Los Angeles is burning, and the impact is personal.  We delve into the current status of the devastating fires, discuss the factors that made them so catastrophic, and explore what they mean for the city's future.

Linked Resources/How to Help:
California Wildfires: Palisades and Eaton Fires (AP)
L.A. Wildfires: Help and Resources List (KCRW)
Mental Health Support for Fire Victims (LAist)
How to Help L.A. Fire Victims (LAist)
Wildfire Awareness Post on Instagram (PBS SoCal)

Linked Sources Referenced:
Palisades Fire Wednesday Live Updates (KTLA)
Wildfire Destroys Historic Home, Structures at Southern California State Parks (KTLA)
Southern California Wildfire History (LAist)
California Fires: Possible Causes (AP)
California Fires: Victims and Aftermath (NYT)
Weather Factors in L.A.’s Fires (LA Times)
L.A. Fire Live Updates (LA Times)
Santa Ana Winds and Wildfires (NPR)
Federal Aid Amid Fires (LA Times)
Maps and Visuals of L.A. Wildfires (CNN)
Why L.A. Struggled With Modern Fires (NPR)
History of Wildfires in Los Angeles (Wildfire LA)
Fire Spike in L.A. (NBC Los Angeles)
Bunny Museum Rebuild After Fire (LA Times)
Power Lines and Fire Causes (LA Times)

👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:
Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)
Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

We conclude the tragic story of Elizabeth Short's 1947 murder with former LAPD homicide detective and New York Times bestselling author Steve Hodel. We delve into the moment Steve began to suspect his own father, Dr. George Hodel, was a central figure in the murder of Elizabeth Short, and subsequently the evidence he uncovered to substantiate that George was Elizabeth’s murderer. Throughout Steve's investigation, he reveals a complex web of connections linking Dr. Hodel to the art world, the disturbing crime scene, and widespread corruption within the LAPD.  You can see the works of art referenced in this episode by clicking on the linked titles below. NOTE: Viewer Discretion Advised - These links contain graphic and upsetting material related to the Black Dahlia case.
The Lovers by Man Ray
Minotaur by Man Ray
Q - Quarrel by Man Ray
It's Midnight Dr. _____ by William Copley

Steve Hodel is a New York Times bestselling author. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he spent twenty-four years with the LAPD, where, as a homicide detective, he worked on more than three hundred murder cases and achieved one of the highest “solve rates” on the force. His first book, Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder, was a NYT bestseller and was nominated for an MWA Edgar Award in the Best Fact category. Steve’s investigations and nine books, now spanning two decades, have been featured on NBC Dateline, CBS 48 Hours, Court TV, and Bill Kurtis Cold Case Files, CNN Anderson Cooper, and Discovery Channel. In 2019, Steve appeared on The Today Show, as well as Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz, where he and other family members discussed the making of the hit podcast Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia Murder. This podcast was the companion piece and true story to the Patty Jenkins/Chris Pine fictionalized six-part miniseries I Am the Night (2009). Steve was not consulted, nor did he participate in the fictional version, but he did provide extensive interviews in the Root of Evil podcast. In 2022, Steve moved to Birch Bay, Washington State, and now resides there.

To read more about Steve’s work, visit his website at stevehodel.com/ and explore his collection of published books at stevehodel.com/books/.

Follow us for episode photos and more at:
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod
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👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod
🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com
✉️ Email:  [email protected]

👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:
Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)
Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Join us for an audio tour of Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles’ most haunted locations and infamous crime scenes with James T. Bartlett, journalist and author of Gourmet Ghosts Volumes 1 & 2. From the lingering spirit of Marilyn Monroe to the poetic capture of a murderer, this journey will give you a new perspective on these iconic locations. 

To read more about James’ work and order Gourmet Ghosts (there are many more locations we could not cover in the episode!), visit his website at gourmetghosts.com and follow him on Instagram at instagram.com/gourmetghosts/.

A quick list of the locations we cover:
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
Roosevelt Hotel
Barclay Hotel
Biltmore Hotel
Holland Hotel
The Suicide Triangle (Cecil Hotel, Haywood Hotel, Rosslyn Hotel)

Follow us for episode photos and more at:
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod
🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcitypod
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🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@darkcitypod
🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com
✉️ Email:  [email protected] 

👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:
Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)
Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

We continue the tragic story of the murder of Elizabeth Short in 1947, famously known as the Black Dahlia, with the most compelling theories surrounding her killer's identity. 

*Note: Since the troubled teen industry came up at the beginning of the episode, we wanted to take the opportunity to share a few links on how you can help stop the abuses in this system:  stopinstitutionalchildabuse.com and unsilenced.org.  It's a cause we are passionate about and we will continue to bring awareness and advocate for change wherever we can!

Follow us for episode photos and more at:
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod
🪡 Threads: https://www.threads.net/@darkcitypod
👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod
🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com
✉️ Email:  [email protected]

📚 In a world of viral history clips and quick hot takes, we do right by the many historians, journalists, and researchers who made this episode possible by citing their work.  Our key references for this episode are below.  For a full list of sources, visit us at www.darkcitypodcast.com.

Eatwell, Piu. Black Dahlia, Red Rose: The Crime, Corruption, and Cover-Up of America's Greatest Unsolved Murder. Liveright. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2017

Hodel, Steve. Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder: The True Story. Arcade. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2012

Hodel, Steve. Black Dahlia Avenger II: Presenting the Follow-Up Investigation and Further Evidence Linking Dr. George Hill Hodel to Los Angeles' s Black Dahlia and other 1940s Lone Woman Murders. Thoughtprint Press. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2014
https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/the-black-dahlia

👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:
Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)
Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

In the shadowy landscape of 1940s Los Angeles, one murder would captivate and horrify a nation. Elizabeth Short—forever immortalized as the Black Dahlia—represents more than just a gruesome crime. She was a young woman whose tragic end became a dark legend, a mystery that has haunted investigators and true crime enthusiasts for generations. We’re peeling back the layers of sensationalism and diving deep into the forensic details, cultural context, and shocking evidence that might finally answer the question: Who killed Elizabeth Short?

Follow us for episode photos and more at:
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod
🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcitypod
👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@darkcitypod
🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com
✉️ Email:  [email protected]

📚 In a world of viral history clips and quick hot takes, we do right by the many historians, journalists, and researchers who made this episode possible by citing their work.  Our key references for this episode are below.  For a full list of sources, visit us at www.darkcitypodcast.com. 

Eatwell, Piu. Black Dahlia, Red Rose: The Crime, Corruption, and Cover-Up of America's Greatest Unsolved Murder. Liveright. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2017

Hodel, Steve. Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder: The True Story. Arcade. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2012

Hodel, Steve. Black Dahlia Avenger II: Presenting the Follow-Up Investigation and Further Evidence Linking Dr. George Hill Hodel to Los Angeles' s Black Dahlia and other 1940s Lone Woman Murders. Thoughtprint Press. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2014

https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/the-black-dahlia

👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:
Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)
Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

With a remarkable range of witnesses—police, firefighters, religious leaders, and neighbors—reporting impossible events, this might be one of the most convincing cases of poltergeist activity.  We are breaking from our current season on Los Angeles and taking a trip to 1974 Bridgeport, Connecticut to tell the story of the Goodin family haunting on Lindley Street.

Follow us for episode photos and more at:
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod
🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcitypod
👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@darkcitypod
🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com
✉️ Email:  [email protected]

📚 In a world of viral history clips and quick hot takes, we do right by the many historians, journalists, and researchers who made this episode possible by citing their work.  Our key references for this episode are below.  For a full list of sources, visit us at www.darkcitypodcast.com.  We hope you will check them out!

Hall, William J. The World's Most Haunted House: The True Story of the Bridgeport Poltergeist on Lindley Street. Publisher: The Career Press. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2014.

The Day. (October 30, 1995). Supt Walsh - Lindley was a Hoax. Newspapers.com. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-day-supt-walsh-lindley-was-a-hoax/157626236/

Romano, A. (2023, October 31). From Amityville to Annabelle, the Warrens on film are a lie: The onscreen version of exorcists Ed and Lorraine Warren is a far cry from their real-life counterparts. Vox. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://www.vox.com/culture/23939024/ed-lorraine-warren-cases-hoax-real-conjuring-amityville

Urquhart, A, & Kelley, A. (Hosts). (2024, October 17). The Amityville Horror conspiracy (No. 610) [Audio podcast episode]. In Morbid. Wondery. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-amityville-horror-conspiracy/id1379959217?i=1000671835155

Urquhart, A, & Kelley, A. (Hosts). (2024,October 10). The Snedeker haunting: A haunting in Connecticut (No. 608) [Audio podcast episode]. In Morbid. Wondery. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-snedeker-haunting-a-haunting-in-connecticut/id1379959217?i=1000671001222

👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:
Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)
Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

This week, we’re back aboard the Queen Mary, diving into firsthand accounts of its paranormal activity with Nicole Strickland, author of Haunted Queen of the Seas: The Living Legend of the RMS Queen Mary. From her first visit, Nicole was captivated by the ship’s blend of rich history and paranormal intrigue. Despite its wartime tragedies and mysterious incidents, you may be pleasantly surprised—these spirits are more sociable and curious than menacing, adding depth to the Queen Mary’s vibrant and storied reputation.

To learn more about Nicole Stickland’s work, check out her website at www.nicoledstrickland.com and follow her on social media at facebook.com/authornicolestrickland and instagram.com/authornicolestrickland/.

Thank you so much for tuning in!  We would be so grateful if you could leave us a rating and share the show with friends and family who might enjoy it.

Follow us for episode photos and more at:
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod
🪡 Threads: https://www.threads.net/@darkcitypod
👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod
🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com
✉️ Email:  [email protected]

📚 In a world of viral history clips and quick hot takes, we do right by the many historians, journalists, and researchers who made this episode possible by citing their work.  Our key reference for this episode is:

Strickland, N. (2024). Haunted queen of the seas: The living legend of the RMS Queen Mary (4th ed.). KayliMax Books.
https://nicoledstrickland.com/haunted-queen-of-the-seas

👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:
Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)
Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Whittier, California is a charming city with an intriguing blend of Quaker roots and a haunting past.  Join us as Jacob Caputo, founder of Haunted Whittier Ghost Tours, uncovers the city's dark history through documented hauntings, disturbing true crimes, and the eerie legends of Turnbull Canyon. From its humble beginnings to its connection with the most sinister serial killer you have probably never heard of, Whittier's hidden history will surprise you.

This episode offers just a sample of Jacob's extensive collection of local stories. To experience more, book a tour at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whittierghostsandlegendstour and follow him on instagram @hauntedwhittiertours.

Follow us for episode photos and more at:
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod
🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcitypod
👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod
🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com
✉️ Email:  [email protected] 

👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:
Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)
Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

What if the very institutions meant to rehabilitate and guide are the ones causing the most harm? Amidst egregious human rights abuses - mass sterilizations, institutionalized child abuse, violent threats and assaults on its critics - Synanon continues to get recognition from community leaders and tax dollars throughout most of the 1970s.  What’s more shocking than that?  Its many abusive practices are still very much alive today in the in the troubled teen industry.

But there are actions you can take to help change that.  Visit stopinstitutionalchildabuse.com and unsilenced.org for resources and how you can help.

Follow us for episode photos and more at:
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod
🪡 Threads: https://www.threads.net/@darkcitypod
👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod
🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com
✉️ Email:  [email protected]

Our top sources for this episode include:
-Katherine, Kubler (Director/Executive Producer). (2024). The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping. https://www.netflix.com/title/81579761
-The Sunshine Place (2022). [Audio podcast]. Executive Produced by Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, and Emily Barclay Ford for Team Downey, together with Josh McLaughlin for Wink Pictures. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/all.
-Janzen, R. (2001). The Rise and Fall of Synanon: A California Utopia. Johns Hopkins University Press.
-That’s So Fcked Up (2024, April 17). TRENDING TOPIC: Synanon- Drug Rehab Turned Dangerous Cult [Audio podcast episode]. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-so-fcked-up/id1508752329?i=1000652758034  

👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:
Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)
Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

How does a group once celebrated for its success treating heroin addicts become a violent cult?  Founded in 1958 by Charles "Chuck" Diederich, Synanon initially presented itself as an innovative and promising program for those struggling with addiction. However, beneath its acclaimed exterior lay a deeply flawed foundation. Despite praise from the media and endorsements from prominent figures - including one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century - Synanon was always rotten at the core. You’ll be shocked by the methods Synanon used to treat drug addiction, all while enjoying public recognition.

Follow us for episode photos and more at:
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod
🪡 Threads: https://www.threads.net/@darkcitypod
👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod
🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com
✉️ Email:  [email protected]

Our top sources for this episode include:
-Katherine, Kubler (Director/Executive Producer). (2024). The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping. https://www.netflix.com/title/81579761
-The Sunshine Place (2022). [Audio podcast]. Executive Produced by Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, and Emily Barclay Ford for Team Downey, together with Josh McLaughlin for Wink Pictures. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/all.
-Janzen, R. (2001). The Rise and Fall of Synanon: A California Utopia. Johns Hopkins University Press.
-That’s So Fcked Up (2024, April 17). TRENDING TOPIC: Synanon- Drug Rehab Turned Dangerous Cult [Audio podcast episode]. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-so-fcked-up/id1508752329?i=1000652758034  

👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:
Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)
Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)