

Women and Crime
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Two Criminologists cover a new female-focused case each episode. You’ll hear the stories of these women, paired with the science that tells you where it all went wrong. We’ll explore the causes of female crime, victimology, the legal system, as well as celebrate heroines who have left their mark on the criminal justice system.Dr Meghan Sacks and Dr Amy Shlosberg are both Professors of Criminology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Both have years of first-hand experience working with offenders and professionals in the criminal justice system. They teach classes covering topics such as: Women & Crime, Race & Crime, Criminology, and Serial Killers.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 5, 2025 • 45min
Danishka Melina Sibaja Mejia
Ep 264: This woman’s courage to speak out became the spark in a chain of events that ended in an unthinkable tragedy.
This is the Danishka Melina Sibaja Mejia story.
Sources for Today's Episode:
The Charlotte Observer
People.com
WBIR.com
Law and Crime News
Wate 6 News
Sponsors:
(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)
Tushbaby - Visit Tushbaby.com and start customizing your own carrier. Make sure to use code [CRIMEWOMEN] for 20% your first order.
Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo
Music by Dessert Media
Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes:
Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime
Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership.
YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 1, 2025 • 48min
W&C Reconsidered: Kathleen Zellner
Ep 263: Reconsidered: 21 - Kathleen Zellner
Original Airdate: 07/07/20
This is the story of a woman is known for her commitment to fight for justice for those who most of society has given up on. This woman's notorious work in the criminal justice system has shined the spotlight on wrongful convictions in the United States and while her work has enlightened us all, the case that inspired her efforts is one that just might haunt us all.
Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates.
Sources for Today's Episode:
Esquire
Chicago Tribune Article
Newsweek
Dream/Killer documentary
Los Angeles Times article
Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Music by Dessert Media
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 29, 2025 • 43min
Irena Sendler
Ep 262: During one of the darkest times in world history, this woman risked imprisonment, torture and death by firing squad to save thousands of children from the Nazis.
This is the Irena Sendler story
Sources for Today's Episode:
The Guardian
Yeshiva University News
Irenasendler.org
BBC
TV movie called The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler.
NY Times
Holocaust memorial museum
The book, Irena’s Children by Tilar Mazzeo
www.neh.gov
The Documentary, IRENA SENDLER In the Name of Their Mothers
Sponsors:
(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)
TaskRabbit - Tackle your to-do list today and get 15% off your first task at TASKRABBIT.com or on the Taskrabbit app using promo code WAC. Taskrabbit—book trusted help for home tasks.
Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo
Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro
Music by Dessert Media
Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes:
Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime
Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership.
YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/
Keywords: Schindler's List, Ghetto, Holocaust, Survivor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 25, 2025 • 50min
W&C Reconsidered: Joann Parks
Ep 261: Reconsidered: 20 - JoAnn Parks
Original Airdate: 06/23/20
On the evening of April 9, 1989, JoAnn Parks put her three children to sleep and went to bed. She woke up around midnight to the sound of her children screaming and to a home engulfed in flames. Although the fire was initially ruled accidental, Joann was later convicted of arson and murder remains in prison 27 years later, even though there is substantial doubt on the accuracy of her conviction
Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates.
Sources for Today's Episode:
Burned, by Ed Humes
NPR
Albany Law Review (Brooks, Simpson, Kaneb)
CAIP
Courtroom Confidential podcast
LATimes
Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Music by Dessert Media
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 2min
Sheryl Ruthven
Ep 260: She built a sanctuary for cats—but was it really a shelter, or the front for a cult?
This is the Sheryl Ruthven story
Sources for Today's Episode:
• An episode of The Curious Case of…The Doomsday Cat Cult
• Nashvillescene.com
• The podcast The Opportunist
• Psychology Today
Sponsors:
(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)
Chewy - Chewy has everything you need to keep your pet happy and healthy. And right now you can save $20 on your first order and get free shipping by going to Chewy.com/women
Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo
Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro
Music by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to: Kathy Sacks
Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes:
• Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime
• Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership.
• YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 8min
W&C Reconsidered: Race and Crime in America
Ep 259: Reconsidered: 19 - Race & Crime in America
Original Airdate: 06/09/20
As the country faces a crisis in race and justice, the cases we discuss today have helped bring our attention to some of the most significant injustices and important issues, but do we know the whole story and even when we do, what can we do about it? In today's episode, we use the stories of females to explore both the problems and some of the possible solutions to racism in our criminal justice system.
Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates.
Sources for Today's Episode:
Bureau of Justice Statistics
FBI’s Uniform Crime Report
Sentencing Project: Report to the UN on Racial Disparities in the US Criminal Justice System
New York Times
National Registry of Exonerations
The Innocence Project
Recommended readings:
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race/Beverley Daniel Tatum/2017
White Rage/Carol Anderson/2017
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness/Michelle Alexander/2010
Just Mercy/Bryan Stevenson/2014
Recommended Documentaries:
13th
When They See Us
Gideon’s Army
Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Music by Dessert Media
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 15, 2025 • 41min
Mary McGinnis Morris and Mary Lou Henderson Morris
Ep 258: Two women are murdered days apart in Harris County Texas, but over 20 years later their cases remain unsolved
This is the Mary McGinnis Morris and Mary Lou Henderson Morris story.
Sources for Today's Episode:
Unsolved Mysteries
Houston Chronicle
ABC News
Fox 26 Houston
Associated Press
Sponsors:
(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)
Turn your big business idea into ’CHA CHING’ with Shopify on your side.
$1-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/crimewomen
Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo
Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro
Music by Dessert Media
Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes:
Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime
Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership.
YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 11, 2025 • 39min
W&C Reconsidered: Shanda Sharer
Ep 257: Reconsidered: 18 - Shanda Sharer
Original Airdate: 05/26/20
In the backdrop of Teenage relationships and rivalry, the jealousy of one would be the impetuous for a shocking crime involving not one or two but 4 murderers and one innocent 12 year old girl. This is a case that will have us all asking: Is there such a thing as redemption?
Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates.
Sources for Today's Episode:
Dr. Phil
The Los Angeles Times
Death of Innocence: The Murder of Yound Shanda Sharer, by David Lore
NBC Exclusive by Ann Ryder - Convicted Killer now Training Dogs in Honor of her Young Victim.
Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Music by Dessert Media
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 8, 2025 • 50min
Dollree Mapp
Ep 256: A bombing rocks the home of a man with a dangerous past. But the real story begins blocks away—with a woman who refused to open her door.
This is the Dollree Mapp story
Sources for Today's Episode:
• The Marshall Project
• Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
• The Patriot Ledger
• The New York Times
• The LA Times
• Justia.com
• League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County
Sponsors:
(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)
Flamingo - Keep smooth and refreshed with Flamingo: hair removal products made with your body in mind.
Get started with an exclusive offer for our listeners. 25% OFF your first order at shopflamingo.com/WAC.
Credits:
• Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
• Produced by James Varga
• Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo
• Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro
• Music by Dessert Media
Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes:
• Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime
• Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership.
• YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/
Keywords: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 4, 2025 • 60min
W&C Reconsidered: Cyntoia Brown
Ep 255: Reconsidered: 16 - Cyntoia Brown
Original Airdate: 05/12/20
At just 16 years old Cyntoia Brown was arrested for the murder of 43 year old Johnny Micahel Allen. After being tried as an adult Cyntoia was sentenced to life in prison. After years of advocacy and a tremendous outpouring of celebrity-driven public support, Brown was granted clemency and released from prison. Why would a young girl commit such an act and what led to Cyntoia’s eventual freedom?
Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates.
Sources for Today's Episode:
Free Cyntoia: My Search for Redemption in the American Criminal Justice System, by Cyntoia Brown-Long
Murder to Mercy (documentart aired on netflix, 4/29/20)
Oprah Magazine
Time Magazine
Credits:
• Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
• Produced by James Varga
• Music by Dessert Media
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices