Forensic Friday

Sometimes, a true crime case hits too close to home because the warning signs are textbook. Today, we return to the tragedy of Mica Miller in light of the new documentary Death of the Pastor’s Wife. We discuss how coercive control operates in christian circles, why our initial instincts on this case were spot on, and how severe psychological entrapment can warp reali...

In this mini-episode, we deep-dive into the Christian Power and Control Wheel. We discuss how religious dynamics uniquely distort accountability, why victims in faith-based communities face distinct barriers to leaving, and how to spot the red flags when spiritual language is used to excuse abuse. Let’s talk about identifying the difference between a healthy faith framework a...

What happens when a child lacks the hardware for empathy? Today, we break down the case of Paris Bennett—a teenager whose calculated murder of his little sister shocked the nation. We explore how psychopathy presents early, why high intelligence can make a young predator even more dangerous, and the common defensive reactions psychopaths exhibit when diagnosed. We also spotli...

Yet another trip gone wrong up a mountain! And did the life insurance situation recently change? Of course it did! But this one gets extra twisty, so buckle up. This week we're talking about David Van Der Meer, the not-so-accidental death of his wife on a hike in Zion, and the two decades of grooming, church-hopping, and abuse he got away with until someone used nasa data to ...

What does it actually mean to be an ethical true crime fan? It means moving past morbid curiosity and putting our support behind the infrastructure that keeps people alive. This week, we are stepping away from our regular case breakdown to address a critical local crisis: Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley is in dire need of support to keep its doors open. We discuss the...