Missing Madeleine McCann & The Meticulous Metaphysical Manipulation of Miscalculated Motion
Mar 13, 2018
Show notes
On May 3, 2007, a 3-year-old British girl disappears from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, igniting one of the most infamous missing persons cases in modern history. But in the 12 years since, from allegations of a kidnapper to suspicions cast upon the parents, one question remains unanswered: what happened to Madeleine McCann? Join host Ryan Kraus for a psychological examination of the evidence in an effort to uncover the truth.
Villains in Villisca: The Anatomy of an Axe Murder
Feb 21, 2018
Show notes
At 10pm on June 9th, 1912, the Moore family of Villisca, Iowa returns home from the Children's Day Program at their local Presbyterian church along with two guests. But as night turns to dawn, the family of six never emerges from behind the drawn curtains of the residence. Soon after, a suspicious neighbor sets off a chain of events that leads to a gruesome discovery: eight dead bodies, all bludgeoned with an axe. Two adults. Six children. And no answers more than 100 years later. Join host Ryan Kraus for a casual stroll through the crime scene as he attempts to extract motive and possible suspects from the psychology present in the murders.
The Exorcism of Elliot Rodger Part II: Investigating the Inherent Intricacies of Being Idly Introverted – E027
Feb 05, 2018
Show notes
Join host Ryan Kraus in part II of this series covering Elliot Rodger and the Isla Vista Massacre, in which he takes the audience down the rabbit hole once again for a psychological examination of evolution's war on introversion and its resulting societal implications that lead to violence.
The Exorcism of Elliot Rodger Part I: Trajectory from the Old Rectory – E026
Jan 22, 2018
Show notes
On the evening of May 23, 2014, 22-year-old UCSB student Elliot Rodger murdered three students in his apartment near campus before taking his rampage to the streets behind the wheel of a fast-moving car. After killing or wounding more than a dozen people in his path, the perpetrator crashed the vehicle and took his own life, leaving us with one very important question: why? Join host Ryan Kraus for a psychological examination of the early years documented in Elliot's manifesto "My Twisted World" to learn what brought forth the demon. With a special appearance by Jessica from the Asian Madness Podcast.
Murderous Musings on Marilyn Monroe – E025
Jan 08, 2018
Show notes
On August 5, 1962, the world learned of the death of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe, who succumbed to an overdose of barbiturates at age 36. Decades later, however, many still speculate the actress was the victim of murder. Join host Ryan Kraus for a psychological profile of the life and death of a legend.
Angie Housman & The Deification of the Devil – E024
Dec 17, 2017
Show notes
On November 18, 1993, 9-year-old Angie Housman vanished after getting off a school bus less than a block from her home. In the following days, terror gripped the residents of St. Ann, MO as police searched desperately for a missing little girl and her abductor. Their worst fears were confirmed when Angie's frozen body was discovered tied to a tree in a remote wilderness nearby. 25 years later, her killer's identity remains unknown. Join host Ryan Kraus as he paints a psychological portrait of evil from the scarce palette of clues left on this canvas.
Gushing Geysers & Emotional Trip-Weiers: The Sickness in Summoning Slender Man – E023
Nov 26, 2017
Show notes
On May 31, 2014, a 12-year-old middle school student from Waukesha, WI was discovered lying on a bike path covered in blood, the victim of a vicious stabbing. Police soon learned the attackers were the girl's best friend Morgan Geyser and classmate Anissa Weier, who were apprehended while attempting to flee to a fictional mansion in the forest. When prompted for motive, they claimed a paranormal being named Slender Man was going to kill their families if they didn't comply with his demands to eliminate their friend. But more than 5 years later, we still don't have an answer that's even remotely grounded in reality. Join host Ryan Kraus on a psychological journey for the truth.
Sabrina Aisenberg & The Peculiar Particulars of Passing Polygraphs While Pleading the Fifth
Nov 20, 2017
Show notes
On the morning of November 24, 1997, parents Steve and Marlene Aisenberg called 911 to report their 5-month-old daughter, Sabrina, had been taken from her crib in the middle of the night. But the police didn't find any evidence of an intruder. So, what began as a kidnapping quickly became whispers of foul play, with the cops pointing the finger at the parents. 20 years later, we're still wondering what happened to Sabrina Aisenberg. Join host Ryan Kraus for a psychological exploration of the truth beneath the lies.
Big Fish, Back Doors & Blackouts: The Brian Shaffer Story
Nov 05, 2017
Show notes
On March 31, 2006, a 27-year-old Ohio State medical student named Brian Shaffer went out for a night of drinking with a friend, one that culminated at the Big Tuna Saloona, where Brian is seen on security footage talking to two young women outside the entrance at 1:55am. He then walks off camera back into the bar, and subsequently disappears from the face of the Earth, never to be heard from again. Join host Ryan Kraus as he examines the most likely explanations for this baffling mystery.
Menendez Bros: How We Hired Gordon Gekko to Murder John Candy & Bury Him in The Great Outdoors
Nov 05, 2017
Show notes
August 20, 1989 - Two brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez, enter their parents Beverly Hills mansion shortly before midnight and execute the couple with shotgun blasts, garnering the suspicion of police in the aftermath as they spend a fortune on lavish gifts and vacations. But soon the evil deeds will catch up with them, and the brothers are arrested for the murders. What follows in the trial is a battle for the truth that pits allegations of sexual assault against monetary greed. But, in the end, we're still left with one pertinent question: why? Join host Ryan Kraus as he attempts to answer this question through the societal implications of that time period in America.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
