Born Criminals? | ACEs, Survival Mode & the Truth About Behavior | End the Violence ✊🏽🎙️

Are people born bad—or built by broken systems? Why do some kids survive trauma while others get labeled for life?

In this myth-busting episode of End The Violence, Gershon, Pastor Andre, and Atiba tackle the deep roots of criminal behavior. From ACEs and cortisol to cultural mislabels and prison recruitment grounds, this conversation uncovers how childhood environments, brain development, and misjudged intent fuel the cycle of incarceration—and what really keeps people from returning.

What You'll Discover:

– Why criminal behavior is often a learned survival response

– How ACEs and allostatic load affect emotional regulation

– The myth of the “born criminal” and the truth about alpha behavior

– How culture and communication styles are misread as aggression

– Why prison can be both a recruiting ground and a wake-up call

– What mentorship and nurturing do that punishment never will

– How spiritual outreach and dignity can truly change lives

Who Will Love This Episode:

– Mental health professionals and educators

– Criminal justice reform advocates and policymakers

– Faith-based prison outreach and reentry programs

– Students of psychology, sociology, and education

– Anyone working with at-risk youth or system-impacted communities

Timestamps:

00:00 – Debunking the "Born Criminal" Myth

02:00 – Alpha Behavior, School Systems, and Early Labeling

05:00 – ACEs, Trauma, and Emotional Regulation

11:00 – Chronic Stress, Cortisol, and Allostatic Load

16:00 – What Prison Actually Prepares You For

24:00 – Mentorship, Belonging, and the Power of Nurturing

31:00 – Wake-Up Call or Recruitment Ground?

40:00 – Prison as a Business: The Coming Digital Shift

47:00 – Spiritual Outreach and Real Relationships Behind Bars

54:00 – Final Thoughts: Healing, Communication, and Shared Humanity

Stay Connected:

• Like this video if it resonated with you
• Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments
• Subscribe & hit the bell icon to stay informed Let’s break the cycle. Let’s change the conversation

Resources Mentioned:

ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) research: cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces

Allostatic load and brain science: apa.org/news/press/releases/stress

Juvenile justice diversion programs: fastpinellas.org, hopetampabay.org

Reentry mentoring app concept: Encourage (NKourage)

Pitbull rehabilitation story: Pablo the Pitbull (TikTok viral series)

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

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📥 Contact: [email protected]

Ep. 4

#EndTheViolence #BornCriminals #TraumaInformedCare