anatomy of evil: h.h. holmes (how victorian vice shaped the mask of a gentleman killer) [preview]

In this episode of "Anatomy of Evil," I peel back the velvet curtain of the Victorian era to reveal the disturbing world of H.H. Holmes, America’s first documented serial killer. His story isn't just a tale of murder and deception—it's a harrowing journey into the complexities of the human psyche. As we traverse the cobblestone streets of 19th century Chicago, I delve into Holmes's early life, exploring how a combination of societal pressures, inherent cunning, and emotional detachment molded a charming young boy into a master manipulator. From his upbringing during the paradoxical Victorian era—a time obsessed with both scientific progress and the macabre—to the pivotal moments that sparked his descent into infamy, we uncover the layers of influence that shaped his dual life. The heart of our exploration beats within the walls of the infamous "Murder Castle," a labyrinthine structure of Holmes's own design. Here, his darkest impulses were unleashed, turning adaptive survival strategies into lethal traps for his unsuspecting victims. As we dissect Holmes's methods and the chilling ease with which he lured his prey, a critical question emerges: How did society’s fascination with the grotesque and the unknown feed into Holmes’s narrative, and what does this macabre curiosity reveal about our own? This episode is more than a historical recount; it's a deep dive into the psyche of a man who was a product of his time yet disturbingly ahead of it. By understanding Holmes's life and crimes, we confront uncomfortable truths about the potential for evil within all societal frameworks. Join me as we journey through the dark corridors of history, examining how the shadows of the Victorian era mirror today's societal challenges. It's an exploration that promises not only to captivate but also to enlighten, urging us to remain vigilant against the darkness that can so easily grow in the unwatched corners of society. TIME STAMPS: 05:23.84 – 42:57.70: PART 1 (Explore H.H. Holmes's Victorian upbringing, his charismatic yet manipulative nature from an early age, and the development of his sinister survival strategies amidst a backdrop of rigid societal norms and emerging sciences.) 42:57.70 – 01:21:08.88: PART 2 (Delve into Holmes's infamous crimes from the construction of the Murder Castle to his psychological profile as a serial killer, and examine the media's role in sensationalizing his actions, reflecting on Victorian society and its influence on modern true crime fascination.) Enjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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I don’t want to talk to your personality; I want to talk to your soul. Imagine if your most painful and debilitating mental health symptoms and self-sabotaging behaviors aren’t evidence of 'disorder' or 'dysfunction', but adaptive strategies that once kept you safe. My goal is to help you shift from asking ‘What’s wrong with me?’ to ‘What happened to me?’The word ‘borderline’ in this podcast isn’t about psychiatric labels. It’s about coming back from the inner psychological brink we all experience. Everyone has found themselves on the edge, in that liminal space where the old self falls apart and the new Self emerges. Here, we explore what it means to undergo true emotional alchemy: that ancient and primordial process of falling apart, confronting the underworld of our psyche, and falling back together into someone stronger, wiser, and more whole.Many highly sensitive people who identify with the seemingly never-ending list of diagnostic mental health labels contained within ‘the bible of psychiatry’ (the DSM) share the same underlying sense of being irreparably broken, disconnected from their intuition, and paralyzed by life’s existential questions. I believe the resulting—and perfectly understandable—chronic feelings of emptiness and spiritual starvation are the TRUE causes of our current collective ‘mental health crisis.’ Together, we’ll dive into depth psychology, mythology, human consciousness, critical psychiatry, and the impact of trauma to help you begin the process of emotional alchemy. This exploration will help you get to the root cause of your suffering and free yourself from the toxic shame, limiting beliefs, and mental programming that have kept you locked in the chains of your past.In an era where mental health and spirituality are too often commercialized, I’m not here as a guru with a quick fix to sell you. I don’t believe anyone is ever truly ‘healed’ or ‘cured.’ There is no return to some mythical state of pre-trauma purity, but rather a continuous spiral of unbecoming, unlearning, and transformation. As a fellow seeker, I will be there in your ear, walking alongside you on your path toward wholeness as a sort of parasocial big sister. That, I can promise. By integrating the concepts we explore together, you’ll begin to see that anyone—even you—can come back from the borderline.CRAVING MORE? Visit backfromtheborderline.com to dive into my universe, connect with me, access my Patreon, and discover more about my journey and work. Don’t forget to follow Back from the Borderline so new episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays automatically drop into your podcast feed. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.