How Normal People Become Extremists... | Jeff Schoep | DSH #1950
5/6/202658 min
Jeff Schoep spent 27 years inside the neo-Nazi movement and led one of its major organizations for 25 years. In this episode, Jeff breaks down how extremist groups operate, why they feel like cults, how they recruit people, and why the psychology behind neo-Nazi groups, ISIS, al-Qaeda, Antifa, gangs, and cults can look shockingly similar. He also opens up about assassination attempts, government informants, paranoia inside the movement, losing his identity after leaving, and why he now helps people escape extremism through his nonprofit work. This is a conversation about radicalization, redemption, and how people can come back from even the darkest chapters of their lives. Chapters 0:00 The Psychology Of Extremism 0:34 Jeff Schoep’s Story 1:18 Why Extremist Groups Are Like Cults 3:39 Feeling Trapped As A Leader 6:04 Social Media And Radicalization 8:07 Recruiting Kids Through Games 11:01 Helping Neo-Nazis Leave 17:19 Informants, Paranoia, And Violence 30:08 Jeff’s Work After Leaving 56:52 A Message For Anyone Trying To Change What You’ll Learn 🔥 How extremist groups use cult-like psychology 🧠 Why people don’t realize they’re being radicalized ⚠️ How social media fuels outrage and extremism 🎮 Why kids are being targeted through online games 👀 What informants and infiltrators look like inside extremist groups 💥 Why leaving can feel impossible once your identity is tied to the cause 👨👩👧 How extremism damages families for years 🕊️ How Jeff now helps people leave hate groups 💬 Why “hate” is often a byproduct, not the root cause 🙏 Why Jeff believes anyone can still change their life 🎙️ APPLY OR CONNECT 👉 Interested in being a guest? Apply here: https://www.digitalsocialhour.com/apply 💼 SPONSORS CHIME: http://hims.com/DSH HIMS: http://hims.com/DSH 📩 Business Inquiries & Sponsorships sean@digitalsocialhour.com 👤 GUEST Jeff Schoep: https://www.instagram.com/jeff_schoep/ 🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST 🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 📸 Follow the Host Sean Kelly on Instagram: @seanmikekelly ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team. The host and producers are not responsible for statements, claims, or opinions shared by guests during the show. This content is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, financial, or professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to do their own research and consult qualified professionals when appropriate. While we aim to share accurate and reliable information, no guarantees are made regarding completeness or accuracy. 🔥 Stay tuned for more conversations with creators, founders, and innovators shaping the digital world. Keywords Jeff Schoep, American Nazi, neo-Nazi, extremism, radicalization, cults, hate groups, former extremist, Daryl Davis, Antifa, ISIS, al-Qaeda, online radicalization, de-radicalization, Beyond Barriers, Digital Social Hour Visit Our Website at https://digital-social-hour.simplecast.com/ Presented by https://podgo.io/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJeff Schoep· Guest0:00
I could help people leave extremist neo-Nazi type movements, but I figured all the others are so different. And what I learned quickly by meeting people from other extremist groups, like former Al-Qaeda members, former ISIS members, former Antifa, all different types of extreme groups, the way they hold people in place, the psychology of it, is almost identical. Original American Nazi Party, George Lincoln Rockwell, he was assassinated, and a number of others were as well. So the group I was a part of was a continuation of that movement.
Sean Kelly· Host0:29
Okay, guys. Got Jeff coming in on the show today virtually, tuning in from Michigan. How's it going, Jeff?
Jeff Schoep· Guest0:39
Great. Thanks for having me, Sean.
Sean Kelly· Host0:41
Absolutely. I know you got the new book, um, American Nazi: From Hate to Humanity.
Jeff Schoep· Guest0:46
That's right.
Sean Kelly· Host0:48
What was the, uh, inspiration for wanting to get your story out there?
Jeff Schoep· Guest0:51
Well, I, I feel like, you know, I mean, I, I have a pretty, led a pretty crazy life unfortunately, and, um, I feel like that it's a story that can uplift people. So since the book's been out, you know, I've had people that have written in and, and s- you know, they've went through all kinds of struggles in their life, whether that's been, uh, drugs or alcohol, or whether that's been leaving a cult or leaving an extremist group or, or anything of that nature. Um, you know, if, if you've been through some struggles, this is, this is a book for you.
Sean Kelly· Host1:19
Would you label the group you were part of as, as a cult?
Jeff Schoep· Guest1:23
Yeah. You know, when I was involved in it, I wouldn't have called it that, but, um, looking at it