Forensic Friday

In this episode, Nat and Jeannine give a quick look at two developing cases a little too close to home: a man who tried to commit a legit axe murder in a parking lot near the office, and a body that was found on the side of the highway. We talk a little bit about the demographics of DV, prevention and self-preservation, and why you gotta look out for those red flags. Support the show Disclaimer: J...

Shortly before and less than 5 miles away from the largest annual gathering of domestic violence providers in Colorado, an offender was arrested and charged with multiple violent offenses and then released on bail. Then, while the conference was ramping up, Nat and Jeannine (along with all the other early attendees) got a cell phone alert to lock down due to an active shooter in the nearby Blue Ri...

Y'all...we are so tired! We're back from our annual conference with brains full and voices shot. We just want to shout out some of our wonderful friends and fans we met in the mountains and let you know we appreciate all our listeners. We're keeping it brief this week to let our voices (and out producer) rest, but we love our Forensic Friends! Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine a...

In this episode, we discuss the July 20th, 2012 mass shooting at the midnight premier of the Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado. We talk about the events that took place and the heroic actions of law enforcement in the immediate aftermath. We dissect the deep psychological issues that plagued Holmes throughout his life and discuss his mindset in the lead up to the atrocity, including a debate a...

Back by request, we bring you more of our hand-picked, ripest, reddest flags. Who is paying for dates? Who's criticizing whom? And bro, why is your ex calling me rn? Listen in and sound off in the comments and DMs about your own list of dating red flags Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sourced information....

How does a seemingly reckless act by teenagers escalate to murder? We dive into the Joseph Koenig case, where a night of throwing rocks tragically ended a life. This episode unpacks the psychological factors behind such actions, including the unique challenges of juvenile impulsivity and the powerful, often unseen, force of peer dynamics that can lead young individuals astray. We'll also prov...

In this episode we talk about the effects of DV and high-conflict relationships on kids in the house. Yes, they hear it. Yes they notice. Yes it affects them. No, being on the ipad doesn't protect their brain from the stress. Listen in for a breakdown of some statistics, some brain physiology, and a whole lot of experience from Nat and Jeannine. And remember, it's never too late to turn...

This episode we turn our focus to the ongoing Lindsey Shiver case, using it as a lens to explore the critical issues surrounding high-conflict divorce, the welfare of children, and adherence to legal mandates. We investigate the dynamics of the Shivers' separation, discussing the failures in co-parenting that often accompany such disputes. A significant part of our conversation will center on...

Ever wished you had a roadmap for trust? This mini-episode introduces you to just that: Brené Brown's transformative BRAVING framework for the Anatomy of Trust. Discover how setting Boundaries, demonstrating Reliability, practicing Accountability, holding a Vault, showing Integrity, offering Non-judgment, and extending Generosity are key to both earning and discerning trust. We'll explor...

Catch a quick update on the Karen Read verdict before we plunge into a true crime story almost too wild to believe: the case of Michelle Hadley. Imagine being falsely accused, jailed, and facing life in prison for horrific crimes you didn't commit, all at the hands of your ex-partner and his new spouse. This episode uncovers the intricate and twisted 'rape fantasy' Craigslist scheme...

Caution: spoilers ahead!  In this episode, we talk about the Netflix series Ginny and Georgia and discuss what the writers absolutely nailed about the characters' personalities (and personality disorders, maybe?) and the real world consequences we've seen in kids who grow up in emotional turmoil and traumatic, criminogenic, and antisocial households. Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker...

Join us as we recount the chilling story of Ariel Castro, the Cleveland man who abducted and held three young women captive for years. This episode walks through the disturbing timeline of how Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus disappeared, their agonizing decade in captivity, and the complex investigation that eventually led to the charging Castro with 977 horrific crimes. We examine...

When it comes to a relationship, there's a fine line between quirk Rom-Com persistence and being on the wrong end of a Lifetime thriller. In this episode, Nat and Jeannine share their list of the top red flags you might miss in that pink relationship cloud. From cyberstalking to early codependency to the underhanded leaving-my-earring-behind, we help you identify problem behaviors before you...

In this follow up episode, we talk about Sherri Papini's not-so-glorious return to the spotlight. We dissect the latest documentary and try to suss out what part of her latest story is truth or fiction (or somewhere in between). We also give our thoughts on things like histrionic personality disorder, childhood trauma and attention seeking, and how easy it is for some therapists to get snowed...

Do you believe you're the architect of your own success, or a pawn in a game of chance? This quick dive into locus of control will help you figure it out! We explain the core tenets of internal locus of control – where your efforts drive outcomes – versus external locus of control, where luck, destiny, or other people call the shots. Discover how identifying your dominant locus of control can...

How did one individual's hatred and sense of entitlement spark a dangerous movement? In this episode, we explore Elliot Rodger's profound influence on violent incel culture. We break down the elements of his worldview, including his distorted locus of control, and his acts of violence that resonate within these communities, leading to his 'saint'-like status among some. We&apos...

Ahead of this Friday's episode, here's an introductory episode designed to clarify the often-mystifying world of incels and the redpill movement. We define essential terms, from the symbolic 'red pill' to the archetypes of 'Chad' and 'Stacy,' explaining the foundational beliefs that fuel these online groups. This episode is crucial listening to understand th...

In this episode, we talk about the case of the so-called "cool mom", Silvia Ann Johnson, who engaged in drug fueled sex with her high- school- aged kids' friends, ultimately ending some lives and destroying others. We talk about the underlying psychology of what kind of person does something like this, the criminogenic needs that do and don't feed this kind of behavior, and tou...

Now it's Jeannine's turn to tell us about a Power Ranger murder, this time with 100% more actual ranger. A story of power and control, ambiguous self defense stories, and the dangers of getting in the middle of a bad relationship. Nat and Jeannine discuss Ricardo Medina Jr's actions and mindset, and share a little about the potential pitfalls of bad roommates and being the third whe...

Have you ever wondered what your therapist thinks of you? Or what's going through their mind when they're sitting with you? And how do they sit with all these people with all these different emotions all day?  In this episode, Nat and Jeannine tell all, giving you a little insight into what your therapist might have going on behind the scenes.  Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO S...

In this episode, we talk about a murder perpetrated by a former power rangers actor... but not that one! Skylar Deleon is a former child actor turned career criminal who built a cadre of inmates, guards, and a baby mama to try to scam and murder their way to wealth at the expense of a very nice retired couple. We discuss the convoluted crime, the sloppy way they covered their tracks, and how they...

Another (Allegedly) Awful Husband, a much nicer cliff! In this midweek mini, we discuss what we know so far about the Gerhardt Konig case. We talk about the facts of what likely happened, detail the allegations of power and control and abuse, and compare this case with some of our past (least) favorite forced cliff diving coaches (ew, Steve!). Be sure to check out our merch store for the newest dr...

The narrative surrounding Natalia Grace is filled with confusion and conflicting accounts. In this episode, we dissect the timeline and dig into the truth surrounding her age, while also holding her adoptive parents accountable for their deeply troubling behavior. We discuss the potential psychological factors influencing the parents, such as histrionic personality disorder and narcissism, and how...

'Adolescence' on Netflix offers a chilling portrayal of youth violence. This week, Nat and Jeannine, along with our husbands, unpack the series (spoilersahead!). We discuss its psychological realism, particularly the unpredictable nature of young offenders and the complexities of pre-trial evaluations. The conversation then shifts to the challenges of parenting in the digital age, the im...

In the concluding part of our Columbine series, we examine the horrific events of April 20th, the elements of Harris and Klebold's plan that failed, and the devastating consequences. As Colorado natives, this episode is especially poignant. We then shift our focus to prevention, discussing the critical importance of teaching empathy early, the necessity for parental intervention with troubled...