You Can’t Make This Up

Welcome to You Can't Make This Up, a companion podcast for Netflix's original true crime stories. In each episode, we take a close-up look at a true-crime narrative, documentary, or series, and our host Rebecca Lavoie talks to the people who made them. We dive deep into the backstories and get answers to questions raised by what we just watched.

This week, we’ll be discussing the documentary “Nail Bomber: Manhunt” with the film’s executive producer, Colin Barr.

"Nail Bomber: Manhunt," tells the story of a far-right extremist who, in 1999, detonated three bombs across London in hopes of instigating a race war. Through exclusive interviews with investigators, undercover informants, local leaders, and survivors, the film recounts how the city was terrorized for 13 days and ultimately how the community and police captured and brought the bomber to justice.

This episode contains spoilers. Please make sure to watch the entire film and then, listen on. 

This episode contains *spoilers* so make sure to watch the entire series of "The Sons of Sam" on Netflix before listening on.

When the “Son of Sam,” David Berkowitz was caught in the summer of 1977 after a string of shooting attacks in New York City, the world believed the nightmare was over, but for journalist Maury Terry, the real mystery was just beginning. Terry was convinced that Berkowitz had not acted alone. He spent decades attempting to prove that the web of darkness behind the murders went deeper than anyone imagined.

In this episode, our host Rebecca Lavoie is joined by Joshua Zeman, the director and executive producer of the docu-series "The Sons of Sam." 

This episode contains spoilers so make sure to watch all of the film "Why Did You Kill Me?" on Netflix before listening on.

After her daughter’s murder, a mother uses the social networking site MySpace to find the people she believes are responsible. She creates a fake profile that leads to unexpected intimacy with the suspects, a key break in the case, and a dark revenge plot. The documentary film "Why Did You Kill Me?" offers a gripping look at the effects of loss and the relationship between revenge, forgiveness, and the criminal justice system. Join host and journalist, Rebecca Lavoie as she speaks with the film’s director and producer, Fredrick Munk.

Stay tuned for our next episode on “The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness.” You Can’t Make This Up is a production of Netflix.

On today’s show, we’re taking a break from our usual format to premiere a new original Netflix podcast: “Searching for The Sons of Sam.”

From Tenderfoot TV and true crime director Joshua Zeman comes a 5-part audio documentary about Zeman’s relationship with the late journalist Maury Terry. Terry spent 40 years of his life trying to prove that convicted Son of Sam serial killer David Berkowitz had not acted alone. Terry’s book, “The Ultimate Evil,” lays out his case that the Son of Sam murders were carried out by multiple members of a satanic cult.

After Terry’s death, Zeman inherited all of his case files. “Searching for The Sons of Sam” is the companion podcast to Zeman’s Netflix docu-series, “The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness,” which retraces Maury Terry’s investigation into who was really behind one of America’s most notorious serial killings.

It's our pleasure to present to you the world premiere of the podcast: Searching for the Sons of Sam - Episode 1: The Ultimate Evil. 

In 1990, two men dressed as cops conned their way into a Boston museum and stole a fortune in art. The stolen works are estimated to be worth over half a billion dollars today and there’s a 10 million dollar reward for whoever finds it. “This is A Robbery: The World’s Greatest Art Heist” goes deep into the leads, dead ends, lucky breaks, and speculations surrounding this notorious crime that remains unsolved over 30 years later.

Join host Rebecca Lavoie as she speaks with Colin Barnicle, the series director, and executive producer. A note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire series and then, listen on.

You Can’t Make This Up is a production of Netflix. Our music is by Hansdale Hsu and our producer is Shana Daloria.

You’ve probably heard a lot about the 2019 college admission scandal, but you haven’t heard everything. Operation Varsity Blues goes beyond the celebrity-driven headlines with real conversations from FBI wiretaps. The film offers a rare glimpse of the man at the center of the scandal,  Rick Singer, and the methods he used to help his wealthy clients cheat a system already designed to benefit the privileged.

Our host Rebecca Lavoie is joined by two guests in this episode, Jon Karmen (the film’s editor, writer, and producer) and Chris Smith (the film’s director and producer).

This episode contains spoilers so make sure to watch the entire series before you listen on.

A note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire series and then, listen on. 

In Salt Lake City in 1985, a trio of pipe bombings killed two people. The murders sent shockwaves through the Mormon Church when a trove of historically controversial Latter-Day Saints letters was found destroyed in the vehicle of the third victim, a renowned collector of rare documents. As he fights for his life, investigators raced to uncover the truth. “Murder Among the Mormons” is the first comprehensive look at one of the most horrifying crimes to have ever taken place among the LDS community and the criminal mastermind behind it all. 

For nearly a century, the Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles has been linked to some of the city’s most notorious activity — from untimely deaths to housing serial killers. In 2013, college student Elisa Lam vanished while staying as a guest at the hotel. Her disappearance ignited a media frenzy that mobilized a global community of internet sleuths eager to solve the case.

In this episode, host Rebecca Lavoie speaks with Emmy-winning and Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger to discuss the first season of his new series “Crime Scene: The Vanishing at The Cecil Hotel.”

It was the late 1970s. A serial killer known as the Yorkshire Ripper cast a dark shadow over the lives of women across England. Over a span of five years, thirteen women were dead and the police seemed incapable of catching the murderer. No one felt safe – and every man was a suspect.

The mid-1980s was a period of terror in Southern California. A series of random home invasions, sexual assaults, and brutal murders were happening across the region. Men, women, and children of all races and walks of life were victims. Stranger yet, the horrendous methods of killings fit no particular pattern. Some victims were strangled. Some were shot. Some were beaten to death.

Night Stalker: The Hunt For a Serial Killer is the definitive portrait of one of the most disturbing and unpredictable serial killers in criminal history from the perspective of the two detectives leading the hunt to capture him. On the show this week, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with Tiller Russell, the Night Stalker series director.  

This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire film and then, listen on.

In the early 1980s, the crack epidemic tore through America like a tsunami, ravaging all in its wake. And the destructive effects on people's lives, families, and communities are still deeply felt decades later. “Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy” examines the drug’s devastation, shadowy origins, and the ongoing criminalization of Black and Brown people in U.S. prison and healthcare systems.

Rebecca speaks with director Stanley Nelson. This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire film and then, listen on. 

Happy New Year! We are so ready to jump into 2021 but before we do, we want to take a look back at 2020. It really was a year of 'You Can’t Make This Up' moments, and the true-crime titles and conversations were no different.

Netflix filmmakers and documentarians consistently delivered original content that intrigued and surprised. They forced viewers to take a second look at crimes that we thought we knew all about from news reports and pop culture.

We have much more engaging true crime and criminal justice stories coming your way in 2021. We'll continue to share important conversations with groundbreaking filmmakers who take us around the globe, so stick with us.

In this episode, Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with Trial 4's director Rémy Burkel. This episode contains spoilers so make sure to watch the whole series before listening or reading on.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was not recorded in a studio. We appreciate your understanding of the change in audio quality.

Trial 4 is a timely, sweeping story about criminal justice, police power, and systemic racism in America. It documents the history of Sean Ellis, who faced three trials before he was found guilty of the 1993 murder of Boston police officer John Mulligan. He served 22 years in prison for the killing. It was a crime Sean says he never committed. In 2015, he was released on bail to await a fourth trial that would determine whether he would be proven innocent or sent back to prison for the rest of his life. A judge ruled that Sean was never given a fair trial. Prosecutors withheld information about a corruption scheme involving several detectives who were key players in his conviction.

If you like You Can’t Make This Up, please rate, review, and share this show!

 In 1989, two-year-old Christopher Dansby and 19-month old Shane Walker were abducted from the same Harlem playground within months of each other.  Police and locals were put on high alert, but no trace of the missing toddlers was ever found. Three decades later their families have not given up hope.

"Stolen Kids" is the final episode of Unsolved Mysteries, Volume 2. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with director Jessica Dimmock. Rebecca will also dive into conversation with her husband Kevin Flynn (Crime Writers On...) as they discuss their own reactions to this episode.

Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack, “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.” Go to https://unsolved.com/home/ to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by the series.

Note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding. Stay tuned for our next episode on Trial 4.

On an icy, winter night nearly 10 years ago, police found 55-year-old JoAnn Romain’s abandoned car outside her church in a Michigan suburb. They assumed she drowned in a nearby lake by suicide. But her body was recovered 70 days later in the Detroit River 35 miles away from where police allege she had entered the water. Her family suspects foul play. They have a list of suspects and will not stop until they find the truth about what happened to their mother.

"Lady in the Lake" is the fifth episode of Unsolved Mysteries, Volume 2. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with director Skye Borgman. Rebecca will also dive into conversation with her husband Kevin Flynn (Crime Writers On...) as they discuss their own reactions to this episode.

Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack, “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.” Go to https://unsolved.com/home/ to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by the series.

Note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding. Stay tuned for our final episode on Unsolved Mysteries: Volume 2, "Stolen Kids."

Nearly ten years ago, one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded devastated the northeastern coast of Japan.  It generated a tsunami that at its peak reached 131 feet high. Close to twenty-thousand lives were lost. Twenty-five hundred more remain missing. Then, in one of the worst-hit cities, people began to experience strange phenomena. Taxi drivers spoke of “ghost passengers.”  Some even talked of being possessed by lost spirits. A local Buddhist monk claims the tragedy enabled the people to “see what’s not supposed to be seen.”

"Tsunami Spirits" is the fourth episode of Unsolved Mysteries, Volume 2. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with another familiar voice, director Clay Jeter. Rebecca will also dive into conversation with her husband Kevin Flynn (Crime Writers On...) as they discuss their own reactions to this episode.

Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack, “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.” Go to https://unsolved.com/home/ to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by the series.  

Note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding. Stay tuned for our next episode on Unsolved Mysteries: Volume 2, "Lady in the Lake."

In 1965, repeat sex-offender Lester Eubanks confessed to killing 14-year-old Mary Ellen Deener and was sentenced to death. However, Lester's sentence reverted to life in prison when a 1972 Supreme Court ruling abolished the death penalty. While in prison, he joined a program allowing inmates to leave the grounds. Around a year later, while on a Christmas shopping trip to the mall, Eubanks escaped. He remains a fugitive nearly 50 years later.

"Death Row Fugitive" is the third episode of Unsolved Mysteries, Volume 2. In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with Unsolved Mysteries series executive producer and director of "Death Row Fugitive," Robert Wise. Rebecca will also dive into conversation with her husband Kevin Flynn (Crime Writers On...) as they discuss their own reactions to this episode.

Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack, “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.”

If you have any leads on where Lester Eubanks is, go to https://unsolved.com/home/ to share tips, or to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by the series. Note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding. Stay tuned for our next episode on Unsolved Mysteries: Volume 2, " Tsunami Spirits."

When a woman is found dead in a luxury hotel room in Oslo, Norway, it initially appears to be a suicide until several pieces of evidence begin to suggest otherwise. She has no identification. She registered at the hotel under a false name. There was no blood on her hand or the gun that killed her. No one even reported her missing. Who is this woman? Was she murdered? Could she have been part of a secret intelligence operation? Twenty-five years later all these questions, and more, remain unanswered. "Death in Oslo" is the second episode of Unsolved Mysteries, Volume 2.

 In this episode of You Can't Make This Up, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with Unsolved Mysteries series executive producer and director of "Death in Oslo",  Robert Wise. Rebecca will also dive into conversation with her husband Kevin Flynn (Crime Writers On...) as they discuss their reactions to this episode. 

 Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack, “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.” 

 If you have any leads on what might have happened to the unknown woman in Oslo 25 years ago, go to https://unsolved.com/home/ to share tips, or to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by the series. Note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding.

Stay tuned for our next episode on Unsolved Mysteries: Volume 2, " Death Row Fugitive."

For more than three decades, Unsolved Mysteries engrossed audiences with true tales of missing persons, unsolved murders, and paranormal occurrences - touching on a wide range of stories from UFO sightings to the Kennedy assassinations. Over 260 cold cases have been solved because of tips from viewers of the show. Now, some of the most chilling mysteries are still waiting to be solved in Unsolved Mysteries, Volume 2, now streaming on Netflix. “Washington Insider Murder” is the first episode of Volume 2.

In this episode, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with Unsolved Mysteries series co-creator and executive producer Terry Dunn Meurer, where we get the inside story on reactions, viewer tips, and updates to the first set of cases covered in Volume 1. Later in the episode, we will hear Rebecca's conversation with "Washington Insider Murder" episode director Don Argott about the unexplained death of former White House Aide, John Wheeler. Rebecca will also dive into conversation with her husband Kevin Flynn (Crime Writers On...)  as they discuss their reactions to the "Washington Insider Murder" episode.

Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack: “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.”

If you have any leads on what might have happened to John Wheeler, go to https://unsolved.com/home/ to share tips or to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by the series.

Note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our guests were recorded in their homes and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding. Stay tuned for our next episode on Unsolved Mysteries: Volume 2, " Death in Oslo."

Using raw, firsthand footage, this documentary film explores the tragic disappearance of Shanann Watts and her two young daughters in Frederick, Colorado. It becomes clear that Shanann’s husband wasn’t the man he appeared to be.

In this episode, Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with the film's director, Jenny Popplewell. This episode contains spoilers so make sure to watch the whole series before listening on. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding of the change in audio quality.

Fear City: New York vs The Mafia, chronicles the rise and fall of New York’s most powerful Mafia families from the perspective of the FBI agents and prosecutors who risked their lives to take them down.

In this episode, Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with the director, Sam Hobkinson. This episode contains spoilers so make sure to watch the whole series before listening on. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding of the change in audio quality.

 We tweet, we like, and we share — but what are the consequences of our growing dependence on social media? The documentary-drama, The Social Dilemma, explores the dangerous impacts of social networking by talking to the Silicon Valley insiders who know it best.

In this episode, Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with the film's director, Jeff Orlowski.

This episode contains spoilers so make sure to watch the whole series before listening on. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding of the change in audio quality.

The FBI, Interpol, and entire nations are hunting them down. Millions of dollars have been offered for their capture, yet all but one of these fugitives continue to elude justice. Where are they hiding and who is helping them? The docuseries World's Most Wanted, now streaming on Netflix, profiles five individuals suspected of committing some of the world’s most heinous atrocities.

In this episode, Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with the Executive Producer of the series, Thomas Zribi.

This episode contains spoilers so make sure to watch the whole series before listening on. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding of the change in audio quality.

For over three decades, Unsolved Mysteries engrossed audiences with true tales of missing persons, unsolved murders, and paranormal occurrences - touching on a wide range of stories from UFO sightings to the Kennedy assassinations. Over 260 cold cases were solved because of tips from viewers of the show. Now, the iconic documentary series is on Netflix. “Missing Witness” is the sixth and final episode of volume one of this series. 

 In 2003, Lena Chapin confesses that her mother murdered her missing stepfather, Gary McCullough. At the time, Gary had been missing for four years. Not long before Lena is summoned to testify in court about his disappearance— she mysteriously vanishes. Was she killed by her mother to keep quiet? Lena’s sisters will not stop until they find the truth. In this episode, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with the "Missing Witness" episode executive producer, Robert Wise. Bob’s relationship with the show spans the life of the entire series. In fact, he was the cinematographer for the original Unsolved's  pilot episode. 

 Before the conversation with Bob, Rebecca also has a discussion with her real-life partner-in-crime and husband, Kevin Flynn. Kevin, who you’ve heard on this podcast before, is an Emmy-award winning former TV journalist, true crime author, and co-host of the true-crime podcast ‘Crime Writers On’ with Rebecca. Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack: “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.” 

 If you have any leads on what might have happened to Lena Chapin, go to https://unsolved.com/home/ to share tips or to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by this series.

Note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding.

For over three decades, Unsolved Mysteries engrossed audiences with true tales of missing persons, unsolved murders, and paranormal occurrences - touching on a wide range of stories from UFO sightings to the Kennedy assassinations. Over 260 cold cases were solved because of tips from viewers of the show. Now, the iconic documentary series is on Netflix. 

“Berkshires' UFO” is the fifth episode of this series. Over fifty years ago, townspeople from Berkshire County, Massachusetts were traumatized by encounters with an unexplained flying object. In this episode, they come forward with dramatic testimony about the baffling events that took place on the night of September 1, 1969. 

In this episode, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with the "Berkshires' UFO" episode director Marcus A. Clarke.  Before the conversation with Marcus, Rebecca also has a discussion with her real-life partner-in-crime and husband, Kevin Flynn. Kevin, who you’ve heard on this podcast before, is an Emmy-award winning former TV journalist, true crime author, and co-host of the true-crime podcast ‘Crime Writers On’ with Rebecca. 

Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack: “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.” If you have any leads on what might have happened in Berkshire County on September 1, 1969, go to https://unsolved.com/home/ to share tips or to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by this series. 

 Note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding. Stay tuned for our next episode on Unsolved Mysteries, Episode 6: "Missing Witness."

For over three decades, Unsolved Mysteries engrossed audiences with true tales of missing persons, unsolved murders, and paranormal occurrences - touching on a wide range of stories from UFO sightings to the Kennedy assassinations. Over 260 cold cases were solved because of tips from viewers of the show. Now, the iconic documentary series is on Netflix. “No Ride Home” is the fourth episode of this series. 

Twenty-three-year-old Alonzo Brooks never returned home after attending a party at a farmhouse in rural Kansas. His body was found a month later only 250 feet from the party location, an area that had already been searched by law enforcement multiple times. Over sixteen years later, the manner and cause of his death still remain unknown. It’s rumored that locals know what happened to Alonzo but nobody’s talking. In this episode, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with the "No Ride Home" episode director Marcus A. Clarke. 

Before the conversation with Marcus, Rebecca also has a discussion with her real-life partner-in-crime and husband, Kevin Flynn. Kevin, who you’ve heard on this podcast before, is an Emmy-award winning former TV journalist, true crime author, and co-host of the true-crime podcast ‘Crime Writers On’ with Rebecca. 

Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack: “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.” If you have any leads on what might have happened to Alonzo Brooks go to https://unsolved.com/home/ to share tips or to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by this series. 

Since this interview was taped, there has been a major development in the Brooks case. According to KSNT, the local NBC news affiliate in Topeka, Alonzo’s body was recently exhumed. This development comes only a few weeks after the FBI announced that they are investigating Alonzo’s death as a potential racially-motivated crime, and offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of the individual or individuals that may be responsible for Alonzo’s death. 

Note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding. Stay tuned for our next episode on Unsolved Mysteries, Episode 5: "Berkshires’ UFO."

For over three decades, Unsolved Mysteries engrossed audiences with true tales of missing persons, unsolved murders, and paranormal occurrences - touching on a wide range of stories from UFO sightings to the Kennedy assassinations.

Over 260 cold cases were solved because of tips from viewers of the show. Now, the iconic documentary series is on Netflix. “House of Terror” is the third episode of this series.

Almost ten years ago, the bodies of five members of an aristocratic French family were found buried under the back porch of their home —a house later dubbed by reporters as ‘The House of Terror.’  The victims — a mother and her four children — were each shot to death while they slept in their beds. Almost the entire Dupont de Ligonnès family massacred except for the father, Xavier, who vanished shortly after the killings. Xavier is the primary suspect. His whereabouts remain unknown.

In this episode, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with the "House of Terror" episode director Clay Jeter. Before the conversation with Clay, Rebecca also has a discussion with her real-life partner-in-crime and husband, Kevin Flynn. Kevin, who you’ve heard on this podcast before, is an Emmy-award winning former TV journalist, true crime author, and co-host of the true-crime podcast ‘Crime Writers On’ with Rebecca.

Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack: “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.” If you have any leads on what might have happened to the Dupont de Ligonnès Family go to https://unsolved.com/home/ to share tips or to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by this series.

Note to listeners: This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. We appreciate your understanding.

Stay tuned for our next episode on Unsolved Mysteries, Episode 4: "No Ride Home."

For over three decades, Unsolved Mysteries engrossed audiences with true tales of missing persons, unsolved murders, and paranormal occurrences - touching on a wide range of stories from UFO sightings to the Kennedy assassinations. Over 260 cold cases were solved because of tips from viewers of the show.

Now, the iconic documentary series is on Netflix.

“Thirteen Minutes” is the second episode of this series. It's the story of the abduction, disappearance, and murder of Patrice Endres. The 38-year old hairstylist vanished from her salon in Cumming, Georgia in broad daylight during a 13-minute timeframe. Twenty months later, her body was found in a wooded forest, 6 miles from her salon. In this episode, our host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with the "13 Minutes" episode director Jimmy Goldblum. 

Before the conversation with Jimmy, Rebecca also has a discussion with her real-life partner-in-crime and husband, Kevin Flynn. Kevin, who you’ve heard on this podcast before, is an Emmy-award winning former TV journalist, true crime author, and co-host of the true-crime podcast ‘Crime Writers On’ with Rebecca.

Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack: “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.”

If you have any leads on what might have happened to Patrice Endres go to https://unsolved.com/home/ to share tips or to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by this series.

This episode contains spoilers. So make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, our guest was recorded in his home and not in a studio. Thank you for understanding the change in our normal audio quality. 

Stay tuned for our next episode on Unsolved Mysteries, Episode 3: "House of Terror."

For over three decades, Unsolved Mysteries engrossed audiences with true tales of missing persons, unsolved murders, and paranormal occurrences - touching on a wide range of stories from UFO sightings to the Kennedy assassinations.  

Over 260 cold cases were solved because of tips from viewers of the show.  

In this episode, Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with Terry Dunn Meurer, the series co-creator and executive producer. They break down episode one of the series reboot: “Mystery on the Rooftop” about the unexplained death of Rey Rivera.  

Before the conversation with Terry, our host Rebecca has a discussion with her real-life partner-in-crime and husband, Kevin Flynn. Kevin, who you’ve heard on this podcast before, is an Emmy-award winning former TV journalist, true crime author, and co-host of the true-crime podcast ‘Crime Writers On’ with Rebecca.  

If you have any leads on what might have happened to Rey Rivera go to https://unsolved.com/ to share tips or to learn more about the extensive amount of other mysteries covered by this series.  

Loyal fans of Unsolved Mysteries might remember these words from the late and irreplaceable former host of the show, Robert Stack: “For every mystery, someone somewhere knows the truth. Perhaps that person is someone listening. Perhaps it’s you.”  

This episode contains spoilers so please make sure to watch the entire episode before listening on.  

The show “Unsolved Mysteries” sparked America’s obsession with cold cases and the paranormal from 1987 to 2010. 

For decades, the series captivated audiences with true tales & first-person accounts of inexplicable murders turned to cold cases, missing persons, and chilling encounters with the supernatural. 

It was one of the first shows of its kind to call on viewers for clues to help solve a real-life mystery.

According to the Unsolved website, “Out of more than 1000 cases profiled in 230 episodes, over half the cases featuring wanted fugitives have been solved, most as a result of viewer tips.”

Now, a decade after the last show premiered, the cultural phenomenon is back on Netflix on July 1st!

Subscribe to the podcast ‘You Can't Make This Up’ for access to a special 6-part-mini-season dedicated to every single new episode featured on Unsolved Mysteries.

As Robert Stack, the original Unsolved Mysteries host used to say, "For every mystery, there is someone, somewhere, who knows the truth."

Jeffrey Epstein is a name that has been attached to headlines for years. Billionaire, American financier, convicted sex offender, now a dead man.

Streaming on Netflix, the docuseries Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich focuses on the survivor's perspectives as we hear their painful stories.

The series also examines how Epstein evaded the law with his wealth, powerful connections, and network of co-conspirators. In this episode, Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with director Lisa Bryant and executive producer Joe Berlinger.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this episode was not recorded in a studio. Thank you for understanding the change in audio quality.

Were these six highly televised and dramatic cases defined by headlines, or determined by them? Now streaming on Netflix, the docuseries Trial by Media explores how news coverage and public conversation around high profile crimes have had a lasting impact on United States criminal justice systems and culture.

In this episode, Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On…) speaks with CNN’s Chief Legal Analyst, staff writer for the New Yorker, and Executive Producer of Trial By Media, Jeffrey Toobin.

There will be spoilers so make sure to watch all of the episodes on Netflix before listening here! A note to listeners, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this episode was not recorded in a studio. Thank you for understanding the change in audio quality.

In the final episode of our miniseries about The Innocence Files, host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with Academy-award winning director, Alex Gibney (Going Clear; The Inventor). Alex’s episodes focus on how individual prosecutors can corrupt the whole justice system, examining cases from Philadelphia, Houston, and rural Michigan.

This is the second episode in the miniseries about the Innocence Files. Host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On..) speaks with returning guest Academy-Award nominated director Liz Garbus (Lost Girls). Liz's block of episodes investigates the misuse of eyewitness testimony and how a person can be swayed into pointing to an innocent bystander.

This is the first episode of a mini-series about The Innocence Files, a documentary series about wrongful convictions, made in consultation with the Innocence Project. Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with Academy-award winning director, Roger Ross Williams (God Loves Uganda, Music By Prudence). He directed the first three episodes about bite mark evidence and exonerees Levon Brooks, Kennedy Brewer, and Keith Harward.

After nearly a decade of working for Massachusetts State Drug Testing labs, two chemists were found to have tampered with evidence connected to tens of thousands of cases against people accused of drug trafficking and possession. How To Fix a Drug Scandal, which is now streaming on Netflix, brings to light the investigation behind the corruption and cover-ups of these cases.

In this episode, Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers on…) speaks with Director and Producer Erin Lee Carr about why she chose to tell the stories of chemist’s Sonja Farak and Annie Dookhan, discusses the lives of those affected by the chemist’s choices, and about her own journey to sobriety.

There will be spoilers so watch all of the episodes on Netflix before listening here! A note to listeners, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this episode was not recorded in a studio. Please forgive the change in audio quality.

In 2013, Joe Exotic had two husbands, a dedicated staff of misfits, and over 200 tigers in his private zoo. But Joe also had a rivalry with fellow big cat owner, Carole Baskin. When their feud spun out of control, Joe found himself in a cage of his own. In this episode, host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On…) will be speaking with co-directors Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin. There will be spoilers so make sure you’ve watched all 7 episodes! 

A note to listeners, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this episode was not recorded in studios. So there will be a change in audio quality. 

Kevin Flynn (Crime Writers On..) talks with director Liz Garbus about her film Lost Girls. Based on the book Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery by Robert Kolker. The film follows Mari Gilbert (Amy Ryan) as she searches for her missing daughter Shannan. Meanwhile, the police uncover four more bodies and suspect a serial killer is on the loose. There will be spoilers, so make sure you've watched the whole film before pressing play.

Host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On..) talks with director Brian Knappenberger and journalist Garrett Therolf about “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez”. In this episode, they’ll be talking about the various trials of following Gabriel's death, the responsibilities of the social workers involved, and how a child like Gabriel became the victim of a broken system. There will be discussions of child abuse. Please listen at your own discretion. 

In 1999, Dan Schneider was a small-town pharmacist in Louisiana.  But after his son was killed in a drug-related shooting, he becomes obsessed with getting justice. In the Pharmacist, Dan investigates his son's murder, a local pill mill, and the drug crisis sweeping through his community. Host Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On...) speaks with directors Jenner Furst and Julia Willoughby Nason (Time: The Kalief Browder Story and Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story)

Kevin Flynn and Rebecca Lavoie (Crime Writers On....) interview sports writer Dan Wetzel and filmmaker Geno McDermott about their docuseries, Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez. They'll be talking about Aaron's upbringing, his friendship with criminals like Alexander Bradley, and the murder of Odin Lloyd. This episode will also discuss Aaron's suicide. If you or someone you know needs the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the number is 1-800-273-8255. 

Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer, follows a team of armchair detectives searching for an anonymous cat killer before he can escalate to something worse. Crime Writers On… host Rebecca Lavoie talks with director Mark Lewis about the rise of online sleuths, his choice to show segments of the animal abuse videos, and whether the audience should also be complicit in the crimes of  Luka Magnotta. 

This month, we have a documentary film following Bikram Choudhury, the man who popularized yoga in America. Returning hosts Kevin Flynn and Rebecca Lavoie speak with director Eva Orner and lawyer Micki Jafa-Bodden about the rise and fall of a yoga guru who preyed on the very women who trusted him.

In Steven Soderbergh's new film, "The Laundromat" he explores the world of offshore banking and the international crises caused by the Panama Papers. Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, and journalist Jake Bernstein sit down with Soderbergh to talk tax evasion, casting Meryl Streep and to look at how they took a real-life scandal and adapted it into a feature film. 

The original series "Unbelievable" follows two policewomen (Toni Collette and Merritt Wever) trying to capture a serial rapist, and one girl (Kaitlyn Dever) who may, or may not, be a victim. It just depends on who you believe. For this episode, we have Kate Wells and Lindsey Smith (hosts of the podcast Believed) speaking with writer/director Susannah Grant and Executive Producer Sarah Templeton about how they adapted the true story into a series, and what steps can be taken to take these crimes more seriously (See "An Epidemic of Disbelief" in The Atlantic).

From Where She Stands: The OITNB Podcast is a new show that connects the storylines from Orange Is The New Black with the stories of real women whose lives have been impacted by prison. Hosted by Piper Kerman (author of the book "Orange In The New Black: My Year In A Woman's Prison"), each episode will feature an exclusive interview with a cast member from OITNB and will dive into the real stories from women navigating the prison system in America. Subscribe now so you don't miss an episode.

Remember back in 2016 when Cambridge Analytica admited to "hacking" Facebook? In this episode, Aminatou Sow (Call Your Girlfriend) talks with the directors of The Great Hack, Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer. They get into data rights, persuadable social media and how one company used personal information as a means to a political end. 

One year ago, Netflix released all 13 episodes of The Staircase, a documentary series that follows the trials of Michael Peterson. In this month's episode, we revisit the landmark series. Aaron Lammer (host of the Longform podcast) spoke with director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade to discuss the making of The Staircase and its legacy.