Summary of "Sherri Papini, Clayton Echard Pregnancy Scandal, Deceptive Mental Health TikToks, and More w/ Forensic Psychologist, Dr. Leslie Dobson!"

Intentionally Disturbing
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Release Date: July 1, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Intentionally Disturbing, hosts delve deep into the murky waters of human behavior, current events, and personal anecdotes with the expertise of forensic psychologist Dr. Leslie Dobson. The conversation is marked by sharp satire, sarcasm, and an unyielding pursuit of truth, as Dr. Dobson dissects high-profile cases and broader societal issues.

Sherri Papini Kidnapping Case

[04:06] Host 1:
The episode opens with a detailed examination of the Sherri Papini case, where Papini allegedly faked her own kidnapping in 2016. Dr. Dobson provides a psychological analysis, stating, "She comes off to me like she has some personality disorders" ([05:35]).

Key Points:

• Inconsistencies in Papini's Story: Dr. Dobson highlights the irregularities in Papini's accounts, noting, "She's consistently inconsistent and so you look for that in psychology. If it smells fishy, it's a fish" ([07:13]).
• Influence of Media and Fiction: The hosts draw parallels between Papini's actions and the plot of the novel Gone Girl, suggesting that Papini may have emulated fictional narratives ([06:30], [07:40]).
• Ethical Concerns with Media Support: Dr. Dobson criticizes the documentary's portrayal of Papini, asserting that support from paid sources like her therapist and lawyers undermines her credibility ([05:29], [07:38]).

Notable Quote:

"Her story is too unbelievable to be believable. It seems a little more volitional, like she's enjoying the clout from it." — Dr. Leslie Dobson ([08:46])

Comparative Analysis of Similar Cases

[15:26] Host 3:
The discussion transitions to other cases of fabricated kidnappings, such as Carly Russell and Hannah Kobayashi, emphasizing the emotional toll on families and questioning the motives behind such deceptions.

Key Points:

• Emotional Impact on Families: The hosts explore the devastating effects on families, highlighting Hannah Kobayashi's case where the father's suicide followed her disappearance ([23:27]).
• Psychological Motivation: Dr. Dobson suggests that these actions stem from a desire for attention, notoriety, or financial gain, often without a coherent plan ([16:21], [22:26]).

Notable Quote:

"People are looking for simple ways to get attention, notoriety, and to get money. But again, they're not thinking it through." — Dr. Leslie Dobson ([21:31])

Clayton Echard Pregnancy Scandal

[25:29] Host 3:
The episode shifts focus to a scandal involving Clayton Echard, a reality TV star from The Bachelor, and his partner Lara Michelle Owens, who was federally indicted for faking pregnancies.

Key Points:

• Manipulative Behaviors: Owens fabricated pregnancies, sent fake ultrasounds, and engaged in stalking behaviors, leading to Echard blocking her after receiving over 500 messages ([26:46], [27:48]).
• Psychological Profiling: Dr. Dobson discusses Owens' potential erotomanic delusional disorder, characterized by obsessive love and manipulation ([28:21], [29:43]).

Notable Quote:

"If she can move on, he would probably feel a lot better." — Dr. Leslie Dobson ([30:37])

Deceptive Mental Health Advice on TikTok

[42:44] Host 3:
A critical segment addresses the proliferation of misleading mental health advice on TikTok, where 52 out of the top 100 videos were found to offer detrimental guidance.

Key Points:

• Misinformation Risks: Dr. Dobson warns about the dangers of non-expert individuals dispensing mental health advice, leading to misdiagnosis and self-medication ([44:29], [44:58]).
• Algorithmic Impact: The platform's algorithms exacerbate mental health issues by continuously exposing vulnerable users to negative content, deepening their struggles ([46:07], [47:17]).

Notable Quote:

"If you are going to get medical advice from social media, get it from somebody who's credible, has degrees and a license, and is referencing their scientific-based articles." — Dr. Leslie Dobson ([48:05])

Pedophilia and Social Media's Influence

[55:28] Dr. Leslie Dobson:
The conversation delves into the dark realm of pedophilia, examining how social media platforms inadvertently facilitate the grooming and normalization of predatory behaviors.

Key Points:

• Terminology and Stigmatization: Dr. Dobson emphasizes the importance of proper terminology, advocating for "paraphilic disorder" to accurately describe predatory actions without softening their severity ([62:46]).
• Behavioral Patterns: The hosts discuss the psychological profiles of pedophiles, including their manipulation tactics and the escalation of their desires ([64:03], [66:45]).
• Preventative Measures: Dr. Dobson highlights California’s approach of civilly committing sexually violent predators, ensuring they receive treatment and are contained to prevent further offenses ([67:04], [68:14]).

Notable Quotes:

"These are sadistic fucking crimes. They are horrifying and they are brutalizing children." — Dr. Leslie Dobson ([64:56])

"They misconstrue signs or they're hallucinating." — Dr. Leslie Dobson ([31:07])

Dr. Leslie Dobson’s Viral Safety Campaigns

[51:08] Host 3:
Dr. Dobson discusses her own viral videos aimed at raising awareness about personal safety and the predatory behaviors of individuals online.

Key Points:

• Shopping Cart Video: A 17-second video where Dr. Dobson refuses to return her shopping cart if she perceives a threat, emphasizing personal safety over societal judgment ([51:29], [52:52]).
• Child Safety on Social Media: Highlighting the dangers of posting children's images online, Dr. Dobson illustrates how predators exploit such content for malicious purposes, including creating deepfakes ([55:28], [60:05]).
• Public Reception and Backlash: While her videos have garnered millions of views, they have also attracted significant negative attention, including death threats and legal harassment from detractors ([54:59]).

Notable Quote:

"I just don't want to risk that safety. It's fucking fine." — Dr. Leslie Dobson on not returning shopping carts ([52:52])

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with reflections on the intersection of mental health, social media, and societal safety. Dr. Dobson emphasizes the critical need for credible mental health resources and the dangers posed by misinformation. She also reiterates the importance of protecting vulnerable populations, especially children, from predatory behaviors facilitated by online platforms.

Notable Final Quote:

"We need to say a paraphilic disorder, we need to say that somebody is a predator towards the youth. We can't make it sound nicer." — Dr. Leslie Dobson ([62:46])

About Dr. Leslie Dobson

Dr. Leslie Dobson is a seasoned clinical and forensic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in severe mental illness, violence, and sexual offenses. Known for her viral social media videos and her podcast Intentionally Disturbing, Dr. Dobson leverages her expertise to educate the public on complex psychological issues with a blend of dark humor and incisive analysis.

For more information, visit her website at drlesliedobson.com or follow her on Instagram and TikTok.

This episode of Intentionally Disturbing offers an unflinching exploration of some of the most perplexing and disturbing aspects of human behavior, guided by Dr. Dobson’s expert insights. It serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action for greater awareness and proactive measures in safeguarding mental health and societal well-being.