Crime

What is Crime?

Crime isn’t just a breach of law; it’s a window into the human mind. From impulsive decisions to deeply rooted psychological disorders, every crime has a story.

That’s the core of what we explore on PodCandy, with insight from international forensic psychology expert Dr. John Mayer.

Thought about why someone snaps? What drives a person to steal, hurt, or kill?

Dr. Mayer unwraps the motives and mindsets behind the headlines, all in a format that’s both eye-opening and entertaining.

Behind every criminal act lies a mix of motive, circumstance, and emotion, and that’s where true crime gets truly gripping. If you’re fascinated by the darkest corners of human behavior, you’re in the right place.

Types of Crimes and Offenders

Crime can be cold, calculated, and terrifying or reckless, emotional, and sudden. Psychology categorizes offenders not just by their actions but by their mental and emotional triggers. Some act out of desperation. Others are driven by obsession, power, or revenge.

Offenders can range from first-time criminals to serial offenders, each with a unique psychological profile. These profiles are crucial to solving crimes and understanding the human psyche.

As Dr. John Mayer points out in Episode 2 of PodCandy, “The Madness of Ed Gein” (23:14):
“If there’s one big advance that I have given the field about these killers, it’s that the only way we can get to really understand them is we have to get into their worldview.”

He goes on, “… Social norms define crazy. How everybody else behaves… He (Ed Gein) saw nothing wrong in doing it (dismembering bodies).”

If you love diving into criminal minds, you’ll find yourself hooked on the best true crime podcasts that unravel these profiles layer by layer. Unlike other true crime podcasts, PodCandy isn’t just storytelling; it’s backed by psychological expertise and human insight.

Crime Against a Person

These are the crimes that hit hardest, assault, kidnapping, and homicide. Crimes where one human being intentionally harms another. The psychological motives here are often complex: rage, jealousy, trauma, mental illness, or even a complete lack of empathy (hello, psychopaths).

Dr. Mayer explores these emotional and psychological triggers in multiple episodes, helping listeners understand how real people end up on a path to unimaginable violence.

Pod Candy podcasts explain these cases, as they are not just about the crime but also about the mind behind it. If you’re searching for the best true crime podcast episodes that leave you questioning everything, start with stories where the victim and the criminal share a chilling connection.

Crime Against Property

Not all crimes involve bloodshed, but they can still be deeply unsettling. Burglary, theft, fraud, and arson often arise from psychological drivers like greed, desperation, or a sense of entitlement.

For example, individuals who commit arson for insurance payouts are often motivated by financial pressure or a desire to escape the consequences of personal failure. Con artists, on the other hand, use charm and manipulation as tools, exploiting human trust with calculated precision.

Even these so-called “less violent” crimes expose complex mental patterns, and the true crime podcast series that explore them reveal just how twisted and fascinating human behavior can be.

Want More Chilling Stories?

Ready to get hooked? Explore our top true crime story picks, the best true crime podcast episodes, and the most addictive true crime podcast series, all in one place!