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The Science of Violence | Dr. Gary Slutkin
12 October 2026

The Science of Violence | Dr. Gary Slutkin

Behavioral Grooves Podcast

About

What if violence is contagious? Dr. Gary Slutkin argues that violence spreads like an epidemic, and that public health strategies can help stop it. We explore social pain, belonging, violence interrupters, and the science behind preventing violence before it spreads.


Topics

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Dr. Gary Slutkin


[8:23] Why Do We Treat Violence as a Moral Problem?


[11:25] What Happens When Our Diagnosis Is Wrong?


[20:00] Exposure, Susceptibility, and the Pain of Violence


[25:12] Can Belonging Stop the Cycle of Violence?


[31:26] Finding the Warning Signs Before Violence Happens


[37:44] Why Community Health Workers Matter


[41:30] How to Cool Down a Potentially Violent Situation


[47:54] How Communities Can Build Systems to Prevent Violence


[49:00] Grooving With Gary: Music, Guitar, and Leonard Cohen


[54:13] Grooving Session: Breaking the Cycle Through Connection


©2026 Behavioral Grooves


Links

About Dr. Gary Slutkin


Cure Violence Global


The End of Violence by Dr. Gary Slutkin


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Music Links

Dire Straits - So Far Away


John Coltrane - Locomotion