Ignorance Was Bliss

If life is all a game... who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys? *Are* there good/bad guys?I still don't have an answer, but I'm joined by Phil Rood (Brokebot Mountain podcast) in an effort to figure it out. Tipper Gore's 1980s and the Satanic influences within them were not the enemy. Maybe.Shoutout: Paul from VarmintsDisclaimer: IsabellePromos: Sometimes Geek and The Rise of King AsilasSponsors: Sudio (code IWB for 15% off) and Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)Merch: bit.ly/iwbpodcastmerch

Two girls go missing in the middle of the night. That's a pretty horrible sentence, all by itself... but there is a simple way to make it worse: their mother was at fault. Allison Mann and Michael Brodkorb joined me to talk about their new book, "The Girls Are Gone," and we find some deep and very dark rabbit holes in the process.Disclaimer: My dadPromos: Rolling Misadventures and Forgotten NewsSponsors: Sudio Sweden (code IWB for 15% off) and Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)Merch: Teepublic -- bit.ly/iwbpodcastmerch

Once upon a time, I was on the cutting edge of online technology. I used BBSes, before the Internet was a thing.Now? I'm too old for this.So I asked Derek (from the Sometimes Geek and Rolling Misadventures podcasts) to help me sort out some of the bigger crimes and dangers lurking on the web today. And we remembered something very important: people suck.Disclaimer: Cambo, from True Crime IslandPromos: Voice of the Victim and Sac 'Em Up SundaysSponsors: Sudio Sweden (https://goo.gl/TPqhU7 with code IWB for 15% off) and BathByBex.com (code CBDkate for 15% off)Merch: bit.ly/iwbpodcastmerch

What did you want to be when you grew up? Or... maybe, more accurately, what DO you want to be... someday??I had a chat with author Trish Heinrich about her process of figuring out what she wanted to do, and how she wanted to do it. She's pretty great.Disclaimer: Shamus, from Chewed Gum and Crime in MoviesPromos: Dark Poutine and Hoosier HomicideMerch: bit.ly/iwbpodcastmerchSponsors: BathByBex.com (code CBDkate for 15% off) and Sudio (code IWB for 15% off)

I'm sure that my extra-high level of disdain directed toward killer nurses has nothing to do with my extensive medical history, with literally months at a time in the hospital, vulnerable and totally dependent on the benevolence of nurses. Nothing to do with it. Right.Sarah from the Good Nightmare podcast joins me to chat about another awful, awful nurse -- this one from right here in Boston -- and our general ick toward her. STOP AND LISTEN TO HER EPISODE FIRST!! That's background; this is the afterparty.Disclaimer: Martinis and the MacabrePromos: Minds of Madness and Michael Marshall (voice actor)Sponsor: Bath by Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)Merch: Teepublic -- bit.ly/iwbpodcastmerch

I've covered anxiety a few times already. I really, really wish that was enough... but it's not. Because there are too many stories, and perspectives, and experiences. So we keep talking, because sometimes it's all we can do.This time, I'm joined by Gerald, from the AnxZenity podcast, who talks about a next-level sort of anxiety: panic disorder. It's hard and scary and his story is important. Listen.Disclaimer: Tyler, from Minds of MadnessPromos: Eye for an Eye and Western Standard TimeSponsor: Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)Merch: Teepublic

We've talked about substance abuse (specifically alcoholism) and sobriety more than once, here, and we're about to do so again. Kind of. But this time, there's an added element: my 18-year-old, who has yet to indulge in illegal substances to excess -- as far as I know -- and has not yet come remotely near addiction.As any good teenager does, she has lots of opinions and thoughts on the matter... some of which are actually pretty insightful, while others are happily clueless. And her compassion is well beyond her years.So, while you enjoy a Thanksgiving break, or just another Thursday, here's what I'm thankful for: all of you, for listening and putting up with me... my family and friends... and these brave, strong, beautiful women (Kim, Karla, Danielle and Emily).Disclaimer: Red, from Conversations with Paycheck and RedPromos: That Daily Ghost and American Slacker PodcastMerch: Teepublic -- bit.ly/iwbpodcastmerchSponsor: Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)

There are a lot of ways you could approach things like, say, being a podcaster... being a professor... being an author... being human... But, at the heart of it, basically, you need to give a damn.Mark Vincent, an author and lecturer at the University of East Anglia, talked with me about all of the above... and then some.Disclaimer: Kate, from Kids on BikesPromos: Evidence Locker and Of Myth and MercyMerch: Teepublic -- https://www.teepublic.com/stores/ignorance-was-bliss?ref_id=7266Patreon: patreon.com/iwbpodcast

Talk of rape, and rapists, and safety, and the horrific, unknown backlog of rape kits yet to be processed... it's not funny or light, but it's really important and so please listen. Rhonda, from Spaz on Wine and Spaz on Health, joined me to talk it through. Disclaimer: Michael MarshallPromos: Life After Linc and Martinis and the MacabreSponsor: Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/ignorance-was-bliss?ref_id=7266

When our babies are sick, we are terrified and alone and sad. We look to their caregivers to keep them safe. Most of the time, that's an excellent idea. But sometimes...Bethan and Mark, from the Seeing Red podcast, walked me through the case of Beverley Allitt, a horrible terrible no good very bad person.Disclaimer: Paul, from the Varmints podcastPromos: People Are Wild and Best ForeversSponsor: Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)Merch: Teepublic -- https://www.teepublic.com/stores/ignorance-was-bliss?ref_id=7266

There are certain professions that are uniquely qualified to provide flashbulb moments: absolute best days, and absolute worst ones.Some professions are exceptionally demanding and require regular judgment calls.Some stay with you long after you have theoretically retired.Law enforcement fits all of these. Steven David Lampley (https://stevenlampley.com) shared some of his perspectives with me. The best and the worst.Disclaimer: Chris, of Play Comics podcastPromos: Based on a True Crime and Occultae VeritatisSponsor: Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/ignorance-was-bliss?ref_id=7266

Are you part of my screwed-up tribe? Here's a quick test: If you knew you had a family connection to a serial killer, would you be thrilled or appalled?If you answered "thrilled," we are tribe. We can be terrible people together.Listen in when I talk to Red (of the Conversations with Paycheck and Red podcast) about his particular family connection, the story of a truly awful serial killer, books (especially this one: https://www.amazon.com/Final-Truth-Autobiography-Serial-Killer/dp/0963242202), and so on.Disclaimer: Justin, from ObscuraShoutouts: INFAMINDS, Lustmordia, Curiosity Kills, Nature vs NarcissismPromos: Small Town Mentality and Whispered True StoriesSponsor: Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/ignorance-was-bliss?ref_id=7266 

The whole podcasting thing is still a process of planning, researching, recording, editing, publishing... just like it was back at episode 23. But in the last 43 episodes (for me), Justin (of Obscura fame) and I have each had time to find our voices, and use them. Better, I hope. You be the judge.Disclaimer: AdriennePromos: Brew Crime and Meddling KidsSponsor: Bath By Bex (15% off with code CBDkate)

How do you know the difference between a good guy and a bad guy? Are there even such things are good guys or bad guys... or good or bad?I settled in for a long chat with a woman who has had ample opportunity to think about both, and she was willing to take sides. This is Dani, and she has a job with a guy you just might have heard of. Listen in as she defends her friend and coworker, some dude named Mike. Disclaimer: Lee from Murder was the CasePromos: Mens Rea and We're All Mad HereSponsor: Bath By Bex (15% off with code CBDkate)

When people hear that I live in Salem, they immediately think of Halloween. And most of them don't seem to understand why that sits a little uneasy with me.I'm joined by one of my favorite storytellers ever, Mike Brown of the Pleasing Terrors podcast, who can help me make sense of why... Disclaimer: MAUL podcastPromos: Nighttime and Play ComicsSponsor: Bath By Bex (15% off with code CBDkate)

When you're severely depressed (or dealing with certain forms of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or PTSD), life gets bleak. You can feel desperate for something, anything to change it. But shock treatments?? Actually... Yeah. Rachel (from We're All Mad Here) (eek!) joined me to talk about the history of ECT treatment and the prevailing wisdom today. Disclaimer: Nicki T from Strictly Homicide Promos: We Too and The Casual Birder  

Pain. Anxiety. Sciatica. Psoriasis. Panic.Crappy things happen inside our bodies, and sometimes Western medicines aren't the answer. They don't work, or they're too hard to get, or you just don't want them.Now what?I was joined by my sponsor, Bex from Bath By Bex, who talks about why she got into the CBD business. She makes some compelling points.Disclaimer: Mo from TargetedPromos: Things That Keep Me Up At Night and HoaxSponsor (!!!): Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off at checkout)

What is it like to live in a body that has fundamentally betrayed you? Whether by acute illness or long-term crud, some people just break. How does that feel? How can you help?And do the people inside those bodies still matter? Because, too often, they don't feel like they do.Huge thanks to Natalie from Some Kind of Brown for being vulnerable and courageous. Go to her podcast to hear her story.Disclaimer: Derek, from Sometimes Geek and Rolling MisadventuresPromos: Selling Out and Big ConversationsSponsor: Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)

STOP. Before you listen to this episode, go over to We Too podcast and listen to episode 3 (Dryer). That tells the backstory of what you're about to hear... which is the bigger, and smaller, picture of why even brief interactions can build into a whole new podcast.And if you just refuse to listen to instructions, then go listen to it after, because it's kind of a big deal.Thank you so much to @tragedythyme, Sara, for having the courage to share her story, even when it felt insignificant, then even when it blew up. And to Karla, for having the courage to start a podcast with me.Disclaimer: Sarah, from Good NightmarePromos: MAUL and Seeing RedSponsor: Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)

Change is hard. Podcasting when you're sick is also hard. Lucky for me, I've got Bonnie, from Writing About Crime, to talk me through it.Disclaimer: Dark DividePromos: That's Weird and Tuesdays With MariSponsor: Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off)