Bound by the Cloak

In this episode, we explore the unique experience of growing up in a motel as a family business, where the line between home and work blurs in the most fascinating ways. Our guest, Foram Mehta, reflects on her childhood spent amidst the hustle and bustle of transient guests, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of motel life. She shares stories of the diverse travelers who passed through, the lessons learned from her parents about entrepreneurship and resilience, and how this unconventional upbringing shaped her identity.

Foram is a storyteller, freelance journalist, editor, and content developer.

Crime, scandal and intrigue in Beverly Hills. From high-profile heists to shocking murders, we uncover the hidden, dark side of 90210, some of which has long been forgotten. We sat down with renowned entertainment journalist and author Scott Huver to explore the dark underbelly of one of America's most glamorous zip codes — Beverly Hills. Scott takes us behind the glitz and into the gripping stories that inspired his upcoming book, Beverly Hills Noir: Crime, Sin, & Scandal in 90210. From infamous scandals to shocking crimes, Scott unveils the secrets of the rich and famous that Hollywood would rather keep hidden. We delve into the real-life drama that rivals even the most salacious on-screen plotlines, revealing the shadows lurking in the heart of Beverly Hills.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with James Donaldson, former NBA star and mental health advocate, to discuss his deeply personal journey through the highs of professional basketball and the lows of battling severe depression and suicidal ideation. James opens up about the mental health crisis that nearly ended his life, sharing the pivotal moments that pulled him back from the brink.

Now, through his work with the Your Gift of Life Foundation, James is dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health, particularly among men and communities of color. He provides vital resources and support for those struggling, proving that there's always hope on the other side of despair.

This episode is not just about James' story, but a candid conversation that sheds light on the often unseen side of mental health struggles and serves as a reminder that it's okay not to be okay. Whether you're a sports fan, someone battling your own mental health challenges, or simply looking for inspiration, join us as we break the silence on mental health with James Donaldson.

In this gripping episode, we sit down with Ashley Randele, daughter of Thomas Randele, to uncover the incredible story of her father's secret life. For decades, Thomas Randele lived a seemingly ordinary life as a loving husband and father, until the shocking revelation that he had been living under an alias, hiding a past no one could have imagined.

Ashley takes us through her journey of discovery, grappling with the truth about her father's hidden identity, and the emotional impact it had on her family. Tune in to hear a deeply personal account of deception, family ties, and the search for understanding in the wake of an astonishing revelation.

Ashley is a classically trained singer and philosopher from Lynnfield, Massachusetts who enjoys theater and all things Christmas. She created her podcast, My Fugitive Dad, when her dad's 2021 bombshell changed her life. You can follow her on Instagram @theashleyrandele.

Nestled in the Nevada desert, the Republic of Molossia is a self-proclaimed sovereign nation with its own traditions, customs, and even a currency! Join us as we explore what it takes to create and govern a micronation, the quirks and challenges of running a country within a country, and the whimsical yet thought-provoking philosophy behind Molossia.

In this episode, we venture into the fascinating world of micronations with a very special guest, Kevin Baugh, the President of Molossia. He shares the stories, the humor, and the serious undertones that come with being a leader of one of the world's most intriguing micronations.

With renowned investigative journalist Gus Garcia-Roberts we explore the deep-seated corruption that plagued Long Island's law enforcement, detailed in his book, "Jimmy the King: Murder, Vice, and the Reign of a Dirty Cop." Gus takes us behind the scenes of one of the most shocking tales of police corruption in recent history, centering on James Burke, a former police chief whose career was steeped in scandal, crime, and abuse of power. From secret deals with criminals to the internal failings of the police force, this episode uncovers the dark truths that lie beneath the surface of law enforcement.

Gus Garcia-Roberts is a sports-focused investigative reporter for The Washington Post. He's worked on investigative teams for Newsday, the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He was a member of the Newsday team that was a finalist for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for its series on hidden police misconduct on the eastern end of Long Island. He is the co-author of "Blood Sport: A-Rod and the Quest to End Baseball's Steroid Era" and author of "Jimmy the King: Murder, Vice, and the Rise of a Dirty Cop," published May 2022.

In this episode we hit the open road with Salena Lettera, a trailblazing truck driver who's been navigating the highways and byways of the trucking industry for years. Salena shares her unique journey, what inspired her to get behind the wheel, the evolving landscape of trucking, the importance of community and support within the industry, and her insights on what it takes to succeed in this demanding profession.

Salena is a long distance truck driver who travels across the United States as part of an owner-operator team with her husband, Ed. She is also the author of The Daily Rant, the longest running daily blog in the world written by a female truck driver. In addition to her daily blog, she has written articles for Highway Health Magazine, Long Haul Magazine, and the Guardian UK daily newspaper. She loves travel, photography, cooking, napping, ice cold air-conditioning, and occasional snorkeling.

On a seemingly ordinary night in October of 1943, the tranquility of a small Texas town was shattered by a brutal crime that left two survivors in its wake and a community in shock. Christena Stephens details the murder of Roy and Mae Hunt in her book, Bound in Silence: An Unsolved Murder in a Small Texas Town. Despite extensive investigations, the case remains unsolved to this day, shrouded in silence and unanswered questions.

Christena Stephens is a native Texan growing up amongst cotton fields and spending time exploring the nature of the Llano Estacado. After earning two Master of Science degrees, she started a project to preserve a historical Texas ranch, thus began her interest in history, research, and writing. She did not intend to be a historian but was mentored by the best Texas historians. Several of her writings have been published in anthologies, along with her photographs. In science and history, truths need to be accurately told. That is her mission-truth and authenticity. She still resides on the Llano Estacado enjoying sunsets and chance porcupine encounters. She is an ardent advocate of wildlife conservation and her heart belongs to her dogs.

Investigative journalist Susan Zalkind unravels the chilling details behind the notorious triple homicide that occurred in September of 2011 in her hometown of Waltham, Massachusetts. This quiet town was overshadowed by an unthinkable crime, but captivates us is Susan Zalkind's uncanny ability to unveil the intricate threads weaving together the murder and its unsettling connections to the Boston Marathon bombing in April of 2013.

In this episode, we explore alongside Susan as she delves into the pages of her book, The Waltham Murders, recounting her relentless pursuit of truth amidst the shadows of a small community torn apart by violence. With gripping storytelling and meticulous research, Susan sheds light on the complexities of the case, offering insights that challenge assumptions and uncover dark secrets buried for years.

Susan Zalkind is a journalist, New Englander, author of The Waltham Murders and producer of The Murders Before The Marathon docuseries. Her work has also appeared in This American Life, the Guardian, CityLab, VICE, the Daily Beast, The Irish Times, and Boston magazine. She likes to swim in the ocean.

We sit down with acclaimed filmmaker Josh Zeman to delve into the shadowy world of true crime and unsolved mysteries.

Known for his work on groundbreaking documentaries like "Cropsey," "Murder Mountain," Killer Legends," The Sons of Sam" and "The Killing Season," Zeman shares behind-the-scenes stories and insights from his career. We discuss the chilling cases that have captivated audiences, the ethical dilemmas of true crime storytelling, and the impact of his work on both the public and law enforcement.

Zeman reveals what drives his relentless pursuit of the truth and how he balances the thrill of discovery with the weight of responsibility.

You can catch Josh's work streaming on Netflix, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and more.

Josh's latest film "Checkpoint Zoo" is premiering at The Tribeca Film Festival this week!