The Psychology of the Menendez Bros (Chapter 7: Today)
Added 2025-06-09 11:00:12 +0000 UTCDr Kirk and Humberto explore the Menendez Bros case.
00:00 What happened to Dr. Oziel?
06:46 What new information influenced the landscape of the case?
38:16 Has the understanding of PTSD changed in the last 30 years?
48:45 Dramatization of the story
56:53 The motion to resentence
1:09:38 Reviewing the resentencing testimonies
1:31:29 Results of the appeal and the next steps
1:34:57 What were they supposed to do?
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June 9, 2025
The Psychology In Seattle Podcast ®
Trigger Warning: This episode may include topics such as assault, trauma, and discrimination. If necessary, listeners are encouraged to refrain from listening and care for their safety and well-being.
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Comments
I loved it Berto! Looking forward to hearing more of this format! Very talented way of storytelling
A Du
2026-01-03 07:36:58 +0000 UTCwould you be opening to watching the Netflix doc on them? it gives an insight into their train of thought back then but also currently so would be interesting to see your views on that specifically, also you guys didn't cover much on the specialist assessments that the defence presented, some really interesting insight from the specialist on that process of getting them to reveal the abuse which sheds some light on why they initially didn't talk about the abuse
pcy
2025-09-14 12:47:51 +0000 UTCI would love to hear you guys cover the OJ situation I always hear it referenced but I dont know anything really no one ever covers it but everyone talks about it xD
Miran Brooks
2025-09-06 05:24:07 +0000 UTCBerto is the man! I feel like I've been saying similar things about the system for while now and it's so refreshing to know I'm not the only one. Thank you both and yes there is still hope❣️
Randy
2025-08-22 22:53:26 +0000 UTC100% agree with Berto! What is the system?! What a great speech. Felt it to my core. Perfect pov. Couldn’t agree more. And great response from Dr. Honda. Loved your take on this from both of you.
Mako
2025-06-30 19:03:08 +0000 UTCI knew nothing about the case and I have been guessing along with Kirk. This is great storytelling and sooo interesting. I hope they're released soon. Thank you for doing the work, B.C. 🦖 💪😉
Lars Dorland
2025-06-22 20:00:59 +0000 UTCWow!! Great job. I took breaks in between the podcast because some parts were triggering. Thank you for the warnings! ❤️ it was so well done. I can’t wait to listen to the next series. It is like watching true crime documentaries but from people I trust and value the opinions of.
Emily Tobar
2025-06-19 06:45:35 +0000 UTCOkay this is not relevant, but Berto did such a great job, that he took me into further investigation of Milli Vanilli’s history. I actually grew up in the Middle East and learned English watching TV & listening to music. So I enjoyed Netflex’s dramatization of the Menendez brothers because the songs they played were songs I enjoyed. But when Berto brought up Milli Vanilli’s, it sounded like there was history there that I never knew before, and 😳😳😳😳 Dr. Honda should definitely do a videos on the Psychology of Milli Vanilli (please 🙏🏻)
Hanan from Math pi Hanan
2025-06-18 03:20:47 +0000 UTCBerto, you're so right with your final thoughts. What if they told and nobody believed. They must have thought the monster would surely kill them. The older was out of the house, kinda, but still under the reign, right? There was no way out. You counting the years... I know that's a strategy in court, but darn, it made it that much more visceral. Thank you both! Great work!
Helen
2025-06-17 20:28:09 +0000 UTCExcellent job Berto! As someone who knows a fair amount about this case you did wonderful. It was interesting listening to you prompt Dr. Honda for his guesses and hearing him almost predict the future. I too hope the guys get paroled. IMO they’ve served their time and should be released since the first trial was hung and the 2nd the judge ruled to omit so much history and evidence that predicated the crime. I am all for more deep dives into serial killers. The nature vs nurture question is very intriguing to me with that group specifically since many of them endured very terrible childhoods. Thank you both for an excellent series!
Jessica Edwards
2025-06-16 20:28:20 +0000 UTCA++++++++++ Berto!!!! You did an amazing job, I didn’t think I was into true crime but the way you outlined it and your excitement/story telling made it a really entertaining watch!!! Also thank you for being so vulnerable with us, I’m so sorry you went through so much early on 💔 I love absolutely everything you two do, but I would be super excited to see this format again! Much love 💗 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Rachel
2025-06-14 00:25:30 +0000 UTCNice work Berto!!!! So well done! I love Bertosodes
Ashley Russell
2025-06-13 23:39:39 +0000 UTCBerto did an excellent job, I became a patron because of this deep dive! I really appreciated both of you discussing family dynamics and children with no recourse (besides true crime), so I'd love it if you did the Gypsy-Rose Blanchard case and the Turpin case. You guys already mentioned them. Best wishes! so I'd recommend Gipsy
Paula Reverbel
2025-06-13 17:12:35 +0000 UTCThis was amazing, thank you so much guys!
hopesnvts (mira)
2025-06-12 04:35:15 +0000 UTCOMG YES, ED KEMPER NEXT! But yeah, you did a wonderful job Berto, thank you for your hard work.
wilhel
2025-06-11 21:56:04 +0000 UTCHere is your compliment Berto: very, very good job! I couldn't wait for the next episode with all your cliffhangers! Maybe you could make a movie some day as well. Love you guys! ♥️
Marina
2025-06-11 16:03:11 +0000 UTCThat was one of my all time favorite deep dives ! Very tragic story though 😞
juliana reider
2025-06-11 15:34:56 +0000 UTCI also think Lyle is more manipulative than Eric, and I think that when you grow up in a household with abuse and uncertainty, it is normal to grow up to be a manipulative person in order to control people’s emotions and perceptions. Because in that persons mind if you don’t control or don’t know how a person is gonna react that means bad things/abuse will happen. However describing him as a narcissist is a bit much, we don’t know him well enough for that. And having an affair and getting divorced to justify part of that is absurd. He doesn’t fit the idea of perfect victim like Eric does, but that doesn’t make him narcissistic or any less of a victim.
Beatriz Morita
2025-06-11 13:57:17 +0000 UTCThe leading of this series was incredibly well done by Berto. He's just a great storyteller in general.
James Spruill
2025-06-11 11:42:48 +0000 UTCI think Lyle is more cunning than Eric. I think Lyle is manipulative, and I would never trust him. He is still being manipulative and recently got divorced because of an affair. Eric has stayed married. I DO think Lyle is a narcissist IMO. Not trying to dx him. I think he should have a conversation with Gypsy J/k. Speaking of Gypsy she was released after 10 years even though she was a victim. She still seems to be the same manipulative person she was when she had her mother killed. There for prison rehabilitation wasn't successful for her. So if she got 10 years and the brothers got life... where is the fairness?
Kristy Stevens
2025-06-10 20:13:40 +0000 UTCI’ve watched so many documentaries about this case and still enjoyed every single episode of this deep dive. Thank you so much Humberto!
Yana Janshyan
2025-06-10 19:41:52 +0000 UTCOne big quadruple-decker complement sandwich to Berto
J. C. Resultan
2025-06-10 16:51:57 +0000 UTCThis was one of the most compelling (THE MOST?) deep dives I've watched/listened to on any podcast. I loved the format, great work putting all the threads/reveals together, Berto. And thank you both for your compassion and insight! ❤️❤️✨
Mariko North
2025-06-10 14:32:33 +0000 UTCI don't think I can give another "compliment sandwich" any better than the other viewers! I watched the documentary & drama series & still learned new info. Berto, you are loved & appreciated & did such a great job! As always, PIS is an amazing team! I'm sending love & hugs to all! 🩷
SC Mommy
2025-06-10 09:30:27 +0000 UTCBerto, that was great. You have great storytelling skills, I was waiting for the next episode the whole time.
Anna Zalutska
2025-06-10 07:14:58 +0000 UTCWell done Humberto!
Mila Sapphire
2025-06-10 01:16:16 +0000 UTCHumberto really did do a fantastic job. I recently watched the documentary and even despite that managed to learn new things throughout the deep dive, which was also presented in a super engaging way
Naamah ML
2025-06-10 00:48:23 +0000 UTCYES! I totally binged the whole 7 episodes in one day. I watched the documentary and read a lot about the case but I was still on the edge of my seat (and LOVED that kirk knew nothing about it too) which sort of felt like one of his reaction videos in a way. TOP MARKS BERTO. Killed it.
Kimba Warnes
2025-06-09 22:11:38 +0000 UTCBerto did amazing with this. Super thorough research, awesome presentation style. I have no criticisms to stuff in this compliment sandwich. It's just compliment bread.
Anna
2025-06-09 21:40:15 +0000 UTC"What a fucking dirtbag" 🤣
Alicia Cuadrado
2025-06-09 21:00:35 +0000 UTCGreat job Berto, I loved this series. Very fascinating story and it was great that you took us along in the journey of discovery from the public perception of the case to the sad reality of it. It was a fun ride!
DavidvZ
2025-06-09 19:57:57 +0000 UTCWhat I’ve read about the brothers life in prison I can see Eric’s letter coming from the point of view of: he has created support groups for men in prison who have also been sexually abused that he is very much involved in and he wants to continue advocating for sexual abuse survivors if he is ever released. The brothers have collaborated and created a project in prison to transform certain parts of the prison by having inmates paint colorful murals outside and I believe they also would like to expand into gardening. There are articles and images of some of the murals that have been painted so far. And they want to continue advocating for overall prison reform. But I just wish someone would have helped him with his letter.
Katie
2025-06-09 19:33:36 +0000 UTCIdk what we did to deserve that musical number but I feel blessed
Olivia Kanyo
2025-06-09 18:57:31 +0000 UTCThis was so good! Berto, you’re such a good story teller. I couldn’t wait for each chapter with this cliff hangers. Loved that Dr Kirk had no knowledge of the story and we heard his unbiased (by the media) thoughts. Berto, literally I would think of a question I would wanna ask Dr H in the moment, and then you would ask it. Very satisfying and well done 🤌🏼
Meme Betadam
2025-06-09 16:30:28 +0000 UTCTheir parole hrg is set for mid August.
Arlene Calles
2025-06-09 16:30:11 +0000 UTCExactly, well said.
Arlene Calles
2025-06-09 16:29:15 +0000 UTCHumberto, you should show Dr. Honda the "2 angry men" podcast where they (very recently) had an episode where the boys call in. The brothers go into detail about their faults as young boys, (Eric even said he used money to hide his abuse pain back then so Dr. H would like this more etc.) and their rehabilitation and college degrees and plans for future, like Dr. H. said, they both want to get into prison reform, helping the abused, etc.
Chels
2025-06-09 16:25:54 +0000 UTCI hope they follow the case updates like the resentencing / parole results
Chels
2025-06-09 15:37:25 +0000 UTCShout out to Humberto, loved the series and how you layed out each chapter of the series, especially how you created suspense, the twists and turns in the series, and the questions you asked Dr. H. Hooked every minute. Hope to see more from Humberto (true crime especially). ☺️ Edit: As I finish the episode, really enjoyed Humberto vulnerability and empathy.
Chels
2025-06-09 15:09:18 +0000 UTCGuys please tell me you are doing a lighthearted, "Andor Season 2 review" type episode after this deep dive, to help us all destress 😭
Leila
2025-06-09 13:39:49 +0000 UTC01:00:00- Where I live, the state works with the principle "rights once given can't be taken away". It's like, a school might graduate a cohort with a 2.00 GPA, then raise the minimum grade to 2.50. This doesn't affect the former cohort, they are still graduates. It sounds like the judge applied this principle. The first DA started the petition based on certain criteria that allowed resentencing the brothers, the next DA wanted to apply a new criteria and stop the resentencing. The judge says, the next criteria don't apply to brothers who are already allowed to be resentenced. But, I'm a lay person, and have 0 understanding of the US law.
GO!《cɛn
2025-06-09 13:31:00 +0000 UTCLoved the format for this series, very well done Berto :)
Natasha Bride
2025-06-09 13:08:38 +0000 UTCThe storyline about the brother's being in an incestuous relationship was based on Dominick Dunn's speculation, who was a reporter at the time of this case. So that storyline was brought in because it was based on the public's perception surrounding the brother's. Not that it was true. It just was very badly depicted.
A.J
2025-06-09 12:05:10 +0000 UTCWow. So the guy who cheated on his wife with a client and then moved that client into their house with his children… is running marriage workshops. 😂
Stefan and Erin S
2025-06-09 11:33:24 +0000 UTC
