James Kimmel: The Science of Revenge — How Our Brains Get Addicted to Retaliation

SuperLife with Darin Olien

Darin Olien

Activism, Motivation, Environment, Education, Self-improvement, Fitness, Wellness, Health, Alternative Health, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 30 May 2025

⏱️ 86 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this mind-blowing episode of the SuperLife podcast, Darin sits down with Yale-trained lawyer, mental health advocate, and neuroscience researcher James Kimmel Jr., whose groundbreaking work unveils a shocking truth: revenge isn’t just emotional — it’s biochemical.

From his own near-murderous moment as a bullied teenager to a high-powered career as a federal prosecutor, James takes us on a gripping journey that exposes how revenge operates like an addictive drug in the brain, and how most violence — from road rage to war — can be traced back to an unseen cycle of revenge cravings.

Together, Darin and James explore the dark underbelly of our justice system, why forgiveness is a neurological superpower, and how Kimmel's powerful Miracle Court process can help anyone break free from the vengeance loop. This episode doesn’t just change how you see violence — it offers a radical new path to freedom.

What You’ll Learn:

00:00 – James Kimmel's shocking origin story
05:30 – The night he nearly pulled the trigger
11:00 – Why revenge is neurologically addictive
15:00 – How the brain confuses revenge with healing
18:45 – The real neuroscience behind violence and addiction
22:00 – Why the legal system is society’s revenge dealer
27:30 – The dangers of rumination and social reinforcement
32:10 – Everyday revenge: the grudges we don’t even notice
35:40 – How most revenge is nonviolent, but still harmful
40:00 – The missing diagnosis: revenge addiction
45:00 – Why mental health experts have missed this
48:20 – How forgiveness works in the brain
53:00 – The hidden biological rewards of letting go
56:40 – The “Miracle Court” and self-led emotional trials
01:03:00 – How imagination alone can dissolve trauma
01:10:00 – Why this system could save millions of lives
01:19:00 – James’s final message on choosing freedom over pain

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com.

Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off

Find More from James Kimmel Jr:

Find More From Darin:

Website: darinolien.com
Instagram: @darinolien
Book: Fatal Conveniences
Podcast: Superlife

Key Takeaway:

“Revenge is an invisible addiction. But forgiveness? It’s instant self-healing—no prescription required.”

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Super Life with me, Darren O'Lean, a podcast where we explore, discover, and share solutions that promote a healthier life and a better world.
0:13.0	Together will ignite possibilities, inspire change, and build sovereignty, creating a roadmap towards a super life for you and for all.
0:24.5	Get ready to start living your super life.
0:32.4	Before we end today's episode, I want to thank my sponsor, my great friends over at Therasage.
0:38.9	It's getting cooler and it's getting fall and I love the pad, the infrared, PMF, red light, photon, gemstone, full spectrum infrared, tens unit, EMF remediation, Earth grounding technology.
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0:56.2	pads. I use it every day this morning in my meditations and my journaling. It's just so nice. My back
1:04.3	was a little sore from a bunch of work I did over the weekend. And bam, I'm telling you what,
1:09.3	I feel like a million bucks i love these things so if you
1:12.6	want to uplevel your health and just an amazing nurturing way you can work with these p mfs that with
1:21.8	cellular regeneration helping damaged cells supporting the body's natural healing responses, you can use the red light
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1:35.8	increasing mitochondria activity, stimulating collagen production. And then there's gemstone technology.
1:41.4	The TheraPro also harnesses negative ions that also happens when you do grounding,
1:48.4	which also enhances blood flow, oxygenation, and relaxation.
1:52.7	Come on.
1:53.4	Seriously, Darren, you're saying that happens in one pad that you can buy?
1:59.0	Yes, it is.
2:00.2	You can go to Therisage.com and use the code
2:04.3	Darren, D-A-R-I-N, and get 15% off, and you will not be disappointed. This is incredible.
2:13.0	So go to Therisage, Darren, D-A-R-I-N, and you get 15% off.
2:19.9	Therisage.com.
	...

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