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.
Listen on:
Friday May 10, 2024
Friday May 10, 2024
He could be in prison; instead, he’s in the Escape Pod, sharing his story of escaping cycles of addiction and criminal activity.
Michael will be the first to tell you he didn’t have a “hard knocked” life. He grew up in a loving, two-parent home. He went to college, got good grades, and earned a degree. But he also had a curiosity for drugs at a very young age, and that curiosity led to harder drugs, grand theft, and many other problems.
After several arrests, broken relationships, and a crash that could have killed him, Michael asked for help, and his escape from his “delusional” self finally began.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 3:05 Meet escape artist Michael, a guest at the OneHeart campus.
Topic #2 20:16 Michael considers enlisting in the military.
Topic #3 38:49 A fight with his girlfriend leads to yet another major relapse.
Topic #4 57:07 Workout junky! Michael fills the addiction void with much healthier habits.
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
http://escapepod.live
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Friday May 03, 2024
Friday May 03, 2024
Her trauma was extensive, but it was no match for her faith and resilience. "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."
From testifying against her father at age 5, to dealing with toxic relationships and addiction as an adult, escape artist Linda is brutally honest about the “crappy hand” life dealt her. But she’s also brutally honest about her faith in God, her love for her children, and her new-found peace of mind.
Buckle up for this episode of the Escape Pod, as we experience the highest of highs and lowest of lows on Linda’s journey toward transformation.
Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 2:40 Meet escape artist Linda, a guest at the OneHeart campus.
Topic #2 10:33 Linda’s drug use begins.
Topic #3 28:57 What changed in Linda’s life? She explains.
Topic #4 37:17 An opportunity arises … but she’s not ready.
Topic #5 57:27 Escapism, cohost-style!
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more at http://www.escapepod.live
http://www.escapepod.live
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Friday Apr 26, 2024
Friday Apr 26, 2024
We’ve all been there – on a long car ride, waiting in line, stuck in traffic, etc., etc. - when you realize the extra-large coffee, half-gallon bottle of water, or super-sized iced tea you just finished was a REALLY bad idea because now you REALLY “gotta go.” But where you go and the circumstances surrounding that sweet release could be downright criminal.
On this episode of the Escape Pod, the level of criminality runs the spectrum – from a teen who simply didn’t know peeing in public was against the law, to a killer who left his mark (and the clue to identifying him) on his victim.
You’ll cringe. You’ll crack up. You’ll get a little bit of every emotion when you escape to the Escape Pod with Charity and Julie!
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 11:53 16-year-old's murder case goes cold in Pennsylvania
Topic #2 19:46 GAG WARNING: Contaminated water cooler leads to man’s arrest on multiple charges
Topic #3 29:00 Co-host goes to jail! (At least, the 19-year-old version of her did!)
Topic #4 46:05 Escapism, cohost-style!
Resources & Links
06.26.2004. Dan Conti. “Urine Stain Traced to Murder Suspect” https://archive.triblive.com/news/man-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-of-teen/
07.07.2004. Glenn May. “Suspect in murder of girl, 16 gets trial” https://archive.triblive.com/news/suspect-in-murder-of-girl-16-gets-trial/
10.12.2005. Dan Conti. “Man convicted of first-degree murder of teen”
https://archive.triblive.com/news/man-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-of-teen/
Huffpost. 10.25.2022. David Moye. “13 People Come Forward After Texas Janitor Is Accused Of Urinating In Water Bottles” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lucio-diaz-urinating-co-workers-water-bottle_n_63583a02e4b04cf8f3888649
ABC13 Eyewitness News Houston, TX. 01.26.2023. “Lawsuit filed after 13 women claim they contracted incurable STDs from bottles infected by janitor” https://abc13.com/houston-janitor-urinates-in-water-bottles-employees-infected-with-stds-lucio-diaz-charged-civil-lawsuit-filed/12737788/
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Friday Apr 19, 2024
Friday Apr 19, 2024
Twists and turns abound in this episode of The Escape Pod, as we deep-dive into the story of a Texas woman and mother of 5 who claims she and her husband were victims of a home invasion and her husband was kidnapped by the three intruders.
While there’s no one way or “right way” to act in a high-crisis situation, police body-camera footage reveals extremely unusual behavior by the wife left behind. Was she a damsel in distress, or the ringleader who planned it all? And – most importantly – where's her husband, who was known by many as a hard-working man simply trying to provide for his big family?
Plus, co-hosts Charity and Julie reveal the people, places, or things they’d like to escape from this week, including (but not limited to) strangers who stand WAY too close! Listen now!
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 8:21 February 2015: Husband and wife have two very different days.
Topic #2 19:53 Investigator arrives at the scene.
Topic #3 28:48 Story takes a turn towards the truth ... but we’re not there yet.
Topic #4 41:09 Escapism, cohost-style.
Resources & Links
https://www.bolde.com/samantha-wohlford-ernie-ibarra-killer-interview-slip-up/
https://www.tuko.co.ke/facts-lifehacks/celebrity-biographies/486662-ernie-ibarra-jr-kidnapping-death-samantha-wohlford-guilty/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDoZVqlMdrA
https://www.easttexasjournal.net/2018/01/05/mindless-slaying-takes-father-bound-love-children-woman-wanted-dead/
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more – visit http://www.escapepod.live
Contact Us! We want to hear your thoughts and your stories!!
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Friday Apr 12, 2024
Friday Apr 12, 2024
“Dr. X” drinks a glass of wine with dinner, performs emergency surgery that night, and remembers nothing the next day? It happened, and (spoiler alert!) the patient knew nothing.
We talk often on the Escape Pod about how the brain is a funny thing. The doctor’s experience is just one of several true tales of people going beyond a state of impairment to “blackout” mode. They might seem perfectly normal, but – in fact – their brains are in a totally different state. In one case, a man uses his blackout drunkeness as an excuse for killing his boss. Does that defense fly in the courtroom? Find out in this episode of The Escape Pod!
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 1:25 “Passing out” vs. “blacking out”
Topic #2 10:49 Dr. X doesn’t remember performing surgery
Topic #3 18:30 18-year-old girl blacks out in foreign country; surveillance cameras show her becoming the victim of a violent crime
Topic #4 26:35 2013: Man charged with beating boss to death; doesn’t remember anything
Topic #5 30:10 Escape Pod co-host meets a perfect stranger who knows way too much about her – details she apparently shared herself on a night involving a lot of “liquid courage”
Resources & Links
https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/9424753/cider-teen-blackouts-hospital-drinking/
https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/2020/11/11/blackout-wednesday-is-deadly-night-for-teens/114860816/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/healing-addiction/202203/true-story-alcohol-blackout
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/blackout-drunk-defense-used-in-murder-trial-over-architects-death/71964/#:~:text=The%20defense%20for%20a%20man,he%20was%20%E2%80%9Cblackout%20drunk.%E2%80%9D
https://www.rehabcenter.net/blacked-out-a-story-you-wont-remember/
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/higinio-salgado-man-sentenced-to-15-years-for-murder-of-architect/67093/
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
http://www.escapepod.live
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Friday Apr 05, 2024
Friday Apr 05, 2024
Aug. 2, 2011: It’s a beautiful summer afternoon in Rapid City, SD, when three police officers are dispatched to a call regarding suspicious activity in a residential neighborhood. One of those officers describes the call now as seemingly “benign” ... at least at first. The officers make contact with four people walking down the sidewalk, and shortly after, three of them are allowed to leave the scene, as there is no reason for arrest. The fourth, though, gives a fake name, which leads the officers to investigate further. Moments later, multiple shots are fired.
Only one person escaped the shooting that day, but not unharmed. Tim Doyle tells his story on this episode of The Escape Pod. And – spoiler alert – his wife and podcast co-host Charity shares her experiences on Aug. 2 and in the days following that tragic event as well.
It’s a longer-than-usual episode, but definitely worth your time to listen!
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 5:17 Career Change: Tim goes from engineering to law enforcement
Topic #2 14:30 Aug 2, 2011: The day of the shooting
Topic #3 35:25 Charity gets the dreaded phone call
Topic #4 1:11:30 Tim discusses some of the lasting impacts of his injuries
Topic #5 1:22:37 Charity explains her experience with PTSD
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
http://www.escapepod.live
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Friday Mar 29, 2024
Friday Mar 29, 2024
Pillar of the community. Philanthropist. Medical doctor. Dorthea Puente was given – or gave herself – many different titles over the years, but in California in the 1980s, the one title that proved true was “serial killer.” On this episode of the Escape Pod, co-costs Charity and Julie are joined by friend-of-the-show Karabeth to discuss this “greedy granny” whose love of money may have driven her to kill some of the very people she was entrusted to help.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 6:19 Sacremento, CA, in the 1980s: A man with a mental health condition and other challenges goes missing after moving into Dorthea Puente’s home
Topic #2 14:31 Discussion of Dorthea’s troubling and traumatic past
Topic #3 32:22 A secret note is slipped to investigators that helps crack the case
Topic #4 47:24 A Lighter Note: Escapism, co-host-style
Resources & Links
https://sports.yahoo.com/killing-her-boarders-burying-them-194503281.html
https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/serial-killers/dorothea-puente/
https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/crime-history/death-house-landlady--a-look-back-at-unexpected-serial-killer-do
https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/california-serial-killer-dorothea-puente-17318261.php
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6616525/Grandson-Dorothea-Puente-laced-cakes-poison-says-shared-real-connection-her.html
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more at http://escapepod.live
Contact Us or Submit a story:
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
Friday Mar 22, 2024
Friday Mar 22, 2024
March Mashup Special - Bonus Ep.7 (Beer, an Intruder, and a Wild Waitress)
The Escape Pod is giving you a sneak peek “behind the paywall” with this special “March Mashup” of clips from some of the Bonus episodes dropping this month. Become a patron today to hear the full episodes, and know that your support supports a greater mission – empowering people to change their own lives for the better.
DISCLAIMER: This minisode includes some adult language, as well as stories of violence against women and just plain old bad behavior. The Escape Pod team does not condone violence – no matter what music is being played on the jukebox.
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:
Topic #1 0:40 Beer Bonus: Christmas music pushes a bar patron too far.
Topic #2 3:14 The Intruder: A serial rapist that terrorized the community where co-host Julie went to college leaves a lasting impression on her psyche.
Topic #4 8:26 Wild, Wild Waitressing: Co-host Charity recalls the last night she ever waited tables, and the nasty customer who – ultimately – caused her to call it quits.
Resources & Links
Beer BONUS Minisode
CBS58.com. 01.03.2017. “Madison Man throws Beer Bottle at Bartender for turning on Christmas Music”
CBSNews.com. 12.29.2015. “Police: Man throws bottle at bartender for turning on Christmas music”
Metalinjection.net. 12.29.2015. “Man Jailed After Throwing A Beer At Bartender For Changing BLACK SABBATH To Christmas Music”
The Intruder BONUS Minisode
Military Murder Podcast
Murderpedia
Daily Motion’s Criminal Minds piece on Troy Graves
Very Bad Men: Episode 13: The City Centre Rapist
Excerpt from forensic psychologist’s article on Graves: https://frankweberauthor.com/blog/shannon-schieber
Sign up to be a Patron today! For as little as $2/month - get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.
GET IN TOUCH WITH US:
General email: justbecause@escapepod.live
Submit listener stories: escapeartist@escapepod.live
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.
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.
$2 or more per 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.
$5 or more per 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.
$10 or more per 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.
The EscapePod podcast and content posted is presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes.