Ignorance Was Bliss

Latest Episodes:

038 -- Yin and Yang -- The Case of Rodney Alcala, with Roseanne from Killafornia Dreaming Aug 30, 2018

Show notes

This episode is different for me, in several ways.
For one, it has not one, but two disclaimers. The first is done by Allyson from Dumb and Busted, and she did a lovely job. The second was my own compulsion, because the episode goes into much more graphic and specific details of a serial rapist and murderer's crimes than I typically include.
For another, about half of it is scripted, and I never script anymore. It stresses me out. But I was helped -- and this is the next big exciting difference -- by the incomparable Roseanne, from Killafornia Dreaming. She wrote the first half, and I mostly stuck to it without getting distracted or perfectionistic!
The second half is where we go entirely off-script, and we land in places that are both familiar and completely unexpected. Buckle in, kids. It's a wild ride.
The Flickr album containing unidentified subjects in photos from Alcala's storage locker is: https://www.flickr.com/photos/scpr/sets/72157623600695928/
Promos by Murderous Minors: Killer Kids and Mirths & Monsters.

037 -- Crash Course -- Anxiety vs ADHD Aug 20, 2018

Show notes

How do you know the difference between fear and anxiety? ...between specific and generalized anxiety? ...between distractibility and ADHD? ...between inattentive and hyperactive forms of ADHD? How about the difference between anxiety and ADHD?
The lines might be both clearer, and fuzzier, than you'd expect.
There are diagnostic websites all over the place, including Wikipedia, but I generally prefer the (...slightly...) less horrible/catastrophic approach as in websites like Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/dsm-5-criteria-for-generalized-anxiety-disorder-1393147
https://www.verywellmind.com/adhd-4157282
Promos by Wining About Crime and Nature vs Narcissism.
Sponsor is Bath By Bex (use code CBDkate for 15% off).

036 -- Are You Vor? -- interview with Mark Bullen Aug 18, 2018

Show notes

Some tattoos have more meaning than others.
Don't believe this middle-aged soccer mom? Listen to Mark Bullen, who is about to release a book about Russian prison tattoos and what they mean. It can help you think twice before randomly picking a symbol out of a tattoo parlor album just because it looks neat.
Mark's book can be pre-ordered on Amazon, though because I'm extra-cool I've already read it. I recommend it, assuming you're into that sort of thing. (And you're here, so...)
Promos are from Getting Off and All Crime No Cattle.
Sponsored by Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off).

035 -- A Multi-Substance Kind of Girl -- Alcoholism and the Pitfalls of AA Aug 13, 2018

Show notes

AA is considered by many to be the ideal treatment approach for alcoholism, of all types, and really for substance abuse, in all forms.
If you've put up with me for this long, you may not be shocked to learn that I don't believe there are many catch-alls in the world. Whether it's treatment methodology, blanket statements, or mindsets. Or pants.
I was #blessed to be joined by Kim (from People Are Wild) and Karla* (from Go Postal), for a very honest, vulnerable and genuine conversation about what it means to experience alcoholism, as a woman, and what it means to try to pursue help.
This is the first time I have deliberately covered the same topic more than once, and yet there is sadly little overlap between Episode 22 and this one. There's just too much to say, and too many ways to say it.
So hang in there. It's a lot.
*I don't identify Karla's podcast in the show, because I remembered to get permission to get her name, but forgot to ask about the show. She has given me the thumbs-up. Just so's you know.
Promos by Trace Evidence and Seeing Red. Sponsored by Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off).

034 -- The Stories We Tell -- with Steven Pacheco Aug 11, 2018

Show notes

There are facts all around us, all the time. Things that happened. Things that exist. Things that are missing.
And then there are the stories we tell about those facts, the way we connect different facts in order to tell a story
.And if you're very lucky, you can meet someone who is willing and able to discuss this phenomenon, in depth, in a fun and engaging way.
This was my fact: I got to speak with Steven Pacheco, of Trace Evidence.
Here is yours: you can listen to him, off-script, and hear that he's a thoughtful, great guy even when he's not playing one on his own show.
Promos from Murderish and Asian Madness.
Sponsored, as always, by Bath By Bex (CBDkate for 15% off).

033 -- ...In Which We Burn -- conversation with Scott Reeder Aug 08, 2018

Show notes

The first part of my conversation with Scott Reeder (Suspect Convictions) remains focused and topical. The second part tends to ...stray... a bit, but maybe it needs to in order to make it clear that whenever people talk about a single case, they're actually speaking about dozens of individuals, potentially hundreds of family members, and really the entire society in which the case exists.
They're not rabbitholes if there's something important down there somewhere...right? So, here's your chance to listen to me start off in a fairly well-behaved way and eventually practically accuse a man of murder (but not really).
It was a challenging, thoughtful conversation, and I'm so grateful that Scott was willing to talk with me.
Promos by Murder and Such and Crime on the Mind, sponsor Bath By Bex (code CBDkate for 15% off at checkout).

032 -- Time is the Fire... -- interview with Scott Reeder Aug 08, 2018

Show notes

What's the difference between obsession and determination? I think maybe it's research and journalism.
I got the chance to sit down with Scott Reeder, of Suspect Convictions, and he managed to boil a book and a full season of a podcast down into a half an hour. He has such an intense and important story to tell.
Promos from Hoosier Homicide and Mysteries and Urban Legends (MAUL). They are my dear friends as well as crazy-good podcasters, please check them out.
Sponsor is bathbybex.com, use code CBDkate for 15% off at checkout.
Thank you again, Scott. Such a great chat.

031 -- Creepy Lifelike Baby Dolls Aug 07, 2018

Show notes

Hard on the heels of an episode about stalking, I bring you... another episode about stalking.
But never fear, this one taps into a very different form, often and easily overlooked: female stalkers. Hear the brave and unexpected story of a listener, as well as more details of my personal life than are probably strictly necessary.
A huge thank you to Ursula, as well as to N and J, who have shared their stories in the last two episodes. If you think it was easy for any of them... think again.
Promos this week by Wives' Tales and Suspect Convictions.
Don't forget my sponsor, bathbybex.com, with code CBDkate at checkout for 15% off.

030 -- The Ballad of Heather and Ralph -- stalking Aug 04, 2018

Show notes

Sometimes we laugh at the things that hurt the most. And sometimes we laugh at the impressive stupidity of the things that hurt the most.
Sometimes we rage at the patriarchy. And sometimes we understand that it's not necessarily the fault of the patriarchy, but we rage at it nonetheless.
Sometimes we end a relationship before it ends us.
Visit http://victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-resource-center/help-for-victims or call 855-4-VICTIM if you think you are the target of stalking or know someone who is. Please.
Thank you, again, to J and N for your bravery and honesty and freaking hilarity. Such an honor.
Promos by Two Hexy Mamas and Murder Mile.
Sponsored by bathbybex.com (use code CBDkate for 15% off).

029 -- The Cult of Oprah the Narwhal -- conversation with Sinead from Mens Rea about pedophile priests Jul 27, 2018

Show notes

I was so lucky, recently, to be able to go on a two-week adventure around the British Isles with my husband and two older kids. I was extra-lucky to be able to stay a night in Dublin, during which Sinead, from the Mens Rea podcast, was gracious enough to show us a glimpse of the city, take us to dinner and a show, and spend a few hours with me... first recording this conversation, then hanging out at the PantiBar.
Sinead hosts one of the first podcasts I ever listened to, and she is fully aware of just how fabulous her voice is -- almost as amazing as the rest of her.
So sit back and relax while Sinead and I (joined by Emily!) get riled up over the pedophile priest scandals on both sides of the Atlantic, ponder the existance of giraffes, narwhals and Oprah, and banter in a wildly inappropriate manner.
Which, if you're into that sort of thing... there is probably about half an hour of inappropriate *and* irrelevant banter that I cut out, for the sake of time, but that I can't bear to outright discard. It will be available on my Patreon feed within the next few days.
Enjoy!
Promos by True Crime Island and Dumb and Busted.
Check out bathbybex.com, use promo code CBDkate for 15% off!

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