The Escape Pod Traumedy

By Escape Pod

A traumedy about the trials and tribulations of people in their journeys of “escape”.
Escape what, you ask? ALL the things!
From trauma, crime, and unhealthy family cycles, to traffic and g

... more

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FAQs about The Escape Pod Traumedy:

How many episodes does The Escape Pod Traumedy have?

The podcast currently has 96 episodes available.

The Escape Pod Traumedy episodes:

August 27, 2025The Stalking of Dave Kroupa– Ep. 83
Imagine meeting someone new, sparks fly, but then your life spirals into a nightmare of endless texts, vandalism, and a murder mystery that sounds straight out of a thriller. This is the chilling true story of Dave Kroupa, a man who found himself at the center of one of the wildest stalking cases of all time.

Highlights Include:
A Love Triangle Turns Deadly: Dave Kroupa’s casual dating life spirals into chaos after meeting Cari Farver—who vanishes just days into their relationship.
Stalked by a Ghost: Dave and his ex Liz Golyar are bombarded with thousands of threatening messages from someone claiming to be Cari… but no one has seen her in years.
A Mother’s Intuition: Cari’s mom, Nancy, refuses to believe her daughter would abandon her son, sparking a deeper investigation.
Detectives with Fresh Eyes: A cold case team reopens the file and uncovers disturbing clues that point to a twisted impersonation.
The Real Stalker Revealed: Liz Golyar, once the victim, is exposed as the mastermind behind the harassment—and possibly Cari’s murder.
Digital Deception & Forensic Breakthroughs: From masked IP addresses to blood hidden under a car seat, the truth finally surfaces.
Justice for Cari: A haunting tale of obsession, manipulation, and the relentless pursuit of answers.

Resources & Links
Netflix, Lover, Stalker, Killer (2024)
The Mysterious Murder of Cari Farver and How Digital Evidence Helped Crack the Case
Horrific Stalking Case Was Jealous Lover's Cover for Murder
‘It can happen to anyone’: Man Shares Story of Stalking, Survival at Omaha Women’s Event
Pictures of Liz Golyar (left) and Cari Farver (right) in Netflix's "Lover, Stalker, Killer." 

NetflixDave Kroupa Netflix

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https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: [email protected]
Submit listener stories: [email protected]

On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
...more
42min
August 20, 2025Would You Rather – Ep. 82
In this delightfully absurd and thought-provoking episode, we dive headfirst into the chaos of escape scenarios with a twist—each one wrapped in a “Would You Rather” dilemma that blends trauma, healing, and hilarity. From dodging donut-wielding ex-cops to navigating the foster care system on a unicycle, we explore the wild ways people might choose to flee their circumstances… if only life came with a costume budget and a flair for the dramatic.

Highlights Include:
Choosing between cat video spam or donut-stalking ex-cops
Escaping toxic relationships via llama farming or mime therapy
Facing court in a clown suit vs. deliberating among pool toys
Tackling childhood trauma recovery in rhyme or in a chicken suit
And yes, living in a taco-shaped tiny house while wearing a sombrero

Whether you're a survivor, a supporter, or just someone who appreciates the healing power of humor, this episode invites you to laugh, reflect, and imagine your own escape—one ridiculous choice at a time.
Tune in for a ride of empathy, absurdity, and escape artistry.

Resources & Links

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.

https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: [email protected]
Submit listener stories: [email protected]

On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
...more
35min
August 13, 2025Escaping the Bughouse – Ep. 81
Booby hatch? Bughouse? Hilarious names for serious places. The Escape Pod goes inside mental institutions of the past to share the tragic tale of Genevieve Pilarski who, essentially, was committed in the 1940s for being strong-willed and desiring independence, nothing more. But others had better fates – escaping the horrors of such places and turning their experiences into advocacy. Nelli Bly, for example, was an early “under-cover” journalist who intentionally got herself committed in order to expose what was really happening behind closed doors. Join the ladies of The Escape Pod this week for this great escape from the “bughouse.”

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:

Topic #1       2:57             Intro to this week’s topic
Topic #2       4:43             Genevieve Pilarski
Topic #3       7:54             Evaluate this! The EP takes a detour
Topic #4       9:57             Patient expresses her concerns
Topic #5     18:14             Escape artists become advocates
Topic #6     24:05             Nelli Bly
Topic #7     35:44             Escapism, co-host-style!

Resources & Links
Driving Her Crazy
The Story of Gennie Pilarski
Manteno State Hospital Blog
Elizabeth Packard
The Reporter Who Went Undercover at an Asylum

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.

https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: [email protected]
Submit listener stories: [email protected]

On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
...more
41min
August 06, 2025From Missing to Murdered: Justice for Candace – Ep. 80
In this episode, The Escape Pod takes us back to 1980 and the disappearance and subsequent murder of Candace Rough Surface, an 18-year-old member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. Her case highlights a broader crisis: Indigenous people account for a disproportionate share of missing persons, and Indigenous women in particular face alarming rates of violence. This. Has. To. Stop. In South Dakota, Indigenous people account for roughly 60% of missing persons cases. Today’s story is about one of the rare cases that was actually solved.

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:

Topic #1       4:09             Intro to this week’s episode
Topic #2       8:03             August 1980: 18yo woman goes missing near Mobridge, SD
Topic #3     16:33             15 years later: This cold case gets reopened
Topic #4     31:08             Escapism, co-host-style!

Resources & Links
Mobridge Man Who Raped and Killed Standing Rock Woman Granted Parole
Man Who Raped and Killed 18-Year-Old Girl Released from Prison
Suspect Finally Pleads Guilty After 16 Years
Crime Junkie Podcast: Candace Rough Surface
Seattle Times Archive March 17, 1996. Candace Rough Surface
MMIP Cases in South Dakota Remain High—New Efforts Hope to Change That
The Epidemic of Missing Indigenous Women

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.

https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: [email protected]
Submit listener stories: [email protected]

On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
...more
39min
July 30, 2025Cold Justice or No Justice? Pt. 2 – Ep. 79
A closer look at the case of Jeff Prible revealed a labyrinth of allegations, unanswered questions, and prosecutorial tactics that challenge the foundations of justice. This week, The Escape Pod delves into allegations of misconduct against the same prosecutor in several other cases and the broader implications for the justice system. Draw your own conclusions as we conclude this two-part series on the precarious balance between finding justice and risking a wrongful conviction.

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:

Topic #1          :01            Part 1 recap
Topic #2       5:09             Investigative reporters zero in on New Mexico cold case
Topic #3     13:17             The case of David Temple
Topic #4     20:15             Third case is the charm?
Topic #5     27:18             Revisiting Jeff Prible’s case
Topic #5     40:00             When the title strikes!

Resources & Links
Federal Judge Orders New Trial for Texas Death Row Inmate
Appeals Court Restores Death Sentence of Bank Robber Convicted of Murdering Five People
Texas Federal Judge Overturns Death-Row Prisoner’s Conviction
Cold Case Killer Kelly Siegler Is a True-Crime Celebrity. Did She Frame an Innocent Man for Murder?
Texas Political Prisoner: The Case for Ronald Jeffrey Prible Jr.'s Exoneration
The Intercept Newsletter
Cold Justice S02E15 Sunspot Highway
Land of Entrapment Blog
Unreasonable Doubt: Did Kelly Siegler Really Railroad an Innocent Man Eight Years Ago?
Prible v. Lumpkin: Amicus Curiae Brief of Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in Support of Petitioner
Prible v. Lumpkin: Brief in Opposition

Ronald Prible Jr. Photo: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
David Temple sentencing: Former HS Coach Sentenced to Life for Murder of Pregnant Wife
CBS News: Belinda Temple Murder Case

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.

https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: [email protected]
Submit listener stories: [email protected]

On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
...more
49min
July 23, 2025Cold Justice or No Justice? Pt. 1 – Ep. 78
A man convicted of capital murder claims his innocence and points to suppressed evidence and manipulated informant testimony as factors in his conviction. A prosecutor renowned for her dramatic courtroom presentations and role on a true crime television show claims she got the right man. Draw your own conclusions as The Escape Pod launches a two-part series examining the reliability of circumstantial evidence and the ethical responsibilities of prosecutors.

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:

Topic #1       2:44             The importance of the narrative
Topic #2       6:18             April 1999: The crime
Topic #3     14:37             2001: A new prosecutor enters the scene
Topic #4     25:32             “Cold Justice”
Topic #5     30:30             Escapism, co-host-style

Resources & Links
Federal Judge Orders New Trial for Texas Death Row Inmate
Appeals Court Restores Death Sentence of Bank Robber Convicted of Murdering Five People
Texas Federal Judge Overturns Death-Row Prisoner’s Conviction
Cold Case Killer Kelly Siegler Is a True-Crime Celebrity. Did She Frame an Innocent Man for Murder?
Texas Political Prisoner: The Case for Ronald Jeffrey Prible Jr.'s Exoneration
The Intercept Newsletter
Cold Justice S02E15 Sunspot Highway
Land of Entrapment Blog
Unreasonable Doubt: Did Kelly Siegler Really Railroad an Innocent Man Eight Years Ago?
Prible v. Lumpkin: Amicus Curiae Brief of Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in Support of Petitioner
Prible v. Lumpkin: Brief in Opposition

Ronald Prible Jr. Photo: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
David Temple sentencing: Former HS Coach Sentenced to Life for Murder of Pregnant Wife
CBS News: Belinda Temple Murder Case

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.

https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: [email protected]
Submit listener stories: [email protected]

On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
...more
36min
July 16, 2025Out of Her Shell, Into Their Crosshairs – Ep. 77
A transgender teen tries to escape her own fears and anxieties to connect with a real person in the real world; instead, her solo venture to a London park gets cut cruelly short by an unimaginable act of brutality. The story of Brianna Ghey stands as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by those seeking only love and understanding. This week, The Escape Pod takes us back to February 2023 to unravel the harrowing details of Brianna’s final days and the profound impact her story has on the ongoing fight against hatred and prejudice.

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:

Topic #1       1:31             Escaping unfortunate typos
Topic #2       6:13             Meet Brianna Ghey
Topic #3     11:19             A fake friendship revealed
Topic #4     21:58             Brianna’s parents speak out
Topic #5     28:20             Escapism, co-host-style

Resources & Links
16-year-old killers of transgender teenager in England sentenced for 'sadistic' murder | AP News
Jury convicts boy and girl in England of murdering transgender teenager in frenzied knife attack | AP News
Brianna Ghey's teen killers Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe named and pictured - Mirror Online
Brianna Ghey: teenagers fascinated with torture and death meticulously planned transgender girl’s brutal murder | The Independent
Talk TV: “They WILL Face A Life Sentence”
History of Jenkinson and Ratcliffe
...more
35min
July 10, 2025EscapeBite - Fawkes & Fireworks
Americans are certainly not the only people who mark major holidays by shooting explosives with pretty colors high into the air. Our friends in the United Kingdom have a rather unique holiday in the fall, Bonfire Night, which typically includes – you guessed it – bonfires, fireworks, and other festival-type activities. But in one particular U.K. community, the use of fireworks started to become more felonious than fun. How did the authorities there help the townspeople escape the chaos? Find out in this Escape Bite mini-sode!

Resources & Links
Guy Fawkes background
Historic Royal Palaces: Guy Fawkes info
Bonfire Nights in Bristol
Operation Hercules

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: [email protected]
Submit listener stories: [email protected]

On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
...more
14min
July 09, 2025 Return to Left Field – Ep. 76
DISCLAIMER: Comments and stories shared in this episode are not intended to demean anyone, but – rather – to find a little “funny” in the extremely challenging work that is the human services field.
A popular Escape Pod guest is back – and taking us on a trip back to Left Field. This is where we go to find humor on hard days in the human services world because, as it turns out, humans coming out of crisis mode say and do the darndest things, and we’re here for it.

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:

Topic #1       1:09             Chad returns!
Topic #2       8:27             The List: Documenting the comments that crack us up
Topic #3     22:35             Come on vacation, stay on ... WHAT?!
Topic #4     30:23             Escapism, co-host-style

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.

https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: [email protected]
Submit listener stories: [email protected]

On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
...more
35min
July 03, 2025EscapeBite-Criminals Who Were Victims First – EBite 9
BE ADVISED: This mini-sode contains content that listeners/viewers might find extremely disturbing, including discussion of sexual violence against women and torture.
This Escape Bite mini-sode features a mini-competition. Your co-hosts were given the prompt “Criminals Who Were Victims First” and told to find a true crime story to match it. SPOILER ALERT: Nobody wins when murder is involved, but if you are as curious as we are about the possilbe “whys” behind some crimes, you definitely want to tune in.

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:

Topic #1       2:15             Julie’s story: The murder of Chester Allan Poage
Topic #2     15:35             Charity’s story: The Co-ed Killer
Topic #3     27:49             A silver lining?

Resources & Links
Defendant’s mother testifies
Piper’s team argues for new trial
SD Attorney General’s response to judge’s decision
com - Edmund Kemper: Biography
All That’s Interesting - The Disturbing Crimes of Edmund Kemper, The Co-Ed Killer

Photo: Getty Images—Edmund Kemper’s mugshot
Photo: Bettmann/Getty Images Ed Kemper being escorted into Judge Donald May’s court by the police.

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
https://www.escapepod.live

Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: [email protected]
Submit listener stories: [email protected]

On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
...more
31min

FAQs about The Escape Pod Traumedy:

How many episodes does The Escape Pod Traumedy have?

The podcast currently has 96 episodes available.