S4 Episode 5: Truth Will Out

At just 17 years old, Jeff Deskovic's life took an unexpected turn when he found himself wrongfully convicted of the rape and murder of his classmate. Despite maintaining his innocence, he spent over 16 years behind bars, enduring the unimaginable hardships of prison life. We spoke to Jeff and uncovered the shocking details of his wrongful conviction and the injustices he faced along the way. 

But Jeff's story doesn't end with his wrongful conviction. Against all odds, he eventually secured his freedom and became a powerful advocate for criminal justice reform. Through his foundation, The Deskovic Foundation, Jeff works tirelessly to prevent wrongful convictions and provide support to exonerees.

Dr. West's journey is more than just a story of scientific achievement, but it's a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and the unwavering belief in the potential of one's dreams. Through her groundbreaking work, Dr. West shattered barriers, challenged conventions, and inspired countless individuals to achieve their dreams.

As we celebrate Black History Month and honor the trailblazers who shaped our world, we explore the remarkable life and groundbreaking achievements of Dr. Gladys West, a trailblazing mathematician whose contributions paved the way for modern GPS technology. We spoke to Dr. West’s daughter, Carolyn Oglesby, who continues to educate the public about her mother’s contributions to society. 

Dr. West's journey is more than just a story of scientific achievement, but it's a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and the unwavering belief in the potential of one's dreams. Through her groundbreaking work, Dr. West shattered barriers, challenged conventions, and inspired countless individuals to achieve their dreams.

Against the backdrop of ongoing debates surrounding police accountability, racial justice, and community trust, it’s more important than ever to address the uncomfortable truths surrounding police brutality, shining a spotlight on the systemic issues that continue to perpetuate violence and injustice within our communities.

We sat down with David Couper, a seasoned veteran of law enforcement who shared his personal experiences, professional insights, and his profound commitment to fostering positive change. David served over 20 years as the chief of police in Madison, Wisconsin, four years as chief of police in Burnsville, Minnesota. Prior to that, he was a police officer in Edina and Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota and Edgewood College in Madison. After retiring from the police department, became ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church.

Not many know about the Mad Bomber and his trail of terror across New York City in the 1940’s and 50’s. The uncertainty and fear that gripped the city had New Yorkers bracing themselves for the possibility of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Many are also unaware of Dr. James A. Brussel, the father of modern criminal profiling and his role in assisting the authorities in catching the Mad Bomber.

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the author and journalist Michael Cannell and his exploration of the notorious Mad Bomber. Michael unravels this twisted and sinister narrative, examining the mind of a criminal who terrorized New York City for years. He also shares the pivotal role played by Dr. Brussel, who revolutionized criminal investigations and is known to be the father of criminal profiling.

Michael is the author of four non-fiction books, including Incendiary: The Psychiatrist, the Mad Bomber and the Invention of Criminal Profiling. Michael has worked as an editor for The New York Times. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated and many other publications. 

Join us as we step behind the scenes of one of the most infamous social experiments in history - the Stanford Prison Experiment. We spoke with Rich Yacco, who recounted his experiences as a "prisoner" in the simulated prison environment, shedding light on the blurred lines between authority, abuse, and conformity. 

In this episode we provide a glimpse into the mind of someone who lived through the Stanford Prison Experiment, unraveling its complexities and leaving us with a deeper understanding of human behavior, the consequences of power dynamics, and the enduring legacy of this groundbreaking study, 52 years later.

In this eye-opening episode, we spoke with historian Donald Yacovone to unravel the layers of history taught in American schools. In a candid and thought-provoking conversation, Donald takes us on a journey through time, exposing the untold stories, overlooked perspectives, and hidden chapters that have shaped our nation. 

Donald Yacovone is an Associate at Harvard University’s Hutchins Center for African and African American Research. His ninth book, Teaching White Supremacy: America's Democratic Ordeal and the Forging of Our National Identity, just came out in paperback through Vintage Books. The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross, co-written with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., won the 2014 NAACP Image Award and he received the W.E.B. Du Bois medal, Harvard’s highest honor in African American studies. He earned a Ph.D. at the Claremont Graduate University, helped edit the Black Abolitionist Papers, and has written widely on abolitionism, gender, African Americans and the Civil War, and American cultural history.

Where are you in the sibling order - first,  middle, last? Regardless of the order, everyone's been curious about the profound impact birth order has on who we are and who we become.  After all, in the grand saga of family, every sibling plays a crucial role.

In this episode, we go beyond the conventional wisdom, delving into groundbreaking research that explores why birth order captures the collective imagination and how it weaves an intricate narrative into the fabric of our personalities. We sat down with psychologists, Brent Roberts and Rodica Damian, who have conducted a groundbreaking study to unravel the mystery behind birth order and its profound impact on shaping who we are. 

Join us as we navigate the corridors of family dynamics, psychological influences, and the universal quest to understand what makes us uniquely ourselves. 

Description: Recently, big banks like Chase, HSBC and Capital One have started to pull back from safe deposit box services and aren’t offering them for new customers. So, where should you store your valuables? 

Dave McGuinn has been keeping banks and the valuables that reside within them safe for over 50 years. He is the industry expert when it comes to bank vault and safe deposit security. In this episode, Dave gave us the key to understanding safe deposit services, why banks are trying to eliminate them and some of the most interesting things people have stored in the safe deposit boxes.

Having faced the harrowing experience of losing a loved one to homicide, Dr. Jan Canty opens up about her personal journey of survival, healing, and transformation. Through her inspiring narrative, she offers profound insights into the human spirit's ability to overcome even the darkest of moments.

We spoke with Jan, discussing the challenges she faced, the support that sustained her, and the remarkable ways in which she has channeled her grief into positive change. Jan’s story is one of resilience, redemption, and unwavering strength in the face of the unthinkable. Jan reminds us that, even in the face of life's darkest trials, there is hope, healing, and the potential for a brighter tomorrow.

It's time for our annual Halloween special, and this year we had a chance to hang out with Robery Gonyo of Haunted Manhattan!

Haunted Manhattan has been providing NYC with it's own brand of haunted history for over 10 years. NYC is a unique place around Halloween and many embark on one of the city's many haunted walking tours. Robert told us all about the beginnings of Haunted Manhattan, how it's different from other haunted walking tour companies and what it's like to actually take a tour. Also, we get to hear a couple of ghost stories!

There are also audio clips from the Greenwich Village tour that our team went on this season! Our tour guide was "Professor Clerval"

Of course Haunted Manhattan has tours around Halloween, but they also have tours year round!

For more info check out their website https://hauntedmanhattan.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60763-d7602091-Reviews-Haunted_Manhattan-New_York_City_New_York.html 

Book a tour today!