True Crime, Authors & Extraordinary People

David McClam

This is the podcast where two passions become one. Here weekly I will present a true crime story. It may be a crime you know about and it may be one that is new to you. Every other week, I will be interviewing an author. Maybe an author and some books you have never known about. So if you like True crime and have a passion to read, this is the podcast for you!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  1. Selena: A Heartbreaking Loss, A Powerful Voice

    May 11

    Selena: A Heartbreaking Loss, A Powerful Voice

    Episode SummaryJoin David McClam for a deep dive into the extraordinary life and tragic death of Selena Quintanilla Perez, the “Queen of Tejano music.” This episode explores Selena’s unparalleled rise to global superstardom, the heartbreaking betrayal by a trusted employee, and her enduring legacy that continues to inspire millions. In This Episode:00:00 Introduction and Podcast Updates 01:05 Selena’s Global Impact and Legacy 03:11 Selena’s Early Life and Family Band 07:04 Breaking Barriers in Tejano Music 10:39 Selena’s Crossover Dreams and Cultural Identity 14:46 Unfinished Album and Entrepreneurial Spirit 18:35 Yolanda Saldivar’s Betrayal 22:08 Selena’s Tragic Death and Trial 26:15 Enduring Legacy and Final Thoughts Key Takeaways:Discover Selena’s early life and how her family band, Selena Y Los Dinos, formed, showcasing her innate talent and perfect pitch.Understand the cultural impact of Selena as a trailblazer in Tejano music, breaking barriers in a male-dominated genre and inspiring Latinas worldwide.Learn about the devastating betrayal by Yolanda Saldivar, a fan turned employee, who embezzled funds and ultimately murdered Selena.Examine the trial and conviction of Yolanda Saldivar, and the recent denial of her parole, ensuring she remains in prison until at least 2030.Appreciate Selena’s lasting legacy, from her posthumous album success to her continued influence in music, fashion, and as a symbol of pride and representation.Resources Mentioned:988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/

    32 min

  2. Apr 30

    Legal Lion: A Prosecutor’s Fight for Justice-Randy Barnett

    Join David McClam and Randy E. Barnett, a Georgetown University Law Center professor and author of “Felony Review: Tales of True Crime and Corruption in Chicago,” as they explore the complex world of criminal prosecution. This episode offers an inside look into grisly police confessions, legal corruption, and the moral dilemmas faced by a prosecutor in 1970s Chicago. In This Episode:00:00 Introduction to Randy E. Barnett 03:50 Criminal Justice is Better Than TV 08:08 From Prosecutor to Constitutional Scholar 11:47 Felony Review: Protecting the Innocent 21:09 Motives for Confessions 32:29 Corruption in Chicago’s Courts 39:36 Real Names and a Surprise Ending 42:01 Why Read Felony Review? Key Takeaways:Understand the critical role of the Felony Review program in Chicago’s criminal justice system.Discover the motivations behind suspect confessions, ranging from unwitting self-incrimination to a need for catharsis.Examine instances of judicial and police corruption within the Cook County court system.Learn how early television shows inspired a career in law, highlighting the differences between fictional and real-world legal practice.Appreciate the dedication required to seek justice in a system where truth is often obscured by evidence.

    48 min
  3. Unmasking Elder Abuse: Rusty Warren’s Tragic Fight

    Apr 11

    Unmasking Elder Abuse: Rusty Warren’s Tragic Fight

    Liz Rizzo introduces Liz, an author and close friend of comedian Rusty Warren, noting that the interview takes place on Rusty’s birthday, March 20th. Rusty Warren was a pioneering female comedian known for her “naughty” but clean comedy, achieving seven gold albums starting in 1958. Her work, which discussed intimate topics, was ahead of its time and laid the groundwork for future female comedians like Ellen DeGeneres and Lily Tomlin, who acknowledge her influence. Despite her success, Rusty never achieved mainstream recognition on television or radio due to the controversial nature of her material, which was often banned. This era was dominated by men, and Rusty faced pressure to compromise her integrity, refusing to engage in inappropriate advances to advance her career in places like Vegas.

    54 min
  4. The Lemon Pound Cake Trial: Inside Afro Man’s Battle For Freedom

    Mar 28

    The Lemon Pound Cake Trial: Inside Afro Man’s Battle For Freedom

    David McClam discusses the high-profile legal battle of rapper Afroman against the Adams County Police Department, exploring themes of artistic freedom, privacy, and the justice system. This episode highlights how a police raid transformed into a viral musical saga and a significant First Amendment case. In This Episode:00:00 Welcome & Host’s Personal Updates 03:39 Afro Man’s Police Raid 06:14 Raid, Music, and Racism Claims 12:47 The Lawsuit and Privacy Debate 17:05 Defamation Claims and Court Battle 20:05 First Amendment and Artistic Expression 25:00 Trial Proceedings and Officer Testimonies 35:44 Legal Arguments and Rap Music Interpretation 43:47 The Verdict and Judge’s Controversial Ruling 50:05 Implications and Closing Remarks Key Takeaways:Examine the details of the no-knock warrant served at Afroman’s Ohio home in August 2022, prompted by questionable informant testimony.Discover how Afroman used his home security footage to create a viral album, “Lemon Poundcake,” featuring songs directly addressing the raid and the involved officers.Analyze the officers’ lawsuit against Afroman, citing invasion of privacy and emotional distress, and Afroman’s defense rooted in First Amendment rights.Consider the broader implications of the verdict on freedom of speech, privacy in the digital age, and the accountability of public officials.Understand the controversial post-verdict ruling by Judge Jonathan Hine regarding court costs, despite Afroman winning the case unanimously.Resources Mentioned:Wall Street Mafia by Ben Skull: Listen to the book HERENational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

    54 min
  5. From Trauma To Peace: A Survivor Therapist’s Journey Nikki Eisenhauer

    Feb 24

    From Trauma To Peace: A Survivor Therapist’s Journey Nikki Eisenhauer

    Some stories rearrange how we see predators, survivors, and the slow work of becoming whole. This conversation with psychotherapist and survivor Nikki Eisenhower does exactly that. She breaks down how grooming hides inside everyday kindness—bedtime rituals, small errands, gentle touch—especially when a child is starved for warmth. That’s what makes it so dangerous and so easy to miss. Nikki also opens a window into repressed memory, explaining how the body sealed off what a child couldn’t bear and how a later trigger brought it all back with painful clarity. We get into the hard parts few shows cover: what happens when a survivor finally speaks and the family closes ranks; how abusers use “sleepwalking” and other scripts to fog the truth; and why pressing charges in non-homicide cases can feel sloppy and disheartening. Through it all, Nikki offers language and tools for listeners who need more than sympathy. She lays out how to rebuild boundaries you can actually enforce, how to use intuition as a compass, and how inner child work can return choice and safety to the present. This is healing without platitudes—practical, compassionate, and fiercely honest. The second half of our talk turns to love after trauma. We explore the brain’s pull toward the familiar, the traps of love-bombing and victim-flipping, and the everyday habits that signal a healthy partnership: direct communication, clean repair, and a willingness to learn. Nikki’s path—from chaos to a relationship built on clarity—shows that peace is not a miracle; it’s a trainable state. If you’ve been waiting for a guide that meets you where you are and helps you move toward calm, connection, and self-respect, this conversation is for you. If the episode resonates, share it with someone who needs practical hope, then subscribe and leave a review so more listeners can find these tools. Your story can help someone else start theirs. DON'T FORGET TO RATE, COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY FOLLOWING THE LINKTREE Follow Our Family Of True Crime Shows The year I spent defending my best friend. The TRUTH is HERE We Are Not Afraid Podcast Extinguished With David McClam & LaDonna Humphrey Musical Album The Witch Hunt Of Lanny Hughes Cover Art and Logo created by Diana of Other Worldly Sound Mixing and editing by David McClam Intro script by Sophie Wild From Fiverr & David McClam Intro and outro jingle by Jacqueline G. (JacquieVoice) From Fiverr

    1h 5m
  6. The Attica Prison Uprising — When Survival Became Rebellion

    Feb 24

    The Attica Prison Uprising — When Survival Became Rebellion

    A request for edible food, basic medical care, and protection from abuse should not be radical. Yet at Attica in 1971, those simple demands collided with a system built for control, and the result was deadly. We walk through the facts of the uprising with clear eyes—from the roots of overcrowding and neglect to the stalled negotiations and the order to retake the prison by force. The outcome was catastrophic: 39 people were killed, including 10 hostages, and autopsies later proved the hostages died from police bullets. No officers were held accountable, and the official narrative crumbled under the weight of evidence. As hosts, we connect Attica’s truths to the present, where many facilities still struggle with health care, safety, and pervasive racial disparities. We talk about how punishment has eclipsed rehabilitation and why dignity is not a privilege but a baseline for any legitimate system. You’ll hear why reform must center independent oversight, humane standards for food and medical care, education and mental health support, and grievance processes that actually work. We also challenge a stubborn myth: that more force equals more safety. History, data, and lived experience tell a different story. This is a sober, human account that asks us to care about people we are taught to ignore. It’s about accountability that reaches all the way to the state, not just the incarcerated. If you value justice that heals rather than harms, this story matters. Listen, share with someone who still thinks abuse is a deterrent, and join us in pushing for a system that protects life and makes communities safer. Subscribe, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: what does real accountability behind bars look like to you? DON'T FORGET TO RATE, COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY FOLLOWING THE LINKTREE Follow Our Family Of True Crime Shows The year I spent defending my best friend. The TRUTH is HERE We Are Not Afraid Podcast Extinguished With David McClam & LaDonna Humphrey Musical Album The Witch Hunt Of Lanny Hughes Cover Art and Logo created by Diana of Other Worldly Sound Mixing and editing by David McClam Intro script by Sophie Wild From Fiverr & David McClam Intro and outro jingle by Jacqueline G. (JacquieVoice) From Fiverr

    4 min
  7. The Central Park 5— A Confession America Wanted

    Feb 23

    The Central Park 5— A Confession America Wanted

    Panic can make a city certain, and certainty can turn a theory into a conviction. We revisit the Central Park Five—now known as the Exonerated Five—to unpack how five teenagers were funneled from marathon interrogations to headlines that branded them predators, and how DNA evidence and a prison confession finally cracked the story New York believed. Along the way, we trace the mechanics of false confessions, the power of media framing, and the political voices that amplified fear over facts. I walk through the timeline: a jogger attacked in 1989, a city on edge, and investigators extracting statements from kids without parents or lawyers present. We examine why juveniles are especially vulnerable to coercive tactics, how suggestive questioning plants “facts,” and why a signed statement can mislead juries more than any other form of flawed evidence. Then we follow the unexpected turn—an incarcerated man’s admission corroborated by DNA—that led to vacated convictions, even as some public figures and the survivor continued to dispute the truth. This story also lives beyond courtrooms. We talk about the human cost: years of youth erased, families strained, and the long road of reentry. Some of the men turned their pain into purpose through advocacy and public service; others still wrestle with trauma that exoneration cannot erase. From there, we get practical about reform—recording all interrogations, banning deceptive tactics on minors, ensuring immediate access to counsel, strengthening conviction integrity units, and teaching media literacy around crime reporting—so the next crisis doesn’t repeat the same script. If you care about wrongful convictions, juvenile justice, and how race, media, and power shape what we call the truth, this conversation will challenge and inform. Listen, share with someone who still doesn’t know the full story, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Your voice can push these reforms from idea to action—what change do you want to see next? DON'T FORGET TO RATE, COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY FOLLOWING THE LINKTREE Follow Our Family Of True Crime Shows The year I spent defending my best friend. The TRUTH is HERE We Are Not Afraid Podcast Extinguished With David McClam & LaDonna Humphrey Musical Album The Witch Hunt Of Lanny Hughes Cover Art and Logo created by Diana of Other Worldly Sound Mixing and editing by David McClam Intro script by Sophie Wild From Fiverr & David McClam Intro and outro jingle by Jacqueline G. (JacquieVoice) From Fiverr

    7 min
  8. The Angola 3 — Solitary For Believing Black Lives Matter

    Feb 22

    The Angola 3 — Solitary For Believing Black Lives Matter

    A prison built on a former plantation. Three men who dared to organize for dignity. A system that answered with isolation instead of justice. We take you inside the story of the Angola Three—Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox, and Robert King—and trace how solitary confinement became a weapon used to silence voices that challenged abuse, corruption, and racial terror behind bars. We unpack how thin evidence, recanted testimony, and contradictory forensic reports produced swift convictions that endured for decades. From 23-hour lockdowns to years without human touch or sunlight, we examine what prolonged isolation does to the mind and why it persists as a tool of control. The journey from accusation to release—29 years for King, 41 for Wallace, 43 for Woodfox—shows how power can bend process and how resilience can still break through. Their story connects true crime, civil rights, and prison reform, revealing the human cost of policies that prize order over truth. Along the way, we discuss the history of Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, the influence of the Black Panther Party’s call for dignity, and the broader question of what safety really means inside a prison. We explore evidence standards, oversight, and the urgent case for limiting or abolishing long-term solitary confinement. If you care about criminal justice, mental health, and human rights, this conversation offers context, clarity, and a path toward change. Subscribe, share with a friend who cares about reform, and leave a review to help more people find these stories and keep the pressure for accountability alive. DON'T FORGET TO RATE, COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY FOLLOWING THE LINKTREE Follow Our Family Of True Crime Shows The year I spent defending my best friend. The TRUTH is HERE We Are Not Afraid Podcast Extinguished With David McClam & LaDonna Humphrey Musical Album The Witch Hunt Of Lanny Hughes Cover Art and Logo created by Diana of Other Worldly Sound Mixing and editing by David McClam Intro script by Sophie Wild From Fiverr & David McClam Intro and outro jingle by Jacqueline G. (JacquieVoice) From Fiverr

    5 min
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4.3
out of 5
148 Ratings

About

This is the podcast where two passions become one. Here weekly I will present a true crime story. It may be a crime you know about and it may be one that is new to you. Every other week, I will be interviewing an author. Maybe an author and some books you have never known about. So if you like True crime and have a passion to read, this is the podcast for you!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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