Season 5
Season 5 – Episode 21
Dangerous Transgressions
Dr. Stein worked as a forensic psychologist under California’s Sexually Violent Predator Act. Her role was to evaluate violent sex offenders alone, one by one, at various prisons across the state. It was her job to determine whether these offenders were fit for release or would remain behind bars for the rest of their days.…
Season 5 – Episode 20
Halloween Night with Mike Brown of Pleasing Terrors
On Halloween night we had the pleasure of speaking with Mike Brown of the Pleasing Terrors podcast and the Pleasing Terrors Ghost Tour in Charleston, South Carolina! We discuss spooky tales from Charleston and other places that Mike has had a chance to visit. We also discuss some of our own experiences! Show Notes: Websites:Pleasing…
Season 5 – Episode 19
Inside Scam Compounds
What if the people running online scams weren’t criminals by choice—but victims themselves? In this episode, we talk with Ivan Franceschini and Ling Li, authors of Scam: Inside Southeast Asia’s Cybercrime Compounds, about the hidden world of online fraud across Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and the Philippines. Based on years of fieldwork, their book reveals how thousands…
Season 5 – Episode 18
Death and Everything After
Death is universal, but it remains one of the least spoken about aspects of life. Sitting down with Aubrey Thamann and Kalliopi Christodoulaki, the editors of Beyond the Veil: Reflexive Studies of Death and Dying, we explore how grief, mortality, and memory shape our personal and collective lives. We explore the deeply personal and profoundly…
Season 5 – Episode 17
A Murder in the Outer Banks
On the morning of August 28, 1993, the quiet shores of Nags Head, North Carolina, were shattered when 35-year-old visitor Janet Siclari was found raped and fatally stabbed behind the Carolinian hotel. What followed was a decades-long pursuit of justice marked by false leads, courtroom drama, and groundbreaking DNA technology. In this episode, we talk…
Season 5 – Episode 16
Allan Pinkerton: America’s First Detective
You may have heard of The Pinkertons, the infamous detective and spy agency that dealt with matters of national intelligence and security, labor union disputes and much more. But what do you know about Allan Pinkerton, the founder of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency? Author Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones explores the life and adventures of Pinkerton in…
Season 5 – Episode 15
Deep Sleep
Step inside one of the most disturbing chapters in modern psychiatry. In this episode, author and journalist Jon Stock joins us to discuss his book The Sleep Room: A Sadistic Psychiatrist and the Women Who Survived Him, an investigation into the shocking experiments of Dr. William Sargant in 1960s London. Sargant’s so-called treatments—prolonged drug-induced sleep,…
Season 5 – Episode 14
The Untold Story of East New York
In the early 1990s, East New York was known as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in America, a place dubbed “The Killing Fields” after a wave of murders shook Brooklyn. What if the real crime story started decades earlier, in boardrooms and banks? Author Stacy Horn takes us inside her new book, The Killing…
Season 5 – Episode 13
Intel – Secrets and Civil Liberties
What does it mean to live in a country that values both freedom and secrecy? Intelligence work is often hidden in the shadows—but its impact shapes every facet of our public and private lives. We chat with Dr. Jeffrey Rogg, a historian who offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how American intelligence has evolved—and why…
Season 5 – Episode 12
Interview with the Psychopath
What does it feel like to live without empathy—or guilt? Sociopathy is one of the most misunderstood diagnoses in psychology. We chat with Jamie who offers a rare, first-person glimpse into life with antisocial personality disorder. We discuss stigma, resilience, and the complexity of being “different” in a world built for emotional connection. Jamie, also…
Season 5 – Episode 11
The Differences Between Us
Is race written in our DNA—or is that one of the most dangerous myths of modern science? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Rina Bliss, sociologist and author of What’s Real About Race: The New Genetics and the Future of Racism. With Rina, we challenge long-held assumptions about biology and race, revealing how cutting-edge…
Season 5 – Episode 10
Breaking the Silence – Surviving the Golden State Killer
Kris Pedretti is the 10th known survivor of the Golden State Killer, Joseph James DeAngelo. After remaining silent for 42 years, she now courageously shares her journey of post-traumatic growth. In this episode, Kris opens up about what it took to confront her trauma decades later, how she found her voice, and why she’s dedicated…
Season 5 – Episode 9
Are the Kids Alright?
Why does parenting feel so much harder today? In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Runyon, a former child psychotherapist turned parent coach, author, and keynote speaker with over 22 years of experience in child and adolescent mental health. Nicole brings a rare ability to bridge the gap between generations, helping adults truly understand…
Season 5 – Episode 8
Celebrating the Weird and Wonderful – Windy City Paranormal Fest
What happens when the paranormal meets storytelling and community? Welcome to Windy City Para Fest, Chicago’s celebration of all things strange and unexplained. In this episode, two of the creators, Franky Everleigh and Christina Rappel, share the story behind this unique fest, which brings together the curious and the courageous to explore everything from spirits…
Season 5 – Episode 7
Health – Fad, Fact and Fiction
What does it truly mean to be healthy in today’s world, where diet culture and social pressures shape our perceptions of wellness? Martina Cartwright helps us break down the myths surrounding “perfect” health and wellness, offering empowering insights on how to reclaim a balanced, self-compassionate approach to living well. Martina is a registered dietitian and…
Season 5 – Episode 6
Essential
What exactly is a rape kit? What goes into it? Who created it? It’s a question most of us have never thought to ask. The rape kit revolutionized forensic science and gave sexual assault survivors a powerful tool in the pursuit of justice. Pagan Kennedy had questions and went on a search for answers. While…
Season 5 – Episode 5
Beyond the Pole
We’ve explored the world of escort service as well as the life of an OnlyFans model. This time we thought we’d explore the industry as it pertains to strippers. NatsHoney is an industry veteran with years of experience. NatsHoney is the President of Strippers United, a labor organization led by strippers advocating for fair wages,…
Season 5 – Episode 4
A Very Furry Episode
The Furry subculture is a subculture that’s often misunderstood, misrepresented and wrapped in myth. So, what’s the real story behind the fandom? With Dr. Courtney Plante and others, we hear about the world of furries – the creativity, community, and identity of it all. Courtney is a social psychologist and co-founder of FurScience, the leading…
Season 5 – Episode 3
Exploring America: The Gullah-Geechee Corridor
The Gullah Geechee Corridor spans multiple states throughout the southeastern U.S. and is comprised of a deep and rich history, culture, language and lifestyle. The Gullah Geechee people are the descendants of enslaved Africans who worked on rice, indigo and cotton plantations throughout the south. Being enslaved on plantations on remote coastal islands allowed for…
Season 5 – Episode 2
Mob Cops
Two NYPD detectives sworn to uphold the law—yet deeply entangled in the world of organized crime. Journalist and acclaimed author Michael Cannell is back with us to discuss his gripping new book, Blood and the Badge: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and a Scandal That Shocked the Nation. Michael uncovers the shocking true story of…
Season 5 – Episode 1
Weekend Adventures with Emma
Imagine setting foot in a place you’ve never been, meeting people from all walks of life, and facing challenges that push you beyond your limits—only to discover the incredible impact travel has on one’s life. We’re joined by Emma Wong-Stephens, an avid traveler and blogger who has turned her passion for exploring the world into…
Season 4 – Episode 27
Genetic Disorders Decoded
Genetic disorders can be a mystery to many, but for those living with them, they’re a daily reality. In this episode, we talk to Melissa, who shares her life with Senior-Løken Syndrome — a rare condition that affects her vision and kidney function. Melissa opens up about her experiences, challenges, and triumphs as she navigates…
Season 4 – Episode 26
Welcome to the Nightmare
Sleep paralysis is a condition that blurs the lines between dreams and waking life, leaving those who experience it frozen in fear. In this episode, we delve into the eerie and fascinating world of sleep paralysis by talking to individuals who’ve faced this mysterious phenomenon. Our featured guest, Ranita Roy, shares her vivid and haunting…
Season 4 – Episode 25
Cultural Variations in Psychosomatic Disorders
Have you ever wondered why certain illnesses only seem to appear in specific cultures? How do cultural beliefs shape our experience of health and illness? In this episode, we explore the world of culture-bound syndromes with medical anthropologist, Peter Guarnaccia. These intriguing, culturally specific disorders—such as susto, koro, and ataque de nervios—offer unique insights into…
Season 4 – Episode 24
DONNAVILLE
Step into the surreal and fiercely imaginative world of DONNAVILLE, the latest novel by award-winning writer Donna Minkowitz. In this episode, Donna uncovers the layers of her unique, genre-defying book—a world where personal history, fantasy, and feminist themes converge. Donna is a writer of fantasy, memoir, and journalism lauded by Lilith Magazine for her “fierce…
Season 4 – Episode 23
All Hallows’ Eve with Lisa Morton
Ever wondered how Halloween evolved from its ancient origins to the costume-filled celebration we know today? In this Halloween special, we sat down with the incredible Lisa Morton, author, historian, and one of the world’s leading experts on Halloween. From ancient Celtic traditions to the modern-day thrill of haunted houses and costumes, Lisa takes us…
Bound by the Cloak 