Episodes

  • 52. The Cleveland Kidnappings - Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus

    52. The Cleveland Kidnappings - Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus
    Jul 29 2024
    In 2013, three women were rescued after disappearing a decade earlier. Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus were held captive inside a Cleveland, Ohio home. The women were tortured, raped, and abused by Ariel Castro. Castro was a long-time bus driver and father in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Megan breaks down the news coverage surrounding the case and shares some buried bylines within the case. SOURCES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Castro_kidnappings https://abcnews.go.com/US/michelle-knights-triumph-11-year-captor-ariel-castro/story?id=67857015 https://people.com/crime/cleveland-kidnapping-survivors-where-five-years-later/ https://allthatsinteresting.com/amanda-berry https://people.com/crime/ariel-castro-kidnappings-cleveland-survivors-timeline/ https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2023/we-are-doing-great https://www.cleveland19.com/2022/03/25/gina-dejesus-shares-story-survival-northeast-ohio-amber-alert-conference/ https://fox8.com/news/10-years-later-missing-cleveland-teens-escape-seymour-ave-home/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/timeline-of-events-the-cleveland-kidnapping-case/ https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/09/04/218832604/social-media-erupt-on-news-of-ariel-castros-death https://time.com/3836160/cleveland-kidnap-victims-recount-how-ariel-castro-could-have-been-stopped/ https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/26/us/cleveland-kidnappings-fast-facts/index.html https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2013/navigating-the-challenges-of-covering-ariel-castro-hearing/ https://www.denverpost.com/2013/05/07/stolen-lives-profiles-of-the-cleveland-kidnapping-victims/ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LajXqHqnBcBU0XX98WwlLTeyymks8QChcnt1np5EsMc/edit Nonprofits and Books: https://clevelandmissing.org/ https://www.facebook.com/clevelandmissing.org https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michelle-knight/finding-me/9781602862579/?lens=hachette-books https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michelle-knight/life-after-darkness/9781602866096/?lens=hachette-books https://www.penguinbookshop.com/book/9780143108207 https://319coffee.com/blogs/news/our-partnership-with-lilys-ray-of-hope https://unleashanimalrescue.org/ https://fox8.com/tag/missing/ https://abcnews.go.com/US/fullpage/amanda-berry-gina-dejesus-interview-robin-roberts-cleveland-30641319
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    51 mins
  • 51. Bed Bugs Bust and Drone Stalking

    51. Bed Bugs Bust and Drone Stalking
    Jul 16 2024

    In this episode, we’re bringing you some CRAZY headlines from the current news world. We have bed bugs busting a bad business, we have a creepy drone stalker, and last but not least, an update that could help you save some money at the grocery store. We recorded in person for the first time in a MINUTE so things are sure to go off the rails. (And they do.) Plus, you can learn some extra fun, fun facts about your co-hosts… including the fact that one of them is blind in one eye and the other embarrassed herself onstage at a Train concert. Which fun fact belongs to which co-host? Listen now to find out.

    This episode is dedicated to our friend Maddie Larimore! #CancerSucks 💕 Donate here: www.komen.org/donate


    SOURCES:

    https://www.wral.com/video/case-of-bedbugs-helps-texas-police-bust-human-trafficking-ring/21521670/

    https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/bedbugs-help-unravel-suspected-north-texas-human-trafficking-ring/

    https://www.fox4news.com/news/princeton-human-trafficking-scheme-ginsburg-lane

    https://dallasexpress.com/crime/bedbugs-led-to-discovery-of-ntx-human-trafficking-ring/

    https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/call-bedbugs-helps-expose-alleged-trafficking-ring/

    https://6abc.com/post/michael-brackman-pennsylvania-man-accused-stalking-girls-year/15053495/

    https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-man-accused-of-stalking-teenage-girls-with-drone/61562427

    https://www.wtae.com/article/canonsburg-trial-drone-stalking/61548589


    Megan's Train Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvEquqx7et4
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    32 mins
  • 50. Digging Up Dillinger with Joe Melillo

    50. Digging Up Dillinger with Joe Melillo
    Jul 1 2024

    We're going BIG for our 50th episode! This week we're diving into the history and lore of one of the country's most infamous gangsters (and Hoosier native) John Dillinger. There's no one better to join us for this conversation than former broadcast news reporter, Joe Melillo.

    Joe has formed a team of investigators and journalists who are on a mission to exhume John Dillinger's body and confirm once and for all if public enemy number one was actually shot and killed by the FBI on July 22, 1934. He's serving up all the facts that have led to countless conspiracy theories in his new podcast, Digging Up Dillinger which is out NOW!

    SOURCES:

    https://www.indystar.com/story/life/2015/01/15/john-dillinger-historical-sites/21804041/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dillinger

    https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/john-dillinger-body-exhumed-history-speculation-penis-865673/

    https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-john-dillinger

    https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

    https://linktr.ee/Diggingupdillinger
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • 49. The Murder of Bernita White

    49. The Murder of Bernita White
    Jun 17 2024
    Today's episode is a cold case from Mallory's hometown of Lansing, Michigan... suggested by her 15-year-old, true crime-loving cousin. Thanks so much for the suggestion! 41-year-old Bernita White was shot and killed outside of the Potter Park Zoo. To make things even worse, it was in front of her 5-year-old daughter. This shooting sets the public into a panic, especially after police reveal she was shot from literal YARDS away. No one saw the shooter. Law enforcement quickly narrows down the suspect list. At the very top, her husband, Artis White, a detective sergeant for the Michigan State Police. It all goes off the rails from there. Listen now! What do you think? SOURCES: https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167280/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167287/?terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167406/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167504/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167505/?terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/361205987/?terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167516/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167519/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167704/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167899/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167911/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204526742/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/204528257/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/361421986/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204529049/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/204550660/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/205416040/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/205416040/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/205434999/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 ** https://www.newspapers.com/image/205435081/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/361200253/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204891313/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204906041/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204874544/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204598991/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/210500694/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/204570456/?terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204725207/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204726422/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/208802124/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/2012/12/michigan_state_police_partner.html https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/cold-case-team-to-probe-2001-lansing-zoo-killing/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/109077016/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/renewed-call-for-tips-in-potter-park-zoo-murder-case/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHOYQERiQ4Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLXz9iVHcEo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-wW7SwRDFI https://www.facebook.com/p/Justice-For-Bernita-100064836876756/
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    47 mins
  • 48. The Death of Cole Brings Plenty

    48. The Death of Cole Brings Plenty
    Jun 3 2024
    How can a known Hollywood actor go missing and receive little to no media attention until his body is discovered over a week later? We have THOUGHTS and OPINIONS. Cole Brings Plenty caught his big break when he was cast in the Yellowstone spin-off "1923". The 27-year-old was a member of the Mnicouju Lakota tribe; his Native American roots and beliefs play a big part in the investigation of his disappearance and death. Let us know what you think about how the case was handled and help us raise awareness for Native American visibility in the media! SOURCES: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13346737/Cole-Brings-Plenty-fling-woman-accused-strangling-death.html https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article288163425.html https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2024-04-11/cole-brings-plenty-dead-1923-actor https://www.instagram.com/p/C5ZmC9JvEVf/?hl=en https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cole-brings-plenty-dead-1923-actor-1235867854/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13310177/Cole-Brings-Plenty-death-mourners-gather-horseback-Yellowstone-ceremony.html https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13315741/Yellowstone-actor-Moses-Brings-Plenty-Kelsey-Absille-Cole-funeral-South-Dakota.html https://thesunflower.com/83733/news/indigenous-organization-gathers-in-memory-of-actor-cole-brings-plenty/ https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2024/04/15/vigils-held-across-country-remember-south-dakota-actor-cole-brings-plenty/ https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/cole-brings-plentys-death-police-eliminate-foul-play-is-the-cause-of-death-revealed/articleshow/109226615.cms?from=mdr https://www.instagram.com/p/C5RKQ53JsGf/?hl=en https://www.today.com/popculture/news/cole-brings-plenty-missing-rcna146143 https://tasteofcountry.com/cole-brings-plenty-death-family-statement/ https://ictnews.org/news/remembering-cole-brings-plenty https://www.westrivereagle.com/articles/actor-and-advocate-cole-brings-plenty-found-deceased-after-family-search/ https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/death-of-mo-brings-plentys-nephew-cole-shows-no-signs-of-foul-play/ https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=806348464860634&set=a.219561300206023 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=833853802119703&set=a.222817846556638 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=833854895452927&set=a.222817846556638 https://www.thedailybeast.com/death-of-cole-brings-plenty-yellowstone-stars-nephew-rocks-indian-country https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/cheyenne-river-sioux-demands-thorough-investigation-to-death-of-cole-brings-plenty https://lawrencekstimes.com/2024/04/04/community-searches-for-cole-brings-plenty/ https://belmontfilmhouse.com/blog/the-cultural-violation-of-an-unconsented-cole-brings-plenty-haircut/ https://www.lakotatimes.com/articles/boys-with-braids-panel/ https://lawrencekstimes.com/2024/04/24/obituary-cole-thomas-coco-brings-plenty/ https://www.choctawnation.com/biskinik/news/indigenous-representation-in-media-series-part-1/#:~:text=In%20a%20study%20conducted%20by,any%20of%20the%20years%20evaluated. https://americanarchive.org/exhibits/native-narratives/contemporary-news https://www.cjr.org/opinion/indigenous-journalism-erasure.php https://apnews.com/article/business-media-journalism-phoenix-native-americans-6324ac76c0fca02e2e7f91cb80369bc1 (Mis)Representations of Native Americans | American Archive of Public Broadcasting https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/learning/is-it-offensive-for-sports-teams-and-their-fans-to-use-native-american-names-imagery-and-gestures.html
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    38 mins
  • 47. Poisoned Coffee and A Murder For Hire Plot

    47. Poisoned Coffee and A Murder For Hire Plot
    May 13 2024

    We're trying something a little different for this episode! This week, we've selected three current news stories to tell you about. We have been tossing around the idea of starting a Patreon in which we would post bonus episodes on the podcast's off week. One idea we had was to pick a few news stories of the week and talk about them! Please let us know if you like it, or would be interested in subscribing to our Patreon! In this episode, we'll discuss the following stories... (And yes, these are actually happening in 2024):

    1. Poisoned Coffee

    2. Mother's Murder for Hire

    3. Local Case Update

    We can't say it enough... thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for listening! If you haven't already, please like and follow us on social media, subscribe to the pod on whatever platform you use, leave us a five-star rating and review, and finally tell your friends about us! We want to shed light on as many cases as possible. You all rock!


    SOURCES:

    https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/10/us/arizona-woman-pleads-guilty-poison-husbands-coffee/index.html

    https://www.wbaltv.com/article/arizona-woman-poison-husband-coffee/60756532

    https://au.news.yahoo.com/arizona-woman-accepts-plea-deal-000336626.html

    https://nypost.com/2023/09/30/arizona-woman-melody-felicano-johnson-allegedly-poured-bleach-into-us-air-force-husbands-coffee-maker/

    https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2024/05/09/florida-mom-accused-of-trying-to-hire-hitman-after-sons-murder-conviction/

    https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2024/05/07/mom-teen-convicted-deadly-stabbing-is-accused-trying-hire-hit-man/

    https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/robert-lyons-ex-boyfriend-sentencing-sentenced-disappearance-missing-baby-amiah-robertson-mother-indianapolis/531-c124f62c-fe15-495e-b54f-62c22190ef14
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    32 mins
  • 46. The Murder of Julie Yow

    46. The Murder of Julie Yow
    Apr 29 2024
    It's safe to say we felt like we were holding pitchforks this ENTIRE episode. Every case we cover is tragic, but it truly hits different knowing the justice system failed this woman in the worst way. In December 2022, Julie Yow was living in Columbus, Indiana and expecting her third child. However, she was under extreme stress and living in fear daily. Julie was denied a protective order against her estranged husband just 10 days before she was killed at his hands. We're dedicating this episode to sharing Julie's story and joining the push to change Indiana's protective order laws. RESOURCES: https://icadvinc.org/domestic-violence-programs/ https://www.thehotline.org/ https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/family-violence-prevention-services/programs/ndvh https://www.in.gov/bewellindiana/video-resources/domestic-violence-support/ https://www.in.gov/issp/ https://afsp.org/ SOURCES: https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/pregnant-womans-family-pleads-for-change-to-protective-order-law-following-her-death/ https://www.jewellrittman.com/obituaries/Julie-Yow-Neumann/#!/TributeWall https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/columbus-indiana-family-questions-court-system-following-pregnant-mothers-killing/531-2fbb9e60-3f97-4795-9b7b-1e5d48bec3b2 https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/indiana-woman-killed-murder-suicide-sought-restraining-order-days-before-death/WD3FUDMGJ5BODMVWWEZ3CXP44A/ https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/trending/indiana-woman-killed-murder-suicide-sought-restraining-order-days-before-death/WD3FUDMGJ5BODMVWWEZ3CXP44A/ https://www.therepublic.com/2022/12/22/community-rallies-for-shooting-victim/ https://people.com/crime/woman-denied-protective-order-estranged-husband-killed-murder-suicide/ https://www.therepublic.com/2022/12/22/community-rallies-for-shooting-victim/ https://www.therepublic.com/2022/12/29/judge-denied-protective-order-to-woman-who-was-later-shot-to-death/ https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/columbus-indiana-family-questions-court-system-following-pregnant-mothers-killing/531-2fbb9e60-3f97-4795-9b7b-1e5d48bec3b2 https://www.gofundme.com/f/julie-neumann-funeral-costs?utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined https://www.therepublic.com/2022/12/30/shooting-investigation-family-cites-justice-system-breakdown/ https://www.wrtv.com/news/wrtv-investigates/no-criminal-charges-against-ex-columbus-police-chief-following-nearly-two-year-probe
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    29 mins
  • 45. The Murder of Kathy Bonney with Dr. Martin Smith-Rodden

    45. The Murder of Kathy Bonney with Dr. Martin Smith-Rodden
    Apr 15 2024

    **Trigger Warning: Sexual assault, incest, child murder and abuse**

    We say this every episode... but BUCKLE UP! This case is truly something you won't forget about. Our guest, Dr. Martin Smith-Rodden, is a professional visual journalist with over 30 years of experience, a professor at Ball State University, and has a Ph.D. in Applied Experimental Psychology. (The very first doctor to appear as a guest on the podcast! Eek!)


    He details his time at the Virginian-Pilot where he: sat face-to-face with convicted killer Thomas Bonney inside Bonney's home, was present when Bonney later confessed exclusively to his coworker, and photographed Bonney throughout the sensational trial. It's an episode you won't want to miss! Listen now to find out the details behind the gruesome 1987 murder of Kathy Bonney in Camden County, North Carolina.


    SOURCES:

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/234786062/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/918481380/?match=1

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/965840350/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/235320017/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/235632114/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/1023348743/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/235550292/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/235226445/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/919087250/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/230907758/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/831442593/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/230929708/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/233410474/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/233413125/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22

    https://www.newspapers.com/image/233417369/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22

    https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1994/vp940731/07310092.htm

    https://www.pilotonline.com/2007/10/17/nearly-20-years-later-bonney-gets-life-for-daughters-murder/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Kathy_Bonney
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    40 mins