Freud & Felons

In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai examines the story of Matthew Perry’s fatal overdose and unpacks how ketamine evolved from a wartime anesthetic to an unregulated, billion-dollar telehealth commodity. This episode explores how Perry’s case is not just about celebrity or addiction, but about the rise of companies mailing ketamine directly to consumers with minimal oversight or m...

Ever wondered how cults are formed, or why conspiracy theories and misinformation can spread so powerfully, even among smart, logical people? In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai dives deep into the concept of shared delusions to explain how rigid group beliefs take hold and rapidly multiply, turning fiction into a reality that entire communities buy into. Learn about cults like Jo...

Join Dr. Yalda Safai in this episode of Freud and Felons as she speaks with Sarah, who opens up about her difficult journey through addiction, untreated mental health issues, and repeated interactions with the criminal justice system. Sarah recounts how childhood trauma and unaddressed pain led her to dependency on prescription pain pills, which eventually spiraled into homelessness and alcohol ad...

Explore the unsettling reality of high-potency cannabis and its link to psychosis, violent crime, and legal controversy. In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai dives deep into cases where marijuana use led to psychotic breaks and tragic outcomes, highlighting how today's concentrated THC products differ dramatically from those of the past. Learn how THC hijacks key brain systems,...

Explore the hidden risks of turning to AI chatbots for therapy in this revealing episode of Freud and Felons. Dr. Yalda Safai dives into real-life cases where individuals became dangerously attached to AI, leading to delusions, psychotic breaks, and tragic outcomes, including instances of suicide and preventable deaths. Find out how chatbots can reinforce harmful beliefs, the specific dangers pose...

In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai takes an unflinching look at the tragic cases of mothers who killed their children while suffering from postpartum psychosis and were found not guilty by reason of insanity. This episode goes beyond the headlines to examine the disturbing story of Andrea Yates and similar cases, exposing the interplay between mental illness and the criminal just...

Can traumatic brain injury and alcohol abuse lead to destructive behaviors? Traumatic brain injury and alcohol abuse collide in this episode of Freud and Felons, as Dr. Yalda Safai interviews fellow psychiatrist Dr. Hisbay Ali on his personal journey. They break down the real-life consequences, professional pitfalls, and recovery lessons from years impacted by TBI, addiction, and the criminal just...

Are kids really becoming more violent, or are we just hearing about it more? In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai dives into the rise in youth violence, the roles of entitlement, low frustration tolerance, and how instant gratification and technology may be affecting emotional development. Dive into real cases and explore the impact of modern parenting while Dr. Safai explains how...

What makes a dictator, and how do they manage to maintain such absolute control over a nation? In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai exposes the psychology behind dictatorships. From key personality traits, opportunities created by social turmoil, enforced loyalty, and deliberate control over information and education that shape and sustain dictatorial regimes. Learn all about the p...

In this episode of Freud & Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai breaks down the psychological forces driving powerful people to look the other way or even participate in Jeffrey Epstein's crimes. Find out how belonging, group dynamics, risk-taking, and the dangerous illusion of immunity among elites could have played a role in this terrifying scandal. 00:00 Unmasking Epstein's Power Network 03:41 T...

What draws women to some of the world’s most notorious killers? In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai explores the unsettling psychology behind why convicted murderers like Wade Wilson, Ted Bundy, and Richard Ramirez received love, money, and attention from adoring fans while behind bars. Take a look into the patterns of control, fantasy, and desire for notoriety that drive these re...

What caused some NFL players to become violent? The relationship between brain injuries and violent behavior is likely more significant than many realize. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) can happen over time with sustained injuries of the head, it has the ability to lead to violent behavior, and it's virtually undetectable until after death (during autopsy). In this episode of Freud and...

Wondering how a tragedy like the recent Macy’s stabbing in New York City could happen—and what it reveals about our mental health system? In this episode of Freud and Felons, I explore the history behind America’s psychiatric care and why so many vulnerable individuals end up on the streets or in jail. Starting with Kerri Aherne, a woman with schizophrenia who was released from a long-term hospita...

Will you do something unethical if you were ordered to do so? Most people say NO but research tells another story. In this episode, we explore the Milgram experiment, a pivotal study on obedience to authority conducted by Stanley Milgram in the 1960s. The discussion delves into the psychological mechanisms that drive individuals to obey authority figures, even when it leads to harmful actions. We...

A mother kills her children. A man shoots the President to impress a movie star. Another turns human skin into furniture. They all share one shocking verdict: Not guilty by reason of insanity. In this episode, we expose the reality behind one of the most misunderstood legal defenses. From John Hinckley Jr. to Andrea Yates and Ed Gein , we uncover how the insanity plea works, why it’s so hard to pr...

Ted Bundy is infamous not just brute force, but for using charm, fake injuries, and simple requests for help to lure victims. In this episode, we examine how serial predators turned politeness into a weapon. Why these tactics worked, and what they reveal about the social rules women still carry today- ignoring instincts and stepping into danger despite better judgment? Why do women care so much ab...

Ever wonder why true crime is so popular? Why we seem to be obsessed with a good true crime story? Listen to my theories on why humans are so attracted to the dark and twisty.