David Koresh | Mental Health & Personality | Netflix Waco

[@davesworld7688]

Another feature that was left out of the series. When the FDA was playing loud noises to annoy the Branch Davidians, they played sounds of rabbits being slaughtered. I always found that detail really disturbing.

[@atacina]

Daves World it amazes me how they think they weren't delusional doing that

[@kellyteacherforlife7165]

@Daves World...how horrific!!!!!!!!!

[@violetedge83]

How did the government obtain that kind of audio? What is the government doing to rabbits?

[@itarfer]

That's terrifying. Why did they have recordings of that! Also, there were dozens of kids in that building!!

[@stephielynn1841]

That's horrible.

[@hoopyy782]

I come here to be scientifically informed about mental health topics, I stay here to be neutrally stimulated by jokes.

[@mommamandadawn9004]

Yesssssss! Lol (#^.^#)

[@kathryncarter6143]

Ha ha

[@jdo5748]

Hahahaaa hahaha, that goes for me too!

[@filipefigueiredo9847]

Yeah, but becoming the leader of a cult and convincing his followers that he "had" to b@ng all the women while the men had to remain celibates is no joke This guy was a real player

[@Robert08010]

@@filipefigueiredo9847 The biggest question to me is this: Was he truly self deluded or was he a con man? I assume from his behavior that he believed what he said meaning that he was insane.

[@egrace3738]

This is a sad memory for me, I am a Texan. I remember the disbelief I experienced over all the horrific deaths. Just horrible.

[@comfym3850]

@joe cheney omg calm down or secede already.. aren't you people constantly threatening that? don't threaten me with a good time

[@strangastrigo]

It was interesting to be in school with teachers trying to explain what was happening without giving any actual details. Bible belt schools can have weird priorities. Thinking back, they avoided admitting it was about religion at all. It was just some scary people doing scary things, don't worry, police will handle it. Here's homework so you don't have time to ask questions.

[@darthbigred22]

@@comfym3850 Oh don't worry if that day comes we're taking half and you can go to Hell

[@darthbigred22]

@@strangastrigo I was in school in Texas and they had no problems explaining it. He was a weirdo in Waco telling everyone he was Jesus and he was marrying underage girls. You're a bad person and a liar

[@Blackheathenly]

@@darthbigred22 And you Sir, are a gullible dingus.

[@ahermannblue]

I'm even more interested in the personality pathology of the followers of people like this. Can you discuss that Dr. Grande?

[@majorkade]

Tribalism. God, country, football. same applies, except some go in too deep.

[@3081e]

Great suggestion

[@everton1869]

Like you? Like me? For me it's because KZbin put it on my list and I am sometimes lazy

[@qazzell]

Gullible and easily led . He was charismatic and was saying everything they wanted to hear...It would be interesting to see some like Derren Brown do a show on this, i don't think he has...He has all the quality's and skills to pull it off...As an experiment.

[@travisrlel2]

@@stevemitz4740 you pretty much prove the Major's point.

[@banjoist123]

I worked with a guy years ago who had worked at one of the big music stores in Waco when he was going to Baylor. He said that Koresh came in from time to time for strings and stuff and that he was actually a very good guitar player.

[@garrysekelli6776]

Charles Manson was actually a really talented guitar player and singer.

[@rephaimog4186]

He was a good guitar player. I saw a video of him playing with his band in the compound and he was very good.

[@cindyrhodes]

This is the best concise account of DK's background that I have ever heard. Thank you including the details of his previous issues.

[@davesworld7688]

Johnny Cab I believe he’s using the series because people are watching the series, so it makes sense that he is giving an analysis of something people have seen and can relate to. Also the series “WACO” is a re-enactment that is very accurate to David Thibodeau’s and Gary Noesners account of what took place.

[@ambrr_lily]

@@johnnycab8986 He clearly used other research materials. He does mention the series but only to refer to how it was and was not accurate in it's depiction of the incident.

[@cindyrhodes]

Dr. Grande uses historical facts for his analyses and he comments on the popular series. People are highly interested in this topic right now, so his analysis is very timely.

[@bahamn15]

Mini series could've been more accurate if they added David Koresh joining the Davidians and George Roden

[@Glowinthedarkshark]

Donkey kong

[@theresalero7039]

I'm a nurse. One of my favorite patients believed 1) she was Tiger Wood's Mom (very disappointed in his behavior), and 2) Queen of some American Indian Tribe. These delusions had no disadvantageous impact on her life that we could see, and they were not the reason for any of her medical hospitalizations. I asked the consulting Psychiatrist why she had these delusions.he replied, life is tough ."Isn't it more interesting to be someone important?" She was harmless, engaging and I loved her. Her husband took this in stride and took great care of her. Just a note to say that not all delusional people are dangerous and harmful.

[@xminusone1]

(One year late I know) Yes I agree. It's a very good point to bring out. Many are armless and won't do no wrong to others or themselves. Despite their delusions they can be quite pleasant.

[@Robert08010]

I know a guy like this. He is convinced and will gladly tell you that he is the smartest man he's ever met. He is apart of my astronomy club and surrounded by PHDs and engineers. But he's still convinced no one is smarter than he. He's reasonably personable until he thinks you don't believe him. And then he feels like he has to defend his delusion in order to keep your respect. He once told me the speed of light is NOT that fastest you can go, but the government doesn't want us to go any faster so they made up "the speed of light". I tried to explain to him that governments never make up laws to prevent people from doing things that they have never ever done before. Its only after they have a lot of people try something and potentially get hurt doing it that governments make laws up limiting our actions.

[@daisybennett1600]

Wow Ty that was wholesome

[@RobespierreThePoof]

We all find the idea that our minds might be lying to us terrifying, thus the stigma on people with psychotic symptoms like delusions.

[@RobespierreThePoof]

​@@Robert08010 I assume he doesn't actually have a PhD. It sounds like the delusional belief is protecting an injured ego. Just a guess based on what you wrote.

[@ronaldhuss8915]

After 30 years of law enforcement in a very large city, I see this as a complete failure on the part of the fbi, and atf. Koresh was known to go into town often where he could have been taken into custody and his influence neutralized. That would have, more than not, rendered a more peaceful outcome. But when you have supervisors and bosses, who suffer the same mental delusions as koresh, this is the result

[@l_shaun_bunds_l]

Thank you. It is this simple:all they did was reinforce my fathers delusions by making Babylon real and all of his fears prophetic to those who had any doubt… why would he release his children to men who shoot blind into a building and shoot him as he pleads unarmed at the door to call it off? Their lead man lies through his teeth when he claims my father smiled and closed the door and began shooting. That man ignored Rodrigues and could’ve and should’ve followed protocol and called it off with their own negligence being the fault of themselves for not preparing from more than one position and they had so many sources of help. ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS NOT ATTACK FROM SUCH A POSITION

[@SwampmasterZ]

He offered for the FBI, ATF on a several occasions to come and inspect the weapons they had , this happened right after Ruby Ridge, this was a massacre plain and simple ,46 children were killed in this after 51 days of terrorism tactics on children, refused food and water, this was the Democratic party, and the Democratic party is still doing this to the people, just pay attention

[@puppiesarepower3682]

What u talk'n 'bout? Clinton was the perfect president. Bosnia, Somalia, Andrew, floods, WTC '93, Waco, OK City, L.A. race riots. Oh, yeah, almost forgot; Clinton threw Janet Reno under the bus on this one.

[@ggjr61]

If you look at the history of the ATF you see they did this kind of thing every few years especially when their budget was coming up in congress. They wanted to look like heroes so they could ensure continued funding.

[@karmaqueen3333]

You can thank Janet Reno for this

[@StuffBudDuz]

I don't know the Netflix series, but the documentary "WACO: The Rules of Engagement" was very well researched and revealing, and was based entirely on actually footage from the compound.

[@cantbesure0714]

The rules of engagement doc is heartbreaking and disgusting. I don’t know what happened inside those walls,but those people didn’t deserve to die that way. Blood on the hands of the US government.

[@HagakureJunkie]

The netflix series is based on a book written by one of the survivors. You should read it “A place called Waco” before you make such nonsense accusations. The handling of waco by the government was ATROCIOUS and Reno should have been put on trial for that.

[@angelahamon6730]

@@HagakureJunkie I was a casual gamer at the time and I kept making characters called "Slain By Reno,:" When her parkinson's disease staged I 'm sure she hallucinated those children screaming every day.

[@carolynmiller6031]

@@cantbesure0714 you got that right...I'm saddened by all these lies...disgusting...

[@glasshalffull8625]

@@cantbesure0714 Let’s not put any blame on the delusional Christ figure who martyred his people by setting the building on fire!!!

[@laurablue7893]

“‘Neutral Stimulus’... or ‘Let’s All Go Home’” 😂❤️ Brilliant video as usual. I haven’t watched the Netflix series but I have seen other documentaries about Waco. I wonder how the reporter coped following the incident? I’m by no means saying it was their fault, that would be an awful and untrue thing to suggest - how were they supposed to know the postman was his brother or foresee the subsequent events, but I can imagine there might be some undeserved guilt felt there.

[@missjem79]

I feel like Dr. Grande knows what I'm watching and reading about. Stop following me around Dr. Grande. 😉

[@calicojack5623]

Jem I SWEAR. I just finished Waco and I was like, I hope Dr. Grande covers this

[@tuck-brainwks-eutent-hidva1098]

Might be Dr. G, might be Google....

[@aseeds7785]

@John Should the youtube algorithm pull searches from netflix, even if it was with a different device but same internet service? What if it is on an entirely different building?

[@kathyclark8274]

Paranoid much?

[@RobespierreThePoof]

​@@kathyclark8274 I think it was a joke about paranoia ... Or erotomania

[@ajhproductions2347]

You're on a roll man, today i wake up to david Koresh. Waco was a complete and abject tragedy, and shouldn't have happened that way. Cant wait to see what's next. Thank you for keeping us busy and entertained, cheers!

[@cindyrhodes]

"I don't believe that losing 76 lives is the best the FBI could do." Agreed!!! "They fed the delusions. " Agreed!

[@leahhart3585]

Mermaid Mansion I know killing 25 children is never the best the FBI can do.

[@Earlybird86]

@Am better then everyone and Everything am a GOD nah the ATF could have got him without ever going in there guns blazing. They knew where he went jogging everyday.

[@tuck-brainwks-eutent-hidva1098]

The CIA could get him while he slept -- AND make it look like natural causes. Too bad that's illegal. ☻

[@Earlybird86]

@@tuck-brainwks-eutent-hidva1098 nah the ATF literally passed him jogging the day before and chose to let him go in favor of a raid. The ATF has to do these raids to justify their existence.

[@ceeaz1633]

51 days is more than enough time to surrender in my opinion. At this point, it’s not on the FBI, it’s on David.

[@leannes1299]

I love that your personality is coming through. You made me giggle at the end. Also very informative!

[@garynoesner1731]

Dr. Grande, I think you did a good job of laying out David Koresh's background and his rise to be the leader of the Branch Davidian cult. However, like many who were not out there, you have a very incomplete understanding of the negotiation challenges we encountered. You have the impression that the aggressive activities directed against Koresh, including the sound effects, were part of a coordinated negotation strategy. They were not. In reality, there was great deal of strategy conflict between the tactical team and the negotiation team I led. The negotiation team did not approve of or support the various demonstrations of aggression engaged in by the tactical team, knowing this was harmful to building trust. Those activities, usually done with no advance notice to negotiators only served to undercut our efforts. The FBI is not a monolith and we had major disagreements. My negotiation team secured the safe release of 35 individuals, including 21 children, so I think it is clear we had a good strategy and it was working. Without a doubt we would have gotten many additional individuals out absent those counterproductive moves, and perhaps even everyone out. You seem to suggest the FBI didn't understandd who we were dealing with. That may be correct with some senior FBI officials, but is certainly not true of the negotiation team or the profilers who supported us. By the way, we did indeed ridicule Koresh from time to time among ourselves in private discussion, but never while engaged in actual negotiations with him. My leadership of the negotation team ended on day 26, after all the safe releases, as I was seen as resistant to tactical aggression. I was guilty as charged. Finally, you mentioned it was unwise to use the "Avenging Angel" tank. The FBI used normal military CRV tracked vehicles borrowed from the Army at Ft. Hood with the gun barrels removed. The "Avenging Angel" name was already on the historic WWII era tank the producers rented for the Paramount (later Netflix) Waco series. It was obviously not part of the Waco operation at anytime. Again, I think your assessment of Koresh is quite good, but your understanding of the sophistication of the FBI negotiation team and the creative things we did to get 35 people out seems incomplete. For more insight into that, I would refer you to the Waco chapter in my book, "Stalling For Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator." Sincerely, Gary W. Noesner, Chief FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit (retired)

[@rucianapollard7098]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I was a junior in high school when this happened and it was very shocking. One of my classmates looked like he could be David Koresh's son and we used to mess with him all of the time!! I saw in a documentary that Timothy McVeigh came to the. Compound and was enraged at how the FBI was handling the case. Of course we know he bombed the federal building in Oklahoma City exactly 2 years later. What a piece of crap!! But thank you for all of your hard work! I think law enforcement is the most difficult job on the planet, and the least appreciated.

[@maryd253]

Thank you, Gary, for responding. I just downloaded the audiobook. I look forward to reading it

[@cooldude-on9gm]

very interesting. since you've already done david koresh and charles manson's analysis i think jim jones or marshall applewhite would be interesting cases to study. cult leaders truly are fascinating

[@teenafesta3497]

I just wanted to say I really appreciate the way you review these cases with respect and using facts and science. I think you always give a very well informed analysis and I'm totally addicted to your channel. Thank you for your content

[@carolyndavis6657]

I remember when this happened and the FBI along with Janet Reno didn't handle this well and bare tremendous responsibility. Can you also go over what happened at Ruby Ridge; another stellar moment during the Clinton administration.

[@Blackieie]

Janet Reno also messed up the whole Elian Gonzales fiasco as well. She wasn't very good at her job.

[@trixieschneider5553]

Reno should have resigned. She was in over her head and unable to control the agents that were jacked up with testosterone, like sharks sensing blood in the water Ruby ridge was another case of murdering a family. Clinton owns those deaths

[@cthru22]

@@trixieschneider5553 ... Ruby Ridge happened during Bush Senior as president. I equate the Waco and Ruby Ridge Sieges with the hopelessness of US government. Neither party knows how to manage a diverse population of 300,000,000 people. All news is fake news and all governments everywhere are fake governments. David Koresh was right: the Biblical millennium is just around the corner. His cult would have died a natural death as all cults eventually do except for the fact that he WAS receiving messages from the Judeo-Christian God. Dr. Grande is right only from a psychiatric point of view. What else would you expect from a "doctor"?

[@mrjonesandme8848]

There is a fantastic documentary on A&E. In it, it said the Reno was not told about the deal Koresh made with getting his message out then surrendering. They blew him to shit and he was keeping his word. However, some of the ppl said he was the one who had the fires set. It is a very good Doc. Talks to the BD, FBI agents, kids (now adult), locals, local police ECT. Very neutral and not presented with a "side"

[@carolyndavis6657]

@@cthru22 I was mistaken. Ruby ridge was during the 1st bush administration. Thank you for pointing that out.

[@nicolej8502]

He went to Hollywood in hopes of being a rockstar, that didn’t workout, so became a cult leader. Totally makes sense lol

[@majorkade]

Manson? or Koresh? Both?

[@TheBaconWizard]

@@majorkade Both

[@nicolej8502]

Major Allen Espy Suppose that’s a common trend lol

[@nicolej8502]

X Y Maybe ppl should accept when they are not artistically talented and not turn to world domination lol

[@jasonjames4254]

That craving for adulation can can even normal people into trouble. Throw in delusions and psychopathy and you have a formula for a disaster.

[@paper-chasepublications9433]

I remember watching the Waco coverage on the news as a pre-teen. It was extremely disturbing, especially being raised in a highly religious family. Thanks for covering this, Doc! Your videos never disappoint!💪🏽💪🏽

[@gigidayz6936]

I watched the whole saga unfolding in real time before my eyes just a year after I left a dangerous apocalyptic cult myself to save myself and my daughter.

[@marychristensen4254]

As a former Mormon I can also say this sounds similar to the original Mormon prophet Joseph Smith.

[@coweatsman]

The Mormons are fascinating especially the fundamentalist breakaway sects of Mormons. The are the closest thing to what ancient Israel would have looked like. Ironically, Joseph Smith in wanting there to be a "lost tribe" of Israel in America may have produced a good analogue of one. A patriarchy with a clear mating rights hierarchy. The example of pride lions chasing adolescent males away is a straight out mirror image of brother v. brother stories in the bible like Jacob and Essu is reproduced in these polygamous Mormon communities. In polygamy there are by definition too many males and younger male members are chased away to protect the mating rights of the patriarch. The official disagreements or reasons are just deeper instinctual drives being sublimated into narratives to make the straight out animal acceptable to us "civilised" selves. A lot of human behaviour is better understood through the lens of evolutionary psychology. I have always said that if you want to know what ancient Israel was like to look 1) to the Taliban controlled regions of Afghanistan with exactly the same barbaric legal codes or 2) the breakaway fundamentalist Mormon sects.

[@coweatsman]

The Mormons are fascinating especially the fundamentalist breakaway sects of Mormons. The are the closest thing to what ancient Israel would have looked like. Ironically, Joseph Smith in wanting there to be a "lost tribe" of Israel in America may have produced a good analogue of one. A patriarchy with a clear mating rights hierarchy. The example of pride lions chasing adolescent males away is a straight out mirror image of brother v. brother stories in the bible like Jacob and Essu is reproduced in these polygamous Mormon communities. In polygamy there are by definition too many males and younger male members are chased away to protect the mating rights of the patriarch. The official disagreements or reasons are just deeper instinctual drives being sublimated into narratives to make the straight out animal acceptable to us "civilised" selves. A lot of human behaviour is better understood through the lens of evolutionary psychology. I have always said that if you want to know what ancient Israel was like to look 1) to the Taliban controlled regions of Afghanistan with exactly the same barbaric legal codes or 2) the breakaway fundamentalist Mormon sects.

[@marychristensen4254]

Very good points. I would like to hear Dr. Grande do an analysis of a Mormon fundamentalist leader like Warren Jeffs.

[@jamegumb7298]

@@coweatsman I love the Mormons. I want to become one. I want 2 wives. Ideal household.

[@kellyteacherforlife7165]

@@jamegumb7298 And you also get your own planet to rule over! That's the best part. But here's the catch....you have to remember all the secret handshakes and passwords to pass the heaven entrance exam. That part sucks. (I'm ex-LDS after 40 years in the church from birth in 1954 until 1992).

[@virtuoso8093]

Listening to this, I can't help but think about how I encounter people every day of my life, in the real world and social media, who believe things that are 'delusional'. We talk about mental health in a "what's going wrong" way, with the insinuation that things only go wrong with a select number of people...but I have a hard time thinking of a single person I know well who I would describe as entirely mentally healthy, in the way people are being considered in a video like this. I certainly include myself in that.

[@RobespierreThePoof]

True. But, of course, life is full of health problems from the beginning to end - physical and mental. Some small, some not so small. It's all just a roll of the dice and the game you choose to play.

[@Protolamna]

I knew someone who spent time in the compound before the siege and found it was completely unremarkable. Texas is filled with people like David Koresh who are up to similar things for better or for worse. The guns and religious beliefs are in part cultural. The Feds should have stayed out of this one.

[@xxzcuzxmex]

Your approach is honestly different to anyone else I've found and my favourite on this platform and I always enjoy your analysis videos, as its been a bit of a morbid fascination of mine. And as a layman, it's interesting to see a professionals take. Thank you for all of your content.

[@Liciablyth]

I have put a lot of effort into studying David Koresh and the Waco tragedy. Your analysis is one of the best. Well done again, Dr Todd!

[@linak7155]

I remember watching a documentary about this horrendous story several years ago and it left so many unanswered questions. At the end there weren't any winners... 😔🤯😕😡😢

[@FilterHQ]

The Netflicks series didn't show the FBI posing for photos on the rubble in the aftermath. Which kind of sums up their attitude to the whole event really.

[@majorkade]

reminiscent of Iraq war? posing with nude prisoners, Saddam, staging pull down of statue for TV.

[@personofinterest8731]

@@majorkade or posing with your huge gun atop a fallen elephant or lion.

[@antoniamcgregor3285]

With charred corpses in the background.... 😔😖💔

[@camellia8625]

An extremely insightful analysis- they need someone like you advising the police in such a situation.

[@LARK1]

You are so thorough and concise. It makes my ADD brain quite jealous. Thank you for all of your time and effort.

[@RobespierreThePoof]

I have ADHD. You can learn to be concise if you choose - at least in certain (professional) contexts or social occasions where you talk need to. It just takes more effort and practice. ... Yeah. Ugh. I know ...

[@1rage17]

I love your dry humor, you're super informative and knowledgable when it comes to psychology!

[@jamesw17]

Tch. Cult Creation 101 - *never* specify an expiry date. Rookie error.

[@tuck-brainwks-eutent-hidva1098]

☻😅

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Charismatic leaders make it over and over again.

[@Kat-tr2ig]

That's why the Jehovah's Witnesses stopped doing it. They gave so many dates for the end of the world that now they're pretty quiet about it, and some even deny it now (but all you need to do is find some old Watchtower publications and books and you can read it for yourself)

[@tubifexgod]

Hey Dr. Grande, you've got a great series of videos. Would you please do a video about the occultist Aleister Crowley “The wickedest man in the world”? He started a popular occult group and had a huge influence on modern occultism and sub-culture. Thanks and keep the videos coming.

[@skellz6928]

Have you done one on Marshall Applewhite? That would be interesting.

[@WajidAliJAFRI-uv4xe]

Yasssssssss that would be fascinating.

[@MrJrcaputo]

I agree that would be very interesting

[@holdyowallet9543]

Y’all are in luck, check his uploads

[@kellyteacherforlife7165]

@Shealee Kellz...Yes he did a great episode on "Heaven's Gate." Explained a great deal about the pathology of the followers.

[@melodymaker1979]

Best analysis of yours that I've watched so far. Your critical thinking skills inspire me to become more deliberate in my communication.

[@Ravenzpeak]

I remember there was a lot of public furor over this siege. People were angry that it was taking so long and said the FBI should storm the compound. Some cult members refused to leave David, and there was surveillance that indicated many members were locked up in parts of the compound because they tried to escape. It was unknown at the time just how heavily armed Koresh's followers were, and the FBI was afraid hostages would be killed. I don't know what they could have done differently but it was a terrible disaster. Very sad.

[@harmonicresonanceproject]

These are so entertaining but so educational at the same time. Such a relief to hear these types of incidents and people spoken about in this context. I find them incredibly useful and edifying.Thanks!

[@Flergenbergen]

Okay guys we are going to call our tank "Neutral Stimulus."

[@beckylawler5934]

Man-oh-man!! I didn't recognize David Koresh at first and I didn't read your subject line immediately. I just saw the picture-in-picture and your face next to it and thought that was a picture of you with longer hair and different glasses. Am I the only one? Okay... now I'll go back and watch this segment. I love your videos! So informative! Thank you!

[@cindyrhodes]

Omg your wauestion "How much can be explained by psychosis " leads to such a detailed analysis! Your analysis, like all others, are perfect for psychology students. I referred a psychology student to your channel just yesterday.

[@cross2833]

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thought that about the phone scene and the "avenging angel" bit on the tank. I also thought the dynamic between David and Steve was interesting, given the complexities of their relationship with Judy. I remember watching this unfold on tv back in 1993 and it was very surreal. Thank you for the analysis!

[@Highland_Fields]

I’m a huge fan Dr. Grande and I wanted to share how proud I was to wake up to this headline across Canada today. PM Justin Trudeau announces Federal ban on assault rifles! 🇨🇦

[@toweypat]

Dr. Grande, can you give an example of how very high openness to experience can become rigidness, please? I'm having trouble wrapping my head around that.

[@metteegholm6102]

👏 As a history teacher I enjoy good storytelling... and you are good! Thanks Dr. G❤️

[@orgstbeaversorgst9772]

Yeah you agree with gassing children with internationally banned chemical weapons

[@berkslaw]

"Let's all go home." BRILLIANT!

[@h.s.1927]

Dear Mr. Grande, could you talk more about the concept of delusions filtered through a narcissistic personality disorder? Do I understand correctly that a personality disorder could make delusions feel egosyntonic instead of egodystonic? This is a very interesting thought - and it touches on a question I've had to grapple with most of my adult life. I grew up in a fundamentalist church and, after leaving the cult as an adult, came to the conlusion (after a lot of therapy) that my father and mother probably had undiagnosed personality disorders (narcissistic/borderline), that found their "expression" in dogmatic religiosity, religious delusions and paranoia. Would you be interested in talking a bit more about the link between personality disorders and dysfunctional religious dogmatism, religious and/or spiritual delusions and paranoia? Also, are certain personality disorders more associated with vulnerability to cults? Anecdotally at least it seems that way to me, there were an extraodinary amount of severly personality disordered people (and people with an accentuated personality) in the cults I've lived in and peripherally encountered. One of my therapist also suggested that my father has a "psychosis in situ", being quite functional in certain areas of his life (working as a medical doctor for example) while at the same time harbouring extremely disturbed and paranoid delusions in other areas. Could you perhaps share your thoughts on that concept, perhaps in comparison to the concept of "egosyntonic" delusions? Thank you very much for your work, you always make me think!

[@gizzykatkat9687]

Hi Dr. Grande! I am so intrigued by cult leaders. They fascinate me because of how they live life and how the people around them are affected. Your analysis of them too is very helpful, thank you Dr.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@brendanmichel5215]

Now I need to watch the series. Thanks doc.

[@alexandracash8106]

Awesome! Thanks Dr. Grande, was looking forward to hearing your analysis on this man.

[@louisanelson7948]

Just when I thought I was going to get off KZbin to go do some cleaning but how can I when I see a new video from Dr. Grande!?

[@michaelbarton3183]

You were never gonna clean🧐🧐🧐

[@lynncarter4964]

I Can't clean without videos like this to listen to, it makes the job so quick and enjoyable

[@Signal_light_instructor]

Thank you so much Mr.Grande!!!!! Wow!! I cant believe you made this video!!!! Thank you so much🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@ttttiiimmy10bit]

He went through a the worst haircuts; mullet, poodle perm, wings and wet look poodle mullets

[@dhobonov]

Yes Dr Grande was remiss in weighing the mental trauma of the mullet

[@timothyernst8812]

Clearly he should have listened to Wesley Willis.

[@krisluvsutube2684]

@@dhobonov lol

[@kirkjohnson9353]

@Kasia It would be great if you could prepare a wall chart of hair cut analysis.

[@LaMaestra2102]

@@dhobonov 😂😂😂🤣

[@kathleenryan1371]

Love ya Dr. Grande!

[@sadeatthewhip1846]

Neutral Stimulus and their album "Let's All Go Home" are guaranteed to sweep the 2023 Grammys

[@lindaclark1406]

Dr. Grande, you do a lot of research with each video. Amazing. We are able to understand these mentally poor people. Thank you for all of this discovery.

[@globes179]

I come here for the scientifically informed, insider look at mental health issues, but I stay for the wicked sense of humor: "Other than the daily activities of just trying to stay alive; working, preparing food, selling firearms..." Hahaha, that's so good.

[@eardrummed]

Mount Carmel is an important landmark for many religions. This is a fascinating topic. It's a very interesting analysis of David Koresh, and to what extent a delusion idea can be shared by others.

[@pocoeagle2]

Thanks for the video doc👍. Dr. Grande, I also would like to ask you, same as Lucia, Rejane and Esther, if you can explain how it's possible that being very high in openness can also mean being actually low in openness. I'm not sure, but if I am correct, you also said in an other video (I can't remember which one), that being very high in conscientiousness can also mean, actually being low in conscientiousness. I can imagine, that being very high in conscientiousness can cause that someone isn't being efficient anymore; like when someone is so obsessed with making 'to do lists', that the person isn't actually going to start to do anything. Anyway, I also hope you're willing to explain this issue, in being very high in openness can actually also mean being low in openness. How's this working? Can you give some examples doc, so we (Lucia, Rejane, Esther and myself) don't stay confused for the rest of our lives 😁. Thank you so much Dr. Grande 😃🇳🇱

[@LuciaInman]

pocoeagle2 haha yes please, so we don’t remain confused forever, like Ben said 😂😂

[@gigidayz6936]

I really like your style, Dr Grande and especially your voice and calm presentation. I was raised in a cult so I'm always interested to hear what laypersons and professionals have to say about them.

[@ladymopar2024]

There were mistakes made on both sides. The lack of understanding about a cult leader and how they can manipulate their followers, and the lack of power that the government has and the knowledge concerning followers. Stuff like this makes me so sad. My sister is in a cult and she is now mentally stunted at the age of 17 so much so that now she is in a senior living place because she cannot take care of herself after her husband passed. Thanks for this video, I'm always fascinated on how these cult leaders and just latch on and anybody does not matter how smart they are IE the followers. My sister is very smart but got sucked in anyway. Seems that all these cult leaders have very similar traits and use a lot of the same manipulative practices. It would be interesting if you did one of these or doctor weirwill of the way International

[@merricat3025]

Which cult did she join?

[@danimacke6937]

How did I not know you existed until recently?! I love hearing you speak, you do it unbiased.

[@annahelander2881]

Lost it at "Let's all go home". That's the perfect name for a tank!

[@newjack2166]

I wish y ou were my therapist. You always sound like fairness is your focus.

[@tobuslieven]

22:51 Neutral Stimulus, Peaceful Resolution, and Let's All Go Home are all excellent names for vehicles. They sound like ship names from Iain M Bank's Culture novels.

[@billc5094]

Dr Grande is always good but this is one his best

[@cindyrhodes]

LOL STEVE HOW COULD YOU DO THAT! LOL Dr. Grande, you found that funny because you have a rational view of the situation!

[@werthersoriginal]

I don't remember who aired it, but Waco is not a Netflix series. It was a T.V series aired back in 2018. Its recirculation is due to Netflix though.

[@LaMaestra2102]

I think you're right. I don't think he believed his own delusion about the bible. He tried to be a rock star (just like Manson) but becomes the leader of an extreme cult instead. (Just like Manson). And then... His warped mind gave birth to the wrath of Timothy McVeigh whose response was like watching a really bad circular logic debate. Thanx, doctor!

[@stephenpowstinger733]

Poppy Fields right. The tragedy had act II with McVeigh.

[@stephenpowstinger733]

My memory of events is cloudy as it was long ago but i recall McVeigh was ticked off about Ruby Ridge killings. Its a deep subject though.

[@Warsie]

McVeigh was a rational person he targeted the people he felt were responsible for the atrocities. He didn't target random people, he targeted a government building...

[@DivineBearFalcon]

@@Warsie With a daycare that killed 19 children that he 100% knew about in advance. Nothing would justify that.

[@spaceinaspace8452]

I highly recommend the 2 part Storyville version as it contains the radio conversations and interviews with David's followers and tells the story from all sides.

[@DefinitelyNotBender]

I would drive by the compound every weekend for years. Drove past while the seige was going on too. It was insane. Both sides were in the wrong.

[@anne-rc2tl]

Awesome assessment and I'd not seen this humorous side of you--your list of improbable tank names is hilarious! Great Job!!

[@BrainsApplied]

I love these videos that are related to netflix series :D

[@ajlugov4013]

Thank you very much for this channel Dr. Grande!

[@TylerDurden-oy2hm]

Its interesting that you mention Charles Manson in the Koresh discussion .Manson had dreams of being a musician too..

[@maciekillebrew2614]

Excellent, Dr. Grande. Absolutely excellent.

[@SanFranita]

I have an episode suggestion. You made two about “Leaving Neverland” in relation to MJ’s psychology. Now that the movie has been almost completely debunked, I’d love to see an analysis of the psychology of false accusers. Not just Wade and James, but also the previous accusers, Gavin (1993) and Jordie (2003) - both compelled by their parents, who were friends with MJ before deciding to extort him. There are about a million KZbin vids presenting facts, but none about the accusers mental state. In every case. they turned on someone who had been generous and kind to them. The psychology of greed, jealousy, resentment, hiwnit can corrupt certain people. And why people want to tear down icons like MJ. Why is being ‘different’ is so terrifying to people? (Maybe that’s a separate episode) For your research here are some links: 1993 Case: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKmxdZVohbuWpa8 2003 Case: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqHdcqeahrNobMU Leaving Neverland: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKG1XoSYpKmZr8k Love your show! Thx!

[@mariebernier3076]

Am choking on the abundance of dry humor; dying from his deadpan delivery. Go, doc!

[@jamesw17]

Controversial subject alert! Can't wait to watch

[@caroledowie1773]

Excellent video from Dr. Grande, as usual.

[@gsg6372]

Evidently this guy has never seen the video footage of the tanks backing away from a building with fire still visible coming out of the tank's barrel. That's just a coincidence though? Yes, The people in the building wanted to be burnt alive..

[@joekale291]

Very fair and informed analysis. What I would be interested in exploring further are the psychological differences between someone like David Koresh (who sought to cultivate a cult of personality centered on religious prophecy) and someone like Randy Weaver (who was motivated by more political considerations and was content with eking out an existence for himself and his family removed from the authority of the federal government). While Waco and Ruby Ridge are often paired together, I think that they should be considered as distinct events precisely because of these differences in motivation and ideology.

[@susanwright982]

David Koresh said he would not give up because he said he was afraid he would be a victim of violence in prison.

[@remowhat3879]

Ya, diddlers usually get the shit beat out of them. But people who fuck with the government do get some cred in prison. Who knows how a Texas prison would have treated him?

[@paulphillips684]

I disagree with one unfortunately, there is Infrared video where it shows the tanks started the fires and shooting them as they tried to escape. Also the ATF shot through the door clearly shown in the video. And was later to have melted even though other perishable items survived the fires. The video I'm speaking of is on KZbin is called the best documentary of Waco I believe.

[@shaun_rambaran]

Thanks as always, Doc'! I loved the clarification on Openness. When I'd watched your Charles Manson episode, I found it really strange that you'd described Manson as 'very low' in the trait because his lifestyle and interests seemed so bizarre (everything from being a musician, upward). If I'm understanding you correctly though, you're suggesting that while Manson's and Koresh's interests were far-flung from most of us, they both were locked into their 'bizarre' mindsets inflexibly; Therefore not 'open' to notions outside of them. Interesting!

[@shaun_rambaran]

hahaha @ 'Neutral Stimulus' If ever I have a tank, that'll be the name.

[@carolegyptienne]

Dr Grande can you please talk about C-PTSD, how it affects quality of life, health and misdiagnosis, and how it is possible to rewire the brain to stop the vicious cycles that lead to physical chronic disease. I struggling with health issues, autoimmune, hormonal, chronic pain I am 36 now. But I have lived all my life with anxiety, depression, was misdiagnosed with bpd and bipolar. How can I rewire my brain to stop the damage

[@empemitheos]

As backwards as these people were, the government response was equally as backwards, this could have easily been resolved without violence

[@HagakureJunkie]

Why are they backward? What crazy things do you believe that I can judge you as “backwards”?

[@empemitheos]

@@HagakureJunkie the guy was clearly delusional with psychological issues, got numerous predictions wrong, and his followers still kept following him.

[@fanniannifig2779]

I met Vernon Howell in the 90s when he came to Berkeley to have a bible study with people from my church (before he took over the Branch Davidian compound). He was a small guy with a baby face and an ugly mullet. He came with two girls fawning all over him and hanging on every word. After 2 hours of reading random verses from all over the bible like he was connecting them into a new break-through of knowledge, my friend said "You are not making any sense will you get to the point?" That infuriated Vernon and he stood up with his fist raised and said "Do you want to take it outside?!" Yeah, narcissists usually have fragile egos. And that's hardly the behavior of a godly man (or a man who thinks he's god, lol). So we left and I heard later that everyone else thought he was nuts after several more hours of his nonsense. He was so excited and animated by what he was trying to teach, he was either convinced of something he put together in his head or a good actor. About a year later I ended up dating someone from the compound who left shortly after Vernon took over with the gun fight. He wasn't religious he just liked the commune lifestyle. He said he was a better vegetarian, while the other religious people were sneeking into town to eat meat when it was against their beliefs. And there was a lot of sexual abuse of the young women and girls. He was disgusted with the hypocrisy. Kind of funny that Vernon decides all the girls are his and no one can have sex, even with their own wives.

[@l_shaun_bunds_l]

Yeah my dad was a dork who was kept on a bubble too long to realize his power ended where his so called Babylon began. They shouldn’t have shot him unarmed. They should’ve listened to Rodrigues and not confronted a place they claimed was outgunning them without their element of surprise…. Almost as if they wished for a conflict?!?!

[@mcd5478]

Sometimes it seems that, as a culture, the FBI and CIA have a few personality disorders of their own. 😕 Excellent video. The New Yorker article by Malcolm Gladwell was SO interesting. Thanks for posting references! 👍🏼💗

[@franmellor9843]

Good one, thankyou DR GRANDE!

[@robertprice5243]

I've met have said this on another one of your videos but I get smarter every time I listen to you and I appreciate that love your s***

[@geico1975]

Very interesting, I would ask when you use the word "delusional" are you referring to David's beliefs? If so, wouldn't delusional be normal given circumstances? For example, I understand the whole "seven seals" as interpreted by DK and the Branch Davidians to be delusional, but I believe that because I do not have their interpretation of it. However, they actually believed in that/DK's interpretation of scriptures, so to me they weren't delusional in the sense of a mental disorder. I find them all to be prudent, kind, caring people with strange beliefs concerning the Bible, but can't that argument be made about every Christian denomination and even other religions and sects? Thanks.

[@lindadewitt9239]

Staying with talking can be effective when you are dealing with people who have some rationality remaining. When they have been totally sucked into a leader's delusional thinking, it is far more difficult.

[@kurtak9452]

Outstanding presentation. Keep up the good work Doc. Love that deadpan humor.

[@tumppuman]

I have not sympathy for religious cults but the antagonistic nature of the law enforcement was also disgusting. This seems to be a problem in american law enforcement still today. "I have gun so I dont have to work towards a peaceful resolution" mentality. Sure the Koresh is the biggest villain but it seems that some of the officers were actively looking for a "final" confrontation eventhough the siege was quite long. Then again it also could be argued that Koresh really had no intention to resolve the situation peacefully either.

[@henryclamore4791]

Koresh is a villain, what a weak thing to say, I have nothing but admiration for him.

[@joeanonymous1834]

Absolutely right. I was one degree of separation from some of the people involved at the time. The idiot "kick ass and take names" mentality is what led to this atrocity.

[@Warsie]

Yea Koresh isn't the bigger victim his cult wasn't interfering with other people etc

[@johannesweitz8497]

@Blackmadmonk All he should have done is open the doors, let they do the firearm inspection and if it was the case, be arrested. His lawyer and the Courts will sort the legal issues out. However, once they had decided to use firearms to defend themselves the game change. The killing of four ATF officers and six people inside the compound during a firefight means that the Police cannot and will not withdraw from the terrain. This deadly encounter close the doors for a peaceful end. The thing that I personally struggle with is, if I or you or whoever was the commander on the scene, and, after this deadly encounter, how do you proceed from now on in the light of all the innocent people inside the complex. You do have a search warrant to execute and you are also in possession of an arrest warrant for David Koresh. It seems it was a wooden structure, if you fire blindly towards the compound, you might kill innocent people. How do you go about to end the siege of the complex with no further deaths and execute the warrants?

[@lisarochwarg4707]

I would have lived it if a big burly agent had thrown that pencil necked nincompoop against the wall about forty or fifty times. He was nothing but a troublemaker. Who cares about him anyway?

[@naomiscott4819]

Who else thinks that Dr. Grande looks A LOT like David Koresh?!! First thing my eyes saw! Btw...love this channel!

[@mariebernier3076]

He's like that old Woody Allen movie, "Zelig" about the nondescript little guy who begins to act and look like people he meets. Dr. Grande's face next to the headshot of his subjects starts to look more and more similar. Oh, Woody....the great old days.

[@antonioraviolioto3886]

The phrase "superficial charm" has now been used in several of these videos. How does one scientifically distinguish superficial charm from authentic charm?

[@EastwardTraveller]

it's all superficial charm is just an inherently superficial characteristic imo

[@janets7291]

Oh, you know it when you see it.

[@KB4QAA]

AR; I question Dr. Grande's statement of superficial charm. DK lived with these people for years in close quarters. His charm had to be genuine and deep to draw these people into his delusions.

[@bjornschneider3559]

Good question, you probably only know it if there's no substance to the charm. So every Socio-/Psychopath has mostly only superficial charme. No empathy and no real achievement that substanciates the charme. Some can spot it on the spot, others have to wait and get the whole or partial story ...

[@janets7291]

@@bjornschneider3559 I've seen superficial charm up close. My best friend's daughter was murdered by a serial killer. It's like Dr. Grande has met poor Laura's murderer and is describing him. Psychopathy and narcissistic personality disorder, so bang on. Everything I heard in court, every piece of evidence points so directly to those diagnoses, it's sort of shocking. In Canada, you are allowed to represent yourself in court, even in murder charges. The murderer acted in his own defense, even though his was time and time again advised by the judge in the pretrial motions to retain counsel. So the victim's family and the whole court had to watch this dirtbag stand up and playact at being a lawyer. Didn't do any good, though. He got 3 guilty verdicts: 3 consecutive life sentences served consecutively with no possibility of parole for 75 years.

[@SomeoneBeginingWithI]

The description of the paradox of extremely high openness reminds me of the Tim Minchin line "if you open your mind too much, your brain will fall out"

[@msbae]

I saw this mini-series a few days ago. The moment Koresh, et al. decided to shoot at the ATF, they were doomed. There was no way the government was going to back down from that...

[@KB4QAA]

1. They were not 'doomed'. The ATF attack was the fulfillment of prophecy. 2. Had the ATF not attacked with weapons, there would have been no shooting.

[@garymorris9611]

@@KB4QAA ...doomed and done.

[@unhealthyinfj3530]

Thank you for addressing the Openness to Experience Continuum! 😊😊😊 I definitely notice that to be true, especially in the comment section of some of your videos.. especially the ones that draw a lot of attention from highly delusional people.. anti-vaxers, conspiracy theorists, alien lizard people believers.. yikes! I'm glad my openness isn't that high/delusional. I wanted to go to college for art, but was forced to go for engineering (or I'd be disowned from the family.. nice, right?). I did terrible bc it wasn't what I wanted to do, but it did force me to be more understanding of how the world actually works. I am thankful for that. I think these people just need some serious re-educating. 💜💜💜 Thanks for a great video, as always!!

[@LaVieDeReine86]

If I were David Koresh and they sent a tank called "let's go home" I'd be like, "fair play, I'm out."

[@carewser]

when I first heard about David Koresh I thought, what a waco!

[@h.borter5367]

When I was in the hospital last year, I saw a documentary on him. I came to the conclusion that he also had to be a con man. Just my opinion.