Revisionist History: The Alabama Murders
Pushkin Industries
Florence, Alabama. 1988. A preacher has an affair. A woman is murdered. One death cascades into more, stretching across decades and leaving no one untouched — victims, bystanders, perpetrators, and those just trying to help. Eventually, the consequences lead to the center of a hot national debate on who should be allowed to live, who should die, and how the state should kill them.
On The Alabama Murders, Malcolm Gladwell asks: why, in our efforts to alleviate suffering, do we so often make it worse?
Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past—an event, a person, an idea, even a song—and asks whether we got it right the first time. From Pushkin Industries. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance.
To get early access to ad-free episodes and extra content, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts are pushkin.fm/plus.
iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
On The Alabama Murders, Malcolm Gladwell asks: why, in our efforts to alleviate suffering, do we so often make it worse?
Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past—an event, a person, an idea, even a song—and asks whether we got it right the first time. From Pushkin Industries. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance.
To get early access to ad-free episodes and extra content, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts are pushkin.fm/plus.
iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
Episodes
Mentioned books
23 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 34min
The Alabama Murders - Part 5: Cruel and Unusual
In November 2022, Kenneth Smith faced a controversial execution attempt that raised serious ethical questions. The podcast delves into Smith's life before conviction and how a judge overrode a jury's life sentence to impose death. Experts discuss the flawed lethal injection protocols in Alabama and past botched executions. Smith's harrowing firsthand account reveals the chaos of the execution chamber. Following the failed attempt, state officials grapple with public outcry and the morality of retrying. A gripping exploration of justice, failure, and human rights.
45 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 38min
The Alabama Murders - Part 4: The Protocol
Tom Perry Jr. is a dedicated volunteer prison minister who formed a bond with death row inmate John Forrest Parker in his last days. He shares his eyewitness account of Parker's emotional final moments and the complexities of their relationship. Anesthesiologist Joel Zivett provides chilling insights into the lethal injection protocol, revealing how the chemicals used can cause terrible suffering. They also discuss the alarming findings from autopsies that suggest prisoners may endure pain during execution, challenging notions of a humane death.
6 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 46min
The Alabama Murders - Part 3: A Peculiar Institution
Colbert County. May 1989. One of the men charged with Elizabeth Sennett’s murder stands trial. But the prosecution’s case has problematic inconsistencies. His fate comes down to the jury’s decision –– at least at first. Get early, ad-free access to the full season of The Alabama Murders by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.com/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
87 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 33min
The Alabama Murders - Part 2: Coon Dog Cemetery Road
In a gripping examination of a 1988 murder in Florence, Alabama, local residents and investigators such as Lacey Kenimer and Detective Ricky Miller provide chilling firsthand accounts. They delve into the chaotic night of Elizabeth Sennett's attack, the community's initial suspicions toward her husband Charles, and the eventual revelations surrounding three young suspects named by an anonymous caller. With emotional testimonies and unsettling truths, this narrative explores how a gruesome crime impacted an entire town and spiraled into a complex saga of confusion and despair.
5 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 33min
The Alabama Murders - Part 1: The True Church
In a small town in the northwest corner of Alabama, a cascade begins with a man and an affair. Get early, ad-free access to the full season of The Alabama Murders by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
65 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 5min
The Alabama Murders
In 1988, a preacher's affair leads to a shocking murder in Florence, Alabama, igniting a chain reaction of tragedy. The podcast explores the moral complexities surrounding the case, including the role of local church culture and the resilience of community ties. It delves into punishment rituals, failures of lethal injection, and the broader implications of how society addresses crime and suffering. Malcolm Gladwell examines the haunting question: do our attempts to relieve pain often backfire, creating deeper wounds instead?
45 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 18min
Americana Music Live with Drew Holcomb and Malcolm Gladwell
Drew Holcomb, a Memphis-born singer-songwriter known for his Americana sound, joins Malcolm Gladwell for an engaging conversation. They dive into the creative journey behind songs that blend personal memories with musical landscapes of Nashville and Memphis. Holcomb shares heartfelt insights on faith, grief, and the healing power of music following loss. Listeners are invited to embrace emotional expression through songwriting, with playful discussions about favorite country tracks and the joyful unity found in music and dance.
12 snips
Jul 24, 2025 • 40min
Encore: Good Old Boys
Join acclaimed singer-songwriter Randy Newman, known for his satirical songs and film scores, as he reflects on his iconic album 'Good Old Boys.' He explores the complexities of characters like Johnny Cutler within a historical context. The conversation touches on the power of music to address racial tensions, juxtaposing upbeat melodies with serious themes. Newman also discusses the importance of dialogue in bridging divides, demonstrating that even uncomfortable topics can spark meaningful conversations.
46 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 53min
Encore: Analysis, Parapraxis, Elvis
Jack White, the iconic musician known for his work with The White Stripes, and Nashville’s singer-songwriter Casey Bowles dive into the intriguing world of Elvis. They explore the singer's emotional depth and control in performing classics like 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?' They also discuss how parapraxis reveals memory's role in music, and reflect on how sleep can unleash creative potential. Personal anecdotes and the complexity of identity in music make for a captivating conversation infused with nostalgia and artistic insight.
32 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 44min
Encore: The King of Tears
Join songwriter Bobby Braddock, the genius behind heart-wrenching country hits like "He Stopped Loving Her Today." He discusses why country music evokes such deep emotions, contrasting its storytelling prowess with the upbeat nature of rock. Together, they delve into heartache through poignant songs like "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and explore the profound connections of music with grief and love. The emotional tribute during a live performance of his iconic song showcases the charged atmosphere of storytelling that resonates with audiences.
