Episode 257

At the age of 24, New York Post reporter Susannah Cahalan is stricken with a terrible disease. In a matter of weeks, it morphs from paranoia into hallucinations, seizures, and psychosis. It resists diagnosis even by the most prestigious doctors in the US. Only when Susannah becomes catatonic, staring death in the face, do two brilliant neurologists discover the problem: Susannah is suffering from an autoimmune disease that’s causing her antibodies to attack her own brain.

Cahalan’s harrowing portrait shows how frail disease makes us, ready to accept any diagnosis, even when we know it’s wrong; how the US healthcare system serves some patients better than others; and how maintaining a positive attitude is critical to recovery.

Mental health disorders affect millions of people and often lead to the tragic loss of life through suicide. The pain and suffering that accompany mental illness are difficult for those unafflicted to understand. Kay Redfield Jamison, a clinical psychologist living with manic-depressive disorder, has attempted to bring awareness to those experiences in her memoir. By divulging the violent, frenzied, and dangerous aspects of her disease, Jamison hopes to create more understanding about mental illness and more empathy for those who struggle to exist in the normal world.

Delve into the harrowing experiences of Jennifer McLeggan, the subject of a gripping 'You Should Know Podcast’ episode. Peyton Hardin's thoughtful questioning unravels layers of McLeggan's life, from her struggles with neighborhood harassment to her inspiring journey of resilience. While renovating a home during her pregnancy, McLeggan found herself wrongly accused and victimised, ultimately resorting to a public cry for help. Amid this adversity, she reveals an undying spirit, manifested in her role as a mother, and as a Registered Nurse who bounced back from dropping out of school.

Despite the distressing circumstances, this narrative is tinged with shared hope. McLeggan's story has sparked a nationwide solidarity, turning a spotlight onto societal perceptions of value and race. Notably, Peyton offers a glimpse into instances of standing support such as that from Anthony Heron. The podcast ends optimistically, articulating mutual gratitude and an anticipation for a positive future for McLeggan. The exploration of her struggles and steadfast spirit paints a poignant portrait of survival and communal support.

Orange Is the New Black is Piper Kerman’s memoir of her year at a federal women’s prison. Convicted on drug charges, the privileged, well-educated, white, upper-middle-class Piper is sent to prison in Danbury, Connecticut. There, she finds herself part of a community of women whose backgrounds and life experiences seem vastly different from her own. During her sentence, however, Piper comes to recognize the biases of her privilege; find community and family with her fellow inmates; and discover the systemic failures, gross power disparities, and overall injustices of the prison system.

The Glass Castle is the harrowing tale of Jeannette Wall’s life growing up in poverty with wayward parents. Jeannette and her siblings were often left to fend for themselves as their parents engaged in alcoholic binges or flights of fancy. The siblings ultimately resented their parents’ neglect and became independent, moving far away.

Following the Walls family through the desert to the coal-mining region of West Virginia to the fast-paced life of New York City, this memoir explores the nature of family, loyalty, and tragedy and what it takes to survive together and apart.

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 chilling intersection of true crime and beauty with Bailey Sarian's unique podcast, 'Murder, Mystery & Makeup.' In this gripping episode, Bailey unveils the shocking case from Green Bay that left a community reeling. With her distinctive approach, Sarian discusses the chilling details of a grizzly murder amidst her captivating makeup tutorial, crafting an unforgettable narrative that holds listeners spellbound.

From the harrowing discovery of a severed head to the arresting courtroom drama, Bailey narrates the disturbing tale of Taylor Coronado, aka Taylor Schabusiness, and her tragic life trajectory. As Sarian paints both her face and a vivid picture of methamphetamine's dark influence on lives, she delves into the depths of human behavior, touching upon the role of mental health in criminal responsibility. The listeners are left with a haunting reflection on the complexities behind the brutal acts and a call to engage in a broader conversation about the intersection of crime, punishment, and psychological issues.

Nicole Addimando shot Christopher Grover after he allegedly abused her for years. Though recent legislation has passed to lessen sentencing for victims of domestic violence, Addimando still faces 25 years to life for killing her abuser.

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 chilling intersection of true crime and beauty with Bailey Sarian's unique podcast, 'Murder, Mystery & Makeup.' In this gripping episode, Bailey unveils the shocking case from Green Bay that left a community reeling. With her distinctive approach, Sarian discusses the chilling details of a grizzly murder amidst her captivating makeup tutorial, crafting an unforgettable narrative that holds listeners spellbound.

From the harrowing discovery of a severed head to the arresting courtroom drama, Bailey narrates the disturbing tale of Taylor Coronado, aka Taylor Schabusiness, and her tragic life trajectory. As Sarian paints both her face and a vivid picture of methamphetamine's dark influence on lives, she delves into the depths of human behavior, touching upon the role of mental health in criminal responsibility. The listeners are left with a haunting reflection on the complexities behind the brutal acts and a call to engage in a broader conversation about the intersection of crime, punishment, and psychological issues.

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.

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 this chilling episode of "Murder, Mystery & Makeup," Bailey Sarian unravels the gruesome story of Cameron Hooker, a psychopath with a macabre fascination for torture. In a narrative interlaced with dark humor and empathetic storytelling, Sarian delves deep into Hooker's oppressive and sadistic hold over his victim Colleen, highlighting his blood-chilling cruelty involving creative torture devices and manipulation stunts.

The story evolves as Sarian transitions from the captive's ordeal to the aftermath, including the courtroom drama and the victims' rehabilitation. Amidst this, the mysterious murder case of Marliz Spannake adds to the horrifying dimension of Hooker's terror. Through the episode, Sarian succeeds in drawing the listeners' abhorrence for Cameron's heinous acts while leaving them in awe of the indomitable spirit of victims like Colleen and Janice, who managed to rebuild their lives post-trauma.