Forensic Tales

#205 - In May 2001, Bonny Lee Bakley was shot to death outside a popular Los Angeles restaurant while sitting in her husband's car. After a lengthy criminal investigation by the LAPD, the police arrested her husband, famous Holly wood actor Robert Blake, for the crime. But was Robert Blake a guilty man? Or was the forensic evidence not strong enough to convict him?   Support My Work If you love th...

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, December 1 2023: [00:30] Frustration and skepticism surrounding the latest climate summit happening now [5:30] A plane just flew across the Atlantic without fossil fuels, but let's reign in our excitement [10:00] Lead pipes, be gone [14:00] The plight of the wolverine   This show is listener-supported.  Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Fac...

Like wine? Me too! On today's show: Everything you need to know about selecting wine that's aligned with your values.  Here's a preview: [3:00] Why, oh why aren't there ingredients labels on alcohol? [8:00] Your favorite wine may have up to 6 dozen additives within. Let's chat about a few of them [13:00] Do sulfites deserve their bad rap? (hey there, red wine headaches!) [20:00...

Many of us have a complicated relationship with our stuff. And while no one wants their possessions to possess their lives, our stuff often has fascinating stories to tell. On today's show: A conversation with psychotherapist and professional organizer  Helen Sanderson  about what the state of our homes reveal about our psychology.   Here's a preview: [3:45] Pack rat, minimalist, or somewh...

#204 - Leonard Mack is arrested after two high school girls were assaulted as they walked home from school in New York in the 1970s. But could the police have the wrong guy and is forensic science able to finally prove his innocence?   Support My Work If you love the show, the easiest way to show your support is by leaving us a positive rating with a review. You can also tell your family and frien...

It’s crazy but it’s true: Only in America do we trample each other for sales exactly ONE day after being thankful for what we already have. Corporations want us to believe that happiness lies in stuff, but research consistently suggests otherwise. On today's re-air: A conversation with blogger Barbara Alfeo about making the most of the day after Thanksgiving in ways that have nothing to do wit...

Is that Christmas in the air, or is it capitalism? There's no doubt about it: overconsumption degrades the planet. Enter Secondhand Sunday, a new-ish shopping holiday that's nestled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It's dedicated to all-things thrifted and redirects shoppers away from mass consumption and toward pre-loved items instead.  On today's show  Poshmark 's Kelly...

#203 - This is Part 2. A business owner from an upscale neighborhood of Orange County, California, is kidnapped in the middle of the night by three men. He's beaten and tortured before being driven to the middle of the desert to be left for dead. But he somehow managed to survive this savage attack, and one of Orange County's largest manhunts officially began. How can forensic science be used to c...

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, November 17 2023: [2:45] Climate disasters are expensive, yo [7:30] Earth just experienced its hottest year in 125,000 years [12:00] The planet is "woefully off track" on 41 out of 42 global climate goals    This show is listener-supported.  Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community  here . Find your tribe. Sustainable Minima...

The holidays are meant to be about peace, joy, and togetherness … but they often end up steeped in chaos, rush, and overspending. Not this year! There’s really no better time than right this minute to practice slowing down and getting intentional *before* we say yes to another obligation or hit 'add to cart'. On today's show podcast host  Desirae Endres  reminds us that the holidays ar...

Are you doing gratitude wrong? So many of us are always waiting for more. But when you greet each moment gratefully? You're always receiving. On today's show author  Kristi Nelson  offers a mini-formula for grateful living (put this conversation on as you're preparing for Thanksgiving!).   Here's a preview: [10:00] It's not happiness that makes us grateful; it's gratefulnes...

#202 - A business owner from an upscale neighborhood of Orange County, California, is kidnapped in the middle of the night by three men. He's beaten and tortured before being driven to the middle of the desert to be left for dead. But he somehow managed to survive this savage attack, and one of Orange County's largest manhunts officially began. How can forensic science be used to capture these kid...

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, November 10 2023: [00:30] Microplastics are now in clouds; here's what this means [3:00] The leaf blower problem [10:30] The world's first solar SUV has entered the chat [11:00] An electric plane just flew from Vermont to Florida (!)   Resources mentioned:  Episode #260: The White Gold Rush  This show is listener-supported.  Thank you for suppor...

Choosing the right hand soap and body wash isn't *just* about cleanliness. You deserve non-toxic products and our waterways deserve non-polluting ones, so it's really about committing to a higher standard of care. We're likely using soap every day for the rest of our lives; it's prudent, then, to get intentional about this must-have product. On today's show: conscious consumeri...

Perhaps you're a veteran investor, or maybe you're just now starting to financial plan. Either way, where you put your money can substantially increase (or decrease!) your annual carbon footprint.  Don't put your money where your mouth is; put it where your values are. On today's show financial consultant  Shila Wattamwar  leads an advanced level discussion about sustainable invest...

#201- A U.K. tourist visits the popular city of Dubai, but trouble finds him, and he doesn't make it back home alive. What really happened to Lee Bradley Brown? And can forensic science help explain his mysterious death?   Support My Work If you love the show, the easiest way to show your support is by leaving us a positive rating with a review. You can also tell your family and friends about Fore...

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, November 3 2023: [00:30] French cheese, meet climate change [4:00] This is why olive oil is so expensive right now [6:30] Why many scientists are now saying climate change is an all-out 'emergency' [11:00] Cities are notoriously hot. Here are some cutting edge cooling solutions    This show is listener-supported.  Thank you for supporting! Join...

Some environmentalists call Christmas the world’s greatest annual environmental disaster, and for good reason: All that cheap, ultra-trendy decor adds up. On today's show: getting intentional about our holiday decorations once and for all.   Here's a preview: [3:00] Let's talk numbers: How much do Americans spend each year on holiday decor? [10:00] 3 ways in which 'Christmas Creep&...

Many of us shy away from the word 'activist' because the term brings to mind a very specific type of person. But if you're regularly taking action to make the world a better place? Guess what my friend, you're already an activist (yes, really!). What matters is not the size of the action, nor how vigorous the action is. It's all about consistency. On today's show author  Om...

#200 - On Christmas Day in 2017, a snorkeler stumbled upon skeleton remains while exploring the ocean floor in Shallow Inlet near Sandy Point, Victoria, Australia. The snorkeler might not have known then, but his discovery would set into motion an investigation that would unravel a 95-year mystery.   Support My Work If you love the show, the easiest way to show your support is by leaving us a posi...

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, October 27 2023: [00:30] The West Antarctic ice sheet appears to be headed for an eventual “collapse” [3:00] The oil giants are feeling pretty darn good about their futures, apparently [6:30] Why on earth is the US government funding enhanced oil recovery? [13:00] This potential climate warrior may be gearing up for a White House run    Resources mentio...

It's sad but true: Americans are some of the most chronically stressed people on the planet. On today's show: how to incorporate Japanese lifestyle philosophies into our lives for reduced stress, greater well-being, and a longer life. Here's a preview: [3:00] The physiology of stress: What *actually* goes on in our bodies when we encounter a stressor? [11:00] 5 reasons why Americans ar...

Whether you’re dining at a restaurant or ordering takeout, eating out leaves a footprint. On today's show: asking the right questions, minimizing food waste, and reading through All. The. Greenwashing the next time you head to a restaurant. Here's a preview: [6:30] The food waste issue at fine dine, quick serve, and fast casual [12:00] Farm-to-table? How to find restaurants that actually c...

#199 - It’s a case that captured America’s attention almost two decades ago. 18-year-old Natalee Holloway went on a high school graduation trip to Aruba with a group of friends. But never returned home. Although a promising suspect was arrested just days after Natalee’s disappearance, her case remained unsolved for years. Until this week. On October 18th, the man who has long been considered the p...

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, October 20 2023: [00:30] These are the places that could become ‘unlivable’ as the Earth warms [3:00] Engineer the ocean to curb climate change? Hmm ... [6:30] Ozone-destroying gasses are largely banned. So why are they still being emitted into the atmosphere? [13:00] Climate rules are coming for corporate America [15:00] The enviro-implications of that...