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True Crime

Not Just A Terrible Story

When Stacie Love married her former high school teacher, she thought it was a whirlwind romance. Two decades later, she discovered the truth behind the day their lives unraveled: a federal search, an unseen investigation, and a story far darker than she ever knew. Not Just A Terrible Story is a six-part investigation into one woman’s search for the truth, the scourge of alleged educator sexual misconduct, and a culture of complicity that protected predators for decades.

Latest Episodes:

The Rot Runs Deep | Episode 4 Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Stacie's story wasn't an anomaly. It happened in the choir program. In the band program. And people allege it happened on the basketball team. We dug into decades of archives, court records, and archival news coverage. Piece by piece, a pattern emerged—spanning forty years, multiple teachers, and countless survivors who were failed by the very people meant to protect them.

Ezra Holmlund is now a comedian, follow his work here.

Check out the Oregonian article here.

To find more of the reporting we reference through out the episode check out the Oregonian News Archives.

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If you or anyone you know is experiencing sexual violence and needs help, please visit rainn.org or call the national hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or text HOPE to 64673.

You can anonymously report school employee boundary crossing and grooming and educator sexual misconduct to Safe Oregon. You can call or text 844-472-3367 or email tip@safeoregon.com.

If you’d like to learn more about educator sexual misconduct and get involved, there are many great organizations doing research, education and advocacy work, including:

S.E.S.A.M.E. – Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct & Explotation
Enough Abuse
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
American Association Of University Women
Stop Sexual Assault in Schools

Cover art photo sourced from the Centennial High School Yearbook (1966) via Internet Archive.

BONUS | Safety Rules Every Kid Needs to Know with Christy Keating Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

In Episode 3, we spoke with Christy Keating about what grooming is. But we still had a few more questions for her, like: What should parents look out for? How can parents protect their kids? And when should parents start talking to their kids about grooming?

Christy shares her eight safety rules that every kid should know and gives us language to talk to our kids about physical, personal and relational boundaries.

You can find a ton of resources and check outChristy’s work at https://theheartfulparent.com/

If you or anyone you know is experiencing sexual violence and needs help, please visit rainn.org or call the national hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or text HOPE to 64673.

You can anonymously report school employee boundary crossing and grooming and educator sexual misconduct to Safe Oregon. You can call or text 844-472-3367 or email tip@safeoregon.com.

If you’d like to learn more about educator sexual misconduct and get involved, there are many great organizations doing research, education and advocacy work, including:

S.E.S.A.M.E. – Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct & Explotation
Enough Abuse
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
American Association Of University Women
Stop Sexual Assault in Schools

The Knock at the Door | Episode 3 Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

In 2005, a knock at Stacie and Brett’'s door changed everything. It would take Stacie nearly 20 years to uncover the truth. It was hidden in a long forgotten investigation file. Now, Stacie is asking the questions she was never allowed to.

For more exclusive content head to terriblestory.substack.com. Get free access to archival photos, resources, and bonus stories that didn't make the cut. Plus — get early, ad-free episodes as a paid subscriber.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing sexual violence and needs help, please visit rainn.org or call the national hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or text HOPE to 64673.

You can anonymously report school employee boundary crossing and grooming and educator sexual misconduct to Safe Oregon. You can call or text 844-472-3367 or email tip@safeoregon.com.

If you’d like to learn more about educator sexual misconduct and get involved, there are many great organizations doing research, education and advocacy work, including:

S.E.S.A.M.E. – Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct & Explotation
Enough Abuse
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
American Association Of University Women
Stop Sexual Assault in Schools

The Wedding | Episode 2 Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Stacie and Brett's relationship wasn't a secret—their community watched it unfold. Some saw it as a fairy tale. Others felt a quiet unease. In this episode you hear what happens when a community looks the other way, and how close Stacie came to walking away before it was too late.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing sexual violence and needs help, please visit rainn.org or call the national hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or text HOPE to 64673.

You can anonymously report school employee boundary crossing and grooming and educator sexual misconduct to Safe Oregon. You can call or text 844-472-3367 or email tip@safeoregon.com.

If you’d like to learn more about educator sexual misconduct and get involved, there are many great organizations doing research, education and advocacy work, including:

S.E.S.A.M.E. – Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct & Exploitation
Enough Abuse
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
American Association Of University Women
Stop Sexual Assault in Schools

The Cool Teacher | Episode 1 Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Fifteen year-old Stacie Love was just a sophomore when she met the young, charismatic English teacher, Brett Fischer. He was the "cool" teacher, and she wanted to be his favorite student. Twenty years later, Stacie sees the dynamic differently—and wonders if what felt like happenstance was something far more calculated.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing sexual violence and needs help, please visit rainn.org or call the national hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or text HOPE to 64673.

You can anonymously report school employee boundary crossing and grooming and educator sexual misconduct to Safe Oregon. You can call or text 844-472-3367 or email tip@safeoregon.com.

If you’d like to learn more about educator sexual misconduct and get involved, there are many great organizations doing research, education and advocacy work, including:

S.E.S.A.M.E. – Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct & Explotation
Enough Abuse
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
American Association Of University Women
Stop Sexual Assault in Schools

This is Not Just a Terrible Story Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

In 2005, Stacie Love's life was turned upside down by a knock on the door. Twenty years later, she discovers the truth about her marriage to her former teacher and a culture of complicity that protected predators for decades. Not Just A Terrible Story is one woman's search for answers.

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