The Targeted Violence Podcast

The Targeted Violence Podcast

The Targeted Violence Podcast explores the psychology, motivations, and behaviours behind acts of targeted violence. Hosted by Forensic Psychologist Dr Nathan Brooks, this podcast brings together experts from law enforcement, forensic psychiatry, psychology, and threat assessment to share their firsthand experiences investigating and assessing perpetrators of mass violence, lone actor attacks, stalking, and other targeted offences. Through in-depth discussions and real case analyses, the podcast provides insights into the minds of those who commit these acts.

Episodes

  1. FEB 15

    Chasing Terrorists - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 12 with Steven Keogh

    In Part Two of our conversation on The Targeted Violence Podcast, I’m again joined by Steven Keogh, former Scotland Yard homicide detective, as we shift from murder investigation into his work in counter-terrorism in the years following September 11, 2001.Before moving into homicide full-time, Steven spent several years working in counter-terrorism during a period of significant operational intensity in the UK. We begin by exploring what drew him into this field and how the threat landscape in Britain changed in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. We discuss how investigative priorities evolved, the rise of group-based extremist networks in the early 2000s, and the complexity of managing coordinated plots.A major focus of this episode is Steven’s involvement in several significant terrorism investigations, including a foiled plot by an Al-Qaeda–linked cell planning large-scale attacks in London. We unpack the scale and ambition of these plans — from proposals to target the underground system to the use of vehicles and gas canisters.We also examine the ricin plot led by Kamel Bourgass, and the tragic killing of Detective Stephen Oake during Bourgass’s arrest. Steven reflects on the operational realities of these cases and the risks faced by officers working in this space. The conversation then turns to the July 7, 2005 London bombings, and the chaos, uncertainty, and intensity of responding to a mass-casualty terrorist attack.From there, we step back to consider how terrorism has evolved — from structured, group-based networks to increasingly self-initiated lone actors — and what this shift means for modern investigations and threat assessment.The second half of this episode focuses on investigative interviewing. Drawing on Steven’s experience interviewing both terrorism suspects and homicide offenders, we explore whether these interviews differ in approach, the challenges unique to ideologically motivated suspects, and how interview strategies are built within the PEACE framework. We unpack the concept of rapport — often discussed but less often clearly defined — and examine what genuinely effective rapport-building looks like in high-stakes interviews.Part Two offers an operational and reflective look at counter-terrorism policing and high-stakes interviewing — examining not only how these investigations unfold, but how investigators think, adapt, and communicate under pressure.

    54 min

  2. FEB 7

    Catching Killers - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 11 with Steven Keogh

    In this episode of The Targeted Violence Podcast, we are joined by Detective Inspector Steven Keogh, a former Scotland Yard homicide detective who spent 30 years with the London Metropolitan Police, including 12 years investigating homicides at the sharp end of policing. In Part One of this conversation, Steve takes us inside his career — from joining the Met as a young officer to finding his way into homicide work at Scotland Yard. For listeners outside the UK, he explains how policing structures within the Metropolitan Police operate and what the pathway into specialist murder investigations really looks like. We reflect on his early career expectations, his first murder investigation, and the point at which homicide work became the work he knew he was meant to do. A significant focus of this episode is the disappearance and murder of Sian Blake and her two children, Amon and Zachary. Steve takes us back to the earliest stages of the investigation, how the case initially presented, and the importance of victimology in shaping investigative direction. We explore how Sian’s husband, Arthur Simpson-Kent, presented to police in the aftermath of the disappearance and draw parallels with other intimate partner homicide cases, including the murder of children’s author Helen Bailey.We also reflect on the emotional toll of investigating familicides, particularly cases involving children, the lack of true closure that can remain even after convictions, and how detectives cope with that reality. We finish off Part One by stepping back to examine the human and organisational side of homicide policing — what makes an effective homicide investigation team, how dysfunction and ego can derail investigations, and the value of meaningful debriefs once a case concludes. This episode offers an unfiltered look at homicide investigation — the decisions, the burdens, and the responsibility of seeking justice. Since retiring Steve, has published two book and further details about him can be found on his website https://stevekeogh.com.

    51 min

  3. 12/18/2025

    The Future of Threat Assessment - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 10

    In this episode of the Targeted Violence Podcast, I step back from the usual focus on cases to reflect on the future of the threat assessment and management profession. Drawing on insights from my recent keynote presentation in Canada, I explore the challenges that lie ahead for practitioners, academics, and organisations working to prevent targeted violence. As the landscape of violence continues to evolve, so too must the way we think, collaborate, and operate as a field. This episode examines: The balance between academic research and frontline practice The growing need for consistency and shared practice standards The risk of infighting, egos, and fragmentation within the profession The danger of complacency as threat assessment becomes more established How targeted violence is changing — and what that means for future prevention Why unity is essential if we are to meet emerging challenges This is a reflective and, at times, challenging conversation about where we are heading as an industry — and what we must do now to ensure threat assessment and management remains credible, effective, and fit for the future.

    18 min

  4. 12/02/2025

    Investigating Mass Casualty Attacks - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 9 with Dr Matt Logan

    In this episode of the Targeted Violence Podcast, we speak with Dr Matt Logan, Criminal Investigative Psychologist and retired Senior Sergeant with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Dr Logan played a critical role in developing the RCMP’s Behavioural Analysis Unit and has supported hundreds of major crime investigations across Canada as an operational psychologist. We discuss Dr Logan’s career and his involvement in post-incident behavioural analyses following recent mass casualty attacks, including the 2020 Nova Scotia attack by Gabriel Wortman and the 2022 mass stabbing in Saskatchewan committed by Myles Sanderson. In this episode, we explore: - The increasing prevalence of mass casualty attacks - The role of grievance in motivating offenders - The association between targeted violence and domestic abuse - How violent thoughts can shape actions - The critical role psychologists play in supporting police investigations Dr Logan shares invaluable insights into offending behaviour, drawing on his extensive frontline and operational experience, offering listeners a unique perspective on the complex nature of targeted violence.

    1h 4m

  5. 11/10/2025

    Martin Bryant & Other Lone Killers - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 8 with Professor Paul Mullen

    In this episode of the Targeted Violence Podcast, we speak with Emeritus Professor Paul Mullen — one of the world’s leading forensic psychiatrists — about his assessment of Martin Bryant, the perpetrator of the 1996 Port Arthur Massacre in Tasmania. Professor Mullen shares insights from his extensive experience examining some of the most significant mass casualty events, including the Aramoana shooting in New Zealand and the Hoddle Street massacre in Melbourne. We also discuss his new book, Running Amok: Inside the Mind of the Lone Mass Killer, and explore his groundbreaking work with the Fixated Research Group and the establishment of Fixated Threat Assessment Centres — initiatives that have been instrumental in preventing grievance-fuelled and fixated violence. The conversation delves into the psychology of lone actors, the role of grievances and violent fantasies, and the complexities of assessing risk among individuals who pose a threat of serious harm.

    1h 2m
  6. Catching the Unabomber - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 7 with FBI Agent (Ret.) James R. Fitzgerald

    10/01/2025

    Catching the Unabomber - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 7 with FBI Agent (Ret.) James R. Fitzgerald

    In this episode of The Targeted Violence Podcast, retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent James R. Fitzgerald joins the show to revisit one of the most notorious cases in U.S. history—the hunt for the Unabomber, Theodore Kaczynski. James shares how he was thrown into the deep end of the investigation in 1995, after it had already spanned more than 15 years. We dive into his groundbreaking work in forensic linguistics, particularly his analysis of the Unabomber manifesto, which became one of the critical pieces of evidence that helped bring the case to a close. We also discuss James’s pivotal decision to advocate for publishing the manifesto in The Washington Post—a move that faced pushback at the time but ultimately proved vital. Remarkably, September 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of that publication. During the discussion, James reflects on the role of manifestos in today’s landscape of targeted and extremist violence, and how Kaczynski’s writings continue to influence attackers decades later. This was a fascinating conversation about high-stakes decision-making, the pressure of major investigations, and the enduring implications of the Unabomber case.

    48 min

  7. 07/27/2025

    Treating Stalking Seriously - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 6 with Dr Lisa Warren

    In this episode of The Targeted Violence Podcast, we speak with Dr Lisa Warren, Director of Code Black Psychology, to talk about a topic that’s often misunderstood and too frequently dismissed: Stalking. Together, we explore:🔹 Why stalking must be taken seriously🔹 The importance of viewing it through both victim and offender lenses🔹 How multi-agency responses are essential to effective interventionWe also give a sneak peek into the Stalking Symposium, which Lisa and I are proud to be jointly co-hosting. This upcoming event will bring together experts to shine a light on best practices, risk assessment, and prevention efforts in stalking cases.🎧 Tune in to the episode for insight, experience, and a preview of what’s ahead at the symposium. To learn more about the Stalking Symposium, please visit https://www.drnathanbrooks.com/event-info/stalking-symposium-melbourne.

    19 min

  8. 07/13/2025

    Interviewing A Serial Killer - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 5 with Detective Paul Mitton

    In the latest episode of the Targeted Violence Podcast, we speak with Retired Detective Paul Mitton from the Durham Regional Police Service, Ontario, Canada.In a shift from our usual focus on targeted violence, this episode explores the world of serial offending. Det. Mitton shares his experience interviewing serial killer Adam Strong, who murdered two young women roughly a decade apart. The case came to light when plumbers discovered human flesh in the drains of Strong’s rental property—triggering a complex police investigation.Det. Mitton’s 12-hour interview with Strong played a pivotal role in securing a conviction and was highly praised by the sentencing judge. In this episode, we unpack: The importance of rapport and reciprocityThe value of preparation and planningHow to interview challenging personalitiesThe subtle cues and turning points that led to Strong’s admissions To learn more about Det. Paul Mitton and his ongoing work in suspect interview training, visit Eastwood Consulting, where he is partnered with Joseph Eastwood.

    1h 22m

  9. 06/08/2025

    Policing Stalking - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 4 with Detective Sergeant David Thomason

    In this episode of The Targeted Violence Podcast, Detective Sergeant David Thomason of Cheshire Police joins us to discuss the pioneering work of the Harm Reduction Unit—a specialist team focused on identifying and addressing stalking and other harmful behaviours. Through a proactive, multi-agency approach, the unit is reshaping how serious cases of stalking are understood, assessed, and managed. David shares insight into the development of the unit, the challenges of policing stalking, and the critical role of risk and threat assessment. We explore strategies for supporting victims, the motivations and patterns behind stalking behaviour, and the systemic gaps that often hinder effective intervention. David also reflects on the tragic stalking-related homicide of Clare Munro, a case that continues to drive his commitment to prevention and harm reduction.

    1h 29m

  10. 05/12/2025

    Assessing Nikolas Cruz - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 3 with Professor Charles Scott

    In this episode of The Targeted Violence Podcast, we sit down with Professor Charles Scott, a leading Forensic Psychiatrist who conducted the psychological assessment of Nikolas Cruz, the perpetrator of the Parkland school shooting. Professor Scott offers a rare and in-depth look into Cruz's mind—exploring his planning, violent fantasies, personality traits, and craving for notoriety.This is a must-view for threat assessment and management professionals. The episode unpacks the warning behaviours, interview strategies, and the systemic failures that preceded one of the deadliest school shootings. Professor Scott shares clinical insights and critical lessons for preventing future acts of mass violence.

    1h 13m

  11. 04/03/2025

    Assessing James Holmes - The Targeted Violence Podcast - Episode 2 with Dr William Reid

    In this episode of The Targeted Violence Podcast, we speak with esteemed Forensic Psychiatrist Dr. William Reid, who assessed Aurora, Colorado mass shooter James Holmes. Dr. Reid provides a rare insight into Holmes’ psychology, his motivations, and the complexities of forensic mental health assessments in high-profile cases. We explore what drives individuals to commit such horrific acts and what we can learn from these tragedies to prevent future violence.

    1h 28m

  12. 03/04/2025

    Interviewing the Toronto Van Attacker - Episode 1 with Rob Thomas - The Targeted Violence Podcast

    Welcome to the Targeted Violence Podcast. On April 23rd 2018, a 25 year old male drove a rented van through a crowded street in downtown Toronto. In the immediate aftermath of the event, Detective Rob Thomas from the Toronto Police Service was tasked with interviewing the perpetrator and learning about his motivations for the attack and his identification with the Incel ideology.

    1h 36m
  • 12 Episodes

About

The Targeted Violence Podcast explores the psychology, motivations, and behaviours behind acts of targeted violence. Hosted by Forensic Psychologist Dr Nathan Brooks, this podcast brings together experts from law enforcement, forensic psychiatry, psychology, and threat assessment to share their firsthand experiences investigating and assessing perpetrators of mass violence, lone actor attacks, stalking, and other targeted offences. Through in-depth discussions and real case analyses, the podcast provides insights into the minds of those who commit these acts.

Information

  • Creator
    The Targeted Violence Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Targeted Violence Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Targeted Violence Podcast