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The Escape Pod
A traumedy about the trials and tribulations of people in their journeys of “escape”. Escape what, you ask? ALL the things! From trauma, crime, and unhealthy family cycles, to traffic and good deeds not going unpunished. Like we said—all the things! (Just tune in…you’ll understand.) Co-hosted by Julie Oberlander and Charity Doyle--the journalist and the rehabbed trainwreck--The Escape Pod aims to connect, educate, entertain, and humanize through the lens of lived experience.
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Episodes
37 minutes ago
2 days ago
2 days ago
No “silver spoon” to speak of in this politician’s background. No – Jason Salamun, now Mayor Salamun, was born in West Texas to teen parents, including a mother who struggled with addiction. His childhood was fraught with instability. But his grandparents were a “lifeline,” and a combination of their love and a new life with his father in South Dakota changed everything. Mayor Salamun escaped a challenging childhood and eventually reached city hall. We hear more about his tumultuous youth and the move that made all the difference in the first of a two-part conversation with the mayor on The Escape Pod.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 :25 Meet the mayor
Topic #2 6:20 A challenging childhood
Topic #3 18:42 Moving to South Dakota, while brother stays behind
Topic #4 31:52 Military service
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https://www.escapepod.live
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General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
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Thursday Jun 05, 2025
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
Pie-scape (Escaping financial abuse)
Summary of Episode
Inspired by the fictional movie/musical “Waitress,” the co-hosts explore the very non-fictional issue of financial abuse and – more importantly – how to escape it.
Resources & Links
‘Waitress’ IMDb page
Women’s Law webpage on ‘financial abuse’
org
blackhillsplayhouse.com/
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
https://www.escapepod.live
Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
He says “med school Stephen” had no interest in addiction and recovery services, but several years after earning his M.D., this doctor with a heart for humanity saw a need for expanded treatment options in Rapid City, SD, and he took action. The co-hosts welcome Dr. Stephen Tamang of Monument Health into The Escape Pod to discuss hard drugs, how they hijack the brain, and why escaping these addictions is so challenging.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 :30 Introducing Stephen Tamang, M.D.
Topic #2 18:06 Treating addictions at Project Recovery
Topic #3 29:18 Can an addict’s brain be re-rewired for the better?
Topic #4 38:05 Dr. Tamang talks community/societal challenges
Topic #5 57:43 Escapism, co-host-style!
Resources & Links
The Least of Us (by Sam Quinones)
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
https://www.escapepod.live
Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
Thursday May 29, 2025
Thursday May 29, 2025
In this Escape Bite, your co-hosts compete to come up with the best story that answers the question: Who stole the cheese?! Turns out, A LOT of people do. Cheese is actually the “most stolen food” in the world, according to a Yahoo News article published in April 2025.
Resources & Links
The Tastiest Crime: Why Cheese is the Most Stolen Food in the World
Philadelphia Cheese Masturbator Arrested
Cheese Masturbator Receives Probation
Swiss Cheese Pervert Faces New Allegations
Fourth Victim of Cheese Pervert Comes Forward
Pagano Faces Further Charges
Pagano Arrested at His Home
Police Search for Alleged Swiss Cheese Pervert
Serial Masturbator Faces New Charges
Swiss Cheese Pervert Caught
The Swiss Cheese Pervert Breaks His Silence
Source/Philadelphia Police Department
Mayfair Town Watch/for PhillyVoice
https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/serial-shoplifter-jailed-for-four-months-after-targeting-same-store-4616037
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/doncaster-thief-targeted-same-shop-29389961
Explanation of “on licence”
https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crime/sarah-connor-doncaster-prolific-shoplifter-jailed-for-ignoring-ban-from-city-centre-stores-4886803
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
https://www.escapepod.live
Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Summary of Episode
The conclusion of The Escape Pod’s “Blind Faith” series details the alleged whereabouts of John-Paul Miller on the day of his wife’s tragic death and digs into new allegations against the pastor, dating back to the 1990s.
BE ADVISED: This episode includes discussion of suicide and physical and sexual violence.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 :01 Recap of Parts 1-3
Topic #2 11:27 JP defends himself
Topic #3 16:33 New accusations emerge against JP and his father
Topic #4 28:41 "Mica's List”
Topic #5 40:28 Escapism, co-host-style
Resources & Links
Alison Miller (Solid Rock Church)
Mica Miller: Mica Miller Obituary
'Raped by Demons:' Myrtle Beach Pastors Accused of Sexual, Psychological Abuse
John-Paul Miller ‘Felt Like He Owned’ Mica, Father Says
John Paul Miller Says He is Not to Blame in Wife’s Death
Everything We Know About the Mica Miller Case
Fisherman Who Found Mica Miller’s Belongings Reportedly Killed in Car Wreck
VIDEO: New Lawsuit Alleges Pastor John Paul Miller Attacked Underage Girls
Major Update in Mica Miller Case Three Months After Her Death
Mica Miller 911 Call Shortly Before Her Death
Mica Miller’s Pastor Husband Arrested on Assault Charge Days After FBI Searched His Home
Alison Miller Court Filing
Alison Miller Affidavit
Mica Miller Case: Strangulation Allegations Surface
Officials Release New Details Surrounding Mica Miller’s Death
Mica Miller’s Family Pleads for More Investigation
Court Documents Filed with Horry County
JPM Posts Private Pic of Wife in Retaliation
Mica’s Husband Groomed Her for Years
Domestic Abuse Incident Report
Family Of Mica Miller Seeks Domestic Violence Reform
Mica Miller Timeline of Events: Sirens Podcast
Mica Miller’s death ‘doesn’t add up’: Family
Mica’s Obituary
Crazy Video of John Paul Demonstrating Possible Mental Illness
Friends Grieve Mica Miller's Death
Teen's Rape Claim Against John Paul Miller
“No Man is Without Sin”
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
https://www.escapepod.live
Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
Summary of Episode
A controller at a Texas bakery famous for its fruitcake steals a massive amount of “dough” from his employer over nine years. How did he do it, and – more importantly – how can trusting businesses escape such a fate themselves? The co-hosts answer those questions and more in an Escape Bite mini-sode that might leave you saying, “That’s a lot of fruitcake!”
Resources & Links
“Fail” photo found on Pinterest
Collin Street Bakery Blog
FBI News Release
Investigation Discovery Crimefeed
My San Antonio local news
CPA Charles Hall Blog
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
https://www.escapepod.live
Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Escape Pod Show Notes – Episode 69: Blind Faith, Pt. 3 (Mica Miller’s Story)
Date: 5/21/2025
Episode Title and Number: Blind Faith, Pt. 3 (Mica Miller’s Story) – Ep. 69
Summary of Episode
Our four-part series “Blind Faith” focuses on a Carolina pastor and his often-tumultuous relationships, particularly with his second wife, Mica, who – authorities ruled – took her own life in the spring of 2024. In this third installment, The Escape Pod co-hosts consider some of the evidence that seems to conflict with the official ruling of Mica’s death as a suicide.
BE ADVISED: This episode includes discussion of violence against women and suicide.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 :01 Recap of Parts 1 & 2
Topic #2 4:25 Background
Topic #3 12:03 Mica’s last day
Topic #4 24:35 Discrepancies
Topic #5 31:10 Escapism, co-host-style
Resources & Links
Alison Miller (Solid Rock Church)
Mica Miller: Mica Miller Obituary
'Raped by Demons:' Myrtle Beach Pastors Accused of Sexual, Psychological Abuse
John-Paul Miller ‘Felt Like He Owned’ Mica, Father Says
John Paul Miller Says He is Not to Blame in Wife’s Death
Everything We Know About the Mica Miller Case
Fisherman Who Found Mica Miller’s Belongings Reportedly Killed in Car Wreck
VIDEO: New Lawsuit Alleges Pastor John Paul Miller Attacked Underage Girls
Major Update in Mica Miller Case Three Months After Her Death
Mica Miller 911 Call Shortly Before Her Death
Mica Miller’s Pastor Husband Arrested on Assault Charge Days After FBI Searched His Home
Alison Miller Court Filing
Alison Miller Affidavit
Mica Miller Case: Strangulation Allegations Surface
Officials Release New Details Surrounding Mica Miller’s Death
Mica Miller’s Family Pleads for More Investigation
Court Documents Filed with Horry County
JPM Posts Private Pic of Wife in Retaliation
Mica’s Husband Groomed Her for Years
Domestic Abuse Incident Report
Family Of Mica Miller Seeks Domestic Violence Reform
Mica Miller Timeline of Events: Sirens Podcast
Mica Miller’s death ‘doesn’t add up’: Family
Mica’s Obituary
Crazy Video of John Paul Demonstrating Possible Mental Illness
Friends Grieve Mica Miller's Death
Teen's Rape Claim Against John Paul Miller
“No Man is Without Sin”
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
https://www.escapepod.live
Do you have a story that you want to share with EscapePod? Or do you just want to reach out to us with your comments and thoughts?
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
On Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapePod.traumedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape_pod_podcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Escape_Pod_podcast/videos
EscapePod
Join co-hosts Charity Doyle and Julie Oberlander, along with occasional guests, as they laugh (and cry) their way through past traumas and give tips to getting through tough times.
Life is full of ups and downs and it takes you to crazy places and we need each other to make it through.
Are you an escape artist? Consider becoming a patron and supporting the show!
Your support will help our small 3-person podcast team offset the costs associated with writing, producing, and promoting the show. Any amount is sincerely appreciated. What's more, your support will help us do what we do best: help others escape and break unhealthy cycles on their way to better lives.
Choose from the options below:
Escape Pod Fan
$2per month
This patron level is in honor of people struggling in the crisis of poverty and who feel moved to support the show and our mission to help people just like them.
~Get a special shout-out on the show.
~Receive a thank-you email from the hosts.
GIVE $2
I LOVE Escape Pod!
$5per month
This patron level is for supporters who are willing to give the monetary equivalent of a cup of coffee each month to support the costs associated with producing the show.
~Get a special shout-out on the show.
~Receive a hand-written thank you from the hosts with a special Escape Pod sticker.
~Gain access to gated patron-only bonus content and ad-free episodes.
~Participate in our patrons-only Facebook page.
GIVE $5
Escape Pod BFF!
$10per month
This patron level is for supporters who are all-in!
~Get a special shout-out on the show.
~Receive a hand-written thank you from the hosts with a special Escape Pod sticker.
~Gain access to gated patron-only bonus content and ad-free episodes.
~Participate in our patrons-only Facebook page.
~Vote on future show topics.
GIVE $10
Disclaimer
The EscapePod podcast and content posted is presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes.