Dumb Blonde Podcast

Episode: TBT: Ed Gein – Murder and Mommy Issues
Hosts: Bunnie XO and Mimi
Date: October 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Bunnie XO and regular guest Mimi dig deep into the infamous true crime case of Ed Gein, the "Butcher of Plainfield." Bridging dark history with their signature humor and candidness, they ask whether Gein should truly be called a serial killer or if he was a deeply disturbed, socially stunted psychopath molded by a traumatic upbringing and pathological attachment to his mother. The conversation weaves Ed Gein's biography, shocking details of his crimes, gruesome discoveries, psychological analysis, and their own reflections on parental influence and trauma.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ed Gein: Serial Killer or Psychopath? (04:00–05:37)

• Mimi's perspective:
  • "He's a psychopath. He's my favorite psychopath. I don't believe he was a serial killer. No. He got off on the idea of death, not the idea of killing." (04:08)
  • Gein only killed a few people, most of his activities involved grave robbing.
• Bunnie XO:
  • Agrees that Gein isn’t a typical serial killer but affirms he’s “a few grapes short of a fruit salad” (05:37).
  • Both discuss the technicality: By definition, killing three or more makes a serial killer, but context matters.

2. Mommy Issues & Religious Trauma (05:37–17:35)

• Gein’s overbearing, ultra-religious mother Augusta controlled his worldview, vilifying women and sexuality.
• Bunnie and Mimi reflect on how strict, religious or traumatic upbringings shape children:
  • “You get true qualities from your parents, even if you didn’t spend a lifetime with these parents.” (08:22, Mimi)
  • The hosts recount their own family dynamics and experiences with inherited behaviors and trauma.

3. Childhood Abuse and Upbringing (20:51–26:54)

• Ed’s father was an abusive alcoholic; Augusta was emotionally cold, controlling, and taught her sons that women (except herself) were evil.
• Sexual repression and abuse:
  • Mimi shares: “Augusta would often preach to them from the Bible, and she instilled into them that the beliefs of alcohol and all women, except for herself, of course, were the pinnacles of immorality.” (23:13)
  • Graphic story of Augusta scalding Ed’s genitals in boiling water after catching him masturbating—potential signs of deeper sexual abuse.

4. Isolation, Obsession, and Social Stunting (27:14–30:31; 32:02–35:51)

• Gein and his brother Henry were isolated on their farm, forbidden from forming friendships.
• Ed developed an extreme attachment to his mother; after her death, he was left entirely alone, socially underdeveloped, and unable to form other attachments.

5. The Crimes and House of Horrors (37:14–48:46)

• Grave-robbing and body art:
  • Ed exhumed corpses of women resembling his mother; skinned bodies to fashion suits and masks.
  • “His aim was to physically recreate a version of his mother, later admitting to authorities that he wanted to become her and crawl into her skin.” (37:14, Mimi)
  • Used body parts for furniture, clothing, and utensils: “A belt made of nipples, a lampshade made from a human face, bowls from human skulls...” (42:04, Bunnie)
• Notable crimes:
  • Murdered Mary Hogan (1954) and Bernice Worden (1957)—both were shot and bodies taken to his farm (43:28).
  • Bernice’s son (a deputy) grew suspicious, leading to the discovery of horrifically mutilated remains.
  • Ed denied sexual contact with corpses, stating, “they smelled too bad” (44:20, Mimi).

6. Psychological Analysis: Nature vs. Nurture (48:52–53:18)

• Debate over empathy for Gein’s circumstances:
  • “I just... I feel like it’s one of those situations. Had he not been brought up that way, do you think he would’ve ever done it?” (50:18, Mimi)
  • Bunnie is unswayed: “You morally know what’s right or wrong.” (50:32)
• Mental illness and legal outcome:
  • After his arrest, Gein was diagnosed with schizophrenia and declared not guilty by reason of insanity.
  • Lived out life in psychiatric institutions until death in 1984.

7. Cultural Impact & Horror Inspiration (18:12–19:02; 52:07)

• Gein’s crimes inspired movies like "Silence of the Lambs," "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," and "House of 1000 Corpses."
• “Otis... kind of, you know, channeled Ed Gein when creating that character...” (18:34, Mimi)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mimi (on Gein’s psyche):
  • “He got off on the idea of death, not the idea of killing.” (04:08)
• Bunnie XO (on religious trauma):
  • “Those are the real weirdos, are the people whose parents... were super strict and super just, like, overbearing and, like, shoved religion down their throat. It’s like a different fear it creates.” (05:54)
• Mimi (on parental influence):
  • “You get true qualities from your parents, even if you didn’t spend a lifetime with these parents.” (08:22)
• Bunnie XO (recounting Ed’s confession):
  • “His aim was to physically recreate a version of his mother, later admitting to authorities that he wanted to become her and crawl into her skin.” (37:14)
• Mimi (on Ed’s “craftsmanship”):
  • “He was an artsman... crafted body parts into household items, as well as pieces of clothing, such as a pair of gloves made from human flesh, a belt made of nipples.” (40:56)
• Bunnie XO (on empathy):
  • “I have none. I already have a distance disdain for men in general, so to know that he may just... abusing women like this, I’m like, dude, off.” (49:00)
• Mimi (on the question of nurture vs. nature):
  • “Had he not been brought up that way, do you think he would ever have done it?” (50:18)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:00 | Mimi and Bunnie debate serial killer definition and Gein’s motivations | | 05:37 | Deep dive into religious trauma and parental control in Gein’s upbringing | | 20:51 | Ed’s childhood, family violence, and beginnings of social stunting | | 26:23 | Sexual repression, disturbing childhood incidents | | 37:14 | The shift after Augusta’s death: grave-robbing and “mother suit” | | 41:15 | Discovery of Gein’s “artwork” and grisly trophies at his farmhouse | | 43:28 | Murders of Mary Hogan and Bernice Worden, police investigation | | 48:46 | Hosts’ reactions to the inventories of horrors | | 52:07 | Legal outcomes: Insanity defense, mental health, and Gein’s later years |

Tone and Dynamic

• Bunnie XO and Mimi maintain their signature blend of irreverent, dark humor and empathy, balancing graphic crime details with personal asides and pop culture references.
• The conversation is conversational, unfiltered and engaging, mixing true crime fascination with relatable reflections on family and trauma.
• Bunnie tends to hold the hard boundary against empathy for Gein, while Mimi sometimes demonstrates an empathic curiosity regarding how childhood trauma shapes monstrous outcomes.

Takeaway

The episode offers a brutal, unvarnished examination of Ed Gein’s life, crimes, and legacy—raising tough questions about parental influence, religious repression, the roots of evil, and the complex dividing line between serial killer and psychopath. Bunnie and Mimi bring their signature realness, ensuring listeners laugh, squirm, and ponder, all at once.

For further discussion and behind-the-scenes exclusives, check out the Dumb Blonde Patreon at www.dumblondunrated.com.