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Artwork for Terribly and Terrifyingly Normal?

Terribly and Terrifyingly Normal?

Nicola Quaedvlieg and Alette Smeulers
Populism
Mass Atrocities
War Crimes
Leadership
Scapegoating
Geert Wilders
Ukraine
International Criminal Court
Genocide
Nationalism
Authoritarianism
Donald Trump
Far-Right Politics
Biljana Plavšić
Terrorism
Ethnic Cleansing
Vladimir Putin
Russia
ICC Arrest Warrants
Human Rights

The attacks on 9/11, the invasion in Ukraine, the rise of the Islamic State, the genocides in Srebrenica, Rwanda, Cambodia and Nazi Germany are all incredible acts of human cruelty. They make us wonder: who are the perpetrators of these crimes and what drives them? These questions will be discussed with professor Alette Smeulers and other well known scholars within the field.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes30Founded2 years ago
Categories
Social SciencesScience

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Artwork for Terribly and Terrifyingly Normal?

Latest Episodes

Surviving a genocide and then living on while your parents, husband and 5 of your 8 children have been killed. It seems impossible but this is the story of Mama Lambert. An exceptionally wise, courageous and compassionate woman who survived the genoc... more

Most perpetrators of mass atrocities are men. Why? Is it biology or social pressure to fit into gender roles? Together with research professor Inger Skjelsbæk, we explore masculinity, femininity, and their roles in mass violence, including wartime se... more

Are world leaders ever truly friends? In this episode of Terribly and Terrifyingly Normal?, we dive into the complex relationships between leaders like Trump, Netanyahu, Putin, and even North Korea’s regime. Joining us is Yuri van Hoef, a lecturer an... more

Teaching is never easy, but it’s even more challenging when the subject is mass violence. With current conflicts like those in Ukraine and between Hamas and Israel, this topic is more polarized and sensitive than ever. In this episode, I talk with th... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Mina Rauschenbach
Research associate from the Leuven Institute of Criminology, and an independent consultant who mediates interpersonal conflict.
Leuven Institute of Criminology
Episode: How Perpetrators Perceive their Crimes
Patrick Cammaert
Former Dutch General involved in UN peacekeeping missions
Episode: The United Nations on a Mission
Barbara Kellerman
A professor at Harvard Kennedy School specializing in leadership studies.
Harvard Kennedy School
Episode: The leaders we deserve
Bart Nauta
Expert on perpetrator trauma
Episode: Perpetrator Trauma
Alette Smeulers
Perpetrator expert and professor
Episode: Perpetrator Trauma
Ervin Staub
Professor focused on the roots of evil and altruism, and author of "Roots of Evil".
University of Massachusetts
Episode: Ervin Staub: 50 Years of Research
Sanne Weber
Assistant Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies
Radboud University
Episode: Good women and evil men
Léonie de Jonge
Assistant professor with expertise in populism and far-right politics.
University of Groningen
Episode: Populism
Iva Vukušić
Assistant professor at the University of Utrecht, specializing in irregular armed groups.
University of Utrecht
Episode: Paramilitary Groups

Host

Nikla Kwaadvlieg
Host focused on exploring complex human behaviors and societal issues, often engaging with leading experts in the field.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 33 ratings
  • Thought provoking

    My professor of Holocaust History recommended this podcast as a way to learn more about Alette Smeulers’ work. Every episode is worth listening to, each opening up a conversation about why these people have done what they did. Not only does it make you more aware of the complexities of what causes mass atrocities, but it also opens you to how people become indoctrinated into violent ideologies.

    While this may be a difficult conversation to have due to the nature of the crimes, the hosts walk th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KatyBeth2001
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellent podcast

    This is such a fantastic podcast! I am teaching transitional justice and was looking for some additional material for my students. It really highlights the complexities of questions of victimhood and perpetration and justice more broadly. It is very informative, but interesting and easy to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ajuliane
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners commend the series for its thought-provoking content that explores complex topics around human behavior and systemic violence. They appreciate the academic rigor and the presence of diverse expert guests, finding the discussions both enlightening and engaging.
Many reviews highlight the podcast's ability to manage tough subjects with sensitivity, making it accessible and informative for a broader audience while maintaining serious academic discourse.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jessica Stern on Interviewing Perpetrators
Q: What did you think was the main thing that drove Karadžić?
She identifies narcissism as the main driving force, which also plays a significant role in mobilizing others for violence.
Jessica Stern on Interviewing Perpetrators
Q: Would you say that the people you've met are, quote unquote, normal people like you and me?
Yes, to a large extent, she agrees there are often personal traumas and experiences that make these individuals appear 'normal' despite their actions.
Jessica Stern on Interviewing Perpetrators
Q: What did you learn about their motives? What were their main driving forces?
Jessica indicates that motivation varies greatly between terrorists in war zones and those in the West, highlighting various personal and financial incentives.
Jessica Stern on Interviewing Perpetrators
Q: What are some of the most memorable moments from all of your interviews?
She recounts an experience where she was suggested to find a husband while interviewing militants and discusses the personal interactions that reveal deeper motivations.
Jessica Stern on Interviewing Perpetrators
Q: Where does your fascination with perpetrators come from?
Jessica explains that her fascination stems from her experiences as a victim of violent crime and her belief that understanding why people commit such acts is crucial for societal reflection.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Terribly and Terrifyingly Normal?

What is Terribly and Terrifyingly Normal? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Offering deep explorations into the minds of human perpetrators, this series focuses on the psychological and sociopolitical dynamics driving individuals to commit acts of violence and atrocities. Topics covered span a range of historical and contemporary issues including genocides, war crimes, leadership failures, and the challenges of transitional justice. Unique to this series is its commitment to examining not just the acts of violence, but also the complexities of accountability, victimhood, and the broader societal contexts that enable such acts. Through thoughtful discussions with experts in criminology, psychology, and military strategy, listeners gain intricate insights into the motivations behind human cruelty, making this a cruci... more

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1. Europa Draait Door
2. Maarten van Rossem en Tom Jessen
3. Hidden Brain

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Terribly and Terrifyingly Normal? launched 2 years ago and published 30 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Terribly and Terrifyingly Normal??

Recent guests on Terribly and Terrifyingly Normal? include:

1. Mina Rauschenbach
2. Patrick Cammaert
3. Barbara Kellerman
4. Bart Nauta
5. Alette Smeulers
6. Ervin Staub
7. Sanne Weber
8. Léonie de Jonge

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