Best Central Texas Crime Podcasts (2024)

1
Double Murders in 1980: The Slaying of the Conables & The Christmas Strangling of Estella & Andrew Salinas 31:53

2h ago31:53

31:53

A quiet, modest, retired couple, Margaret and Keith Conable lived comfortably in San Antonio in 1980. Late Friday night in May, neighbors heard gunshots. The next day, the neighbors found the couple dead in their home. Who would target the couple? On Christmas of 1980, Estella and her 14-year-old son, Andrew, are found murdered from asphyxiation in…

1
Rustbelt Tour Recap & Ouachita Orogeny 2:00:55

2h ago2:00:55

2:00:55

Vernonia lettermannii and other cool plants of Western Arkansas Novaculite, Ouachita Mountain Orogeny, Chert Glades of Western Missouri, the most obnoxious cicada species in the world, Detroit Rustic, Pittsburgh Museums, Shared Mountain Ranges of Appalachia and Morocco from the times of Pangaea, Northern Pennsylvania Glaciation, and more.…

1
S6 Ep281: Rocker Deaths. Part 3: Ricky Nelson + the Stone Canyon Band, The Exploding Hearts, The Miami Showband Murders, Barry Cowsill and the Tsunami that wiped out Seventeen 32:19

2h ago32:19

32:19

In Rocker Deaths part 3, Tessa discusses the events that took place that wiped these people off the earth, from a plane crash to a massacre, suicides, a tsunami and much more. CREDITS & LINKS INTRO MUSIC: Bobby Mackey "Johanna" COVER PHOTO/S: The images you see are not my own, I found them on Wikimedia Commons: TOP: (Seventeen) Scenes from a beach …

1
The Strange Vanishings of Bill Roland & Beaverly Meadows 27:46

8h ago27:46

27:46

On a hot day in July 1993, Bill Roland headed out with his extended-cab pickup truck and a 24-foot pontoon boat for his lake house near Lake Sam Rayburn, with a fishing trip in mind. When Bill failed to return home as planned on July 21st, 1997, his wife reported him missing. The day after Christmas, on a cold night in Marshall, Texas, 49-year-old …

1
S6 Ep280: Rocker Deaths. Part 2: Keith Relf, Terry Kath, Wendy Orlean Williams, Orion & the Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash 36:31

4d ago36:31

36:31

In Part 2 of Rocker Deaths, Tessa dives six feet deep into rock deaths, a whole new line up awaits.. Featuring Yardbird's Keith Relf, Chicago's Terry Kath, Plasmatics Wendy Orlean Williams, James Hodges Ellis AKA Orion, and Lynyrd Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zant, Cassie and Steve Gaines, and Dean Kilpatrick. Murder, suicides, an eerie plane crash and mor…

1
Stalked in the Dead of Night: The Murders of Christie Wilson & Veronica Taylor 29:00

2h ago29:00

29:00

On a hot summer night in August of 1982, 19-year-old homebody Christie Wilson & her co-worker locked up Snappy's convenience store in Dayton, Texas. She got in her 1969 Thunderbird with cash from the store to deposit the next day. When she failed to arrive home by 1 am, her husband panicked and searched for her car. His worst fears turned into a li…

1
S6 Ep279: Rocker Deaths. Part 1: Dimebag Darrell & Randy Rhoads 44:42

3h ago44:42

44:42

Tessa dives deep into rocker deaths. In this first episode of a mini rocker death series, she discusses Pantera/Damageplan's Dimebag Darrell and Quiet Riot/Ozzy Osbourne's Randy Rhoads... Also mentioned is Vinnie Paul, Eddie Van Halen, John Lennon. CREDITS & LINKS COVER PHOTO The images you see are not my own, I found them on Wikimedia Commons: Lef…

1
The Mysterious Murders of Sandra Dubbs & Jackie Lambert 32:41

1h ago32:41

32:41

Sandra Dubbs left her home in St. Charles, Missouri to start a new life in Texas. Her life would end with a vicious attack - who would want 30-year-old Sandra dead? After being attacked and found nearly dead, Jackie Lambert fears for her life and flees town with a mysterious trucker. What happened to Jackie? The theories are numerous, and Arlene ex…

1
S6 Ep278: The Legendary Rookwood Cemetery 22:47

15d ago22:47

22:47

In Sydney, Australia is the world's largest remaining operating cemetery from the Victorian Era. CREDIT & LINKS OPENING SONG: Courtesy of Bobby Mackey CLOSING SONG: Courtesy of Khent Anantakai COVER PHOTO: Not my image, found on Wikimedia Commons: No.1 Mortuary Railway Station, Rookwood Cemetery - remains of structure with roof removed Dated: c. 01…

1
Is The Disappearance of 9-year old Dorian Thomas related to the Murders of Gloria Covington and Linda Jackson? 28:55

7d ago28:55

28:55

In 1997 Amarillo Texas, two women were murdered and another was attacked. A few year later, a possible witness, 9-year-old Dorian Thomas, goes missing while riding around his neighborhood. Did the murderer attack Dorian for seeing too much? Join Arlene and Leah as they delve into Amarillo, the women and their lives, the crime scenes in a low income…

1
S6 Ep277: Black Diamond Cemetery, Where the Miners Roam 16:15

5d ago16:15

16:15

Black Diamond, Washington, a mining town dealt with heartbreak several times as at least three fatal explosions claimed the lives of the precious miners... the next explosion more deadly than the last. CREDITS & LINKS OPENING SONG: Courtesy of the lovely Bobby Mackey CLOSING SONG: Courtesy of Khent Anantakai COVER PHOTO: The cover photo you see, fo…

1
Mycology Catch-Up w/ Alan Rockefeller 1:56:46

6d ago1:56:46

1:56:46

Alan Rockefeller is a mycologist and educator who has been studying mushrooms all over the world for the past 20 years and recently helped described two new species of Psilocybin mushroom from South Africa. He has helped numerous "citizen scientists" learn to DNA barcode fungi and led hundreds of free mushroom identification walks throughout North …

1
A Shocking Commonality Between Two Jackson, Texas Murder Victims: Terri Reyes & Shaunti Coleman 19:33

27d ago19:33

19:33

In 2006, two women go missing in the small eastern Texas town of Jacksonville. One woman, Terri Reyes raised her children and lived a quiet life. Shaunti Coleman lived a transient lifestyle, and was reported missing by her mother. Both bodies would be discovered in time, and the small railroad town of 13,000 residents wouldn't be the only thing the…

1
Dr. Daniela Zappi - Brazilian Plant Ecology 1:50:56

10d ago1:50:56

1:50:56

Dr. Daniela Cristina Zappi is a Brazilian botanist, plant collector, and research scientist at the herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew noted for studying and describing Neotropical flora, Rubiaceae, and Cactaceae. She has described over 90 species, most recently a new species in the cactus genus Uebelmannia (U.nuda). In this episode of Crim…

1
S6 Ep276: International Cemeteries. Haunts, Legends & History. 34:39

1M ago34:39

34:39

This week we grab the passports and head over to Argentina (La Chacarita Cemetery), Vietnam (Binh Húng Hóa Cemetery), England (London's Ancient Outcast Graveyard) and Mexico (Belen Cemetery) Ghosts, Haunts, Legends, and History. CREDITS & LINKS OPENING SONG: Courtesy of the lovely Bobby Mackey COVER PHOTO: Not my own, found on Wikimedia Commons Top…

1
Couples Targeted by a Hooded Man: The Texarkana Phantom 42:50

17d ago42:50

42:50

When couples are discovered murdered in lover's lanes in the Texarkana twin cities metro. Who would attack these couples and why? Join Arlene and Leah as they take us back to 1940's Texas and walk through the murders, the victims, and the evidence. Support Box in the Basement Victims Leon Laurales: Website & GoFundMe Amanda Goodman: Justice for Sis…

1
Zoe Schlanger, Author of The Light Eaters 1:45:57

17d ago1:45:57

1:45:57

Zoe Schlanger is the author of newly released book "The Light Eaters", which shines a new light on researchers studying plant "intelligence" and behavior.By Tony Santore

1
Metaphor to Direct: The History of Russian New Drama 39:04

18d ago39:04

39:04

On this episode, Nick speaks with Susanna Weygandt a scholar studying performance theories of Russian and East European theater. She discusses the work of Anatoly Vasiliev, famed Russian theater director for the Moscow School of Dramatic Arts. Thanks for listening! ABOUT THE GUEST: Elena Susanna Weygandt analyzes and documents performance theories …

1
Texas Botany with Michael Eason 1:53:55

22d ago1:53:55

1:53:55

The state of Texas is one of the most diverse states for plants (and geology) in the US, and contains a large number of plant species that can't be found anywhere else in the United States, yet at the same time an enormous amount of land and plant habitat is being destroyed every day (240,000 acres a year) ,pushing more than a few plant species tow…

1
S6 Ep275: Destination Haunted Arkansas. Mount Holly Cemetery. Conway Cemetery State Park & The Gurdon Spook Light 26:42

1M ago26:42

26:42

This week we venture over to Arkansas and check out three different haunted locations, 2 packed with history and haunts and the other is just altogether a mystery packed with legends. OPENING SONG: Courtesy of the lovely Bobby Mackey CLOSING SONG: Courtesy of Khent Anantakai COVER PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkans…

1
Targeted in El Paso: Ruth Holland's 1966 Unsolved Murder 34:19

2M ago34:19

34:19

Violence splashed across El Paso newspapers late summer of 1966. Ruth Holland lived a quiet, opulent life, her wealth on display as she drove a gold Cadillac around town. The ex-wife of a race track owner, intellectual Ruth loved gardening and kept a close, small circle of friends. On Sept. 8th. her maid discovered the home in disarray, Ruth nowher…

1
Andrew "The Arborist" Conboy 1:31:09

1M ago1:31:09

1:31:09

In this we talk with Andrew Conboy about street trees, urban forestry, habitat restoration, getting stoked on native plant life and how it's practical more than puritanical, Philly, botanic gardens, and more.By Tony Santore

1
S6 Ep274: Phantom Smells at Laramie Prison & Haunts at the Kendrick Mansion 25:22

26d ago25:22

25:22

Tessa ventures over to Wyoming, visiting two haunted locations, Laramie Prison where you may just smell an old inmates life...cigars and then the Kendrick Mansion, a beautiful historic mansion that was saved from being demolished. OPENING SONG: Courtesy of the lovely Bobby Mackey COVER PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons Front and side of the Wyoming Territor…

1
Shot Through a Window, the murder of Michael Flores & the murders of Laura Guerra and Laura Warren in small town Texas 27:53

1M ago27:53

27:53

Three cases haunt the hosts of Box in the Basement in today's episode. In 1998, a 15-year-old High School student, Michael Flores, in Rio Hondo unsuspectingly blasts his radio as a bullet shatters his window. Laura Guerra's dead body is found in Rio Grande. Laura Warren's body was discovered Halloween day after being seen with a Hispanic man in Bee…

1
Guanajuato, Mexico Recap Part 2 - Floristic Affinities & Biogeography 1:55:44

2M ago1:55:44

1:55:44

Two hours of rants about wonderful plants in Central Mexico. A follow-up to the previous episode and a description of plant species, taxonomic affinities and habitats encountered in the mountains of Querétaro and Guanajuato States, Mexico. Also a brief gear list and explanation of the various tools used when botanizing desert mountains. Why the gen…

1
Central Mexico Recap & Habitat Summary 1:45:54

1M ago1:45:54

1:45:54

This episode sponsored by Fiberpad, where you can glue duct-taped wheatgrass and fiberglass to your face in order to clear up any blemishes nice. What can limestone do for you and how does it form? A long, winding rant through the mountains of Querétaro about habitats and species encountered at elevations between 6,000' and 10,000' including: Karwi…

1
S6 Ep273: The Botched Execution of Charles Butler at the Whitley Jail & Hauntings at the Indiana Central State Hospital 20:45

1M ago20:45

20:45

This week we find ourselves in two locations in Indiana. First up is the old Whitley County Jail. Home to escapes, and a botched execution that would change Indiana executions forever..The botched execution of Charles Butler. Next up is the Indiana Central State Hospital in Indianapolis, home to mistreatment, allegations of abuse, and tons of haunt…

1
A Sister's Lifelong Nightmare: When Elisa Roberson Vanishes in 1989 22:53

1M ago22:53

22:53

In 1989, thirteen-year-old Elisa Roberson left her home to meet a friend in the Texas gulf town of Aransas Pass. Born in Nicaragua, she adjusted well to American life, enjoying hair band 80's music and bossing around her younger siblings. After a short walk towards the elementary school, she would never be seen again. What happened to Elisa? Join A…

1
S6 Ep272: Historic Route 66. Part 5: Texas & Illinois 52:13

2M ago52:13

52:13

In the final episode of the Historic Route 66 series, Tessa travels throughout Texas and Illinois. CREDITS AND LINKS INTRO MUSIC: Bobby Mackey COVER PHOTO/S: The images in the cover photo were taken by Tessa (me) in April of 2024 PIXABAY: https://pixabay.com/music/modern-country-coyote-canyon-198997/ https://pixabay.com/music/funk-on-the-ride-17372…

1
Words Without Bars: Russian Prison Literature & the Encyclopedia of the Dog 32:18

2M ago32:18

32:18

On this episode, José Vergara (Bryn Mawr College) delves into the challenges and rewards of teaching literature in a carceral setting and his continued exploration of novels born behind bars. From the haunting prose of incarcerated writers to the innovative realms of digital humanities, Vergara shares his many projects such as the Encyclopedia of t…

1
An Era of Terror in Brownwood Part 4: Sherry Newman, Christy Jo Eggers & Stephanie Jo Flannery: Victims of a serial killer 27:57

1M ago27:57

27:57

Three women, Sherry Newman, Christy Jo Eggers, and Stephanie Jo Flannery's last moments were nearly identical: sexually assaulted, beaten, and murdered by a sick and depraved serial killer roaming the hills and flatlands of central Texas, leaving bodies in ditches for his own sick pleasure. Was justice served for two of his victims, whose cases are…

1
Pollination Systems & Bird Pollination with Jeff Ollerton 2:09:27

2M ago2:09:27

2:09:27

Jeff Ollerton is a pollination biologist and researcher based out of the EU and currently working in KunMing, Yunnan Province, China. He has written two excellent books - one entitled "Pollinators and Pollination" and another entitled "Birds and Flowers" about birds as pollinators. In this nearly two hour long conversation we talk about a variety o…

1
S6 Ep271: Historic Route 66 Ghost Towns (& Not-So Ghost Towns). Part 4: Oklahoma 50:16

2M ago50:16

50:16

This week we venture over to Oklahoma and check out the several Ghost Towns, almost ghost towns and totally not ghost towns.Featured towns: Afton , Bridgeport , Catoosa , Clinton, Depew, Foss , McAlester, Miami, Picher , Narcissa , Texola, Tulsa, Warwick CREDITS & LINKS OPENING MUSIC: Courtesy of Bobby Mackey COVER PHOTO: TOP IMAGE Title: Big Blue …

1
Rio Grande Valley Botany with Ernest Herrera 1:58:14

2M ago1:58:14

1:58:14

In this episode we talk with field botanist Ernest Herrera about the rich floristic diversity of the Rio Grande Valley region of South Texas and Northern Mexico. We talk about a variety of cool plant species as well as the cultural history and cultural repression of this unique region, how it will adapt to climate change, how to change culture in o…

1
An Era of Terror in Brownwood Part 3: The Unsolved Murder of 13-Year Old Amanda Goodman 48:03

3M ago48:03

48:03

On a rainy day in May 1989, Amanda "Sissy" Goodman fails to return home from school. Within 45 minutes, Amanda's body is found outside of town, shot to death, mystifying the entire city of Brownwood. Who would murder a sweet, innocent, church-going 13-year-old Junior High student? Arlene and Leah tell Amanda's story and interview Judy Williams, her…

1
Central Texas Orchids, Limestone sinkholes, New Aster species 1:51:31

2M ago1:51:31

1:51:31

In this episode we talk about why plant "rescue" is a bullshit term, how Epipactis is probably pollinated hoverflies that it dupes, whats up with this new species of Asteraceae discovered in the Chihuahua desert, why people who don't know much about botany or ecology initially prefer non-native plants orver native ones, best place to get a Texas to…

1
S6 Ep270: Historic Route 66 Ghost Towns (& Not-So Ghost Towns). Part 3: Arizona 24:23

3M ago24:23

24:23

In part three of this historic Route 66 series, we hit up Arizona and check out several Ghost Towns, almost ghost towns and totally not ghost towns. The Phenomenal locations: Adamana, Bellemont, Canyon Diablo, Chloride, Goldrod, Hackberry and Joplin CREDITS & LINKS OPENING MUSIC: Courtesy of Bobby Mackey COVER PICTURE: TOP LEFT: Found on Wikimedia …

1
"Dynasty Divided: A Family History of Russian and Ukrainian Nationalism" 34:51

2M ago34:51

34:51

On this episode, Misha and Cullan speak with Fabian Baumann, a research associate at the University of Heidelberg, whose latest book Dynasty Divided (2023, NIU Press) uniquely approaches the nuanced history of Ukrainian and Russian nationalism through a prominent Kievan family of journalists, scholars, and politicians. Thanks for listening! ABOUT T…

1
An Era of Terror in Brownwood Pt. 2: The Twists & Turns in the Brutal Murder of Donna Mae Inlow 22:53

2M ago22:53

22:53

Box in the Basement continues its look into the unsolved and solved murders in Brownwood, Tx, looking for the broader context in how Leon's murder remains unsolved. In Part 2 of an Era of Terror, we focus on an innocent woman whose life was cut short in 1982. A mother of four and widowed, 72-year-old Donna Mae Inlow worked in her shoe store in Brow…

1
S6 Ep269: Historic Route 66 Ghost Towns (& Not-So-Ghost Towns). Part 2: New Mexico, Kansas & Missouri 24:19

3M ago24:19

24:19

In this part 2 series of Historic Route 66 Ghost Towns, almost ghost towns and totally not ghost towns. We check out three different states - New Mexico, Kansas and Missouri. New Mexico locations: Anaconda, Cuervo, Glenrio, Golden, Madrid, Montoya & Newkirk Kansas: Galena Missouri: Arlington, Clementine, Hooker & Joplin CREDITS & LINKS OPENING MUSI…

1
Remembering Leon 16:16

2M ago16:16

16:16

In this emotional episode, Arlene shares memories of Leon as we near the anniversary of his murder. On May 10th, 1996 at midnight, someone kidnapped Leon Laurales from his workplace, Kroger's grocery. Fifteen minutes later, they shot him outside of town, leaving behind Leon's burning Thunderbird, and a wake of shattered lives and hearts. Leon's box…

1
S6 Ep268: Historic Route 66 Ghost Towns (& Not-So Ghost Towns). Part 1 : California 23:16

3M ago23:16

23:16

This week we hop into our ride and cruise the Historic Route 66 and check out some Ghost Towns, almost ghost towns and totally not ghost towns. In Part 1 of this series, we stop in California and check out the following locations: Bagdad, Calico, Chambless, Essex, Ludlow, Newberry Springs and Siberia. CREDITS & LINKS OPENING SONG: Courtesy of the a…

1
Cyber Crime & Punishment in the Context of the Russo-Ukrainian War 38:14

3M ago38:14

38:14

On this episode, Kseniya Yurtayeva joins Taylor and Basil to discuss her work on cyberaggression, hybrid warfare, and the difficulty of creating and enforcing cyber law in the midst of a global conflict. ABOUT THE GUEST:Kseniya Yurtayeva holds a PhD in criminal law, criminology and criminal-executive law and is a visiting scholar at the University …

1
An Era of Terror in Brownwood: The Death of Judge Bunnell and The Murder of Bobby McBride 32:52

2M ago32:52

32:52

Box in the Basement begins An Era of Terror in Brownwood, a series highlighting all the murders in Brownwood from 1980-1996, a period of time in which most of Brownwood's murders happened. We start with Judge Bunnell, a politician whose car goes off the road in 1980. But as we dig deeper, we see there's more to meet the eye when it comes to Judge B…

1
Death Valley Botany with Matt Berger 2:00:47

3M ago2:00:47

2:00:47

In this episode we talk with Botanist Matt Berger about Death Valley Plants, discovering new species, Limestone endemic plants, Dune Beetles, Desert Shrimp, specifist.ecology and more.By Tony Santore

1
S6 Ep267: Lying Here Eternally in Virginia City. A Glance Into the Silver Terrace Cemeteries, The Great Fire of 1875 & the Yellow Jacket Mining Disaster 32:31

3M ago32:31

32:31

Today we explore Virginia City, Nevada...stopping at several phenomenal locations along the way.. including the Yellow Jacket Mine - a location were some unlucky miners remain to this very day, forever entombed - The Silver Terrace Cemeteries (Not all, as there are 11 of them) The Gold Hill Hotel, and deadly events - The Yellow Jacket Mining Disast…

1
Liberty After Liberalism: Post-Maidan Transformations in Ukrainian Media 57:51

3M ago57:51

57:51

On this episode, Taras Fedirko from the University of Glasgow joins us on the Forty Acres to share the multilayered story of post-Soviet media in Ukraine and its dramatic transformations from Kravchuk to Zelenskyy. ABOUT THE GUEST Dr. Taras Fedirko is a Lecturer in Organized Crime and Corruption at the University of Glasgow. His current research fo…

1
Vanished in the Woods, Stolen from a Front Yard: Texas Missing Children Desirree Caroll & Bradley Gilbert 35:25

3M ago35:25

35:25

When a child goes missing is one of the most terrifying nightmares for any community. Join us as we share the stories of two children in 80's Texas. Desiree Carroll, a toddler, was last seen walking down the wooded road outside a small town by her mother in her rearview mirror. Did Desiree disappear into the woods and a victim of mother nature, or …

1
The Other 99% of Life on Planet Earth : Couch Microscopy with Dr. Julia van Etten 2:20:17

3M ago2:20:17

2:20:17

This conversation will make you want to buy a microscope and will make you rethink the way you envision the Tree of Life, where animals, plants and fungi are just a tiny speck on the overall tree of life. Dr. Julia Van Etten (of the @Couch Microscopy Instagram page) talks about what the hell a Protist is and where you can find them (everywhere). We…

1
Western Railroading, Sobriety, & Male Archetypes 2:13:42

3M ago2:13:42

2:13:42

In this episode we take a break from botany-related content to talk with my friend and fellow former locomotive engineer and railroader Lance Jenkins about railroading, sobriety, sad male archetypes in the US, stealing overtime, precision scheduled railroading and how it's responsible for the wreck in East Palestine Ohio, "The Sun Train", and a who…

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