Criminology Chats

In this episode of Criminology Chats JR and Miranda chat with Juliana Bastain. They will discuss Juliana’s research study about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and what role they play in adulthood criminal activity. Juliana Bastien is a graduate student at George Mason University pursuing an Educational Specialist (Ed. S.) degree in School Psychology, expected in May 2027. She earned her Mas...

On this episode J.R. and Taylor talk about Dennis Rader the BTK killer. They provide a glimpse into his crimes, childhood and correspondence he sent to them this year. This episode discusses murder, violence against children, stalking, sexual sadism, and the lasting trauma experienced by survivors and victims’ families. We will avoid unnecessary graphic detail, but some facts are disturbing. Liste...

In this episode of Criminology Chats, hosts JR Rainbolt, Miranda Lucore, and Grace Ferrell explore the tragic case of the "Parking Lot Murder at Bingo World." The discussion focuses on the events surrounding April 17, 2024, when Dorothy “Janie” King was fatally attacked in the parking lot of Bingo World on South Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The hosts examine the timeline of the...

In this gripping episode of Criminology Chats, we sit down with high school educator Alex Campbell to discuss the incredible real-world impact of his classroom projects. We dive deep into the origins of the viral Murder 101 podcast and how a group of high school students in rural Tennessee sparked a nationwide conversation about cold cases and serial killers. The primary focus of their investigati...

In this episode of Criminology Chats, hosts JR Rainbolt and Miranda LaCour delve into a case that shook a community and gained national attention: the tragic and senseless death of 64-year-old Andreas "Andy" Probst. A retired former police chief, husband, and father, Andy was doing something he loved—riding his bicycle on a quiet August morning in Las Vegas—when his life was stolen in a targeted a...

Today’s Criminology Chats episode talks about the death of Sierra Mininger. It’s December 8th, 2024. It’s just after 6:30 in the morning in Greeley, Colorado. A father calls 911 and says words no parent should ever have to say. His daughter has been shot. When officers get to the house, they find 24-year-old Sierra barely alive near the front door. Single gunshot wound to the head. And inside the...

Today’s Criminology Chats case is a horrific one—an ex-boyfriend kills his ex-girlfriend’s family and a friend living on the property. What drives someone to commit something like this? What warning signs were missed? And how did a protective order—meant to keep someone safe—fail so completely? Listen as JR and Grace delve into the case of Joseph Casterena.

In this engaging episode of Criminology Chats, JR and Miranda converse with retired Youth Corrections Officer, Shane Foster, and his daughter Cory. Cory will provide her perspective of being the daughter of a youth correctional officer.  You don’t want to miss this episode.

In this engaging episode of Criminology Chats, JR, Miranda, and Grace converse with retired Texas Ranger and Sheriff Lane Akin. He dedicated 50 years to law enforcement in Texas. Lane will share insights about his experiences as a Texas Ranger and Sheriff. He will delve into the murder of Heather Rich, a high school cheerleader who was tragically killed by three boys one night in October 1996. Lan...

In this compelling episode of Criminology Chats, JR, Miranda and Grace chat Sergeant Michele Wood. She has spent 25 years with the Chicago Police Department. One of a select few women to serve as a homicide detective on the city’s violent West Side. Her record is unmatched: thousands of cases, hundreds of arrests, and over seventy-five department awards. Certified as an FBI crisis/hostage negotiat...

Today, we will have a conversation with Dr. Jim Iaccino. He earned his Master's and Ph. D. in Experimental Psychology from DePaul University. In 2007, he became a part of The Chicago School and is now serving as an Associate Professor in the Online Forensic Psychology Department. Dr. Iaccino has spent decades researching the portrayal of serial killers in cinema. Recently, he initiated the Cinemat...

In this compelling episode of Criminology Chats, JR and Miranda delve into the case of Kristi Fulgham, who is serving a life sentence without parole for the murder of her husband, Joey Fulgham, in Mississippi. The discussion explores a complex case involving themes of murder for hire, familial betrayal, and a crucial Mississippi Supreme Court decision.

In this episode hosts JR and Miranda chat with Dr. Jeff Hood about the death sentence. He is a theologian and spiritual advisor to death row inmates nationwide. He has accompanied eleven men to their executions, including the first and eighth nitrogen hypoxia executions. For both his service and scholarship, he was nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Links for Dr. Hood: https://www.facebook....

On today’s podcast, hosts JR, Ashley and Miranda explore the difficult but essential conversations about relationships, safety, and healing. They tackle a topic that affects millions of people worldwide yet often remains hidden behind closed doors: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). They will talk with Dr. Patrick Brady, from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, (UCCS) Co. He specializes...

🎙️ Welcome, listeners! Before we dive into today’s episode, I have an important update for you. This is our final episode of the year, but don’t worry—we’ll be back in 2026 with brand-new episodes of Criminology Chats! We’ve got some incredible content lined up for next year. Our first episode of 2026 will drop on January 22nd at 7:00 PM EST, and after that, you can expect new episodes every two w...

In this episode, hosts JR and Grace will engage in a conversation with Detective McDonald from the Aurora Colorado Police Department. Detective McDonald will talk about investigating cold cases. He will explain some of the difficulties and triumphs in working on them. He will elaborate on three cold cases that were resolved using modern DNA techniques alongside fundamental detective practices. We...

In this episode JR is doing a live taping at Red Rocks Community College (RRCC), Lakewood, CO as part of the Mental Health Academy. This is a collaboration between The Chicago School and RRCC. The guests are Jack Storti and brain injury survivor who turned into a Treatment Court Program Manager and Sarah Covey the Director of Denver Reentry Services of the Brain Injury Association of Colorado. Her...

In this episode Hosts JR and Ashley chat with two police cadets in training at a police academy in Colorado. They are about half-way through their training and Ashley, and I wanted to get their perspective at this time in their training. We chatted with them on the same day but at different times based on their schedule.

We expect goblins, ghosts, and ghouls to roam the streets on All Hallows Eve; what we do not expect is murder. In this episode JR and Ashley discuss two murder cases that happen on or around Halloween. The first case is that of Shauna Howe. In 1992, Halloween was cancelled in Oil City, Pennsylvania. However, around 8:00 PM on 27 October 1992, Shauna was walking home from a Girl Scout Halloween par...

This is the case of Jessica Reeves-Burrola doing Life Without Parole (LWOP). One night high on drugs and alcohol changed her life forever. Was it self-defense or revenge murder. “Jes” has been in email correspondence with us, and we are providing our listeners with information she provided.

In this episode JR and co-host Carley chat with Brandon Hall. Brandon is a native of Nashville, Tennessee.  For about 25 years he has been an emergency 911 dispatcher with the Metro Nashville Department of Emergency Communications. 

Elderly crimes and scams are serious issues. Scammers often target seniors because they might be lonely or not familiar with technology. These scams can take many forms, like phone calls where someone pretends to be from a government agency or a charity. They may ask for money or personal information, like bank details. Other's use the hope of love and romance to steal. Some scams even use fake em...

The San Luis Valley is in Southern Colorado and is one of the largest high desert valleys in the world. It is situated between the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range on the east and the San Juan Mountain range on the west. Between August-October 2020, in the heart of COVID Adre "Psycho" Baroz killed five people the authorities could prove but were there more?

The Men in Black are a figure of popular culture, often depicted as shadowy figures in black suits who intimidate or silence those who have witnessed UFOs or have information about them. Dr. Josh Goodwin, a retired special agent from The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) for the Air Force, chats about Project Blue Book, an Air Force study that ran from 1952 to 1969 to study UFOs.

In this episode hosts JR and Ashley chat with retired FBI agent Jonny Grusing. Jonny talks about the case of Harold Henthorn. He worked the Henthorn case with many other FBI agents and a retired National Parks Special Agent Beth Scott. Jonny provides details on how he and the other agents were able to determine that Henthorn killed his second with Tori.