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The Escape Pod Traumedy
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 Charity Doyle and Karabeth Borresen --The Escape Pod aims to connect, educate, entertain, and humanize through the lens of lived experience.
Listen on:
Charity
If there’s a challenge to tackle or a heart to lift, Charity Doyle is usually in the thick of it with an idea (or five) ready to roll. Engineer by degree, leader by nature, Charity’s career has been a whirlwind tour from building water systems to building up people. She didn’t just help create OneHeart—she project-managed it into existence, then turned around and became its first CEO, steering the mission with equal parts grit and grace.
When she’s not dreaming up new ways to make communities stronger, Charity is busy founding startups like FOQUS, designed to help employers and jobseekers alike cut through the hiring noise—because everyone deserves a shot at meaningful employment. Her resume reads like a playlist of “let’s make things better,” from tutoring youth detainees to serving on executive boards in the health, professional student life, and entertainment industries.
You’ll find her in the EscapePod studio, too—mixing big laughs with big ideas, and making even the heaviest topics a little lighter. Whether she’s wrangling chaos or building a better world one human at a time, Charity brings the heart, the hustle, and a healthy dose of “let’s do this.” Buckle up: when Charity’s around, ordinary is never on the agenda.
KB
Karabeth "KB" joins the EscapePod studio alongside Charity on Season 2 to navigate the weird, wild, and often wounded stories of life with heart, humor, and a healthy dose of awkwardness.
KB wears many hats (and sometimes a headset): she’s the Brand & Marketing Director for OneHeart and its family of mission-driven ventures—including this podcast, HomeBrew Coffee Shop, and FOQUS, a smarter hiring platform. She’s been with OneHeart since day one, helping to shape its voice, share its impact, and spotlight the resilience of the humans it serves.
Known for her thoughtful creativity, overflowing optimism, and knack for finding the funny—even in the messy stuff—Karabeth is a natural storyteller and a relentless cheerleader for the underdog. She believes laughter really is medicine (second only to coffee), and she’s here to ask the questions, make you smile, and maybe even cry-laugh along the way.
Episodes
Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
In the chilling kickoff to Season 2, we unravel the tangled mystery surrounding the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe. After a night of drinking, he’s found lifeless in the snow outside a fellow officer’s home—and his girlfriend, Karen Read, is accused of hitting him with her SUV and leaving him to die in a blizzard.
But the defense paints a darker picture: a possible cover-up involving law enforcement, missing surveillance footage, and a web of conflicting evidence. Was this a tragic accident—or something far more sinister?
This episode dives deep into the events leading up to that fateful night, the volatile relationship between Karen and John, and the explosive courtroom battle that followed.
Highlights Include:
A nor’easter, a night of drinking, and a body in the snow
Broken taillight fragments and a strand of hair on a bumper
Angry voicemails and texts that paint a volatile relationship
Scratches, a German Shepherd, and theories of a dog attack
Missing surveillance footage and suspicious Google searches
A courtroom showdown with over 600 exhibits and 70 witnesses
A relationship rekindled during the pandemic—and unraveling in tragedy
Medical findings that challenge the prosecution’s narrative
Resources & Links
True Crime Today Podcast: The Trial of Karen Read
A Guide to the Karen Read Case
Karen Read & John O'Keefe's Relationship | Vinnie Politan Investigates
Did Dunkin' Donuts Fight Uncover Deeper Issues in Read, O'Keefe Relationship?
Conspiracy in Canton
A Timeline of the Karen Read Case and the Story Behind the High-profile Massachusetts Murder Trial
Karen Read Case: These Are the Key Players to Know
Karen Read's Angry Voicemails to John O'Keefe
Unpacking the Second Trial and Verdict That Cleared Karen Read of Murder
Lead Investigator in Karen Read Case Fired from Massachusetts State Police After Vulgar Texts
Karen Read Accused of Killing Her Police Officer Boyfriend
Missing Video Footage
Conspiracies, Cover-Up Claims, Dog Bite Analysis Swirl In Case Of Boston Cop ‘Taillight Murder’
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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
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Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
Imagine meeting someone new, sparks fly, but then your life spirals into a nightmare of endless texts, vandalism, and a murder mystery that sounds straight out of a thriller. This is the chilling true story of Dave Kroupa, a man who found himself at the center of one of the wildest stalking cases of all time.
Highlights Include:
A Love Triangle Turns Deadly: Dave Kroupa’s casual dating life spirals into chaos after meeting Cari Farver—who vanishes just days into their relationship.
Stalked by a Ghost: Dave and his ex Liz Golyar are bombarded with thousands of threatening messages from someone claiming to be Cari… but no one has seen her in years.
A Mother’s Intuition: Cari’s mom, Nancy, refuses to believe her daughter would abandon her son, sparking a deeper investigation.
Detectives with Fresh Eyes: A cold case team reopens the file and uncovers disturbing clues that point to a twisted impersonation.
The Real Stalker Revealed: Liz Golyar, once the victim, is exposed as the mastermind behind the harassment—and possibly Cari’s murder.
Digital Deception & Forensic Breakthroughs: From masked IP addresses to blood hidden under a car seat, the truth finally surfaces.
Justice for Cari: A haunting tale of obsession, manipulation, and the relentless pursuit of answers.
Resources & Links
Netflix, Lover, Stalker, Killer (2024)
The Mysterious Murder of Cari Farver and How Digital Evidence Helped Crack the Case
Horrific Stalking Case Was Jealous Lover's Cover for Murder
‘It can happen to anyone’: Man Shares Story of Stalking, Survival at Omaha Women’s Event
Pictures of Liz Golyar (left) and Cari Farver (right) in Netflix's "Lover, Stalker, Killer."
NetflixDave Kroupa Netflix
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 Aug 20, 2025
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
In this delightfully absurd and thought-provoking episode, we dive headfirst into the chaos of escape scenarios with a twist—each one wrapped in a “Would You Rather” dilemma that blends trauma, healing, and hilarity. From dodging donut-wielding ex-cops to navigating the foster care system on a unicycle, we explore the wild ways people might choose to flee their circumstances… if only life came with a costume budget and a flair for the dramatic.
Highlights Include:
Choosing between cat video spam or donut-stalking ex-cops
Escaping toxic relationships via llama farming or mime therapy
Facing court in a clown suit vs. deliberating among pool toys
Tackling childhood trauma recovery in rhyme or in a chicken suit
And yes, living in a taco-shaped tiny house while wearing a sombrero
Whether you're a survivor, a supporter, or just someone who appreciates the healing power of humor, this episode invites you to laugh, reflect, and imagine your own escape—one ridiculous choice at a time.
Tune in for a ride of empathy, absurdity, and escape artistry.
Resources & Links
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 Aug 13, 2025
Wednesday Aug 13, 2025
Booby hatch? Bughouse? Hilarious names for serious places. The Escape Pod goes inside mental institutions of the past to share the tragic tale of Genevieve Pilarski who, essentially, was committed in the 1940s for being strong-willed and desiring independence, nothing more. But others had better fates – escaping the horrors of such places and turning their experiences into advocacy. Nelli Bly, for example, was an early “under-cover” journalist who intentionally got herself committed in order to expose what was really happening behind closed doors. Join the ladies of The Escape Pod this week for this great escape from the “bughouse.”
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 2:57 Intro to this week’s topic
Topic #2 4:43 Genevieve Pilarski
Topic #3 7:54 Evaluate this! The EP takes a detour
Topic #4 9:57 Patient expresses her concerns
Topic #5 18:14 Escape artists become advocates
Topic #6 24:05 Nelli Bly
Topic #7 35:44 Escapism, co-host-style!
Resources & Links
Driving Her Crazy
The Story of Gennie Pilarski
Manteno State Hospital Blog
Elizabeth Packard
The Reporter Who Went Undercover at an Asylum
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 Aug 06, 2025
Wednesday Aug 06, 2025
In this episode, The Escape Pod takes us back to 1980 and the disappearance and subsequent murder of Candace Rough Surface, an 18-year-old member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. Her case highlights a broader crisis: Indigenous people account for a disproportionate share of missing persons, and Indigenous women in particular face alarming rates of violence. This. Has. To. Stop. In South Dakota, Indigenous people account for roughly 60% of missing persons cases. Today’s story is about one of the rare cases that was actually solved.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 4:09 Intro to this week’s episode
Topic #2 8:03 August 1980: 18yo woman goes missing near Mobridge, SD
Topic #3 16:33 15 years later: This cold case gets reopened
Topic #4 31:08 Escapism, co-host-style!
Resources & Links
Mobridge Man Who Raped and Killed Standing Rock Woman Granted Parole
Man Who Raped and Killed 18-Year-Old Girl Released from Prison
Suspect Finally Pleads Guilty After 16 Years
Crime Junkie Podcast: Candace Rough Surface
Seattle Times Archive March 17, 1996. Candace Rough Surface
MMIP Cases in South Dakota Remain High—New Efforts Hope to Change That
The Epidemic of Missing Indigenous Women
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 Jul 30, 2025
Wednesday Jul 30, 2025
A closer look at the case of Jeff Prible revealed a labyrinth of allegations, unanswered questions, and prosecutorial tactics that challenge the foundations of justice. This week, The Escape Pod delves into allegations of misconduct against the same prosecutor in several other cases and the broader implications for the justice system. Draw your own conclusions as we conclude this two-part series on the precarious balance between finding justice and risking a wrongful conviction.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 :01 Part 1 recap
Topic #2 5:09 Investigative reporters zero in on New Mexico cold case
Topic #3 13:17 The case of David Temple
Topic #4 20:15 Third case is the charm?
Topic #5 27:18 Revisiting Jeff Prible’s case
Topic #5 40:00 When the title strikes!
Resources & Links
Federal Judge Orders New Trial for Texas Death Row Inmate
Appeals Court Restores Death Sentence of Bank Robber Convicted of Murdering Five People
Texas Federal Judge Overturns Death-Row Prisoner’s Conviction
Cold Case Killer Kelly Siegler Is a True-Crime Celebrity. Did She Frame an Innocent Man for Murder?
Texas Political Prisoner: The Case for Ronald Jeffrey Prible Jr.'s Exoneration
The Intercept Newsletter
Cold Justice S02E15 Sunspot Highway
Land of Entrapment Blog
Unreasonable Doubt: Did Kelly Siegler Really Railroad an Innocent Man Eight Years Ago?
Prible v. Lumpkin: Amicus Curiae Brief of Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in Support of Petitioner
Prible v. Lumpkin: Brief in Opposition
Ronald Prible Jr. Photo: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
David Temple sentencing: Former HS Coach Sentenced to Life for Murder of Pregnant Wife
CBS News: Belinda Temple Murder Case
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 Jul 23, 2025
Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
A man convicted of capital murder claims his innocence and points to suppressed evidence and manipulated informant testimony as factors in his conviction. A prosecutor renowned for her dramatic courtroom presentations and role on a true crime television show claims she got the right man. Draw your own conclusions as The Escape Pod launches a two-part series examining the reliability of circumstantial evidence and the ethical responsibilities of prosecutors.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 2:44 The importance of the narrative
Topic #2 6:18 April 1999: The crime
Topic #3 14:37 2001: A new prosecutor enters the scene
Topic #4 25:32 “Cold Justice”
Topic #5 30:30 Escapism, co-host-style
Resources & Links
Federal Judge Orders New Trial for Texas Death Row Inmate
Appeals Court Restores Death Sentence of Bank Robber Convicted of Murdering Five People
Texas Federal Judge Overturns Death-Row Prisoner’s Conviction
Cold Case Killer Kelly Siegler Is a True-Crime Celebrity. Did She Frame an Innocent Man for Murder?
Texas Political Prisoner: The Case for Ronald Jeffrey Prible Jr.'s Exoneration
The Intercept Newsletter
Cold Justice S02E15 Sunspot Highway
Land of Entrapment Blog
Unreasonable Doubt: Did Kelly Siegler Really Railroad an Innocent Man Eight Years Ago?
Prible v. Lumpkin: Amicus Curiae Brief of Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in Support of Petitioner
Prible v. Lumpkin: Brief in Opposition
Ronald Prible Jr. Photo: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
David Temple sentencing: Former HS Coach Sentenced to Life for Murder of Pregnant Wife
CBS News: Belinda Temple Murder Case
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 Jul 16, 2025
Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
A transgender teen tries to escape her own fears and anxieties to connect with a real person in the real world; instead, her solo venture to a London park gets cut cruelly short by an unimaginable act of brutality. The story of Brianna Ghey stands as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by those seeking only love and understanding. This week, The Escape Pod takes us back to February 2023 to unravel the harrowing details of Brianna’s final days and the profound impact her story has on the ongoing fight against hatred and prejudice.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 1:31 Escaping unfortunate typos
Topic #2 6:13 Meet Brianna Ghey
Topic #3 11:19 A fake friendship revealed
Topic #4 21:58 Brianna’s parents speak out
Topic #5 28:20 Escapism, co-host-style
Resources & Links
16-year-old killers of transgender teenager in England sentenced for 'sadistic' murder | AP News
Jury convicts boy and girl in England of murdering transgender teenager in frenzied knife attack | AP News
Brianna Ghey's teen killers Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe named and pictured - Mirror Online
Brianna Ghey: teenagers fascinated with torture and death meticulously planned transgender girl’s brutal murder | The Independent
Talk TV: “They WILL Face A Life Sentence”
History of Jenkinson and Ratcliffe
EscapePod
Join co-hosts Charity and KB, 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 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
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 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
Disclaimer
The EscapePod podcast and content posted is presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes.