Forensic Tales

You've likely noticed that we're in a period of inflation, and that's because rising prices are difficult to ignore (hey there, gasoline!). But what about nonexistent customer service, smaller food packages, and the nagging, overall sense that we as consumers are getting the bad end the deal every time we make a purchase? That, my friends, is skimpflation. When you start looking for sk...

#131 - In 2018, a spree killer shot and killed six people in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona. The victims included a famous forensic psychiatrist, two paralegals, a counselor, and an elderly couple inside their home. Over 96 hours, the residents of Scottsdale were terrified that they would be next. It wasn’t until the police received a tip that turned their investigation upside. But even with a pr...

Can a sun-toasting, memory-making, blue sky summer also be eco-friendly? I believe that the greenest habits are the ones that don't cost much money; they'd never upend our already busy lives, either. Today I speak with Paul Hope, Home & Garden Editor for  Consumer Reports , and together we offer 8 summer-specific tweaks to your days that are so easy-peasy you won't even realize you...

A vacation. A dinner party. The arrival of a package you've been waiting for. There’s happiness to be found in looking forward to something, and that's because anticipation simultaneously increases levels of optimism and decreases feelings of irritability. But in a consumerist culture, it's often assumed that anticipation's benefits come with spending money. Don't bigger purcha...

#130 - In 1999, Jennifer Watkins was found dead underneath a stairwell inside Colorado Spring's Memorial Hospital. She had been sexually assaulted and beaten to death. The location of her body underneath the staircase was interesting to investigators because only a few people had access to that area of the hospital. For years, the police investigated Jennifer's murder but couldn't identify a suspe...

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are found in loads of personal care, beauty, and cleaning products. But there are both environmental and human health concerns associated with SLS and SLES: why, then, do eco-conscious brands continue to include such surfactants in their product offerings? On today's show I'm answering a listener's question about the well-kn...

Whenever you add money to your bank account, it doesn't just sit there. Your bank lends your money to industries and projects with the intent of making a profit. Many banks (and all the big name banks in particular) regularly invest OUR money into the fossil fuels industry, thereby funding the continued mining and burning of oil, coal, and gas. To give you a scope of the problem: In 2021 alone...

#129 - In January 2001, 911 dispatchers received a tragic phone call that a young mother, Pamela Shelley, had shot and killed herself. Following the autopsy, the forensic pathologist ruled Pamela's death a suicide. But the ruling didn't sit well with Pamela's family or the police.   After years of doubting Pamela's apparent suicide, one persistent detective vowed to continue investigating the case...

There's lots to consider when buying eggs. What does "humanely raised" mean, exactly, and are free-range eggs actually worth the extra cost? As it turns out, there are many misleading claims on egg cartons. On today's short and sweet episode I'm answering listener Lauren's question about intentional egg purchasing. My goal is to arm you with facts - not marketing gimmicks!...

Life provides countless opportunities each day to practice self-awareness and reflection. For some of us, such introspection happens when we exercise or meditate. For others, it naturally occurs when we're in touch with nature. Today I speak with author  Marcus Bridgewater , also known as the uber-popular Garden Marcus on social media. Marcus argues that nurturing plants also helps us grow as...

#128 - In April 2009, 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for a spring break trip with friends without her parent's permission. During the trip, Brittanee walked to another hotel located a short distance from her hotel on Ocean Boulevard. The hotel's security cameras captured her entering and leaving the hotel alone. Shortly after walking out of the hotel, Britta...

It feels as though nearly every day Americans must process another mass shooting. Such traumatic events are a part of life in the US today and, if our recent history is to inform the future, these events will continue. Today I speak with psychotherapist  Lena Derhally  about the human trauma response: which feelings are "normal", and which ones aren't? In the second part of today's...

The fashion industry is in a state of transition, and that's because fossil fuels-based synthetics simply aren't sustainable. Enter clothing made from plants: they are neither new or revolutionary (hey there, cotton, linen, and hemp!); still, clothing made from renewable fibers continues to expand in breadth and scope during this unique moment in time.  On today's show I speak with aut...

#127 - Business partners and friends Edward Shin and Chris Smith formed a successful business together, 800 Exchange, in 2009. Within months, the company was turning over a massive profit. But Edward and Chris's relationship was tested after Edward and Chris were sued for embezzling money from Edward's previous employer. Just before the lawsuit settled, Chris Smith suddenly disappeared. He cashed...

Countertop composters have hit the market, and they've hit the market in a big way. Many promise to transform ho-hum food waste into nutrient-rich soil in under 24 hours without odors or hassle. For some of us, these new machines sound like the answers to all our composting prayers. But listener Katie wants to know if countertop composters - and specifically the Lomi by Pela - are worth the he...

There are certain things in life that don't have to get done, and then there are priorities that absolutely must get done well. On today's show we discuss what it takes to thrive on purpose, and specifically we're discussing the importance of flexibility. Today I speak with author and social impact leader  Wendy Teleki . Wendy argues we shouldn't be afraid to recalibrate and make t...

#126 - In June 1989, 14-year-old high school student, Stephanie Isaacson, walked to El Dorado High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. On her way to school, she took a shortcut through a vacant lot so she wouldn't be late for her first class. After school let out, Stephanie's father became worried when his daughter didn't return home. He called the school and found out she never made it to class that mor...

We want new stuff and we want it now. The possessions we buy often make us happy, at least for a little while (hello, dopamine!). But before we know it, today's 'it' item becomes tomorrow's clutter. On today's show we are examining the psychology behind quick fix thinking. Why do humans tend to prioritize instant gratification over long-term goals such as having a decluttered,...

Cooking at home is generally cheaper, healthier, and better for the planet than relying on takeout and meal subscriptions. Still, our busy lives crave convenience: cooking, then, is a self-sufficient skill our culture is in danger of losing.  Today I speak with blogger  Rachael McKennon  about cooking at home and cooking from scratch. Rachael understands that feeding a family is hard work, so she&...

#125 - After a high school dance in February 1974, 17-year-old Carla Walker was abducted from her boyfriend's car at gunpoint in Fort Worth, Texas. Three days later, the police found her body in a ditch just a few miles away from her home. Although forensic science was still in t's infancy, the first responding investigators were careful to preserve as much of the crime scene surrounding Carla's b...

If you are fortunate to embark on vacation with your family this summer, your children will undoubtedly benefit from the experience. There's the need for them to practice flexibility and problem-solving in real-time; there's also the fact that seeing more of the planet will encourage your children to care for its future. Yet there's an elephant in the room, and it's this: vacations...

#124 - In October 2003, Tina Watson and her husband, Gabe Watson, boarded a plane headed to Australia. The newlyweds were excited to spend the next two weeks celebrating their honeymoon. Tina and Gabe planned to scuba dive a historic shipwreck in Queensland. But within minutes after entering the water, one of them experienced trouble. And only one of them ever made it out of the water.   Support M...

Many of us signed up for entertainment (streaming television! date night in a box!) and regular home delivery of essentials (toothbrushes! groceries! toilet paper!) at the start of the pandemic. If you're like me, these days you may find yourself signed up for 10 or more subscription services. Subscriptions can be time-saving and convenient, and specialty ones make great gifts. But if you aren...

Home decor is a lot like fashion: the second we invest in a new piece of furniture or a new decor item, the catalogs and showrooms push a new trend. The items we just bought, then? They're suddenly out of style. Today I speak with interior designer  Jessica Velazquez  about curating rooms that are timeless. Jessica believes that style must always support lifestyle: when we play it right, we ca...

#123 - For seven years, 44-year-old pediatric nurse Cindy James from British Columbia reported over 100 incidents of violence and harassment. Five of the incidents were physical attacks on Cindy. Over time, the police began doubting Cindy's stories. Every time the police came around, the harassment stopped. And when the police disappeared, so did the threats and violence.   Almost seven years afte...