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Carol Costello Presents: The God Hook — True Crime
Carol Costello Presents: The God Hook

In Season Two of her true crime series, The God Hook, journalist Carol Costello investigates the complex case of the Ohio Craigslist Killings—and in doing so, unearths the untold story of the crimes that preceded the murders—and the victims who’ve never received justice. Richard Beasley was convicted of murdering three men and attempting to kill a fourth in the fall of 2011, but before that heinous spree, authorities were building a human trafficking case against him. Now, working with the case’s prosecutor, a county sheriff, and many closely involved sources, Carol examines previously unknown details of Beasley’s alleged crimes, and how he used the God Hook to lure his victims and bend them to his will.
In Season One of this podcast, Blind Rage, journalist Carol Costello revisits the first big assignment she covered as a 22-year-old, novice reporter: Phyllis Cottles’ brutal attack. Psychologists call them “Triumphant Survivors,” but Phyllis Cottle was more than a survivor, she used this crime to better herself and the world around her.
Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

Copyright: © All Rights Reserved 2022-23

Latest Episodes:

PREVIEW | Defending Richard Beasley Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

A preview of Carol and Emily's full interview with Richard Beasley's public defender, Rhonda Kotnik.

She shares her previous interactions with Beasley, who served as a jailhouse minister and a constant courthouse presence, and shares her perspective on his complex personality, particularly his manipulation of religion to build rapport and exert influence.

To hear the full episode, please subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Supporting Cast.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host - Carol Costello

Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey

Producer - Chris Aiola

Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte

Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman

Production Director - Brigid Coyne

Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando

Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder

GUEST

Rhonda Kotnik - Summit County Public Defender

Additional info at ⁠(www.carolcostellopresents.com⁠).

Do you have questions about this series? ⁠Submit them for future Q&A episodes.

Subscribe to ⁠The God Hook’s YouTube channel ⁠for videos, photos, and additional conversations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

BONUS | The Cost of Innocence Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

Carol introduces a segment produced by her former student, Luke, titled "The Cost of Innocence." The episode explores the death penalty from a perspective that challenges its justification, featuring a story about a man whose brother was on death row, and highlighting a botched execution attempt.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host - Carol Costello

Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey

Producer - Chris Aiola

Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte

Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman

Production Director - Brigid Coyne

Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando

Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder

GUEST

Luke Antaky - Former President of Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University

Gallup Death Penalty Polling (2025)

ACLU reports on execution methods

Additional info at ⁠(www.carolcostellopresents.com⁠).

Do you have questions about this series? ⁠Submit them for future Q&A episodes.

Subscribe to ⁠The God Hook’s YouTube channel ⁠for videos, photos, and additional conversations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

BONUS | The Death Penalty Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Carol and Emily examine the complexities of America's death penalty system, exploring legal, moral, and practical challenges, and discuss whether convicted killer Richard Beasley will ever be put to death.

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Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

INSIDER SESSION | Maternal Manipulation: The Craigslist Killer’s Calls to Mom Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Criminologist Dr. Volkan Topalli joins Carol and Emily to analyze Richard Beasley’s jailhouse phone calls to his mother, revealing the disturbing psychological dynamics that underscore a manipulative relationship.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host - Carol Costello

Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey

Producer - Chris Aiola

Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte

Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman

Production Director - Brigid Coyne

Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando

Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder

GUESTS

Volkan Topalli - Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Additional info at ⁠(www.carolcostellopresents.com⁠).

Do you have questions about this series? ⁠Submit them for future Q&A episodes.

Subscribe to ⁠The God Hook’s YouTube channel ⁠for videos, photos, and additional conversations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

FEED DROP | "Hijacked" from The Knife: A True Crime Podcast Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

The Knife: A True Crime Podcast is a weekly true crime podcast from journalist/producers Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton (formerly of The Opportunist). The Knife is a show about people who’ve been dropped into a story they didn't start, but are left to finish. Through empathetic, in-depth interviews, Hannah and Patia find the untold stories of people who’ve been touched by crime.

On November 23, 1985, Jackie Pflug took her seat aboard EgyptAir Flight 648. When the plane reached flying altitude, several men forcefully took control of the plane. Jackie’s flight was being hijacked. Jackie miraculously survived, but many others did not. Decades later, she tells a story of bravery, profound loss and hope.

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Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

INSIDER SESSION | Ripple Effect: When Crime Becomes Your Story with Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Carol and Emily interview “The Knife” podcast hosts Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton about empathetic storytelling and the delicate nature of telling survivors’ stories.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host - Carol Costello

Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey

Producer - Chris Aiola

Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte

Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman

Production Director - Brigid Coyne

Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando

Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder

GUESTS

Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton are the hosts of The Knife, a weekly podcast that reveals the ripple effect of crime through empathetic, solution-oriented journalism.

Additional info at ⁠www.carolcostellopresents.com⁠.

Do you have questions about this series? ⁠Submit them for future Q&A episodes.

Subscribe to ⁠The God Hook’s YouTube channel ⁠for videos, photos, and additional conversations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

INSIDER SESSION | Reframing Trafficking: Ellyn Marsh on the Language of Exploitation Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Carol and Emily discuss human trafficking with podcaster Ellyn Marsh, exploring the disturbing parallels between the allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs and Richard Beasley.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host - Carol Costello

Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey

Producer - Chris Aiola

Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte

Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman

Production Director - Brigid Coyne

Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando

Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder

GUEST

Ellyn Marsh is a co-host of the I Think Not!podcast, which blends true crime with comedy.

Additional info at ⁠www.carolcostellopresents.com⁠.

Do you have questions about this series? ⁠Submit them for future Q&A episodes.

Subscribe to ⁠The God Hook’s YouTube channel ⁠for videos, photos, and additional conversations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

Bonus | The Untold Story of the Beasley Death Case Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Carol interviews Emily Pelphrey and Paul Scarsella, two of the special prosecutors on the Beasley death penalty case.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host - Carol Costello

Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey

Producer - Chris Aiola

Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte

Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman

Production Director - Brigid Coyne

Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando

Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder

GUEST

Paul Scarsella - Former special prosecutor for the Beasley case

Additional info at ⁠(www.carolcostellopresents.com⁠).

Do you have questions about this series? ⁠Submit them for future Q&A episodes.

Subscribe to ⁠The God Hook’s YouTube channel ⁠for videos, photos, and additional conversations.

For early and ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the podcast via Apple Podcasts or Supporting Cast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

Epilogue | Loose Ends Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Hear firsthand about the survival bonds formed by victims and their families, and how they will face Brogan Rafferty’s potential parole.

Amy never received justice – listen to her surprising message to Richard Beasley.

Investigators share their feelings about the religious conman turned serial killer.

Former prosecutors reflect on the systemic issues within the justice system, and the need for change.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host - Carol Costello

Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey

Producer - Chris Aiola

Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte

Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman

Production Director - Brigid Coyne

Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando

Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder

GUESTS

Debra Bruce - David Pauley’s twin sister

Amy - A victim of Beasley’s alleged sex trafficking operation

Paul Scarsella - Former special prosecutor for the Beasley case

Captain Terry Pasko (Ret.) - Led the vice unit investigation into Richard Beasley’s alleged sex trafficking operation

Sheriff Jason Mackie - Led the investigation into the murders in Noble County

Amir Hussain - Professor of Theological Studies

Additional info at ⁠www.carolcostellopresents.com⁠.

Terry Pasko’s first novel, “Knights of the Graveyard Watch.”

Devin Friedman’s GQ piece, “The Craigslist Killers.”

Do you have questions about this series? ⁠Submit them for future Q&A episodes.

Subscribe to ⁠The God Hook’s YouTube channel ⁠for videos, photos, and additional conversations.

For early and ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the podcast via Apple Podcasts or Supporting Cast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

SERIES FINALE: 10 | The Final Con Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

In this series finale, special prosecutors Emily and Paul reflect on the murder trial, and its lasting personal impact on them.

Brogan Rafferty turns down a plea deal.

Richard Beasley takes the stand, blaming everyone but himself for the murders.

Watch the video trailer ⁠here⁠!

EPISODE CREDITS

Host - Carol Costello

Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey

Producer - Chris Aiola

Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte

Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman

Production Director - Brigid Coyne

Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando

Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder

GUESTS

Paul Scarsella - Former special prosecutor for the Beasley case

Rhonda Kotnik - Summit County Public Defender

Debra Bruce - David Pauley’s twin sister

Additional info at ⁠www.carolcostellopresents.com⁠.

Do you have questions about this series? ⁠Submit them for future Q&A episodes.

Subscribe to ⁠The God Hook’s YouTube channel ⁠for videos, photos, and additional conversations.

For early and ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the podcast via Apple Podcasts or Supporting Cast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://carolcostellopresents.supportingcast.fm/

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