Episode 8: Engage With Empathy

A little girl growing up alone in the lush marshes of the North Carolina coast. A young woman who falls in love and experiences the anguish of a broken heart. A promise of marriage. A betrayal that leads to death. In Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens reveals these moments along Kya Clark’s journey to survive after her family abandons her as a child. Owens’s prose is as lush as the environment she describes, making you feel you are with Kya every step of the way. As Kya deals with discrimination and torment by the local townspeople, she must also navigate matters of the heart and decide if opening her heart is worth the risk when all she’s known is loss.

Venture into the chilling world of unsolved mysteries with Ashleigh Kelly and Alaina Urquhart in the third episode of their gripping podcast, 'Morbid'. This particular episode pulls you into the timeless enigma of the Dyatlov Pass Incident, where nine experienced Russian explorers met implausible tragedy. Our charismatic hosts weave an atmospheric narrative of the chilling event, unravelling the multi-layered complexities of deviated itinerary, unsettling autopsy reports, and hasty escape attempts that make the incident macabrely fascinating.

Beyond the investigation, versatile hosts Ashleigh Kelly and Alaina Urquhart build a palpable connection with their audience, inviting them to contribute topics and continue the discourse on social media. They affirm their commitment to crafting a deeply engaging and interactive true crime podcast that resonates with their listeners, taking the narrative from mere recitation to an immersive mystery-solving experience for their followers, ensuring 'Morbid' is more than just a podcast; it's a community of curious minds unfolding the world's most eerie enigma.

Immerse yourself in the gripping world of Bailey Sarian's 'Murder, Mystery & Makeup' podcast. This unique blend of chilling crime narrative and light-hearted beauty routine make for a complex, riveting listening experience. In this episode, Sarian presents the baffling mystery surrounding a woman named Stacey Ruth Daniels, linking the ordinary and the extraordinary, the homely and the horrific, in a tale filled with unexpected twists and turns. On the one hand, the audience is held captive by the grave mystery of Stacey's two deceased spouses; on the other, Sarian invites listeners into her personal space with playful segments about her life and hobbies.

Balancing the severity of the crime tale with a lighter touch, Sarian excels at drawing listeners into her world. This episode goes beyond just recounting the gruesome facts of the case, providing a comprehensive exploration of the narrative that includes an investigation into Stacey's ordinary suburban upbringing and her transformation into a suspected murderer. In addition, Sarian dives into the psychological aftermath of the crimes on Stacey's daughters, underscoring the far-reaching impact of such heinous acts. Keeping listeners engaged until the very end, the episode concludes with a dive into the cultural relevance of Stacey's disturbing acts on popular culture. Tune in to Sarian's 'Murder, Mystery & Makeup' podcast to take part in this compelling journey through the darker aspects of human nature.

Educated: A Memoir is Tara Westover’s autobiography. In it, she shows us her transformation from being the daughter of survivalist, fundamentalist, anti-science, anti-medicine, and anti-education parents, to becoming a Cambridge-educated historian. Westover gains the strength to break free from the ideological chains of her youth and discovers the agency to make her own choices about how she sees and experiences the world.

While it is about one individual’s journey, Educated speaks to universal themes of self-liberation, the power of education, the perils of extreme ideology, and the trauma of domestic abuse.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is a memoir by psychotherapist and author Lori Gottlieb. She discusses a difficult time in her life following a sudden breakup with her long-term boyfriend. The incident upset her so badly that it drove her to seek therapy herself.

This book is the story of Lori’s time in therapy, interwoven with stories about Lori’s own patients. Though each of their situations is different, their shared struggles and how they overcome them reflect common experiences that all people share—in fact, Lori says that the reason therapists can be effective is precisely because they have those same struggles. As Lori and her patients work together toward health and understanding, they reflect on their pasts—how they got to be where they are now—and the futures they’d like to have.

Dive into the murky depths of the Gilgo Beach murder case with Robert Kolker, guided by the compelling narration of Robert Petkoff in "The Daily". Together, they shed light on a startling narrative that began with a chilling find in Long Island, transforming into a tale of over a decade of mysteries and dead ends. As an esteemed journalist, Kolker offers a riveting examination of a case that seemed poised for a quick solve but soon expanded into a complex web of up to 11 potential victims and a botched hunt that rattled New York City.

The case's progress was marred by barriers ranging from societal biases to law enforcement mishaps. Kolker's "Lost Girls" played a pivotal role in changing perceptions and reigniting interest in the cold case, drawing attention to the victims' humanity against a backdrop of official negligence. As the podcast unravels, we learn about the entrenchment of corruption within Suffolk County's police force, the missed technological opportunities, and the transformation toward modern strategies such as genetic genealogy, that rekindled hopes for justice. "The Daily" invites its audience to scrutinize law enforcement's actions, highlighting the wider implications for Suffolk County's judiciary through the lens of this disconcerting case and the arresting of Rex Heuermann, a suspect whose connection to the murders unlocked through DNA evidence signifies a potential turn towards resolution.

In Murder, Mystery & Makeup, speaker Bailey Sarian dives into a spine-chilling narrative of a neighborhood tragedy from 1998. The story takes a deep look into the disappearance of young Maddie Clifton and the revelation of her body hidden under the waterbed of 14-year-old Joshua Phillips. Balancing the harrowing account of this crime with looking at Joshua's household circumstances, Sarian offers listeners a nuanced perspective of a horrific event.

Not only does Sarian share the chilling details of the crime and the subsequent investigation, she even explores the complex environments that might have shaped such a distressing scenario. Moreover, this episode challenges listeners to scrutinize the evidence, contemplate Joshua's life behind bars and communicate their thoughts on a justice system that presents a life sentence to a minor. Fans of true crime and psychological complexities will find this unnerving tale a compelling listen.

Dive into the gripping world of true crime with Bailey Sarian in "Murder, Mystery & Makeup," where makeup artistry meets bone-chilling narratives. In this compelling episode, Sarian illuminates the haunting case of Lonnie Franklin Jr., also known as the Grim Sleeper, who evaded justice for decades despite the turmoil sown by his heinous acts. As Bailey shifts her content to a biweekly Monday release, she beckons her audience to join her in exploring darker histories, embedding her personal reflections within the grim recounting of Franklin's reign of terror.

Bailey Sarian's storytelling is as intricate as it is impactful, drawing attention to the societal backdrop of 1970s and 80s Los Angeles that incubated such brutality. She articulates the systemic failures and police negligence that allowed the Grim Sleeper to cast a long, dark shadow over a city already grappling with the crisis of crack cocaine and economic decline. Through Sarian's narration, escapees' harrowing tales merge with community advocacy, culminating in the eventual conviction of Franklin. But with many questions left unanswered and untold victims yet unrecognized, Sarian closes reflectively, urging us to stay vigilant, while paying homage to those scarred by these tragedies.

Stephanie Soo delves into a harrowing incident on "Rotten Mango" that gripped China and the world—the vicious assault on four women at a Tangshan barbecue restaurant. When a night out turned into a nightmare of premeditated violence that left the victims severely injured, the brutal attack exposed grave societal and systemic flaws. A video capturing the ordeal quickly went viral, sparking outrage and a nationwide conversation on women's safety and bystander accountability. Through a painstaking recounting of the event, Stephanie lays bare the chilling indifference exhibited by onlookers and the distressing instances of victim-blaming that permeate cultural narratives about gender-based violence.

In an episode that serves as a poignant critique of the media, authority responses, and the historical context of gang dominance, Stephanie investigates the disturbing details and broader implications of the Tangshan assault. Exploring the alarming media trivialization, the possibility of police corruption, and the government's attempts to control the narrative, "Rotten Mango" raises questions about the failures of legal mechanisms to protect against organized crime. As Stephanie calls for reflection on shared responsibilities and societal transformation, her probing discussion goes beyond seeking justice for the victims to advocate for a fundamental change in attitudes towards gender violence—challenging listeners to not only recognize but also actively engage in ensuring women's safety and dignity.

In a gripping episode of the "Shawn Ryan Show," former SEAL Shawn Ryan and journalist Nick Bryant delve deep into the enigmatic and dark web of Jeffrey Epstein's criminal empire. Throughout this intense discussion, they draw back the curtain on high-stakes power, corruption, and the systemic failures that allowed Epstein's disturbing behavior to go unchecked. The speakers navigate through a haunting array of connections that reveal Epstein's pervasive influence, from high-profile dignitaries to billionaire associates, and challenge the grand jury's baffling inaction, as unearthed in Epstein's personal contact directory.

Bryant and Ryan not only expose Epstein's network of complicity but also elevate the victims' harrowing experiences above the sensationalism surrounding Epstein's notable associations. They rigorously critique media coverage and encourage a shift towards justice for the victims. The episode takes an even more speculative turn as they discuss chilling theories about Epstein's interest in human cloning and transhumanism, considering the alarming extent of surveillance and potential blackmail operations that hint at governmental collusion. As this exhaustive probe into the abyss of Epstein's world concludes, "Shawn Ryan Show" leaves its audience with a call to action, empowering them to demand transparency and reform in the wake of such a scandalous unraveling of integrity within circles of power.

In a gripping episode of "Rotten Mango," host Stephanie Soo invites Stephen McCullagh and co-host Niall McNally to unravel the chilling case that takes an unexpected turn into digital deception and heartbreak. As they dissect the murder of Natalie McNally—who met her tragic fate while her partner famously conducted a "Grand Theft Auto" stream on the same night—their discussion reveals the intricate blend of virtual and real-world evidence that casts doubt over an alibi rooted in modern technology. This deep-dive into the crime exposes not just the details of the alleged cover-up but delves into the sociocultural aftermath that shook Ireland.

Soo meticulously pieces together the life of Natalie McNally, a woman known for her exuberance and altruistic nature, whose death left an indelible void in her community. Meanwhile, the reputedly charitable actions of Stephen McCullagh come under scrutiny as his public persona crumbles amid allegations of him engineering an alibi via a pre-recorded livestream, an act that spark a national conversation on violence against women. The podcast probes into a world where technology becomes a tool for obfuscation and detection, revealing a tale of manipulation that raises questions about justice in the digital age. Join "Rotten Mango" for a collision of true crime and modern complexities that demonstrates how technology can be ingeniously twisted to fabricate reality.