How Not to Raise a Serial Killer

How Not to Raise a Serial Killer

Ever wonder if your kids have it in them to be a killer? It's okay, we've all had the thought once or twice. And if you're willing to admit that, you'll love How Not to Raise a Serial Killer. On this podcast, criminal psychologist Dr. Michelle Ward digs into the childhoods of some of the most notorious criminals and killers in order to learn from them and prevent future tragedies. Dr. Ward will use her expertise to determine what went wrong with each killer (a brain injury, an undiagnosed illness, a specific trauma) with the help of a fellow mom/non-expert who can weigh in about their own taboo parenting fears. Because on our better days as parents, we want to know how to raise good humans. But on our worst days, we at least want to know that we're not raising a future serial killer.

Episodes

September 14, 2023 88 mins
In this episode of Lipstick & Lies, hosts Melissa Moore and Jami Rice speak with Criminal Psychologist, Dr. Michelle Ward. The ladies discuss everything from common misconceptions regarding serial killers to red flags people should watch out for in a romantic relationship. Dr. Michelle Ward also weighs in on the Gilgo Beach Murders case which recently had a major update with the arrest of Rex Heuermann who is suspected to be the th...
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When Mike Williams vanishes on a hunting trip, the authorities suspect he was eaten by alligators but the true predators who took Mike may lurk much closer to home. The mystery of Mike’s disappearance might have faded from memory, if it wasn’t for one woman’s tireless crusade. From Wondery, comes a new season of Over My Dead Body; a story about an obsessive love affair, a scandalous secret and a mother’s battle for the truth. Foll...
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In the inaugural episode of Look Whose Stalking, Dr. Michelle Ward talks about the stalking case of Katie Socci. Ex-boyfriend David McNamara, accused of strangling his estranged girlfriend to death, plead guilty to second-degree murder after a stalking case gone wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 30, 2023 3 mins
On Look Who's Stalking, Dr. Michelle Ward takes you through the most tragic stalking cases of our time. Ex-lovers, secret obsessions, friendships turned sour: Michelle dissects the motives of each stalker and outlines how you can spot the tell-tale signs of a potential stalker. Michelle is a neuro-criminologist who has studied and interviewed the worst criminals and predators in the world, and with this podcast, she hopes to preven...
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This week, Michelle Ward covers a case that took the life of a young girl named Lisa Ann Mather. The killer known as “The Count” looked for young victims simply enjoying their nights out on the town in Los Angeles, CA. Michelle got the opportunity to speak with both Lisa Mather's aunt and sister, Nancy and Roz, to hear their side of the tragic story. Take a listen and hear more about the Lisa Mather case from first hand experiences...
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On this weeks episode of HNTRASK, we're re-releasing a fan favorite, where Michelle is joined by Missi and Abigail to discuss the unimaginable crimes committed by Lisa Montgomery. In 2004, Lisa and Bobby Jo Stinnett connected on social media through a dog breeding group. Under the guise of purchasing a puppy, Lisa was invited to Bobby Jo's home. After a gruesome murder and the kidnapping of an unborn child (you read that right...) ...
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March 14, 2023 67 mins
On this episode of HNTRASK, Michelle discusses the 2022 Buffalo shooting at a local Tops Friendly Market. Thirteen people were shot, 10 fatally. The gunman posted a 180-page manifesto just two days before his attack. Even worse, he live-streamed his slayings on Twitch. Sponsors: Care/of- For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter code hownot50 Pretty Litter- Go to PrettyLitter.com/hownot to save 20% on you...
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February 28, 2023 60 mins
On this episode of HNTRASK, Michelle brings back Love Before 100 host Rachel Burch to discuss the dangers of dating apps, and a serial killer who used them as a means to finding his victims. Tune in to hear the story of murderer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, results of peer-reviewed studies of dating apps and rape, and first hand experiences of dating app close calls. Follow us at @hntrask on TikTok and @hownottoraiseaserialkiller on Ins...
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February 14, 2023 74 mins
This episode contains extremely disturbing descriptions of violence and brutality towards children and Ukrainian POWs. Listener digression is strongly advised. On this week’s episode of HNTRASK, Michelle and Francis discuss the worst of the worst, Andrei Romanovich Chikatillo. Andrei, nicknamed The Butcher of Rostov, was a killer who other killers would find appalling. Preying almost exclusively on children, The Butcher received th...
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January 31, 2023 57 mins
Michelle is back with her good friend Maleeda to discuss Todd Kohlhepp, "The Amazon Review Killer." Tune in to learn about the horrific crimes of Todd Kohlhepp, the signs of a fledgling psychopath, and strategies for parenting children with psychopathy.  This episode is sponsored by Care/of! For 50% off of your first Care/of order, go to takecareof.com and enter code hownot50. Resources Evidence-based psychosocial treatments of c...
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January 17, 2023 65 mins
This week on HNTRASK, Michelle and her good friend Kevin kick off this episode by going through some of the wildest crimes in football. Something all of these criminals have in common? They all played for the Florida Gators. Who coached (or groomed) these men to lack empathy and act impulsively? Listen this week as Michelle discusses the violent track record of the Florida Gators and their ringleader, who may be the worst of them a...
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January 3, 2023 56 mins
On this episode, Michelle and her good friend Jessica discuss the unique case of Deryl Madison and his murderous alter. Madison was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) by Dr. Wendall Dickerson after clearly being unable to recall many of his actions related to a homicide and revealing a murderous alter named Bubba. While this seems awfully convenient for a killer to forget his crimes, many of Madison's statements po...
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December 20, 2022 67 mins
This week, Michelle delves into the story of The Vampire Cult Killer. A thirst for power (and blood) brought a teenage boy to commit a most atrocious crime. Tune in as our host unravels details of the killer's childhood, explains what parents can do to prevent their children from joining a vampire cult, and talks with her good friend Beth about whether vampires vacation at Disneyland. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @hownott...
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Do you know what toxins lurk in the walls of your own home? Join Michelle and her good friend Kevin as they dive into three different murders and find their common thread: a toxic substance that inflicts permanent brain damage on its victims, lead. Learn how you can protect your child (and yourself) from lead poisoning at https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/sources.htm Follow us on instagram @hownottoraiseaserialkiller. Follow...
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November 22, 2022 58 mins
On this episode, Michelle and her childhood friend Christa discuss the tragic murder of Deborah Liles and the botched attempt of restorative justice that followed. The killer's past raises questions about the physical effects of systematic oppression and trauma on young children. Why are some neighborhoods plagued with violence? What are the consequences of growing up in communities with high crime rates? And what can we do about i...
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In this season, criminal psychologist Dr. Michelle Ward takes us to Washington State in the 1970s to investigate two of the most prolific serial killers in US history – Ted Bundy and the so-called Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway. Both use deception to prey on young women and utilize the vast terrain to dump their bodies. And they did it almost 100 times between them – maybe more.  In this episode, multiple young women are disappea...
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November 8, 2022 67 mins
Are some people destined to kill? What if there was a gene that could predict one's propensity to become a murderer? Well, it's complicated... On today's episode, Michelle and Rachel Burch discuss the gruesome murder of Leslie Bradshaw and how the MAOA gene or "The Warrior Gene" played a part in getting Brad Waldroup a lighter sentence. Follow us on instagram @hownottoraiseaserialkiller and DM us with your questions and comments! F...
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DISCLAIMER: This episode contains discussion of infanticide. Listener discretion is advised. On this episode of HNTRASK, Michelle invites entrepreneur, creative director, and podcaster Pia Baroncini (and her dog Nutella) to discuss the dark side of medicine. Following the arrest of serial killer Nurse Lucy Letby, who worked at Countess of Chester Hospital in the UK, Michelle brings to light the different classifications of medical ...
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Oops! Were you confused at the end of this week's episode? So were we! A technical glitch that cut the episode in half left us all hanging! Hold on to your hats and glasses, because here is the unanticipated Part II of Michelle and Heidi's Dahmer deep dive! Today, Michelle and Heidi go beyond the new Netflix documentary, "DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story." Learn more about Dahmer's childhood and psychological disorders wh...
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Join Michelle and her sister Heidi as they go beyond the new Netflix documentary, "DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story." Learn more about Dahmer's childhood and disorders while Michelle answers your questions from Instagram! Follow the podcast on Instagram at @hownottoraiseaserialkiller and follow Michelle at @drmichelleward. DM us with your questions and comments! Sponsors Framebridge - Frame your photos or send someone the...
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