Ever Forward Radio

  This episode is brought to you by Fatty15, LMNT and Audible. In this gripping and mind-opening conversation, Yale psychiatrist and author Dr. James Kimmel Jr. joins us to explore one of humanity's most primal urges—revenge. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and personal experience, Dr. Kimmel explains how revenge mimics addiction in the brain and why many of us unknowingly suffer from “revenge cravings.” He shares a deeply personal story of nearly acting on revenge as a teenager, the lessons he learned as a litigator-turned-researcher, and practical, science-backed ways to break the cycle. From mass shootings and bullying to road rage and “revenge bodies,” this episode dives deep into the psychology of retaliation, the illusion of justice, and how forgiveness may be the ultimate act of self-healing. ----- In this episode we discuss... 03:25 – What is revenge? Real-life examples and dangers 06:39 – Legal revenge: Lawyers as licensed avengers 11:30 – The definition of grievance and how it fuels revenge 1