The Silver Linings Handbook
The Silver Linings Handbook is a weekly interview podcast hosted by Jayson Blair. Each episode explores the many layers of human experience, from true crime and media spotlight to mental health and religion. Blair talks with a wide range of guests, seeking the deeper truths and silver linings beneath life's struggles and joys. The show aims to reveal the beauty and suffering that shape people's journeys.
Episodes
220. The Architecture of Dread with Brett Talley, Part 1
Brett Talley, the horror author and host of The Prosecutors podcast, explores how ancient concepts like guest rights and modern legends like Cropsey reveal a universal human impulse: turning danger and uncertainty into stories we can understand and navigate. We connect this to broader patterns — from Greek mythology to conspiracy theories — showing how narratives help people regulate fear
219. The Shadow Architect with Christian Kenny
Christian Kenny's story unfolds as a blend of curiosity, compulsion and a lifelong drive to understand the unseen architecture of human behavior. From childhood, he describes himself as an "oddball," someone who asked existential questions early and pursued answers with obsessive, research-driven intensity. He describes there being a "whole courtroom in there" in his mind, constantly deba
218. Lindsay Clancy and the Politics of Sympathy with Clara Lewis, Part 2
Clara S. Lewis joins me again as we go deeper into the questions the Lindsay Clancy mistrial leaves behind — especially how courts try to evaluate wrongfulness, intent, and culpability when severe postpartum disorders or psychosis are in play. We look at why juries struggle with these cases, how expert testimony gets flattened into competing narratives, and why centuries‑old ideas about “
217. Lindsay Clancy and the Politics of Sympathy with Clara Lewis, Part 1
On September 4, 2026, Lindsay Clancy’s trial ended without a unanimous verdict on her criminal responsibility - a result that left the public divided and the deeper questions unresolved. I’m joined this week again by Dartmouth professor Clara S. Lewis, author of American Infanticide, for a wide‑ranging conversation about what the Clancy case reveals about maternal mental health, psychosis
216. The Journalist and The Serial Killer with Maria DiLorenza, Part 2
In Part 2, Maria DiLorenzo takes us inside her unlikely relationship with the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway - how it began, why he chose to write her back, and what she learned from years of letters and calls. We explore his manipulations, his contradictions, and the unsettling intimacy that forms when a journalist steps into a serial killer’s world.Contact me at silverliningshandbookp
215 .The Journalist and The Serial Killer with Maria DiLorenza, Part 1
Janet Malcolm once wrote that every journalist who truly understands their work knows its moral ambiguity. She was describing the uneasy intimacy between reporter and subject — and how that bond can fracture. But sometimes, the journalist isn’t the most manipulative person in the room. Maria DiLorenzo, one of the only journalists to interview Gary Ridgway, joins me to explore her years‑lo
214. Speaking for the Dead with Michele Wood, Part 2
Former Chicago Homicide Detective Michele Wood returns with an unfiltered look at the cases that haunt her, the ones that cracked open years later, and the ones she’s hoping will close. She talks witness intimidation, cold‑case breakthroughs, and what justice really looks like in neighborhoods living with daily violence.Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck out the Silver
213. Speaking for the Dead with Michelle Wood, Part 1
Michele Wood is a 25-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, a longtime homicide and cold-case detective, an FBI-certified hostage negotiator, and the author of the book Model Detective. Michele traces the roots of her career back to her childhood in gang-plagued Logan Square, including the violent attack she survived at age 11 that sharpened her instincts and set her on the p
212. Girl on Fire with Jennifer Eskew, Part 2
Jennifer Eskew picks up her story at the moment her career begins to accelerate. In Part 2, she walks us through the realities of undercover work in Virginia — the operations that shaped her, the risks she learned to manage, and the emotional and ethical weight of living a double life. She talks about the cases that defined her early years, the moments that tested her resolve, and the ins
211. Girl on Fire with Jennifer Eskew, Part 1
Jennifer Eskew grew up in a small farming community in rural Virginia where violent crime was rare — until a 1968 shooting injured her mother, sister, and neighbors and set her on a lifelong path toward law enforcement. In this episode, Jennifer talks about that moment, the community that shaped her, the early barriers she faced as a woman pursuing police work, and how she eventually beca
210. Inside the Forensic Mind with Paige Wilcoxson
In this episode, Dr. Paige Wilcoxson joins us to discuss what people often get wrong about forensic psychology, what it takes and costs, and what the work helps us understand about ourselves, criminal behavior, and the world around us. Paige worked as a clinical and forensic psychologist in hospitals and prisons and as a graduate intern in the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, where she con
209. The Impossible Theory with Aaron Habel, Part 2
Aaron Habel, the host of the Generation Why podcast, joins me for our second and final conversation on his new podcast series, Framed, which explores the murder of Scott Macklem and the conviction of Fred Freeman, who changed his name to Temujin Kensu.To listen to Season 3 of Framed:True Crime Podcast Framed- Official Site – Framed: An Investigative StoryContact me at silverliningshandboo
208. The Impossible Theory with Aaron Habel, Part 1
Aaron Habel, the host of the Generation Why podcast, joins me to discuss the murder of Scott Macklem and the conviction of Fred Freeman, who changed his name to Temujin Kensu. The case has been approached from many angles over the years — who killed Macklem or whether Kensu was wrongfully convicted. Aaron, in a new season of his Framed podcast, is widening the lens to ask another question
207. No-Body Homicides with Tad DiBiase, Part 2
In Part 2 of my conversation with former federal prosecutor Tad DiBiase, we dig into how investigators distinguish a missing‑persons case from a homicide, why the absence of evidence can be the most powerful clue, and how prosecutors build no‑body murder cases.We talk through successful prosecutions — including Lloyd Lee Welch in the Lyon sisters case and Sante and Kenneth Kimes in the mu
206. No-Body Homicides with Tad DiBiase, Part 1
Tad DiBiase, a former federal homicide prosecutor, joins me to discuss his path to specializing in no-body homicide cases, how investigators recognize when a missing person may actually have been murdered, and the core challenges of proving these cases. We explore historical and modern no-body homicides, along with ongoing cases that remain unresolved.Contact me at silverliningshandbookpo
205. Turning Toward the Past with Sadie Johnson
Sadie Johnson spent three decades as a writer and editor in newspapers, magazines, and marketing. Storytelling comes naturally to her, and it’s the narrative of her family - and how it shaped who she became and refused to become - that she’s turning toward now and joined me to discuss.Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://
204. Profiling the Disappearance of Ashley Loring HeavyRunner with Julia Cowley, Part 2
Retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley, the host of The Consult, joins me to conclude our conversation on the disappearance of Ashley Loring HeavyRunner, a 20-year-old woman who disappeared in the mountains of the Blackfeet Reservation in June 2017. Our two-part discussion followed a four-part series where I joined Julia and her colleagues on The Consult to discuss Ashley's case.To listen to t
203. Profiling the Disappearance of Ashley Loring Heavyrunner with Julia Cowley, Part 1
After a four-part series on The Consult podcast, the host, Julia Cowley, a retired FBI profiler, joins me to revisit the case of Ashley Loring HeavyRunner, a 20-year-old woman who disappeared in the mountains of the Blackfeet Reservation in June 2017. We continue to explore Ashley's case and the use of profiling in missing persons cases.To listen to the episodes of the series where I join
202. Why Transitions Are So Hard with Victoria Grady
Why is change so hard? Victoria Grady, an organizational psychologist and expert in adult attachment theory, joins me to discuss the space in between, where you are letting go of one thing and grasping for something new. When my mother died, the Paddington bear she gave me as a child gave me a clue about why and what we can do to make it a little easier for ourselves and others.Contact me
201. Internal Affairs with Marlon Marrache, Part 2
Former Los Angeles Police Department Internal Affairs investigator Marlon Marrache and I continue our discussion on the role of those who police the police and the impact on officers on the street and communities on how it's done. In Part 2, we explore the 1991 Rodney King beating and its aftermath, the event labeled as the LADP Rampart-CRASH Scandal, the Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force Sc
200. Internal Affairs with Marlon Marrache, Part 1
Marlon Marrache, a 24-year Los Angeles Police Department veteran who spent half that time investigating police misconduct, joins me to discuss how internal affairs is the first line of defense between a police department and its community. We touch on the 1991 Rodney King beating, the O.J. Simpson trial, the impact of the Watts Uprising, what became known as the Rampart scandal and more.C
199. Bouncing Back with Julie Barth
Julie Barth is a mother, writer, trauma survivor and founder of a nonprofit that supports women-led households in crisis. She talks about raising a daughter with a rare genetic condition, losing her husband to cancer and finding her way out of an abusive relationship that followed. The conversation digs into how trauma shapes us, the unseen load so many women carry and the work of letting
198. Addiction, Inc. with Emily Dufton
Emily Dufton joins me to talk about how the death of her high school friend after 15 years of escalating opioid use led her on a journey to uncover the origins of the American opioid crisis and our failure to treat patients. She traces those roots back to the well‑intentioned but misguided efforts of the Nixon Administration in the 1970s, the punitive turn of the Reagan‑era War on Drugs,
197. Geographic Profiling with Doug MacGregor, Part 2
Geographic Profiler Doug MacGregor returns to conclude our conversation about the art and science of geographic profiling — and the blend of criminology, behavioral science, mapping technology and temporal data he uses to help prioritize suspects in criminal investigations.To find out more about Doug's work:IRIS Investigative StrategiesContact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck
196. Geographic Profiling with Doug MacGregor, Part 1
I talk with Doug MacGregor about his background as a geographic profiler and the blend of criminology, behavioral science, mapping technology and temporal data he uses to help prioritize suspects in criminal investigations.To find out more about Doug's work:IRIS Investigative StrategiesContact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https:/
195. The Colonial Parkway Murders Secrets with Bill Thomas, Part 3
Bill Thomas and I conclude our conversation on the latest developments in the Colonial Parkways Murders. Bill walks us through the patterns, dead ends and new leads.Listen to part 1 of this series here.Listen to part 2 of this series here.Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.com/Check out our Patreon
194. The Colonial Parkway Murders Secrets with Bill Thomas, Part 2
In this episode, Bill Thomas, the brother of Colonial Parkway murder victim Cathy Thomas, and I continue our discussion on the cases. We revisit how Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. became a major but mishandled suspect after the 1988 disappearance of Keith Call and Cassandra Hailey, whose abandoned car coincided with reports of a man in a distinctive, waterman‑rigged pickup confronting couples while
193. The Colonial Parkway Murders Secrets with Bill Thomas, Part 1
In this episode, Bill Thomas, the brother of Colonial Parkways murder victim Cathy Thomas, and I examine the series of homicides that occurred in Virginia between 1986 and 1989. The case began in 1986, when Bill’s sister, Cathy, and her girlfriend were found dead in Cathy’s Honda Civic just off the Colonial Parkway. For more than three decades, the murders remained unsolved.That shifted i
192. Cancer and the Meaning and Mechanics of Suffering with Ellie Taylor
Ellie Taylor was a young mother when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Ellie, the host of the Version of Events podcast, joins me to discuss the physical and emotional toll of treatment and the meaning and the mechanics of suffering. Ellie and I shared a profound friendship with the late Jessica Olive Cash, and we discuss how pain strips us down to our truest selves and ho
191. Inside Special Victims Units with Roger Canaff
For most people, “SVU” is a television franchise. For Roger Canaff, it was real life. The former Special Victims prosecutor for the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, the Alexandria, Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the New York Attorney General and the military takes us inside the world of handling cases involving sexual assault, child abuse, and other crimes against the
190. Sabrina Schnoor: The Trial, the Truth and a Mother's Grief with Stacia Schnoor, Part 2
In the second half of our conversation, Stacia Schnoor walks us through the courtroom battle that followed Sabrina’s death — the evidence, the testimony and the moments that forced her to relive the worst day of her life. She speaks candidly about the weight of the trial, the community’s response, and the complicated mix of relief and heartbreak that comes with a verdict. This episode cap
189. Sabrina Schnoor: The Trial, the Truth and a Mother's Grief with Stacia Schnoor, Part 1
The day of Monday, May 29, 2023, seemed to be filled with apprehension and anticipation for Sabrina Schnoor. After talking to friends who warned her against it, she decided to meet with her ex-boyfriend one last time before he headed off to prison. A day later, she was found dead on railroad tracks underneath a highway bridge in Owatonna, Minnesota. Sabrina's mother, Stacia, who joins us
188. When Love Turns Into a Lie with Heather Rovet
What happens when the person you trust most is the one quietly rewriting your reality? Toronto real estate broker Heather Rovet joins me to expose the romance scam that shattered her world—an emotional maze of manipulation, false promises and meticulously crafted lies.By the time the truth surfaced, Heather learned she wasn’t his only target. This man had deceived successful women across
187. Unbroken Against the Odds with Adriene Caldwell, Part 2
Adriene Caldwell returns to continue to share the pivotal moments that shaped her path and the unexpected resilience that emerged when the odds were stacked against her. After facing homelessness, a broken family and abuse, she turned those pressures that broke her into strengths. In the second and final part of our conversation, we continue to discuss what helped her become unbroken.Cont
186. Unbroken Against the Odds with Adriene Caldwell, Part 1
Adriene Caldwell shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path and the unexpected resilience that emerged when the odds were stacked against her. After facing homelessness, a broken family and abuse, she turned those pressures that broke her into strengths. In the first part of our conversation, we discuss what helped her become unbroken.To preorder Adrienne's book:The Book | Unbroken:
185. The Unsolved Death of Jessica Lloyd with Brittany Lloyd
Jessica Lloyd's husband called 911 to say she was having a "mental break" but did not know that six minutes later, a neighbor called to say they just heard a woman scream, "My husband is trying to kill me." By the time police arrived, Jessica was found dead, floating face-down in a canal near her Coral Springs, Florida home. Her sister, Brittany Lloyd, joins me to discuss her family's sea
184. End of the Year Wrap Up
In this special year‑end episode, I reflect on a year of stories that pushed us to confront grief, resilience, injustice and hope. Through conversations with families, survivors, advocates, scholars, and listeners, 2025 revealed how much we still have to learn about compassion, courage and the hidden struggles shaping people’s lives. This episode looks back at the moments that challenged
183. Listeners Episode, Part 2
In the second part of our Listeners Episode, we go deep with Joelle Brouner and Maria Holdridge, and, at some point, if you can believe it, I sit back and just listen to this powerful conversation. I appreciate all of you listeners and love to hear about your lives and your stories, and this was no exception.Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck out the Silver Linings Hand
182. Listeners Episode, Part 1
My listeners are an amazing bunch. As we head into the new year, this is part of a discussion I had recently with several listeners about the year, the future, the meaning of the holidays, family, friendship, and community. I am joined today by Marie Holdridge, Allison Dickson, Brian Santana, Lauren Ater and Cameron Santana.Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck out the Sil
181. A Daughter's Quest to Close Her Mother's Cold Case with Krissi Haas
Krissi Haas discovered the truth about her mother's murder in an unexpected way. Nearly three decades after 23-year-old Wilma June Nissen's body was found in rural Iowa, a cold case review led investigators to run her fingerprints through a national database. They matched an old arrest record from Long Beach, California and a friend sent Krissi an article in a local newspaper about the id
180. The Unsolved Murder of Karina Holmer with Julia Cowley, Part 2
In the second part of my conversation with retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley, we continue examining the 1996 murder of 20‑year‑old Swedish au pair Karina Holmer, whose body was discovered in a Boston dumpster. We explore what the killer’s choices reveal about motive, how geography points to where the crime likely occurred, and why media speculation unfairly cast suspicion on several peopl
179. The Unsolved Murder of Karina Holmer with Julia Cowley, Part 1
Retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley joins me to revisit the haunting unsolved murder of Karina Holmer, a 20‑year‑old Swedish au pair whose upper body was found in a Boston dumpster in 1996. Julia and I talk about Karina’s life, the night she disappeared after leaving Zanzibar nightclub and why the comparisons to infamous Black Dahlia case don’t hold up. We explore what offender behavior can
178. Mapping the Victims of Unsolved Crimes with Raul Montero
I sit down with advocate and researcher Raul Montero, best known for his work on the Long Island Serial Killer and for creating a groundbreaking map that tracks thousands of missing and unidentified persons. Raul talks with me about how his journey began with curiosity about a local case and evolved into a mission of compassion, focusing less on the perpetrators and more on honoring the v
177. Where the Law Ends — Jurisdiction, Justice & Tribal Sovereignty with Jerome Lucero
What happens when justice hits a jurisdictional wall?In this episode, I sit down with Jerome Lucero, former police chief and three-time governor of the Pueblo of Zia tribe to unpack the tangled web of tribal law enforcement, federal oversight and the devastating consequences of legal fragmentation on Indigenous lands.From the landmark Supreme Court decisions in United States v. Cooley and
176. Flight Path Through Fear with Kim Campbell
At just 27 years old, fighter pilot Kim Campbell was flying a combat mission over Baghdad when a barrage of anti-aircraft fire struck her A-10 Warthog. Her hydraulics failed instantly. Ground troops shifted from receiving air support to preparing a rescue. But instead of ejecting, Kim did the unthinkable—manually flying the crippled aircraft for 45 harrowing minutes before landing safely
175. The House on Carpenter Road with Morgan Scafe
Morgan Scafe joins me to recount her seven-year journey—beginning in high school—that started with abuse by her best friend's father and ended in his conviction for kidnapping and sexual abuse. Morgan was just eight years old when he assaulted her in the house on Carpenter Road in rural Michigan. After years of struggling with the trauma and its effects, a television program inspired her
174. The Monsters We Create with Brett Talley, Part 2
Brett Talley and I continue our exploration of the monsters that societies breathe into existence—creatures shaped by cautionary tales, cultural trauma, and collective imagination. From Korean folklore and Greek myths of divine punishment through transformation into what the English called werewolves, to modern specters like Slenderman, we trace how these beings reflect universal truths a
173. The Monsters We Create with Brett Talley, Part 1
There are a lot of monsters in the world — and a lot of them we breathe into existence. Brett Talley, a horror writer and co-host of The Prosecutors podcast, joins me to discuss the monsters we create.We discuss how, in many ways, we create these monsters and the folklore around them because we need them. From the Wendigo and Slenderman to zombies and werewolves, we explore how monsters —
Bonus - The University of Idaho Murders, True Crime and Kindness with Julia Cowley
Julia Cowley, a retired FBI profiler and the host of The Consult podcast, and I set out to discuss the University of Idaho murders and the killer of four college students, Bryan Kohberger. But something strange happened when we began discussing the survivors who were in the house.It was during a week when a beloved podcaster, friend, and researcher for this podcast died. In this emot
172. Real-Life Nightmares: Bryan Kohberger and the Idaho Four with Julia Cowley, Part 2
In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, someone entered a house just off the University of Idaho campus in a brazen home invasion that left four University of Idaho students — Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves — dead. Julia Cowley, a retired FBI profiler and host of The Consult podcast, joins me to continue on conversation about what we can learn fro
171. Real-Life Nightmares: Bryan Kohberger and the Idaho Four with Julia Cowley, Part 1
In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, some entered a house just off the University of Idaho campus and stabbed four students to death. Months later, a suspect was identified. This year, he pled guilty to the charges without giving any hint why he committed the crimes or what made the victims desirable targets. Julia Cowley, a retired FBI profiler and host of The Consult podcast
170. Karen Read to Bryan Kohberger: Where Criminal Defense Meets Its Limits with Matthew Tympanick
Criminal defense attorney Matthew Tympanick joins me to examine the boundaries of legal strategy in three high-profile cases — Karen Read, Bryan Kohberger and Richard Allen — and low-profile ones as well. Tympanick discusses how jury selection shaped the outcome of the Read trial, the pressures defense attorneys face in the public eye, and the ethical challenges of balancing media presenc
169. The Times of His Life with Mark Pinsky
In this episode, I sit down with veteran journalist and author Mark Pinsky, whose career has taken him from high-profile crime reporting to covering racial justice and religion. Mark shares how his political awakening at Duke University in the 1960s and the civil rights movement shaped his worldview, how his interest in social justice led him to cover crime and religion, and how he’s navi
Bonus - The Disappearance of Ashley Loring Heavyrunner on Santana True Crime
In this bonus from the Santana True Crime podcast, I discuss the disappearance of Ashley Loring Heavyrunner, a 20-year-old Indigenous woman who went missing from the Blackfeet Reservation. We talk about my recent trip to Montana, meeting one of the key suspects in the case, theories and what being on the ground told me about the case and the cross-jurisdictional barriers that appear to be
168. Vanishing Natives with Ed Dentzel, Part 2
In the second half of our conversation, we move from systemic critique to case-specific urgency. Ed Dentzel and I examine the disappearances of Olivia Lone Bear, Jermaine Charlo, Ashley Loring Heavyrunner, Leo Wagner, Jeremy Jourdain, and Nevaeh Kingbird —not as isolated tragedies, but as part of a devastating pattern of institutional neglect.We unpack jurisdictional breakdowns, media sil
167. Vanishing Natives with Ed Dentzel, Part 1
What does it mean to disappear when so few notice? What does it mean to disappear from the very place meant to protect your presence?In the first half of a two-part conversation, I speak with Ed Dentzel — an expert on missing persons cases and the host of The Unfound podcast — about the unsettling realities surrounding disappearances of Native people in the United States. We explore the u
166. The Girls on the Bridge: The Delphi Murders with Brett Talley
In February 2017, two friends—13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German—set out across a bridge in Delphi, Indiana. They never came home. What followed was one of the most haunting and widely followed true crime cases in America.In this episode, I speak with Brett Talley, co-host of The Prosecutors Podcast, about the long journey from tragedy to trial in the Delphi murders. W
165. The Shadow of the Bridge: The Delphi Murders with Kevin Greenlee and Áine Cain, Part 2
When 13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German disappeared from an abandoned railroad bridge on February 13, 2017, the community rushed to search for them. Once they were found murdered, law enforcement began the arduous process of searching for their killer. But, at the end of the day, it was clear from the investigation by Kevin Greenlee and Áine Cain, the co-authors of the
164. The Shadow of the Bridge: The Delphi Murders with Kevin Greenlee and Áine Cain, Part 1
On an unseasonably warm February day in 2017 in Delphi, Indiana, two friends, 13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German, decided on a whim to head out to the trails near their homes. An abandoned railroad bridge that once carried trains gave way over time to the feet of residents. Many would venture out onto the bridge only to find themselves crawling back on their hands and
163. Giving Voice Through Film with Amanda Erickson
Amanda Erickson grew up in the Boston suburbs, always knowing there was something a little different about her - the dark pigmentation in her skin. Years later, she would reconnect with her father, who lived on the San Carlos Apache reservation in Arizona. This would begin a journey that would lead her to connect with her Indigenous heritage and transform her long career in film. After 16
162. The Love Has Won Cult with Andrew-Ryan Profaci
Amy Carlson claimed to be the reincarnation of Robin Williams, Joan of Arc, Marilyn Monroe, Jesus Christ and the Hawaiian goddess Pele—along with being Elvis Presley’s mother and Donald Trump’s daughter in other lifetimes. In 2023, the HBO documentary Love Has Won: The Mother God Cult traced Carlson’s journey from a McDonald’s manager in Dallas to cult leader, promoting beliefs that the C
161. The Murder of Morgan Dana Harrington with Gil and Dan Harrington, Part 2
When Morgan Dana Harrington went missing and was then found dead in a Virginia field, her parents' world was shattered. When her parents found out about the long string of crimes that went unpunished by her killer, Jesse Matthew Jr., they turned their outrage into a fight to "save the next girl."Morgan was a vibrant 20-year-old college student attending a Metallica concert in Charlottesvi
160. The Murder of Morgan Dana Harrington, with Gil and Dan Harrington, Part 1
Morgan Dana Harrington was a vibrant 20-year-old college student attending a Metallica concert in Charlottesville, Virginia, when she vanished in 2009—an event that captured national attention and ignited public grief. Her killer wasn’t identified until the 2014 abduction and murder of another University of Virginia student, 18-year-old Hannah Graham, just miles away.The two cases forced
159. The Wages of Sin: Investigating Sexual Abuse in the Protestant Church with Robert Peters
Robert Peters spent most of his life as a prosecutor and a Christian. Those two things came together when he took his position as the director of institutional response for GRACE, an organization that investigates sexual abuse in Protestant churches. Founded in 2003 after a reporter called the founder about a case of sexual abuse mishandled by a pastor, GRACE, which stands for Godly Respo
158. Prescription for Pain with Philip Eil
Paul Volkman was a University of Chicago-trained doctor who seemed destined for greatness. Instead, he was sentenced to life in prison for the prescriptions he wrote that devastated southern Ohio and the surrounding areas. In the tradition of true crime, Philip Eil tells Volkman's story and the sordid history that led to the American opioid epidemic. In the 1980s and 1990s, following deca
157. CSI: Indian Country with Haley Omeasoo
When Haley Omeasoo was at the University of Montana, she remembers hearing the news that her friend, classmate and relative, Ashley Loring Heavyrunner went missing. Years later, Haley, a doctoral student in forensic anthropology, has founded a growing nonprofit organization focused on bringing crime scene investigation services to reservations. After meeting while searching for Ashley, Ha
156. Painting the Missing, Murdered and Marginalized with Brian Macguire
From Juárez to the Indigenous reservations of Montana, Irish artist Brian Macguire has used his paintings to build his awareness and as his form of protest against the marginalization of certain people. Macguire, who grew up during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, knows the suffering of the disappeared all too well.To see Brian's work:https://www.kerlingallery.com/artists/brian-magu
155. The Trials of Emile Weaver with Clara S. Lewis
As the Emilee Weaver case faded from the headlines, Clara S. Lewis uncovered truths every woman—and every partner—should know. Muskingum University student Emile Weaver gave birth in the bathroom at her sorority house at the Ohio school. She was convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to life without parole after her baby was found dead. Did we get it wrong? Clara S. Lewis, a Dartmou
154. A Family, Maybe with Lane Igoodin
Lane Igoodin, a writer, activist and professor, joins me to discuss the challenges of adopting his children from foster care, the challenges of navigating intersectionality in this world, the balancing act between the rights of parents and what's best for children and love under pressure as you fight to keep your family together.Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck out th
153. Behind the Veil: A Diplomatic Sexual Abuse Scandal with Kristin Louise Duncombe
Kristin Louise Duncombe grew up traveling the world as the daughter of a U.S. State Department foreign service officer. But Kristin’s childhood and those of at least six other girls were shattered when they crossed paths with an American diplomat in Africa who sexually abused them. After one of the girls came forward with her story, the State Department swiftly sent him back to Washington
152. Unraveling a Mystery: The Unsolved Disappearance of Dawn Holt with Samm Holt and Sherri Shelton, Part 2
After Dawn Michelle Holt went missing in Waldorf, Maryland in 1996, it took two decades before clues began to emerge about what might have happened to her on the night where she disappeared on the way to seeing her son and daughter. In Part 2, Dawn's daughter, Samm, and her sister, Sherri Shelton, join me again, along with Raul Montero, an advocate who has helped the family collaborate wi
151. Unraveling a Mystery: The Unsolved Disappearance of Dawn Holt with Samm Holt and Sherri Shelton, Part 1
In April 1996, Dawn Michelle Holt returned to Southern Maryland after spending a few weeks with her sister in Florida. She called her husband from a hotel in Waldorf, Maryland, to let her husband know that she was coming to see her 2-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter. She has not been seen since. The nearly 3-decade investigation has offered many sorted clues, but one question remains:
150. Killer Story: True Crime Television with Claire St. Amant
Claire St. Amant rose to the top of the true crime journalism world as a producer for 48 Hours, contributor to 60 Minutes, covering some of the biggest cases and bringing to life the story of Samuel Little, America's perhaps least known and most prolific serial killer. Claire's work trying to break through the typical true crime model, however, left her jaded and she joins me to discuss t
149. She Cried That Day: The Unsolved Murder of Dione Thomas with Karen Watson and Christine Means, Part 2 of 2
When Dione Thomas died in a Gallup, New Mexico hotel room, it was ruled a homicide. Deep into the investigation, the family discovered it had been reclassified as an undetermined death. Similar to the family of Ellen Greenberg in Pennsylvania, her family is pushing for an independent forensic pathologist to review the case and for the death to be once again classified as a homicide. But,
148. She Cried That Day: The Unsolved Murder of Dione Thomas with Karen Watson and Christine Means, Part 1 of 2
In many ways, the death of Dione Thomas is the Indigenous Ellen Greenberg case. Christine Means and Karen Watson have spent years questioning the circumstances surrounding their sister Dione's death. At first, the police in Gallup, New Mexico, said it was a murder and they had a suspect. Years later, the family found out that the medical examiner classified what appeared to be a brutal be
147. True Crime's Fallen Star with Billy Jensen, Part 2 of 2
I continue the second and final part of my interview with journalist Billy Jensen. Jensen & Holes: The Murder Squad was one of the top true crime podcasts before it was rocked by a scandal. In this episode, we dive into the scandal but also talk about crime, victims, addiction and recovery, the struggles of journalism and our concerns about men's mental health.Investigative journalist
Listener Thank You and Some Updates
I want to share some listener updates for the summer - living my life, some work we are doing related to some cases and just some cool things I love about and will be doing with our listeners.Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.com/Check out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com
146. True Crime's Fallen Star with Billy Jensen, Part 1 of 2
Jensen & Holes: The Murder Squad was one of the top true crime podcasts. Investigative journalist Billy Jensen and investigator Paul Holes, both known for work related to the Golden State Killer case, co-hosted the podcast that topped the charts since 2019. At the 2022 CrimeCon convention for true crime enthusiasts in Las Vegas, Jensen was a headline speaker on a panel on the Long Isl
145. North of Murder Mountain with Judge Victorio Shaw, Part 2 of 2
I continue my conversation with tribal Judge Victorio Shaw. Humbolt County, on the northern California coast, is known as the place where the name Bigfoot originated and is the home of Murder Mountain, which took its name from serial killers who fled here. The 2018 documentary by the same name explores how Humbolt is the county in the United States with the highest rate of missing persons
144. North of Murder Mountain with Judge Victorio Shaw, Part 1 of 2
Humbolt County, on the northern California coast, is known as the place where the name Bigfoot originated and is the home of Murder Mountain, which took its name from serial killers who fled here. The 2018 documentary by the same name explores how Humbolt is the county in the United States with the highest rate of missing persons. But it does not touch on how many of those people are Indi
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