Episode 259

Dive into the heart of the juvenile justice system with The Daily's meticulous examination of a seemingly minor incident that escalates into a county-wide scandal in Rutherford County. Journalists Sabrina Tavernise, Meribah Knight, and their team eloquently unravel how a children's basketball game leads to arrests and a far-reaching investigation into the legal system's inadequacies. The podcast, a collaborative effort between Serial Productions, The New York Times, ProPublica, and Nashville Public Radio, probes at the questionable use of a law enforcing collective responsibility—a statute that is markedly absent from the legal books.

"The Kids of Rutherford County" not only scrutinizes law enforcement procedures and systemic biases but also humanizes the narrative by exploring the emotional turmoil of those caught in the fray. Through the perspectives of Principal Tammy Garrett, Officer Chris Williams, and the affected children, including the heart-wrenching ordeal of young Imariye, the podcast challenges listeners to confront the unsettling realities of juvenile detention and discrimination. With incisive reporting that sparks decisive community and media reactions, The Daily's episode stands as a catalyst for discussion and demands for reform in juvenile justice practices.

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.

All the alarming statistics about child abuse and neglect—millions of cases reported each year, killing nearly five children each day—don’t begin to illustrate how victims experience abuse. In A Child Called 'It', author Dave Pelzer provides a rare and grisly glimpse into his experience of severe physical and psychological abuse at his mother’s hands.

In one of the worst child abuse cases reported in California’s history at the time, Pelzer was starved, burned on the stove, regularly locked in the bathroom with a noxious mixture of ammonia and Clorox, and forbidden from speaking to or looking at any of his family members. Through it all, Pelzer maintained an indomitable will to survive that’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit even under the bleakest circumstances.

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.

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.

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.

Join Julia Louis-Dreyfus in an enthralling episode of her podcast, "Wiser Than Me." In an enlightening dialogue with fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg, they challenge the traditional view of fashion, exploring how it encompasses not just clothing but acts as a medium that reflects and bolsters personalities. The pair reflect on aging, with Diane proposing a refreshing perspective that sees age as evidence of life's experiences. A deeper dive into societal judgments of appearance and plastic surgeries makes way for the acceptance of individual choices, with Diane infusing her belief for natural appearances reflecting life's journey.

Moving out of the personal realm into the professional, the episode delves deep into Diane's awe-inspiring career in fashion along with anecdotes from Julia's mother, Judith Bowles. The audience get an intimate window into the life of the fashion legend, unveiling her journey from idea to reality, her visionary plans for a Venice-based intellectual hub, and the conception of her emblematic wrap dress. The podcast roundly emphasizes Diane's and Julia's resilient mindsets shaped by life's adversities, making it a truly influential and empowering episode.

Do you ever feel that there is a more authentic, primal self within you waiting to be free? Glennon Doyle has felt this way, too—like a wild animal in captivity who was conditioned not to feel, think, or trust herself. She tells her story in Untamed, part memoir—covering her personal story of addiction and rehab, falling in love with a woman, leaving her marriage, and rebuilding her life—and part call to action for any woman who feels held captive by society’s rules and expectations.

Through exploration of her story, she instructs readers to rebuild their lives using emotion, intuition, and imagination as guiding forces. In this guide, we’ll explore Doyle’s journey out of captivity and her lessons for other captive women. Along the way, we’ll explore complementary ideas from other feminist thinkers, psychological reasoning for aspects of captivity, and practical actionables to help you live Doyle’s principles.

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.