Forensic Tales

#192 - A Florida woman is gunned down and killed in front of her son by a clown who came to her door with flowers and balloons. For the next several decades, the true identity behind the clown mask remained a mystery. It wasn't until new forensic technology emerged that the killer clown was finally brought to justice.   Support My Work If you love the show, the easiest way to show your support is...

The enviro-news you need to know about for Friday, September 1 2023: [00:30] What you need to know about the new deal between Shein and Forever 21 [4:30] China says Japan's seafood is unsafe. What does science say? [11:00] 3 cheers for windsails made especially for cargo ships [13:30] Renewable propane is here (!!) Resources mentioned: Nullker.com Join our (free!) community  here . Find your t...

Yes, clutter is always going to accumulate. But there are ways to prevent at least some of it from entering our homes, and we're chatting about 3 of those ways today.   Here's a preview: [2:00] Our decluttering challenge wrap-up  [10:00] Browse, don't buy! [16:30] Rocks, pebbles, and your personal Chuck It List [25:30] Contentment is being satisfied with what you have. Enter the Don&#3...

People are naturally curious about the homes of professional organizers. On today's show author  Shira Gill  divulges 5 high-impact organizing tips straight from the mouths of fellow professional organizers. Here's a preview of the insider tricks we're discussing today: [10:30] Don't shop for a mansion if you live in a cottage! [16:00] Display what's beautiful; conceal what isn...

#191 - 1999, Maidenwater Spring, Utah. A woman's body is found wrapped in a sleeping bag along a remote stretch of highway. Over the next two decades, investigators worked tirelessly not only to identify the woman but also her killer. Can new DNA advancements help identify her and the suspect?   Support My Work If you love the show, the easiest way to show your support is by leaving us a positive...

The enviro-news you need to know about for Friday, August 25 2023: [00:30] What’s happening to South Florida’s coral reefs (and why you should care) [4:00] Don't call it a comeback: The golden lion tamarin's rebound [6:00] The richest Americans account for 40% of US emissions, but not for the reasons you may expect [11:00] The connection between air pollution and the silent pandemic, a.k.a...

Since the dawn of the chemical era more than 300,000 chemicals have been invented, and many are made from oil and natural gas. While some manufactured chemicals have indeed provided benefit (Disinfectants! Antibiotics!), they have also caused great harm. Manufactured chemicals pollute every corner of the planet. They kill bees, fish, and mammals. They nearly destroyed the ozone and, yes, they give...

Spend more money than necessary on non-essential upgrades? You're not alone. Lifestyle creep is often related to status, and its prevalence may indeed be bolstered by a perceived sense of lack. On today's show financial educator  Kara Perez  offers her best tips for combatting unintentional lifestyle creep in the day-to-day. Here’s a preview:  [3:00] When Latte Factors and Treat Yo’self! i...

#190 - In 1975, a young woman was found murdered inside her Lancaster County apartment. Although she had been stabbed 19 times and her killer left behind forensic evidence, the case went cold for decades. It wasn't until an unlikely piece of evidence came along that investigators felt confidant in making an arrest.   Support My Work If you love the show, the easiest way to show your support is by...

The era of climate litigation is here, my friends. Today's episode breaks down 3 enviro-lawsuits happening right now:  [02:00] Held v. State of Montana and a big win for environmentalists this week [7:30] Attorney Missy Sims is a-comin' for Big Oil [12:30] $1.5B in damages: An Oregon county's lawsuit against fossil fuel big wigs    Join our (free!) community  here . Find your tribe. Su...

The US pharmaceutical industry is unique in that it markets directly to consumers (hey there, Zoloft commercial!) . Through such direct-to-consumer marketing we have been spoon-fed the notion that every hint of a symptom requires a drug. The result? Americans take more prescription medications today than at any other time in recent history.  On today's show we uncover the pharmaceutical indust...

We're surrounded by plastics everywhere, all the time. And single-use plastics? They're not only creating a pollution crisis; they are contributing to the climate crisis as well. Microplastics in particular are a cocktail of toxicity, containing at least 10,000 different chemicals, many of which are linked to diseases including diabetes and cancer. And yet more plastic waste is being produ...

#189 - A young woman from Colorado suddenly dies and investigators are quick to rule her death a suicide. But her parents don't believe their daughter could be capable of something like that. Both parties, the investigators and parents, believe the forensic evidence is on their side. What do you think the forensic evidence says about how Morgan Ingram died?   Support My Work If you love the show,...

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday August 11, 2023: [00:45] Roads made of plastic waste?  [3:30] The Barbie hoax (and Mattel's response) [9:30] The fire whirl: Breaking down this weather phenomenon  [12:00] Tracking rising ocean temperatures around the world   Resources mentioned: The Barbie hoax  (via Barbie Liberation Organization) Photo of a fire whirl  (via MSN) Video of a fire wh...

'Tis the season for back-to-school door busters, price slashes, and closeouts. On today's show we're discussing how to reduce clutter, save money, and help the planet by shopping for back-to-school with greater intention.  Here's a preview: [2:30] Let's pull back the curtain on back-to-school marketing, shall we? [7:00] Here's what it actually means (and what it actually lo...

Welcome to Back-To-School Week! In 2023, the average American family will spend $597 per child in anticipation of the upcoming school year. And while new school supplies and fresh outfits can definitely get our children into the school spirit, it's rest, nutrition, and routines that *actually* predict success. On today's show  Dr. Rebecca Jackson  offers research-backed ways to ensure our...

#188 - Christine Jessop went missing from her small Canadian home in 1984. Her body was discovered three months later, and investigators quickly zeroed in on a suspect. But the guy the police arrested said he was innocent despite what the forensic evidence suggested. Can forensic science not only caught a killer but also prove someone is innocent?   Support My Work If you love the show, the easies...

You love your pet; you also love the planet. Good news: How you feed, care for, and clean up after your dogs and cats have sizable impacts on our environment and ecosystems. On today's show: answering listener questions about all-things eco-conscious pets. Here's a preview of the pet-related questions we're answering today: [2:45] Should we transition our cats and dogs to plant-based d...

Brands are continuously making environmental and socially conscious claims. And while many consumers want to purchase from ethical brands, it's hard to know which brands are legit (versus which ones are faking). Enter the B Corp certification, which is the only 3rd-party logo that certifies a company's social and environmental ethics. Yes, the logo is certainly helpful for those of us who...

#187 - In the quiet wilderness of Dade County, on a cold December day in 1988, a disturbing call would change the peaceful town forever. A young, partially dressed female body was found off I-95. The motionless body lay undiscovered for days, presenting a horrific mystery. As investigators dove deeper. The painful truth emerged: no clues, no leads, and no suspects. Did the perpetrator commit the p...

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday July 28, 2023: [00:30] Native giraffes are reintroduced to the wild [2:45] A lithium mine in Nevada gets the green ahead (to the chagrin of environmentalists) [4:30] How to use empty office buildings for vertical farming (genius!) [10:00] Shein invited influencers on an all-expenses-paid trip and people are mad AF   Resource mentioned:  Episode  #260: Th...

A new month is nearly here, and this means it's the perfect time to usher in the change of seasons with some legitimate decluttering. If you're ready to get serious about the clutter you accumulated this summer - and if you're motivated by a bit of healthy competition! - today's episode outlines the objective, the setup, and the rules of play for the 30-day minimalism challenge I&#...

It used to be pink for girls and blue for boys, but no longer. These days it's frills and plunging cuts for girls, angry dinosaurs and athletic fabrics for boys. And while gendered clothing often leads to more purchases for each child and thus generates excessive waste, there are other reasons to give fashion's gender bias the side-eye. Most concerning, of course, is its impacts on our chi...

#186 - For over a decade, a string of unsolved homicides known as the Gilgo Beach murders terrorized Long Island residents and stumped investigators after a woman’s 2010 disappearance led authorities to find 10 sets of human remains. But finally, authorities believe that they have finally caught the man dubbed: The Long Island Serial Killers through advanced forensic testing. The suspect is curren...

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday July 21, 2023: [00:30] The Amazon's deforestation rate is (finally) declining! [2:45] The unintended consequences of droughts [4:30] Say it ain't so: Worms are invading the Arctic [10:00] The consequences of HGTV on everyday renovations    Join our (free!) community  here . Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on  Facebook,   Instagram  +...