Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.
Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?
Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?
What does the word psychopath truly mean?
Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?
Welcome to Freud and Felons.
Real Illness vs. Malingering: How Psychiatrists Detect Lying in Court
Can you really fake mental illness and get away with it in a courtroom? And what are the legal and social repercussions when someone is caught trying to fake insanity?
In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai breaks down the detailed process psychiatrists use to detect malingering—when someone pretends to be mentally ill for personal gain, like avoiding a prison sentence. Learn the differences between Hollywood depictions and real symptoms, the structured interviews and psychological tools used to spot deception, and the classic red flags that tip off evaluators.
00:00 Detecting malingering in defendants
05:50 Identifying schizophrenia hallucinations
07:35 Recognizing genuine vs. feigned hallucinations
09:58 Red flags in evaluations
14:49 Deception in mental health evaluations
17:08 Racketeering conviction and legal cases
21:21 Insanity defense and legal implications
22:59 Signs of malingering
For inquiries: ysafai@gmail.com
Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/
@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram
@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok
@FreudandFelons on Instagram
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.
Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?
Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?
What does the word psychopath truly mean?
Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?
Welcome to Freud and Felons.
Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.
Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/
2 Oct 2026
Are Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder the Same?
The term "psychopath" is thrown around in conversation and pop culture, but what does it really mean?
In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai breaks down the real clinical criteria behind antisocial personality disorder and explains why "psychopath" isn’t even an official diagnosis. Learn about the crucial traits that define ASPD, how psychopathy adds another layer of emotional and interpersonal characteristics, why not everyone labeled a "psychopath" fits the clinical profile, the challenges of treatment, and why so many people misunderstand these terms, often diagnosing friends, coworkers, or exes with little basis. Find out how complex and uncommon true psychopathy is compared to the stereotypes seen in movies and crime documentaries.
00:00 Childhood signs of personality disorder
04:00 Diagnosing antisocial personality traits
09:42 Traits of antisocial personality disorder
10:58 Understanding antisocial personality treatment
15:56 Psychopathy vs. Official Diagnosis Criteria
17:42 Understanding antisocial personality factors
For inquiries: ysafai@gmail.com
Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/
@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram
@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok
@FreudandFelons on Instagram
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.
Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?
Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?
What does the word psychopath truly mean?
Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?
Welcome to Freud and Felons.
Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.
Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/
18 Sept 2026
Gas Station Heroin: The Hidden Dangers of Kratom and Why It’s Still Legal
Kratom is being sold right next to gum and energy drinks at gas stations nationwide, but don’t be fooled by its casual appearance; this so-called “herbal supplement” has been linked to serious health risks and even death.
In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai digs into the origins of kratom, how it acts as both a stimulant and a narcotic depending on the dose, and real stories from families affected by its dangers. Dr. Safai talks about how kratom slips through legal loopholes as a “dietary supplement,” details the FDA and DEA’s recent but limited efforts to restrict the most dangerous synthetic forms, and explains why lobbying and inconsistent state laws keep it on shelves across much of the country.
00:00 Kratom at gas stations
04:47 Health risks of kratom use
06:38 DEA targets synthetic kratom products
11:51 Regulatory challenges with kratom use
13:34 Kratom's controversial legal status
For inquiries: ysafai@gmail.com
Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/
@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram
@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok
@FreudandFelons on Instagram
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.
Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?
Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?
What does the word psychopath truly mean?
Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?
Welcome to Freud and Felons.
Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.
Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/
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Spotify
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