Women and Crime

Latest Episodes:

Kitty Genovese Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Ep 266: A woman’s tragic murder in 1964 became a case study in human psychology and urban life that is still discussed today This is the Kitty Genovese story. Sources for Today's Episode:

• NY Times • NY Daily News • The New Yorker • Psychology Today • PBS • The book: Kitty Genovese: The Murder, the Bystanders, the Crime that Changed America by Kevin Cook • The Washington Post Sponsors: (thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)

Cash App - For a limited time only, new Cash App customers can use our exclusive code to earn some additional cash. Just download Cash App, use our exclusive referral code FAMILY10 in your profile, send $5 to a friend within 14 days, and you’ll get $10 dropped right into your account. Terms apply. That’s Money. That’s Cash App. Download Cash App Today: https://cash.app As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Shopify - Turn your big business idea into CHA CHING - with Shopify on your side. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/crimewomen

Credits: • Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks • Produced by James Varga • Audio Editor, Jose Alfonso • Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro • Music by Dessert Media Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes: • Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime • Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership. • YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Keywords: bystander effect, apathy, big city

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Reconsidered: Nicole Addimando Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

Ep 265: Reconsidered: 22 - Nicole Addimando Original Airdate: 07/20/20 On the evening of September 28, 2017, 30-year-old Christoper Grover was shot in the head by his live in girlfriend and mother of his two children, Nicole Addimando. Was this self-defense after years of physical and sexual abuse or was this a cold blooded murder? Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates. Sources for Today's Episode:

westandwithnikki.com
The New Yorker
The Poughkeepsie Journal

Credits:

Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Music by Dessert Media

Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/

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Danishka Melina Sibaja Mejia Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Ep 264: This woman’s courage to speak out became the spark in a chain of events that ended in an unthinkable tragedy.

This is the Danishka Melina Sibaja Mejia story. Sources for Today's Episode:

The Charlotte Observer
People.com
WBIR.com
Law and Crime News
Wate 6 News

Sponsors:

(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)

Tushbaby - Visit Tushbaby.com and start customizing your own carrier. Make sure to use code [CRIMEWOMEN] for 20% your first order.

Credits:

Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo
Music by Dessert Media

Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes:

Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime
Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership.
YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership

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Reconsidered: Kathleen Zellner Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

Ep 263: Reconsidered: 21 - Kathleen Zellner Original Airdate: 07/07/20 This is the story of a woman is known for her commitment to fight for justice for those who most of society has given up on. This woman's notorious work in the criminal justice system has shined the spotlight on wrongful convictions in the United States and while her work has enlightened us all, the case that inspired her efforts is one that just might haunt us all. Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates. Sources for Today's Episode:

Esquire
Chicago Tribune Article
Newsweek
Dream/Killer documentary
Los Angeles Times article

Credits:

Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Music by Dessert Media

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Irena Sendler Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Ep 262: During one of the darkest times in world history, this woman risked imprisonment, torture and death by firing squad to save thousands of children from the Nazis.

This is the Irena Sendler story Sources for Today's Episode:

The Guardian
Yeshiva University News
Irenasendler.org
BBC
TV movie called The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler.
NY Times
Holocaust memorial museum
The book, Irena’s Children by Tilar Mazzeo
www.neh.gov
The Documentary, IRENA SENDLER In the Name of Their Mothers

Sponsors: (thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)

TaskRabbit - Tackle your to-do list today and get 15% off your first task at TASKRABBIT.com or on the Taskrabbit app using promo code WAC. Taskrabbit—book trusted help for home tasks. Credits:

Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo
Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro
Music by Dessert Media

Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes:

Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime
Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership.
YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership

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Reconsidered: Joann Parks Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

Ep 261: Reconsidered: 20 - JoAnn Parks Original Airdate: 06/23/20 On the evening of April 9, 1989, JoAnn Parks put her three children to sleep and went to bed. She woke up around midnight to the sound of her children screaming and to a home engulfed in flames. Although the fire was initially ruled accidental, Joann was later convicted of arson and murder remains in prison 27 years later, even though there is substantial doubt on the accuracy of her conviction Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates. Sources for Today's Episode:

Burned, by Ed Humes
NPR
Albany Law Review (Brooks, Simpson, Kaneb)
CAIP
Courtroom Confidential podcast
LATimes

Credits:

Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Music by Dessert Media

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Sheryl Ruthven Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Ep 260: She built a sanctuary for cats—but was it really a shelter, or the front for a cult? This is the Sheryl Ruthven story

Sources for Today's Episode:

• An episode of The Curious Case of…The Doomsday Cat Cult • Nashvillescene.com • The podcast The Opportunist • Psychology Today Sponsors: (thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)

Chewy - Chewy has everything you need to keep your pet happy and healthy. And right now you can save $20 on your first order and get free shipping by going to Chewy.com/women

Credits:

Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo
Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro
Music by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to: Kathy Sacks

Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes: • Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime • Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership. • YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/

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Reconsidered: Race and Crime in America Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Ep 259: Reconsidered: 19 - Race & Crime in America Original Airdate: 06/09/20 As the country faces a crisis in race and justice, the cases we discuss today have helped bring our attention to some of the most significant injustices and important issues, but do we know the whole story and even when we do, what can we do about it? In today's episode, we use the stories of females to explore both the problems and some of the possible solutions to racism in our criminal justice system. Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates. Sources for Today's Episode:

Bureau of Justice Statistics
FBI’s Uniform Crime Report
Sentencing Project: Report to the UN on Racial Disparities in the US Criminal Justice System
New York Times
National Registry of Exonerations
The Innocence Project

Recommended readings:

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race/Beverley Daniel Tatum/2017
White Rage/Carol Anderson/2017
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness/Michelle Alexander/2010
Just Mercy/Bryan Stevenson/2014

Recommended Documentaries:

13th
When They See Us
Gideon’s Army

Credits:

Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Music by Dessert Media

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Mary McGinnis Morris and Mary Lou Henderson Morris Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Ep 258: Two women are murdered days apart in Harris County Texas, but over 20 years later their cases remain unsolved This is the Mary McGinnis Morris and Mary Lou Henderson Morris story. Sources for Today's Episode:

Unsolved Mysteries
Houston Chronicle
ABC News
Fox 26 Houston
Associated Press

Sponsors: (thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)

Turn your big business idea into ’CHA CHING’ with Shopify on your side. $1-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/crimewomen

Credits:

Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo
Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro
Music by Dessert Media

Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes:

Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime
Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership.
YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership

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

Reconsidered: Shanda Sharer Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Ep 257: Reconsidered: 18 - Shanda Sharer Original Airdate: 05/26/20 In the backdrop of Teenage relationships and rivalry, the jealousy of one would be the impetuous for a shocking crime involving not one or two but 4 murderers and one innocent 12 year old girl. This is a case that will have us all asking: Is there such a thing as redemption? Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates. Sources for Today's Episode:

Dr. Phil
The Los Angeles Times
Death of Innocence: The Murder of Yound Shanda Sharer, by David Lore
NBC Exclusive by Ann Ryder - Convicted Killer now Training Dogs in Honor of her Young Victim.

Credits:

Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Music by Dessert Media

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