In this episode, we look all the way back to seventeenth century Scotland, to Jenny Geddes and her revolutionary acts. It's the story of the butterfly effect, the impact one voice can have on a nation, and empires' intent on controlling us. 

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 

• Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

Associate Producer is Leo Culp
Produced by Antonio Enriquez
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth

Special thanks to:
Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

Order Mary Kay's true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we examine the story of Sarah Cornell, a young Methodist textile worker who was the inspiration for Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. The difference, of course, is that Hester Prynne wasn’t murdered. And she certainly didn’t kill herself.

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 

• Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

Associate Producer is Leo Culp
Produced by Antonio Enriquez
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth

Special thanks to:
Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

Order Mary Kay's true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

Check out Kate Winkler Dawson's book The Sinners All Bow at Penguin Random House

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to be a victim, or a villain? What happens when the line between the two starts to blur? On 7th July 2010, Kelly Harnett says her abusive boyfriend murdered a man right in front of her.  So how did she end up in prison for it? Anna Sinfield - the journalist behind the global number 1 podcast, The Girlfriends, returns with her toughest story yet. This series isn’t a whodunnit. It’s not even really about what happened. It’s about how a woman who was a victim of domestic violence became a villain in the eyes of the law. Found guilty of murder and locked up for over a decade; Kelly Harnett taught herself the law. And as she battled to overturn her conviction, she became a beacon of hope, fighting for the freedom of the abused women locked up alongside her.

Listen here and subscribe to The Girlfriends: Jailhouse Lawyer on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we look at the underground world of Sister Ping. It's a story about desperation, ambition, and the shadowy world of human smuggling. It’s about the lengths people will go in search of a better life—and those who build their empires by making that journey possible.

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 

• Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Grace Heerman

Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

Associate Producer is Leo Culp
Produced by Antonio Enriquez
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth

Special thanks to:
Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

Order Mary Kay's true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

Sources

Check out Patrick Radden Keefe's book 'The Snakehead' at Pan Macmillan

Read 'A Path out of Purgatory' by Patrick Radden Keefe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, a woman comes back from the dead to solve her own murder, something beyond the realm of what most people consider possible. And yet, the story of Teresita Basa was credible enough to appear in a U.S. court of law, come before a judge and jury, and send a man to jail for murder. 

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 

• Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Zoe Louisa Lewis

Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

Associate Producer is Leo Culp
Produced by Antonio Enriquez
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth

Special thanks to:
Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

SOURCES 

General

https://books.google.ca/books?id=CM4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56&lpg=PA56&dq=allan%2Bshowery%2Bjob%2Bedgewater&source=bl&ots=dS98q23rpz&sig=ACfU3U3EjQ7VZNBaUSThOMZEh_O0gVvLGQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwisuLnG-b72AhUGa80KHd84DwYQ6AF6BAg0EAM#v=onepage&q=allan%20showery%20job%20edgewater&f=false

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1978/09/17/voice-from-the-grave-evokes-a-murder-trial/13b6d805-2413-4015-b70a-b9b28ab5d40d/

https://jimharold.com/the-strange-and-sad-case-of-teresita-basa-by-em-hilker/

Chuas Obituary

 https://legacy.suntimes.com/us/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/name/jose-chua-obituary?id=30203

Possession in the Philippines

https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/central-luzon-state-university/psychological-assessment/understanding-spirit-possession-in-the-philippines/67778613

https://www.aswangproject.com/spirit-possession-sapi-in-the-philippines/#google_vignette

https://pssc.org.ph/wp-content/pssc-archives/Philippine%20Journal%20of%20Psychology/2004/Num%202/05_Dissociative%20Symptoms%20in%20Filipino%20College%20Students.pdf

https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-10-17-classes-cancelled-at-high-school-in-philippines-following-mass-possession/

https://www.newsflare.com/video/520014/seven-students-exorcised-after-being-possessed-by-evil-spirits-in-the-philippines

Edgewater Hospital

https://www.edgewaterhistory.org/ehs/local/rise-and-fall-of-edgewater-hospital

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we examine the story of Rebecca Vance: one of a mother’s misdirected love, the line between self-determination and mental illness, and the way conspiracy theories can compel us to make very dangerous decisions, even in the name of safety. 

 

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 

• Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Grace Heerman

Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

Associate Producer is Leo Culp
Produced by Antonio Enriquez
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth

Special thanks to:
Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

SOURCES 

The Women Who Walked Away, Elizabeth Weil

“Please I Will Give Anything for You to Come Back,” Ted Conover

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we look at the story of an ordinary suburban mom, Diane Schuler, who did something extraordinarily terrible. And how the people who were left to pick up the pieces found themselves asking the same question over and over again, why?

 

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 

• Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

Associate Producer is Leo Culp
Produced by Antonio Enriquez
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth

Special thanks to:
Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

Check out Jackie Hance's book on Diane Schuler: 'I'll See You Again' at Simon and Schuster

SOURCES 

Transcript for the HBO Doc

• https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/se/date/2013-05-25/segment/03

 

Taconic State Parkway

• https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-york/deadliest-road-ny/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/nyregion/18taconic.html

Police Report

• https://www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/policereport/schuler,%20diane_police_report.pdf

Pre Autopsy News Stories

• https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/31/nyregion/31funeral.html

Post Autopsy Stories

• https://nymag.com/news/features/62043/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/07/nyregion/07taconic.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/08/nyregion/08bigcity.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/nyregion/06crash.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/07/nyregion/07crash.html
• https://www.comingsoon.net/documentaries/news/1721259-theres-something-wrong-with-aunt-diane-did-anyone-survive-taconic-parkway-crash
• https://nypost.com/2009/08/06/wed-woes-drove-crash-ma-to-drink/

Lawsuits

• https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/nyregion/11taconic.html?searchResultPosition=5
• https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/settlements-reached-in-4-taconic-parkway-wrong-way-crash-lawsuits/
• https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/jackie-hance-lost-daughters-taconic-crash-sues-daniel-schuler/story?id=14169392
• https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/report-widower-sues-state-after-tragic-wrong-way-crash-on-taconic-parkway/
• https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/husband-of-taconic-driver-sues-state-in-law/1924357/

TIA

• https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/tia-transient-ischemic-attack

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we look at the collegiate tragedy of Sinedu Tedesse: friendship gone wrong, the limits of human ambition, and the dark underbelly of the American dream. Because the thing they don’t tell you about having your greatest dream come true, is what to do with yourself afterwards. 

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 

• Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

Associate Producer is Leo Culp
Produced by Antonio Enriquez
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth

Special thanks to:
Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

SOURCES

 

1. The Harvard Student Who Killed Her Roommate, Melanie Thernstrom 
2. Harvard Deaths Leave a Puzzle Whose Central Piece May Never Be Found, Fox Butterfield
3. Hostage to The Past: The 1995 Murder Suicide in Dunster, Hillary A. McLauchlin 
4. Rethinking the American Dream: The Cost of Coming to America: Immigration and Depression in the Case of Sinedu Tadesse, Menna Demessie
5. Halfway Heaven: Diary of a Harvard Murder, Melanie Thernstrom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we look at the sprawling career and casework of Gloria Allred. She’s an icon who’s been involved in so many major legal cases, OJ, Bill Cosby, the fight for gay marriage, priest abuse cases and AIDS discrimination. She’s seen it all. She’s been practicing law for nearly fifty years, and in that time she’s been a hero, a villain, and everything in between. 

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 

• Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

Associate Producer is Leo Culp
Produced by Antonio Enriquez
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth

Special thanks to:
Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

 

SOURCES 

• https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-04-24-me-1698-story.html
• https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-09-05-me-463-story.html
• https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12970625/Distraught-sister-latest-Rex-Heuermann-victim-weeps-outside-court-says-losing-Maureen-wound-never-truly-heals-Long-Island-serial-killer-pleads-not-guilty.html

East LA Walkouts

• https://guides.loc.gov/latinx-civil-rights/east-la-walkouts

Girls Schools

• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1020228613796
• https://www.heri.ucla.edu/PDFs/pubs/briefs/SAX_031909_brief.pdf

William Allred

• https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/8905092/
• https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-10-20-mn-14752-story.html
• https://www.gloriaallred.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1200518/2021/01/Gloria-Allred-Article-Los-Angeles-Magazine.pdf
• https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-02-26-me-2875-story.html

Rape

• https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.4679070

Rita Milla

• https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2007/11_12/2007_12_05_Green_ShatteredFaith.htm
• https://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/04/03/forgotten-in-the-flock/
• https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-gloria-allred-20151113-story.html
• https://archive.org/details/goodcatholicgirl00bona/page/60/mode/1up?q=%22rita+milla%22

General

• https://www.gloriaallred.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/1200518/2021/01/Gloria-Allred-Article-Los-Angeles-Magazine.pdf
• https://www.kveller.com/16-things-you-need-to-know-about-badass-jewish-lawyer-gloria-allred/
• https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a539/gloria-allred-0610/
• https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/10/02/gloria-allreds-crusade
• https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/almID/1202473867559/

Harvey Wienstein

• https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/08/books/harvey-weinstein-book-kantor-twohey.html?smid=pc-thedaily
• https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/18/podcasts/the-daily/harvey-weinstein-lisa-bloom.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/podcasts/the-daily/harvey-weinstein-gloria-allred.html

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this third of three parts, we look the troubled life of Susie Newsom Lynch. A story steeped in paranoia and deceit, it has everything you need from a southern gothic tale.

• Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 

• Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

Associate Producer is Leo Culp
Produced by Antonio Enriquez
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth

Special thanks to:
Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

Check out "Bitter Blood" by Jerry Bledsoe here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.