Love true crime but yearn for something a bit less dark? You're in luck. Heather McDonald brings you the lighter side of true crime in the Juicy Crimes podcast! Along with special guests from the legal, journalism, comedy, and celebrity worlds, she explores the greed, the grift, and the gruesome in
My sister Shannon McDonald Goldstein, defense and criminal law attorney, is back on Juicy Crimes, and we start with the latest on the Cornell Seven. New text messages just surfaced between the 20-year-old sorority member and the first fraternity brother she was with that night. We go through her original 2024 statement to campus police, the ketamine, the "free" Snapchat sent to 54 Chi Phi members, and the Halloween party she was disinvited from. Shannon explains why New York's consent law made it so hard for the DA to prosecute, and why all seven men are now named in her civil lawsuit. Then…
I’m joined by journalist Allen Salkin to dive into his new Hollywood Reporter podcast, Gerbil, which investigates the origins of the infamous, long-running Hollywood urban legend surrounding Richard Gere. We trace my own vivid memory of hearing the wild ER rumor back in the summer of 1989 and break down how pre-internet viral rumors, celebrity gay panic, mass media psychology, and deep-seated Hollywood jealousy fuel these unstoppable urban legends. Along the way, we connect it to the mechanics of public lies, touching on his Vanity Fair work behind Bad Vegan, Hilaria Baldwin’s accent…
I am with my sister, criminal defense attorney Shannon McDonald Goldstein, to break down some of the most disturbing cases making headlines: the shocking allegations against Real Housewives of Atlanta's Kim Zolciak's son K.J. Bierman, the horrifying murder of Sandra Birchmore by a married police officer who had been grooming her since she was a teenager, the chilling poisoning of pregnant Jade Bening by her boyfriend Blaise Taylor, the massive Colorado forensic scientist scandal involving Yvonne Woods that compromised over a thousand criminal cases, and the fast-moving case against former…
I sit down with Sharon Yitzhaki, a guest whose unbelievable life story inspired a bestselling book and a feature film centered around a 10-kilo cocaine setup. Sharon shares how leaving Jerusalem at 18 for Amsterdam's artistic freedom led her straight into a whirlwind romance with an older man named Ronnie, who surprised her with a trip to South America only to abandon her in Bolivia. After discovering ten kilos of cocaine hidden inside the custom luggage Ronnie bought her, she was arrested at the airport and sentenced to years inside the notorious Miraflores prison in La Paz. Sharon recounts…
I’m sitting down with forensic psychologist Dr. Leslie Dobson for an intense episode where we break down the complex mental health and legal aspects of the horrific Lindsay Clancy case. From there, we tackle the unsettling wild rumors surrounding Hayden Panettiere, before diving headfirst into the terrifying world of AI-generated pornography and the sinister reality of modern human trafficking. But we don't stop there, we’re getting into the latest pop culture drama, including Kim Zolciak’s son getting arrested, the shocking story of a female teacher grooming a young boy, and the…
I'm back with my sister, attorney Shannon McDonald Goldstein, to unpack a wild slate of pop culture drama and high-profile legal sagas. I open up about my personal growth after skipping a wild 10-year anniversary party for a popular adult website. We then dive into the heavy legal realness, breaking down Brittany Cartwright’s temporary restraining order against Jax Taylor, dissecting the harrowing details in her declaration, and analyzing the legal angles. Plus, we give our deep-dive reactions to Netflix’s chilling three-part docuseries The Pastor's Wife, exploring the shocking life and…
My criminal defense attorney sister, Shannon, and I break down the massive Penn State fraternity drug-ring bust where pledges were allegedly forced to cut cocaine as part of their hazing. Then, we dissect the wild viral theories and courtroom drama surrounding the Lindsay Clancy trial, debate the bizarre twists in Scott Peterson’s effort to secure a new trial, cover the tragic murder of Colorado teacher Lindsay Barnett, and confront the chilling case of an 18-year-old track star accused of plotting her mother’s murder. Finally, we analyze the devastating legal and moral implications of the…
I’m joined by Emmy Award, winning TV writer, Syracuse professor, and creator of the viral TikTok persona @fittedprof, Taylor Vaughn! As someone who scrutinizes narrative arcs for a living, Taylor brings a fascinating, storyteller’s eye to the ongoing Lindsay Clancy trial, the heartbreaking Massachusetts case involving a mother accused of killing her three children while allegedly in the grips of severe postpartum psychosis. Together, we zoom out to dissect the trial's most puzzling plot holes, strange timeline gaps, and the internet’s wildest conspiracy theories surrounding her husband,…
I’m sitting down with former prosecuting attorney Matt Murphy, to unpack the wild true-crime theories taking over the internet! From the wildly divisive internet sleuthing in the Lindsay Clancy trial to the dark conspiratorial layers of the Shanna Gardner case, Matt and I break down what happens when online conspiracy theories collide with real-life courtroom justice. Plus, we dive into the psychology of legal insanity, discuss high-profile plea deal twists, and share a few laughs! -Go to RO.CO/JUICYCRIMES to see if you qualify -Shop now at Fabletics.com/juicycrimes to get 70- 80% off…
My sister, Shannon Goldstein joins me as we break down the most talked-about true crime cases unfolding right now. In this episode, we dive deep into the heart-wrenching trial of Lindsay Clancy, looking closely at the horrifying details, her history of postpartum mental illness and extensive medication cocktail, and the strategic legal battles between defense and prosecution. We also explore horrifying family annihilator cases in Michigan and beyond, the dark viral TikTok trend that ended in a tragic murder-suicide of an influencer, updates on the mystery surrounding Nolan Wells, and the…
Brandy Howard and Julie Goldman are back, and we break down the harrowing 2012 Costa Concordia Shipwreck documentary and exchange our own chaotic, hilarious cruise ship horror stories, including beverage package traps and an accidental quarantine incident. Then, we tackle California's wild squatter problem, unpacking a mind-blowing Hulu documentary about a British grifter taking over homes across Malibu and Santa Monica. We wrap up by diving into two insane cases: a diabolical plot where a woman framed her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend for SA, and the tragic, twisted 2010 "Death of a Las Vegas…
I’m thrilled to be sitting down with one of my absolute favorites, the brilliant Doctor Drew Pinsky. Before we jump headfirst into the cases, we’re unpacking the shocking headline that absolutely shook me this week, the unexpected split of comedy podcast powerhouses Tom Segura and Christina P. after 18 years of marriage. We discuss the unique pressures of mixing business with marriage in the public eye, the impact on the family, and how fans process these sudden breakups. Then, we dive into the true crime lineup, starting with the chilling updates surrounding the impending trial of Barry…
I am joined by everyone’s favorite sister and attorney at law, Shannon McDonald Goldstein, to break down some of the most baffling and heartbreaking cases making headlines. First, we dive into the tragic Fourth of July disappearance and confirmed death of 18-year-old college football player Nolan Wells on Horn Island, Mississippi, exploring the highly suspicious social media blackouts by his friends and the racial elements surrounding the case. Then, we dissect the chilling "alpine divorce" of former pastor David Vandermeer, who pushed his showgirl wife to her death at Zion National Park,…
I sit down with former family law judge and Texas attorney Michele Locke to unpack the wild, high-stakes world where love and marriage crash headfirst into the legal system. Michele gives us the raw truth about Texas's unique family law jury trials, the rise of OnlyFans content being weaponized in custody battles, and how to spot a master manipulator using the "DARVO" tactic, as seen in the toxic relationship dynamics of Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers. From ring cameras catching cheating spouses red-handed to a mind-blowing case involving a fake twin pregnancy and an AI fairy girlfriend,…
I am joined today by true crime expert Dani Lyles from "Crime Doc Dani"! We dive deep into the unsettling world of pathological liars and the terrifying extremes of female deception. We break down the chilling Netflix documentary Maternal Instinct, analyzing how Taylor Parker's elaborate web of lies escalates to the horrific murder of Reagan Hancock to steal her unborn baby. We also draw fascinating, eerie parallels to other shocking cases, including the heartbreaking mother-daughter plot against Marlene Ochoa-Lopez in Chicago, the tragic betrayal of Heidi Broussard by her lifelong friend…
I’m throwing it back to my wild conversation with Ian Bick, the host of the Locked In podcast! Ian joined me to share his unbelievable journey from a teenage nightclub promoter to serving time in federal prison. He opens up about exactly what it’s like to navigate life behind bars as a self-described "soft criminal," from the daily prison politics to how he survived the system. Plus, he fills me in on the completely surreal experience of competing in a massive, viral MrBeast video right after his release. Trust me, if you missed this one in September, or just want to hear these crazy stories…
Today I'm sitting down with my old friend, the incredibly talented standup comic, author, and producer Craig Shoemaker! We waste no time diving into his wildest personal drama, unpacking the saga of his marriage to a "hippie" who ended up lured into a full-blown cult. While Craig shares his perspective on whether it was a long-term grift or an extreme spiritual derailment, I give him some tough love and a female perspective on painting red flags green. Plus, we trade hilarious behind-the-scenes standup notes, discuss comic couples, and he gives me the ultimate inside scoop on what my husband…
Get ready for an absolutely wild and shocking ride because my sister, criminal defense attorney Shannon Goldstein, is back in the studio for another unforgettable episode of Juicy Crimes! We dive headfirst into the deeply disturbing case of Northern California's "party mom," Shannon Marie O'Connor, an affluent mother who completely shattered a community's trust by hosting alcohol-fueled teenage parties that led to horrifying grooming and facilitated sexual assault. Shannon gives us her expert legal take on how this woman managed to get a stunning 35-year sentence, even out-sentencing Jeffrey…
I sit down with Kenna Renee Harper, an incredibly brave survivor who lived through a nightmare no child should ever endure. On Christmas Day in 2006, when Kenna was just 10 years old, her mother, who had been her best friend and a seemingly perfect soccer mom, crushed up 50 to 100 prescription pills into a drink and forced her to consume it as part of a horrific, premeditated murder-suicide plot. Kenna walks us through the terrifying reality of waking up in a hospital coma, the absolute culture shock of being placed in foster care, and the chilling experience of facing her own mother in a…
I am so excited to be joined once again by everyone’s favorite former prosecutor and surfing DA turned bestselling author, Matt Murphy, for another episode of Juicy Crimes. Matt is currently in the middle of writing his second book—this one diving into the minds of psychopaths and serial killers—so he had the perfect perspective for the cases we tackled today. We started by breaking down the latest major turn in the Alex Murdaugh case, discussing why his double murder conviction was overturned due to jury tampering by a court clerk and whether he stands a chance in a retrial. Then, we took a…
My sister, criminal defense attorney, Shannon Goldstein and I are breaking down the #1 documentary currently on Netflix, The Crash, which explores the haunting case of Mackenzie Shirilla. We dive deep into the night Mackenzie drove her car into a brick wall at 100 mph, claiming it was a tragic accident while the prosecution argued it was a calculated double murder of her boyfriend and friend. Shannon brings her expert legal lens to the table as we analyze the "toxic" relationship dynamics, the damning black box data that debunked the defense's medical blackout theory, and Mackenzie’s…
I’m joined by my son, Drake, to get a much-needed Gen Z male perspective on some of the most unsettling cases hitting the headlines. We dive straight into the disturbing story of Haley Beck and her inappropriate relationship with a student, using it as a springboard to discuss the broader, baffling trend of female educators targeting male minors—a cycle of news that first shocked us decades ago with Mary Kay Letourneau. Moving from the classroom to the streets, we tackle the growing chaos of e-bikes in our neighborhoods and the tragic death of an elderly man that is finally forcing new…
I am so excited to welcome back the incredible Kate Casey to Juicy Crimes for a deep dive into two cases that absolutely captivated the nation. First, we’re heading back to 1975 to the posh gates of Greenwich, Connecticut, to revisit the Martha Moxley murder. We get into all the "juicy" details involving the Skakel family, the Kennedy connection, and the decades of privilege that kept that case a mystery for so long. Then, we pivot to Washington D.C. to break down the disappearance of Chandra Levy. Kate and I talk about the media circus surrounding Congressman Gary Condit, the tragic…
I am back with a deep dive into the "Take Care of Maya" case that has everyone talking, and joining me is Andrea Dunlop, host of the "Nobody Should Believe Me" podcast. We break down the complicated layers of the Kowalski family’s $220 million legal battle against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, discussing what the popular Netflix documentary might have left out. Andrea and I explore the thin line between medical intervention and "medical kidnapping," the complexities of Munchausen by Proxy, and the devastating impact this case has had on mandatory reporters and the medical community.…
My sister Shannon Goldstein and I, explore the 2019 attempted murder case involving Olympic equestrian Michael Barisone and his student, Lauren Kanarek. What began as a high-stakes professional arrangement, with Kanarek moving into Barisone’s New Jersey training facility for $5,000 a month, rapidly devolved into a toxic living situation characterized by extreme tension and mutual accusations of bullying. As Kanarek allegedly used social media to attack Barisone’s reputation with claims of racism and homophobia, Barisone’s paranoia grew, eventually driving him and his family out of their own…
Annie Elise and I dive into the chilling phenomenon of the "Alpine Divorce,” the disturbing trend where a spouse uses a remote vacation to permanently end a marriage under the guise of an accident. We break down the harrowing case of Hawaii anesthesiologist Dr. Gerhardt Konig, who took his wife on a birthday hike only for it to turn into a desperate struggle for survival on a cliffside trail. We also look at the mysterious disappearance of Lynette Hooker, whose husband claims she simply fell from their dinghy during a dream vacation in the Bahamas. Why do these men choose a staged murder…
I sit down with Dateline’s Andrea Canning to unpack a chilling sequence: a man convicted of hiring a killer to murder his wife, released from prison, and then attempting to hire another to finish the job against the same woman. From there, we examine other cases where spouses are murdered and ask how perpetrators justify killing the other parent of their children to escape a life they feel trapped in. We turn to the Kouri Richins case to consider how high-profile “crimes of passion” are portrayed in the media versus what’s established in court, and we broaden to other notable passion-crime…
I sit down with Dr. Leslie to trace the Duggars’ reality-TV saga. From fame and religious culture to the abusive behavior investigations and the legal fallout that followed. We examine how faith communities influence responses to harm. Then we also delve into Gypsy Rose Blanchard, unpacking her case and the flood of online discussion, including recent TikTok chatter. We also delve into the Epstein files and the lore surrounding Zorro Ranch, addressing persistent rumors about wether there might be bodies buried there. We explore how power, secrecy, and media shape our understanding of…
I have a returning guest and former model, Barbara Adler. We get into the Epstein files, what has been redacted, and who is really in charge of running things in the world. We also disagree with each other as we debate information and theories that have come out since the files have dropped. We also discuss how professional young models got caught up in Epstein’s evil world. Get into adult model countries. -Head to dailylook.com to take your style quiz and use code JUICYCRIMES for 50% off your first order! -Go to helloresh.com/juicycrimes10fm to Get 10 free meals + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a…
This week on Juicy Crimes, we are diving into the bombshell verdict in the Kouri Richins trial, where the "grief author" was officially found guilty of murdering her husband. The drama continues with the latest domestic violence claims surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul and the fallout for the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast. We also have a major update on d4vd’s friend Neo and his alleged involvement in a Montana investigation, alongside a preview of CNN’s upcoming deep dive into Epstein Island. From Bonnie Rotten’s night in jail after an altercation with Jesse James to the heartbreaking…
About Juicy Crimes with Heather McDonald
Love true crime but yearn for something a bit less dark? You're in luck. Heather McDonald brings you the lighter side of true crime in the Juicy Crimes podcast! Along with special guests from the legal, journalism, comedy, and celebrity worlds, she explores the greed, the grift, and the gruesome in
Juicy Crimes with Heather McDonald is a English true crime podcast from Heather McDonald & Studio71. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
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