The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told

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The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told S2 is an anthology of the most layered and engrossing true crime stories of female killers, cops, scientists, lawyers, scammers, activists, and more. Hosted by true crime writer, Mary Kay McBrayer, this podcast series tells stories at the intersection of society, justice, and the human psyche, siphoning wisdom and understanding from these truly great stories.

  • 34 minutes 38 seconds
    The Great Con-Woman of the Gilded Age, Part 1

    In part one of two, we take a look at the story of a woman who wanted into east coast high society… and got there. Cassie Chadwick went by many names to cover her tracks, but ended up pulling one of the greatest cons in American history, securing her legacy alongside the upper-class she so coveted.


    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 
    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    Check out Annie Reed's book, 'The Impostor Heiress: Cassie Chadwick, The Greatest Grifter of the Gilded Age' at Diversion Books for a deeper look at Cassie Chadwick.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    8 April 2025, 4:00 am
  • 37 minutes 23 seconds
    The Sicilian Photographer Who Shot the Mafia

    In this episode we take a look at Letitzia Batagliga, an acclaimed photojournalist from Palermo, whose stories and art helped legislators end the Cosa Nostra as we know it. 


    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 
    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 April 2025, 4:00 am
  • 42 minutes 29 seconds
    Agatha Christie: The Original Gone Girl

    In this episode we examine the lesser told story of Agatha Christie: that of her sudden disappearance. The beloved crime fiction writer, whose works are still being adapted, starred in her own real-live mystery, a true story of love, loss, and betrayal. 


    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 
    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

    Order Lucy Worsley's biography 'Agatha Christie, An Elusive Woman' at Pegasus Books

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 March 2025, 4:00 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    The Housewife Who Tried To Kill The President (Pt 2)

    This is part two of a two-part series on Sarah Jane Moore, the unlikely woman who wanted to kill the president, and the bizarre life she led…which the headlines never got quite right. Stay until the end for an interview with Geri Spieler, author of 'Housewife Assassin: The Woman Who Tried To Kill The President'.

    The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.


    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 
    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

    Order 'Housewife Assassin: The Woman Who Tried To Kill The President' by Geri Spieler at Diversion Books

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 March 2025, 1:32 pm
  • 41 minutes 27 seconds
    The Housewife Who Tried to Kill the President (Pt 1)

    This is part one of a two-part series on Sarah Jane Moore, the unlikely woman who wanted to kill the president, and the bizarre life she led…which the headlines never got quite right. 

    The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.


    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 
    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

    Order 'Housewife Assassin: The Woman Who Tried To Kill The President' by Geri Spieler at Diversion Books

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    11 March 2025, 4:00 am
  • 47 minutes 20 seconds
    True Crime Writing's Gold Standard, Ann Rule... and Her Friend Ted Bundy

    This is the story of Ann Rule, an icon who’s published more than thirty true crime novels, and redefined the genre for an entire generation of Americans. She wrote multiple bestsellers, broke barriers for female crime writers, and unwittingly befriended one of the most notorious serial killers of all time. 

    The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 
    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

    Order Ann Rule's 'The Stranger Beside Me' here for a deeper look into this case

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    4 March 2025, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    The Most Nefarious Welfare Queen

    This is the story of Linda Taylor, a woman who seized every opportunity to commit fraud and a whole host of other crimes… and no, that’s not her real name.

    The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 
    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

    Order John Levin's 'The Queen: The Forgotten Life Behind an American Myth' here, and listen to his four-part podcast on Linda Taylor here 

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 February 2025, 6:21 am
  • 52 minutes 4 seconds
    Pablo Escobar's Hostages

    This is the story of Pablo Escobar's struggle against extradition to the United States and two of the many journalists he kidnapped to leverage the Colombian government, Maruja Pachón and Beatriz Villamizar.

    The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 
    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth


    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

    Order Gabriel Garcia Márquez's book 'News on a Kidnapping' here

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    18 February 2025, 5:00 am
  • 51 minutes 3 seconds
    Postpartum Psychosis Horror Story

    This is the story of Andrea Yates and the debilitating effects of postpartum depression in the digital age. 

    The Greatest True Crime Stories is a production of Diversion Audio.

    • Follow Diversion Audio on Instagram 
    • Explore more: diversionaudio.com 

    This series is hosted by Mary Kay McBrayer. Check out more of her work at www.marykaymcbrayer.com.

    This episode was written by Mary Kay McBrayer

    Developed by Scott Waxman, Emma DeMuth, and Jacob Bronstein

    Associate Producer is Leo Culp
    Produced by Antonio Enriquez
    Theme Music by Tyler Cash
    Executive Produced by Scott Waxman and Emma DeMuth

    Special thanks to:
    Carter, Stephen L.. Invisible. Henry Holt and Co.. Kindle Edition. 

    Order Suzy Spencer's book 'Breaking Point' here for a deeper dive into Andrea Yates 

    Pre-order Mary Kay's forthcoming true crime book 'Madame Queen: The The Life and Crimes of Harlem’s Underground Racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair' here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    11 February 2025, 2:13 pm
  • 1 minute 55 seconds
    Introducing: 'The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told' Season 2

    The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told S2 is an anthology of the most layered and engrossing true crime stories of female killers, cops, scientists, lawyers, scammers, activists, and more. Hosted by true crime writer, Mary Kay McBrayer, this podcast series tells stories at the intersection of society, justice, and the human psyche, siphoning wisdom and understanding from these truly great stories. New episodes for Season 2 releases on February 11th.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    4 February 2025, 5:00 am
  • 19 minutes 35 seconds
    Bonus Episode: True Crime as an Entertainment Genre w/ Keith Wallman

    In this exclusive bonus episode, producer Emma DeMuth sits down with Keith Wallman, Editor-in-Chief of Diversion Books, to discuss the "why" behind the true crime genre. 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    19 March 2024, 7:01 am
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