Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"And so he starts thinking of something, much like Gary Ridgeway, that he is exterminating the Dregs of society. And now you have to put here as a purpose. And then you have the perfect recipe for literally one of the most brutal serial killers ever." — Marcus Barks
"He believed 100% in the ideals of linen, Stalin, and all of the other various Russian leaders out there. He was a government worker all throughout his life." — Ben Kissel
"The whole situation is so much more disturbing to me now because I can't get the B-52s out of my head. And so now I just hear, I don't want to hear that song ever again, because I'm just going to think of Chick-a-Tello six-year-olds, nine-year-olds, though." — Henry Zabrowski
The episode begins by setting the stage in Soviet Russia, describing the harsh realities of life, including extreme heat in Los Angeles and the bleakness of the Soviet countryside. The discussion quickly pivots to the upcoming subject, Andrey Chikatillo, referred to by various grim nicknames. The hosts explore his birth and early childhood in Ukraine during the Holodomor, a period of forced collectivization and famine. They detail the extreme hardship his family endured, including surviving on leaves and grass, and the psychological impact of living through such devastating circumstances. Chikatillo's early life was marked by severe deprivation, the trauma of World War II occupation, and the death of family members, all within a context of pervasive Soviet ideology that emphasized collectivism and government control.
Further into his childhood, the narrative highlights instances of bullying and mockery he experienced, including being teased for his physical development and perceived sexual deficiencies. These experiences, coupled with a difficult relationship with his mother and incidents of bedwetting which led to harsh punishment, are presented as contributing factors to his developing psychological state. The hosts touch upon the societal norms and the lack of adequate support systems within Soviet Russia, suggesting that these factors, combined with his personal traumas and potential psychological disorders, created a fertile ground for the development of violent impulses. The episode also touches upon his early sexual awakenings, marked by incidents where arousal was triggered by non-consensual contact or struggle, foreshadowing the connection between violence and sexuality in his later crimes.
The discussion then moves to Chikatillo's experiences in the Soviet Army and his eventual marriage. His persistent struggles with impotence are a recurring theme, and the episode posits that this personal struggle, amplified by societal pressures regarding masculinity and virility in Soviet culture, significantly fueled his rage and eventual criminal behavior. The narrative details his employment history, including work in challenging environments like brick factories and collective farms, where he experienced further physical trauma. The hosts also discuss his diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and the characteristics associated with it, such as emotional turbulence and difficulty forming relationships, as well as the broader implications of his interactions within the Soviet system, which often prioritized community solidarity over individual accountability, potentially allowing him to evade consequences for early transgressions.