Savage vs. Civilized: A Psychologist’s Fall from Power to Prison..and Back- Through the Looking Glass 121- Author Paul Smith Interview

Join Lisa & Matt as we sit down with Paul, a former clinical psychologist whose life took a shocking turn from running a thriving private practice to serving time in federal prison for healthcare fraud. Get your copy of Paul's book 'Cruel and Unusual Punishment: A Memoir of the Psychological Realities of Federal Prison' here: https://amzn.to/3QHVs4c Paul shares how he built a successful psychology practice between 2007 and 2011 before everything unraveled, leading to his conviction and incarceration. Drawing from his powerful book, he explores the concept of “savage vs. civilized,” revealing how quickly societal norms can break down when survival instincts take over. We dive deep into his firsthand experiences navigating the federal prison system—from solitary confinement and unexpected transfers to the harsh realities inmates faced during COVID-19. Paul opens up about the unspoken rules of prison life, including how dominance and intimidation shape daily interactions and determine survival. In one striking story, Paul recounts a childhood moment on a farm where he learned the hard way asserting dominance can mean the difference between vulnerability and control. He shares how, despite initially trying to avoid conflict, he was forced to adapt quickly in situations that challenged his place within the prison hierarchy. This episode also explores bigger-picture conversations around criminal justice reform, questioning whether the system prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation. We discuss the urgent need for meaningful work, education, and reentry programs that can help break cycles of crime and give individuals a real second chance. If you’re into true crime podcasts, white-collar crime stories, prison survival insights, and deep psychological perspectives, this episode offers a rare, inside look you won’t hear anywhere else. *Please note all opinions in the show are our own and solely in regards to the specific case we are discussing in this episode* We made a one stop shop for all the Eye for an Eye links our listeners might want to check out whether its where to listen, our merch shop, all of our socials, our email, or ways to support the show,  we’d love for you to visit the link below!  https://msha.ke/eyeforeyepod/ Tired of Ads? Want to support our show? Please consider supporting Eye for an Eye with as little as $1 a month via patreon.com/eyeforeyepod Enjoy today's show? Don't forget to rate (those 5 stars are waiting to be clicked), review, subscribe and tell your friends!  Want in on the discussion?Join us on our Facebook page or group, Instagram @eyeforeyepod, twitter @eyeforeyepod or shoot us an email at [email protected] and let us know your thoughts- does the punishment fit the crime? __ Cover Art Created by: Rachel Gregorino, [email protected] Music: GarageBand Mix made by Lisa  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices