Mr. Apology

Podcast Summary

• Insurance savings and Entertainment Platforms: Progressive saves new customers an average of $744, offers 7 discounts, while Prime supports Latin culture and entertainment through PopSugar Juntos. A personal story about a chance encounter and Apologies platform were also discussed.

  Progressive offers significant savings on auto insurance, with an average of $744 saved by new customers, and an average of 7 discounts available. Meanwhile, Prime supports cultural platforms like PopSugar Juntos, providing access to Latin culture, entertainment, and shopping. Elsewhere in the discussion, we heard a personal story about a couple's chance encounter in the late 70s, where a man's use of an answering machine played a role in their connection. Apologies, a platform for confessing wrongdoings, was also mentioned. Overall, the conversation touched on various topics, including savings, entertainment, and personal stories.

• An experiment allowing anonymous apologies brought relief and closure: Anonymous apologies can provide a sense of relief and closure for both the apologizer and the recipient, enabling personal growth and healing.

  The power of connection and apology was explored through an anonymous phone line experiment in the late 1970s and early 1980s. A man named Allen set up a phone line where people could call and apologize for their past misdeeds, without fear of identification or repercussions. This simple act of allowing people to express their regrets privately resonated deeply with many, providing a sense of relief and closure. Allen himself had a criminal past, having shoplifted throughout his art school and college years. As a form of penance, he created a sculpture called "Crime Time," which simulated the experience of committing a crime and getting caught. Callers ranged from a former mailman apologizing for throwing away people's mail to a man expressing remorse for attacking someone while playing with a dog. This experiment demonstrated the importance of acknowledging past mistakes and the potential for personal growth and healing through the act of apologizing.

• The Apology Line was a constant presence in Alan's life: The Apology Line served as a public platform for seeking forgiveness and redemption, highlighting the importance of communication and human connection.

  The apology line in Alan's loft was an integral part of his life, constantly present and accessible, as opposed to a private and isolated tool. The machine was situated in both the living room and Alan's bedroom, with a louvered door allowing him to attend to it anytime, day or night. The constant influx of calls ranged from minor to major, some even threatening Alan's safety. Marissa, Alan's partner, occasionally called the line to reach out to him and assert her presence in his life. The apology line served as a public platform for individuals to seek forgiveness and redemption, showcasing the human need for connection and apology. It was a testament to the power of communication and the potential for healing and growth.

• Confessions of Burdened Consciences: People may feel compelled to confess past actions, providing relief but also requiring careful consideration for appropriate actions, such as seeking forgiveness, coming clean, or reporting crimes.

  People, for various reasons, carry the weight of their past actions, whether they're morally questionable or illegal, and often feel compelled to confess. A woman shared her guilt over shoplifting, while another man confessed to accidentally causing his brother's death decades ago. These confessions, though burdensome, provided some form of relief. However, not all secrets can be shared, as one caller admitted to committing robberies against gay men he picked up. When faced with such confessions, it's essential to determine the appropriate course of action, whether it's seeking forgiveness, coming clean to loved ones, or reporting the crime to the authorities. Meanwhile, unrelated topics included the speaker's allergies and an advertisement for Progressive Insurance.

• Anonymous apologies foster self-reflection and community connection: Alan's Apology Line, an early hotline for anonymous apologies, provided a safe space for self-reflection and fostered a sense of community connection through sharing select apologies with all callers.

  Alan's Apology Line, an early telephone hotline for people to leave anonymous apologies, became a pioneering virtual community due to Alan's innovative approach. He provided a safe, non-judgmental space for people to open up, leading to profound self-reflections. However, Alan struggled with the balance between maintaining trust within the community and cooperating with law enforcement. He eventually found a way to share select apologies with all callers, fostering a sense of connection and interaction within the community. This early form of virtual communication paved the way for modern online communities.

• Serial killer's confessions on apology line: An apology line intended for helping people connect became a platform for a serial killer's confessions, causing controversy and obsession for its creators.

  Alan's apology line, which started as a way to help people apologize and connect, became a platform for a serial killer named Ritchie to confess his crimes. Alan became deeply involved in trying to stop Ritchie or catch him, leading to long hours of conversations and eventual obsession. The line caused significant problems for Alan and Marissa, as well as for the callers, who were divided between those who were fascinated by Ritchie and those who found his confessions disturbing. Despite their efforts, they were unable to gather enough evidence to prove Ritchie's guilt, and he eventually stopped calling. The experience changed the nature of the apology line and added a dark and unexpected twist to Alan's project.

• Anonymous caller's apology line reveals feelings and experiences: Leaving anonymous messages on apology lines can help individuals express emotions, let go of past relationships, and find solace in shared experiences.

  The apology line was a form of self-expression and release for an anonymous caller named Gladys, who spent excessive time and energy on relationships and felt lost in her life at the age of 30. She used the apology line as a way to reveal her feelings and experiences, even if it meant remaining anonymous. The caller, who was an introvert and felt embarrassed about her middle name and interests, found solace in the apology line community and the shared experiences of others. The act of leaving messages allowed her to let go of past relationships and move forward, encouraging others in similar situations to be patient with themselves and focus on self-discovery. The apology line served as an evolution from her previous form of self-expression through graffiti in ladies' rooms.

• A safe space for honest regrets and seeking understanding: The Apology Line provided an anonymous platform for individuals to express their deepest regrets and find potential closure, with callers coming from diverse backgrounds and facing various personal challenges.

  The Apology Line provided a safe and anonymous space for people to express their deepest regrets and seek understanding, allowing them to be more honest with themselves and potentially find closure. Callers, like the teenager who helped Alan explore the online potential of the Apology Line, came from diverse backgrounds and faced various personal challenges. They found solace in this unique forum, where they could speak freely about topics they might not have felt comfortable discussing elsewhere. For some, like Ricky, the line offered a way to explore and come to terms with their sexuality. The Apology Line served as a valuable tool for self-reflection and growth, allowing individuals to confront their guilt and move forward in their lives.

• Embracing Sexuality: A Journey of Self-Acceptance: Despite the challenges, embracing your sexuality and seeking support from others can lead to self-acceptance and fulfilling relationships.

  Coming to terms with one's sexuality can be a challenging and isolating experience, but it's important to remember that you're not alone. The caller, Ricky, felt alone and unable to talk about his feelings, but hearing from others who had gone through similar experiences helped him feel better about himself. He started attending meetings and clubs to meet like-minded individuals, and eventually worked up the courage to go on a date. The apology line, which received over 100 calls a day by 1995, showed that many people were going through the same thing. However, the story takes a tragic turn when Alan, the host of the radio show, goes missing, leaving his wife worried and confused. Despite the challenges, it's essential to keep moving forward, accept your feelings, and seek support from others.

• A community formed around Alan's apology line, bringing people together after his death: The intimacy of a phone line allowed people to confess, seek forgiveness, and form deep connections, inspiring a strong community that continues to exist today.

  Alan's apology line brought people together in a unique and meaningful way. Although Alan's death was a difficult time for those close to him, it also highlighted the impact his creation had on people's lives. The community formed around the line was so strong that a service was held at Strawberry Fields in Central Park for the callers to pay their respects. Many attendees had never met Alan in person but felt a deep connection to him through the apology line. One such person was Ricky, who came out as gay and started a new life thanks to the line's influence. The intimacy of the phone line, which allowed people to confess and seek forgiveness, is something that may not be replicable in today's digital age. Alan's legacy continues to inspire and bring people together, showcasing the power of art and communication in creating community.

• Exploring Humanity Through Criminal Podcast: Alan, the creator, finds joy in listener interactions, offering an apology line for anonymous expressions, and is part of Vox Media Podcast Network with sponsor Progressive Insurance.

  Alan, the creator of the Criminal podcast, found joy and fulfillment in the endless stream of calls from listeners, viewing each interaction as a unique experience. He saw the podcast as an open door to humanity, never growing tired of the new stories and perspectives shared daily. Additionally, the podcast offers an apology line for listeners to express their wrongdoings and feelings, with all statements being broadcasted anonymously. The Criminal podcast team includes various producers, mixers, illustrators, and is part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Listeners can support the show by becoming members of Criminal Plus and enjoy ad-free listening and bonus episodes. Progressive Insurance is a sponsor of the show, encouraging listeners to consider switching for potential savings.