Books With Your Besties

Hosts: Emily and Ashley
Episode: Updates and a Teaser
Date: March 13, 2026

Episode Overview

In this special update episode, Emily and Ashley reconnect with listeners to offer updates on upcoming content, highlight their recent interview with bestselling author Mary Kubica, and give a gripping preview of their collaboration with the true crime series “Reconsidered Unsolved.” They also reflect on their journey into covering true crime cases, their commitment to ethical storytelling, and how their backgrounds influence their work. Throughout the episode, they share personal stories and the responsibilities they grapple with when exploring real-life mysteries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast and Patreon Updates

• Emily and Ashley announce their return to discussing thrillers, specifically the upcoming episode on "Ask for Andrea."
• Teasers for exclusive Patreon content:
  • Interview with Mary Kubica, where she reveals an alternate ending to her book “It’s Not Her” and discusses plot twists that surprised even herself.

2. True Crime Case Teaser: Rachel Hansen (00:35–01:28)

• They present an excerpt from "Reconsidered Unsolved" about the chilling and unresolved case of Rachel Hansen, who called 911 after being shot during a home invasion.
• Detailed the timeline:
  • [00:38] Rachel calls 911 at 2:07am after being shot.
  • [00:51] First police units dispatched within seconds; arrived within five minutes.
  • [01:03] Officer Kobciak applies emergency aid; EMS arrive and take her to Chandler Regional Hospital.
  • [01:17] Rachel survives for three hours before succumbing to her injuries at 5:12am.
• The case remains unsolved.

3. Evolution of the Podcast: From Book Club to Crime Cases (01:28–03:07)

• Ashley and Emily share their roots:
  • Started with a podcast focused on psychological thrillers as an offshoot of their book club business.
  • The podcast was created for book club members who couldn’t join live discussions.
• First true crime exploration:
  • Delved into the Kyron Horman missing person case for Patreon but felt uncomfortable keeping it behind a paywall.
  • Decision: released it publicly as a one-off episode to ensure integrity and accessibility.

4. Ethical Standards and Media Recognition (03:07–03:39)

• Emily reflects on their approach, recalling a memorable quote from a journalist at The Oregonian:
  • “You’re not journalists, you don’t have to stick to the same standards that we do—but you did.” [03:11]
• This commitment to thoroughness and ethical standards influences their coverage of current cases like Rachel Hansen.

5. Purposeful True Crime and Personal Impact (03:39–04:25)

• The duo discuss questions of purpose and impact:
  • They aim to do more than provide entertainment—they hope to raise awareness and pursue justice authentically.
  • Both describe the emotional toll: “...let’s be honest, Em, we have cried, we have had sleepless nights, we have had days at a time where our anxiety is an all-time high." – Ashley [03:50]
  • Despite the challenges, they feel a strong pull (“a calling”) to keep exploring unsolved cases as a team.

6. Balancing Demand and Integrity (04:25–05:07)

• Emily expresses concern about not wanting to be “gratuitous” or “exploitative” like some true crime shows.
• She shares her background:
  • Psychology professor, PhD in psychology and law.
  • Their investigative approach is shaped by her expertise and personal standards.
• They encourage listeners to consider why people are drawn to true crime stories, promising to explore these questions further in the series.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ashley ([03:39]):
  “I don’t know if the word calling is too strong, but we both felt like… let’s be honest, Em, we have cried, we have had sleepless nights, we have had days at a time where our anxiety is an all time high. But for some reason, you and I together make a really good team. And we feel like this is something we are needing to insert ourselves in because it feels like we can help.”

• Emily ([03:11]):
  "You’re not journalists, you don’t have to stick to the same standards that we do—but you did." (paraphrasing The Oregonian interviewer)

• Emily ([04:25]):
  "We don’t want to be gratuitous with it, we don’t want to be exploitative with it. That’s the thing I don’t like about true crime. But the reality is, then here we go. You’re going to get a taste of the psychologist already. Because I am a psychology professor, I have a PhD in psychology with my emphasis area is psychology and law.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:01] — Episode opens: Announcements and Patreon highlights
• [00:35–01:28] — Teaser: Rachel Hansen case excerpt
• [01:28–03:07] — How the podcast evolved into true crime
• [03:07–03:39] — Media recognition & ethical standards
• [03:39–04:25] — Reflections on purpose, impact, and emotional toll
• [04:25–05:07] — Balancing listener demand and responsible reporting

Summary

In this episode, Emily and Ashley offer book-loving listeners and true crime enthusiasts a window into their process—balancing gripping storytelling with a powerful sense of ethical responsibility. They tease future discussions, reflect candidly on the emotions involved in covering real-life cases, and recommit to a thoughtful, integrity-driven approach shaped by their deep personal connection and professional expertise. This update primes the audience for both empathy and critical engagement in the episodes to come.