In this week's episode, we dive into the disturbing case of Jesse Mack Butler, an 18-year-old Oklahoma high school baseball player convicted of raping and strangling two teenage girls he had been in relationships with, nearly killing one. Butler received a light sentence with no jail time after he was given youthful offender status. The victims, victims' families, and the commmunity are outraged. We explore why the lenient outcome sparked outrage and what it reveals about prosecuting rape. Listener discretion advised.

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

In this week's Halloween episode we discuss Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. We love this movie! We look at this masterpiece through the lenses of the Gothic, addiction, narcissism, and intergenerational trauma.

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

This week we discuss female pedophiles examining the cases of teachers Christina Formella, 30, accused of abusing her 14-year-old student and Mary Kay Letourneau, who groomed 12-year-old Vili Fualaau, bore his children, and married him post-prison. We look at cultural biases that result in lighter sentences for female perpetrators and the underreporting of abuse of male victims. We question arrested development, impulsivity, and the emotional motivations behind these crimes. Like, subscribe, and follow us. Here's how:

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

In this episode we look at social media influencer culture, focusing on the tragic case of Emilie Kiser whose young son drowned in the family pool. We explore the intense public backlash Kiser faced upon returning to social media, highlighting the toxic dynamics of parasocial relationships and the attention economy. We unpack the costs of influencer fame and the toll of living under public scrutiny. Join us for a thought-provoking look at empathy, blame, and the blurred lines between authenticity and artifice in the digital age.

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

Join us for a chilling start to the fall 2025 season of the Secret Passage Podcast as we dive into the heartbreaking case of Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old University of Kentucky cheerleader accused of secretly giving birth to and then killing her newborn in a shocking act of neonaticide. We explore the complex issues behind neonaticide, drawing parallels to cases like Amy Grossberg and Brian Peterson, Brooke Skylar Richardson, and Gail Eastwood-Ritchie. Like, subscribe, and follow us. Here's how:

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

In our season finale episode we explore the shocking case of Emily Long, a New Hampshire mother who killed her husband, two of her children, and herself in August 2025.

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

In this episode of Secret Passage, we revisit the Columbine High School shooting, exploring the events, timeline, and devastating impact of the attack carried out by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. We discuss the warning signs, systemic failures, and psychology of the perpetrators. We reflect on the broader societal implications, including school safety protocols and the role of bullying, while emphasizing the importance of recognizing and acting on red flags to prevent future tragedies. Like, subscribe, and follow us. Here's how:

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

In this episode of the Secret Passage Podcast, we dive into the chilling case of Paris Lee Bennett who murdered his four-year-old sister in 2007. We explore the psychological and environmental factors that may have contributed to his actions, drawing parallels to the recent murders of Jessica Lyman and her son Eli Painter. We look at the neuroscience of psychopathy, referencing Dr. James Fallon's research on the "psychopath brain" and the potential for early intervention to prevent violent outcomes. Links: James Fallon's book The Psychopath Inside: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17707530-the-psychopath-inside Greater Good Science Center interview with James Fallon: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/can_a_psychopath_learn_feel_pain Like, subscribe, and follow us. Here's how:

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

In this episode, we discuss Savannah (Shannon Wilsey), a prominent figure in the adult industry, whose early trauma and struggles with addiction shaped her turbulent journey. We speculate about the factors that may have led to her battle with addiction and ultimately her suicide. We reflect on the evolving landscape of the adult industry, examining shifts in mental health awareness, and the impact of the digital age.

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver

In this episode we discuss Ghislaine Maxwell, exploring her privileged upbringing, her role as Jeffrey Epstein's enabler, and the psychological factors that may have driven her actions. We look at the dynamics of power, manipulation, and class that fueled her complicity in Epstein's sex trafficking network. We explore the broader implications of such predatory behavior and share our thoughts about how we can protect our youth from similar exploitation.

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Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers

Producer: Tim Rogers

Editor: Mitch Silver