Podcast
The Panicked Writer
Hosted by Ellie Leonard · EN
Writer, child-wrangler, sometimes-filmmaker, Missoulian dropped on my head in NYC.
ellieleonard.substack.com
ellieleonard.substack.com
121episodes
Episodes
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Update on threats
Jun 2800:15:42Tap to summarizeI had to do a brain dump, because the man who has been threatening me online involved my daughter tonight. I’m reporting him to the full extent of the law, but I also want you to know what the last few weeks have been like for me and for my family. I’ve blocked him everywhere, but he sees everything I say and do, and will inevitably see this too. So thank you for everyone who has stood up for me, it means a lot. This isn’t uncommon among journalists, but is seeping into the independent journalism community. And it’s terrifying.Thank you LC - Silence is Complicity, Cash Flow Collective, Jason Gael, Summer Willan, Raya, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.The Panicked Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ellieleonard.substack.com/subscribe
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Reading the Epstein Files - Virginia Giuffre's Testimony Pt. 2
Jun 2701:08:00Tap to summarizeThanks everyone for joining me as we continue to read from the Epstein Files. As Liz Oyer announced on her Substack and YouTube, Todd Blanche was quietly given the “tremendous power” to punish political enemies and reward friends, giving prisoners the option to “buy up” in the federal prison system. We likely saw this with Ghislaine Maxwell’s transfer to Bryan Prison Camp in Texas last August, following her proffer with Blanche.Because Maxwell is likely running the show, and will either be offered a pardon by the Trump Administration, or the opportunity to turn state’s witness if the House and Senate flip in the midterms, I want to focus in on her crimes and make it abundantly clear: Ghislaine Maxwell is a child sex trafficker and abuser.I will continue to read Virginia’s testimony from the 2016 civil case against Maxwell, which lays out the crimes against her and other victims of the Epstein.If you would like to read Virginia’s full deposition, you can do that here.Today’s opportunity to help is the Sexual Violence Center in Minneapolis, MN. If you would like to donate to the Center and help provide victims of sexual violence with vital resources and opportunities, you can do that here.The Panicked Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ellieleonard.substack.com/subscribe
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Reading the Epstein Files - Virginia Giuffre's Testimony Pt. 1
Jun 2501:05:32Tap to summarizeThanks everyone for joining me as we continue to read from the Epstein Files. As Liz Oyer announced on her Substack and YouTube, Todd Blanche was quietly given the “tremendous power” to punish political enemies and reward friends, giving prisoners the option to “buy up” in the federal prison system. We likely saw this with Ghislaine Maxwell’s transfer to Bryan Prison Camp in Texas last August, following her proffer with Blanche.Because Maxwell is likely running the show, and will either be offered a pardon by the Trump Administration, or the opportunity to turn state’s witness if the House and Senate flip in the midterms, I want to focus in on her crimes and make it abundantly clear: Ghislaine Maxwell is a child sex trafficker and abuser.I will continue to read Virginia’s testimony from the 2016 civil case against Maxwell, which lays out the crimes against her and other victims of the Epstein. If you would like to read Virginia’s full deposition, you can do that here.Today we also focused on Virginia’s foundation SOAR, where sexual assault survivors and supporters can find valuable resources or ways to help.Thank you Amy Gabrielle, ITS Never Happening…, Jill B., Shyanne 🕷️🩷, Richard Bertoldo, and many others for tuning into my live video with Blue Amp Media! Join me for my next live video in the app.The Panicked Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ellieleonard.substack.com/subscribe
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It Was Never One Man: Inside the Epstein Protection Machine
Jun 2401:11:46Tap to summarizeThank you Lev Parnas, LeftieProf, PJ Schuster, Stuart Cohen, 🇨🇦 Natalie Woodn’t 🇨🇦, and many others for tuning into my live video with Cliff Schecter! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ellieleonard.substack.com/subscribe
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Amy Hoggart and Ellie Leonard talk politics, Epstein, and conservative secrets
Jun 2401:02:29Tap to summarizeSo grateful for this long-awaited conversation with Amy Hoggart, who braved the UK heat to chat about Epstein and navigating the political world of family and friends on all ends of the spectrum. Thank you LeftieProf, Noble Blend, ✨onehellofahell✨, Stuart Cohen, Ms. H, and many others for tuning into my live video with Amy Hoggart! Join me for my next live video in the app.The Panicked Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ellieleonard.substack.com/subscribe
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The Epstein Cohort? Tech Oligarchs, Elite Networks & The New WIRED Revelations w/ Ellie Leonard
Jun 2200:47:50Tap to summarizeA big thank you to THE LEFT HOOK with Wajahat Ali for going out of town so I can hang out with Danielle Moodie and talk about bad billionaires. I will be abusing the privilege!Thank you Lisa Gonzalez, LeftieProf, Christina Reamy, Rick Leach PMHNP-BC, PJ Schuster, and many others for tuning into my live video with Danielle Moodie! Join me for my next live video in the app.The Panicked Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ellieleonard.substack.com/subscribe
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Reading the Epstein Files - Sarah Kellen's Deposition Pt. 4
Jun 2001:12:18Tap to summarizePart 4 of Sarah Kellen’s deposition on May 21, 2026. Sarah was one of four assistants listed as a “co-conspirator” and given immunity in Epstein’s 2008 “Sweetheart Deal.” This week’s donation QR code goes to the Trump/Epstein Reading Room, which is currently housed in Washington DC. Your donations help more people to see the files, and allow the Reading Room to be in more places. If you would like to donate to the reading room, you can do that here.If you want to read Sarah Kellen’s whole deposition, you can do that here.Thank you Dana DuBois, Kim G, Donna Dupont, Matuga, Deborah J., and many others for tuning into my live video with Blue Amp Media! Join me for my next live video in the app.The Panicked Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ellieleonard.substack.com/subscribe
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The First Lady Deportation Scanfal: What did Melania Trump know and when did she know it?
Jun 1800:53:33Tap to summarizeWe probably could’ve used a couple hours on this one, plus a list of other topics, but there is always time for a part 2, 3, 4, 5….Happy Thursday!!!Thank you Dana DuBois, Cat: Poli-Psych, Lyudmila and Daniel, Cheech Previti, Caro Henry, and many others for tuning into my live video with Zev Shalev and Lev Parnas! Join me for my next live video in the app.The Panicked Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ellieleonard.substack.com/subscribe
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France' Fight Against Epstein's Network, Ellie's Fight w/ Todd Blanche
Jun 1800:54:07Tap to summarizeCarly P Reilly of Read Receipts On and I go over the incredible Epstein modeling network still going strong in France, despite evidence to show culpability from people like Daniel Siad, who was interviewed by CNN this week.We also go over how easy it is to come up with concrete examples (in tidy categories) of Epstein Transparency Act violations, and the complicity of the Trump administration.Thank you LeftieProf, Debbie Fraker, Noble Blend, Skutt Hope, Cher, and many others for tuning into my live video with Carly P Reilly! Join me for my next live video in the app.The Panicked Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ellieleonard.substack.com/subscribe
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Reading the Epstein Files - Sarah Kellen's Deposition Pt. 3
Jun 1801:15:08Tap to summarizeThanks for joining me for Part 3 of Sarah Kellen’s closed-door deposition from 5/21/26. If you would like to read the full deposition, you can do so here.I included the QR code for Virginia Giuffre’s foundation SOAR (Speak Out Act Reclaim), which provides sexual assault survivors with a safe space and resources. If you would like to learn more, please visit their website.Thank you Stephanie Munoz, Jackie Resists, Richard, Jill B., Patricia Wren, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.The Panicked Writer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ellieleonard.substack.com/subscribe
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