Acts of Violet

When you really don't want to believe something, you'll create a new logic to circumvent the truth; sometimes necessity isn't the mother of invention so much as denial.

It’s human nature to notice patterns. That’s all this is, a pattern. A series of coincidences; nothing worth ascribing meaning to. I don’t understand why people feel the need to do that, assign fake significance to happenstance. Guess it’s more comforting to believe the universe sends signs and omens, that there’s a method to its madness, instead of accepting the true chaos of our reality.

Don’t be the real you. Be the better you. Be the astonishing you. Be the you no one can ignore. —VIOLET VOLK, YOU ARE MAGIC

You have to stop underestimating yourself. What you did just now was put on a parachute, get in an airplane, and fly miles above the ground. It’s okay that you didn’t jump. Lots of people would’ve never even strapped on the chute or gotten on the plane. It doesn’t only take guts to do the brave thing. It also takes guts to try to do the brave thing.

What’s it called when the brain tries to make meaning out of something random? Pareidolia?

You crossed a line, and I don’t know what this means for our friendship.

It doesn't only take guts to do the brave thing. It also takes guts to try to do the brave thing.

Dream bigger, aspire harder, pursue the impossible, and find that f***ing magic.

No matter which way I look at this case, I have trouble classifying it as a pseudocide, even though Volk was eventually declared dead. The only conclusion I can reach is she wanted to start a new life.

My guest today is John Arno, an esteemed lecturer, investigator, and privacy expert. He’s the founder of JPS, Inc., a company offering privacy and security services. JPS is also John’s personal nickname, a play on GPS, because of his remarkable track record locating people. Over the course of his career, which spans four decades, he’s helped find thousands of bail jumpers, deadbeat parents, runaways, insurance scammers, kidnapping victims, even celebrities. Arno himself offers an additional service to a select clientele: using his unique expertise, he helps people disappear.

The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception in 1973.