Madness and Murder

Danielle French

This podcast is comprised of episodes created by myself and students enrolled in my two sections of Freshman Honors Colloquium at Kent State University. Based on their year-long inquiry into psychopathology, media studies, literary and film criticism, rhetoric, dark tourism, and true crime, these groups of students must decide the case they cover, how they prioritize information they've independently gathered and analyzed about their case(s), and how they employ rhetorical appeals to connect with their listeners. They research, write, record, and edit each episode. Join us!

  1. Episode 60: "The Gypstein Files"—New Findings on the Case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard

    FEB 19

    Episode 60: "The Gypstein Files"—New Findings on the Case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard

    Authors: Bella Rink & Austin Rykowski Description: This episode will be deep diving into the case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard as new videos dubbed "The Gypstein Files," on social media, have recently been released. This perspective explores not just the murder, but the relationship that made it possible. Please be aware, Listener Discretion is Advised. This podcast will be focusing on heavy topics concerning murder, manipulation, and deviate sexual acts, especially those acts focusing on BDSM and other extreme kinks. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, feel free to step away and take care of yourself first. Sources:https://www.youtube.com/@into-the-weeds-podcast  https://www.ky3.com/2022/08/09/greene-county-judge-deciding-nicholas-godejohns-murder-conviction-appealhttps://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/factitious-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20356028#:~:text=Factitious%20disorder%20imposed%20on%20another,another%20person%20to%20deceive%20othershttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9St29MiRwy8&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIWGktLekVc&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOiuU_hG-1M&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=9Links to an external site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RixwdSS7TE&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=10Links to an external site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRtzJ2edGxk&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=11Links to an external site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fpMaJjXJ_k&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=12Links to an external sitehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtfJLWEbBa4&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=19Links to an external site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5atkf2-CHA&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=18Links to an external site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTp9PVgIt9A&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=17Links to an external site. https://www.scribd.com/document/423229476/Godejohn-McDonaldsLinks to an external site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ1fH7FU0YU&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=42Links to an external site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8sM7kFvzVo&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=77Links to an external site.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRj7v8mT_84&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=84Links to an external site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc7WlB9tp3E&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=110Links to an external site.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS7UNm24qss&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=111Links to an external site.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQQxw2mXfNo&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=113Links to an external site.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmO1E66NII8&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=114Links to an external site.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu5IAcIUn8E&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=124Links to an external site.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpSC5Ed6ep0&list=PLhSwUSWKBiwwRjUbh78qaSMh3vKq0w0rs&index=129Links to an external site.https://www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2024/1/8/24024249/gypsy-rose-blanchard-timeline-murder/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Dee_Dee_Blanchard#:~:text=Dee%20Dee%20sustained%20a%20leg,that%20Laura's%20condition%20improved%20afterward

    11 min
  2. Episode 54: The Case of the French Dr. Marcel Petiot—Alias Dr. Eugene

    FEB 19

    Episode 54: The Case of the French Dr. Marcel Petiot—Alias Dr. Eugene

    Authors: Sophia Sherry and Katelyn Oakley.  Description: A killer with an estimated kill count between 60 and 200 using the uncertainty of war to enact his crimes. The French doctor Marcel Petiot, a World War One veteran, politician, and doctor trusted within the community turned killer. The cover of World War Two allowed him to argue his innocence and claim immunity due to war. We focus on the history behind his case, how the media sensationalized it, and his many victims. Content warnings: are in the episode introduction  Disclaimer: there are many French and German names and words and neither of us speak either language, so apologies for any mispronunciation.    Sources:  Dark Histories – “The Paris Bluebeard: The Life and Lies of Marcel Petiot https://darkhistories.podbean.com/e/the-paris-bluebeard-the-life-lies-of-marcel-petiot Britannica - “Marcel Petiot” https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marcel-Petiot Library of congress - “France in WW2: the French Resistance” https://guides.loc.gov/french-resistance-world-war-two Maeder, Thomas. The Unspeakable Crimes of Dr. Petiot. Open Road Media, 2016. National Library of Medicine - “Doctor” Marcel Petiot: Serial Murderer https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9324719/ World War Two multimedia data base - “France in World War II” https://www.worldwar2database.com/france-in-world-war-ii/    Episode Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LRR41ElJ8VCyGvqJr2iEfMuj0uNi9e-bE3wCgXA5qtM/edit?tab=t.0

    25 min
  3. Episode 53: The Twitter Killer

    FEB 19

    Episode 53: The Twitter Killer

    Authors: Emma Howard and Gracie Rosette  Instagram: @grosettephotos Description:  In this episode, we dive into the tragic case of the “Twitter Killer,” a 27 year old man from Japan that took the lives of nine people in 2017. We discuss the details of the case, how social media played a role in his crime, and how his death in 2025 sparked controversy in Japan regarding the death penalty. Through this story, we hope to raise awareness on mental health and honor the victims who lost their lives too soon.  Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, rape, suicide, and violent crime. We advise you to continue at your own risk. Disclaimer: There are many Japanese names involved in this case. We apologize in advance for any mispronunciation and will do our best to say each name with care and respect. Sources: https://www.npr.org/2020/12/15/946625736/japans-twitter-killer-sentenced-to-death-in-killing-of-9 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takahiro_Shiraishi http://cnn.com/2025/06/26/asia/japan-takahiro-shiraishi-executed-intl-hnk https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y05dk2p92o https://www.cbsnews.com/news/japan-executes-twitter-killer-takahiro-shiraishi-serial-killer/ https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15868722 https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/26/asia/japan-takahiro-shiraishi-executed-intl-hnkhttps://people.com/twitter-killer-rape-murder-women-execution-hanging-japan-11762615 Link for Anonymous Mental Health Resources https://www.crisistextline.org/   Song: Ghost Composer: Tim Beek Website: https://soundcloud.com/timbeek License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com  Episode Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xARkRApqx92jgXjBCa6ri61tqzYT00OfrPfJljgtAUA/edit?tab=t.0

    7 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
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About

This podcast is comprised of episodes created by myself and students enrolled in my two sections of Freshman Honors Colloquium at Kent State University. Based on their year-long inquiry into psychopathology, media studies, literary and film criticism, rhetoric, dark tourism, and true crime, these groups of students must decide the case they cover, how they prioritize information they've independently gathered and analyzed about their case(s), and how they employ rhetorical appeals to connect with their listeners. They research, write, record, and edit each episode. Join us!