dateline interviews to speculation that she’s been manipulated into rewriting her own memories, the truth feels...

The Psychology of a ‘Doomsday Mom’  What Made Lori Vallow Kill?
What turns a loving mother into a self-declared goddess on a divine mission to destroy? Lori Vallow Daybell’s transformation from suburban mom to apocalyptic believer captivated the nation—and left a trail of death and disbelief. In this episode, psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott unpacks the rare psychological disorders that may have fueled Lori’s descent into delusion. Was it narcissism, untreated mental illness, or something more sinister? We explore how Lori and her doomsday partner Chad Daybell spiraled into a shared belief system so extreme it blurred the...

Cult of Karen: Inside the Extremes of Her Supporters and Detractors
An intoxicated woman. A dead police officer. A community split down the middle. What started as a tragic accident has spiraled into a full-blown war of public opinion, complete with viral conspiracy theories, witness intimidation, and phone dumps on army bases. In this chilling breakdown of the Karen Read case, psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott helps unpack why average people have transformed into digital crusaders—camping outside courthouses, harassing witnesses, and clinging to narratives that might never be proven. What is it about this case that triggers such in...

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fasc...

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fasc...

The Psychology Behind Karen Read’s 'Confession' – Shavaun Scott Breaks It Down
What happens when a woman with a hazy memory, a high blood alcohol count, and a house full of police becomes the center of a homicide investigation? Day one of Karen Read’s retrial kicks off with the kind of courtroom tension and narrative twists that force you to question everything. Was it an accident fueled by alcohol and chaos, or a convenient scapegoating wrapped in power dynamics and alleged cover-ups?

Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott joins to dissect the psychology behind Karen Read’s shifting...

When love feels perfect but ends in tragedy—what did we miss?

On this episode of Murder in the Morning with Tony Brueski and Stacy Cole, we dissect the chilling psychology behind relationships that turn deadly. Joining us is therapist Sonnet Daymont, currently authoring When Dangerous Feels Like Home, a memoir on healing from trauma. She explains how emotional abuse often begins in silence—with over-the-top affection, manipulation disguised as kindness, and patterns that echo past pain. Why do some people keep choosing danger over safety? What separates emotional immaturity from calculated cruelty? And how can early red flag...

Could Karen Read be using the narcissist’s playbook to manipulate public opinion in her alleged role in the death of John O’Keefe? What begins as a look into a toxic relationship quickly unravels into a psychological maze of contradictions, conspiracy, and chaos.

Tony Brueski teams up with psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott to dissect the alleged behavioral patterns that mirror classic narcissistic and borderline personality traits—gaslighting, flying monkeys, and shifting stories included. From Karen's changing public narrative and contradictory interviews to the supporters who’ve seemingly abandoned their own lives to champion her cause, nothing is off-l...

What kind of person burns their life down to support someone they’ve never met—especially someone accused of murder?

Tony Brueski and psychotherapist Shavaun Scott dig into the psychology behind the super fans of alleged killer Karen Read, questioning what drives ordinary people to lose their grip on reality in the name of "justice." From people flying across countries and going bankrupt just to protest outside courtrooms, to disturbing voicemails and bizarre courtroom behavior, this episode dives headfirst into what might be going on in the minds of Read’s supporters—and Read herself. Is it narcissism? Projecti...

How many red flags does it take before we stop calling it a parade?

Karen Read's alleged involvement in the death of John O’Keefe has all the markings of a psychological thriller—complete with shifting narratives, emotionally charged text messages, and an army of supporters ready to go to battle on her behalf. Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott joins Tony Brueski to unpack the alleged narcissistic behaviors on display, from gaslighting to full-blown flying monkey recruitment.

Is Karen really playing from the narcissist’s playbook, or is this just what chaos looks like when mixed with g...

What really happened that night—was it a tragic accident or something far more calculated? Karen Read's shifting stories and foggy memories make it hard to pin down the truth. One minute she’s unsure if she even hit him, the next she’s got vivid recollections involving loud U2 music and emotional play-by-plays. Psychotherapist Shavaun Scott joins Tony Brueski to dig into the inconsistencies and psychological clues that may reveal what’s really going on in her mind.

We’re talking memory blackouts, the bizarre Dateline clip, and whether someone can genuinely convince themselves of a false reality. A...

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fasc...

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fasc...

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fasc...

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fasc...

Is Lori Vallow Daybell really a misunderstood prophet—or just a full-blown narcissist who thinks she can out-lawyer a courtroom?

In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we dive into Lori's Arizona murder trial where she's playing both defendant and defense attorney. Yes, the woman already convicted of murdering her children is now cross-examining her grieving relatives like she’s starring in her own courtroom drama. Joined by psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott, we explore Lori’s grandiosity, religious delusions, and her unsettling lack of remorse. From asking if her murdered husband was a good kisser to usi...

What happens when a man is thrown into solitary for 14 months before he’s even convicted of a crime?

Richard Allen’s jailhouse phone calls are finally out, and they're brutal. Not because he confesses—because he doesn’t. But because you can hear the unraveling. His voice cracks, his mind spirals, and what starts as desperation quickly turns into something a lot darker. He tells his wife he loves her. He tells his mom goodbye. And he wonders aloud if anyone even loves him anymore. Is this the voice of a killer? Or someone being mentally crushed in a sys...

What kind of person turns a college homework assignment into a possible blueprint for murder?

Tony Brueski and psychotherapist Shavaun Scott dive into the eerie overlap between Bryan Kohberger’s 2020 essay and the brutal killings he’s now alleged to have committed. Was it just a well-written assignment, or something far darker—a calculated rehearsal? They explore the psychology behind individuals drawn to criminology with violent intent, the clinical detachment required to either solve a murder or allegedly commit one, and how narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism could form a deadly combination. Kohberger’s emotional disconnection, possible hatred toward women, a...

What happens when an alleged confession comes from someone in the middle of a complete psychotic break?

This episode dives deep into some of the disturbing phone calls and jailhouse recordings that many are pointing to as proof of guilt in the Delphi murders—only there's a glaring problem. The confessions are coming from a man who may not even know what's real anymore. Between drinking toilet water, eating Bible pages, and singing while masturbating on the floor, this isn't your average criminal profile. Psychotherapist Shavaun Scott joins Tony Brueski to unpack whether any of this could—or shou...

What happens when flawed forensics and relentless pressure collide in the interrogation room? Richard Allen’s interrogation in connection to the Delphi murders wasn’t just aggressive—it was an unsettling blend of manipulation, outdated techniques, and a total disregard for modern psychological understanding. Tony Brueski teams up with psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott to dissect the disturbing tactics used by investigators, who allegedly relied on made-up expert evidence and relentless emotional pressure in hopes of forcing a confession. Allen’s initial interviews reveal a man who sounds rational, lucid, and—most of all—genuinely confused as to why he’s being treate...

Psychotherapist Shavaun Scott Breaks Down The Initial Delphi Police Interrogation of Richard Allen
How do you get a man to confess to something he didn’t do? Easy—just throw every shady interrogation tactic in the book at him and hope something sticks.

When Richard Allen was brought in for questioning about the alleged Delphi murders of Abby and Libby, the detectives didn’t exactly hold back. They leaned hard into psychological warfare: outdated Law & Order tricks, misleading “evidence,” and emotional manipulation that made it feel more like a 1950s TV drama than a modern investigation. With no confess...

What if the only thing tying someone to a murder scene is a single unspent bullet—and the supposed match is based on science that’s barely admissible in court?

Tony Brueski and psychotherapist Shavaun Scott dig into the second interrogation of alleged Delphi killer Richard Allen, and it’s a rough watch. With no digital history, no witnesses, and no prior criminal record, the prosecution’s big move is a bullet found at the crime scene—but only after cops had already taken Allen’s gun. Makes you wonder which came first: the evidence or the need for a suspec...

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fasc...

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fasc...

What kind of person allegedly studies the art of the perfect crime—and then seems to leave behind a digital trail of breadcrumbs like it’s part of the plan?

In this unnervingly fascinating dive into the alleged behavior of Bryan Kohberger, Tony Brueski and psychotherapist Shavaun Scott unpack the chilling possibility that the University of Idaho murder suspect may have been playing out a twisted homage to his favorite horror films. From eerie similarities to American Psycho and Psycho to bizarre shower selfies and internet personas like “Papa Rogers,” the details keep getting darker and more surreal. Was the...

Was Karen Read seeking justice—or just someone to keep telling her she’s right?

When a Boston police officer, John O'Keefe, turns up dead and Karen Read is charged with his alleged murder, things spiral into more than just a courtroom drama. Encrypted messages, endless hours of contact with a controversial blogger (who might have a bit of a crush), and a defense that screams “cover-up” more than “clear-cut”—this case is a messy mix of emotion, obsession, and chaos.

Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott joins Tony Brueski to break down the psychological whirlwind behind Read’s actions...

Could a self-declared prophet really be her own best defense attorney—while on trial for conspiracy to murder?

Lori Vallow Daybell isn’t just accused of plotting her husband’s death—she’s also decided she’s the right person to argue her own case in court. Yeah, because nothing says “stable and innocent” like cross-examining witnesses in shackles.

In this episode, Tony Brueski and psychotherapist/author Shavaun Scott dive into the chilling psychology of Lori Vallow Daybell. From beauty queen and game show contestant to cult follower and alleged killer, Lori’s journey is packed with delusion, nar...

Was justice actually served, or are we witnessing another case where the system seems to have its mind made up—facts be damned? Richard Allen is staring down 130 years in prison, but with his confession riddled with bizarre, impossible claims (like admitting to killing a grandchild that doesn’t exist), it's fair to ask—was this a real confession, or just the broken ramblings of a man driven to the edge? And why were other potential suspects seemingly ignored despite overwhelming evidence? Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott joins Tony Brueski to dissect how the justice system sometimes prioritizes narrative over truth...

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fasc...

Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.
    
 This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fasc...

Did Karen Read really forget what happened that night, or is she just hoping everyone else does? A new perspective on her testimony paints a picture of shifting memories, missing details, and a whole lot of unanswered questions. From angry voicemails to an alleged love triangle, and even the role of alcohol-induced memory gaps—how much of her story actually holds up? And if she was so certain of what happened, why did her own words contradict each other? Dive into the twists and turns of this case with Tony Brueski and psychotherapist Shavaun Scott as they dissect the inconsistencies, th...