Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps

M. William Phelps
  • 4.2 (3.5K)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Weekly

Crossing the Line is a true crime podcast revealing cold cases of the missing and murdered, told start-to-finish each week. Using the campfire storytelling style that made Paper Ghosts a #1 hit on Apple Podcasts, host/investigative journalist/New York Times bestselling true crime author M. William Phelps connects deeply with families touched by violent crime - he understands them, because he is one of them. Having gone through the murder of his own pregnant sister-in-law, Phelps brings not only his personal experience, but also 20-plus years of investigative journalism into the worlds of these stories. Follow and subscribe to Crossing the Line for a weekly dose of murder, mayhem and madness.

  1. 11h ago

    EP189 | Broken Cane: The Murder of Paul Allen

    A man in Maine goes missing during a chilly day in December and his ex-wife seems to think she knows what happened to him. Or … maybe she's simply trying to deflect an investigation, which now includes … helicopters, search dogs, and blood in the snow. #PeterBathgate #PeterBathgateII #PaulAllenMurder #HallowellMurder #AugustaMaineCrime True Crime Murder True Crime Podcast true crime podcast / best true crime podcasts real crime podcasts investigative journalism / investigative true crime crime stories / true story crime serial killer podcast murder mystery / mystery podcasts For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email helpline@nami.org**

  2. 11h ago ·  Bonus

    Introducing: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing ⁠BENNY BLANCO: The Secret to Failing Your Way to Success from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Record producer, songwriter, and music executive Benny Blanco joins Jay for an unfiltered, hilarious, and deeply vulnerable conversation about redefining success, overcoming crippling phobias, and why embracing failure is the ultimate secret to unlocking your true creative potential. Benny pulls back the curtain on his chart-topping music career, sharing behind-the-scenes stories with artists like Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, and Britney Spears, while diving into his candid new book on mastering life’s setbacks. Together they explore how to overcome the fear of embarrassment, build emotional resilience, protect your mental health while chasing big dreams, and maintain a grounded, loving relationship under the spotlight. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Mazda crafts cars for people who do more than simply move. Visit Mazdausa.com to learn more. Consumer reports does not endorse products or services. PURPOSE10 for 10% at altrarunning.com/onpurpose. Free Shipping and Free 30-Day Trial. JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:58 Looking Back at the Songs That Started It All 03:07 Repeat “I Am a Failure” 04:18 Overcoming Embarrassment and Taking Big Swings 06:28 Early Lessons in Failure 08:20 Choosing Non-Traditional Creative Paths 09:51 Mom’s Dreams Vs Choosing Your Own Path 11:11 Turning Doubt Into Motivation 12:05 Ignoring The Haters and Finding Your Spark 13:39 Turning Small Steps Into Big Momentum 14:59 The Success Stool: Balancing Life’s 3 Pillars 15:37 The Power of Small Daily Habits 17:12 Relationships Need Watering Too 18:46 Facing Failure, Fear and a Phobia of Flying 21:45 Taking Micro-Steps to Conquer Deep Fears 23:04 One Task at a Time 24:04 Bruno Mars’ Journey 27:13 Authenticity vs. Imitation in Creative Expression 28:35 Late-Night Songwriting with Ed Sheeran 33:41 Trusting That It Will Work Out 34:19 Finding Your Unique Sound Beyond Influences 36:23 Unfiltered Vulnerability & Asking for Help 39:19 Celebrating Wins vs. Constant Over-Achieving 40:06 Standing Your Ground: Britney Spears to Julia Michaels 43:57 Grammy Perspective and Redefining Success 48:53 When a Failure Turns Into Your Biggest Win (“Diamonds”) 50:58 Mental Health Breakdown Amid Peak Success 53:06 Priority Management, Boundaries, and Emotional Check-ins 55:32 The Power of Saying “No” to Protect Your Peace 57:22 Why Benny Wrote His New Book 58:53 Benny Blanco on Final Five Episode Resources: Pre-order F*ck Failure | https://www.amazon.com/dp/1668205246?lv=shuf&bestFormat=true&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_13VQ1DN9JWKWJSK7YN2A&channelId=704&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_13VQ1DN9JWKWJSK7YN2A&plpRedirect=mhFallback Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/itsbennyblanco/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@itsbennyblanco YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqrBKQHQVEvD2Q9FP0DCP2g X | https://x.com/ItsBennyBlanco Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/itsbennyblanco/ Watch Friends Keep Secrets | https://linktr.ee/friendskeepsecrets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

    Introducing: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

  3. Sep 9

    EP188 | The Closet Murder of Aspen Socialite Nancy Pfister: A True Crime Like No Other

    A Colorado ski resort town. A rich heiress. A personal assistant. A doctor and his wife. All of their lives collide, one of them goes missing, and fingers are pointed at the others. What actually happens is straight out of a 1980s horror film. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email helpline@nami.org**

  4. Sep 2

    EP187 | The Mother's Tomb: Jerri Roby and John Gaither

    When a 42-year-old Mississippi man vanishes from his home, his family in California begin receiving strange letters and phone calls claiming he has left the country to meet a woman in the Philippines. Then the story changes course as they are told he is in a Mexican jail. Behind the bizarre stories and reassuring updates, however, is a trip to a local building supply store and a chilling discovery. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email helpline@nami.org**

  5. Aug 28 ·  Bonus

    SHORT CUTS EP19 | The Ghost Burglar Killer: Bernard Welsh and his True Crimes

    How does one man escape from prison not once, but twice—stay out on the run, start a family and raise three kids … all while continuing to commit crimes—including … murder. Welcome to a bonus feature here on the Crossing the Line feed. I come across all sorts of stories while researching books, TV series, and my iHeartMedia podcast, Paper Ghosts, in addition to the ideas you send me. A lot of them grab hold of me emotionally—especially the victims' stories and the ordeal their families go through. A good number of the cases, for myriad reasons, don't fit into the model for a more complete CTL episode. So I wanted to create a sub platform to showcase some of those stories, as well. That said, thank you for supporting Crossing the Line, which has allowed me to produce this new expansion of the brand … Once or twice per month, maybe more, I'll present a 15 to 20 minute episode, covering murder and missing person cases, and other interesting crimes I think you'll want to hear about—but maybe more importantly, cases that give us a deeper understanding of the crimes and scumbags who commit them. Sign up for your free Patreon account here, where I'll be streaming "live," and posting other content you cannot find anywhere else. Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 hit podcast PAPER GHOSTS, now in its fourth season, wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 50 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics.

  6. Aug 26

    EP186 | The Witch Doctor Murder Trial: The Dark Obsessions of Larry Millete

    You've made the decision to divorce your husband of 20 years. He's incensed and turns to witchdoctors on the dark web to put a hex on you. Your lover's wife just had a baby—and then you find out that you are also pregnant with his child. Then, without warning, you disappear. Maya Millete updates, Larry Millete verdict, Chula Vista missing mom, San Diego true crime, Millete family mystery, Premeditated murder trials For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email helpline@nami.org**

  7. Aug 19

    EP185 | Fatal Rejection - The Talk Show, Secret Admirer Murder: Jenny Jones, Scott Amedure and Jonathon Schmitz

    You're invited on a national television show under the pretense that someone you know has a crush on you. You get to the show and feel ambushed by the host revealing who it is. Three days later, your admirer has been murdered, and police are looking to you for the answers. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer.

  8. Aug 12

    EP184 | Shattered Trust: The Alfred "Chad" McMurray Murder Case

    A young man is found bound and shot through the head inside his home. Police look to the streets of Broward County, Florida for the answer … a dozen years pass and they don't have a clue. Better yet … the notion that their killer has been … the entire time … right underneath their nose. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email helpline@nami.org**

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About

Crossing the Line is a true crime podcast revealing cold cases of the missing and murdered, told start-to-finish each week. Using the campfire storytelling style that made Paper Ghosts a #1 hit on Apple Podcasts, host/investigative journalist/New York Times bestselling true crime author M. William Phelps connects deeply with families touched by violent crime - he understands them, because he is one of them. Having gone through the murder of his own pregnant sister-in-law, Phelps brings not only his personal experience, but also 20-plus years of investigative journalism into the worlds of these stories. Follow and subscribe to Crossing the Line for a weekly dose of murder, mayhem and madness.

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