How Normal People Become Extremists... | Jeff Schoep | DSH #1950

About this episode

Jeff Schoep discusses his experiences in the neo-Nazi movement and the psychology behind extremism.

Jeff Schoep spent 27 years inside the neo-Nazi movement and led one of its major organizations for 25 years. In this episode, Jeff breaks down how extremist groups operate, why they feel like cults, how they recruit people, and why the psychology behind neo-Nazi groups, ISIS, al-Qaeda, Antifa, gangs, and cults can look shockingly similar. He also opens up about assassination attempts, government informants, paranoia inside the movement, losing his identity after leaving, and why he now helps people escape extremism through his nonprofit work. This is a conversation about radicalization, redemption, and how people can come back from even the darkest chapters of their lives. Chapters 0:00 The Psychology Of Extremism 0:34 Jeff Schoep’s Story 1:18 Why Extremist Groups Are Like Cults 3:39 Feeling Trapped As A Leader 6:04 Social Media And Radicalization 8:07 Recruiting Kids Through Games 11:01 Helping Neo-Nazis Leave 17:19 Informants, Paranoia, And Violence 30:08 Jeff’s Work After Leaving 56:52 A Message For Anyone Trying To Change What You’ll Learn 🔥 How extremist groups use cult-like psychology 🧠 Why people don’t realize they’re being radicalized ⚠️ How social media fuels outrage…

People in this episode

Host: Sean Kelly

Guest: Jeff Schoep

Topics covered

• extremism
• radicalization
• psychology of cults
• social media influence
• identity loss
• nonprofit work

Keywords

• extremist groups
• cult psychology
• radicalization
• social media
• recruitment
• identity
• nonprofit
• redemption

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: neo-Nazi movement, ISIS, al-Qaeda, Antifa, nonprofit

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