Pretty Evil

Jessica Strohm
  • 5.0 (4)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Weekly

Pretty Evil is a psychology-driven true crime podcast exploring the uncomfortable realities hiding behind human behavior. Each episode examines the psychological forces that shape destructive human behavior, from charismatic predators and cult leaders to institutional failures, social influence, moral panic, and the hidden mechanisms that allow harm to flourish. Through immersive storytelling and psychosocial analysis, Pretty Evil explores what these cases reveal about power, vulnerability, identity, persuasion, and the darker parts of human nature.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    PORTRAIT OF A PREDATOR — Part 1: The Vampire of Sacramento

    Send us Fan Mail Richard Chase is remembered as the Vampire of Sacramento—a man whose crimes shocked investigators, terrified an entire city, and became one of the most infamous cases in FBI profiling history. But what if the most disturbing part of this story isn't what Richard Chase did? What if it's the fact that almost everyone saw it coming? Years before six people were murdered in Sacramento, Chase had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, repeatedly hospitalized, and documented exhibiting profoundly disturbing behavior. Nurses feared him. Doctors treated him. Psychiatric staff begged for him to remain hospitalized. Then he was released. Support the show Some details don't make it into the episode. For source material, research files, episode extras, and more to the story, visit prettyevilpodcast.com.

  2. 3d ago

    HIVE MIND — The War on Witches: When Good People Do Evil Things

    Send us Fan Mail Most of us think we already understand the witch hunts. We think of the Salem witch trials; Of pointed hats, black cats, and women accused of consorting with the devil. It's one of history's most recognizable stories, which is exactly why it's so easy to gloss over. We assume we know what happened, file it away under “historic events in the rearview mirror,” and move on. But the deeper you look, the stranger it gets — and the less it has to do with the Salem we think we know. Support the show Some details don't make it into the episode. For source material, research files, episode extras, and more to the story, visit prettyevilpodcast.com.

  3. 3d ago

    PRETTY EVIL — Charles Sobhraj & The Psychology of Trust

    Send us Fan Mail When people picture a serial killer, they often imagine someone who immediately feels unsettling. Charles Sobhraj challenges that assumption. Throughout the 1970s, Sobhraj moved effortlessly through the backpacker communities of Southeast Asia, presenting himself as a sophisticated gem dealer, seasoned traveler, and trusted friend. His victims weren't simply chosen at random—they were people who believed they had found someone willing to help them navigate an unfamiliar world. In this episode of Pretty Evil, we explore the psychology behind one of history's most charismatic predators and ask why emotionally intelligent manipulators are often so difficult to recognize. Support the show Some details don't make it into the episode. For source material, research files, episode extras, and more to the story, visit prettyevilpodcast.com.

  4. Aug 25

    Pretty Evil: Official Trailer

    Send us Fan Mail Pretty Evil is a psychology-driven true crime podcast exploring the uncomfortable realities hiding behind human behavior. Each episode examines the psychological and social forces that shape destructive human behavior, from predators and cult leaders to institutional failures, social influence, moral panic, and the hidden mechanisms that allow harm to flourish. Through immersive storytelling and psychosocial analysis, Pretty Evil explores what these cases reveal about power, vulnerability, identity, persuasion, and the darker parts of human nature. Some details don't make it into the episode. For source material, research files, episode extras, and more to the story, visit prettyevilpodcast.com.

  • 1 Trailer
    3 Episodes

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Pretty Evil is a psychology-driven true crime podcast exploring the uncomfortable realities hiding behind human behavior. Each episode examines the psychological forces that shape destructive human behavior, from charismatic predators and cult leaders to institutional failures, social influence, moral panic, and the hidden mechanisms that allow harm to flourish. Through immersive storytelling and psychosocial analysis, Pretty Evil explores what these cases reveal about power, vulnerability, identity, persuasion, and the darker parts of human nature.

Information

  • Creator
    Jessica Strohm
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pretty Evil Media
  • Show Website
    Pretty Evil