141 episodes

Dakota Spotlight isn't your average true crime podcast. Creator James Wolner delves headfirst into unsolved mysteries and forgotten cases of the Upper Midwest and beyond, meticulously researching every detail to deliver a gripping, heartfelt narrative. Wolner prioritizes ethical storytelling, ensuring the victims are treated with care and respect. Prepare to be both enthralled and moved as James brings renewed hope for answers while offering a compassionate and soothing voice to the voiceless.

Dakota Spotlight Spotlight PLUS Standard

    • True Crime
    • 4.8 • 26 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Dakota Spotlight isn't your average true crime podcast. Creator James Wolner delves headfirst into unsolved mysteries and forgotten cases of the Upper Midwest and beyond, meticulously researching every detail to deliver a gripping, heartfelt narrative. Wolner prioritizes ethical storytelling, ensuring the victims are treated with care and respect. Prepare to be both enthralled and moved as James brings renewed hope for answers while offering a compassionate and soothing voice to the voiceless.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    You Killed Chris (3)

    You Killed Chris (3)

    In episode 3, Christine takes her usual morning walk, and her body is later found in the bushes near Sterling Hall. The UW-Madison police conduct an investigation, but the case soon goes cold. Linda informs UWPD about an older man who had been harassing Christine, someone she feared.

    Two Good Books about Christine Rothschild:
    Murder on the 56th Day: Linda Schulko. Get the Kindle version of Linda’s great book. Linda donates all proceeds to charity. Get Linda’s book on Amazon https://amzn.to/4cX0DEe
    Cold: The Unsolved Murders of Seven Young Women: Kevin Damask. Get Kevin’s book on Amazon https://amzn.to/43YFy8l

    A very special thanks goes out this season to Mari Zoerb Hansen, a 4th generation UW alum, for all the amazing research, fact checking and just stellar assistance with this season. Mari’s dedication and hard work on this story is in the memory of her late father, David Zoerb, who was finishing his senior year at UW when Christine was murdered. Thank you Mari.

    Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/
    Get episodes 1 week early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/
    Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/
    Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes info@sixhorsemedia.com
    Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com
    Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight
    X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight

    Mid-Season Update

    Mid-Season Update

    In this episode, James shares what it is like to be an independent podcaster and a preview of the upcoming Spotlight PLUS Bonus Episode with Mari Zoerb Hansen.
    Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/
    Get episodes 1 week early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/
    Support the show on PayPal https://bit.ly/3wDhonM
    Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/
    Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes info@sixhorsemedia.com
    Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com
    Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight
    X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 9 min
    You Killed Chris (2)

    You Killed Chris (2)

    In episode 2, friends recall dorm life at Ann Emery Hall and Christine's struggles with being at UW-Madison. Meanwhile, the campus is shaken by the Dow Day protest, and Linda recounts the days leading up to Christine's tragic fate.
    Two Good Books about Christine Rothschild:
    Murder on the 56th Day: Linda Schulko. Get the Kindle version of Linda’s great book. Linda donates all proceeds to charity. Get Linda’s book on Amazon https://amzn.to/4cX0DEe
    Cold: The Unsolved Murders of Seven Young Women: Kevin Damask. Get Kevin’s book on Amazon https://amzn.to/43YFy8l 
    A very special thanks goes out this season to Mari Zoerb Hansen, a 4th generation UW alum, for all the amazing research, fact checking and just stellar assistance with this season. Mari’s dedication and hard work on this story is in the memory of her late father, David Zoerb, who was finishing his senior year at UW when Christine was murdered. Thank you Mari.
    Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/
    Get episodes 1 week early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/
    Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/
    Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes info@sixhorsemedia.com
    Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com
    Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight
    X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 36 min
    You Killed Chris (1)

    You Killed Chris (1)

    In episode 1, 18-year-old freshman Christine Rothschild was found brutally murdered outside Sterling Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1968. We are introduced to her classmate, Linda, who reflects on their friendship and campus life amidst the 1960s counterculture.
    Two Good Books about Christine Rothschild:
    Murder on the 56th Day: Linda Schulko. Get the Kindle version of Linda’s great book. Linda donates all proceeds to charity. Get Linda’s book on Amazon https://amzn.to/4cX0DEe
    Cold: The Unsolved Murders of Seven Young Women: Kevin Damask. Get Kevin’s book on Amazon https://amzn.to/43YFy8l 
    A very special thanks goes out this season to Mari Zoerb Hansen, a 4th generation UW alum, for all the amazing research, fact checking and just stellar assistance with this season. Mari’s dedication and hard work on this story is in the memory of her late father, David Zoerb, who was finishing his senior year at UW when Christine was murdered. Thank you Mari.
    Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/
    Get episodes 1 week early, ad-free, and more. Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/
    Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/
    Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes info@sixhorsemedia.com
    Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com
    Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight
    X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 50 min
    Trailer - You Killed Chris

    Trailer - You Killed Chris

    Season 10 of Dakota Spotlight, "You Killed Chris: A Friend's Fight for Justice" is set against the backdrop of the 1960s US counterculture and delves into the unresolved murder of 18-year-old college freshman Christine Rothschild. Hosted by James Wolner, “You Killed Chris” goes beyond the well-known Manson murders to explore this lesser-known case, focusing on the victim's friend’s relentless pursuit of the truth and the impact the crime had on the University of Wisconsin-Madison community.

    Two Good Books about Christine Rothschild
    Murder on the 56th Day: Linda Schulko
    Get the Kindle version of Linda’s great book. Linda donates all proceeds to charity.
    Get Linda’s book on Amazon https://amzn.to/4cX0DEe
    Cold: The Unsolved Murders of Seven Young Women: Kevin Damask
    Get Kevin’s book on Amazon https://amzn.to/43YFy8l 

    A very special thanks goes out this season to Mari Zoerb Hansen, a 4th generation UW alum, for all the amazing research, fact checking and just stellar assistance with this season. Mari’s dedication and hard work on this story is in the memory of her late father, David Zoerb, who was finishing his senior year at UW when Christine was murdered. Thank you Mari.

    Check out the full catalog and everything Dakota Spotlight https://dakotaspotlight.com/
    Subscribe to Spotlight PLUS https://dakotaspotlight.com/spotlight-plus/
    Sign up for the Dakota Spotlight newsletter https://dakotaspotlight.com/newsletter/
    Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes info@sixhorsemedia.com
    Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com
    Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight
    X/Twitter: @dakotaspotlight
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 3 min
    Spotlight PLUS Bonus Episode - Season 10 Sneak Peek

    Spotlight PLUS Bonus Episode - Season 10 Sneak Peek

    Sneak peek of Season 10 of Dakota Spotlight. For Spotlight PLUS subscribers only.

    Check out the full catalog of Dakota Spotlight true crime podcasts at https://dakotaspotlight.com where you can sign up for a newsletter, subscribe to the new and exciting Spotlight PLUS ad-free experience and much more.

    Head over to https://dakotaspotlight.com to learn more.

    Advertise your podcast or brand in Dakota Spotlight episodes by sending email to info@sixhorsemedia.com

    Email: dakotaspotlight@gmail.com

    Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/dakotaspotlight

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
26 Ratings

26 Ratings

dillydill54 ,

The lady vanishes

I found you bc you did an episode on the disappearance of Marion Barter. I was so impressed by that episode I have subscribed to your podcast and have started listening from your first episode about Victor.
Thank you thank you. So far so great.

From Australia 🇦🇺

Hobart21 ,

Great podcast

Appreciate James Wolner’s well researched and thoughtfully presented podcast. There is a lot of heart in this podcast.

lucekeo ,

What a find!

Nuanced thoughtful stories about real people in real situations.

James Wolner brings a compassionate multi faceted view with a strong sense of place to true crime.

This is outstanding work. Up there with the very best.

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