Predators, Posers & Pained Personalities
Defensible and Effective Strategies for Preventing Targeted Violence and Managing Malevolent Behaviors

This audiobook is narrated by an AI Voice. In a time when targeted violence, stalking, radicalization, and mass harm can feel unpredictable, Predators, Posers, and Pained Personalities offers a practical counterpoint: we may not be able to predict who will commit violence, but we can recognize concerning patterns, manage risk, and build systems that save lives while respecting dignity, ethics, and due process. Written for violence prevention and Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) professionals, the book is also accessible to parents, educators, caregivers, healthcare and public safety personnel, workplace professionals, community leaders, and anyone committed to preventing harm.
Blending research, real-world experience, and practical guidance, the authors explore the evolution of BTAM, effective prevention mindsets, and the importance of curiosity, compassion, and recognizing that people are more than a single moment in time. Readers gain practical insight into multidisciplinary BTAM teams and critical topics, including the pathway to violence, warning behaviors, risk factors, reporting, mental health, intimate partner and self-directed violence, violent extremism, inceldom, stalking, and the influence of media and technology. The book also addresses leadership, ethics, legal considerations, documentation, organizational change, and professional standards, concluding with the authors’ C.A.S.T.™ framework, a practical roadmap for effective violence prevention. Written in a conversational style, it serves as both a foundational resource and practical field guide for recognizing risk, making informed decisions, and helping keep communities safe.