S19 E10: [WCN Presents] SWW S14 Updates // Part 2

Delve into the twisted narrative of one of history's most infamous serial killers with "Morbid" hosts Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart as they inaugurate their multi-part series in "Morbid: A True Crime Podcast." In this episode, the seasoned duo skillfully juxtaposes their macabre subject with their characteristic wit, drawing listeners into the complexity of Ted Bundy's early life. With the easy accessibility of ad-free listening through Amazon Prime and Wondery Plus, the hosts set the stage for an in-depth journey through the darkened corridors of Bundy's mind, inviting true crime aficionados to find a community in Morbid's experiences and insights.

As Kelley and Urquhart delicately peel back the layers of Bundy's formative years, they spark thoughtful reflection on whether a tumultuous upbringing could be a harbinger of the horrors to come. Examining his dysfunctional family dynamics, manipulative romantic liaisons, and the inception of his gruesome acts, they bring chilling clarity to Bundy's descent into iniquity. With profound rejections of misguided narratives and an unwavering focus on Bundy's accountability, Morbid promises its listeners not just a recount but a critical analysis of the societal shockwaves emanating from Bundy's reign of terror. Stay gripped as the series resolves to unveil further dissections of Bundy's despicable crimes, and unpick the somber implications lingering in the collective memory of society.

Join Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart as they venture into the shadowy psyche of Edmund Kemper, the notorious "Coed Killer," in "Morbid: A True Crime Podcast." With chilling precision, the co-hosts recount his brutal crimes and early displays of malcontent, painting a portrait of a disturbed individual shaped by an abusive childhood and societal missteps. By starting the episode with Kemper's own unnerving words, they construct an atmosphere that is both captivating and cautionary, ensuring listeners are acutely aware of the explicit and haunting journey ahead.

As they weave through Kemper's life—from his contemptuous relationship with his overbearing mother to his cunning double life that fooled even law enforcement—Ash and Alaina offer profound insights into the criminal mind. They dissect institutional failures and naivete that allowed Kemper to exploit the system, examine his impact on forensic psychology, and end with reflections on the precarious balance between normalcy and the hidden darkness within. This gripping episode not only lays bare the extremes of human behavior but sets the stage for future explorations of mystery, beginning with a teaser of the perplexing Dyatlov Pass incident.

Media are rife with haunting stories of true crime, but some accounts are more chilling than others—particularly those that involve torture and murder. In If You Tell, Gregg Olsen recounts the story of notorious abuser and murderer Shelly Knotek, who, along with her husband Dave, abused and tortured their daughters, nephew, and two boarders—resulting in three deaths. Olsen is a best-selling true crime author and novelist who was asked to write this story by the Knotek daughters themselves.

In our guide, we'll discuss the ways in which Shelly abused her victims along with Dave’s help. We’ll also look specifically at how she lured two friends to become boarders at her home and then killed them, and we’ll look at the events leading up to Shelly and Dave’s arrests and convictions. Additionally, we’ll add information about the psychology of abuse and psychopathy, compare it to similar stories of child abuse, and add context about the legal system and its responsibilities in cases like these.

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.

Over a half-century after the civil rights movement sought justice for African Americans, prominent movements such as Black Lives Matter continue fighting to expose and resist injustice. In this social landscape, Bryan Stevenson’s message is timely: The US justice system consistently denies justice to society’s most vulnerable members.

In his 2014 book, Just Mercy, Stevenson examines the justice system’s pervasive failures toward marginalized populations, especially Black Americans. To illustrate these failures, Stevenson discusses numerous criminal cases, most prominently the 1989 case of Walter McMillian, a Black man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama.

In this guide, we’ll discuss Stevenson’s analysis of the McMillian case and his evidence of extreme punishments doled out more broadly by the justice system. Moreover, we’ll consider Stevenson’s diagnosis of the root problems with the American conception of justice and his suggestions for repairing it. We’ll also examine arguments from other sources about how to improve the justice system and provide further context for the cases that Stevenson cites.

Join Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart as they venture into the shadowy psyche of Edmund Kemper, the notorious "Coed Killer," in "Morbid: A True Crime Podcast." With chilling precision, the co-hosts recount his brutal crimes and early displays of malcontent, painting a portrait of a disturbed individual shaped by an abusive childhood and societal missteps. By starting the episode with Kemper's own unnerving words, they construct an atmosphere that is both captivating and cautionary, ensuring listeners are acutely aware of the explicit and haunting journey ahead.

As they weave through Kemper's life—from his contemptuous relationship with his overbearing mother to his cunning double life that fooled even law enforcement—Ash and Alaina offer profound insights into the criminal mind. They dissect institutional failures and naivete that allowed Kemper to exploit the system, examine his impact on forensic psychology, and end with reflections on the precarious balance between normalcy and the hidden darkness within. This gripping episode not only lays bare the extremes of human behavior but sets the stage for future explorations of mystery, beginning with a teaser of the perplexing Dyatlov Pass incident.

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.

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.