The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke

Wondery
  • 3.3 (85)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • WEEKLY SERIES
The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke

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Ruby Franke, a Utah mom turned YouTube “momfluencer” who amassed 2.6 million subscribers, was known for her strict disciplinarian parenting style. But authorities now say that her "tough love" was actually child abuse. Ruby Franke's son escaped from the Utah home of her self-help business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The boy was reportedly starved and tied up with duct tape along with his 10 year old sister. As law enforcement dug deeper, they uncovered injuries, torture, and emotional harm inflicted by both Franke and Hildebrandt. Law&Crime takes you behind the scenes, from Ruby and Jodi's path to internet stardom, to the investigation that brought them down. Binge all episodes of The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke ad-free by joining Wondery+ on the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-rise-and-fall-of-ruby-franke/ now.

Episodes

  1. EPISODE 1

    The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | Meet the Frankes

    They call themselves and their YouTube channel the “8 Passengers” — mom Ruby, dad Kevin, and their six kids in tow. By all appearances, they’re your stereotypical American Mormon family, but there’s something simmering under the surface. Loyal fans of the 8 Passengers page have been picking up on something startling over the years, and it’s not long before the genie is out of the bottle. You can listen to all episodes of The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start Your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/the-rise-and-fall-of-ruby-franke/ now.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    36 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | #FreeChad

    As 8 Passengers’ following grows, so do their subscribers' concerns about the welfare of Ruby Franke’s children. Specifically her oldest son, Chad, who becomes noticeably absent from vlogs in the summer of 2019. Viewers press in the comments for answers as to his whereabouts, and what they learn provides more clues into Ruby’s punitive parenting philosophy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    38 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | Enter Jodi Hildebrandt

    Ruby’s vlogs see a shift in their consistency and messaging. 8 Passengers’ family diary style videos are now peppered with self-improvement advice. Ruby shares news that she’s now affiliated with a program called “ConneXions”, which is owned and operated by a woman named Jodi Hildebrandt. And under the influence of Jodi’s counseling, both Ruby’s marriage and family life are turned upside down.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    30 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | Under Her Thumb

    Ruby has fully come into the ConneXions fold, and she’s no longer just promoting Jodi’s work – she’s become integral to her operation. Together, Jodi and Ruby forge a new venture on social media called “Moms of Truth.” But how well can they be trusted? Jodi’s past transgressions come to light, jeopardizing her authority.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    30 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | August 30, 2023

    Law enforcement across Utah jump into action after a 911 dispatcher in Ivins receives an alarming call from Jodi Hildebrandt’s neighbor. As the day unfolds, the extent of Jodi and Ruby’s disciplinary practices are revealed, and they are nothing short of shocking. The two women are thrust into the national spotlight and are forced to face the consequences.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    31 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | Guilty as Sin

    Ruby and Jodi’s abusive ways are no longer just speculative. Now that the two have been formally charged, the details of their actions become public record. What the court documents reveal are worse than anyone could have imagined. And, the treatment Russel and Eve suffered under Jodi’s roof catches the attention of someone from Jodi’s past who says they were subjected to nearly identical treatment.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    27 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | Truth and Distortion

    Nearly 6 months after Ruby and Jodi were arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated child abuse, the two finally face sentencing. We learn how much time each woman could spend in prison, hear from mental health professionals about how the Franke children can heal, and explore ethical questions surrounding family vlogging. -- A note from our Executive Producer: This episode was intended to be the final episode of The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke. However, in the early morning hours of Friday, March 22nd, 2024, as we were putting the final touches on this episode, the Washington County Attorney’s Office in Utah released police reports, body cam footage, investigative photos, and interviews as well as portions of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt’s recorded phone calls made from the Washington County Correctional Facility. The Law&Crime team is carefully reviewing all the materials and we’ll be back with a deep-dive bonus episode on April 8th exclusively on Wondery+. We thank you for your patience. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    59 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | Bonus: What We Didn’t Know

    On March 22, 2024, a month after Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were sentenced, the Washington County Attorney’s office released a treasure trove of never-before-seen documentation related to their cases, including phone calls from prison, body cam footage from the day of their arrests, Kevin Franke’s interviews with detectives, photographs, and Ruby’s journal. In this bonus episode, we dig into all the shocking details we didn’t know…until now.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 43m

  9. 06/02/2024

    Introducing: The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke

    Ruby Franke, a Utah mom turned YouTube “momfluencer” who amassed 2.6 million subscribers, was known for her strict disciplinarian parenting style. But authorities now say that her "tough love" was actually child abuse. Ruby Franke's son escaped from the Utah home of her self-help business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The boy was reportedly starved and tied up with duct tape along with his 10 year old sister. As law enforcement dug deeper, they uncovered injuries, torture, and emotional harm inflicted by both Franke and Hildebrandt. Law&Crime takes you behind the scenes, from Ruby and Jodi's path to internet stardom, to the investigation that brought them down.  This 7-part series releases weekly on Mondays exclusively on Wondery+. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    2 min

  10. 25/07/2024

    New from Law&Crime: KAREN

    A stormy evening in January 2022 begins as an innocent night out for drinks with friends for a local couple in Canton, Massachusetts. But by daybreak, Boston police officer John O’Keefe turns up under six feet of snow and his girlfriend, Karen Read, is immediately suspected of striking him with her SUV - leaving him for dead.  As the investigation into John’s curious death unfurls, rumors of a police cover-up captivate the town of Canton and beyond. Is Karen Read being framed? This question soon begs answers from onlookers far and wide as Karen’s ten week trial is catapulted into the national spotlight.   Law and Crime presents the most in-depth analysis to date of this sensational case – exploring the divisive theories and more by taking you behind the scenes of both the trial of Karen Read and the investigation into John O'Keefe's mysterious death in KAREN. Listen to episodes of KAREN exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/karen/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    6 min
  11. AVAILABLE NOW: LUIGI by Law&Crime

    24 MAR

    AVAILABLE NOW: LUIGI by Law&Crime

    When Luigi Mangione was arrested for allegedly shooting UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, it sent shockwaves across the country, but the aftermath was even more unsettling. While mainstream media condemned the act as a brutal murder, a very different narrative was taking shape online—one that questioned the true villains in this story. Was the alleged shooter a violent extremist, or had he become an unwitting symbol of something much larger?  Hosted by Law&Crime's Jesse Weber, LUIGI is more than just a true crime investigation—it's an exploration of a uniquely American moment. As this case continues to unfold in real-time, this series steps beyond the headline-grabbing "crime of the decade" angle to examine the cultural reckoning it has triggered. At its core, LUIGI captures a shifting America at a tipping point. From the public's growing disillusionment with corporate power to the radicalization of online discourse,—this is a story about what happens when the powerless begin to push back. LUIGI dissects the moral, political, and cultural divide at the heart of this case. Wherever this case goes, Law&Crime will provide you with all angles of the case; from those who have condemned the suspect and the crime, to others celebrating the act as revolutionary.  With exclusive interviews and in-depth coverage, we challenge you to decide: Is the status quo enough, or is it time for a cultural reckoning? Listen to Law&Crime and Twist’s LUIGI exclusively on Wondery+ and follow the show page to keep up on all the latest developments. You can join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    6 min

  12. 24/03/2024 • WONDERY+ ONLY

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    The world is full of scammers, bamboozlers, fraudsters, and charlatans. Through trickery and deceit, these folks build jet-setting lifestyles featuring million-dollar mansions and six-figure sports cars. But eventually, justice catches up to them and they’re forced to trade it all in for an orange jumpsuit. SCAMFLUENCERS is a podcast that tells the unbelievable true stories behind some of the world’s most infamous scams. From gurus gone wrong, to a Coachella con artist, Hollywood’s ponzi scheme and even a lethal ballet start-up. Each story on Scamfluencers will take you along the twists and turns, from the impact on victims to what’s left behind when the house of cards comes tumbling down. Listen to Scamfluencers early and ad-free right now with Wondery+.

    3 min

    Trailers

    Shows with Subscription Benefits

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    3.3
    out of 5
    85 Ratings

    About

    Ruby Franke, a Utah mom turned YouTube “momfluencer” who amassed 2.6 million subscribers, was known for her strict disciplinarian parenting style. But authorities now say that her "tough love" was actually child abuse. Ruby Franke's son escaped from the Utah home of her self-help business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The boy was reportedly starved and tied up with duct tape along with his 10 year old sister. As law enforcement dug deeper, they uncovered injuries, torture, and emotional harm inflicted by both Franke and Hildebrandt. Law&Crime takes you behind the scenes, from Ruby and Jodi's path to internet stardom, to the investigation that brought them down. Binge all episodes of The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke ad-free by joining Wondery+ on the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-rise-and-fall-of-ruby-franke/ now.

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