Bound by the Cloak

Amosite, brown asbestos, was primarily mined in South Africa until about 2002. However, it was known to be highly toxic in the early 1900's and cancerous in the early 1930's. Although there were well documented health risks, it was still mined and used in an endless amount of common materials.  In this episode we speaks with author and human rights lawyer David Kinley. He is the author of "In a Ra...

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. We caught up with Dr. Stein to discuss her book "Evil at Our Table: Inside...

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!

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 of people are trafficked or...

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 cultural dimensions of death: how communities ritualize...

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 with investigative author John Railey, whose ne...

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 his latest book, "Allan Pinkerton: America's...

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, electroconvulsive therapy, a...

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 Fields of East New York, to uncover how a well-intentioned housing policy in the late...

What does it mean to live in a country built on freedom but shaped by 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 it matters more than ever today.  Jeff is Senior Research Fellow at the...

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 known by the pen name M.E. Thomas, is the...

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 genetic research is being misinterpreted in ways that reinforce inequality...

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 her life to empowering other survivors. Kris is a powerful voice for...

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 what's going on inside the minds of today's kids. We...

What happens when the paranormal meets storytelling and community? Welcome to Windy City Paranormal 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 and cryptids to psychic phe...

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 expert with over 26 years of experie...

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, safety, and dignity in the industry. We caught up with her to discu...

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 digging around, she learned of Marty Goddard and her quest in the 1970s to help create a syst...

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 research group dedicated to studying the furry comm...

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 them to develop and retain a str...

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 two NYPD officers who secretly worked for the mob, carrying out hits an...

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 a platform for storytelling and inspiration. From bustling cities to...

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 a world not designed for people like her. We're also joined by Dr. Ju...

This mini episode includes even more sleep paralysis stories. Some of these stories are more stories from the guests featured in episode 26 and some are brand new!

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 experiences, providing a glimpse into what it feels like...