What creates a serial killer? Are violent offenders born… or made?In this fascinating episode of The Lighter Side of True Crime, host Keith Rovere sits down with Dr. Rachel Toles who is a clinical and forensic psychologist specializing in violent behavior, including but not limited to serial killers and mass shooters to explore the psychology behind some of the world’s most notorious killers.Dr. Toles specializes in the behavioral patterns of violent offenders and breaks down complex psychological concepts in ways that are both insightful and easy to understand. Together, we discuss what drives extreme violence, how early warning signs develop, and whether society can actually prevent future offenders.Topics we explore include:• Nature vs. nurture in violent offenders• Early behavioral warning signs in childhood• Why society is fascinated with serial killers• Whether media coverage can unintentionally create copycat crimes• The difference between fantasy, objectification, and real-world violence• Why some offenders reoffend — and what might actually stop itDr. Toles also shares insight from her nationally touring live presentation “The Psychology of Serial Killers.”🎟 See Dr. Rachel Toles LIVE:https://psychologyofserialkillers.com🌐 Visit Dr. Rachel Toles’ Website:https://drracheltoles.com

I sat down with Edna Martin, cousin of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy, for a powerful and honest conversation about what it’s really like being connected to one of the most notorious criminals in American history.Edna doesn’t share his last name — but she has lived with the reality of that connection for decades.In this episode, we discuss:• What it’s like being related to Ted Bundy• The emotional impact on extended family• How media narratives shape public perception• The difference between who Ted appeared to be and how family members experienced him• Why she chose to share her story nowEdna is the author of The Dark Tide: Growing Up with Ted Bundy, a deeply personal account of navigating life connected to Bundy.She also appears in the Netflix documentary Love, Ted Bundy, which explores the complex legacy surrounding his life and crimes.This episode isn’t about sensationalizing violence — it’s about understanding the ripple effects of crime and the people who didn’t choose the spotlight but still had to live in it.I’m grateful to Edna for her openness and honesty. Hosted by Keith RovereThe Lighter Side of True CrimeIf you appreciate thoughtful, psychology-driven true crime conversations, make sure to subscribe and let me know your thoughts in the comments.

“Blood is red, corpses are blue… I have a killer crush on you.”That was Amanda Taylor’s response when I asked her if she would be my killer Valentine.In this Valentine’s Day special, we step into the unsettling space where love, notoriety, and violence intersect.Known in the media as The Selfie Killer, Amanda speaks candidly about prison fame, fan mail, and the strange reality of becoming a symbol instead of a person. We explore how the media can manufacture celebrity out of crime… and how some people don’t fall in love with the individual — they fall in love with the myth.Why are people drawn to killers?What is it about danger that becomes romanticized?When admiration replaces reality, what are they really seeing?Behind bars, every letter carries a question:Is this connection real… or is it fascination with infamy?This conversation isn’t about glorification. It’s about examining the psychology of obsession, myth-making, and the uncomfortable truth about our cultural attraction to darkness.Love can blind.Fame can distort.And sometimes the most dangerous thing isn’t violence — it’s the fantasy built around it.

Keith Rovere sits down with renowned psychiatrist and prison mental-health expert Dr. Terry Kupers to examine the psychological cost of solitary confinement.Dr. Kupers has spent decades working inside prisons and studying the mental health effects of isolation. Together, we discuss how solitary confinement impacts the human brain, why it often worsens mental illness, and what happens when isolation becomes a form of psychological punishment rather than rehabilitation.This conversation goes beyond crime statistics and punishment theory, focusing instead on the human consequences of long-term isolation — including anxiety, depression, psychosis, and lasting trauma. We also explore why solitary confinement continues to be used despite mounting evidence of its harm, and what alternatives may exist.This episode is not about sensational crimes — it’s about understanding the mind, the system, and the people affected by it.

When we hear the word psychopath, we tend to think of monsters and murderers. But what if psychopathy is far more common—and far more subtle—than we realize?In this solo episode, I explore psychopathy outside the realm of homicide. No serial killers. No crime scene tape. Instead, we take a hard look at the fearless, emotionally detached individuals who walk among us every day—often unnoticed, and sometimes highly successful.We break down the difference between emotional empathy and cognitive empathy, why some people feel no fear or anxiety, and how traits associated with psychopathy can show up in everyday life: business, relationships, risk-taking, leadership, and even admiration. Are these traits always dangerous—or can they be adaptive?This episode challenges what you think you know about psychopathy and asks an uncomfortable question:What if the most dangerous assumption is that psychopaths are easy to spot?No gore. No glorification. Just psychology, behavior, and a deeper look at the human mind

A serial killer confesses, gets caught, and then claims to have found Christ behind bars. Can true faith redeem the unforgivable? This podcast plunges into the dark heart of justice, theology, and human nature, exploring the unsettling question: Can a serial killer truly become a Christian? Listen as I challenge what we believe about sin, forgiveness, and eternal grace.

The "Selfie Killer" Amada Taylor joins me again for the special Halloween edition of the podcast to talk all things spooky from what scares her the most...if anything and her favorite horror movies and serial killers.

Amanda took the life of her husband's father for supplying him with the drugs that she believed was the reason her husband Rex took his own life. She took a selfie in front of the dead body with the blood knife and a smile. She goes into detail about that crime on her first appearance on my show. Tonight we keep it light hearted and a little spooky!

In this gripping episode of The Lighter Side Of True Crime, I talk to Zachary Eggers, a man whose life took a dark turn at just 16 years old when he killed both of his parents in a fit of rebellion against their rules. In 2005, he shot them and buried their bodies, leading to an unimaginable journey through the criminal justice system. Fast forward to 2011, and Zachary faced further charges for allegedly killing his cellmate in prison. As he calls me from behind bars, we delve into the stark realities of living in a correctional facility that prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation. Zachary shares how this environment breeds violence among inmates—where survival often means adopting aggressive behaviors—and reflects on the brief period when positive reinforcement strategies were employed, fostering a happier atmosphere for both inmates and guards alike. Join us as we explore the complexities of incarceration and discuss why such punitive measures may only exacerbate violent tendencies among offenders like him.