Incels – Episode 1: "Begin at the Ending"

Podcast: Incels
Host: iHeartPodcasts (KT Studios)
Episode Release Date: September 24, 2025

Episode Overview

The debut episode of "Incels" introduces listeners to the dark and complex subculture of involuntary celibates ("incels"). Moving beyond mere headlines, the episode explores incel ideology, its rise through online communities, the psychological and sociological factors at play, and the real-life tragedies wrought by this mindset. The focus centers on understanding how these communities operate, the consequences of online radicalization, and includes a deeply personal interview with Colleen Weiss, whose daughter was murdered in the incel-motivated Isla Vista attack.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Defining Incel Culture and Origins

[03:04-07:01]

• Incel stands for "involuntary celibate," specifically men who blame women for their lack of romantic or sexual relationships.
• The ideology is characterized by a mix of self-loathing, resentment towards women, "Chads" (attractive, successful men), and online commiseration that can breed radicalization.
• The community gained notoriety after Elliot Rodger's 2014 Isla Vista shooting, seen as an incel manifesto come to life.
• Quote:
  • "If I was a woman, I wouldn’t date me either." – A forum post read aloud [03:09]
  • "They basically blame women for being celibate... women are blamed for them being celibate." – Body Moving, Crime Analyst [05:32]

2. Incels and Real-World Violence

[03:33–07:12]

• The episode references high-profile attacks linked to incel ideology, including Elliot Rodger and, more recently, speculations around Bryan Kohberger (Idaho student murders).

• Discussion around the escalation from online resentment to real-world tragedies, and the wider societal concern.

• Quote:

  • "It’s a very sad situation, right? You don’t want your kid… this mentally entrenched in this subculture that basically says… they’re not good enough." – Stephanie Lydecker [06:38]

3. Demographics and Psychological Traps

[09:28–11:07]

• Not all incels are violent—many are young, lonely men searching for community.

• Statistics: Average age 26, mostly living with family, high unemployment, nearly three-quarters report moderate-severe depression, and extremely high loneliness scores.

• COVID-19 and lockdowns served as a "pressure cooker," increasing isolation and fueling online radicalization.

• Quote:

  • "The average age is the mid-20s… 73% report moderate to severe depression. And they blame it on women for not wanting them." – [09:28]

4. Online Community Dynamics

[07:45–12:21]

• Incels gather mainly on forums like Reddit, 4chan, Discord—spaces filled with rage, envy, and sometimes grooming towards violence.
• Terms explained: "Chads" – men with sexual/romantic success; "Stacys" – the women; incels see themselves as "nice guys" entitled to affection.
• The Internet fosters both support and radicalization, making it easy for impressionable young men to be swept into hate-filled echo chambers.

5. Expert and First-Person Perspectives

[12:21–18:12]

• Connor Powell, Investigative Journalist, shares findings from infiltrating online incel forums:

  • Distinction between two types: openly angry/violent vs. depressed/lost/contemplative.
  • Forums swing between "joking" about atrocities and deadly serious idolization of violent attackers.
  • Many describe the real world as “fake” and only feel authentic online.

• Memorable Moment:

  • "You can see where a young, impressionable male can really get caught up in: Is this real? Should I be embracing this as real? Or is this just people having fun?" – Connor Powell [17:23]

6. Victim Impact: The Story of Veronica Weiss

[22:46–48:25]

• Interview with Colleen Weiss, mother of 19-year-old Veronica Weiss, murdered in the Isla Vista attack.

• Colleen shares memories of Veronica’s cheerful personality, her athleticism, her warmth and inclusivity, as well as the family's devastation and struggle in the aftermath.

• She recounts the traumatic night Veronica died, the painful days that followed, and her path toward acceptance over a decade later.

• Colleen expresses empathy rather than anger toward Elliot Rodger, recognizing the suffering behind his actions.

• Quotes:

  • "I just told my husband, I know she’s dead." – Colleen Weiss [30:00]
  • "It has been... a long— I don’t want to really use ‘torturous’ as the word, but that’s how it felt at many points." – Colleen Weiss [23:44]
  • "He was in so much pain... and I just— no, I did not feel angry." – Colleen Weiss [39:14]
  • "I feel sadness for those people, sadness for their parents. I could have a child that ended up being like that." – Colleen Weiss [46:00]

7. Societal Implications and Prevention

[11:20–12:21; Throughout]

• The podcast underlines the need for awareness—not fearmongering—of incel culture’s warning signs.
• Emphasis on the roles families, schools, and friends play in recognizing behavioral red flags.
• The episode previews further exploration into algorithmic radicalization and prevention in future episodes.

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

| Timestamp (MM:SS) | Speaker | Quote | |-----------------------|-------------|-----------| | 03:09 | Forum user | "I am a loser. If I was a woman, I wouldn't date me either." | | 05:32 | Body Moving | "INCEL stands for involuntarily celibate. And the involuntarily is, you know, important here. They basically blame women for being celibate…" | | 06:38 | Stephanie Lydecker | "You don't want your kid… this mentally entrenched in this subculture that basically says… they're not good enough." | | 09:28 | Host | "The average age is the mid-20s… 73% report moderate to severe depression. And they blame it on women for not wanting them." | | 17:23 | Connor Powell | "You can see where a young, impressionable male can really get caught up in: Is this real? Should I be embracing this as real? Or is this just people having fun?" | | 30:00 | Colleen Weiss | "I just told my husband, I know she's... She's dead." | | 39:14 | Colleen Weiss | "He was in so much pain…and I just— no, I did not feel angry." | | 46:00 | Colleen Weiss | "I feel sadness for those people, sadness for their parents. I could have a child that ended up being like that." |

Segment Timestamps

• [03:04–07:01] — Introduction to Incels and Ideology
• [07:45–12:21] — Online Community Structure, "Chad" and "Stacy," Forums
• [12:21–18:12] — Connor Powell's Forum Exploration
• [22:46–31:06] — Interview with Colleen Weiss, Part 1: Remembering Veronica and The Night of the Attack
• [36:04–48:25] — Interview with Colleen Weiss, Part 2: Processing Grief and the Aftermath

Memorable Moments

• The show opens with a stark reminder of the real-world stakes, connecting chilling online rhetoric directly to deadly outcomes.
• Connor Powell’s candid observations from inside incel forums reveal the blurred line between "edgy" humor and actual endorsement of violence.
• The intimate and heartbreaking account from Colleen Weiss highlights the profound, personal cost of incel-motivated violence—her resilience and empathy stand in stark contrast to many expectations.

Conclusion

The first episode of "Incels" sets a serious, empathetic, and deeply investigative tone for the series. It combines expert insights, on-the-ground reporting, and the voices of those most affected to expose the roots, real impacts, and warning signs of the incel phenomenon. The episode avoids sensationalism, emphasizing humanity and the need for understanding and intervention.

For more resources and future episodes, follow the show on Instagram at @KTStudios and subscribe to iHeart True Crime Plus.