Podcast
Crime Writers On...
Hosted by Partners in Crime Media - PICM · EN
True crime authors and real-life couple Rebecca Lavoie and Kevin Flynn hold a pop-culture roundtable with noir novelist Toby Ball and journalist-turned-investigator Lara Bricker. The panel chats about the blockbuster podcast Serial, as well as journalism, storytelling, TV shows and films, and Rebecca's favorite part of the show, the 'Crime of the Week.'
12episodes
Episodes
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Serial Appeal Stumble, Journalism Bullies & Suspect Convictions
Jan 21, 201701:13:18Tap to summarizeToby's back...just in time to weigh in on the newest true crime podcast fill our ears. But first - the state of Maryland has won the latest round in Adnan Syed's quest to get out of prison now that his conviction has been overturned. What does it mean that they've been granted a "Leave to Appeal" and how much closer are we to a new trial for the Serial season one protagonist?Then, we talk about something a little bit weird that happened during the latest episode of one of our favorite podcasters, Amber Hunt of the Cincinnati Enquirer's Accused podcast.Then we'll get into "Suspect Convictions," and break down what's good, not good, and controversial (among the panel) about this true crime podcast from WVIK.In the Crime of the Week, we're getting frisky in the Granite State - and it's got some goopy consequences!This week's sponsors are:Madison-Reed! Go to madison-reed.com and use the promo code "WRITERS"Prepdish! Go to prepdish.com/storiesSimplisafe! Go to SimpliSafe.com/criminalAudible! Go to audible.com/crimeKopari! Go to Koparibeauty.com/crime
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Serial Snobbery? A JonBenet Lawsuit! And Scientology & The Aftermath
Jan 14, 201701:15:40Tap to summarizeWhen Toby's away, the mice will play...AND talk about all sorts of great stuff.Special guest panelist Amelia McDonnell-Parry gives us a lowdown on what she saw at Adnan Syed's PCR hearing, and why she thinks Sarah Koenig isn't doing the right thing by ignoring new evidence dug up by other podcasters.Plus, our true crime update takes on that $750 MILLION dollar lawsuit filed by Burke Ramsey after a CBS special pointed to him as the murderer of his sister, JonBenet. The panel has some strong feelings about that.And then, Scientology doesn't freak Kevin out, but talking about it does. Nonetheless, we give an overview of the incredible docuseries created by Queen of Queens (and Queen of Nails) Leah Remini, A&E's Scientology & the Aftermath.After our crime of the week airs, one upstate New York man may try to buy every copy of this podcast. Yeah...we know.
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Adnan Syed's Setback, Serial's Audio Boo-Boo, And A Homecoming Podcast Review
Jan 14, 201701:04:25Tap to summarizeAfter a holiday break, we're back. And so much has happened again. In the land of true crime podcast updates, Adnan Syed has been denied bail while he awaits a new trial. The panel talks about that decision.In other Serial news, we learned Sarah Koenig & co made a big boo-boo when putting together season one. Namely: using courtroom audio that was prohibited from broadcast. This time, justice was merciful.Kevin responds to listener reaction to his criticism of "Someone Knows Something." Again, it's another feisty split decision.In this week's installment of "Should You Listen?" the panel weighs in on Gimlet's star-powered "Homecoming." Is this the latest Gimlet podcast to break the mold?In the Crime of the Week, an FBI sting operation on Capitol Hill! The target - no, not corrupt politicians - a bootleg DVD ring.
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A FEISTY Split Decision: Should You Listen to This True Crime Podcast?
Dec 17, 201601:03:47Tap to summarizeThe CBC's Someone Knows Something is back with a second season.So should you listen? That's the question the crime writers will try to answer. Spoiler: it's a split decision, with at least one of the panelists (ahem, Kevin) expressing a very passionate opinion.WILL CANADA EVER FORGIVE US? We hope so.The good news: host David Rigden for his second interview with Rebecca, and he's really, really awesome. The bad news: after the interview, Kevin Flynn has a meltdown over how much he hates the podcast. It's kind of epic, but at least he feels a little bit bad about it.Also, we eliminate homework for our listeners...especially for those of you who never do it!In the Crime of the Week, a Santa-lookalike is kicked out of Six Flags. Grinch move or totes justified?Programming note: CWO will be off the week of Dec 24 for the Christmas holiday, but will return on New Year's Eve, Dec 31. (No live wedding proposals are planned, we promise.)Sponsors this week include: Sock Club. Go to sockclub.com and use promo code CRIME at checkout.Also, Harry's razors is back! Go to harrys.com and save when you use code CRIME at checkout.
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Crimetown & Westworld - Whoa!
Dec 10, 201601:14:48Tap to summarizeThis week we dive in to two format-smashing shows: one the up-ends the conventions of podcast storytelling, and one that challenges the concept of story telling itself.The panel examines "Crimetown." This podcast from Gimlet sounds like nothing we've heard before. Are they setting a new bar for the traditional first-person investigative podcast or are they creating a completely new genre?Also, the crime writers give their take on HBO's dizzying & dazzling "Westworld." Was the western-tinged sci-fi series about man's inhumanity, a study on free will, or a contemplation of on the power of story? Or just a bunch of cowboys shooting and having sex with robots?Plus, Toby checks his Amazon Christmas list (is your gift on it?). We'll hear from a listener who offers her two cents on the Justin Ross Harris verdict (and then we offer her ours).The Crime of the Week looks at the War on Christmas...by beavers.Sponsors for this episode include Sock Club. Use promo code crime at checkout. Also, Pass the Pigs from Winning Games. Use promo code crime at checkout.
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Serial Scoop? Breakdown Conviction! Undisclosed Up Close! And Missing & Murdered
Dec 5, 201601:18:43Tap to summarizeSo many gifts for true crime fans this holiday season, as a new batch of podcasts are hitting the charts. Where to begin...where to begin? First, the panel drops a ton of true crime updates. These include a last-minute order keeping Brendan Dassey in prison, a verdict in Breakdown's Justin Ross Harris case, and a newspaper editorial calling for a pardon for Bowe Bergdahl. Plus, Rebecca parties-hearty with the team from Undisclosed and Addendum. The most exciting news comes from "Serial" co-creator Julie Snyder who says their team will be dropping a new seven-week podcast in March. No, it's not Serial season three, but it sounds like a compelling story nonetheless - and Rebecca's got a decent theory as to who will be telling it. Then we dive into the CBC's investigation of the Alberta Williams case, "Missing & Murdered." Set on an island fishing town off the coast of British Columbia, this podcast looks at a cold case from 1989, and the cop (and reporter) who's not afraid to name names. Bonus: Rebecca interviews host Connie Walker about making the podcast!Finally, we go all "Hidden Tiger, Crouching Dragon" in the Crime of the Week. This episode is sponsored by Sock Club. Save 15% at checkout with code "crime."We're also sponsored by Pass the Pigs by Winning Moves Games. Get 20% off at checkout with promo code "crime."
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Serial Season 3 News? Sort Of. And What's Different About Up and Vanished?
Nov 11, 201601:18:44Tap to summarizeBreaking: Lara's cat has a super weird disease! For real.Some maybe-news about Serial Season 3 has us theorizing. Was Kevin super, duper wrong when he said Sarah Koenig would never do a true crime story again?Plus, we get a whole lot of listener email and tweets about what podcasts we should be listening to and talking about.One of the podcasts we’ve had pimped to us the most often lately is the hit show "Up and Vanished," an investigative podcast about the 2005 disappearance of Ocilla Georgia Beauty queen Tara Grinstead.But before we get into our discussion about Up and Vanished, we'll first listen in to Rebecca's conversation with someone who knows a little bit about that show - its host and creator Payne Lindsey. Even if you haven't heard the podcast, you should listen to this interview.And, Toby apologizes to a nation. And our Crime of the Week strikes pretty damn close to home. Episode sponsors:thegrommet.com/crimewritersmadison-reed.com (use the promo code "writers" at checkout)harrys.com (use the promo code "crime" at checkout)
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In The Dark's Finale And Our Book, TV & Podcast Picks
Nov 5, 201600:59:15Tap to summarizeWhat do people want to talk about? World Series? Presidential election? Nope. The world wants to know what Lara Bricker got arrested for. (Hint: it wasn't election fraud.) Looks like her accomplices left her holding the bag...literally. In our audience feedback segment, the Crime Writers respond to a heartwarming email from a cancer survivor who's ready to take on the challenge of punching one of their least-favorite attorneys. Then, when it's time for business, the panel digs into the final episode of APM Reports' "In the Dark." Madeleine Baran didn't pull punches when it came to the police narrative that Danny Heinrich was just too good at covering his tracks for 25+ years. But is her conclusion too broad? Unfair? (Sometimes investigators know who did it, but can't get enough to make the arrest - as officials have told Rebecca & Kevin about the Stacey Burns "Mothers Day Murder" case.) Finally, Rebecca, Kevin, Lara, and Toby offer up their recommendations about what you should be listening to, reading, and watching right now.Crime of the Week: When it comes to Halloween candy, someone can give you a break - you're just not supposed to steal it. This week's sponsor is madison-reed.com - use the code "writers" at checkout!
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Adnan Syed's Bail Motion, Sarah Koenig's Serial Choices, Offshore's Big Splash
Oct 28, 201601:18:49Tap to summarizeHeads up Baltimore City Court! Here comes Adnan Syed seeking a bail hearing. It's not your usual motion, written more like a campaign speech than a legal brief. The Crime Writers dig into the latest in the efforts of Serial's protagonist to get out of prison now that his conviction has been vacated. And a journalism conundrum: IF Sarah Koenig knew about Jay Wild's post-Adnan criminal history, should she have included it in Serial? Also, the panel hangs ten in Hawaii with the new podcast, "Offshore" from Honolulu Civil Beat and PRX. Can a white reporter do justice to a tale of Hawaiian culture and disenfranchisement? Related: Toby recommends reading this article from the New Yorker, "The American Raj," to learn more about Hawaiian history. In our Crime of the Week, the panel shakes the tree. But who goes undercover as a tree, anyway? (Kevin reported on a similar bank robbery story in NH. Watch the version filed by his colleagues.) Plus: mystery solved! Who bought the family-sized bucket of massage lotion? We finally know. Finally. This week's sponsors are: thegrommet.com/crimewriters madison-reed.com (promo code "crime") #Serial #AdnanSyed #SerialUpdates
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Amanda Knox - The Documentary And Case That Divides Us All
Oct 25, 201601:20:45Tap to summarizeOh no! We went there!The Crime Writers discuss the controversial Netflix doc "Amanda Knox." Why are we still intrigued by the murder case? Does any of the evidence add up? Is the motive believable? Is Knox herself credible? As she says, "Either I am a psychopath in sheep's clothing or I am you."Rebecca and Kevin welcome back Dr. Elizabeth Yardley to explain why the British have such a different (and more visceral) view of the case than Americans do. Could it be they were each seeing a different case in their papers and on their TV screens? Bigger question: how bad are the writers going to get trolled on Twitter for their views?Because it seems some people - not everyone, but some - feel really, really, REALLY strongly about this case and you better agree with them in 140 characters (or the 140 consecutive tweets with which they will flood your feed)!In Crime of the Week...a SWAT team takes out an 81-year-old woman for growing a single marijuana plant. Good thing she wasn't stealing cable TV...she'd probably be dead.Episode sponsors are : PrepDish.com/crimewriter - ModCloth.com (promo code crime) - the Havenly app (promo code crime) - and TheGrommet.com/crime
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