Date Night Chronicles: A Riveting Dive into 'The Psychology of a Serial Killer' with Dr. Rachel Toles

Following my Instagram story detailing Adam and I’s escapades over St. Paddy’s Day weekend a few months back, I had many questions about the show and what my thoughts on it are, and even some inquiries as to “why do you like that stuff?!”—so please, allow me to answer these questions here and now!

Picture this: an evening filled with chilling revelations, intellectual stimulation, and a touch of the macabre. That's precisely where Adam led us when he surprised me with tickets to "The Psychology of a Serial Killer" hosted by the brilliant Dr. Rachel Toles. As a clinical therapist with an insatiable love for delving into the intricacies of the human mind, this live show promised to unravel the enigma behind one of society's most chilling subjects: the psychology of a serial killer. Not to mention, be the perfect intersection of my professional curiosity and personal fascination.

Dr. Toles, a beacon of knowledge in the field of psychology, took center stage in a performance in a performance that left an indelible mark on my curiosity and fascination with the human psyche and surpassed all expectations. From the moment the lights dimmed, she effortlessly guided the audience through the labyrinth of the human psyche, unraveling the mysteries that shroud the minds of serial killers. Her expertise, coupled with a captivating stage presence, transformed what could have been a morbid exploration into an intellectual odyssey.

What set this live show apart was Dr. Toles' ability to bridge the gap between academic insight and riveting storytelling. Dr. Toles' ability to translate complex psychological concepts into a narrative that was both accessible and enthralling. With a unique blend of expertise and theatrical flair, she guided the audience through the intricate web of factors that contribute to the formation of a serial killer's psyche. The live show wasn't a dry lecture; it was a gripping tale that invited the audience to step into the shoes of those who navigate the darkest corners of their minds. Her narratives were not just informative but served as a gripping exploration of the complexities that define deviant behavior. Furthermore, what truly stood out was the integration of real-life cases and psychological theories created a profile of understanding that left me in awe of the intricacies of criminal psychology.

Adam's thoughtful gesture of snagging these tickets elevated the experience, turning it into a shared journey into the depths of the human condition.  The interactive elements woven into the show facilitated not only a deeper understanding but also sparked conversations between us about the factors that shape behavior and the thin line that separates sanity from chaos. Another aspect that elevated the experience was the interactive element woven into the performance. Dr. Toles engaged the audience with thought-provoking questions, challenging us to consider the factors that might influence a person's descent into criminality. This dynamic interaction transformed the show from a lecture into a collective exploration of the human condition.

Despite the inherently heavy subject matter, Dr. Toles seamlessly injected moments of humor and levity, ensuring that the audience remained engaged without sacrificing the gravity of the discussion. The show artfully balanced the gravity of its subject matter with moments of light-heartedness, ensuring that the audience remained captivated without feeling overwhelmed. Dr. Toles' ability to convey her expertise with a touch of humor added a humanizing element to the often macabre discussion, making the experience both enlightening and accessible.

At the request of my fiancé: #MustacheMarch

In conclusion, "The Psychology of a Serial Killer" rose above the conventional boundaries of a live show. Dr. Rachel Toles, with her expertise and theatrical finesse, crafted an evening that left me intellectually invigorated and emotionally moved. For anyone with a passion for unraveling the mysteries of the human mind, this live show is a must-attend – a thought-provoking exploration that lingers in your thoughts long after the final curtain falls. And to Adam, who knew the way to my heart extends beyond therapy manuals and the DSM – thank you for a night of psychologically stimulating theater that I'll treasure forever.

Have you ever wondered about the psychology of a serial killer, and perhaps which one do you find most fascinating? Or do you find this whole dive into the macabre and true crime trend abhorrent? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below!


Xx, Bree

Hi, hello, I’m BACK! (Feat. Finding Balance: Why I Took a Break from Blogging)

Hey there, it’s been a while, hasn't it? What, 2018? That’s the last time I posted minus my little teaser a little over a week ago?! $#@%! It didn’t seem that long. You might be wondering why I went MIA for quite a bit. Was it personal reasons? Was it the pandemic? Well, let me pull back the curtain and share why I decided to take a break from blogging.

Disclaimer:
The TL;DR version of this answer is I am well and happy, I had a bit of a career shift since 2018, and then the pandemic happened in 2020 which is when I initially anticipated relaunching following my second degree. But spoiler alert: I earned my third degree (my masters in professional counseling) during the pandemic, passed my NCE exam over a year ago and am currently working as a clinical therapist and LPC. I also plan to begin working on getting my MSN and possibly DNP in the future—however considering I also got engaged in the midst of all this and am currently planning a wedding, my academic endeavors are on a slight pause; but focusing on the now, outside of that, still the same old Bree!

And, regarding the blog, it will be undergoing some changes, but I plan on continuing to post because I’ve greatly missed this part of my life (to get a bigger scoop on the ch-ch-cha-changes, stay tuned in the next ten days!). So, for y’all who’ve been wanting my life update and what I’ve been up to for the last (almost) six years, here’s the scoop:

1. Prioritizing Mental Health:

Life can get hectic, and so did mine. Juggling work, grad school, personal life, and blogging can take a toll. I realized I needed to prioritize my mental health and step back to recharge. It's essential to acknowledge when the creative well needs a refill.

2. Quality Over Quantity:

In the pursuit of consistency, I found myself prioritizing quantity over quality. I decided to take a pause to refocus on creating content that truly resonates with me and, hopefully, with you all too. Quality always trumps quantity, and I want each post to bring genuine value, and not feel like forced labor to keep up with sponsorships and sometimes perceived competition. Because all in all, I’m doing this for me, it’s my creative outlet and I feel I should enjoy creating content as much as my audience enjoys consuming it!

3. Embracing Change:

Change is inevitable, and sometimes, it's crucial for growth. I took this break to reflect on where I want my blog to go and to embrace the changes happening in my own life. It's okay to evolve, and my blog should reflect that evolution too.

4. Personal Growth Journey:

Life is a journey of continuous growth. I wanted to dedicate time to personal development, learning new skills, and gaining fresh perspectives. This break allowed me to invest in myself, ultimately enhancing the content I create for my wonderful readers (psssst I’m talking about y’all!).

5. Avoiding Burnout:

Blogging can be demanding, and burnout is a real concern (especially as my main profession, a clinical therapist, has a high burn out rate too). To prevent reaching that point of exhaustion here and in my full time gig, I decided to step back temporarily. Taking a break is not a sign of weakness but rather a proactive measure to ensure I can continue to deliver my best in all aspects of my work, on and off the blog.

6. Reconnecting with Passion:

Blogging should always be a passion project, not a chore. I took this break to reconnect with the initial spark that inspired me to start this journey. Rekindling that passion ensures that every post comes from a place of genuine enthusiasm, because that’s what myself and my readers deserve.

7. Balancing Responsibilities:

Life's responsibilities can pile up, and it's crucial to find the right balance. My hiatus allowed me to reassess and reprioritize, ensuring that I can manage my blogging commitments while also fulfilling all other aspects of life. Again, I want this to be something I enjoy and share with others as a means of connection—not something I force myself to do.

8. Quality Me-Time:

Self-care is not just a buzzword; it's a necessity, and I learned this all too well during my time in grad school during the COVID-19 pandemic. I took a step back to indulge in some quality me-time, enjoying activities that I'm passionate about outside the blogging sphere. A rejuvenated blogger means better content for you!

9. Setting Boundaries:

Blogging often blurs the lines between work and personal life. Taking a break helped me set clearer boundaries, ensuring that when I'm working on my blog, I'm fully present and passionate about the content I'm creating, opposed to feeling like “I have too” it’s an “I want too”. Like any labor of love should be. This also has helped me set boundaries for when I’m not working on the blog as well, my personal time shouldn’t be consumed by worrying about sponsorships and deadlines—just like in my clinical work, I need to leave my blog work on the blog and enjoy my experiences outside of it. I have found this makes for a much more harmonious work/life balance.

10. Coming Back Stronger:

Sometimes, you need to take a step back to leap forward. I assure you, this break was not in vain. I've spent this time brainstorming, planning, traveling (*cough, cough* there will be a post very soon about my excursion to New York Fashion Week with my wonderful ghoulmate Adam) and creating content that I can't wait to share with all of you! So get ready for some exciting new posts coming your way!

I appreciate your understanding and continuous support during this hiatus. Let's dive back into this blogging journey together with renewed energy and passion!

And as always, I’d love to chat and catch up! So please feel free to tell me about anything and everything you’ve been doing to rejuvenate and care for yourself in the comments section down below!

P.S. All my socials are still the same, but just in case you forgot you can follow me on Instagram (and connect with me on Threads!), Pinterest, BlogLovin, Twitter (oops I mean “X”, major eye-roll), you can also like/follow me on Facebook and connect with me on LinkedIn!

P.P.S. Also, though my shop is currently under construction, you can still connect with me via LIKEtoKNOW.it (now LTK for short!) and then you’ll be able to shop my closet again once I get some new style posts uploaded.

Xx, Bree