Lindsay Clancy killed her three young children. But was she a calculating murderer—or a mother experiencing a catastrophic psychiatric break? Dana and GenXJacky examine the medication timeline, warning signs, mental-health treatment, Patrick Clancy's role, social-media misinformation, and the hardest question of all: what does justice look like in a case like this?

Postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis are not interchangeable. Postpartum psychosis can involve a significant loss of contact with reality and is considered a psychiatric emergency. Someone experiencing hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, severe confusion or other symptoms suggesting psychosis needs immediate professional evaluation.

A note about medication: This episode discusses several psychiatric medications in the context of the Lindsay Clancy case. Individual responses to medication vary considerably. Nothing discussed in this episode should be interpreted as medical advice or as a reason to begin, discontinue or change a psychiatric medication without consulting an appropriate medical provider.

If you believe you or someone else is experiencing postpartum psychosis or there is an immediate danger to a parent, baby or another person, seek emergency medical care immediately. NIMH specifically characterizes postpartum psychosis as a psychiatric emergency requiring hospitalization.

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Resources for Listeners

If this episode raised concerns about your own mental health—or the mental health of someone you love—help is available. Postpartum depression, anxiety and other perinatal mental-health conditions are treatable. Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency and can involve delusions, hallucinations, mania, paranoia and confusion.

• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline — 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) Free, confidential support for pregnant and postpartum people and their partners/family members, available 24/7. Counselors can provide emotional support and connect callers with local services and providers. National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
• Postpartum Support International (PSI) PSI provides information, support groups, provider directories and resources for postpartum depression, anxiety, psychosis and other perinatal mental-health concerns. The Massachusetts PSI warm line is 866-472-1897; Massachusetts also lists PSI among its recommended postpartum resources. Massachusetts Perinatal Mental Health Resources & PSI Support
• National Institute of Mental Health — Perinatal Depression & Postpartum Psychosis A particularly good educational resource for listeners who came away from the episode wondering about the difference between postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, warning signs, risk factors and treatment. NIMH: Perinatal Depression and Postpartum Psychosis
• Massachusetts Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder Resources Since the Clancy case occurred in Massachusetts, this is a nice case-specific addition. The state provides resources covering postpartum depression, anxiety, bipolar-spectrum disorders, OCD, PTSD and postpartum psychosis, as well as information for partners and families. Massachusetts PMAD Resources for Families

Who was the real Jodi Arias? Host Dana Vespoli and therapist Gen X Jacky explore the complicated relationship between Jodi Arias and Travis Alexander through the lenses of psychology, attachment, identity, religion, sexuality, rejection, and deception. From Jodi's "chameleon" qualities and conflicting stories to disputed psychological testimony and allegations of abuse, Dana and Jacky ask what we can actually know about the woman behind one of America's most notorious murder cases—and where psychological explanation ends and personal responsibility begins.

Resources & Further Reading

For listeners who want to explore some of the issues raised in this episode:

National Domestic Violence Hotline — Information about relationship abuse, warning signs, safety planning, and confidential support. The Hotline offers phone, text, and live-chat assistance. National Domestic Violence Hotline

U.S. Department of Justice — Office on Violence Against Women — Resources for victims and survivors, including links to national hotlines and local service providers. DOJ Resources for Victims and Survivors

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Free, confidential crisis support in the United States by calling or texting 988, with chat support also available online. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Important note: Our discussion of psychological diagnoses and personality traits is intended for education and commentary. We distinguish between diagnoses presented by experts in connection with the case and our own discussion of behaviors or possible psychological explanations. A diagnosis alone does not explain or predict violent behavior.

Content warning: This episode discusses homicide, graphic violence, stalking, sexual content, alleged domestic violence, childhood abuse, animal abuse, and mental health.

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What could drive two seemingly ordinary teenagers to brutally murder someone they knew—and why did they appear to treat it like the making of a horror movie?

In this episode of Secret Passage, Dana and Jacky examine one of the most disturbing adolescent murder cases in recent history: the killing of Cassie Jo Stoddart by classmates Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik.

Together, they go beyond the headlines to explore the psychology behind the crime, discussing adolescent brain development, identity formation, peer influence, fantasy versus reality, violent ideation, and the warning signs that may have preceded the attack. Jacky also explains why psychology cannot predict violence with certainty, why most teenagers fascinated by horror or true crime never become violent, and what research tells us about the rare pathways that can lead to extreme acts.

The conversation expands beyond the Stoddart case to compare Columbine and other high-profile acts of teen violence, exploring questions about copycat behavior, the search for notoriety, adolescent development, punishment versus rehabilitation, and what families, schools, and communities can learn from these tragedies.

Rather than sensationalizing the crime, Secret Passage asks the more difficult question:

How does someone become capable of doing something unthinkable—and what can we learn from it?

In this episode, we discuss:

• The murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart
• Brian Draper & Torey Adamcik
• Adolescent brain development
• Fantasy vs. reality
• Violent ideation and identity formation
• Peer influence and co-offending
• Columbine comparisons
• Warning signs in adolescent violence
• Nature vs. nurture
• Mental illness and violence: separating fact from fiction
• What parents and educators should know

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Resources & Links:

• Katie's Law - AB 1575 - California legislation for student rights during disciplinary hearings
• The Psychological Impact of School Violence
• Systemic Failures in Youth Justice
• School Violence and Prevention Resources
• The Blair Witch Effect in Media and Youth Behavior

Skylar Neese and the Complexities of Juvenile Justice: A Deep Dive into a Tragic Case

Join us as we explore the disturbing case of Skylar Neese, a 16-year-old girl whose murder by her friends Sheila Eddy and Rachel Shoaf shocked a community and ignited debates on juvenile culpability and sentencing. We discuss the social, psychological, and legal factors intertwined in this case, highlighting the roles of social media, peer influence, and mental health.

In this episode:

• The detailed recounting of Skylar Neese's murder and the teenagers involved
• How social media amplified tensions and contributed to the crime
• The psychological profiles of the offenders and the concept of Folie à Deux
• Legal proceedings, sentencing, and the debate over juvenile life sentences
• The potential for remorse, rehabilitation, and the importance of considering individual backgrounds
• Broader implications on juvenile justice and moral accountability

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the Skylar Neese case and its significance 02:13 - The circumstances leading up to the murder 04:11 - Skylar's background and social media presence 05:55 - The friendship dynamics and betrayal among the teens 09:28 - The planning and execution of the murder 15:45 - Discovery of Skylar's body and police investigation 19:11 - The suspects' stories and inconsistencies in their accounts 22:28 - Interrogations, confessions, and plea deals 24:15 - Sentencing details for Sheila Eddy and Rachel Shoaf 27:33 - Psychological perspectives: brain development, remorse, and psychopathy 32:40 - The influence of social media and peer pressure 36:25 - Folie à Deux and the psychological link between the offenders 39:32 - The dehumanization process during the crime 44:10 - The role of social media in escalating adolescent anger and rage 48:24 - The absence of remorse and its implications 51:33 - Justice, redemption, and the potential for change—should juveniles be afforded parole? 55:42 - The science of juvenile brain development and its impact on sentencing 60:37 - A personal reflection on youth, influence, and moral growth 66:41 - The importance of background, trauma, and environment in criminal behavior 70:13 - Rehabilitative opportunities and the future of juvenile offenders 73:42 - Wrapping up and teasing upcoming topics on juvenile justice and sentencing debates

Resources & Links:

• Folie à Deux - Mental Health Resource
• Juvenile Justice Reform - The Supreme Court Decision (2012)
• Skylar Neese's Twitter Profile (archived)
• Related Articles on Juvenile Sentencing: The Juvenile Sentencing Debate

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In this episode of the Secret Passage Podcast we unpack the Mackenzie Shirilla case. We examine the 2022 crash in Strongsville, Ohio, where 17-year-old Mackenzie drove 100 mph into a brick wall, killing her boyfriend Dominic and friend Davion. We explore her influencer ambitions, reckless lifestyle, and the bigger cultural issues of social media narcissism, substance use, and permissive parenting. It's a raw discussion on teen vulnerability, accountability, and how this tragedy reflects deeper problems in modern youth culture.

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

Episode Art: AJ

In Part 2 of our deep dive into the Toolbox Killers, we follow Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris from their unlikely prison friendship to the shocking trial. Prosecutor Stephen Kay presents devastating evidence—including the customized Murder Mac van, torture tools, victim Polaroids, and the horrifying 17-minute audio recording of Lynette Ledford's final moments—while Bittaker sits in court with chilling arrogance. We explore the killers' contrasting personalities, the fragile "bromance" that fueled their crimes, and criminologist Laura Brand's disturbing interviews with Bittaker on death row. Along the way, we wrestle with bigger questions: Was Bittaker destined to kill? Can someone like him be rehabilitated? And how do we balance compassion, accountability, and justice in the face of pure evil?

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

Episode Art: AJ

In the summer of 1979, sunny Southern California hid a nightmare. This week we dive into the disturbing story of the Toolbox Killers, Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris, who turned a customized "Murder Mac" van into a mobile chamber of horror. We discuss the abduction of 16-year-old Cindy Schaefer near Redondo Beach, setting the stage for a meticulously planned spree of rape, torture, and murder targeting teenage girls along the Pacific Coast Highway. Against the backdrop of roller skates, disco music, and California dreams, the killers' sadistic partnership reveals chilling contrasts between everyday life and pure evil.

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

Episode Art: AJ

In this episode, we dive into the heartbreaking murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand in Paradise, Texas. On November 30, 2022, Athena was playing outside her home when she was abducted by Tanner Horner, a delivery driver dropping off a package. What followed was a horrific ordeal captured in part by audio from inside the truck, revealing a young girl who fought bravely for her life before being killed. Initially reported as a possible accident, the full details of the abduction, assault, and murder shocked the community and the nation. We discuss the evidence presented during the trial, Athena's final moments, the family's unimaginable loss, and the ongoing sentencing phase as the jury decides between life in prison and the death penalty. Join us as we share our thoughts on this devastating case and the questions it raises about trust, safety, and justice.

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

Episode Art: AJ

In this episode we unpack the disturbing case of Haley Beck, a 27-year-old teacher at Centennial High School in Peoria, Arizona, who groomed and sexually abused a star football player. We examine how her behavior blurred lines in the classroom and the troubling silence from the parents, teachers, coaches, and students who witnessed it. Ultimately, we confront the clear abuse of power and trust, exploring why a teacher would do something like this.

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

Episode Art: AJ

In Part 2 of our series on JFK Jr. and the Kennedys, we unpack the tragic July 16, 1999 plane crash that claimed the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr., Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and her sister Lauren Bessette. We explore the reckless decisions behind the preventable disaster—including flying at night over water without a flight plan, with an injured foot and medication in his system. We push back on the unfair blame heaped on Carolyn, examining the impossible standards she faced as America's prince's wife, while highlighting the deeper generational trauma and family machine that protected the Kennedy name at all costs. This episode explores how privilege and inherited wounds can impact innocent lives.

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Instagram: @secretpassagepodcast

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If you like our work and want to support us on Patreon: patreon.com/SecretPassagePodcast

Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver