MudWtr: https://mudwtr.com/jasperemile

Descript: https://get.descript.com/PTT

What drives ordinary people to commit extraordinary acts of violence in the name of politics? In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with renowned terrorism expert Jessica Stern to unpack the psychology behind political extremism and the rising tide of violence threatening democracies worldwide.

Stern, a Harvard lecturer and former National Security Council advisor who has interviewed everyone from white supremacists to Islamic militants, takes us deep into the radical mindset. We explore how grievance transforms into rage, why some people cross the line from protest to violence, and what warning signs we're missing in our own communities.

From January 6th to international terrorism, from lone wolf attacks to organized movements—we examine the spectrum of political violence and ask the uncomfortable questions: Are we more vulnerable than we think? How do social media and echo chambers fuel radicalization? And most importantly, how do we pull people back from the brink?

This isn't just about "them"—it's about understanding the dangerous currents running through our polarized society and what we can do to stop the next attack before it happens.

Warning: This episode contains discussions of violence and terrorism that some listeners may find disturbing.