123 episodes

Badlands is a true crime podcast that explores the real life stories of the famous at their most infamous. Badlands is voiced by Jake Brennan, host of the award-winning podcast DISGRACELAND. In Badlands, each episode digs into the crimes and scandals of our most beloved cultural figures. How did Marilyn Monroe really die? What caused Heath Ledger to end up on the bad side of revenge-seeking paparazzi? How did Winona Ryder help solve a kidnapping case in her adoptive hometown? New scripted episodes of Badlands are released every Wednesday while bonus episodes are released every Friday. Badlands is not a journalistic podcast. It is an entertainment podcast inspired by true events. Certain dialogue and scenes are sometimes fictionalized for dramatic purposes as they are in most scripted entertainment based on true events. Sources and credits for each episode are available at disgracelandpod.com/badlands. Badlands is available wherever you get your podcasts.

BADLANDS Double Elvis

    • History
    • 4.4 • 1.3K Ratings

Badlands is a true crime podcast that explores the real life stories of the famous at their most infamous. Badlands is voiced by Jake Brennan, host of the award-winning podcast DISGRACELAND. In Badlands, each episode digs into the crimes and scandals of our most beloved cultural figures. How did Marilyn Monroe really die? What caused Heath Ledger to end up on the bad side of revenge-seeking paparazzi? How did Winona Ryder help solve a kidnapping case in her adoptive hometown? New scripted episodes of Badlands are released every Wednesday while bonus episodes are released every Friday. Badlands is not a journalistic podcast. It is an entertainment podcast inspired by true events. Certain dialogue and scenes are sometimes fictionalized for dramatic purposes as they are in most scripted entertainment based on true events. Sources and credits for each episode are available at disgracelandpod.com/badlands. Badlands is available wherever you get your podcasts.

    Dorothy Stratten: A Playboy Pinup, a Private Investigator, and a Chilling Murder

    Dorothy Stratten: A Playboy Pinup, a Private Investigator, and a Chilling Murder

    From Dairy Queen counter girl to Playboy pinup to murder victim – in just two years. Hugh Hefner called her the next Marilyn Monroe. A major Hollywood director wrote a role in his new film just for her, confident that she would make the leap from centerfold to starlet. But all of that was cut short on August 14, 1980, when a private investigator stumbled upon a brutal murder scene that shook the entertainment industry to its core.

    To see the complete list of contributors, visit disgracelandpod.com/badlands.
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    • 38 min
    Bonus Episode: Clandestine Casinos, Presidential Plotting, and Get Off the Shed!

    Bonus Episode: Clandestine Casinos, Presidential Plotting, and Get Off the Shed!

    This week in BADLANDS saw the release of our episode on Thelma Todd, and it's got Jake traveling in the way-back machine. What's your JFK conspiracy theory? Can you recommend a movie by the Marx brothers, Laurel & Hardy, or Buster Keaton? How about your favorite murder mysteries or whodunits? Let Jake know at 617-906-6638 or on socials @disgracelandpod - and come join the Wrap Party.
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    • 31 min
    Thelma Todd: The Ace of Hearts Stalker, Hollywood Mobsters, and the Mysterious Death of the Ice Cream Blonde

    Thelma Todd: The Ace of Hearts Stalker, Hollywood Mobsters, and the Mysterious Death of the Ice Cream Blonde

    Thelma Todd was one of the great comediennes of the 1920s and ‘30s, working alongside Laurel & Hardy, the Marx Brothers, and Buster Keaton. She confronted a stalker on a dark corner of Hollywood Boulevard with just one dollar and a gun in her purse. She stood up to the mob when they tried to start a gambling den in the back room of the café she ran with her lover. She killed off her world-famous name in an attempt to give up comedy for dramatic acting. And then she herself was killed off…or was she? Thelma Todd’s death in 1935 at the age of 29 remains one of the great unsolved deaths of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

    To see the complete list of contributors, visit disgracelandpod.com/badlands.
    Sign up for our newsletter and get the inside dirt on events, merch and other awesomeness - GET THE NEWSLETTER

    Support our Advertising Partners:
    Prize Picks: Prizepicks.com/badlands
    Code: Badlands

    Factor: factormeals.com/badlands50
    Code: Badlands50

    Nutrisense :nutrisense.com/badlands

    Rocket Money: rocketmoney.com/badlands

    Follow Jake and DISGRACELAND:
    Instagram
    YouTube
    X (formerly Twitter) 
    Facebook Fan Group
    TikTok
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 40 min
    Tim Allen: Cocaine in Kalamazoo, Life in Prison, and Flipping for the Feds

    Tim Allen: Cocaine in Kalamazoo, Life in Prison, and Flipping for the Feds

    Before he was headed to infinity and beyond, Tim Allen was headed to life in prison for a low-level drug deal in Michigan. This is the story about how his first career ended in a life-changing bust, and what he had to do in order to survive and find a way out.
    To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at www.disgracelandpod.com/badlands.
    This episode contains themes that may be disturbing to some listeners, including discussions about suicide. If you’re thinking about suicide or are worried about a friend or loved one, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
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    • 39 min
    River Phoenix: Religious Cults, Street Kids, Speedballs, and Viper Rooms

    River Phoenix: Religious Cults, Street Kids, Speedballs, and Viper Rooms

    River Phoenix was a once-in-a-generation talent. In the 1980s, a decade known for artifice and excess, he brought raw acting chops to performances in Stand by Me, Running on Empty, and My Own Private Idaho. His career was only just getting started when he died tragically at the age of 23 outside a notorious nightclub in Hollywood. The story of his short life is as complicated and dramatic as one of his signature roles, and includes brushes with religious cults, skinheads, street hustlers, and L.A.’s drug underworld.
    To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at www.disgracelandpod.com/badlands.
    This episode contains themes that may be disturbing to some listeners, including child sexual abuse and sex trafficking.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 41 min
    Bonus Episode: Whodunnits, The Morning Show, and the Man on the Phone

    Bonus Episode: Whodunnits, The Morning Show, and the Man on the Phone

    This week is all about Phil Hartman in BADLANDS, and it's got Jake talking about his acting - as well as his history in the peace and love movement. What's your favorite Phil Hartman moment? Who are your top five SNL cast members? What are your favorite Thanksgiving movies? Your favorite murder mysteries? Get in touch at 617-906-6638 or on socials @disgracelandpod - and come join the Wrap Party.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 29 min

Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
1.3K Ratings

1.3K Ratings

Cardiff Crew ,

Love!!!!!

I absolutely love and recommend this podcast the stories that you think you know but really don’t know all the details and it’s told in such a wonderful way. The telling of each part of history is intriguing & interesting. You go away from each episode having a bit more knowledge. Not to mention his dreamy voice :)

Queenbeeotch272 ,

Surprised ratings are low!!!!

A few episodes in and I think this is a awesome podcast. I'm so glad another podcast I listen too (shout out to My Favorite Murder!!) had the host on as a guest. I love his voice and the episodes choices are great! Give it a try
***for people who rate because of someone's voice it can be very misleading to people. If I would have just looked at the ratings I'd have missed a great podcast.

criiickettts ,

Love but SO many ads WHERE IS THE PATREON?

PLEEEEEEEESE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD GET PATREON ON THIS AND ALSO DISGRACELAND THE CONSTANT ADS ARE TOO MUCH BUT THE CONTENT IS EXCELLENT

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