Revenge is as old as humanity itself. And new research shows that revenge functions in our brains like a type of addiction. This hour a look at revenge in politics, literature, and everyday life — and what it would mean if we treated revenge differently.

GUESTS:

• James Kimmel Jr.: Lawyer, author, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, and the Founder and Co-Director of the Yale Collaborative for Motive Control Studies. His new book is The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction--and How to Overcome It

• Emily King: Visiting Assistant Professor of Writing and English at Washington and Lee University. She is author of Civil Vengeance: Literature, Culture, and Early Modern Revenge

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):

• Il Trovatore: Anvil Chorus – Giuseppe Verdi, Budapest Festival Orchestra & Chorus

• The Payback – James Brown

• The Mariner’s Revenge Song – The Decemberists

• These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra

• Smile – Lily Allen

• no body, no crime - Taylor Swift

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Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on November 5, 2025.