True Crime Obsessed – Episode 476
"True Crime Conversations: Patrick Hinds, Josh Hallmark, and Eric Carter-Landin"
Release Date: December 13, 2025
Podcast Summary by EpisodeSummarizer
Main Theme & Purpose
This special crossover episode gathers three prominent gay true crime podcasters—Patrick Hinds (True Crime Obsessed), Josh Hallmark (True Crime Bullshit, Uncertain, Unsafe Spaces), and Eric Carter-Landin (True Consequences, AdvocacyCon)—for a candid, humorous, and moving conversation. The trio discusses their personal journeys into podcasting, the interplay of advocacy, comedy, and trauma within the genre, the challenges and responsibilities of their platforms, unique aspects of LGBTQ+ representation, and recommended true crime content. The episode doubles as a reflection on community-building and the power of sharing stories—especially for marginalized and victimized voices.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Podcaster Origin Stories
[01:30–04:39]
-
Eric Carter-Landin: Entered true crime after the 1980s murder of his baby brother, Jacob. His podcasting and advocacy work (including founding Angels Voices Silence No More and AdvocacyCon) are dedicated to supporting families of the missing and murdered.
"My brother was murdered 39 years ago, and I’ve been fighting for justice...everything I have done has been in honor of him." – Eric [01:41]
-
Patrick Hinds: Came to podcasting as a theatre enthusiast in the 2010s. True Crime Obsessed emerged after an initial attempt at an NPR-style show; the recapping-and-commentary angle stuck.
"I wanted to make something nerdy…when I went to edit the episode, I was like, wow, this is really different." – Patrick [02:38]
-
Josh Hallmark: Started as a writer traveling the US. Podcasting became an antidote to perfectionism and an avenue for storytelling. He pioneered longform deep-dives (esp. Israel Keyes in True Crime Bullshit) but acknowledges the genre’s commercial pressures.
"As someone who has a very fluid relationship with the term finished…with podcasting, it has to be done." – Josh [03:57]
2. The Stress and Self-Care of True Crime Podcasting
[06:35–08:41]
- Podcasting, especially with advocacy and/or personal trauma, can be emotionally taxing.
- Eric emphasizes the necessity of self-care to counteract the darkness of the subject matter, and frames breaks as essential, not indulgent.
"You have to take time to cleanse your brain from all this dark and heavy stuff." – Eric [07:17]
- Josh and Eric joke about the "gayness" of their self-care philosophies, delighting in their intersectional camaraderie.
3. Comedy, Levity, and Respect in True Crime
[08:24–12:38]
- Patrick reflects on True Crime Obsessed’s positioning: they downplayed the "comedy" label to highlight respectful, authentic reactions versus irreverent jokes.
"Not laughing at true crime or laughing at the content, but just sort of being silly in the way we tell the stories, or at least allowing for silliness…we really decided we needed to take the word comedy out." – Patrick [08:41]
- Humor is seen as a form of catharsis and a tool against burnout, but never at victims’ expense.
- Praise for Wine & Crime podcast’s balancing act—being hilarious and respectful:
"They do such a job of being advocates, being hilarious without ever making the hilarity at the expense of the victims or their families." – Josh [11:46]
4. Ethics, Interviews, and Evolving the Genre
[13:04–15:18]
- Patrick notes the growing trend of mental health support for crime documentary participants.
"We’re starting to see mental health professionals being on set to be available…that is always a major part of the conversation." – Patrick [13:04]
- All three express tension between journalistic detachment and empathy, especially when contacting victims’ families. They affirm the necessity—and difficulty—of navigating these boundaries.
5. Dark Humor & Community
[15:26–16:28]
- Admits that a certain gallows humor is nearly universal among podcasters and even professionals like forensic psychologists.
- Laughter and socializing (sometimes with alcohol) function as survival mechanisms in processing grim stories.
"You have to be able to laugh at some of this stuff, otherwise you'll go fucking crazy." – Josh [15:26]
6. Listener Interactions: The Good, the Bad & the Absurd
[16:39–22:25]
- Positive Side: The podcasters generally love meeting fans, especially in person at events or after shows.
- Negative/Weird Side:
- Eric and Patrick recount stories of unsolicited, graphic DMs.
"Heard about your story …here’s a picture of my dick." – Eric [17:19]
- Patrick highlights the value of critical feedback—when delivered respectfully.
"I'm always open to any feedback, positive or negative, as long as it is respectful, as long as it's meant to be a conversation." – Patrick [19:35]
- Both discuss how long-term listeners can sometimes become the most passionate—and even hostile—critics.
- Eric and Patrick recount stories of unsolicited, graphic DMs.
7. Parasocial Relationships in Podcasting
[22:25–26:18]
- The group discusses the illusion of intimacy created by podcasting, both from listeners toward hosts and vice versa.
- Caution is given to handling boundaries and recognizing these relationships are real but one-sided.
8. Advocacy, Impact & The Case of Jacob Landin
[27:58–36:35]
- Eric shares a detailed, emotional summary of his brother’s case—the official mishandling, statute limitations, and the impact of his podcast in rallying global support ("10 Days of Jacob").
"We created this 10 days of Jacob campaign…from all over the world…It was so much…they turned the case over to the Attorney General." – Eric [32:54]
- Despite setbacks and bureaucratic closure, Eric underscores the healing found in sharing the story and driving systemic change.
9. AdvocacyCon: Support for Families of the Missing & Murdered
[36:02–39:01]
- Eric explains AdvocacyCon: a trauma-informed event to connect families with tools, resources, and community—filling a gap traditional true crime conferences overlook.
"AdvocacyCon really exists to create a place where families can learn from experts…interface with resources…and move their cases forward or at least give them some relief. It’s trauma-informed." – Eric [36:35]
- Patrick will be a speaker at the event, expressing excitement for its mission.
10. Podcast & True Crime Recommendations
[39:01–46:55]
- Josh, Patrick, and Eric trade recent favorite shows:
- Beth’s Dead: Explores dangers of blurred boundaries in podcaster-listener relationships (Josh [24:53]).
- Who Took Misty Copsey? & Talina Czar podcast: Both recommended by Patrick.
- Blink: A man in an "awake coma" suspects his partner tried to murder him (Josh [40:21]).
- Wild Boys: Bizarre case of "feral" teens in Canada (Josh [41:09]).
- Who’s Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey?: Explores deception in true crime advocacy (Josh/Eric [42:02]).
- True Consequences – Zachariah Juwan Shorty episode: Case advocacy for missing Indigenous teens (Eric [42:52]).
- Julie Murray & Sarah Turney’s Maura Murray podcast: Noted for its moving, well-crafted narrative (Patrick [44:26]).
- Curse of America’s Next Top Model: Investigative look at exploitation on a reality TV set (Josh [46:08]).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Podcasting as Advocacy:
"The fact that people are even thinking about Jacob is amazing…he gets to continue…beyond anything that happened to him and become the face of this movement to change things." – Eric [28:31]
-
On Community and Feedback:
"We want to grow and change and evolve as humanity does, as true crime podcasting does. We always want to do better." – Patrick [21:19]
-
On Humor and Healing:
"I think it's all about self care. It's all about self care, right? You have to rest…cleanse your brain from all this dark and heavy stuff that we talk about." – Eric [07:17]
-
On Meeting Listeners:
"It is really my favorite part of this whole thing is meeting people." – Patrick [19:35]
-
On Changing the Industry:
"We're starting to see mental health professionals being on set to be available…to people who participate. And it really is inspiring." – Patrick [13:04]
-
Podcasting as Community-building:
"When you proposed this...that's...community building. I think is everything. So thank you for taking the charge." – Patrick to Josh [06:05]
-
Lighthearted Banter:
"Drunk Eric is really inappropriate. So yeah, like, HR Stay away from me." – Eric [16:28]
"Told while hammered: The Patrick Hines story." – Patrick [46:43]
Important Timestamps
- 01:30 – Podcaster Origin Stories
- 06:35 – Discussing Stress and Self-Care
- 08:41 – Humor & Comedy’s Place in True Crime
- 13:04 – Evolving Ethics in True Crime Media
- 16:39 – Listener Interactions (Funny and Fraught)
- 22:25 – Parasocial Relationships (Boundaries & Blurring)
- 27:58 – Jacob Landin’s Case & Impact of Advocacy
- 36:02 – What is AdvocacyCon?
- 39:01 – Podcast and True Crime Recommendations
- 44:26 – Julie Murray & Sarah Turney’s Maura Murray Podcast
- 46:08 – The Curse of America’s Next Top Model
Tone & Flow
The episode is both heartfelt and light, balancing difficult conversations about trauma and justice with frequent, self-aware humor and warmth. All three podcasters display vulnerability, pride in advocacy, and mutual admiration. The tone is candid—often “very gay” as they joke—compassionate, and gently irreverent.
Takeaway
Whether you’re a true crime fan, an aspiring podcaster, or an advocate for victims and families, this rich conversation offers deep insight into the personal and communal impact of the genre—and why, even in the darkest stories, connection and care matter most.
Recommended for listeners seeking:
- Behind-the-scenes takes on true crime podcasting
- A nuanced discussion of advocacy and ethical storytelling
- LGBTQ+ representation and camaraderie in the true crime space
- Practical podcast recommendations
- A blend of humor and heart in the face of tragedy