Emmy-Winning Producer · Author

Christian Picciolini

01 Biography

About Christian

Christian Picciolini is an award-winning television producer, a public speaker, author, antiracism advocate, and a former extremist. After leaving the hate movement he helped create during the 1980s and 90s, he began the painstaking process of making amends and rebuilding his life. Christian went on to earn a degree in international relations from DePaul University and launched Goldmill Group, a counter-extremism consulting and digital media firm. In 2016, he won an Emmy Award for producing an anti-hate advertising campaign aimed at helping people disengage from extremism. For nearly two decades, Christian has helped hundreds of individuals leave hate behind through his disengagement work and the organizations he founded. He has spoken all over the world, including the TEDx stage, where he shares his unique and extensive knowledge about how to effectively prevent and counter extremism. Christian chronicles his involvement in and exit from the early American white-supremacist skinhead movement in his memoir, WHITE AMERICAN YOUTH, and is the featured subject in season 3 of WBEZ’s 'Motive' podcast, which received the 2021 National Edward R. Murrow Award for best podcast in large market radio. He showcased his disengagement work in a second book, BREAKING HATE: Confronting the New Culture of Extremism, published in 2020 by Hachette Books, as well as in the MSNBC documentary series of the same name, which aired in 2018-2019. He is the host of the 'F Your Racist History' podcast, a scripted history show that tells America's hidden, overlooked, and unknown racist origin stories. The first season of it is currently available across major podcast platforms.

02 Watch

Video & Media

TEDxMileHigh: At 14, Christian Picciolini went from naïve teenager to white supremacist -- and soon, the leader of the first neo-Nazi skinhead gang in the United States. How was he radicalized, and how did he ultimately get out of the movement?

Sarah sits down with former white power leader Christian Picciolini to talk about his moment of change and his current work as a peace advocate.

Author, speaker, television producer, and reformed extremist Christian Picciolini (Romantic Violence: Memoirs of an American Skinhead) discusses his work as co-founder Life After Hate, a nonprofit helping people disengage from hate and violent extremism.

03 Reviews

Testimonials

Wow! Christian’s presentation was extremely powerful, especially for middle and high school students. His honesty and openness about his past and what he is doing today to make a positive difference in this world resonated and had such an impact!

Megan Ferenczy, Director of Education, Virginia Holocaust Museum (November 2018)

Christian’s message and unique story about an individual who turned his life around – from one defined by hate to one inspired by love – was a thoughtful and provocative voice at our annual meeting. It is essential for college administrators to understand how young people are recruited into the movement. Thank you, Christian, for sharing your story.

Mary DeNiro, CEO, ACUHO-I (October 2018)

Following the national election in 2016, the City of Berkeley became a target for right wing extremist groups. These events prompted counter-protests – both peaceful and violent. It was important to know how to most effectively stand up to Hate when these groups return. Our office reached out to see if Christian would be willing to come to Berkeley and he immediately agreed. The coordination with his team was effortless. “Uniting Against Hate” was a big success and Christian could not have been more prepared, generous and approachable. He exudes what he speaks about – love and empathy. Our world needs more people just like him.

Jacquelyn McCormick, Senior Advisor to Berkeley Mayor, Jesse Arreguin (July 2018)

Christian’s powerful narrative helped shift perspectives on combatting extremism, highlighting the need to reach out and show compassion for people who are marginalized and without community, so that they do not embrace dangerous ideologies and movements.

Justin Kirschner, Associate Director, Jewish Community Relations Council - Jewish Federation of Cincinnati (June 2018)

Thank you for the wonderful keynote remarks you made at last week’s Fidler Institute on Criminal Justice at Loyola Law School. We are very grateful for your participation. As you could see, everyone was moved by your talk. We had a room full of prosecutors, defense lawyers, judges, students, community leaders and faculty. You have made an impact on all of them.

Laurie L. Levenson, Professor of Law, David W. Burcham Chair of Ethical Advocacy (June 2018)

Christian’s presentation to a group of over 45 CEOs was an amazing summary of his personal journey and subsequent transition to that of a leader in anti-hate messaging. His candid, emotional, and thoughtful communication of the factors that influenced the decisions he made as a teenager, followed by the ones he made as a young adult, was sincere and compelling. The take home value to everyone present was significant. Christian made a permanent impression on everyone in attendance at the event.

Jim Berline, President, YPO Motor City Detroit (April 2018)

It was an amazing experience. Christians greatest impact was at the two school presentations. You could have heard a pin drop during his talks.

Jeffrey Berger, Treasurer of Temple Adath B'nai Israel, Evansville, IN (January 2018)

Christian’s story was both powerful and inspirational. He was open, honest and humble in how he shared his past with us - we were very moved to say the least.
Christian’s testimony offered hope during a time when division is greater than ever, and reminds us that profound change and evolution of the human spirit are possible! Thank you Christian!

Annabelle Teleki, Satya Retreats

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