Forensic Tales

#086 - Wrongful convictions. The process of convicting an innocent person. To us, it’s a mistake in our justice system. Mistakes happen. But what if it happened to you? And what if you discovered the mistake wasn’t a mistake? A judge uttering those two words “wrongful conviction” would mean much more. Your life. Your innocence. Your freedom. Everything. Support My Work If you love the show, the ea...

“I’m desperate for tips about staying organized in a two bed townhouse. My husband and I have a 13 month old and are thinking of adding another to our family soon.  Our son shares the spare room with some storage and furniture while my husband is working from home from a desk in our bedroom. We don’t have heaps of toys, but there are some sentimental items like furniture, essential woodworking and...

The global pandemic may have reduced the scope of your social circle. And while pandemics can indeed lead to isolation and loneliness, they may also usher in clarity about what—or in this case, who—is truly important. There are deep friendships and there are not-so-deep ones: are there benefits to intentionally nurturing fewer friendships while simultaneously giving your soul-level connections you...

#085 - On September 20th, 1986 Jane woke up to live her dreams. A botanist getting her Master’s Degree studying her fascination for the behavior of plants. She carefully analyzed her favorite plant in one of Delaware’s state parks. Inspecting its movements, its decisions, its life. Not many in life get to pursue their passion. Jane was one of the lucky ones. Immersed in her work dreaming of future...

“Hi Stephanie, One topic I’d like covered is the ways in which trying to live a low impact lifestyle can actually contradict each other. Secondhand polyester, or eco-friendly fibers but new? Plant-based but packaged food, or animal-based and package-free? Thanks for any help you can offer. – Heather”   We’ve all been there: we want to do better, but eco-contradictions trip us up. Even worse, in mo...

Ready to embrace pre-loved clothing but hate that thrift stores and online marketplaces sell last season’s fast fashion discards? If so, secondhand vintage may be for you. Vintage items by definition are made from quality materials with skilled craftsmanship. Incorporating select vintage pieces into your wardrobe, then, is an intentional to prioritize quality over quantity. I believe it’s importan...

#084 - The 4th of July weekend is an American family tradition. A time to celebrate, BBQ, and enjoy fireworks with your loved ones. After a long hard day at work, Frank comes home to spend time with his two young daughters. He approaches his little girl, but she doesn’t look quite right. He runs over to her to pick her up. As he carries her, Angie’s body goes limp. His precious little girl foams a...

“Hey Stephanie, I’m wondering what some of your tips are when it comes to preparing for a baby for the first time when you want to maintain a minimalist lifestyle. Thank you.”   Want to be a minimalist parent but don’t know where to start? This short-and-sweet bonus episode lays bare my down-and-dirty, not-so-socially-acceptable advice. Here’s a preview: [3;30] The bare minimum: Stephanie’s list o...

When discussing reducing toxin exposure, we often frame the conversation in terms of cleaning up our beauty and home products. But there are plenty of toxins in our food, and that’s why simple, clean eating is so darn important. My guest this week is Board-Certified Holistic Nutritionist and author Tonya Harris. Tonya experienced the benefits of a healthier food firsthand when her son—who displaye...

#083 - Bear Brook State Park is a picturesque 10,000-acre state park located in the wonderful state of New Hampshire. The ideal place for families to hike, swim, laugh and enjoy life. But on November 19th, 1985 the laughter would end forever. A 55-gallon metal barrel was discovered with two butchered bodies still inside. Support My Work If you love the show, the easiest way to show your support is...

“I just moved to a small country town and for some reason they stopped accepting glass for recycling. I had purposely been buying more glass products to avoid plastic as much as possible … I don’t know what to do. Do you have any suggestions?”   US recycling is in chaos, and packaging materials that were once recyclable may likely be headed to your local landfill. What’s an eco-conscious consumer...

We women have been primed since we were young to be critical of our bodies. Even though we’re adults—and even though we know better!—it’s natural to revert to what society tells us about the connection between body shape and self-worth. A negative body image impacts us all (regardless of size!), and minimalism is here to help. My guest this week is Wavelength founder Sarah Stites. Sarah gained sig...

#082 - On February 12th, 2011 one loud shot rang out in a crowded Arizona nightclub. Everyone scrambles for safety. They all get away...except for one young man. Shot and killed at point-blank range. Weeks later police find their culprit. The assassin in custody shakes his head. “You have the wrong guy. I’m not the killer. It was my twin brother.” Support My Work If you love the show, the easiest...

Perfectly manicured hands and feet are the norm in 2021, and many of us feel out of place when we choose to abandon what’s socially accepted. But there’s a “toxic trio” of chemicals in nail polish (toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate) and these chemicals leak through our nail beds and into our bloodstreams. What’s the true cost, then, of fitting in? Is fitting in worth it if doing so harms...

#081 - On April 20th, 1989, 28-year-old Tricia Meili went our for her regular jog. The young fit female ties up her running shoes to run. Tricia runs letting her mind drift. As all runners do. She enjoys the endorphins, she enjoys the crisp air, she enjoys life. The park is silent except for the drumbeat of her strides. Without any warning, Tricia’s head snaps forward. She’s attacked. She’s uncons...

Uses for Essential Oils An essential oil is not quite a perfume and not exactly a medicine. Still, advocates promise the uses for essential oils are many, and their benefits include better sleep, reduced anxiety, improved overall well-being, to name a few. Are essential oils worth the hype, or are they just another product that makes oversized promises? On this short and sweet bonus episode, I’m a...

How to downsize your home (and help older relatives do the same)   Downsizing is physically and emotionally exhausting. The job becomes infinitely harder when you’re tasked with helping older relatives—your parents, perhaps—clear out their attics and basements overflowing with items they’ve accumulated throughout the decades. Should you consider downsizing and decluttering now so your kids don’t o...

#080 - In Bergen County, high above the sky lies a romantic resting cliffside called Lover’s Chair. A hidden gem overlooking Rockefeller Lookout. Couples come to Lover’s Chair to experience each other, reconnect, and fall in love all over again. On September 20th, 1992 Stephen brought his wife to enjoy an unforgettable evening together. After a few bottles of wine. Tragedy struck. There’s been an...

I once aspired to design my home’s interior the way I saw design done in my favorite home decor catalogs, which is to say I chased an aesthetic that was white, pristine, and contemporary. But doubling down on what’s new and in style left little room for displaying trinkets with stories, passed-down but quality furniture, and antiques that infuse uniqueness. I had created a beautiful space, yes, bu...

#079 - Throughout the '80s and '90s, California was ravaged by fires. Thousands of fires burned brush, buildings, homes, and sadly, innocent people. It seemed California’s environment was made to be burned. Until a clever fire investigator noticed a pattern. It wasn’t the climate... Oh no, much worse. A serial arsonist is torching the state. Support My Work If you love the show, the easiest way to...

Curating a Healthy House What’s eco-friendly also tends to be non-toxic, and if you’re like most sustainable minimalists, you likely aspire to curate a healthy house that supports your eco-minimalist ideals. Yet non-toxic products can be difficult to find; they tend to be expensive, too. Today I’m speaking with the brains behind Shades of Green, Angela Wade and Ellen Strickland. Shades of Green is...

#078 - Sunday night is typically a quiet night, but not on this night. On October 22nd, 1989 three young boys convince their parents to let them ride their bikes. The kids ride in the dark to rent a movie. They shine flashing lights, wear bright clothes, and stay together. Only four blocks to get home. Suddenly a man emerges from the shadows. He pulls out a gun. Points the gun. And orders the kids...

How to Host a (No Plastic) Party   Like to entertain but hate the overwhelm? Join the club. While it feels so right to open your home to your loved ones for dinner parties, barbecues, and holidays, being chained to the kitchen (and the dirty dishes!) feels oh, so wrong. The alternative is equally cringe-worthy: Heaps of plastic plates, cups, and cutlery in the trash? No thanks. This week, I speak...

#077 - “I didn’t do it. It wasn’t me. You have the wrong guy.” Words used by killers, rapists, and the scum of the earth. Police got their man.  Another lying killer. But don’t take the killer’s word for it. Let’s let the forensics speak. 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 fr...

Why is it that, in times of fear, society reverts back to relying on single-use disposables? COVID-19 will have lasting effects on the environmental movement. While some of such effects—like embracing forced slowness, for example—took cars off the road and reduced worldwide carbon emissions in the short-term, our propensity toward fear-based buying over the past year has littered the planet. Indee...