
Women and Crime
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.
Latest episodes

May 13, 2025 • 45min
Kaitlyn Conley
Ep 240: A tragic death unraveled a complicated web of tangled relationships and sinister motives
This is the Kaitlyn Conley story
Sources for Today's Episode:
• The Observer Dispatch
• NBC News
• The Hulu documentary “Little Miss Perfect”
• People.com
Sponsors:
(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)
Shopify - Turn your big business idea into ’CHA CHING’ with Shopify on your side.
Sign up for your $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
• 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

May 9, 2025 • 52min
W&C Reconsidered: Dominique Dunne
Ep 239: Reconsidered: 9 - Dominique Dunne
Original Airdate: 02/25/20
Dominique Dunne was a talented young actress who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in a fit of jealousy and rage. The trial that would follow shocked the victim's family, observers and the entire community and left public wondering whether the courtroom is a place where justice can actually be found.
Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates.
Sources for Today's Episode:
Vanity Fair Article, \"Justice: A Father's Account of the Trial of his Daughter's Killer,\" by Dominic Dunne,
Articles by the LA Times
People 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

May 6, 2025 • 46min
Susan Horton
Ep 238: A woman who ate a poppy seed salad the day before giving birth found herself accused of illicit drug use
This is the Susan Horton story.
If you or someone you know is facing mental or substance problems there is help. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Also the APA provides a list of Treatment centers and resources for pregnant substance-using women and girls https://www.apa.org/pi/women/resources/treatment-resources-pregnant-women.pdf
Sources for Today's Episode:
Reveal Podcast
The Marshall Project
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/09/09/drug-test-pregnancy-pennsylvania-california
NY Post
Los Angeles Times
Revealnews.org
Mother Jones
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
Tush Baby - Make this Mother’s Day count with the one gift that lightens her load—literally. Get 35% off sitewide with code crimewomen at tushbaby.com — now through May 12.
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

May 2, 2025 • 44min
W&C Reconsidered: LaVena Johnson
Ep 237: Reconsidered: 8 - Lavena Johnson
Original Airdate: 02/18/20
Lavena Johnson was just a few days shy of her 20th birthday when her body was found lifeless in a tent on a U.S. military base in Iraq. Her death was quickly ruled a suicide by army investigators, however it didn’t take long for questions to arise.
Was this a case of suicide? Murder?
A systematic cover-up by the U.S. military?
More than a decade later, questions still linger …
Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates.
Sources for Today's Episode:
Democracy Now,
Huffington Post,
NPR,
The Silent Truth,
LavenaJohnson.com,
St. Louis Public Radio
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

Apr 29, 2025 • 57min
Ruby Franke
Ep 236: A popular mom influencer is called out for potential abuse, but what happens after her Youtube channel failed would shock the nation
This is the Ruby Franke story
Sources for Today's Episode:
Biography.com
NBC News
ABC News
People.com
USA magazine
JodiHildebrant.com
The documentary Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke
Sponsors: (thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)
Lumen -
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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

Apr 25, 2025 • 55min
W&C Reconsidered: Darlie Routier
Ep 235: Reconsidered: 7 - Darlie RoutierOriginal Airdate: 02/03/20Darlie Routier was convicted of the 1996 murder of her two small children, Damon and Devon, but she has always adamantly maintained her innocence. Did this seemingly happy housewife and mother commit this brutal act or did tunnel vision taint the investigation from the start?Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates. Sources for Today's Episode:
ABC Documentary Last Defense,
CNN,
Injustice Watch and Dallas Morning News
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

Apr 22, 2025 • 42min
Joyce Chiang
Ep 234: Joyce ChiangA woman disappeared from Dupont Circle, DC in 1999. 25 years later, her case remains unsolvedThis is the Joyce Chiang story.Sources for Today's Episode:
Los Angeles Times
Washington City Paper
NBC 4 Washington
The Washington Post
WTTG Fox 5
Unsolved.com
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.Shopify - If you want to see less carts being abandoned, its time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your o$1-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/crimewomenCredits:
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

Apr 18, 2025 • 57min
W&C Reconsidered: Noura Jackson
Ep 233: Reconsidered: 6 - Noura JacksonOriginal Airdate: 01/20/20In the early morning hours of June 5, 2005, 18 year old Noura Jackson discovered her mother naked and brutally stabbed in their Memphis home. Just three months into the investigation Noura was arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder. Was this a case of cold-blooded murder of a mother by her daughter or was this a case of wrongful 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:
Charged by Emily Bazelon
New York Times Magazine
The Daily Memphian
20/20: Season 40, Episode 29
Credits:
• Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
• Produced by James Varga
• Audio Editor,
• Script Editor,
• 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

Apr 15, 2025 • 47min
LaNell Barsock
Ep 232: A young nurse with a bright future, a brutal crime scene, and a witness pointing the finger—was justice served, or was the real killer hiding in plain sight?This is the Lanelle Barsock storySources for Today's Episode:
Dateline NBC
Oxygen.com
Latimes.com
Nbc.com
An episode of Minds of Madness
Sponsors: (thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)Shopify - Turn your big business idea into ’CHA CHING’ with Shopify on your side. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/crimewomenCredits:
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

Apr 11, 2025 • 52min
W&C Reconsidered: Sheila Davaloo
Ep 231: Reconsidered: 5 - Sheila DavalooOriginal Airdate: 01/07/20Sheila Davaloo was convicted of the attempted murder but was that her only brutal crime? She says she is guilty of a crime but also the victim of a wrongful conviction. What is the real story and who is the real victim?Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates. Sources for Today's Episode:
Snapped
Killer Women with Piers Morgan
The Stamford Advocate
Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor,
Script Editor,
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