Rise To Liberty

I tuned in expecting a podcast about a recent crime in Pennsylvania. Apparently, expecting the hosts to be prepared to discuss the actual topic of their own episode was setting the bar a little too high. The first 20 minutes were an impressive combination of personal opinions, irrelevant tangents, and what sounded like someone frantically searching through “documents” and browser tabs trying to locate information that perhaps could have been researched before hitting the record button. Nothing inspires confidence in a true-crime podcast quite like listening to the research happen in real time. Then, for reasons that remain unclear, the conversation wandered into the historical witch trials—a subject that had virtually nothing to do with the Pennsylvania case. That might have been merely an unnecessary tangent if the information presented had at least been accurate. Instead, listeners were treated to questionable claims and historical inaccuracies delivered with considerably more confidence than preparation. The hosts then managed the particularly troubling feat of drawing a comparison between mothers experiencing postpartum psychosis and the women persecuted during historical witch trials. The suggestion that women diagnosed with serious mental health conditions are essentially being labeled as modern-day “witches” was both inappropriate and deeply disturbing. Even more concerning was the statement implying that, if women accused during the witch trials had harmed their children, it was somehow understandable that they were burned at the stake. Such commentary is not only insensitive but also trivializes the realities of severe mental illness and the historical persecution of women. Having opinions is perfectly fine. Having a podcast largely built around your opinions is also fine. But when presenting a recent crime involving real people, opinions are not a substitute for research, organization, or factual accuracy. If you’re going to spend time discussing history, it would also be helpful to actually know the history you’re discussing. The Pennsylvania case could have made for a fascinating episode. Unfortunately, the actual subject seemed almost secondary to the host’s commentary, unrelated detours, and on-air scavenger hunt through browser tabs. Perhaps the next episode could begin with a revolutionary new true-crime podcasting technique: researching the topic before recording

Educational and intriguing episodes; love the focus on liberty and its vital importance to our world. Also it’s great to see a variety of other topics and opinions being covered. Great show!

Great interview.

Loved about conspiracy theories it was really fun