The Social Chemist

Nelson Perez
  • 4.2 (15)
  • POLITICS

A podcast that looks into the psychosocial elements that contribute to conspiracy theories and political extremism. Hosted by social worker and conspiracy theory researcher Nelson Perez.

  1. Women, Extremism and the Lure of Belonging w/ Noelle Cook

    MAR 20

    Women, Extremism and the Lure of Belonging w/ Noelle Cook

    Send us Fan Mail On today's episode, I am joined by Noelle Cook, an ethnographer and author of The Conspiracists: Women, Extremism, and the Lure of Belonging, which explores the stories of two middle-aged white women in America, Tammy and Yvonne, and the psychosocial influences that led them down the path of QAnon conspiracy theories and insurrection at the Capitol on January 6. We discuss how identity, social media, and trauma informed their worldview, and learn about their take on Trump during the Epstein Investigation.  Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos Thread The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) on Threads Noelle Cook's Book The Conspiracists: Women, Extremism, and the Lure of Belonging: Cook, Noelle: 9798889832423: Amazon.com: BooksNoelle Cook's Website / Social Media Noelle CookNoelle Cook (noellecookdotcome) | Instagram Noelle Cook (@noellecook_com) / XNoelle Cook (@noellecookdotcom) • Threads Recommended Social Chemist Episodes Inside the Capitol on J6 w/ Nora NeusThe Contributing Factors Behind January 6 and the Unite the Right Rally w/ Timothy HeaphyThe Origins of the Rothschilds Conspiracy Legends & Rise of Modern Antisemitism w/ Mike RothschildA Psychosocial Assessment of QAnon w/ Dr. Joseph PierreHere Comes the Storm: The Origins of QAnon w/ Mike Rothschild

    1h 17m
  2. Inside the Capitol on J6 w/ Nora Neus

    JAN 30

    Inside the Capitol on J6 w/ Nora Neus

    Send us Fan Mail On today's episode, Emmy-nominated producer and author Nora Neus joins the podcast to discuss her new book "24 Hours at The Capitol: An Oral History of the January 6th Insurrection," which documents the testimony of Capitol Hill police officers, lawmakers, and extremism researchers that experience and foresaw the events of J6. We also cover the state of the Trump administration and its path towards fascism.  Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos Thread The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) on Threads Nora Neus Books 24 Hours at the Capitol: An Oral History of the January 6th Insurrection: Neus, Nora: 9780807020623: Amazon.com: Books24 Hours in Charlottesville: An Oral History of the Stand Against White Supremacy: Neus, Nora: 9780807011928: Amazon.com: BooksNora Neus Website / Social Media  Nora Neus | Freelance JournalistNora Neus (@noraneus) / XRecommended Social Chemist Episodes   The Evolution of Far-Right Terrorism in the 21st Century w/ Bruce Hoffman and Jacob WareThe Contributing Factors Behind January 6 and the Unite the Right Rally w/ Timothy HeaphyThe State of Terrorism in the U.S. w/ Jacob WareHere Comes the Storm: The Origins of QAnon w/ Mike Rothschild

    46 min
  3. The Fight Against Alex Jones, InfoWars and Reclaiming the Truth About Sandy Hook w/ Robbie Parker

    10/30/2025

    The Fight Against Alex Jones, InfoWars and Reclaiming the Truth About Sandy Hook w/ Robbie Parker

    Send us Fan Mail On today's episode, I am joined by Robbie Parker, the father of Emilie Parker, who tragically lost her life at the age of 6 at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th, 2012. We discuss his book, A Father's Fight: Taking on Alex Jones and Reclaiming the Truth About Sandy Hook, which covers his journey in addressing the trauma of losing a child, his own childhood trauma, and his journey towards peace while taking on Alex Jones in court.   Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos Thread The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) on Threads Robbie Parker's Book  Amazon.com: A Father's Fight: Taking on Alex Jones and Reclaiming the Truth About Sandy Hook: 9781635769838: Parker, Robbie: Books Robbe Parker's Website Robbie Parker | Author of A Father's Fight Recommended Social Chemist Episodes The Evolution of Lone Actors & Political Violence in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand w/ Dr Nathan BrooksThe Conspiratorial Right Wing's Protection of Alex Jones

    1h 8m
  4. The Evolution of Lone Actors & Political Violence in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand w/ Dr Nathan Brooks

    09/27/2025

    The Evolution of Lone Actors & Political Violence in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand w/ Dr Nathan Brooks

    Send us Fan Mail On today's episode, I am joined by Dr. Nathan Brooks, a forensic psychologist who specializes in complex offending behaviors, threat assessment, and target violence. We cover his 2025 book "Mass Casualty: The Rise of Lone Actors, which examines the psychosocial elements that contribute to political violence and mass shootings. Recommendations are given to help neighbors, friends, and families detect radicalization before it's too late.   Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos Thread The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) on Threads Nathan Brooks Book Mass Casualty: The Rise of Lone Actors: Brooks, Dr Nathan: 9780473749996: Amazon.com: Books Nathan Brooks Social Media Forensic Psychology | Dr Nathan BrooksNathan Brooks (@DrNathanBrooks) / XRecommended Social Chemist Episodes The Evolution of Far-Right Terrorism in the 21st Century w/ Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware

    38 min
  5. Inside The Movement To Destroy American Democracy w/ Katherine Stewart

    09/05/2025

    Inside The Movement To Destroy American Democracy w/ Katherine Stewart

    Send us Fan Mail On today's episode, I am joined by Katherine Stewart, a journalist and author of "Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement To Destroy American Democracy." We cover the donors and strategies that are behind the Christian Nationalist movement, as well as assess how Trump's presidency has benefited from this far-right philosophy.  Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos Thread The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) on Threads Katherine Stewart Books Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy: Stewart, Katherine: 9781635578546: Amazon.com: BooksThe Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism: Katherine Stewart: Bloomsbury Publishing - BloomsburyThe Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children: Stewart, Katherine: 9781586488437: Amazon.com: BooksKatherine Stewart's Social Media Katherine Stewart | HomeKatherine Stewart (@katherinestewart.bsky.social) — BlueskyKatherine Stewart | SubstackRecommended Social Chemist Episodes Christian Nationalism Under Trump's Second Term w/ Amanda TylerLeaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith w/ April AjoyThe Emergence of Christian Extremism & The Future of the Republican Party w/ Elizabeth Neumann

    38 min
  6. The State of Terrorism in the U.S. w/ Jacob Ware

    06/05/2025

    The State of Terrorism in the U.S. w/ Jacob Ware

    Send us Fan Mail On today's episode, Jacob Ware from the Council on Foreign Relations returns to discuss the state of U.S. domestic terrorism after the 2024 U.S. Elections. We cover whether the definition of terrorism has been weaponized against marginalized communities by the Trump administration, and debate on whether the charges against Luigi Mangione can be considered terroristic.  Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos Thread The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) on Threads Jacob Ware's Social Media Jacob Ware (@Jacob_A_Ware) / XJacob Ware (@jacobware.bsky.social) — BlueskyJacob Ware's Lawfare Article  Luigi Mangione and the Making of a ‘Terrorist’ | LawfareJacob Ware's Book God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America (A Council on Foreign Relations Book): Hoffman, Bruce, Ware, Jacob: 9780231211222: Amazon.com: BooksThe Social Chemist Substack Articles Can Liberals differentiate between terrorism and advocacy in the case of Luigi Mangione?Healthcare, Guns, and ExtremismRecommended Social Chemist Episodes The Evolution of Far-Right Terrorism in the 21st Century w/ Bruce Hoffman and Jacob WareThe Contributing Factors Behind January 6 and the Unite the Right Rally w/ Timothy HeaphyThe Weaponization of Disinformation & Its Assault on Democracy w/ Barbara McQuadeThe Emergence of Christian Extremism & The Future of the Republican Party w/ Elizabeth Neumann

    38 min
  7. Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza w/ Peter Beinart

    04/27/2025

    Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza w/ Peter Beinart

    Send us Fan Mail On today's episode, I am joined by Peter Beinart, a professor of journalism and political science at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York and author of "Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza". A book that assesses how the Zionist movement has rationalized the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza after the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel, and why the current Israeli policies towards Palestine are contributing to the next generation of jihadist terrorists.  Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos Thread The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) on Threads Peter Beinart's Book Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning: Beinart, Peter: 9780593803899: Amazon.com: Books Peter Beinart's Substack/Social Media The Beinart Notebook | Peter Beinart | SubstackPeter Beinart (@PeterBeinart) / XPeter Beinart (@peter_beinart) • Threads, Say morePeter Beinart (@peterbeinart.bsky.social) — BlueskyRecommended Social Chemist Episodes The Global State of Antisemitism & an Examination of the Zionist Project w/ Kenneth SternThe Origins of the Rothschilds Conspiracy Legends & Rise of Modern Antisemitism w/ Mike Rothschild

    33 min
  8. Christian Nationalism Under Trump's Second Term w/ Amanda Tyler

    04/02/2025

    Christian Nationalism Under Trump's Second Term w/ Amanda Tyler

    Send us Fan Mail On today's episode, I am joined by Amanda Tyler, Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, to discuss her new book, "How to End Christian Nationalism," where she covers the eight steps you can take to help fight against the influence of Christian Supremacy in U.S politics.   Instagram The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videos Thread The Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) on Threads Amanda Tyler's Book How to End Christian Nationalism: Tyler, Amanda: 9781506498287: Amazon.com: BooksAmanda Tyler Social Media Amanda Tyler (@AmandaTylerBJC) / XAmanda Tyler (@amandatylerbjc.bsky.social) — BlueskyAmanda Tyler (@amandatylerbjc) • Threads, Say moreBaptist Joint Committee Website / Petition  Home - BJCStatement from Christians Against Christian Nationalism — Christians Against Christian NationalismRecommended Social Chemist Episodes The Emergence of Christian Extremism & The Future of the Republican Party w/ Elizabeth NeumannLeaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith w/ April AjoyThe Contributing Factors Behind January 6 and the Unite the Right Rally w/ Timothy HeaphyThe Evolution of Far-Right Terrorism in the 21st Century w/ Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware

    44 min
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4.2
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

A podcast that looks into the psychosocial elements that contribute to conspiracy theories and political extremism. Hosted by social worker and conspiracy theory researcher Nelson Perez.

Information

  • Creator
    Nelson Perez
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Social Chemist
  • Show Website
    The Social Chemist

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