Carol Costello Presents: The God Hook

A preview of Carol and Emily's full interview with Richard Beasley's public defender, Rhonda Kotnik. She shares her previous interactions with Beasley, who served as a jailhouse minister and a constant courthouse presence, and shares her perspective on his complex personality, particularly his manipulation of religion to build rapport and exert influence. To hear the full episode, please subscribe...

Carol introduces a segment produced by her former student, Luke, titled "The Cost of Innocence." The episode explores the death penalty from a perspective that challenges its justification, featuring a story about a man whose brother was on death row, and highlighting a botched execution attempt. EPISODE CREDITS Host - Carol Costello Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey Producer - Chris Aiola Sound Design & M...

Carol and Emily examine the complexities of America's death penalty system, exploring legal, moral, and practical challenges, and discuss whether convicted killer Richard Beasley will ever be put to death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

Criminologist Dr. Volkan Topalli joins Carol and Emily to analyze Richard Beasley’s jailhouse phone calls to his mother, revealing the disturbing psychological dynamics that underscore a manipulative relationship. EPISODE CREDITS Host - Carol Costello Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey Producer - Chris Aiola Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman Production Director -...

The Knife: A True Crime Podcast is a weekly true crime podcast from journalist/producers Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton (formerly of The Opportunist). The Knife is a show about people who’ve been dropped into a story they didn't start, but are left to finish. Through empathetic, in-depth interviews, Hannah and Patia find the untold stories of people who’ve been touched by crime. On November 23, 1985...

Carol and Emily interview “The Knife” podcast hosts Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton about empathetic storytelling and the delicate nature of telling survivors’ stories. EPISODE CREDITS Host - Carol Costello Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey Producer - Chris Aiola Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman Production Director - Brigid Coyne Executive Producer - Gerardo Orland...

Carol and Emily discuss human trafficking with podcaster Ellyn Marsh, exploring the disturbing parallels between the allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs and Richard Beasley. EPISODE CREDITS Host - Carol Costello Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey Producer - Chris Aiola Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman Production Director - Brigid Coyne Executive Producer - Ger...

Carol interviews Emily Pelphrey and Paul Scarsella, two of the special prosecutors on the Beasley death penalty case.  EPISODE CREDITS Host - Carol Costello Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey Producer - Chris Aiola Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman Production Director - Brigid Coyne Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder GUEST Pau...

Hear firsthand about the survival bonds formed by victims and their families, and how they will face Brogan Rafferty’s potential parole. Amy never received justice – listen to her surprising message to Richard Beasley. Investigators share their feelings about the religious conman turned serial killer. Former prosecutors reflect on the systemic issues within the justice system, and the need for cha...

In this series finale, special prosecutors Emily and Paul reflect on the murder trial, and its lasting personal impact on them. Brogan Rafferty turns down a plea deal. Richard Beasley takes the stand, blaming everyone but himself for the murders. Watch the video trailer ⁠here⁠! EPISODE CREDITS Host - Carol Costello Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey Producer - Chris Aiola Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn H...

Prosecutors utilize old charges to keep Beasley locked up while they carefully construct their case. Investigators uncover disturbing details about the Craigslist murders from Richard Beasley’s alleged accomplice, Brogan Rafferty.  Beasley cooks up one final con in the Summit County Jail while awaiting trial. Watch the video trailer ⁠here⁠! EPISODE CREDITS Host - Carol Costello Co-Host - Emily Pel...

Unlawful Acts is a weekly true crime podcast hosted by Susan Davis, offering condensed yet compelling storytelling that dives deep into some of the world’s most fascinating criminal cases. From elusive serial killers to decades-old mysteries, each episode peels back the layers to uncover the truths often left untold. Gerard Schaefer joined the police force to serve and protect—at least, that’s wha...

After months on the lam, Richard Beasley is apprehended by a special task force. Detective Mackie interrogates both Beasley and teenager Brogan Rafferty about the Craigslist murders. Tim Kern becomes the final victim, though the manner of his death raises questions about who pulled the trigger. Watch the video trailer ⁠here⁠! EPISODE CREDITS Host - Carol Costello Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey Producer...

Scott Davis escapes his attempted murder, but law enforcement are about to discover that other victims were not so fortunate. Deb Bruce notifies authorities in Noble County that she hasn’t heard from her twin brother David since he left to take a job he found on Craigslist. Detective Mackie's search for a missing ball cap in the woods takes a dark turn with the chilling discovery of a freshly-dug...

In August of 2011, Richard Beasley murders Ralph Geiger in the woods of Noble County, Ohio, and assumes his identity. Months later, Scott Davis responds to a Craigslist ad for a farm caretaker and ends up narrowly escaping his own death after being lured into those same woods. Then-detective Jason Mackie investigates Davis’ story, and begins his search for the crime scene. Watch the video preview...

Richard Beasley is on the lam, with his young acolyte Brogan Rafferty in tow. Now the killing starts. The first victim? A man seeking redemption. Carol & Emily travel to Noble County, Ohio to meet Sheriff Jason Mackie, who led the investigation into the murders. Watch the video trailer here! Stay tuned after the credits for a preview from our YouTube channel. EPISODE CREDITS Host - Carol Costello...

Chaplain Rich is arrested, and investigators gather evidence from his so-called halfway house. Due to prior convictions, he faces the possibility of extradition out of state, and a lengthy prison sentence. Yet against all odds, a judge grants him release. And with the help of a young friend, Richard Beasley vanishes. Watch the video preview here! Stay tuned after the credits for a preview from our...

Akron detectives begin listening to recorded phone calls from the Summit County Jail, hoping to track down a predatory jailhouse pastor known as “Chaplain Rich.” Amy places her trust in Lieutenant Detective Terry Pasko, a vice detective slowly building a trafficking case. Investigators learn what goes on at Chaplain Rich’s halfway house and respond to an unexpected Christmas incident. Watch the vi...

In Akron, Ohio, Richard Beasley gains the ear of the most powerful and the faith of the most vulnerable. A twist of fate provides him the opportunity to purchase a home that he puts to nefarious use. Amy, a familiar face at the Summit County Jail, falls prey to Beasley’s scheme. But she ultimately makes a courageous choice that she hopes will bring him to justice.  Additional info at carolcostello...

In this premiere episode of "The God Hook," host Carol Costello introduces the chilling story of Richard Beasley, infamously known as the Ohio Craigslist Killer.  In previously unreleased jailhouse recordings, Beasley portrays himself as a devout Christian, concealing his manipulative and predatory behavior. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Beasley's deceitfulness extends beyond the vic...

Carol Costello Presents is back on April 29th with an all new season exploring the Ohio Craigslist killings. Carol Costello, along with the prosecutor who put Richard Beasley on death row, are determined to tell this cautionary tale in all of its tawdry and poignant details. After 20 years reporting on domestic and international stories for CNN, Carol broke into the podcast space with Series One:...

In this episode of Blind Rage, Carol gains insight into Samuel Herring's bid for exoneration from the man who heads Ohio's Innocence Project, attorney Mark Godsey.  Despite the initial intrigue, DNA evidence led to a perplexing ending: Herring's guilt was confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt. Godsey, a former prosecutor turned innocence advocate, explains how and why the organization took up Herri...

Carol shares the results of DNA testing on newly recovered evidence in the case of Phyllis Cottle’s brutal assault. The results are infuriating and…baffling. The Ohio Innocence Project prompted a forensic review of evidence, raising the possibility that Samuel J. Herring, the man convicted of the crime, may be innocent.  Herring, now 67 years old and wheelchair-bound, has spent nearly 40 years beh...

Carol shares a shocking development in the case of Phyllis Cottle's brutal assault, one that she knew might come. The Ohio Innocence Project has prompted a forensic review of evidence, raising the possibility that Samuel J. Herring, the man convicted of the crime, may be innocent.  Herring, now 67 years old and wheelchair-bound, has spent nearly 40 years behind bars. He has maintained his innocenc...

Phyllis and her family felt ambushed by the media during what was an incredibly difficult and delicate time in her life. The relentless pursuit of her story interrupted her recovery at home. In this bonus episode, Carol interviews her former colleague, producer Ronni Berke, about what it’s like to interview victims. Ronni is an award-winning journalist and producer, who spent 17 years at CNN cover...