The Silver Linings Handbook

In this episode Jayson sits down with Brett Talley and Alice LaCour, co-hosts of The Prosecutors Podcast and The Prosecutors: Legal Briefs. They delve into the evolution of media in true crime storytelling, their journey through the legal profession, and the impact of social media on the criminal justice system. Join us for an insightful conversation about the cases they've covered, their motivati...

I sit down as a guest with Kevin Greenlee and Áine Cain of The Murder Sheet podcast is for a conversation about true ethical crime and media coverage of the criminal justice system. We will talk about The Murder Sheet’s recent coverage of Twitter messages between figures in the Delphi murders case. We discuss how judges’ recent efforts to prevent the poisoning of jury pools are backfiring, silenci...

Jason Ursy joins to discuss his upcoming podcast, "Missing in a Moment," which will tell the stories of the lives and disappearances of missing people in a victim-centered podcast. Jason is a host of the true-crime satire podcast, "Santa, Maybe a Criminal" and "Missing in a Moment" is his first venture into reporting real-life stories. He discusses the differences and similarities between the two...

Today, we talk with a mother who lost her son, whose death was compounded by cross-jurisdictional challenges, mistrust of law enforcement and the fact that he was a Native American. We are joined by Vangie Randall-Shorty, whose son disappeared in Farmington, New Mexico and then was found dead in the Navajo Nation days later, to discuss the search for her son, his life and death, the murder that re...

Today, we discuss the challenges for LGBTQ+ people when it comes to coming out in the workplace and the complex balancing act for companies, managers, and employees. Visit our website and follow along with us on Instagram , join our Silver Linings Fireside Chat Facebook group and join us on Patreon . The Silver Linings Handbook is a production of BlueSky Studios LLC. See the Privacy Policy at&nbsp...

Today, we discuss the heartbreaking stories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People with Darlene Gomez, a New Mexico attorney who advocates for them and their loved ones and whose own friend, Melissa Montoya, disappeared at a bar on St. Patrick's Day in 2011 in Dulce, New Mexico. Darlene walks us from Melissa's case, the search for justice for her and others and the broader challenges with law e...

Uncover the riveting story of Tony Viola, a saga of conviction, courage, and the quest for justice. This episode delves into what Tony describes as his wrongful mortgage fraud conviction and the heart-wrenching tragedy of Dawn Pasela, a whistleblower whose testimony could have changed everything. Visit our website and follow along with us on Instagram , join our Silver Linings Fireside Chat Facebo...

In this episode, Gilbert and Jayson continue their conversation from part one and take listeners questions on race in the pre-Civil Rights era of the American South, the difficulties we have as Americans with seeing our own history truthfully or clearly, the links between the investigation into the case of Leo Schofield Jr. and his other works, the cost of mass incarceration and a wide variety of...

In this episode, Jayson sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and historian Gilbert King. Gilbert shares his journey of uncovering dark and traumatic areas of American history, focusing on civil rights and wrongful convictions. They delve into his award-winning books, "Devil in the Grove" and "The Execution of Willie Francis," and discuss his podcast "Bone Valley," which raises question...

Dive into the world of education with Laura Mead, a seasoned expert in special education, as she explores the nuances of teaching and learning. From her work at Pathways Academy to her philosophies on student engagement, we unravel the intricate tapestry of student needs, the impact of testing, and the quest for a just and fair educational system through personal stories, professional insights, an...

In Part 2 of this episode of The Silver Linings Handbook and Vintage Villains, Jayson Blair and Allison Dickson, we continue about the 1975 disappearances of two sisters, Katherine and Sheila Lyon,. We follow the cold case detectives as they discover witnesses, suspects and forensic evidence that becomes key to cracking one aspect of the case. We explore and the bizarre culture that surrounded thi...

In this episode of The Silver Linings Handbook and Vintage Villains, Jayson Blair and Allison Dickson discuss the 1975 disappearances of two sisters, Katherine and Sheila Lyon. The girls vanished from a mall in Wheaton, Maryland. Witnesses reported seeing a strange man with a tape recorder, but after a massive search, this case, that transformed the Washington, DC area, went cold. That was until 2...

Join us on the second part of a profound journey through the heart of Indian country as we delve into the unique challenges faced by tribal emergency medical service professionals. Jayson sits down with Monty Fronk, Chasity Williamson Tatzi, and Joshua Ellison—frontline heroes who share their experiences and the deep cultural connections that shape their life-saving work. We're going to continue t...

Join us on a profound journey through the heart of Indian country as we delve into the unique challenges faced by tribal emergency medical service professionals. Jayson sits down with Monty Fronk, Chasity Williamson Tatzi, and Joshua Ellison—frontline heroes who share their experiences and the deep cultural connections that shape their life-saving work. In this first of two episodes, we're going t...

When Paula read about Temujin Kensu's plight—a Michigan man serving life for a crime he claims he didn't commit—she couldn't have predicted that her life was about to change. Their story, unfolding in this episode, is a saga of advocacy, love, and the quest for justice. As Paula becomes Temujin's wife and fiercest advocate, they confront a flawed legal system together, challenging a conviction bui...

Discover the heart-wrenching journey of Paula Kensu, a woman whose love knows no bounds, as she navigates the labyrinth of the criminal justice system to prove her husband's innocence. We delve deep into Paula's story of resilience, the flawed trial of Temujin Kensu, fighting for the innocence of your loved one, marriage and other close relationships, your loved ones behind bars, advocacy and what...

We're diving into the gripping journey through the cold case of Brianna Maitland with Greg Overacker, the investigator who's been chasing shadows for nearly two decades. Discover how a chance encounter at a rest stop led Overacker to a friendship with Brianna's father and a lifelong commitment to solving her case. From the haunting rural roads of Vermont to the heart of a family's pain, this episo...

Step behind the scenes of true crime podcasting with Jayson Blair, Dana Poll, Kevin Greenlee, and Áine Cain. This episode delves into the heart of what it means to be a responsible creator in the true crime genre, exploring the delicate balance between informing the public and respecting those involved. Discover how these podcasters use their unique backgrounds to enhance their investigative work,...

In this bonus episode, Jayson joins Michael Ely on his podcast and YouTube channel, Just Legal History. They are also joined by Brett from The Prosecutor's Podcast to have a discussion on the free press and a fair trial. In this discussion, they talk about the idea of how do we balance the first amendment right to a free press and for the public to know the actions of their government and protect...

Delve into the responsibilities of true crime creators with Jayson Blair, Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee of the Murder Sheet podcast and Dana Poll of the True Crime P.I. podcast as they explore the impact of their work on real people's lives, the challenges of navigating social media's murky waters, and the role of the audience in discerning the truth. This episode is a deep dive into the ethics of...

In this bonus episode, Alison Dickson and Jayson unraveled a dark saga of Patty Cannon, a mastermind behind what was called the reverse underground railroad. Patty and her gang, The Johnson Cannon Gang would capture free blacks and runaway slaves in the north and sell them to Southern Plantation owners who are desperate in the wake of them after imported slaves were banned in 1807. Patty and her g...

Jayson is joined by Julia Cowley, a retired FBI agent and Criminal Profiler. In this second part of a two part discussion, we're going to discuss the unsolved killing of 36 year old Phil Demaro, a gay man who is killed in his San Francisco apartment, the unsolved Zodiac Killer case, the Lewis-Clark Valley serial killer case and answer more listener questions. Check out Julia's podcast, The Consult...

This episode is a riveting deep dive into the aftermath of one of the most shocking events in American history: the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth. Join Jayson and Allison as they follow a harrowing journey through the escape route of a killer. From swampy hideouts to the pursuit of cavalry, uncover the motivations, the missteps, and the myths that surround Booth's...

Journey back to 1865 with Jayson Blair and Allison Dixon, as they delve into the complex and riveting tale of John Wilkes Booth, a man whose actions rippled through American history and left an indelible mark on the nation's fabric. In this two-part episode, we'll traverse the tumultuous landscape of a country at war, explore the life and times of an infamous assassin, and discover how his story i...

This episode is a compelling conversation with Julia Cowley, a former FBI profiler whose expertise helped crack cases like the Golden State Killer and the Long Island Serial Killer. Julia opens up about the motivations that led her to law enforcement, the challenges of providing closure to victims' families, and the consultative role of the BAU in high-stakes investigations. Get ready for a behind...