#14 Nick Hartbauer - Gabby Petito and American Nightmare: True Crime, True Complexity

In this gripping episode, former officers Chris Ausec and Nick Hartbauer dive deep into the emotional and psychological complexities behind two high-profile true crime stories: the tragic case of Gabby Petito and the chilling Netflix documentary American Nightmare. Drawing from years of experience in law enforcement, they offer powerful insights into high conflict personalities, the struggles police face in identifying true victims, and the devastating consequences of misjudgment. This conversation explores how emotional manipulation, behavioral misreads, and systemic gaps can obscure the truth—and why empathy, training, and a deeper understanding of conflict are essential to real justice.

Book Recommendations by Nick: -5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life: Identifying and Dealing with Narcissists, Sociopaths, and Other High-Conflict Personalities - Bill Eddy -Splitting: Protecting Yourself While Divorcing Someone with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Bill Eddy -Dating Radar: Why Your Brain Says Yes to "The One" Who Will Make Your Life Hell - Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter