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Motive

To understand the white supremacist movement today, look at the last time a wave of hate pulled in young Americans.

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To understand the white supremacist movement today, don’t look at the old guys in white sheets. Look at the last time a wave of hate pulled in young Americans. Look at the neo-Nazi skinheads who wrote the playbook for the recruitment of young people.

Season 3 of WBEZ’s Motive podcast examines the origins of the youth white supremacist movement in America.

Season 3

  • Preview The New Season Of WBEZ’s Motive

    To understand today’s white supremacist movement, look at the last time hate pulled in young Americans. Preview WBEZ’s new season of Motive.

    Listen — 1:30

  • Episode 1: The Hate Crate

    In the 1980s, it seemed organized white supremacy was declining. But a generation of racist skinheads breathed new life into the movement.

    Listen — 35:23

  • Episode 2: Romantic Violence

    It was the ‘80s. Reagan was president. And for angry teens, the punk scene provided a family and expression. Until the Nazis showed up.

    Listen — 34:37

  • Episode 3: Union And Division

    The Chicago Area Skinheads were among the first racist skinhead crews to organize in the U.S. How one brutal event brought them down.

    Listen — 36:23

  • Episode 4: Boots To Suits

    Daytime TV discovered neo-Nazi skinheads, and it was a ratings bonanza. But it also helped to grow the hate movement across America.

    Listen — 39:50

  • Episode 5: What To Do With Christian

    Christian Picciolini grew a violent hate movement for eight years. After he left, it continued to grow. What’s his role in fixing the harm?

    Listen — 35:29

  • Episode 6: The New Nazis

    When Brendan Sweeney marched with white supremacists in Charlottesville, he thought he was part of something new. And then he was doxed.

    Listen — 43:28

  • Episode 7: Tipping Point

    Atomwaffen was the most extreme white supremacist group, pushing for societal collapse. Today, their ideas are on the streets.

    Listen — 37:59

  • Episode 8: Bloodlines

    Clark Martell led neo-Nazi skinheads. Then, he disappeared. His trail reveals how sex, money and blood have kept the movement alive.

    Listen — 36:02

Season 2

  • Episode 1: Lauren Bajorek

    A student dies on her 21st birthday in Spain. Years later, questions arise after a TV segment airs about someone she was with that night.

    Listen — 34:16

  • Episode 2: Gabrielle Vega

    Gabrielle Vega alleges her tour guide raped her in 2013. Years later, she learns she’s not the only one. So she does something about it.

    Listen — 32:33

  • Episode 3: Blackout

    A look at the double-standard often applied in cases of sexual assault.

    Listen — 28:31

  • Episode 5: Did Anyone Know?

    While studying abroad in Spain, two students reported to police and their school they had been sexually assaulted. It didn’t go as expected.

    Listen — 35:21

  • Motive Season 2 Q&A

    Support Motive and join the producers for a virtual Q&A about the second season of the podcast.

    Listen — 2:09

  • Episode 6: The Investigation

    A prosecutor opened a criminal investigation almost two years ago. We go to Spain to see what’s happening.

    Listen — 35:09

  • Episode 7: La Manada, The Wolfpack

    How “The Wolfpack” verdict in 2016 ignited mass protests in Spain, kicking off the country’s #MeToo movement.

    Listen — 33:08

  • Episode 8: The ‘After’

    In the final episode, the Motive team looks at everything after an assault, including the emotional toll and the decision to pursue justice.

    Listen — 28:30

Season 1

  • Episode 1: A Shooting From A Mercedes

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 32:24

  • Episode 2: Violated Into The PeeWees

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 29:13

  • Episode 3: A Boy Enters And A Man Leaves

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 28:52

  • Episode 5: The Fairytale Ending

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 27:35

  • Episode 6: Mousey Is Dead

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 27:31

  • Episode 7: Inmate K51114

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 24:16

  • Episode 9: Batman On The West Side

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 33:19

  • Episode 10: Mother’s Day

    Motive is a true crime podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main, with original reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Listen — 31:20