All Episodes

September 23, 2025 22 mins

Keywords

political violence, assassinations, mental illness, ideology, historical context, motivations, public figures, psychological analysis

Summary

In this episode, the conversation delves into the complex motivations behind political violence and assassinations, exploring historical examples and the psychological factors at play. The discussion highlights the distinction between mental illness and ideological motivations, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of these events to prevent future occurrences.


Takeaways

Political violence often prompts immediate attempts to justify or explain it.

Assassinations can stem from a variety of motivations, including ideology and mental illness.

Historical examples of assassinations reveal different psychological profiles of the perpetrators.

Media coverage can contribute to the misconception that most violent acts are linked to mental illness.

Understanding the motivations behind violence can aid in prevention efforts.

Red flags for potential violence include changes in behaviour and social isolation.

The distinction between 'mad' and 'bad' influences societal responses to violence.

Not all individuals who commit violent acts are mentally ill; most are ideologically driven.

Community safety responses differ based on whether the perpetrator is seen as mentally ill or antisocial.

A comprehensive understanding of social conditions and personal backgrounds is essential in addressing political violence.


Chapters

00:00 Understanding Political Violence and Assassinations

10:18 Historical Context of Assassinations

17:28 Mental Illness vs. Ideology in Violence

Questions

If you have a question you would like to hear discussed, please drop us an email at barkingmadpodcast@outlook.com

Resources

Feeling out of sorts? Here are some quality mental health resources:


Lifeline 131114 or online here https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/

Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

E-Couch https://ecouch.com.au/

Relationships Australia https://relationships.org.au/

1800Respect 1800737732 or https://www.1800respect.org.au/

National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline 1800250015

Headspace for 12-25 https://www.headspace.com/articles/how-to-improve-self-esteem

Kids Helpline for 5-25 https://kidshelpline.com.au/



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