The Hero Maker Podcast

Case Update #6 | Episode 31 Jul 25, 2023

Andrea and Jennifer wrap up Season 2 by reviewing episodes 27 - 30. During this segment they spoke with two police leaders, Chief Jeff Swoboda of Fort Collins and Det. Lieutenant Mike Hasty of Clearwater. Jen and Andrea also met with three members of the GWU Women's Soccer program circa 1990 and one of the defense attorneys who represented their friends' killer in court, Peter Greenspun.
NEW EPISODES begin fall 2023.
This episode is sponsored by Bonsai Creative & the MAKE IT Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/@makeitpodcast
The Hero Maker Podcast is up for 4 People's Choice Podcast Awards.
Here is the LINK to VOTE before July 31st, 2023:
https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup

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Peter Greenspun - Criminal Defense Attorney | Episode 30 Jul 18, 2023

Andrea and Jennifer sat down with one of the defense attorneys who represented Alfredo Prieto in three trials for the rape and murder of their friends Rachael Raver and Warren Fulton III. Peter Greenspun of Greenspun/Shapiro provided great information from the defense perspective for this and other cases.
Thank you Peter for a good conversation, and the perfect cap to Season 2 of Hero Maker.
🏆🏆🏆🏆
The Hero Maker Podcast is up for 4 People's Choice Podcast Awards!
You, The People, can nominate us in the following four categories;
🏆 People's Choice
🏆 Best Female Hosted Podcast
🏆 Storyteller & Drama
🏆 True Crime.
VISIT THIS LINK TO VOTE before July 31st, 2023:
https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Detective Lieutenant Mike Hasty | Episode 29 Jul 11, 2023

In this episode, Jennifer introduces Andrea to Detective Lieutenant Mike Hasty. Mike is a police leader, married to another first responder, who shares great info about becoming a homicide investigator, being in a two-person first responder relationship, and solving homicides then and now.
A great listen for anyone interested in homicide investigation and working unsolved cases.

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GW Women's Soccer | Episode 28 Jul 03, 2023

Our hosts chat with members of the George Washington University Women's Soccer program circa 1988, the year one of their own, Rachael Raver went missing - Sheryl Hellmuth, Elsa Oberg and Kate Lunger
*HINT: For anyone who makes it to the very end of this episode, there's a special treat after the credits!
In their introduction, Jen and Andrea mention that The Hero Maker Podcast is up for 4 Peoples Choice Podcast Awards this month, July 2023. Here's the link to nominate us: https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup.
Hero Maker Bonus Episode 1 includes voting instructions.
Keep up with the GW Women's Soccer team via:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GWWomensSoccer/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/GWWomensSoccer/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gwuwsoc

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PEOPLES CHOICE PODCAST AWARDS | BONUS EPISODE 1 Jul 01, 2023

The Hero Maker Podcast is up for 4 Peoples Choice Podcast Awards 🏆🏆🏆🏆, and these awards are all about YOU!
We already know that our audience is THE BEST!!!
🎙 This two minute bonus episode explains everything you need to know to nominate us, and also here's the LINK TO NOMINATE US NOW. 🎙 {https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup}
***
It takes less than 5 minutes to nominate The Hero Maker Podcast for:
🏆 Peoples Choice
🏆 Best Female Hosted Podcast
🏆 Storyteller & Drama
🏆 True Crime
🌟 Remember to SAVE YOUR NOMINATIONS after you vote for The Hero Maker (we're listed alphabetically under "T"), no need to vote for every category - and don't forget to click CONFIRM when Peoples Choice sends you a VERIFICATION EMAIL. 🌟
Thank you so much for showing your Hero Maker love today and always!
🗳 GO VOTE NOW - nominations end on July 31st, 2023.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Chief Jeff Swoboda | Episode 27 Jun 27, 2023

Andrea and Jennifer spoke with Chief Jeff Swoboda of Fort Collins Police Services. Jeff is a forward-thinking police leader who launched a small police academy in Fort Collins to emphasize the Peace Officer side of the work.
Thank you Chief Swoboda for your constant innovation, commitment to efficient use of government resources, and training officers to form meaningful relationships with the community.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Case Update #5 | Episode 26 Jun 20, 2023

In this episode, Jennifer and Andrea summarize episodes 22-25. In episode 22 they spoke with Kelly McBride who works to improve journalism ethics as SVP at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. In episode 23 they spoke with their friend Rachael Raver's big brother, Matt, who brought a lot of previously unspoken details about Rachael and Warren's case. In episode 24 Andrea visited with Denise Gianuzzi who shared openly about losing her brother at such a young age to violent crime. And in episode 25 Andrea and Jennifer spoke with Criminal Defense Attorney, Joshua Ritter, host of True Crime Daily's The Sidebar.
Case Update episodes exist to guide listeners who want a focused track through all information we have gathered specific to the deaths of Warren Fulton III, Rachael Raver, and all other crimes/victims/survivors of their killer.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Joshua Ritter | Episode 25 Jun 12, 2023

In preparation for an upcoming conversation with the team that defended their friends' killer in court, Andrea and Jennifer sat down with Los Angeles based criminal defense attorney, Joshua Ritter to discuss some justice system basics. Josh came with a unique perspective having served in both the DA's office for the prosecution and now in his private criminal defense practice.
Thank you to Josh for a robust and edifying discussion.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Denise Gianuzzi | Episode 24 Jun 05, 2023

In this episode, Andrea accompanies Denise Gianuzzi, the sister of one of Alfredo Prieto's victims, to City Hall to request a copy of her brother's case file from events occurring over 30 years ago.
This on-location interview is the next installment in Jennifer and Andrea's goal to connect with at least one family member from all of the victims bound by the same killer. Thank you Denise for bringing your brother Tony alive for us in this conversation.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Matt Raver | Episode 23 May 30, 2023

Matt Raver shares his journey from being driven by a burning need to find answers after his sister's murder - through his darkest days - to the closure of attending the convicted perpetrator's execution.
In this episode Jennifer and Andrea learn many new details about Rachael and Warren's event, Tina Jefferson's event, early investigations, cold case investigations, the trials, and the Raver family experience.
Matt asked us to acknowledge Saly Fayez, Director, Victims Services Division, Fairfax County, VA Police Department, for her excellent work on his sister's case and trials.

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Kelly McBride - Poynter Institute | Episode 22 May 23, 2023

For true public safety, media companies, and journalists need to raise the bar on how they cover violent crime.
Kelly McBride, a Senior Vice President at the Poynter Institute in Florida, spoke with Jennifer and Andrea about ethics training in journalism, and how better collaboration among stakeholders does actually fulfill a shared goal of improved public safety.
For more information on the Poynter Institute, please visit: https://www.poynter.org

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Case Update #4 | Episode 21 May 16, 2023

Andrea and Jennifer review the first four episodes of season 2 of The Hero Maker Podcast, episodes 17-20. In episode 17 they spoke with Tom Jackman, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalist who covered their friends' case from the year 2000 up until the time of the perpetrator's execution in 2015. In episode 18, they had a conversation with the mother of one of the West Coast victims. In episode 19, they talked with Patricia Allen, one of the co-founders of No More Violence Organization based in Dallas, Texas. And in episode 20, Andrea and Jennifer spoke with Ray Melusky, the jury foreman of the second trial of Alfredo Prieto for the Raver-Fulton murders. Ray was also present for Prieto's execution.

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Ray Melusky - Jury Foreman | Episode 20 May 09, 2023

Andrea and Jennifer sat down with Ray Melusky, the jury foreman of the second trial of Alfredo Prieto for the Raver-Fulton murders. Ray was also present for Prieto's execution.
This interview gives real insight into what went on behind the scenes and a clear idea of how future trials can be improved for the jury.

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Patricia Allen - No More Violence | Episode 19 May 02, 2023

Andrea and Jennifer sat down with Patricia Allen, one of the co-founders of No More Violence Organization based in Dallas, Texas.
No More Violence supports families who have lost a child to violence, gun violence, or by other means, walking with them in their grief and meeting their unique needs.
Find out more about Trisha and her team's tireless work by visiting https://www.nomoreviolence.net

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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A Victim's Mother Comes Forward | Episode 18 Apr 25, 2023

Andrea and Jennifer are grateful to have shared this conversation with the mother of one of the West Coast victims.
The double homicide of Tony Gianuzzi and Stacey Siegrist was never tried in court, but their deaths were linked by DNA to Rachael and Warren's killer.

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Tom Jackman | Episode 17 Apr 18, 2023

Andrea and Jennifer kick off Season 2 with this spirited conversation with Tom Jackman, who brought a plethora of rich details and valuable information about Rachael and Warren's case and trials. Jackman is the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalist who covered their friends' case from the year 2000 up until the time of the perpetrator's execution in 2015, which he attended.

Tom Jackman's ongoing local and national crime coverage can be followed here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/tom-jackman/.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Case Update #3 | Episode 16 Jan 31, 2023

Andrea and Jennifer review Hero Maker episodes 10-15. In episodes 12 & 15 they spoke with two people instrumental in the adjudication process for east coast and west coast cases. Star Witness, Lisa shared intimate details of the attack she survived. Saly Fayez described how working Rachael and Warren's trials helped define her professional standards as a victim advocate.
This concludes Season 1 of The Hero Maker Podcast.
The new season and new episodes return in April 2023.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Saly Fayez | Episode 15 Jan 24, 2023

Andrea and Jennifer sat down with Saly Fayez, MSW, LSW, the Director of the Victim Services Division at Fairfax County Police Department to find out what is in her secret sauce. Our hosts were privileged to also download more first-hand information about the judiciary process for their friends who were murdered in college.
Saly Fayez has been mentioned in more episodes than any other person for her exemplary work as a victim advocate during the Raver/Fulton trials in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Jared Seide | Episode 14 Jan 17, 2023

Andrea and Jen met with Jared Seide of the Center for Council.

Center for Council uses an age-old practice that involves bringing people together in a circle to bear witness and share authentically. Council brings their work to prison populations, schools, faith groups, first responders, and now through their P.O.W.E.R. program, to police departments.
Much of this conversation is about the amazing results Jared and his team are seeing in the realm of officer wellness.
Promo Code: HEROMAKERPODCAST for 100% off the cost of any Social Connection Council: https://www.centerforcouncil.org/social-connection-councils.html.

Promo Code: HEROMAKERPODCAST for 15% off the cost of any Council Training: https://www.centerforcouncil.org/in-person-council-workshops.html.

To order a copy of the Where Compassion Begins book mentioned in this episode, please visit: https://www.centerforcouncil.org/order-a-copy.html

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Rebekah Wilkins | Episode 13 Jan 10, 2023

In this episode, Jennifer introduces Andrea to DNA/CODIS Administrator, Rebekah Wilkins from the Vermont Forensic Laboratory.
Thank you Rebekah for a nerdy and fascinating conversation about the lifecycle, morality, and evolution of DNA detection and collection.
***
This episode includes sound editing contributions from @vickierosesampson.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Star Witness | Episode 12 Jan 03, 2023

| CONTENT WARNING | Audiences may find some content in this episode harmful or disturbing due to the graphic nature of the violence and sexual assault discussed.
Deepest gratitude to Lisa for sharing her experiences with Andrea and Jennifer. This remarkable woman not only survived one of Alfredo Prieto's attacks at the age of 17, but went on to testify against him in two separate trials, each of which landed him on death row.
Rachael and Warren's killer is one of only a handful of criminals to have been on death row in multiple states; in this case, California and Virginia.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Ronnell Higgins | Episode 11 Dec 27, 2022

In this episode Jennifer introduces Andrea to her longtime police pal, Ronnell Higgins, who currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Community Engagement for Yale University.
This important conversation addresses many of today's campus safety concerns.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Bill Bratton | Episode 10 Dec 20, 2022

CONTENT WARNING | Audience may find some content in the episode harmful or disturbing due to the graphic nature of the violence and sexual assault discussed.
Jennifer and Andrea had the opportunity to sit down with legendary police commissioner and strategist, Bill Bratton.
The discussion touched on a lot of hot topics, including; the current rise in crime, current trends away from funding for victims, needed officer training, officer gear, and the current anti-law enforcement sentiment.
This energized conversation also sent Andrea and Jen into a debate of their own, post-interview.
Bill Bratton's Book - THE PROFESSION
{https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566242/the-profession-by-bill-bratton-and-peter-knobler/}

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Case Update #2 | Episode 9 Dec 13, 2022

In this summary of episodes 6-8, Andrea and Jennifer review the facts shared with them by two key law enforcement professionals who not only each came face to face with Rachael and Warren's killer, but also were instrumental in convicting him.
Chief Eric Hopley shares details about all the known West Coast events and victims, and Detective Bob Murphy provides a look at the killer's movements and impact in relation to his East Coast crimes and trial.

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Detective Bob Murphy | Episode 8 Dec 06, 2022

TRIGGER WARNING
When Fairfax County PD established its Cold Case Unit in 1999, Investigator Bob Murphy remembered our friends' Rachael and Warren's case and asked to pick it up. With his extensive intimate knowledge, Bob describes many specific details of their murder scene and case in this episode.
We thank Bob for the great work he did with his team to help solve this case, and for the breadth and compassion with which he shares his experiences here.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Chief Eric Hopley | Episode 7 Nov 29, 2022

In this week’s episode, Andrea introduces Jennifer to Chief Eric Hopley who was one of the first on the scene of the triple abduction, rape, and homicide that eventually landed Rachael and Warren's killer on death row in California.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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John Cary Bittick | Episode 6 Nov 22, 2022

In this episode Jennifer introduces Andrea to her law enforcement friend and colleague, U.S. Marshall John Cary Bittick.
While the three discuss some difficult and life-altering personal and professional experiences, themes of community, dedication, and service carry the day.
This is a great episode for anyone considering a job in law enforcement.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Case Update #1 | Episode 5 Nov 14, 2022

Jennifer and Andrea provide a summary of all the pertinent known facts up to this point, as told through Episodes 1-4.
Going into The Hero Maker Podcast, our co-hosts both knew that their college friends, Rachael Raver and Warren Fulton III, were murdered by a serial killer. The story of their deaths and the many linked victims, survivors, law enforcement and justice professionals, perpetrators, and events, begins its dark and winding path.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Velda Jefferson | Episode 4 Nov 08, 2022

In this episode, Andrea introduces Jennifer to Velda Jefferson, whose daughter Tina lost her life to the same perpetrator that took their friends.
It wasn't until 12 years after their deaths, that the two cases from neighboring Virginia counties were linked through DNA.
Velda touches on a lot of new information about the events that landed Rachael, Warren and Tina's killer in jail. And, Velda shares the powerful mindset that has sustained her all these years through the tragic loss of her beautiful and bubbly daughter.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GWU Baseball | Episode 3 Nov 01, 2022

Andrea and Jen got together with three men who were part of the George Washington University Baseball program in 1988, the year we lost Outfielder Warren Fulton and his college sweetheart, Rachael Raver.
Coach Castleberry, Captain Tom Williams, and Pitcher Clay Aldrich collectively capture Warren's joyful and dedicated character through a series of beautiful and difficult stories. They also detail the surprising championship season that followed Warren's death.
This episode is chock full of literal insider baseball, teeming with inspiration, and is a compelling look at how one team, forever bound by tragedy, grew to be way more than the sum of its parts.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Renee Williams | Episode 2 Oct 25, 2022

In this episode Jen and Andrea geek out with Renee Williams, the Executive Director of The National Center for Victims of Crime, on victim service perceptions, trends, stats and results. Though Renee was not directly involved in the Raver/Fulton case, the organization she leads today was influential in Dede's (EP1) healing process.
This episode's resources:
National Center for Victims of Crime
Tribal Resource Tool
Parallel Justice

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Dede Raver | Episode 1 Oct 18, 2022

Jennifer and Andrea converse with the sister of their friend Rachael who was murdered when they were athletes together at GW. Dede inspires us with the many ways she coped with the overwhelming loss of her sister to violent crime and the difficult years during which the crime was unsolved.
Resource mentioned in this episode: National Center for Victims of Crime.
NCVC's mission is to forge a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meet the Hosts Oct 11, 2022

Jennifer and Andrea share their intentions for the podcast, how it came to be, and catch up on 30 years with some mostly career highlights.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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Launch Trailer | Episode 0 Sep 24, 2022

Launch Trailer for The Hero Maker Podcast.
Vermont’s Commissioner of Public Safety and her college buddy, a writer/director/executive producer based in LA, unpack the double homicide that binds them, while distilling 35 years of law enforcement and criminal justice experience into nuggets of wisdom for the future.

Learn more about The Hero Maker Podcast by visiting https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com.
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