Bound by the Cloak

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 how mental he...

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 imagination and compelling pros...

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 on a journey through the fascinating evoluti...

What happens when love turns deadly in the shadow of race and privilege? In this episode, we unravel a true crime that shook the foundations of Georgia's high society. Deb Miller Landau, joins us to discuss the tragic and harrowing murder of Lita McClinton. Lita, a young woman from Atlanta, became the victim of a calculated murder-for-hire scheme led by her estranged husband. The crime would expos...

Field of Screams is one of America's best haunted attractions, and it's been striking fear into and scaring the souls out of the souls of the thousands of guests that show up year after year. Started by brothers Gene and Jim Schopf back in 1993, it's transformed from just a haunted hayride into so much more with three haunted houses and escape rooms. We spent some time at Field of Screams getting...

In this episode, we explore the unique experience of growing up in a motel as a family business, where the line between home and work blurs in the most fascinating ways. Our guest, Foram Mehta, reflects on her childhood spent amidst the hustle and bustle of transient guests, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of motel life. She shares stories of the diverse travelers who passed thro...

Crime, scandal and intrigue in Beverly Hills. From high-profile heists to shocking murders, we uncover the hidden, dark side of 90210, some of which has long been forgotten. We sat down with renowned entertainment journalist and author Scott Huver to explore the dark underbelly of one of America's most glamorous zip codes — Beverly Hills. Scott takes us behind the glitz and into the gripping stori...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with James Donaldson, former NBA star and mental health advocate, to discuss his deeply personal journey through the highs of professional basketball and the lows of battling severe depression and suicidal ideation. James opens up about the mental health crisis that nearly ended his life, sharing the pivotal moments that pulled him back from the brink. Now, th...

In this gripping episode, we sit down with Ashley Randele, daughter of Thomas Randele, to uncover the incredible story of her father's secret life. For decades, Thomas Randele lived a seemingly ordinary life as a loving husband and father, until the shocking revelation that he had been living under an alias, hiding a past no one could have imagined.  Ashley takes us through her journey of discover...

Nestled in the Nevada desert, the Republic of Molossia is a self-proclaimed sovereign nation with its own traditions, customs, and even a currency! Join us as we explore what it takes to create and govern a micronation, the quirks and challenges of running a country within a country, and the whimsical yet thought-provoking philosophy behind Molossia.  In this episode, we venture into the fascinati...

With renowned investigative journalist Gus Garcia-Roberts we explore the deep-seated corruption that plagued Long Island's law enforcement, detailed in his book, " Jimmy the King: Murder, Vice, and the Reign of a Dirty Cop ." Gus takes us behind the scenes of one of the most shocking tales of police corruption in recent history, centering on James Burke, a former police chief whose career was stee...

In this episode we hit the open road with Salena Lettera, a trailblazing truck driver who's been navigating the highways and byways of the trucking industry for years. Salena shares her unique journey, what inspired her to get behind the wheel, the evolving landscape of trucking, the importance of community and support within the industry, and her insights on what it takes to succeed in this deman...

On a seemingly ordinary night in October of 1943, the tranquility of a small Texas town was shattered by a brutal crime that left two survivors in its wake and a community in shock. Christena Stephens details the murder of Roy and Mae Hunt in her book, Bound in Silence: An Unsolved Murder in a Small Texas Town. Despite extensive investigations, the case remains unsolved to this day, shrouded in si...

Investigative journalist Susan Zalkind unravels the chilling details behind the notorious triple homicide that occurred in September of 2011 in her hometown of Waltham, Massachusetts. This quiet town was overshadowed by an unthinkable crime, but captivates us is Susan Zalkind's uncanny ability to unveil the intricate threads weaving together the murder and its unsettling connections to the Boston...

We sit down with acclaimed filmmaker Josh Zeman to delve into the shadowy world of true crime and unsolved mysteries.  Known for his work on groundbreaking documentaries like "Cropsey," "Murder Mountain," Killer Legends," The Sons of Sam" and "The Killing Season," Zeman shares behind-the-scenes stories and insights from his career. We discuss the chilling cases that have captivated audiences, the...

Pushed to the limits of endurance, navigating treacherous terrain, and facing the stark reality of survival against nature describes Kaden Laga's arduous five-day journey in the Montana wilderness. We spoke with Kaden, who shares his firsthand account of being lost in the unforgiving wilderness, experiencing uncertainty, and his unwavering determination that defined his struggle to find his way ba...

Psychologically, how do we deal with potentially violent threats or harmful behaviors? When all of the standard and typical treatments and resources fail to prevent these potentially harmful behaviors, what can be done to prevent them from being carried out? Whether it's domestic violence, incidents of stalking, violent physical threats, public attacks or even cyber crimes and identity theft, ther...

Whether you're a die-hard fan of "The Price is Right" or simply intrigued by the inner workings of game shows, in this episode we dive into the world of TV's longest running show, with its superfan - Ted Slauson. Ted was a fan of the Bob Barker version of The Price Is Right starting back in 1973, and started attending tapings when he was 18 years old. Ted began keeping track of and memorizing pric...

Dr. James Cantor is a psychologist and a leading researcher whose areas of work have focused on sex research. He has spent over 25 years researching various paraphilias, the most notable one being pedophilia.  It's a difficult subject to discuss and tackle, but it's one that needs to be addressed socially. We wanted to know exactly what a pedophile is, what makes them do what they do and what can...

While discussions about policing often center on present-day controversies, understanding its historical evolution is essential to understand how we got here today. Dr. Gary Potter unravels a timeline of the complexities of policing, shedding light on pivotal moments, ideologies, and societal influences that have shaped its trajectory. From the establishment of the first formal police forces to th...

Should personal choices made outside the workplace be a factor in one's professional work? Can society draw a line between personal freedom and professional accountability? Sarah Juree's life took an unexpected turn when her side hustle collided with her professional career as a teacher. Her story made headlines when she was fired from her teaching position after it was revealed that she had an On...

At just 17 years old, Jeff Deskovic's life took an unexpected turn when he found himself wrongfully convicted of the rape and murder of his classmate. Despite maintaining his innocence, he spent over 16 years behind bars, enduring the unimaginable hardships of prison life. We spoke to Jeff and uncovered the shocking details of his wrongful conviction and the injustices he faced along the way.  But...

As we celebrate Black History Month and honor the trailblazers who shaped our world, we explore the remarkable life and groundbreaking achievements of Dr. Gladys West, a trailblazing mathematician whose contributions paved the way for modern GPS technology. We spoke to Dr. West's daughter, Carolyn Oglesby, who continues to educate the public about her mother's contributions to society.  Dr. West's...

Against the backdrop of ongoing debates surrounding police accountability, racial justice, and community trust, it's more important than ever to address the uncomfortable truths surrounding police brutality, shining a spotlight on the systemic issues that continue to perpetuate violence and injustice within our communities. We sat down with David Couper, a seasoned veteran of law enforcement who s...

Not many know about the Mad Bomber and his trail of terror across New York City in the 1940's and 50's. The uncertainty and fear that gripped the city had New Yorkers bracing themselves for the possibility of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Many are also unaware of Dr. James A. Brussel, the father of modern criminal profiling and his role in assisting the authorities in catching the Ma...