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
14 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 27min
From Medal of Honor: Showing Up On Veterans Day
Ryan Sweikert, the producer of the Medal of Honor series, joins host J.R. Martinez to share insights into veteran storytelling. They discuss how to respectfully engage with veterans about their service, emphasizing the importance of letting them lead the conversation. J.R. recounts his harrowing experiences in Iraq and the challenges of readjusting to civilian life after a severe injury. The duo highlights the significance of showing up for others, while teasing exciting details about the upcoming season and how listeners can contribute their thoughts.
32 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 40min
The Alabama Murders - Part 7: The Second Warrant
In this gripping discussion, psychologist Kate Porterfield shares insights on Kenneth Smith's mental state and the heavy psychological toll of a second execution warrant. Joel Zivett, an anesthesiologist, delves into the controversial method of nitrogen hypoxia, explaining its risks and physiological effects. Attorney Robert Grass recounts the emotional complexities of witnessing the execution, including disturbing reactions that challenge the state's narrative. Together, they explore the moral implications of the legal failures surrounding the case.
42 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 33min
The Alabama Murders - Part 6: The Porterfield Sessions
In this episode, Kate Porterfield, a trauma expert and clinical psychologist, sheds light on the harrowing experiences of Kenny Smith following a botched execution. She discusses Kenny's psychological state and the traumatic imprint left by mock executions. Kate shares insights into Kenny's troubled childhood, familial abuse, and how these factors shaped his violent path. With personal anecdotes, she connects cycles of trauma and parental love, illustrating the profound impact of early harm on adult behavior.
54 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.
64 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.
123 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.
73 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.
