Episode 256

Immerse yourself in the murky depths of "Murder, Mystery & Makeup," where Bailey Sarian uncovers the mystery of the infamous Jack the Ripper. Sarian paints a vivid picture of a world in turmoil, where societal chaos, strained ethnic associations, poverty, and widespread prostitution rule the streets of Whitechapel, East London. As she narrates the gruesome killings that plagued the area, Sarian explores the chilling account of Mary Ann Nichols and the shockingly precise murder of Annie Chapman, stimulating speculations of an accomplice's involvement.

This gripping podcast by Bailey Sarian doesn't stop at the surface, delving deeper into the struggles of nineteenth-century criminal investigations. Sarian promises to unpack theories, mysterious letters, and potential suspects in future episodes, actively engaging listeners for input. Amid the thrilling narratives, Sarian intermingles reminders of her collaboration with Casetify and intriguing glimpses into her personal interests such as makeup experiments, creating a unique blend of mystery, history, and personal insights.

In 1985, a 68-year-old woman was assaulted and murdered in Beatrice, Nebraska. Five people confessed, but 19 years later, they were exonerated. Still, some can’t shake the memories implanted in their minds and still wonder if they’re truly innocent.

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.

Predatory “professional guardians” are taking over the guardianship of the elderly or impaired and bleeding them dry of their assets.

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.

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.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI is about the Osage Reign of Terror—the 1920s organized killings of members of the oil-rich Osage Indians. Powerful and bigoted whites systematically exploited and murdered the Osage people to expropriate their wealth, showing us the horrors that result when racism and greed align. The murders were also a major catalyst for the growth of the FBI, and the triumph of its rational and scientific vision of law enforcement—and a shift away from the era of frontier justice, corrupt and incompetent local sheriffs, and rogue “lawmen.”