Walking Proof — A True Crime Podcast with PJ and ShanPa

Shannon bales
  • 5.0 (10)
  • True Crime

Walking Proof is a true crime podcast exploring the dark, often overlooked history of Houston, Texas in the 1970s and 80s, told through an intensely personal lens. Each week, husbands Shannon and Joseph dig into cases that may not have made national headlines, spotlighting victims and families whose stories have been ignored, forgotten, or buried under decades of silence.

Episodes

  1. Jul 22

    Corruption in the Shadows: The Freeport Texas Files -Part 1

    Freeport, Texas, December 1978. What started as simple genealogy—digging into my birth father’s past after learning I was conceived in a violent attack—turned into something much darker when I found his name tied to a “robbery” charge just two months after my mother’s assault. When I pulled the original paperwork, that “robbery” shifted into a sexual assault on a woman in front of her husband, hidden behind wording and charges that didn’t match the reality described in the police report. In this episode, I walk through how a routine search for my father’s record became an investigation into conflicting documents, missing details, and a trail of questions that keeps leading back to Freeport and the way cases were handled in the late 1970s. This is the first step into a larger story: over the next few episodes, I’ll begin laying out my theories about possible corruption, cover‑ups, and why some violent crimes may have been softened or buried on paper instead of fully named for what they were. All events in this episode are based on public records and my own research, and all individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

  2. Jul 17 ·  Bonus

    Help Us Get This Story Out

    Y’all I need your help. We posted a follow-up episode and even with under 500 views, people are already coming forward with real experiences. This is exactly why these cases still matter. There are people out there who know something—but they have to hear it first. I can’t do this alone. Please share, talk about it, and post it in true crime groups. Let’s get more eyes on this.

  3. Jul 16 ·  Bonus

    follow up on the Gayle Anne Cater cold case

    Since our July 2, 2026 episode, Who Killed Gayle Anne Cater?, we’ve uncovered a few new details that add even more depth to this haunting 1978 cold case. In this unplanned bonus episode, we revisit the timeline, share what we’ve learned since the original release, and reflect on how these new pieces may shift the story we thought we knew. This is a follow-up episode for listeners who want to stay with us as the investigation continues. It’s not a full new chapter yet, but it does bring fresh context, new questions, and one more step toward the truth.

  4. Jul 9

    The Gift That Opened the Past

    In this episode, I take a step back to explain how this journey truly began. What started as a Christmas gift—a DNA test—opened the door to a deeper understanding of my own history and the circumstances surrounding my conception in October of 1978 that was a result of a sexual assault against my mother. This episode offers a foundational look at my story, not just from a personal perspective, but through a historical lens. As I began searching for my biological father, my research led me into a broader exploration of Houston in the 1970s, uncovering patterns, cases, and unanswered questions that shaped the path I’m still following today. There is far more to the story than can be covered in a single episode. For a more detailed account, you can read my book, Walking Proof by Shannon Manley Bales. We are also joined by a very special guest—our mother, Callie—who shares her perspective and reflects on the Christmas gift that set all in motion.

  5. Jul 2

    Who Killed Gayle Anne Cater?

    Step back into October 1978 as PJ and ShanPa unpack the haunting cold case of Gayle Anne Cater, a young woman whose life was cut short in Houston under circumstances that remain clouded in mystery. Decades later, her story still lingers—full of unanswered questions, overlooked details, and a trail that never quite went cold. In this episode, ShanPa shares a deeply personal and unsettling connection to the case, exploring the possibility that someone from her own past—her biological father—may have crossed paths with this tragedy. Together, PJ and ShanPa sift through timelines, known evidence, and the gaps in the investigation, carefully separating fact from speculation while confronting what it means when a case hits close to home. With respect for the victim and a commitment to truth, this episode dives into the complexities of memory, family, and justice delayed. Was this a case of missed leads, or is there more beneath the surface waiting to be uncovered? Listener discretion is advised as the conversation includes sensitive themes and personal reflections tied to an ongoing cold case.

  6. Jun 1

    Walking Proof: Meet the hosts

    This is the trailer for Walking Proof, a short introduction to who we are—two husbands, grandpas, and true‑crime nerds—and why we’re telling these stories. In it, we share a glimpse of our personal connection to a 1978 attack and what listeners can expect from the show: Houston‑area cold cases, overlooked victims, and a deeply personal lens on true crime.

Trailer

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Walking Proof is a true crime podcast exploring the dark, often overlooked history of Houston, Texas in the 1970s and 80s, told through an intensely personal lens. Each week, husbands Shannon and Joseph dig into cases that may not have made national headlines, spotlighting victims and families whose stories have been ignored, forgotten, or buried under decades of silence.

Information

You Might Also Like