The Silver Linings Handbook

Jayson Blair

Life has many layers. Whether it's true crime, the media spotlight, mental health, religion or any other part of a person’s journey, there are so many deeper truths underneath the surface. To truly understand them, you need to peel back those layers to find the depth, beauty, joy, suffering and struggles that become the silver linings. Join Jayson Blair each week for interesting conversations with interesting people from all walks of life. Artwork by Hannah Hill. https://www.instagram.com/serious_moonlite/?hl=en Production by Alyssa Miller. https://www.instagram.com/alyssarenee.co/?hl=en

  1. 2 days ago

    Best of: Bonus on The University of Idaho Murders, True Crime and Kindness with Julia Cowley

    Julia Cowley, a retired FBI profiler and the host of The Consult podcast, and I set out to discuss the University of Idaho murders and the killer of four college students, Bryan Kohberger. But something strange happened when we began discussing the survivors who were in the house. It was during a week when a beloved podcaster, friend, and researcher for this podcast died. In this emotionally charged bonus, we explore grief, trauma, and the importance of kindness within the true crime community and in life. Our conversation touches on how loss, children and age have changed the way we view true crime stories. NOTE: In July 2025, those roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, broke their silence at Kohberger’s sentencing in the murders of 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, and 21-year-olds Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen. Use the links above to hear from them in their own words. Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.com Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at: https://silverliningshandbook.com Check out our Patreon to support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook Join our Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623 Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store Visit The True Crime Times Substack at: https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music. See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Best of: Bonus on The University of Idaho Murders, True Crime and Kindness with Julia Cowley

  2. 2 days ago

    Best of: The Real-Life Nightmare of Bryan Kohberger and the Idaho Four with Julia Cowley, Part 2

    In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, someone entered a house just off the University of Idaho campus in a brazen home invasion that left four University of Idaho students — Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves — dead. Julia Cowley, a retired FBI profiler and host of The Consult podcast, joins me to continue on conversation about what we can learn from the behavior of the real-life nightmare that is the suspect, Bryan Kohberger. Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.com Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at: https://silverliningshandbook.com Check out our Patreon to support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook Join our Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623 Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store Visit The True Crime Times Substack at: https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music. See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Best of: The Real-Life Nightmare of Bryan Kohberger and the Idaho Four with Julia Cowley, Part 2

  3. 2 days ago

    Best of: The Real-Life Nightmares of Bryan Kohberger and the Idaho Four with Julia Cowley, Part 1

    In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, some entered a house just off the University of Idaho campus and stabbed four students to death. Months later, a suspect was identified. This year, he pled guilty to the charges without giving any hint why he committed the crimes or what made the victims desirable targets. Julia Cowley, a retired FBI profiler and host of The Consult podcast, joins me to discuss what we can learn from the behavior of the real-life nightmare that is the suspect, Bryan Kohberger. Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.com Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at: https://silverliningshandbook.com Check out our Patreon to support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook Join our Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623 Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store Visit The True Crime Times Substack at: https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music. See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Best of: The Real-Life Nightmares of Bryan Kohberger and the Idaho Four with Julia Cowley, Part 1

  4. 20 Oct

    221. The Architecture of Dread with Brett Talley, Part 2

    In Part 2, Brett Talley, the horror writer and co-host of The Prosecutors podcast, push deeper into how fear becomes architecture — not just in myths and folklore, but in the way communities respond to real‑world uncertainty. We explore how conspiracy theories, moral panics, and cultural narratives emerge when information is scarce and anxiety is high, from modern “Twitter panic” to ancient explanations for natural disasters. Brett connects these patterns to horror’s enduring power: stories give shape to danger, even when the underlying threat is chaotic or unknowable. Together, we trace how humans continually rebuild meaning in the face of randomness, using narrative as both shield and compass. Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.com Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at: https://silverliningshandbook.com/ Check out our Patreon to support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook Join our Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623 Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store Visit The True Crime Times Substack at: https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com Jayson's Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at: The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | Substack The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music. See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    221. The Architecture of Dread with Brett Talley, Part 2

  5. 13 Oct

    220. The Architecture of Dread with Brett Talley, Part 1

    Brett Talley, the horror author and host of The Prosecutors podcast, explores how ancient concepts like guest rights and modern legends like Cropsey reveal a universal human impulse: turning danger and uncertainty into stories we can understand and navigate. We connect this to broader patterns — from Greek mythology to conspiracy theories — showing how narratives help people regulate fear, impose order on chaos, and build community. The conversation moves through real cases, folklore, and Lovecraft’s cosmic nihilism to illustrate how horror functions as moral technology and psychological survival strategy. Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.com Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at: https://silverliningshandbook.com/ Check out our Patreon to support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook Join our Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623 Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store Visit The True Crime Times Substack at: https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com Jayson's Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at: The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | Substack The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music. See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    220. The Architecture of Dread with Brett Talley, Part 1

  6. 6 Oct

    219. The Shadow Architect with Christian Kenny

    Christian Kenny's story unfolds as a blend of curiosity, compulsion and a lifelong drive to understand the unseen architecture of human behavior. From childhood, he describes himself as an "oddball," someone who asked existential questions early and pursued answers with obsessive, research-driven intensity. He describes there being a "whole courtroom in there" in his mind, constantly debating himself, challenging assumptions and pushing ideas to their limits. This led to, among other things, a deep analytical interest in the occult. Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.com Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at: https://silverliningshandbook.com/ Check out our Patreon to support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook Join our Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623 Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store Visit The True Crime Times Substack at: https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com Jayson's Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at: The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | Substack The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music. See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    219. The Shadow Architect with Christian Kenny

  7. 29 Sept

    218. Lindsay Clancy and the Politics of Sympathy with Clara Lewis, Part 2

    Clara S. Lewis joins me again as we go deeper into the questions the Lindsay Clancy mistrial leaves behind — especially how courts try to evaluate wrongfulness, intent, and culpability when severe postpartum disorders or psychosis are in play. We look at why juries struggle with these cases, how expert testimony gets flattened into competing narratives, and why centuries‑old ideas about “good” and “bad” mothers still shape public reactions and prosecutorial decisions. We also examine the broader landscape: the women whose pregnancy‑related crises never make headlines, the gaps in clinical training around postpartum psychosis and intrusive thoughts, and the ways stigma and silence keep families from getting help early. Clara breaks down the historical roots of the “politics of sympathy,” and together we explore what a more humane, prevention‑focused approach could look like — one that treats maternal mental health as a public health issue rather than a moral sorting exercise. Listen to part one here. Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.com Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at: https://silverliningshandbook.com/ Check out our Patreon to support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook Join our Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623 Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store Visit The True Crime Times Substack at: https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com Jayson's Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at: The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | Substack The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music. See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    218. Lindsay Clancy and the Politics of Sympathy with Clara Lewis, Part 2

  8. 22 Sept

    217. Lindsay Clancy and the Politics of Sympathy with Clara Lewis, Part 1

    On September 4, 2026, Lindsay Clancy’s trial ended without a unanimous verdict on her criminal responsibility - a result that left the public divided and the deeper questions unresolved. I’m joined this week again by Dartmouth professor Clara S. Lewis, author of American Infanticide, for a wide‑ranging conversation about what the Clancy case reveals about maternal mental health, psychosis, and the limits of our legal system. We revisit Clara’s earlier work on Emily Weaver, discuss Laken Snelling’s recent manslaughter plea, and explore why society still struggles to assess, treat, and legally interpret crises like postpartum psychosis and pregnancy denial. Clara breaks down the centuries‑old narratives that continue to shape how these cases are prosecuted, while we reflect on the clinical and personal realities of psychosis that the courtroom often can’t capture. Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.com Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at: https://silverliningshandbook.com/ Check out our Patreon to support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook Join our Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623 Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store Visit The True Crime Times Substack at: https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com Jayson's Substack newsletter, The Center Holds, can be found at: The Center Holds | Jayson Blair | Substack The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music. See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    217. Lindsay Clancy and the Politics of Sympathy with Clara Lewis, Part 1
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Trailer

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Life has many layers. Whether it's true crime, the media spotlight, mental health, religion or any other part of a person’s journey, there are so many deeper truths underneath the surface. To truly understand them, you need to peel back those layers to find the depth, beauty, joy, suffering and struggles that become the silver linings. Join Jayson Blair each week for interesting conversations with interesting people from all walks of life. Artwork by Hannah Hill. https://www.instagram.com/serious_moonlite/?hl=en Production by Alyssa Miller. https://www.instagram.com/alyssarenee.co/?hl=en

Information

  • Creator
    Jayson Blair
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    270
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © BlueSky Studios LLC
  • Show Website
    The Silver Linings Handbook

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