Payne in the Pod Voxtopica

It is with heavy heart that I announce the end of the Payne in the Pod era.
I'd like to thank each and every single listener and follower from the bottom of my heart for being so loyal. Thank you to each of my podcast guests who allowed me to ask my burning questions, and even get a little personal. Thanks for my friends and family who have supported this journey wholeheartedly. And finally, thank you to the podcast community for welcome this loud southern belle with open arms!
While this is the end of Payne in the Pod, don't you worry - I'm not leaving completely. You can still find my reality-tv-loving southern charm on Pink Shade with Erin Martin and the Patroon-only podcast Hey Bunkie. And you know I'm always listening to podcasts so let me know what you're listening to or if you need recommendations.
Love y'all - and I'll be in your ears again soon!
PS. Stay tuned to my announcement in July about my next venture!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Payne and her friend Doug Budin thought they were going to spend today’s episode recapping the hit podcast, Mob Queens. Instead, they got something better: a surprise entrance by Mob Queens co-host Michael Seligman. Mary Payne and Doug asked Michael their burning questions about the fascinating and mysterious Anna Genovese, a 20th-century New York mob wife and drag club maven.
The Hidden Story of a Mob Wife
Michael and his co-host, Jessica Bendinger, began researching Anna Genovese several years ago when they stumbled upon Anna’s name in numerous places across New York City. They began to research who she was--leading years of public records searches, followed by interviews with her surviving grandchildren and former mobsters.
Anna was the wife of Vito Genovese, a major player of the Genovese crime family in the 20th century. She also operated a speakeasy drag club in downtown New York, helping to solidify long-running ties between the drag community and mobsters. Anna eventually divorced her husband Vito and had a female romantic partner named Jackie (who herself was a drag king). 
A woman ahead of her times, Anna is an adorned figure in some drag communities and the subject of rumors and speculation. During the Mob Queens podcast, Michael and Jessica separate fact from fiction and try to uncover the truth behind Anna’s folklore. 
Questions, Answered
Mary Payne and Doug had A LOT of questions for Michael when he entered the conversation. Some include: Was Anna a CIA agent? Are her grandchildren in the mob? Why is her name excluded from her tombstone? Was it nerve-racking to interview former mobsters? Take a listen to hear Michael’s answers!
A Host’s Ancestral Journey 
Another major aspect of Mob Queens was Michael’s journey to discover his family roots. While the results of his ancestral journey weren’t what he expected, Michael has received reassuring feedback from many of listeners who had gone through similar experiences. 
Mary Payne and Doug agree that--albeit disappointing--Michael’s ancestral history search was touching and real. It didn’t need a fairytale ending.
You can catch up on all of the Payne in the Pod episodes, here. Become a patron to receive even more exclusive content from Mary Payne including in-depth conversations that you won’t find anywhere else!
Podcast Recommendations:
The Jungle Prince
The Shrink Next Door
Find Doug at: 
Instagram – @dougbudin
Jeff Lewis Live on Radio Andy (SiriusXM Channel 102)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sheila Wysocki is a private investigator who uses her podcast, Without Warning, to crowdsource true crime cases in real-time. The third season of the Without Warning podcast digs into the mysterious 2008 deaths of Kadie Major, her baby River, and her unborn child, Aidan, in Moncks Corner, South Carolina.
The Beginnings of Without Warning 
Sheila became a private investigator in 2004 to discover what happened to her college roommate who was raped and murdered in the 1980s. After six years of work, in 2010, she helped to convict a man for this crime. Since then, Sheila has expanded her case portfolio across the US.
Sheila began the Without Warning podcast as a real-time investigative tool for some of her cases. She uses her podcast platform to receive feedback, assistance, and tips from listeners. In her first two seasons, she covered two separate cases on the deaths of Lauren Agee and Christian Andreacchio.
The Case of Kadie Major
Now in Season 3, Sheila is investigating the bizarre deaths of Kadie Major, daughter River, and baby boy (to be named Aidan Robert) in Moncks Corner, South Carolina in 2008. Sheila, fellow investigators, and her Patreon team are working with Kadie’s mom, Vicky, to find the truth behind their deaths. 
Kadie and River’s bodies were found near a train track and quickly ruled a suicide. However, Sheila has found convincing evidence to question this suicide theory. This story digs into a strange and complicated world of Kadie’s husband, Aaron, and his immediate family. It also looks at the seemingly botched investigation by the local officials. As the case continues, Without Warning will continue to reveal more unbelievable and unworldly evidence about this case.
The Power of Women Investigators
One of Sheila’s primary motivations is the strength and determination of the grieving mothers of deceased adult children. Sheila works closely with these strong mothers on different cases to find justice and bring closure to these cases. 
Sheila is also constantly amazed by her Patreon team--many of whom are also mothers--who are working with her to solve cases in real-time. If you think you have the investigative tools to help Sheila, then consider joining today!
You can catch up on all of the Payne in the Pod episodes, here. Become a patron to receive even more exclusive content from Mary Payne including in-depth conversations that you won’t find anywhere else!
Podcast Recommendations:
Culpable
Southern Fried True Crime
Brainscratchers
The Unlovely Truth
Three Men and a Mystery
Find Sheila at: 
sheilawysocki.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nikki Boyer returns to Payne in the Pod to speak with Mary Payne about her new podcast, The Daily Smile. Best known for her work on the Dying For Sex and Straight Talk with Ross podcasts, Nikki’s latest podcast brings listeners new episodes every weekday morning highlighting uplifting stories from quarentine.
A Must-Listen During Quarantine
Nikki and her colleagues at Wondery were already in discussions for creating The Daily Smile podcast when the coronavirus pandemic struck in March. As the world entered quarantine, Nikki and her colleagues believed it was the right time to bring people uplifting stories amid the pandemic.
Launched in May, The Daily Smile features daily episodes that tell feel-good and family-friendly stories to brighten your day. In each episode, Nikki tells stories of how people have turned pain, sadness, and grief into optimistic experiences. Mary Payne notes that this podcast isn’t all about sugar-coated happiness, but instead tells real stories that balance negative and positive aspects of life.
The Daily Smile’s first batch of episodes have included stories on the “real life Golden Girls,” a romance sparked by a drone delivery, and new pen pals. Nikki and her team are always searching for new uplifting stories to tell. If you have a story you wish to share, you can send an email to smile@wondery.com.
The Latest From Dying for Sex
Mary Payne and Nikki also talk about the enormous success of Nikki’s hit show, Dying for Sex (check out Mary Payne’s previous interview with Nikki on this podcast). Nikki is overwhelmed by the number of listeners reaching out to her who resonate with Molly’s story. Moving forward, Nikki is working to publish a book based on the podcast. 
You can catch up on all of the Payne in the Pod episodes, here. Become a patron to receive even more exclusive content from Mary Payne including in-depth conversations that you won’t find anywhere else!
Podcast Recommendations:
Armchair Expert
Dr. Death
Julie: The Unwinding of a Miracle
Find Nikki at: 
Insta: @nikkiboyer
Twitter: @nikkiboyer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristen Meinzer is an overachiever. She currently hosts three podcasts, has authored three books (including a book on podcasting), and regularly delivers lectures and keynote addresses. In this episode, Kristen speaks with Mary Payne about her podcast, By The Book, in which she and her co-host, Jolenta Greenberg, experiment with different self-help books.
By The Book
Kristen and Jolenta are former co-workers living in New York City. Kristen is a culture critic and Jolenta is a comedian. In 2017, they decided to combine their talents and perspectives to create the By The Book podcast. Over the course of six seasons, Kristen and Jolenta have read and completed two-week trials on over 50 self-help books.
Kristen notes that some of the most helpful themes distilled from their self-help trials have included gratitude, living in the moment, and self-love. She notes, however, that many books are unhelpful, especially those written by upper-class white males who are disconnected from the largely female audience of self-help books.
In a recent season, Kristen and Jolenta focused exclusively on the first-edition of books written over 50 years ago. The results were hysterical--and demonstrated the drastic way our values have changed over the decades. Some of these older generation self-help books included “How To Win Friends And Influence People” and “The Joy of Sex.”
Spin-Offs From By The Book
In 2019, after receiving messages from listeners requesting more hands-on interactions, Kristen and Jolenta created the We Love You (and So Can You) podcast, in which they prescribe self-help guidance to guests. In this makeover-type show, Kristen and Jolenta use their self-help knowledge to develop a two-week “self-love trial” for guests, who make audio diaries of their experiences.
Kristen and Jolenta also recently published a book called How To Be Fine, which distills their lessons learned from their self-help journey of the By The Book podcast.  
A Host of Other Podcasts
Kristen has also co-hosted several previous podcasts, including When Meghan Met Harry (which celebrates the monumental Royal Wedding), Lisa, Sandra, and Kristen Go to the Movies, and Movie Date.
Currently, Kristen and Newsday film critic, Rafer Guzman, host Movie Therapy, in which they “prescribe” movies for listeners facing certain issues or challenges. This podcast has picked up steam in recent months, with listeners having more free time to watch movies during these COVID times. 
You can catch up on all of the Payne in the Pod episodes, here. Become a patron to receive even more exclusive content from Mary Payne including in-depth conversations that you won’t find anywhere else!
Podcast Recommendations:
Trashy Divorces
What A Creep
Spectacular Failures
Find Kristen at kristenmeinzer.com, where you can find her books, podcasts, and social media platforms.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Murderous Minors podcast occupies a unique niche in the podcasting world. It tells the complex, heartbreaking stories of children who commit terrible crimes. Mary Payne speaks with Simone (AKA Warbaby), the host of Murderous Minors, about her experience telling these stories and how she thinks our society can help children before they commit crimes.
A Warbaby Turned Podcast Host
The daughter of two Vietnam vets, Simone was born into a military world (thus, the “Warbaby” nickname). For over a decade, she followed the “military/defense” path by working in the aerospace industry before becoming a pastry chef. Over the course of her diverse career, she always had a love for writing. And as a mother, she is fascinated with true crime stories from a parent’s perspective.
In 2017, Simone brought together these interests and talents to create the Murderous Minors podcast, which has released over 60 scripted episodes that tell the stories (and backstories) of kids who kill. These episodes look into the “why” of these murders and tell the victims’ stories. 
Why Children Murder
People are often shocked and appalled when they hear stories of children who murder. Simone is not. Children do crazy things because their brains are not fully formed and they do not think through the consequences of their actions. 
Simone notes several common factors tying together the children in the Murderous Minors podcast cases:

Separation from mothers at an early age;

Domestic violence victims or witnesses; and

Behavioral warning signs prior to the crime.

What Can Be Done
Simone and Mary Payne discuss how parents and other adults can help prevent these awful cases. Simone stresses that adults must be more involved in childrens’ lives and provide better guidance. Involved parents and mentors are also more alert to behavioral warning signs. 
Simone also urges reform for the juvenile justice system and rehabilitation programs. There must be a better, more uniform way across all US states for authorities to give these children an opportunity for success once they return to normal life.
You can catch up on all of the Payne in the Pod episodes, here. Become a patron to receive even more exclusive content from Mary Payne including in-depth conversations that you won’t find anywhere else!
Podcast Recommendations:
Minds of Madness
Murderish
Generation Why
True Crime Garage
Southern Friend True Crime
Case File
Covert
American Scandal
Business Wars
Pod Save America
Find Murderous Minors on any podcast platform (including Apple Podcasts)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices