Crime Chats

Lisa Iacoletti & Hilary Morrow
  • 5.0 (1)
  • True Crime

Crime Chats is a casual true crime podcast where we get together and chat about the crimes we can’t stop thinking about. From infamous cases and unsolved mysteries to shocking criminal behavior and courtroom chaos. No scripts, no stiff narration, just casual conversations between real-life best friends. We'll share our honest opinions, theories, and the occasional dark joke every now and then. In each episode, we'll chat about a case that’s been living rent-free in our minds. If you love true crime podcasts, unsolved cases, crime discussion, hearing two friends break down criminal cases in a relatable, conversational way, and you don't mind the occasional colorful language, Crime Chats is for you.

  1. 3h ago

    The 7M Cult: Inside the Church That Controlled TikTok Dancers (part 2 of 2)

    For the first case in our Cults & Con Artists theme, Hilary takes us down the rabbit hole of 7M Films, TikTok dancers, and Shekinah Church pastor Robert Shinn. What appeared to be an opportunity for young dancers trying to make it in Los Angeles became something much darker. Allegedly. As former members began speaking out, families described isolation, financial control, manipulation, and devastating changes in their relationships with loved ones. In this two-part episode, we look at how 7M came to be, the people caught up in it, the allegations against its founder, and the warning signs that can make a high-control group difficult to recognize from the inside. 🔎 What We Cover • The Wilking sisters and how their TikTok fame led them to Los Angeles • Miranda Wilking's involvement with 7M Films • Robert Shinn and the creation of 7M Films • Shekinah Church and its connection to 7M • How dancers were recruited into the organization • The role of religion and spiritual authority • Allegations of financial and emotional control • The allegations made by former members against Robert Shinn • Allegations involving forced labor and sexual abuse • The TikTok movement that brought the story to millions of people • The civil lawsuits surrounding Shinn, 7M, and former members • The federal investigation into allegations including sex trafficking, money laundering, tax evasion, and pandemic-related fraud • The similarities between the experiences described by former Shekinah members and former 7M dancers • What actually makes a cult a cult and why people don't necessarily realize they're in one 💬 Join the Discussion If Christianity explicitly warns us to “beware false prophets,” why do we seem to be so drawn to people who claim to have a special connection to God? What is it about certainty, charisma, and spiritual authority that makes us believe them? 📚 Sources Click here for a list of the sources that were used for this episode ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nextbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  2. 1d ago

    The 7M Cult: Inside the Church That Controlled TikTok Dancers (part 1 of 2)

    For the first case in our Cults & Con Artists theme, Hilary takes us down the rabbit hole of 7M Films, TikTok dancers, and Shekinah Church pastor Robert Shinn. What appeared to be an opportunity for young dancers trying to make it in Los Angeles became something much darker. Allegedly. As former members began speaking out, families described isolation, financial control, manipulation, and devastating changes in their relationships with loved ones. In this two-part episode, we look at how 7M came to be, the people caught up in it, the allegations against its founder, and the warning signs that can make a high-control group difficult to recognize from the inside. 🔎 What We Cover • The Wilking sisters and how their TikTok fame led them to Los Angeles • Miranda Wilking's involvement with 7M Films • Robert Shinn and the creation of 7M Films • Shekinah Church and its connection to 7M • How dancers were recruited into the organization • The role of religion and spiritual authority • Allegations of financial and emotional control • The allegations made by former members against Robert Shinn • Allegations involving forced labor and sexual abuse • The TikTok movement that brought the story to millions of people • The civil lawsuits surrounding Shinn, 7M, and former members • The federal investigation into allegations including sex trafficking, money laundering, tax evasion, and pandemic-related fraud • The similarities between the experiences described by former Shekinah members and former 7M dancers • What actually makes a cult a cult and why people don't necessarily realize they're in one 💬 Join the Discussion If Christianity explicitly warns us to “beware false prophets,” why do we seem to be so drawn to people who claim to have a special connection to God? What is it about certainty, charisma, and spiritual authority that makes us believe them? 📚 Sources Click here for a list of the sources that were used for this episode ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nextbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  3. Sep 2

    Raymond Goedecke: A Family Massacre and A Split Insanity Verdict (Part 2 of 2)

    Raymond Henry Goedecke was just 18 years old when he killed his entire family in the early morning hours of August 15, 1964. His victims were his father, Henry; his mother, Joan; his 15-year-old sister, Ellen; and his 8-year-old brother, Mark. Goedecke attacked them in their home with an iron bar and later stabbed his father with a hunting knife. But what makes this case especially unusual isn't simply the horrific crime itself. It's what happened in the courtroom. Goedecke's defense centered on his mental state at the time of the killings. The jury ultimately reached a remarkably unusual conclusion: he was guilty and legally sane when he killed his father, but guilty and legally insane when he killed the other three members of his family. 🔎 What We Cover Notable Testimony from the TrialThe verdict and initial sentenceRaymond Goedecke’s appealOur personal opinions as usual about the systems at play💬 Join in the Conversation What do you think of the verdict? Can someone be legally sane for one killing and legally insane for the killings that immediately follow? 📚 Sources Bennett, S. (2024, August 27). An interview with author Steve Bennett. SouthWest Writers. https://www.southwestwriters.com/an-interview-with-steve-bennett/ (An interview discussing Bennett’s background research and his true-crime biography, "His Own Flesh and Blood: The story of Raymond Goedecke, the killer in the choir", which reconstructs Raymond's life, his 1975 parole, and his connections to subsequent unresolved crimes). The anatomy of diminished capacity: A forensic and legal analysis of People v. Goedecke [Analytical Brief]. (n.d.). The criminological profile of Raymond Henry Goedecke: Recidivism, systemic failures, and the 1978 San Rafael homicide [Criminological Report]. (n.d.). The forensic and procedural chronology of Raymond Goedecke: Diminished capacity, parole, and the legal cessation of the Lawrence homicide case [Procedural Brief]. (n.d.). Legal insanity, diminished capacity, and the psychopathology of Raymond Henry Goedecke: A forensic and jurisprudential analysis [Research Report]. (n.d.). ( People v. Goedecke, 65 Cal. 2d 850, 423 P.2d 777, 56 Cal. Rptr. 625 (1967). ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nexthttps://streamelements.com/crime-chats/tipbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  4. Sep 1

    Raymond Goedecke: A Family Massacre and A Split Insanity Verdict (Part 1 of 2)

    Raymond Henry Goedecke was just 18 years old when he killed his entire family in the early morning hours of August 15, 1964. His victims were his father, Henry; his mother, Joan; his 15-year-old sister, Ellen; and his 8-year-old brother, Mark. Goedecke attacked them in their home with an iron bar and later stabbed his father with a hunting knife. But what makes this case especially unusual isn't simply the horrific crime itself. It's what happened in the courtroom. Goedecke's defense centered on his mental state at the time of the killings. The jury ultimately reached a remarkably unusual conclusion: he was guilty and legally sane when he killed his father, but guilty and legally insane when he killed the other three members of his family. 🔎 What We Cover Who was Raymond Henry Goedecke?The conflict between Raymond and his fatherWhat happened on the night of August 14–15, 1964All of the details that seemed methodically planned outRaymond's behavior after the killingsThe conflicting psychiatric opinionsCalifornia's bifurcated trial systemThe split sanity verdict💬 Join in the Conversation What do you think of the verdict? Can someone be legally sane for one killing and legally insane for the killings that immediately follow? 📚 Sources Bennett, S. (2024, August 27). An interview with author Steve Bennett. SouthWest Writers. https://www.southwestwriters.com/an-interview-with-steve-bennett/ (An interview discussing Bennett’s background research and his true-crime biography, "His Own Flesh and Blood: The story of Raymond Goedecke, the killer in the choir", which reconstructs Raymond's life, his 1975 parole, and his connections to subsequent unresolved crimes). The anatomy of diminished capacity: A forensic and legal analysis of People v. Goedecke [Analytical Brief]. (n.d.). The criminological profile of Raymond Henry Goedecke: Recidivism, systemic failures, and the 1978 San Rafael homicide [Criminological Report]. (n.d.). The forensic and procedural chronology of Raymond Goedecke: Diminished capacity, parole, and the legal cessation of the Lawrence homicide case [Procedural Brief]. (n.d.). Legal insanity, diminished capacity, and the psychopathology of Raymond Henry Goedecke: A forensic and jurisprudential analysis [Research Report]. (n.d.). ( People v. Goedecke, 65 Cal. 2d 850, 423 P.2d 777, 56 Cal. Rptr. 625 (1967). ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nexthttps://streamelements.com/crime-chats/tipbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  5. Aug 26

    Lorena Bobbitt: You Know What She Did. But Do You Know Why? (Part 2 of 2)

    In 1993, the name Lorena Bobbitt became synonymous with one shocking act: she cut off her husband John Wayne Bobbitt’s penis while he was sleeping. That’s the part of the story almost everyone remembers. But what happened before that night is far more complicated—and far more important. In this two-part episode of Crime Chats, we take a detailed look at the infamous Lorena Bobbitt case, including the night of June 23, 1993, the years of abuse Lorena said she endured during her marriage, and the trials that followed. Lorena testified that John Wayne Bobbitt had physically and sexually abused her throughout their marriage, including repeated assaults and rape. Witnesses testified about injuries they said they had seen, and evidence presented at trial painted a picture of a deeply troubled and abusive relationship. We discuss what happened that night, including Lorena’s account of the events immediately preceding the attack and the psychological state that her defense argued led her to snap. ⚠️ Trigger Warning This episode contains detailed discussion of domestic violence, sexual assault, intimate partner abuse, and trauma. We also discuss Hilary’s personal experience as a survivor of domestic violence. 🔎 What We Cover in Part 2 Lorena's Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity verdictThe backlash Lorena got and the celebrity that John Wayne gotDifficult discussions about domestic abuse in generalHilary's own personal experiences with domestic violence🧠 The Bigger Conversation The Lorena Bobbitt case became one of the biggest media spectacles of the 1990s. But underneath the sensational headlines was a story about domestic violence, sexual assault, trauma, victim-blaming, and the way society talks about abused women. More than 30 years later, the question isn't simply “Why did Lorena do it?” It’s also: “What happened to Lorena before she did it?” And perhaps even more importantly: “Why did so many people find her trauma funny?” 💬 Join the Discussion Do you think the media's treatment of Lorena would be different if the case happened today?How do you think our understanding of domestic violence has changed since 1993?Why do you think John Wayne Bobbitt became a celebrity while Lorena was so often treated as a punchline?Does knowing more about Lorena's history of alleged abuse change the way you view what happened that night?And where do you draw the line between understanding a victim's trauma and excusing their actions?📚 Sources https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aYHqXDT8oa5bgmPolI8ujD_5_VHKdSzThFcXf6x_okM/edit?usp=sharing ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nexthttps://streamelements.com/crime-chats/tipbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  6. Aug 25

    Lorena Bobbitt: You Know What She Did. But Do You Know Why? (Part 1 of 2)

    In 1993, the name Lorena Bobbitt became synonymous with one shocking act: she cut off her husband John Wayne Bobbitt’s penis while he was sleeping. That’s the part of the story almost everyone remembers. But what happened before that night is far more complicated—and far more important. In this episode of Crime Chats, we take a detailed look at the infamous Lorena Bobbitt case, including the night of June 23, 1993, the years of abuse Lorena said she endured during her marriage, and the trials that followed. Lorena testified that John Wayne Bobbitt had physically and sexually abused her throughout their marriage, including repeated assaults and rape. Witnesses testified about injuries they said they had seen, and evidence presented at trial painted a picture of a deeply troubled and abusive relationship. We discuss what happened that night, including Lorena’s account of the events immediately preceding the attack and the psychological state that her defense argued led her to snap. ⚠️ Trigger Warning This episode contains detailed discussion of domestic violence, sexual assault, intimate partner abuse, and trauma. We also discuss Hilary’s personal experience as a survivor of domestic violence. 🔎 What We Cover in Part 1 Lorena's backgroundLorena's and John Wayne's story and marriageThe abuse Lorena suffered at the hands of her husbandThe details of the crime🧠 The Bigger Conversation The Lorena Bobbitt case became one of the biggest media spectacles of the 1990s. But underneath the sensational headlines was a story about domestic violence, sexual assault, trauma, victim-blaming, and the way society talks about abused women. More than 30 years later, the question isn't simply “Why did Lorena do it?” It’s also: “What happened to Lorena before she did it?” And perhaps even more importantly: “Why did so many people find her trauma funny?” 💬 Join the Discussion Do you think the media's treatment of Lorena would be different if the case happened today?How do you think our understanding of domestic violence has changed since 1993?Why do you think John Wayne Bobbitt became a celebrity while Lorena was so often treated as a punchline?Does knowing more about Lorena's history of alleged abuse change the way you view what happened that night?And where do you draw the line between understanding a victim's trauma and excusing their actions?📚 Sources https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aYHqXDT8oa5bgmPolI8ujD_5_VHKdSzThFcXf6x_okM/edit?usp=sharing ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nexthttps://streamelements.com/crime-chats/tipbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  7. Aug 18

    Precious Bland: COVID, Delusions, and a Family Tragedy

    In August 2021, Precious Bland drowned her 15-month-old daughter, Emii, in a bathtub and attacked members of her family. What followed was a complicated criminal case centered around one major question: Was Precious Bland legally responsible for what she did, or was she experiencing a severe psychotic episode that made her legally insane? In this episode, we take a closer look at the events leading up to the attack, the evidence presented in court, and the competing explanations for what happened that night. The defense argued that Bland experienced a severe psychotic episode associated with COVID-19, including hallucinations and religious delusions. Prosecutors disputed that explanation at first, arguing that Bland's actions were motivated by other circumstances but, ultimately, experts for the Prosecution agreed with the insanity defense. This case raises a lot of difficult questions about what justice looks like in situations like this. ⚠️ Content Warning This episode discusses the death of a child, mental illness, and psychosis. Listener discretion is advised. 💬 Join the Conversation What do you think? Was Precious Bland legally insane when she killed her daughter and attacked her family? And do you agree with the judge's decision not to institutionalize her? Let us know in the comments. What you would have done if you were the judge. 📚 Sources A complete list of sources used in researching this episode is available here: Click here ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nextbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  8. Aug 12

    Vincent Li: The Making of a Greyhound Bus Tragedy (Part 2 of a 2-Part Series)

    🧠 Episode Summary In Part 2 of our Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) series on the Vincent Li case, we pick up where Part 1 left off and take a closer look at the Greyhound bus attack, the immediate response by law enforcement, and aftermath of this tragedy. This episode explores the difficult questions raised by the case: Can someone who committed an unimaginable act truly recover? How should the justice system balance public safety with the treatment of severe mental illness? And what does justice look like for victims and their families when criminal responsibility is removed? Whether you agree with the outcome or not, this case continues to challenge the way we think about mental illness, accountability, and the purpose of the criminal justice system. ⚠️ Content Warning This episode contains discussion of graphic violence, homicide, mental illness, psychosis, and disturbing crime scene details. Listener discretion is strongly advised. 🔎 What We Cover The details of the greyhound attack on Tim McLeanThe RCMP response (and our personal opinions about it)Vincent Li's arrest and psychiatric evaluationsCanada's NCRMD (formerly NGRI) verdictLi's treatment inside a secure psychiatric hospitalGradual privileges and eventual release into the communityPublic reaction and ongoing controversyOur thoughts on whether the justice system got it right💬 Join the Conversation Do you think the Canadian justice system handled this case appropriately? Can someone found not criminally responsible due to severe mental illness ever be safely reintegrated into society? We'd love to hear your perspective. As always, please keep the discussion respectful of the victim, his loved ones, and everyone affected by this tragedy. 📚 Sources See part 1 for a full list of our sources for this 2-part episode. ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Check out our merch on Amazon!Like, follow, subscribe, share!Leave us a review on Apple!buymeacoffee.com/crimechats

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About

Crime Chats is a casual true crime podcast where we get together and chat about the crimes we can’t stop thinking about. From infamous cases and unsolved mysteries to shocking criminal behavior and courtroom chaos. No scripts, no stiff narration, just casual conversations between real-life best friends. We'll share our honest opinions, theories, and the occasional dark joke every now and then. In each episode, we'll chat about a case that’s been living rent-free in our minds. If you love true crime podcasts, unsolved cases, crime discussion, hearing two friends break down criminal cases in a relatable, conversational way, and you don't mind the occasional colorful language, Crime Chats is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Iacoletti & Hilary Morrow
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Lisa Iacoletti & Hilary Morrow 2026
  • Show Website
    Crime Chats