Nature vs Narcissism

Latest Episodes:

0408: James Edward Smith Dec 07, 2020

Show notes

In episode 8 of Season 4; Heather discusses the 1983 senseless murder of 44-year-old Larry Don Rohus as well as the man who was responsible for and convicted of this horrible crime – 30-year-old James Edward Smith. Smith was a Hare Krishna follower and labeled himself as a VooDoo/VoDou Priest. This plays a role in some of the confessions that he made as well as his last meal request (super interesting). James Edward Smith was executed by lethal injection in Texas on June 26, 1990.
Last meal?? Um. You'll see...
Find your favorite platform, buy merch, find sources, and more!
https://linktr.ee/nvnpodcast
Call/text us: 1-513-549-5735
Email us: naturevsnarcissism@gmail.com
Send us things:
PO Box 498396
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

0407: Lawrence Russell Brewer Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

In episode 7 of Season 4; Rachelle discusses the 1998 atrocious and senseless murder of 49-year-old James Byrd, Jr. as well as the men who were responsible for and convicted of this horrible crime – 31-year-old white supremacist Lawrence Russell Brewer, Shawn Berry, and John King. For this episode though – we are focusing on the ringleader, Lawrence Russell Brewer. We know that this episode is a bit shorter than last week, but we think that is a good thing. It was really hard to stomach this case but Rachelle brought it to the table because it is definitely one that needs to be discussed. The actions of Lawrence and his cohorts were unacceptable and should not and will not be tolerated; as you will see in this episode. Lawrence Russell Brewer was sentenced to death on September 23, 1999 and executed by lethal injection in Texas on September 21, 2011.
Last meal?? Ugh. Don’t get us started.
Sponsor: BeenVerified https://checkbv.com/nature - with this link; receive 15% off.
Find your favorite platform, buy merch, find sources, and more!
https://linktr.ee/nvnpodcast
Call/text us: 1-513-549-5735
Email us: naturevsnarcissism@gmail.com
Send us things:
PO Box 498396
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

0406: Robert Alton Harris Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

In episode 6 of Season 4; Heather discusses the 1978 murders of two 16-year-old boys; John Mayeski and Michael Baker…as well as the man who was convicted and executed for their murders - 25-year-old Robert Alton Harris. We think that one of the most disturbing elements of this case is the fact that Harris had no regard for human life and had killed someone just a few years prior to this as well. Harris attempted every way possible, to not be put to death; he was the hero (according to his testimony) after all. However, after much back-and-forth, on April 21, 1992, after roughly 14 years behind bars; Harris was sent to the gas chamber and executed for his crimes. He was the first execution in California in 25 years.
How about that last meal??
Find your favorite platform, buy merch, find sources, and more!
https://linktr.ee/nvnpodcast
Call/text us: 1-513-549-5735
Email us: naturevsnarcissism@gmail.com
Send us things:
PO Box 498396
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

LR - The Slenderman Stabbing Oct 23, 2020

Show notes

We are back for another listener request episode! And for those of you who are devoted listeners; you’ve already “met Lily” in our interview episode! Definitely check that episode out - and there will be links in the show notes to find her book - Teen Killers Club.
Today though, we will be discussing a case that Lily finds pretty interesting. And honestly, I do as well. I think there are several super disturbing aspects to this case. So, before really delving into the case details...for those who aren’t familiar with the case - here’s a quick summary. This happened in Waukesha, Wisconsin on May 31, 2014. There were three 12-year-old girls who were friends...who were hanging out when two of the girls lured the third girl into the woods, where they stabbed her, 19 times!! This was in an effort to “prove that the fictional character - Slenderman - was real” according to the girls. It was reported that they wanted to become proxies of Slenderman; per the girls. The victim...12-year-old Payton Leutner SURVIVED the attack! She was able to crawl out of the woods, to a nearby road; where a passerby on a bicycle found her. She spent several days in the hospital, recovering from her stab wounds.
I thought it was really cool that Lily wanted to add something to the side to spice up this episode! She knew that we were talking about last meals in Season 4...so although neither perpetrator was executed; she has an interesting dish for us...
The new music featured in this episode is by one of Heather's high school friends, Andrew aka andre_the_g on BandLab! He creates and mixes his own tracks and they're pretty awesome! You should really check him out on Bandlab:
@andre_the_g on BandLab (https://www.bandlab.com/andre_the_g/chill-a68ccc1f?revId=fa03673b-ce04-eb11-96f5-501ac5b31de6)
TEEN KILLERS CLUB WILL BE AVAILABLE ON NOVEMBER 10, 2020!
Get your copy here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1643852299
Website: http://www.sparkslily.com
Direct link to indiebound (a way to find the book at an independent retailer): https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781643852294
Follow Lily on Twitter:
@lilyroro
Sponsor: BeenVerified
https://checkbv.com/nature - with this link; receive 15% off.
Find your favorite platform, buy merch, find sources, and more!
https://linktr.ee/nvnpodcast
Call/text us: 1-513-549-5735
Email us: naturevsnarcissism@gmail.com
Send us things:
PO Box 498396
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

0405: Robert Dale Conklin Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

In episode 5 of Season 4; Rachelle discusses the 1984 murder and mutilation of 28-year-old George Grant Crooks as well as the man who was convicted AND executed for it; Robert Dale Conklin. This case is pretty messed up (which is really no different than any other case on the show)…so, take this as your warning. Have you heard of Joel Guy? Well; think about that but a bit more in depth. Conklin tried to claim self-defense as well as pointing to the death of Crooks as an accident. However, the jury saw right through that, and on July 12, 2005, after 21 years behind bars; Conklin was executed for his crimes.
Was there pre-meditation? How did Conklin act after the death of Crooks? What if the death of Crooks was an accident? And what about that last meal??
Find your favorite platform, buy merch, find sources, and more!
https://linktr.ee/nvnpodcast
Call/text us: 1-513-549-5735
Email us: naturevsnarcissism@gmail.com
Send us things:
PO Box 498396
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

Teen Killers Club - Interview with the Author: Lily Sparks Oct 17, 2020

Show notes

In this very special episode; Heather is joined by yet another author! This time, the author is Lily Sparks and she describes her new book: Teen Killers Club – which hits shelves everywhere, on November 10, 2020!
In Lily’s own words: “Teen Killers Club, (Crooked Lane/Penguin Random House) is really is built on the theme Nature vs. Narcissism: it's set in a world where convicted killers have their internet activity run through an algorithm and then are classed from A-F based on criminal potential, Class A being the most deadly. The Class A's who are under 18 are then whisked off to an abandoned summer camp to train as assassins. But our main character, a misfit goth, was framed for the murder of her best friend and is actually innocent. (It’s based on the how the Hare Psychopathy checklist is currently used to determine eligibility for parole or the death penalty in many prisons currently.) So, the book really is centered around this question of, is evil innate or learned and at what point can the tide be turned in someone who is headed down the wrong path.”
So, obviously; Heather HAD to interview her…there was no question about it!
Some of her reviewers are just as stoked! Here’s what they’re saying:
“a wicked sense of humor” –Margot Harrison (author of The Glare)
“…sick, twisted, fast-paced fun” –Kendare Blake (NYT bestselling author of Three Dark Crowns)
“highly addictive and uncomfortably heartfelt” –Joelle Charbonneau (NYT bestselling author of The Testing)
TEEN KILLERS CLUB WILL BE AVAILABLE ON NOVEMBER 10, 2020!
Get your copy here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1643852299
Website: http://www.sparkslily.com
Direct link to indiebound (a way to find the book at an independent retailer): https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781643852294
Follow Lily on Twitter:
@lilyroro
Music at the beginning and end of this episode was from Andre The G. Check him out on Bandlab:
andre_the_g on BandLab
Sponsor: BeenVerified
https://checkbv.com/nature - with this link; receive 15% off.
Find your favorite platform, buy merch, find sources, and more!
https://linktr.ee/nvnpodcast
Call/text us: 1-513-549-5735
Email us: naturevsnarcissism@gmail.com
Send us things:
PO Box 498396
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

0404: Wanda Jean Allen Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

In episode 4 of Season 4; Heather discusses the 1981 manslaughter of Dedra Pettus and the 1989 murder of Gloria Jean Leathers - as well as the woman who was convicted AND executed for one of their deaths; Wanda Jean Allen. This case has plenty of mitigating factors and in today’s society; I don’t think that it would have turned out the way that it did. However, on January 11, 2001, the courts didn’t see it that way and Allen – after 12 years on death row; was executed by the State of Oklahoma.
There were two dozen family members of Dedra and Gloria, who were in attendance at her execution. But Wanda seemed to be playing games…or at least appeared to be acting “childish” to some who witnessed the execution. Her last meal? Well, I don’t know that I would call that a meal.
Sponsor: BeenVerified
https://checkbv.com/nature - with this link; receive 15% off.
Find your favorite platform, buy merch, find sources, and more!
https://linktr.ee/nvnpodcast
Call/text us: 1-513-549-5735
Email us: naturevsnarcissism@gmail.com
Send us things:
PO Box 498396
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

0403: Edmund Zagorski Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

In episode 3 of Season 4; our Rachelle discusses the 1984 murders of 35-year-old John Dale Dotson and 32-year-old James Wayne "Jimmy" Porter as well as the man who was convicted AND executed for their murders; Edmund Zagorski. This was a very interesting case; to say the least. Some of the mannerisms and actions of Zagoski were of the most interesting. Was he a mercenary? Was he in fear of his own life? Were these the ONLY serious crimes that he had ever committed? So many questions. Not enough time. And how about that last meal?? EWWWWW.
Find your favorite platform, buy merch, find sources, and more! https://linktr.ee/nvnpodcast
Call/text us: 1-513-549-5735
Email us: naturevsnarcissism@gmail.com
Send us things:
PO Box 498396
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

0402: Steven Michael Woods, Jr. Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

In episode 2 of Season 4; Heather discusses the 2001 double murders of 21-year-old Ronald Whitehead and 19-year-old Bethena Brosz as well as the man who was convicted AND executed for their murders; Steven Michael Woods, Jr. This is another case that has some twists and turns leading some to believe that Woods didn’t actually commit the murders. However, the courts didn’t see it that way and Woods was executed by the Texas Department of Justice in September of 2011.
Although this case has a lot of similarities to the Odell Barnes, Jr. case in episode 1; the last meal was quite different.
Find your favorite platform, buy merch, find sources, and more!
https://linktr.ee/nvnpodcast
Call/text us: 1-513-549-5735
Email us: naturevsnarcissism@gmail.com
Send us things:
PO Box 498396
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

0401: Odell Barnes Jr Aug 31, 2020

Show notes

In episode 1 of Season 4; our Rachelle discusses the 1989 murder of Helen Bass as well as the man who was convicted AND executed for her murder; Odell Barnes, Jr. There are a lot of twists and turns in this case - including some serious reasonable doubt that garnered international media attention. But what may be even more interesting than the fact that investigators could determine the age of Helen's lamp...may quite possibly be Odell's choice of a last meal.
Promo: https://augiepeterson.wordpress.com/linda
Find your favorite platform, buy merch, find sources, and more!
https://linktr.ee/nvnpodcast
Call/text us: 1-513-549-5735
Email us: naturevsnarcissism@gmail.com
Send us things:
PO Box 498396
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected